Skitching - Origins of Skitching

Origins of Skitching

It is believed that the term "Skitching" originated in Laconia NewHampshire during the mid to early 70s, however in the mid 50's in suburban Chicago the term "Skitching" was used to describe the practice of grabbing the rear bumber of a slow moving car on a snow covered road. The best boots for skitching back then were made by Timberland, which had a sole made of a hard rubber compound. All other boots had a softer rubber that would not glide over the snow. Kids would drag the soles of their new boots on the pavement in order to make their boots even smoother. Skitching a police car was the greatest feat of all. Dozens of boys would meet at the "4 corners" in Laconia- (a 4 way intersection) on stormy evenings. Cars would stop at one of the 4 signs as a 2-3 of the boys would crouch down and sneak up on a vehicle. Usually, the rear window of the car would be covered in snow, making the driver unaware that anyone had attached themselves to the vehicle as it drove away. Manhole covers and underpasses were the two biggest hazards of skitching. If speed was an issue, one would let go and hopefully glide to a gradual stop. More often than not, letting go of the bumper too soon would send the rider in a tailspin and summersault. Since cars have eliminated chrome bumpers, this form of skitching has all but disappeared since there is no place for one to grab. Keeping a low center of gravity with your knees tucked kept your feet from flying out from under your body. The friction from being dragged, and weight of ones body would do damage to modern car bumpers and grabbing the side of the car would surely send your feet under the rear tires of the car. Snow Skitching is an entirely different form of hitching a ride on a car than with a skateboard or rollerblades. The term has been expanded to include variations on the original form named by some crazy kid in the secluded Winter months in Laconia NH in the 70s. The form itself predates automobiles.