CULTURE :: SKATE

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HISTORY OF SKATEBOARDING – DOGTOWN AND Z BOY
“SWEET” OLIE!

The first skateboards were actually more like scooters…  These date back to the early 1900s and featured roller skate wheels attached to a two by four.  In the 1950s modifications were made to the “trucks” which made it easier to maneuver…  Surfing became popular and people started to tie surfing together with cruising on a board.  Sidewalk surfing began to take root!  Skateboarding gained an impressive following from the surf crowd.  When Larry Stevenson, publisher of Surf Guide began promoting skateboarding, things took off and he created Makaha professional boards in 1963.  Most skaters took to the streets while others took to empty swimming pools.  By 1965 international contests, magazines and movies elevated the sport.  Over fifty million boards were sold, and then suddenly skateboarding died.  Mostly due to high inventory and inferior products…  Cities started to ban skateboards and with fatal crashes, skateboarding was drummed out (for the time being!)

Then, Frank Nasworthy’s urethane Cadillac Wheels launched skateboarding back!  Slalom, downhill and freestyle are practiced by millions.  In 1978, Alan Gelfand invested the “olie” or no hands aerial and moved skateboarding to the next level.  Skateboarding culture began to mesh with punk and new wave music and images of skulls appeared on boards.  Already famous for his role as one of the founding fathers of modern skateboarding and filmmaker is Stacy Peralta.  In the 1970s, Peralta and his fellow “Dogtown” skaters adapted the “vert” in empty backyard pools and school yard banks.  The birth of modern skate style… documented in Peralta’s skate Dogtown and Z-Boys. Then, skateboard parks struggled with insurance issues and many closed.  But hardcore skaters built backyard half pipes and ramps.  Skate contests were still held and in 1982 Tony Hawk won his first contest.

By 1984, vert riding and street style took off.  Numerous contests featured Tony Hawk, Christian Hosoi, Lance Mountain, and Neil Blender.  And in the streets, Mark Gonzales, Natas Kaupas, and Tommy Guerrero took the olie to new heights.  Freestyle skateboarding was in the scene and Rodney Mullen dominated the competiton. The ultimate comeback, over the past 40 years skateboarding has had its peaks and valleys, yet has endured simply because it is so much fun.

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Hey X enthusiasts… We want to know your fav locale where you can get incredible amplitude and combinations of kickflips, grinds, and spins or where you like to hangout with your board in tow.  Let us know because we want to hear from you, your input may get you posted on our site!   EMAIL US YOUR COMMENTS...