The 'lock in'

Han emphasizes the significance of skate shops in promoting the sport, as they strengthen the connection among skaters and bring ordinary people closer to the culture.

Lacking professional instruction himself, he was willing to help young beginners by lending out DVDs or offering free training courses.

Wang Minjun, 28, was among the beneficiaries of Han's devotion.

After Wang, who picked up the board at 12, grew into a well-performing skater, Han started to sponsor him. "As a student who couldn't afford quality boards and shoes, I was delighted to get Han's support," says Wang. "From then on, I started to throw myself into the sport."

Wang says that, despite not many people sharing the same interest with him at the time, he could feel the strong bond within the skating community, which formed via the various skating spots scattered around the city.

"I used to go skateboarding at Shanghai Concert Hall with my pals. There are marble tiles on the ground, ledges, stairs and walls. It's our own 'love park'," he says, referring to Love Park (officially known as John F.Kennedy Plaza) in Philadelphia, a former hot spot for US skaters.