Skateboarding is my Nature

Zachary Overfield openly acknowledges skateboarding possesses an undesirable perception that the sport introduces youth to trouble. It’s a negative connotation he defends because in his experience skateboarding did the opposite – it saved him.  In 2014, the 28-year-old Henderson County High School graduate opened Rookie Skateboard Co., an Internet-based retailer offering skateboards featuring custom artwork and designs at an affordable cost for youth. The company collaborates with Signs by Design in Henderson to customize each deck.

“I grew up in a low-income household on Henderson’s east end, and my family life was wishy washy, but I could always count on my friends being there. Skateboarding connected me with my friends for life.”

“A lot of people have a perception of skateboarding as being bad or something from the other side of the tracks. It’s not. It gives kids somewhere safe in a park and a place to feel. If they are coming from an abusive household and don’t land a trick, they can slam their board and take out their frustration on the skateboard instead of on themselves, or if they learn something new, they can celebrate with friends.”

Overfield started the business to pursue his passion of skateboarding and works full time as bar manager at Rookies Restaurant and Sports Bar, where he began washing dishes at age 15. He encourages parents or youth to contact him to inquire about a skateboard or to learn how to skateboard. His long-term goal is to help make Henderson more skateboard friendly by building sustainable “Safe Spot Skate Spots” around the community.

“I don’t want to get rich, I don’t want to be famous, I just want to make sure kids who grew up like I did, who couldn’t afford to buy a skateboard or who used the same skateboard for years that was so broken, have a skateboard. I try to find kids like that, even if it costs me money, and get them a board. I want them to find a passion to keep them out of trouble.”
For more information about Rookie Skateboard Co., visit facebook.com/rookieskateco