Twenty-five years ago, Jeff Han made the bold decision to leave his stable job at one of China’s largest dairy companies to pursue an unlikely passion — opening a skateboard accessories shop on Shanghai’s famous Changle Road. Over the years, his shop has become a cornerstone of Shanghai’s skate community, contributing to the sport’s evolution from a niche hobby among self-described misfits to the well-established pursuit that it is today. Now, skate shops and skateparks can easily be found in every major city in China, and many parents even encourage their kids to skate.
A major factor contributing to this boom in popularity was the inclusion of skateboarding in the past two Olympic Games. In Paris, 11-year-old Zheng Haohao from the southern Guangdong province made headlines as the youngest athlete at the Games. Meanwhile, 14-year-old Cui Chenxi from the eastern Shandong province finished fourth in the women’s street skateboarding event.
Additional reporting: Cai Yineng and Wu Huiyuan.
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