Skateboarding

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File:Freeride Skateboarding & Downhill Slides.webm

BackSmithGrind

Merza

1 bowl skate boarding

Iso-Vilunen Skatepark (20767168976)

Skateboarding is an action sport that involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard. Skateboarding can also be considered a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. Since the 1970s, skateparks have been constructed specifically for use by skateboarders, Freestyle BMX riders, scooter riders, and inline skaters.

History

Skateboarding was probably first developed in the late 1940s to early 1950s by surfers in California to practice surfing techniques on land, which is why it was originally called "sidewalk surfing". The design of the skateboard has evolved over time, as has its use. Early skateboards were made with wooden boxes or boards with roller skate wheels attached to the bottom. By the 1960s, commercial skateboards were available and skateboarding started to become more popular.

Culture

Skateboarding culture is characterized by its rebellious, creative, and individualistic ethos. This culture has its own fashion, music, and language. Skate videos and magazines have contributed significantly to the spread of skateboarding and to the formation of a global skateboarding community. Skateboarding has been influenced by and has influenced many other cultures and movements, such as punk rock, hip hop, and street art.

Skateboarding Styles

There are several styles of skateboarding, including:

• Street: Involves skating on street obstacles like stairs, rails, and ledges.
• Vert: Involves skating on half-pipes or ramps that allow skaters to perform aerial tricks.
• Freestyle: Focuses on flat ground tricks, technical skills, and creativity.
• Downhill: Involves high-speed rides down hills or roads, often in a race against others.

Tricks

Skateboarding tricks are a crucial aspect of the sport, with some of the most common being the Ollie, Kickflip, and Grind. These tricks vary greatly in difficulty and style, contributing to the diversity and creativity seen within the sport.

Competitions and Professional Skateboarding

Skateboarding competitions have grown in popularity, with events like the X Games, Street League Skateboarding (SLS), and the Olympic Games featuring skateboarding as of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Professional skateboarders compete in these events and often receive sponsorships from skateboarding brands.

Impact and Influence

Skateboarding has had a significant impact on popular culture and has been incorporated into various forms of media, including films, video games, and fashion. It has also been used as a tool for social change, with organizations using skateboarding as a means to engage youth in positive activities.

Safety

Like many action sports, skateboarding comes with a risk of injury. Wearing protective gear, such as helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads, is recommended to mitigate these risks.

See Also

• Longboarding
• Skatepark
• Skate shoe

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