Skateboarding: questions and Band 8 answers

Yeah, I gave it a go when I was a teenager. A friend of mine lent me his board, and we spent an afternoon trying to balance on it in an empty car park. To be honest, I ended up with bruised knees, so I didn't stick with it.

I'd say it is quite trendy among young people. There's a dedicated skatepark near my flat, and whenever I walk past, it's packed with teenagers practising tricks and filming each other on their mobile phones. It definitely seems to have a strong subculture.

It certainly carries some risk, especially if people attempt fancy manoeuvres without wearing protective gear like helmets or elbow pads. That said, as long as you learn the basics properly and don't take reckless chances, it's probably no riskier than cycling or rollerblading.

Not really in my neighbourhood, actually. Most kids were more into playing football or riding bicycles around the local park. Skateboarding was seen as a bit niche back then, whereas nowadays it feels much more mainstream and accessible to everyone.

I don't think so, to be fair. My sense of balance isn't great, and at my age, I'd probably be terrified of breaking a bone! I much prefer safer outdoor activities like jogging or going for long walks along the river.