Ethnographic study of young skaters: body and urban practices

Abstract

The present work corresponds to a classic ethnographic study, which aims to explore the construction space of new lifestyles and bodily practices in young urban skaters in Colima. The study was conducted in an emblematic park: La Piedra Lisa, located in the capital of the state of Colima, Mexico. The observation unit was made up of 50 young people between 12 and 20 years old, who skate during the week. The method used was ethnographic, the research techniques were participant observations –for a month and a half– and the informal interview, and the field newspaper was used as recording instrument. For the systematization of information and classification, the Murdock Guide was used. The study describes identity aspects of young skaters, information about the development of coordinative, conditional and skateboarding physical skills, meeting places and appropriation of public spaces, classification of skaters by groups, the equipment used, and the social perception that it has of itself, society, family and friends.