Skateboarding History: From Sidewalk Surfing to Global Sport

Origins and Early Development

Skateboarding is a popular action sport created in Los Angeles, California in the 1950s. Originally, the idea for this item came about because several surfers needed something to occupy themselves during flat waves. These skateboards, made from wooden crates and roller blade wheels, were dubbed "sidewalk surfers" and became a household item as the sport became more widely known. From then on, the sport began to become more profitable for many entrepreneurs, who built and sold thousands of these boards to the public.

Over time, the development of the skateboard became much more advanced. Individual parts—from wheels to axles—were made specifically for new decks created for the "modern" skater. With the use of this new technology, skateboarders were able to conquer many different surfaces. Although skate parks had not been invented yet, people became very fond of pools and smooth surfaces, which caught the attention of several up-and-coming skateboarding magazines. These magazine companies would often capture photos and interviews of skateboarders and document how quickly the sport had transformed into something much larger.

Freestyle Revolution and the 1980s Decline

Not much after this, competitions were created at local spots with cash prizes. These events caught the attention of skaters from across the country, as well as potential sponsors eager to view new talent. By the late 1970s, there was a large amount of publicity around the world's newest sport.

For the sake of better performance, the skateboard went through another transformation. A new wave of skating on the streets, known as "Freestyle," was born. No longer were skateboarders confining themselves to the usual bowls where people were crammed in 24/7. Surfing the sidewalks, people conquered a whole new atmosphere. Boards were narrower, and materials were created much more precisely compared to their previous models. These changes were crucial in the evolution of skateboarding, as they heightened people's ability to perform more complicated tricks.

Street Skating and the X Games Era

In the 1980s, however, things became difficult for the sport. Although everyone enjoyed skateboarding, it became evident that the activity had become more dangerous as people began to push themselves beyond their abilities and hurt themselves. This caused insurance rates to rise, which led to fewer skate parks being built and more people choosing to stay home. Despite this setback, people continued to skate by themselves. The sport that was publicized across the country essentially began an underground movement overnight.

Not long after this obstacle, skateboarding began to pick up momentum again. The focus on street skating became much more prominent, in contrast to its counterpart, vert skateboarding. Skateboarders found it much easier to watch street skating videos due to their relatability. It was much more common to see someone skateboarding around town than to find them at a park, where safety was much more enforced. Several groundbreaking skateboarding videos featuring some of the greatest skaters surfaced in the media. This sparked another movement of skateboarding, as tricks became more complex and intricate.

Commercialization and Modern Industry

In 1995, ESPN aired their first action sports olympics, the Extreme Games, commonly referred to as the X Games. This production was a huge hit and put skateboarding in the view of many more people across the country. The X Games became a pivotal moment in bringing skateboarding from underground culture into the mainstream spotlight.

In the 2000s, skateboarding continued to rise and became increasingly commercialized. Various video games for all consoles involving the sport brought the activity into more homes, further boosting skateboarding's reputation. In the 1990s, skateboarding was viewed as a rebellious pastime associated with grunge and punk culture. However, after increased introduction to the general public, skateboarding became more popular than ever. The mainstreaming of the sport through multiple media channels helped normalize what was once considered an alternative activity.