With
continuous ups and downs in popularity throughout skateboarding history,
skateboarding first arose in the imaginations of American kids in the 1950's,
when homemade constructions were old skate
wheels stuck to planks of plywood.
Despite the
"oddball" reputation it endured, skateboarding finally
went mainstream thanks to a major marketing push by Hobie, Makaha
and other skateboard manufacturers that sprung up in the 1960's.
Skateboarding
went on to enjoy varying levels of appeal - from outright craze
to small pockets of localized enthusiasm.
Major historical
highlights include stunning tricks first performed in California
in the 1970's by the famous Z-boys
who skated the vertical walls of empty backyard swimming pools,
in effect becoming the first vert skaters. That soon led to even
more dangerous tricks, such as slash grinds and frontside/backside
airs.
While the
skateboarding frenzy ebbed once again in the 1980's, the last
two decades have nevertheless witnessed a steady interest in ever
more exotic flips, jumps and aerials on urban streets.
Today, homemade
ramps are also popular in suburban backyards and shopping malls
- kickflipping the skateboarding craze into the 21st century as
both a competitive sport and weekend pastime.
Around the
Web, discover more about the topic at expert sites covering the
history of skateboarding, tips and tricks to mastering basic moves,
links to where to find skateboards and equipment online, along
with busy forums, fan sites, image & video galleries ....
Transworld
Skateboarding - One-stop browsing for the current Skateboarders
Buying Guide, equipment reviews, action videos, pictures, news
& feature stories on skateboarding stars and ambitious wannabe's,
free newsletter sign-up.
Skate
Board City - Like it says, with everything you ever wanted
to know including skateboarding tricks, feature articles, videos,
picture gallery, ramp plans, and an off-the-hook community forum.
Dansworld
Skateboarding - Pictures aplenty in galleries of visitor
and professionally-submitted action photos, along with an excellent
archive of related news stories & features.
Skateboarding
- History, trivia and fun facts are all here at Wikipedia with
more on current trends, tricks and stunts popular worldwide, with
related links & resources.