Evolution Of Skateboarding

Skateboarding is more considered as a lifestyle rather than a sport, it's more than just cruising around on the skateboard. Over the past 60 years, skateboarding has evolved. The concept of skateboarding came from the surfers, as they liked the feeling of getting blown by the wind in the sea, they wanted to experience the same on the roads in the city.

The first skateboard was made out of surfing boards and attached metal wheels to it which had no bearings. It was made in the 1950s in early Hawaii and California. Around the first world War, the toy industry gained its pace and the toy with wheels gained its popularity. In the year 1959, roller derby invented the first skateboard with a modification that can do tricks and is super friendly.

From 1959 to 1965, skateboarding became very popular in the USA, specifically in the coastal areas. From being just a toy, skating boards became a sport in the states. In 1962, a company sold its first self-made skateboard brand named "Val surf". In the same year, another company emerged with more developed skateboards with the name Patterson Forbes. Several articles related to skateboarding were also releases in the popular "surf guide magazine". The first advertisement about skateboards was released by Larry Stevenson in the magazine.

Since then skateboards have gained popularity against youth. It's a form of sports and recreation. The person who does skateboarding is considered doing extreme sports. Several competitions and events have also been organized to spread awareness about the sport. Street style skating boarding is a feature where people perform tricks on rails, empty swimming pools, ledges, and in the urban atmosphere. Skateboarding is considered an alternative mainstream sport and many adults are indulged in it and hence also controlled.

Mostly the skateboards are 32 inches long and 9 inches wide. It has 3 major parts, the deck where the person riding stands, the trucks where the wheels are attached, and the metal wheels. In the early stage, decks were made of wood but then people started using metal, plastic, and Fibre. The World cup skateboarding contest was also founded in the year 1994, it was the biggest event in skateboarding history. Countries included in the event were Brazil, Australia, Europe, United Nations, Canada, and Asia.

By: Aaleya Bhattacharya 

Content: https://visual.ly/community/Infographics/sports/evolution-modern-skateboard