During the 1980’s, there was an explosion in skateboarding. Many young men and women were drawn to the sport, as it allowed them to have fun in a different way. It also allowed them to stay active and fit, and it also provided a sense of freedom. Today, skateboarding continues to grow in popularity, as more and more people are interested in it.
Origins
Despite the fact that skateboarding is now a worldwide phenomenon, nobody knows where it began. However, a recent article in the Irish Times by Una Mullaly offers some interesting historical nuggets to shed light on the origins of skateboarding.
Skateboarding is considered the quintessential beach activity, but in reality, it started on the streets of California in the 1950s. Early skateboards were made of wood with hard rubber wheels and looked very similar to surfboards. Some of the first boards had milk crates attached for added stability. The early boards were too short to perform any stunts.
There are many different theories about the origins of skateboarding. Some claim that the sport began in the 1960s, while others believe it began in the 1930s. However, the first skateboards weren’t really designed for stunts, and they were only about an inch thick.
The invention of the skateboard might have come from California surfers who were looking for an alternative to riding their surfboards on land. This led to the invention of the ollie, a technique used to jump over obstacles while skateboarding.
The first skateboards also had metal plates attached to their shoes to allow people to glide across smooth surfaces. The X Games, an extreme sports competition, introduced the world to skateboarding and helped make its names more recognisable worldwide.
The 1980s
During the 1980s, skateboarding was in a period of huge change. Two major crashes hit skateboarding’s popularity. These crashes were caused by the proliferation of roller skating, BMX biking, and skatepark liability issues.
In the mid-1980s, street skateboarding pushed sport to new heights. New tricks were created and vert riding took off. This created a different type of skater.
After a few years, skateboards began to come in different materials. The most popular were wood, aluminum, and fiberglass. These materials gave skaters the right spring and crispness.
In the 1970s, urethane wheels were introduced. This allowed skaters to ride faster and with more comfort. It also led to new tricks, like ollies, kickflips, and verts. These tricks required more control on the board, which skaters found easier to master.
In the late 1980s, a new style of skateboarding emerged. Skateboarding became an anti-establishment culture. This became a calling card for a growing punk scene. This style of skating was also popular with non-skaters.
The popularity of skateboarding continued to rise until the end of the century. The skateboard industry was its own worst enemy in the 1990s. It had to cope with a huge supply of products and a worldwide recession.
The 1980s saw a new wave of skateboard manufacturers and trucks. In the mid 1980s, Powell Peralta, Vision, and Sims were the top three manufacturers. Their products were hugely popular.
Today’s skateboarders
Whether or not you’re into skateboarding, you may be wondering how it got started. The sport, which was born in the early 1950s, began with surfers, who transferred their riding experience of waves onto the street. It was seen as an interesting and fun activity.
In the early days, skateboards were made out of wooden boxes, with roller skate wheels attached. The wheels were made of clay or metal. This meant that riders couldn’t glide very fast.
The first commercially produced skateboards came out in 1962. They had four pedal car wheels and a removable handle. They were sold at the surf shop “Val-Surf”.
The ollie is a skateboarding trick that enables a skater to jump off their board while it’s in the air. It’s a fundamental element in almost any modern skateboarding trick.
The “Ollie” trick was invented by Alan Gelfand in 1978. It was also one of the first tricks that a skateboarder could perform.
The first skateboard company was started by Bill Richards in 1958. He attached rollerblading wheels to a wooden board. This allowed a more smooth ride.
In 1963, the first skateboard contest was held in Hermosa Beach, California. This event introduced skateboarding to the world. Afterwards, skateboarders began to compete in the sport in a variety of disciplines.