Skateboarding

Skateboarding Is a Versatile Action Sport

Skateboarding is an action sport where various tricks are performed using a skateboard. While the sport emphasizes different tricks, jumps, and grinds, it has also become a popular mode of transportation in urban areas.

There are three main styles of skateboarding: park, vert, and street skateboarding. Park skateboarding is primarily done in skate parks with specially designed obstacles. Vert skateboarding involves vertical riding on ramps or vert bowls and requires more speed than the other styles. Street skateboarding utilizes everyday urban obstacles like rails and stairs to perform tricks.

You can find more information on the different types of skateboarding in our guide Buying Skateboards for Intermediates.

Why Skateboarding Is Good for You

Riding a skateboard offers numerous benefits. It enhances your body coordination as you constantly adjust your body positions to land tricks accurately. It also positively impacts your balance, and it is worth noting that it serves as a fun full-body workout at its best.

Skateboarding is also an excellent way to meet new people with similar interests. It is easy to be social at skate parks as people often greet each other and start conversations about their favorite tricks and skateboard brands. The sport also boosts your confidence, as there is no better feeling than nailing a trick for the first time.

The History of Skateboarding

The history of skateboarding as we know it today began in the 1940s on the West Coast of the US. During that time, surfers started mounting wheels on plates, planks, and other items they could use as decks when they couldn't surf. Originally, skateboarding was called “sidewalk surfing” due to the heavy influence of surfing.

Over the following decades, the sport continued to evolve. In the 1960s, the first shops began selling skateboards, and in the 70s, ceramic and metal wheels were replaced with polyurethane wheels. The 1980s marked the start of skateboarding’s golden age, with many skateboard companies run by skateboarders emerging. Throughout this decade, several movies about skateboarding culture were released, some of which have become cult classics.

Skateboarding is now one of the most popular action sports globally. It is considered a competitive and serious sport, especially after its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.