Skitching

Skitching (abbreviated from "skate-hitching", pron: /ˈskɪtʃɪŋ/) is the act of hitching a ride by holding onto a motor vehicle while riding on a skateboard, roller skates, bicycle, or sneakers when there is snowfall. It is also sometimes referred to as bum-riding or hooky bobbing when being towed over snowy or icy streets on boots or a sled.^[1] In addition, skitching can be performed on a bicycle or inner tube.^[2]

Lucas Brunelle demonstrating Bicycle Skitching

Skitching after a taxicab in New York City.

Dangers

Because skitching is often done in traffic, on inadequate equipment for the speeds travelled, and sometimes without the knowledge of the driver of the vehicle, there is significant potential for injury or death. The skateboarding advocacy group Skaters for Public Skateparks reported that 2 of 42 skateboarding deaths in 2011 in the United States were skitching-related.^[3]

Skateboarding celebrity Tony Hawk has advocated against the practice of skitching due to the related deaths and injuries.^[4]

Cultural references

In film and television

Michael J. Fox can be seen skitching in the 1985 film Back to the Future, as can Michael Beck in the 1980 film Xanadu and Christian Slater in the 1989 film Gleaming the Cube and also in the 2016 film Nerve as a dangerous stunt. It was portrayed in Biker Boyz (2003), Lords of Dogtown (2005), Premium Rush (2012), and season 1 of Better Call Saul (2015) as well.

In literature

• In Neal Stephenson's 1992 novel Snow Crash skateboard Kouriers use a magnetic harpoon to skitch.

In video games

• The Sega Mega Drive/Genesis 1994 video game Skitchin' involves racing against other skitchers.
• The 2002 video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 and subsequent games also feature skitching.
• Skitching is featured in the game Jet Grind Radio.
• Bully also features skitching after receiving the skateboard.
• Skitching is also possible in Skate 3.
• Skitching is also included in Aggressive Inline.

See also

• Car surfing
• Inner tube
• List of train-surfing injuries and deaths
• Train surfing
• Skijoring

References

1. "Hooky bob (1965)". Do You Speak American? Track That Word!. PBS. Archived from the original on 2010-05-27.
2. McFedries, Paul (November 4, 1997). "Skitch". Word Spy.
3. Waters, Teresa (January 30, 2012). "2011 Skateboarding Fatalities". Skaters for Public Skateparks. Archived from the original on 2013-08-21.
4. "Hawk's warning: don't skitch". The Sydney Morning Herald (MP4 video). January 24, 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-11-27.