Dropping in on the History of Skateboarding

It has been considered to be one of the quickest growing, and most controversial sports in the world. We all see them speeding by us on the streets; performing out of this world tricks such as the kickflip, boardslide, and the shuv-it.

For over fifty years skateboarding has been a part of our society's pop culture. Originally thought up as an alternative to the sport of surfing, the first known skateboards, or “sidewalk surfers”, were made from pieces of 2x4 wood with roller skate wheels attatched to the bottom. The end of the 1950's would find many companies attempting to manufacture the skateboard on a large scale; however, it wouldn't be until 1963 when Surf Guide Publisher Larry Stevenson began a large scale manufacturing of Makaha Skateboards. Back in this day, wholesale cost of this board was a simple $7.77.

From this new beginning skateboarding took a dive in its popularity until 1973, when the introduction of the urethane wheel came in to replace the dangerous clay wheels of the 60's. This second boom in the sport also brought about a new line of innovations in the board, the trucks, and the style of riding.

This new era also brought about a new form of skateboarding that would forever change the sport of skateboarding... pool skating. Young kids would sneak into the backyards of homes and carve along the walls of the drained swimming pools. This riding would bring about a new generation of young riders such as the famous Lords of Dogtown skaters: Stacey Peralta, Tony Alva, Jay Adams, and Shogo Kubo.

Although this activity was illegal, it inspired two avid riders, Jack Graham and John O'Malley, to create the first known skateboarding parks. These parks would provide skaters with a refuge from law enforcement, as well as an area for them to enjoy their sport. Today there are thousands of skate parks all over the world for kids to enjoy.

As time continued on, the sport of skateboarding only continued to develop and grow into the mainstream sport that it is today. With constant changes in equipment, and the introduction of the ESPN X-Games, skateboarding has influenced endless number of kids and adults to partake in this fun filled sport. So grab a board and take your kids to a local park, where you will find every person there with a smile on their face.

To find out more about the history of skateboarding, you can find many books at your local library or bookstore, or you can email me at wakeboarder42185@yahoo.com.