Skateboarding: Uncover its History and Culture

Skateboarding’s enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. But you might not know about its HUMBLE beginnings, or its history.

Skateboarding is to move over ground on a board or a skateboard, usually as a form of recreation. It’s a sport enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. Skateboarding can be performed both indoors and outdoors and can be competitive or non-competitive.

In this article, I’ll look at everything you need to know about skateboarding, from the definition to its history and some of the most famous skateboarders.

The Evolution of Skateboarding

From Wooden Boxes to Polyurethane Wheels

It all started with a wooden box and some roller skate wheels. Skaters in California wanted something to do when the waves were flat, so they started using the sidewalk as their own personal surfboard. This was called “sidewalk surfing” and it quickly became a popular sport.

Soon, companies like Jack’s, Kips’, Hobie, Bing’s and Makaha started building skateboards that looked like small surfboards. They even put together teams to promote their products!

By the 1960s, skateboarding was becoming more and more popular. Skateboarder Magazine was published, and skateboarding competitions were being held. Animated cartoons of the time even featured skateboard gags!

In the early 1970s, Frank Nasworthy started to develop a skateboard wheel made of polyurethane, which was a game-changer. Skateboarding was becoming more and more popular, and it’s been growing ever since.

Skateboarding Today

Today, skateboarding is a popular sport all around the world. Professional skateboarders are sponsored by major brands, and competitions are held all over the world. Skateboarding has become a lifestyle for many, and it’s only getting more popular.

Skateboarding has come a long way since its humble beginnings. From wooden boxes and roller skate wheels to polyurethane wheels and professional competitions, skateboarding has evolved into a beloved sport.

The Evolution of Skateboarding Tricks

The Early Days

Back in the day, skateboarding was all about two-dimensional freestyle moves like wheelies, pivots, and hippie jumps. Skaters would also take part in long jumps from one board to another, often over small barrels or fearless teenagers. Then there was the Bertlemann slide, named after Larry Bertelemann’s surfing manoeuvres.

The Ollie Revolution

In 1976, skateboarding was revolutionized by the invention of the ollie by Alan “Ollie” Gelfand. This move quickly spread across the West Coast and the world. Rodney Mullen then adapted the ollie to flat ground in 1982 and invented the “Magic Flip” (later renamed the kickflip). He also created other tricks like the 360 Kickflip, which is a 360 pop shove-it and a kickflip in the same motion.

The Modern Day

Today, skateboarders can perform tricks in mid-air without any extra equipment thanks to the ollie. The latest development in the world of trick skating is the 1080, which was first ever landed by Tom Schaar in 2012.

Skateboarding has come a long way since its humble beginnings. From wheelies and hippie jumps to the modern-day 1080, skateboarders have been pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on a board. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there’s a trick out there for everyone. So grab your board and get out there!

Skateboarding Beyond the Streets

Transportation

Longboarding is the way to go if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly way of getting around town. It’s portable, it’s a great workout, and it’s way more fun than driving! Plus, the US Marine Corps even tested out skateboards for urban combat exercises in the late 90s – so you know it’s legit.

Trampboarding

If you’re looking for a new way to get your skateboard fix, you might want to check out trampboarding. It’s like skateboarding, but with a trampoline! You can get some serious airtime and perform tricks you’d never be able to do on a regular skateboard. Check out some of the videos on YouTube to see what we mean!

Swing Boarding

Swing boarding is a unique way to take your skateboarding skills to the next level. You’ll need a skateboard deck suspended from a pivot point, and you’ll be able to perform spins and turns while flying through the air. It’s a great way to show off your skills and impress your friends!

Skateboarding: A Look Into the Culture

What is Skateboarding?

Skateboarding is a sport that has been around since the 1950s and has been gaining popularity ever since. It involves riding a skateboard on flat surfaces and performing tricks. It has become a popular form of recreation and expression for many people around the world.

The Origins of Skateboarding

Skateboarding was popularized by the 1986 skateboarding cult classic Thrashin’. The movie featured appearances from many famous skaters such as Tony Alva, Tony Hawk, Christian Hosoi and Steve Caballero. It had a direct impact on Lords of Dogtown, as Catherine Hardwicke, who directed Lords of Dogtown, was hired by Winters to work on Thrashin’ as a production designer.

The Music of Skateboarding

California duo Jan and Dean recorded the song “Sidewalk Surfin'” in 1964, which is the Beach Boys song “Catch a Wave” with new lyrics associated with skateboarding instead of surfing. Skateboarding has also been associated with hip hop, reggae, and hard rock music.

Skateboarding and the Law

Certain cities still oppose the building of skate parks in their neighborhoods, for fear of increased crime and drugs in the area.

Skateboarding and Gender

Female based skateboarding groups also exist, such as Brujas which is based in New York City. Many women use their participation in skate crews to perform an alternative form of femininity.

The Technology of Skateboarding

The increasing availability of technology is apparent within the skateboarding community. Many skateboarders record and edit videos of themselves and friends skateboarding. Skateboarding video games have also become very popular in skateboarding culture.

Skateboarding Shoes

Whilst early skateboarders generally rode barefoot, preferring direct foot-to-board contact, and some skaters continue to do so, one of the early leading trends associated with the sub-culture of skateboarding itself, was the sticky-soled slip-on skate shoe. This shoe was popularized by Sean Penn’s skateboarding character from the film Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

The Risks of Skateboarding

What Are the Dangers?

Skateboarding may seem like a fun activity, but it can also be dangerous. Riders can easily be thrown off their boards if they hit a crack or bump in the pavement, which can lead to scrapes, cuts, bruises, and sprains. In more severe cases, broken bones or even head injuries and death can occur.

The Risk of Colliding with Other Traffic

When skateboarding, you’re exposed to the dangers of other vehicles on the road. You could get hit by a car or fall into traffic. You also need to be careful of pedestrians, as if you fall, your skateboard could fly into them and cause injury or, in rare cases, death.

Safety Precautions

To reduce the risk of injury, many jurisdictions require skateboarders to wear a helmet. Other protective gear, such as wrist guards, can also help. Some people have even suggested that skateboarding should only be done in designated, specially designed areas.

Bullet points:

• Skateboarding can be dangerous, leading to scrapes, cuts, bruises, and sprains
• In more severe cases, broken bones, head injuries, and death can occur
• Skateboarders are exposed to the dangers of other vehicles and pedestrians
• To reduce the risk of injury, many jurisdictions require skateboarders to wear a helmet and other protective gear
• Some people suggest that skateboarding should only be done in designated, specially designed areas

Skateboarding: A Controversial Activity

The Damage

Skateboarding can be a real pain in the butt for urban terrain features like curbs, benches, and ledges. When skateboarders do their grinds and tricks, it can really mess up the surfaces. Companies have tried to put a stop to this by using skate deterrent devices, and cities have started posting signs saying “No Skateboarding Allowed”.

The Problem in Freedom Plaza

Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C. has become a popular spot for skateboarding, even though it’s illegal. The police have had to step in to deal with the trespassing and vandalism. It’s gotten so bad that the National Park Service has had to make a management plan to try and stop it.

The Facebook Incident

In 2013, a professional skateboarder used Facebook to promote skateboarding on governmental sites during the federal government shutdown. Not cool!

The Solution?

So what can be done to stop this? Well, cities have been putting up “No Skateboarding” signs, but vandals have been taking them down. So maybe it’s time to get creative and come up with something more permanent.
Maybe we could try and create a skateboarding-friendly area, where skateboarders can do their thing without damaging public property. Or maybe we could come up with a way to make skateboarding more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Whatever the solution, it’s clear that something needs to be done to protect our urban terrain features and keep skateboarders safe.

Where Did Skateboarding Come From?

The Birthplace of Skateboarding

Skateboarding has been around since the days of the Wild West, but it wasn’t until the sun-soaked beaches of Southern California that it really took off. It was here that a bunch of surfers decided they wanted to take their skills to the streets and, in doing so, created a whole new sport.

The X-Games and Street League Skating

The X-Games were the first major skateboarding event, taking place in Rhode Island in 1995. Since then, the sport has grown in popularity and Street League Skateboarding was founded by pro skateboarder Rob Dyrdek in 2010. Street League Skateboarding has helped to grow the street skateboarding community and continues to be a major influence in the skateboarding world.

Skateboarding Today

These days, skateboarding is more popular than ever. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced pro, there’s something for everyone. From skate parks to street corners, you can find skateboarders everywhere, showing off their skills and having a great time. So, if you’re looking for a way to get your adrenaline pumping, why not give skateboarding a try?

Who Pioneered the Skateboarding Scene?

The Early Days of Skateboarding

Back in the day, Bill Richards was the one who kicked off the modern skateboarding trend when he attached rollerblading wheels to a wooden board. This was known as the Roller Derby Skateboard and it hit the shelves in 1959. These boards were pretty chunky and had narrow trucks and clay wheels, which weren’t exactly the safest option.

The Innovators

Larry Stevenson was another skateboarding pioneer who revolutionized the industry. He invented the kicktail in 1969, which allowed skaters to have more control and do tricks. His company, Makaha, was one of the first to use clay wheels instead of metal wheels, which made it easier to maneuver.

Then, in the late 70s, Alan Gelfand came up with the ollie. This allowed skateboarders to jump while on the board and it’s a key element in almost any modern skateboarding trick.

The Legacy

These skateboarding legends all made their mark on the industry and helped shape it into what it is today. Without them, we wouldn’t have the awesome skateboarding tricks we know and love. So, next time you’re out shredding, take a moment to thank these pioneers for their contributions!

The Rise of Skateboarding: How It Became Popular

The Early Days

In the 1950s and 1960s, when the waves weren’t so great, surfers had to find something else to do. That’s when “sidewalk surfing” was born, thanks to the invention of skateboards. Makaha, the first skateboard company, was formed and by 1963, over 50 million skateboards had been sold.

The Downturns

Skateboarding has had its share of ups and downs. It was often seen as a dangerous sport with high risks of injury, which caused it to lose popularity. But skateboarding never died out and managed to adapt during these downturns.

The X-Games and Tony Hawk

Skateboarding experienced a huge surge in popularity when the X-Games were introduced in 1995. This was followed by the rise of international skateboarding superstars like Tony Hawk, who helped to make skateboarding even more popular.

The Legacy of Skateboarding

Today, skateboarding is still going strong. It’s a sport that has been embraced by people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Skateboarding is an activity that has been around for decades, and it’s not going away anytime soon. So grab your board and hit the streets!

The Fascinating History of Skateboarding

Origins

Before it was known as skateboarding, it was referred to as “sidewalk surfing”. The first skateboard was made from wood and old rollerblading wheels. Skateboarding was founded in California and quickly spread to other parts of the world.

Popularity

Skateboarding is most popular in the US and Spain. Larry Stevenson held the first-ever skateboarding competition in Hermosa Beach, California, and it was a huge success.

Fun Facts

• Skateboarding has been around for decades and it’s still going strong.
• It’s not just a sport, it’s a way of life for many people.
• Skateboarding has been featured in movies, TV shows, and video games.
• Skateboarding has been used in commercials, music videos, and even political campaigns.
• Skateboarding has been used to raise awareness for social issues.

Differences

Skateboarding Vs Longboarding

Skateboards are great for tricks and tight turns, but they can be a bit unstable and uncomfortable. Longboards, on the other hand, are designed for cruising and can take you for miles on any smooth terrain. With a skateboard, you can do flips and jumps, but you’ll be bouncing around like a pinball. With a longboard, you can glide along with ease, and you won’t have to worry about losing your balance. So if you’re looking for a board that can take you from point A to point B, then a longboard is the way to go. But if you want to show off your skills, then a skateboard is the way to go!

Skateboarding Vs Surfing

Skateboarding and surfing are two totally different sports that require different skills and abilities. Skateboarding is all about balance and agility, as you need to be able to shift your weight and rotate your hips to perform tricks and carve. It’s also about leg strength, as you need to be able to kick push to get around. On the other hand, surfing is all about paddling. You need to be able to paddle out across incoming waves and currents, duck dive under them, and paddle into a forming wave for takeoff. It’s also about upper body strength, as you need to be able to paddle hard and fast to catch a wave. So if you’re looking for a challenge, surfing is definitely the way to go!

Conclusion

Skateboarding has come a LONG way since its humble beginnings in the late 1940s. From wooden boxes with roller skate wheels to the high-tech skateboards of today, it’s a sport that has evolved and grown in popularity over the years.

So if you’re looking for a unique and exciting way to have fun, why not give skateboarding a try?

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Kauai Surf Report is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new sports with everything surfing at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2019 to help loyal readers with surfing and water sporting tips.