History of skating

A Brief History of Skateboarding

While skateboarding is very popular these days, the sport is relatively young.

The first skateboard came out sometime in the 1950s when surfers across California came up with the idea of bringing surfing to the streets. It was first made from wooden planks attached to trucks. Skateboarding was originally called "sidewalk surfing" as it imitated surfing moves and styles. While there are some individual claims, no one can be given full credit for the invention of skateboard and skateboarding for that matter since it was said that several people came up with the same idea at the same time.

In 1963, skateboarding went mainstream as the popularity grew from "a thing to do after surfing" to a new sport. Makaha and Hobie started mass-producing skateboards. Barely 2 years after the sudden boom, skateboarding was considered a fad and the popularity suddenly crashed.

In 1972, Frank Nasworthy introduced skateboard wheels made of polyurethane. When it was released on the market in 1974, the popularity rose instantly. Skateboards were safer - the performance was better than ever before. This was the start of the second generation of skateboarding. As many companies started to manufacture skateboards, innovations grew at a very rapid pace. Tricks were invented and the once considered "fad" produced big names such as Kevin Reed, Bobby  Piercy, and Ty Page among others. In 1976, skateboarding experienced another blow, this time from the closing of many parks as a result of high-liability cost due to the dangers of skateboarding. By the start of 1980s, skateboarding had begun to die.

A sudden spark on the popularity of skateboarding happened during the mid-eighties but quickly died, for the third time, in the late eighties.

The rebirth of skateboarding was witnessed the early nineties. This time, it was more edgy, raw, and possessed a dangerous attitude as it concurred with the birth of punk music. Steve Caballero and Tony Hawk became known.

In 1995, the first X-Games ware held in Rhode Island. It was a major success and brought skateboarding closer to the mainstream. The media coverage on skateboarding brought an influx of companies and advertising money that made it even more popular.

Today, skateboarding remains to be a popular sport and still one of the most anticipated events of the X-Games. The board itself changed as tricks became harder and more exciting. In 50 years, skateboarding has evolved from a mere fad into an art, a sport, and a hobby.