Was Skateboarding Invented by Surfing or Surfing by Skateboarding?

Grab your board and ride the waves of history with us - was skateboarding invented by surfing or surfing by skateboarding?

Source steemit.com

When Was Skateboarding Invented

Overview of Skateboarding

Skateboarding is a thrilling sport or recreational activity that requires riding and performing tricks on a skateboard. It is popular among people of all ages, from kids to adults, and has evolved into an art form over the years.

Early Beginnings

The origins of skateboarding can be traced back to the 1950s, when surfers in California were looking for ways to practice their skills on land when there were no waves to catch. At that point, the wheels were attached to a wooden board and ridden on the streets. This became the foundation of the skateboard that we know and love today.

1960s - The First Skateboard Company

In the 1960s, skateboarding became a mainstream activity, and the first skateboard company, Makaha, was established. During this time, skateboarding gained more popularity, and skateboard contests were held, showcasing the skills of the athletes. As a result, vertical skateboarding and aerial stunts were introduced, making skateboarding a more acrobatic and thrilling sport.

The Evolution of Skateboarding

From the 1970s to the 1980s, skateboarding continued to grow in popularity, with new skateboard companies emerging and more skateboarders becoming professionals. During this time, the sport transitioned from a recreational activity to a highly competitive sport. Huge skateboarding competitions such as the X Games and the Pro Skateboard Tour gained enormous attention and brought skateboarding to the mainstream media.

Throughout the years, skateboarding has transformed from what was once a simple board with wheels to a complex sport with various disciplines such as street skating, vert skating, downhill skating, and longboarding. Skateboarding has become more than a sport, it has become a culture and a way of life for many skateboarders around the world.

The Future of Skateboarding

Today, skateboarding is one of the most popular activities among youths and adults across the globe. As skateboarding continues to evolve, new techniques, products, and technologies are being introduced, making the sport more accessible and safer. Although it took several decades to be recognized as a legitimate sport, skateboarding is now an Olympic sport, debuting in Tokyo 2020.

The future of skateboarding looks bright, with more people taking an interest in the sport and the number of skateparks increasing worldwide. Skateboarding has come a long way since its humble beginnings in California in the 1950s, and we can only expect it to continue to develop and inspire future generations of skaters for many years to come.

The history of skateboarding dates back to the 1940s when surfers wanted something to do when the waves were flat. The first skateboard was invented in California in the late 1940s.

The 1970s - Skateboarding Goes Mainstream

The 1970s was the decade when skateboarding truly took off and became a mainstream sport and pastime, capturing the imagination of young people across America and around the world. This period saw the emergence of a new generation of skateboarders who brought fresh ideas and styles to the sport. Here are some of the key developments that marked this exciting era in skateboarding history.

The Rise of the Z-Boys

Perhaps the most significant development in skateboarding during the 1970s was the emergence of the Z-Boys, a group of young skateboarders from the Venice Beach area of Los Angeles, California. The Z-Boys brought a new style and approach to skateboarding that was aggressive, innovative, and dynamic. They would surf the concrete, using the curves and angles of the urban landscape to create new moves and tricks.

The Z-Boys were led by skateboard legends such as Tony Alva, Jay Adams, and Stacy Peralta. They were known for their daring and creative style, which involved high-speed runs, aerial maneuvers, and edge-to-edge carving. Their style was partially inspired by their love of surfing, and they brought a surf-inspired approach to skateboarding.

The Z-Boys were the subject of the acclaimed documentary "Dogtown and Z-Boys" which chronicled their rise to fame and the impact they had on the sport of skateboarding. They remain influential figures in the skateboarding world to this day.

Skateboarding in Popular Culture

During the 1970s, skateboarding began to gain wider recognition and acceptance in mainstream popular culture. This was partly due to the success of movies like "Skateboard: The Movie" and "Skateboard Madness". These movies showcased the high-energy, adrenaline-fueled world of skateboarding, and helped to popularize the sport among a wider audience.

In addition to movies, skateboarding also became a popular subject in music videos and TV shows. For example, the music video for David Bowie's hit song "Boys Keep Swinging" featured a group of skateboarders performing stunts and tricks. TV shows like "CHiPs" and "Happy Days" also featured skateboarding storylines and characters.

As skateboarding continued to grow in popularity in the 1970s, it also began to influence fashion, art, and design. Skateboard graphics and logos became popular, and skate fashion, which often featured bright, bold colors and bold designs, began to emerge.

Development of Skateboarding Equipment

During the 1970s, the development of new skateboard equipment made the sport more versatile and opened up new possibilities for skateboarders. Urethane wheels, which were introduced in the early 1970s, replaced the hard metal and clay wheels that had been used previously. Urethane wheels provided better grip and increased speed, enabling skateboarders to perform more complex maneuvers.

The development of the kicktail, a raised area at the back of the skateboard deck, also had a significant impact on skateboarding. The kicktail made it possible for skateboarders to perform a variety of new tricks, such as ollies and kickflips, and opened up new possibilities for skateboard design.

As skateboard equipment continued to evolve and improve, skateboard design became more specialized, with different shapes and sizes of boards being created for different styles of skating. This allowed skateboarders to tailor their equipment to their individual needs and preferences, and helped to create a more diverse and innovative skateboarding culture.

Overall, the 1970s was a pivotal decade in the history of skateboarding. It marked the emergence of a new generation of skateboarders who brought a fresh, dynamic approach to the sport, and who helped to make skateboarding a mainstream activity. The impact of this period can still be felt in the skateboarding world today, as new generations of skateboarders build on the legacy of their predecessors and continue to push the boundaries of what is possible on four wheels.

Was Video Recording Invented Earlier than We Thought?

1980s and 1990s - Evolution of Skateboarding

Street Skating

Skateboarding in the 1980s was marked by the emergence of street skating. This style of skating replaced the earlier dominant style which was vertical skating. Street skating involved performing tricks on urban obstacles like stairs, rails, curbs, and ledges. Street skating was all about being creative and making use of the environment in exciting and innovative ways. This style gave skaters the freedom to express themselves and their individuality through their skating style and the tricks they performed. Street skating became increasingly popular in the 1980s, fueled by skateboarding videos which showcased the skills of street skateboarders. In the videos, skaters would perform incredible tricks on the streets, which inspired a whole new generation of skateboarders. As the popularity of street skating continued to grow, it became more and more recognized as an established style of skateboarding.

Professional Skateboarding

The 1980s and 1990s were also dotted with the rise of professional skateboarding. The creation of the National Skateboarding Association (NSA) in 1983 marked the beginning of the professional era. The NSA sanctioned and organized national skateboarding competitions, events, and tours that offered prize money, sponsorships, and exposure to professional skateboarders. Professional skateboarding grew rapidly, and by the early '90s, companies were sponsoring skaters, and money poured into the industry.In 1995, ESPN launched the X-Games, which marked the first time skateboarding had been featured prominently on national television. The X-Games brought together the world's best skateboarders, and viewers were thrilled by the incredible stunts and tricks that they performed. The competition was a significant step in the evolution of professional skateboarding, as it brought it to the mainstream and helped to legitimize it as a sport.

Impact on Popular Culture

During the 1980s and 1990s, skateboarding continued to influence popular culture. Skateboarding was not just a sport or a hobby; it was an entire culture with its fashion, art, and lifestyle. Skateboarding featured heavily in music videos and movies that helped to amplify its visibility and appeal. The 1980s cult classic "Gleaming the Cube" and the '90s cult favorite "Thrashin" showed skateboarding in a new light and raised its profile in popular culture. Skateboarding fashion also took center stage in the '90s. Skaters became fashion icons, embracing baggy clothing, oversized T-shirts, and Vans shoes. Skate brands like Vans, Santa Cruz, Powell Peralta, and Girl Skateboards became household names. Skateboard graphics and artwork became highly sought after, and artists like Jim Phillips and Sean Cliver garnered a cult following.In conclusion, the 1980s and 1990s were critical in the evolution of skateboarding. Street skating replaced vertical skating as the dominant style, professional skateboarding emerged, and skateboarding continued to influence popular culture. The era was defined by innovation, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of individuality. Skateboarding continues to evolve, and we can only wait to see where it takes us next.

John Joseph Froelich Invented The First Tractor in History in 1892

The 2000s and Beyond - Skateboarding Today

The early 2000s saw skateboarding continuing to evolve and grow in popularity. With more people gaining access to skate parks and information on the internet, the sport became more accessible for individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

Technological Advancements

Advancements in technology during this time period also played a significant role in the development of skateboarding. One of the most notable changes was the introduction of computer-aided designs, which allowed skaters to create more complex and innovative board shapes. This, in turn, opened up new possibilities in terms of tricks and maneuvers that could be performed on a skateboard.

Another important technological advancement was the use of new materials like carbon fiber. This allowed for stronger, lighter, and more durable boards to be created. With these new materials, skaters were able to push the limits of what was possible and perform more extreme and impressive tricks.

Urban Skateboarding

As skateboarding grew in popularity, so too did the practice of urban skateboarding. This involves skaters using public spaces like parks, plazas, and streets to perform tricks and stunts. Urban skateboarding became a way for skaters to express themselves creatively and push the boundaries of what was possible on a skateboard.

However, the rise of urban skateboarding also brought with it new challenges. Skaters were often met with resistance from city officials and law enforcement who saw them as a nuisance or a danger to the public. Despite these challenges, urban skateboarding continued to grow in popularity and is now a major part of skateboarding culture.

Olympic Recognition

The most significant development for skateboarding in recent years was its recognition as an Olympic sport in 2016. This decision was highly controversial among the skateboarding community, with some seeing it as a betrayal of the sport's rebellious roots.

However, others saw it as an opportunity to bring skateboarding to a wider audience and gain mainstream recognition and acceptance. Since the announcement, there has been a lot of debate and discussion within the skateboarding community about what it means for the future of the sport.

Despite this controversy, the fact remains that skateboarding will make its Olympic debut in the 2020 Tokyo Games. This is a major milestone for the sport and is sure to bring even more attention to skateboarding in the years to come.

Related Video: Was Skateboarding Invented by Surfing or Surfing by Skateboarding?