Skateboarding is initially very basic and consists of small surfboards and metal wheels without bearings!
Reserved therefore for initiates who have a sense of balance
A business that rolls…!
It was in 1959 that Roller Derby released the first skateboard with technical innovations allowing enthusiasts to develop new movements and tricks.
Skateboarding continued its journey in the 60s and became increasingly popular on the east and west coasts of the United States until it became an industrialized object by the Patterson Forbes company.
The first ads appeared and the clothing industry became passionate about skateboarding and saw the birth of iconic brands like Vans in 1966 for example.
Another big step is the development of new board formats with Larry Stevenson, in particular, who invented the "kicktail". A super versatile board with curved tips that offers new riding possibilities.
Beyond that, the first slalom and freestyle events and demonstrations became more popular, attracting the first sponsors.
… But the bottom of the wave comes quickly and skateboarding will remain chaotic for a long time!
In the late 60s and early 70s, and shortly after the first skatepark was built in Arizona, skateboarding experienced a bit of a death.
Indeed, the almost non-existent level of equipment and the poor quality of the wheels make it a rather dangerous discipline that many cities ban. Only a few die-hard skaters keep the sport alive.
The evolution of equipment (Frank Nasworth notably invented urethane wheels in 1972), the arrival of the discipline in Germany in the mid-70s and the Ollie (a trick invented by Alan Gelfand in 1978) would relaunch skateboarding at the end of the 70s and give birth to street skateboarding.
In the mid-80s, and after a new period of oblivion, skateboarding came back into the game!
A few skaters managed to earn a decent living and international competitions were set up. Video (VHS of course ) also played a major role and the discipline moved to the streets where prominent skaters became as media-friendly as baseball and football stars.
The 80s also saw the commercialization of everything related to the world of skateboarding. Entire shops were created and dedicated to skateboarding. Video cassettes, books, accessories, clothing, skateboarding became a real way of life!
And it's also the movie Back to the Future and the famous skateboard of young Marty Mc Fly! Zeus name ;-)
In the 90s, The growing success of the hip-hop movement allowed skateboarding to experience a popular revival: very great skaters contributed to this notoriety like Tony Hawk, Mark Gonzales and Spike Jones.
Skateboarding is becoming more democratic, skateboarding lessons are starting to develop here and elsewhere, dozens of new tricks are being listed in a few years and tested in the streets and skateparks.
Modern skateboarding is born!
Its appearance changed slightly with, in the 2000s, smaller or even tiny wheels. The boards are now called matches on which skaters set fire during big world events like the "Street League"!
Everyone has their own style and the advent of the Internet has helped to strengthen a community of enthusiasts who spend hours online watching videos of tricks.
Today, the practice of skateboarding has expanded and reflects a certain way of living, even of moving.
It's not uncommon to see people in business attire riding skateboards to work.
This democratization of skateboarding and its entry as an Olympic discipline in 2016 have deeply divided the skateboarding community. However, the market is growing again and innovations have multiplied in recent years!
There is no doubt that the history of skateboarding will experience new twists and turns! Let's Ride!