Skateboarding – The History Attached to This Urban Pursuit

Skateboarding offers a person a multitude of levels, with the sport attracting more and more seriously skilled riders, yet it is also a form of recreation among British teenagers, with kids as young as 6 or 7 taking to the board. Skateboarding can also be considered a form of transport, and with a 3-mile trip to town along pathways and subways, one can walk-skate in record time. People socialize around their skateboarding, with small groups often meeting up and showing off their latest tricks, and in a very short time, the sport has become as popular here as it is across the water. If you’ve ever wondered how skateboarding began, here is a brief timeline of the history of the sport.

Post War Conception

While roller skates were already on the streets of America and Europe, the board came next in the form of a simple plank of wood that has the wheels fasted onto one side. Skate scooters preceded the actual board, and it is said that some port workers attached timber crates to the board and rode around the yard when things were quiet. In the 1950s, Californian surfers came up with the idea of riding a board with wheels, and in many places around the world, people were experimenting with the concept of a board with wheels attached, yet the surfers were the first people to get serious about what we now call skateboarding.

The Mid-Sixties

By this time, the trend was to build skateboards that resembled surfboards, and with several magazines emerging at this time, the trend slowly began to take hold of America. As you would expect, there were some amazing creations, some of which are collector’s items and fetch very high prices whenever they go on the market. Many people prefer to make their own board and with online suppliers of the very best skateboard decks and slick wheel sets, you can create a truly unique board that is tailored to suit your riding style.

The Seventies

Composites arrived on the scene in the 1970s, with polyurethane making a big splash. Light and extremely durable, this material revolutionized the manufacturing of skateboards, and along with the ongoing design improvements, the type of boards we use today began their journey at this time. In California, with the absence of skateboarding parks –which invariably followed – the kids used to congregate at shopping malls, where the car parks could be used to ride, and in the summer of 1975, the Del Mar National Championships attracted 500 contestants from around the country, and from that time on, skateboarding continued to attract people, both serious riders and those who enjoy the freedom and challenges of trick riding.

Modern-Day

By 2001, skateboarding was more popular among US teenagers than baseball, which is a reflection of just how many young Americans owned a skateboard, and today, the sport has become big business with major sponsors and championships in both the US and the UK.

And now, skateboards are more of an umbrella term considering the different types of skateboards available across the world. You would find electric skateboards that have a motor for propulsion; the finger board, a miniature, handy skateboard to do tricks with the hand; and the hoverboard; a two-wheel platform that could move you around face-front.

Though skateboards have undergone a good number of changes, one thing has remained the same throughout the history of skateboarding: the use of safety gear. From the post-war era to the modern day, skateboard helmet and pads have been the staples for this sport and have been in constant use by riders trying to nail Drop-Ins and the Kick Turn. There can be a risk of injury inherent to the sport for those who attempt to master it. Hence, it is comprehensible why riders may have chosen to wear their safety accessories. With the advent of online shops, the products (helmets and pads) can now be found in different build quality to suit the needs of freestylers and vert skaters alike.

Conclusion
Since skateboarding could be regarded as a highly popular sport, you would find competitions that feature tricks and stunts on a world stage. You would also find racing events where people travel downhill on a skateboard, trying hard to exceed the speed barriers set by boarding on flat surfaces. These competitions also feature riders from different countries, showcasing their skills to win the competition and reach the apex.