Replying to GoPro really worth it?

My birthday is coming up in june. I really desperately want a video camera. And I'm not talking some shitty flip video. I mean a legitamate HD digital video camera. Now the first one that really caught my eye was the GoPro. mostly just cause no amateurs make pow edits anymore and i thought it'd be sick.. but then i got to thinking about go pro use in the summer at the skatepark and what not... and im trying to figure out if its really all its cracked up to be. basically what im getting at is: is the go pro worth it? or would it be better to get a legitimate handheld HD video camera? please people with both let me know what you think cause its getting close now and my parents really need to know.. and if you think it would be better to get a handheld, what would you suggest to a semi-beginner?