The Growing Skateboarding Culture
Introduction
Skateboarding as a sport has grown tremendously as not only a sport, but also a culture. Originating solely as a way of transportation and to practice surfing while the waves are low, skateboarding turned into a way of life. What skateboarding did to the youth and the influence it had on culture is very exciting and brand new. While some may see skateboarding as a trend or a dangerous sport, many see it as a lifestyle choice that comes with much more than just a piece of wood with wheels on it. With raising popularity in skateboarding came the introduction of professional skateboarders. Professional skateboarders are not only the best skateboarders to walk the earth, they are also chosen based on style, performance, and fluidity. While skateboarding is said to have originated in the United States, it has reached far reaches to other cultures as well, bringing different styles to the sport.
Evolution of Skateboarding
Origin
The first skateboard was said to be created by children in the early 1900s, it was created by putting roller skate wheels nailed to a two-by-four piece of wood with a crate nailed to the top of it with handles for steering. Skateboards would not see later modifications until around the 1950s when surfers decided to redesign the trucks on a skateboard (trucks are the steering parts on a skateboard that allow for turning) so that maneuverability is easier. Surfers created this so they could surf the sidewalks while the waves were flat.
Commercializing Skateboards
Once the 1960s had started up, skateboarding started to see a lot of popularity, with more and more people starting to build skateboards. A man named Larry Stevenson (publisher of Surf Guide) came along and became the creator of the first professional skateboard, along with the first professional skate team. Stevenson’s company would be known as Makaha skateboards. With a skate team promoting and selling his skateboards, the sport began to take off. Soon the first skateboard competition would be held in Hermosa, California in 1963. This would give rise to other competitions, consisting of downhill and flat ground freestyling.
Revolutionizing Tricks
In 1972, with the invention of urethane wheels, skateboarding would take a turn for the better, it became more maneuverable and easier to slide. With this brought a new style of skateboarding. The first to change the style and be recognized were the Zephyr skate team, most famous for the team members: Tony Alva, Jay Adams, and Stacy Peralta. Along with them in this time period was the creation of the most iconic trick in skateboard history, the Ollie. Created by Alan Gelfand, this would be the staple for all flip tricks that are popular today. With the growing excitement around skateboarding came the first outdoor skatepark built in 1976. With this came a roar of other skateparks popping up all over North America. By the 1980s, skateboarders had begun to see some hardships. With the danger and liability brought on by skateboarding, many skateparks had to close down because they could not afford the insurance. This caused skateboarding to once again go back to the streets. Until, Thrasher Magazine, started to publish its new magazine and begin to hold small skate competitions to try to get people interested in skateboarding again. In 1982, the soon to be most famous skateboarder of all time, Tony Hawk, would win his first skateboarding competition. This also brings on the popularity of vert/ ramp skating. Only a year later, the father of modern flip tricks Rodney Mullen would create the trick that is now known as the kickflip(original name was Magic Flip) in 1983. With this new trick on the streets, and vert skating starting to slow down, street skating began to get the fame it deserved towards the late 1980s.
Televised Skateboarding
When the mid to late 90s came, skateboarding began to see another rise, due to ESPN 2 Extreme Games. The show broadcasted skateboarding on television causing more and more people to tune in and become interested. With this came the sales of skate shoes such as Etnies and Vans.
Professional Skateboarding
Professional skateboarding arrived at the same time as the skateboard competitions, original skate teams such as Zephyr, were just a bunch of teenagers having fun. That is, until they caught the eyes of fans and managers with dollar signs in their eyes. Stacy Peralta was one of the first skateboarders to become professional, he had a distinct style to his skating and was very elegant in his form. Towards the 80s eyes were moved off from the surfer style of skating and moved more towards freestyle and flat ground skating, thus Rodney Mullen was introduced winning almost all of his freestyle competitions. With the fame brought on to Peralta and Mullen, it still has no match for the impact that Tony Hawk had on the skate community.
Tony Hawk
Tony Hawk is indisputably the most well-known professional skateboarder in the world. With a net worth of $140 million and the reputation of being the best skateboarder to live. With 16 video games named after him, and millions watching him during the X games, it is not surprising that his net worth is as high as it is. Backing things up, Tony Hawk received his first skateboard at 9 years old, and was already winning competitions and received his first sponsor at 12 (Dogtown). He was taken under the wing of Stacy Peralta, who would later make him the most loved skater in the world. Winning 70 skateboarding contests over his 17-year long career and 2 X-Games Gold Medals.
Skateboarding Style
Apparel
Along with the sport of skateboarding came a youthful style directed toward rebellion and self-expression. Not like any other sport, skateboarding brought on a brand new clothing culture. With a mix between surfer style and the emerging style of skateboarding came a lot of clothing brands directed specifically towards skateboarders. While these companies created skateboards, they also created skateboard shoes, clothes, and hats. A completely new fashion was created, a durable, self-expressive, skater style. This style is worn by people who have never stepped on a skateboard in their lives. Well-known brands include the ever popular, Vans Off the Wall, an apparel brand originally known for making semi-durable skateboard shoes but has quickly grown into a clothing empire. Selling clothes and shoes to all walks of life.
Decks
Originally skateboards were designed for one purpose, to roll on the ground, as skateboarding became more materialistic towards the 80s and much more in the 90s, skateboards became more about style. With each skateboard brand releasing graphics on the bottom of each skateboard, it became less about the design of the wood, and more about the graphic. It became more of a sign of expression, skaters soon would be able to design their own graphics. Professionals could use this to their advantage, for a business, this is free advertisement. Skate companies would sign skateboarders to their labels and show them on television riding there skateboards showing off their logos.
Summary
Skateboarding originated as only a new way to roll around the streets, but became a global phenomenon in only 4 or 5 decades. While the styles evolved and the shape of the board changed, the freedom of expression never did. Skateboarding gave way to a new fashion sense and allowed young men and women participate in a sport that did not require a whole team, or a ball. Skateboarding allowed people to rebel against perils and show their feelings without needing to be violent. For a lot of people including myself, it is a very useful and fun outlet.