Skateboarding is one of the many sports that involve displays of skill and expertise. It is essential to know a skateboarding trick or another to be considered a real skateboarder. Many skateboarding tricks have been developed through all the time people have been skateboarding. Here are just some of the most popular tricks:
1. Aerials – also known as airs, these general kinds of tricks are typically done on quarter pipes, pools or half pipes where vertical walls with transitions are available. Aerials are usually combined with other tricks such as grabs and rotations. Among the most popular subtypes of aerials would be the 540, 720, 900, Benihana, Body Jar, Caballerial, Christ Air, Finger Flip air, Gay Twist, Gnar Jar, Judo Air, Lien Air, Madonna, McTwist, Samba Flip, Sean Penn, Sloth Air, Stalefish, Rocket Air, and Method Air.
2. Ollie – this is known as the father of skateboarding tricks because most tricks are derived from this. Invented by and named after Alan “Ollie” Gelfand, this trick involves getting on air without grabbing the skateboard but instead by stomping or popping the posterior end of the board. Variations of the Ollie involve the Nollie, switch Ollie, Fakie Ollie, Power Ollie, Boned Ollie, Ollie North, and Pressure.
3. The Flip – as its name suggests, the flip is a skateboarding trick that involves the flipping or spinning of the board in the air. This trick was originally developed by Rodney Mullen, who then called it the Magic Flip. Among the most popular variations of the flip are the heelflip, kickflip, Casper Flip, Anti-Casper Flip, Backside Flip, Big Spin, Cab Flip, Disco Kickflip, Ghetto Bird, Hardflip, Hospital Flip, Impossible, Late Flip, Mother Flip, Pop Shove-it, Sal Flip, Salabanzi, Sex Change and the Scissor Flip.
4. The Grab – as these tricks are named, grabs involve holding the skateboard, usually during aerials. Grabs are quite useful in keeping the skateboarder on the board during in mid-flight. Examples of grabs are the Airwalk grab, Backside grab, cannonball grab, Crail grab, Christ Air, Early grab, Frontside grab, Gorilla grab, Indy grab, Japan grab, Melon grab, Mosquito grab, Nose grab, Roast Beef, Seatbelt grab, Tail grab and the Tucknee.
5. The Grind – this is a kind of trick where a skateboarder would hide on hangers of the skateboard truck. This trick can be done on any smooth object where the truck can slide. Some of the variations of the grind are the Barley grind, Crooked grind, Darkslide, Fandangle, Freeble grind, Gurl grind, Hurricane, Losi grind, Nosegrind, Novacaine, Overcrook grind, Pole Jam, Salad grind, Smith grind, Sugarcane, Suski grind, Willy Grind, and Csmit grind.
6. The Slide – sliding is somewhat like the grind, but instead of gliding through the trick, this involves gliding using the board itself. Some important slides are the Bertlemann slide, Bluntslide, Boardslide, Booger slide, Crail slide, Ces slide, Darkslide, Lipslide, Noselide, Powerslide, and the Tailslide.
7. Lip Tricks – this skateboarding trick is done on mini ramps, quarterpipes, and half pipes. They are called so because they need to balance on ramp lips. Notable lip tricks are the Andrecht Invert, Axle stall, Blunt, Disaster, Egg Plant, Fakie-Bonk-off, Frontside Invert, Good Buddy, Ho-Ho, New Deal, Nose pick, Nose stall, Pivot, Pogo, Rock and Roll, Smithvert, Tail Stall, Staple Gun, Stelmasky Plant, Sweeper, Tail Block, Tucknee Invert, and the Woolly Mammoth.
There are many other skateboarding tricks out there, and many others are still being developed. To now more about skateboarding tricks, you can read the leading skateboarding magazines or ask a skateboarding expert.
Sabtu, 21 Maret 2009
Skateboarding and Surfing – Two Cool Activities that are Worlds Apart
Skateboarding and surfing are two activities that can be equally fun and exciting. The two sports are based on very similar tools – boards. However the similarity between the two pastimes ends there since skateboarding and surfing are very much different from each other. If you are not convinced, then you definitely have to read on.
Skateboarding and Surfing Defined
Skateboarding is basically the process of rolling or moving by riding on a skateboard. With surfing, on the other hand, a person also moves while riding a board, but the movement is induced by a breaking wave. So from the very definition of the two hobbies, you can already see that they are quite different from the other. First of all, one is performed on land, while the other is performed on the surface of a body of water. Next, the mechanics of movement in the two are very different as one uses wheels and the other uses waves.
Skateboarding can also be considered a means of transportation, apart from being a sport or a hobby. Many people, kids in particular, can travel using skateboards, especially for short distances. Meanwhile, surfing is not usually considered as a way for traveling as it is only thought of as a hobby and a sport. Even people living along shores cannot travel considerable distances using a surfboard.
History of Surfing and Skateboarding
Although the origin of surfing has not yet been established, the earliest record of surfing traces back to the 1770s when Captain Cook witness people in Hawaii riding boards on the waves. Skateboarding, on the other hand is a fairly new sport and thus its origins are still very much remembered. Skateboarding was invented around the 1950s, when surfing was also becoming popular in the western world. Some say that skateboarding evolved from surfing, which is probably why it was called sidewalk surfing during its infancy.
Surfing and Skateboarding in the form the people of today know, grew popular in parallel times. Their development can thus be thought of as simultaneous. However, the tradition of surfing is more deeply rooted due to the fact that it has been existing for centuries. Nevertheless both sports are continuing to grow in the coming years.
Equipment for Surfing and Skateboarding
As mentioned, the boards used for surfing and skateboarding are very different. Surfing uses surfboards, wave skis, surf mats, kneeboards, and body boards. Boards used for surfing originally used wood, and were thus quite heavy. Eventually, surfers looked for lightweight materials so that they can easily bring around their boards, which is more difficult considering that they do not have wheels. Most surfboards nowadays are made of polyurethane foam, which is quite sturdy but very light.
In skateboarding, skateboards are obviously used. The original skateboards were reminiscent to surfboards in the sense that they were not concave, albeit having wheels. Like surfboards, the old skateboards were made of wood, and eventually of plastic. Nowadays, most skateboards are made of composite fiber and their wheels are made of clay composite or polyurethane.
Skateboarding and Surfing Defined
Skateboarding is basically the process of rolling or moving by riding on a skateboard. With surfing, on the other hand, a person also moves while riding a board, but the movement is induced by a breaking wave. So from the very definition of the two hobbies, you can already see that they are quite different from the other. First of all, one is performed on land, while the other is performed on the surface of a body of water. Next, the mechanics of movement in the two are very different as one uses wheels and the other uses waves.
Skateboarding can also be considered a means of transportation, apart from being a sport or a hobby. Many people, kids in particular, can travel using skateboards, especially for short distances. Meanwhile, surfing is not usually considered as a way for traveling as it is only thought of as a hobby and a sport. Even people living along shores cannot travel considerable distances using a surfboard.
History of Surfing and Skateboarding
Although the origin of surfing has not yet been established, the earliest record of surfing traces back to the 1770s when Captain Cook witness people in Hawaii riding boards on the waves. Skateboarding, on the other hand is a fairly new sport and thus its origins are still very much remembered. Skateboarding was invented around the 1950s, when surfing was also becoming popular in the western world. Some say that skateboarding evolved from surfing, which is probably why it was called sidewalk surfing during its infancy.
Surfing and Skateboarding in the form the people of today know, grew popular in parallel times. Their development can thus be thought of as simultaneous. However, the tradition of surfing is more deeply rooted due to the fact that it has been existing for centuries. Nevertheless both sports are continuing to grow in the coming years.
Equipment for Surfing and Skateboarding
As mentioned, the boards used for surfing and skateboarding are very different. Surfing uses surfboards, wave skis, surf mats, kneeboards, and body boards. Boards used for surfing originally used wood, and were thus quite heavy. Eventually, surfers looked for lightweight materials so that they can easily bring around their boards, which is more difficult considering that they do not have wheels. Most surfboards nowadays are made of polyurethane foam, which is quite sturdy but very light.
In skateboarding, skateboards are obviously used. The original skateboards were reminiscent to surfboards in the sense that they were not concave, albeit having wheels. Like surfboards, the old skateboards were made of wood, and eventually of plastic. Nowadays, most skateboards are made of composite fiber and their wheels are made of clay composite or polyurethane.
Choosing the Right Skateboarding Shoes for a Great and Safe Skateboard Experience
Skateboarding is one of the most popular pastimes in America. Several decades have already passed and it seems that this activity, which was just once a fad, will never lose its popularity. While skateboarding is indeed fun and exciting, it is not devoid of hazards as any pursuit that involves wheels. Special precautions must be made when riding the skateboard and one of the most important things to do is to wear an appropriate pair of skateboarding shoes.
Skateboarding seems to be a very uncomplicated pastime because practically one just needs a skateboard and a paved surface to go about it. For safety, skateboarders are required to wear helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads. But that is not actually enough because one also has to protect a very important part of the body used in skateboarding – the feet. This is where skateboarding shoes come into the picture.
Usually, people would think that any sport shoes would do for skateboarding. However, this is not true. While regular sneakers may seem to work, they might not be able to provide the right protection and maneuverability that skateboarding shoes can offer. And it is not enough to just get the next pair of skateboarding shoes you see off the rack. You have to be careful about buying new skateboarding shoes.
When buying skateboarding shoes you have to look at four important things: the ability of the shoes to give protection, the shoelaces, comfort, and grip.
Protection Features - The most essential role of skateboarding shoes is protecting the skateboarder. Being protective, the shoes simply have to be durable and flexible enough to withstand the rigors of skateboarding. Good skateboarding shoes should have Ollie protection to allow the rider to do those backbreaking tricks. Moreover an excellent pair of skateboarding shoes should have great coverage of Ollie protection, preferably the a large bulk of the toe area, if not the whole area entirely and nothing less.
Shoelaces – skateboarding shoes need special laces that do not easily fall apart especially when subjected to pressure. Normal shoelaces would easily rip off after just a few hours of skateboarding, especially for advanced skateboarders. Thus skateboarding shoes should have laces made of more durable materials than other kinds of shoes. Also, it is also better if the skateboarding shoes have laces that are arranged inside to avoid any accidental tripping due to lose laces.
Comfort – just like any kind of shoes, skateboarding shoes should be comfortable for the wearer, otherwise, it will be difficult to be wearing them for long periods. Uncomfortable shoes may cause sores or blisters when worn during skateboarding for over two hours. Uncomfortable shoes may also make it difficult, if not impossible to do certain tricks during skateboarding.
Grip – last, but not the last, skateboarding shoes should be able to have strong grip on the surface of the skateboard. Shoes that do not have enough gripping power might cause the rider to slip off the board accidentally. The soles should be made of materials with good gripping capacity. Experts recommend skateboarding shoes with soles that are made of gum.
Skateboarding shoes are indispensable in skateboarding. They provide protection, security, comfort and grip during the most difficult rides. It is important to pay much attention when buying skateboarding shoes in order to get the right one.
Skateboarding seems to be a very uncomplicated pastime because practically one just needs a skateboard and a paved surface to go about it. For safety, skateboarders are required to wear helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads. But that is not actually enough because one also has to protect a very important part of the body used in skateboarding – the feet. This is where skateboarding shoes come into the picture.
Usually, people would think that any sport shoes would do for skateboarding. However, this is not true. While regular sneakers may seem to work, they might not be able to provide the right protection and maneuverability that skateboarding shoes can offer. And it is not enough to just get the next pair of skateboarding shoes you see off the rack. You have to be careful about buying new skateboarding shoes.
When buying skateboarding shoes you have to look at four important things: the ability of the shoes to give protection, the shoelaces, comfort, and grip.
Protection Features - The most essential role of skateboarding shoes is protecting the skateboarder. Being protective, the shoes simply have to be durable and flexible enough to withstand the rigors of skateboarding. Good skateboarding shoes should have Ollie protection to allow the rider to do those backbreaking tricks. Moreover an excellent pair of skateboarding shoes should have great coverage of Ollie protection, preferably the a large bulk of the toe area, if not the whole area entirely and nothing less.
Shoelaces – skateboarding shoes need special laces that do not easily fall apart especially when subjected to pressure. Normal shoelaces would easily rip off after just a few hours of skateboarding, especially for advanced skateboarders. Thus skateboarding shoes should have laces made of more durable materials than other kinds of shoes. Also, it is also better if the skateboarding shoes have laces that are arranged inside to avoid any accidental tripping due to lose laces.
Comfort – just like any kind of shoes, skateboarding shoes should be comfortable for the wearer, otherwise, it will be difficult to be wearing them for long periods. Uncomfortable shoes may cause sores or blisters when worn during skateboarding for over two hours. Uncomfortable shoes may also make it difficult, if not impossible to do certain tricks during skateboarding.
Grip – last, but not the last, skateboarding shoes should be able to have strong grip on the surface of the skateboard. Shoes that do not have enough gripping power might cause the rider to slip off the board accidentally. The soles should be made of materials with good gripping capacity. Experts recommend skateboarding shoes with soles that are made of gum.
Skateboarding shoes are indispensable in skateboarding. They provide protection, security, comfort and grip during the most difficult rides. It is important to pay much attention when buying skateboarding shoes in order to get the right one.
Skateboarding Games
Skateboarding has become so popular to the young at heart since its birth in the 1950s. It has conquered all of the country’s streets and parks. Its popularity doesn’t stop there, it is currently making a buzz in the gaming industry as several skateboarding games make their way to the hearts of millions.
Skateboarding, as we all know, is not for everyone. It requires some level of physical capability to be able to engage in the said activity. The good thing about having all of these skateboarding games is that everyone can enjoy in the wonderful world of skateboarding.
Skateboarding Card Games
When we talk about skateboarding games, these are not limited to virtual games such as those which are offered by gaming consoles. A popular game today amongst skateboarding enthusiasts is “Stoked” which is basically a game of trading cards. Just like any other trading card game, it has a story behind it. The story has a futuristic plot. The area that we know now as South California is referred to in the story as “Sociala” which is a peaceful and quite place. But as we all know, in all societies, there are taboos and deviants. The skateboarders, as represented by the players themselves are these deviants. As you play the game, you acquire new skills and learn new tricks.
It’s really quite and addictive game. But perhaps the best aspect of this game is the visual artwork that was done with the card. The awesome drawings and portrayals make the purchase of several decks of this card game all worth it.
Skateboarding Video Games
Video games have gone to conquer the world. The United States markets are the largest video game markets in the world. It is a multi-billion dollar industry that is also being invaded by skateboarding.
One of the most popular skaters is Tony Hawk, and coincidentally, he has become a household name for video games. Multiple skateboarding games has been released under his name because of his popularity. A company named Activision released the first Tony Hawk-based video game back in 1999. After its successful release, around less than ten Hawk-based games were released.
Online Skateboarding Games
The Internet has become a main portal by which people can have access to information and of course, fun. On-line skateboarding games have gained much popularity because their simplicity makes them so addicting. These are usually flash games which are intended for people who would like to take a break from their tasks, but they end up playing these things the whole afternoon. G-Max’s skateboarding game is one of the most popular today. It features cute graphics and simple game play, however, one can do dozens and dozens of cool tricks with his skateboarder character.
Skateboarding need not be on the streets, it has found ways to be on different platforms such as in card decks and video games. It has also stormed the primary information that is the Internet.
Skateboarding is a widely accepted and appreciated form of sport, recreation and transportation all over the world. It has captured the hearts of everyone, even the non-skateboarders. No matter what form it takes, the game of skateboarding is here to stay. As long as there are skateboarders on the streets, there will be other forms of the game that will be developed.
Skateboarding, as we all know, is not for everyone. It requires some level of physical capability to be able to engage in the said activity. The good thing about having all of these skateboarding games is that everyone can enjoy in the wonderful world of skateboarding.
Skateboarding Card Games
When we talk about skateboarding games, these are not limited to virtual games such as those which are offered by gaming consoles. A popular game today amongst skateboarding enthusiasts is “Stoked” which is basically a game of trading cards. Just like any other trading card game, it has a story behind it. The story has a futuristic plot. The area that we know now as South California is referred to in the story as “Sociala” which is a peaceful and quite place. But as we all know, in all societies, there are taboos and deviants. The skateboarders, as represented by the players themselves are these deviants. As you play the game, you acquire new skills and learn new tricks.
It’s really quite and addictive game. But perhaps the best aspect of this game is the visual artwork that was done with the card. The awesome drawings and portrayals make the purchase of several decks of this card game all worth it.
Skateboarding Video Games
Video games have gone to conquer the world. The United States markets are the largest video game markets in the world. It is a multi-billion dollar industry that is also being invaded by skateboarding.
One of the most popular skaters is Tony Hawk, and coincidentally, he has become a household name for video games. Multiple skateboarding games has been released under his name because of his popularity. A company named Activision released the first Tony Hawk-based video game back in 1999. After its successful release, around less than ten Hawk-based games were released.
Online Skateboarding Games
The Internet has become a main portal by which people can have access to information and of course, fun. On-line skateboarding games have gained much popularity because their simplicity makes them so addicting. These are usually flash games which are intended for people who would like to take a break from their tasks, but they end up playing these things the whole afternoon. G-Max’s skateboarding game is one of the most popular today. It features cute graphics and simple game play, however, one can do dozens and dozens of cool tricks with his skateboarder character.
Skateboarding need not be on the streets, it has found ways to be on different platforms such as in card decks and video games. It has also stormed the primary information that is the Internet.
Skateboarding is a widely accepted and appreciated form of sport, recreation and transportation all over the world. It has captured the hearts of everyone, even the non-skateboarders. No matter what form it takes, the game of skateboarding is here to stay. As long as there are skateboarders on the streets, there will be other forms of the game that will be developed.
Knowing the Basics: Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an easy and fun way to get some exercise, meet a lot of people, and in some sense, to look cool. Some may view it as a fairly risky activity, but a lot of youngster would still prefer to get into it because of its benefits. Majority of skateboarders in the world are 18 and under and this translates to around 10 million young skaters worldwide.
If you are someone who is interested in skateboarding, then read along for some basic guidance on how to start.
Protective Gears
The first things should always come first. Before you go ahead and try to do some stuff using a skateboard, you need to have some protective gears with you. A helmet, a couple of elbow pads and knee pads should do the job. You can borrow some gear from your friends if you are not sure if you’ll push through with skateboarding on the long run, just make sure that they would fit properly on you.
A lot of kids today disregard the fact that safety is a real issue in skateboarding. They think that wearing protective pads and helmets don’t look cool and so they skate without them but suffering from grave injuries from skateboarding is not so either, huh?
Meet your new friend: your skateboard
After putting on your protective gear, the next thing that you need to do is to get acquainted with your skateboard. Skateboards come in different sizes and designs. It is advisable that you borrow a skateboard first so that you can assess what kind of skateboard you would like to have in the future.
Before you hit the streets with your skateboard, you must find some time to be able to get properly acquainted with it. You should try standing, jumping and moving your feet on the skateboard for some time before you actually make any movements. This will prevent you from being too surprised with the “feel” of the skateboard.
Stance
Another important thing that you need to do before you start skateboarding is to determine your stance. If you like the feel of having your left foot forward, then do so, otherwise, put your right foot in front. You can determine which foot goes where by kicking a ball. If you kick a ball with your right, then you should put your right foot at the back of the board and vice versa.
Movement
You already know your preferred stance on the skateboard, what do you do next? You push your back foot to get some movement going on. Remember to relax your body while you start off and bend your knees if you have to. The first movements may feel a little bit weird but you’ll definitely get the hang of it.
Please try to do your initial practice in a place where you have ample space and little disturbance such as vehicles and people. A flat surface is also preferable than sloped ones.
Halt!
Another basic thing that you need to know is how to stop. There are different kinds of methods used for stopping a skateboard, however, we would recommend the use of the back foot to stop to stop the movement for beginners. All you have to do is to get your back foot on the ground and use the friction to stop your skateboard.
These are some of the basic things that beginner skateboarders need to master before they get to the tricks and the stunts. Always remember that safety comes first, and that building sound fundamentals is one’s best weapon to avoid accidents while skateboarding. Enjoy!
If you are someone who is interested in skateboarding, then read along for some basic guidance on how to start.
Protective Gears
The first things should always come first. Before you go ahead and try to do some stuff using a skateboard, you need to have some protective gears with you. A helmet, a couple of elbow pads and knee pads should do the job. You can borrow some gear from your friends if you are not sure if you’ll push through with skateboarding on the long run, just make sure that they would fit properly on you.
A lot of kids today disregard the fact that safety is a real issue in skateboarding. They think that wearing protective pads and helmets don’t look cool and so they skate without them but suffering from grave injuries from skateboarding is not so either, huh?
Meet your new friend: your skateboard
After putting on your protective gear, the next thing that you need to do is to get acquainted with your skateboard. Skateboards come in different sizes and designs. It is advisable that you borrow a skateboard first so that you can assess what kind of skateboard you would like to have in the future.
Before you hit the streets with your skateboard, you must find some time to be able to get properly acquainted with it. You should try standing, jumping and moving your feet on the skateboard for some time before you actually make any movements. This will prevent you from being too surprised with the “feel” of the skateboard.
Stance
Another important thing that you need to do before you start skateboarding is to determine your stance. If you like the feel of having your left foot forward, then do so, otherwise, put your right foot in front. You can determine which foot goes where by kicking a ball. If you kick a ball with your right, then you should put your right foot at the back of the board and vice versa.
Movement
You already know your preferred stance on the skateboard, what do you do next? You push your back foot to get some movement going on. Remember to relax your body while you start off and bend your knees if you have to. The first movements may feel a little bit weird but you’ll definitely get the hang of it.
Please try to do your initial practice in a place where you have ample space and little disturbance such as vehicles and people. A flat surface is also preferable than sloped ones.
Halt!
Another basic thing that you need to know is how to stop. There are different kinds of methods used for stopping a skateboard, however, we would recommend the use of the back foot to stop to stop the movement for beginners. All you have to do is to get your back foot on the ground and use the friction to stop your skateboard.
These are some of the basic things that beginner skateboarders need to master before they get to the tricks and the stunts. Always remember that safety comes first, and that building sound fundamentals is one’s best weapon to avoid accidents while skateboarding. Enjoy!
All About Skateboarding
Skateboarding is one heck of a craze, especially for the young ones. A recent study estimated that over twelve million people all over the world is involved in skateboarding, and more than one-third of all skateboarders are 18 years old or younger.
Skateboarding is technically defined as an activity wherein one interacts with a skateboard. A skateboard is a platform with wheels which was originally conceptualized during the 1950s where skateboarding became a pastime for surfers when the waves in the seas were too low.
During those days, surfers disassembled roller skates and took the wheels and attached them into wooden planks. This idea evolved from the use of what they called the crate scooters, which was basically a transportation and a pastime equipment made from a wooden crate that is attached to some kind of handle bars.
In the 1960s, skateboarding started to become a craze. Manufacturers sold millions of skateboards which literally resembled surfboards. They marketed skateboards back then as an alternative to surfing. In the 1970s, skateboarding took a more serious turn as the materials for the skateboards were upgraded from wood to more durable and flexible materials. Today, the skateboard is far better than ever before, as millions of dollars flow into researching the best materials and designs to be used in producing them.
Skateboarding is such an enjoyable and a challenging activity at the same time. Some people use skateboards as a means of transportation. It is a relatively practical way of getting around town because skateboards are so cheap and small as compared to bikes and scooters. One can buy a skateboard at a ridiculously low price, even a kid can buy one from his allowance savings.
Some people see skateboarding as a serious sport which entails lots of skills and talent. Several international competitions such as the X Games provide venues wherein the best skateboarders in the world can show their stuff. Skateboarding can be easy, but when it comes to executing tricks and stunts, it’s a whole different world all together. One needs the proper training and experience to be able to pull some tricks off.
If we look deeper into the world of skateboarding, it is definitely more than just a pastime or a sport, there is a culture that seemingly comes along skateboarding. Back in the olden days, skateboarding was primarily associated with the “rebel” culture. Skateboarders were often given the image of being dregs and rebels. However, as time passes by, skateboarding has been considered as a serious activity rather than a manifestation of rebellious angst.
Learning how to skateboard is usually done in the streets. Most of the successful skateboarders that we have today began their careers spending countless hours of practice on the streets. It’s not that they want to get good at skateboarding, it’s just they enjoy being doing their thing.
If you, or someone whom you know is interested in skateboarding, there’s really nothing wrong with trying it out. However, there are some serous precautions that need to be taken before engaging in the activity. Having the right protection such as helmets, elbow and knee pads are a must when skateboarding. They may look a little bit bulky, but they will prevent one from having serious injuries in skateboarding. The dangers of the activity are real and should not be taken for granted.
Skateboarding is technically defined as an activity wherein one interacts with a skateboard. A skateboard is a platform with wheels which was originally conceptualized during the 1950s where skateboarding became a pastime for surfers when the waves in the seas were too low.
During those days, surfers disassembled roller skates and took the wheels and attached them into wooden planks. This idea evolved from the use of what they called the crate scooters, which was basically a transportation and a pastime equipment made from a wooden crate that is attached to some kind of handle bars.
In the 1960s, skateboarding started to become a craze. Manufacturers sold millions of skateboards which literally resembled surfboards. They marketed skateboards back then as an alternative to surfing. In the 1970s, skateboarding took a more serious turn as the materials for the skateboards were upgraded from wood to more durable and flexible materials. Today, the skateboard is far better than ever before, as millions of dollars flow into researching the best materials and designs to be used in producing them.
Skateboarding is such an enjoyable and a challenging activity at the same time. Some people use skateboards as a means of transportation. It is a relatively practical way of getting around town because skateboards are so cheap and small as compared to bikes and scooters. One can buy a skateboard at a ridiculously low price, even a kid can buy one from his allowance savings.
Some people see skateboarding as a serious sport which entails lots of skills and talent. Several international competitions such as the X Games provide venues wherein the best skateboarders in the world can show their stuff. Skateboarding can be easy, but when it comes to executing tricks and stunts, it’s a whole different world all together. One needs the proper training and experience to be able to pull some tricks off.
If we look deeper into the world of skateboarding, it is definitely more than just a pastime or a sport, there is a culture that seemingly comes along skateboarding. Back in the olden days, skateboarding was primarily associated with the “rebel” culture. Skateboarders were often given the image of being dregs and rebels. However, as time passes by, skateboarding has been considered as a serious activity rather than a manifestation of rebellious angst.
Learning how to skateboard is usually done in the streets. Most of the successful skateboarders that we have today began their careers spending countless hours of practice on the streets. It’s not that they want to get good at skateboarding, it’s just they enjoy being doing their thing.
If you, or someone whom you know is interested in skateboarding, there’s really nothing wrong with trying it out. However, there are some serous precautions that need to be taken before engaging in the activity. Having the right protection such as helmets, elbow and knee pads are a must when skateboarding. They may look a little bit bulky, but they will prevent one from having serious injuries in skateboarding. The dangers of the activity are real and should not be taken for granted.
A Look into Professional Skateboarding
Skateboarding has become one of the most popular activities of the youth nowadays. It has evolved from being just a rebellious activity back in its older days to a fully-blown extreme sport that it is today.
According to recent statistics, there are over twelve million skateboarders worldwide and more than 80 percent of these skateboarders are under 18 years old. It has touched the younger markets quite well and has a firm grip on them. Some of these skateboarders skate as a hobby or as a means of transportation, but very few of these skaters go on into the big leagues to become a professional skateboarder.
The industry of skateboarding is a big one. Armed with a huge market, skateboarding has become a multi-billion dollar industry. The mere fact that it is very popular with the young generations and getting into skateboarding is quite easy, there is a lot of money to be made from selling products, advertising and events organizing.
What does being a professional skateboarder exactly mean? Well, as in any other sport, going professional means using the sport as a means to earn money. If you get paid for your skateboarding abilities and skills, then you are a pro skateboarder.
Many of the great skateboarders such as Reese Forbes, Kareem Campbell and Ron Bertino began their careers from humble beginnings. The dynamics of commercialism really gives the much needed financial value to the sport that is skateboarding. But, how does one earn from skateboarding?
One popular way of earning from skateboarding, as many people would see it, is to join and win skateboarding tournaments. Yes, indeed, there is some money to be made from regularly joining these tournaments and these tournaments provide avenues for skateboarders to be recognized, but in reality, the real money in professional skateboarding does not lie in winning tournaments. The bulk of the money comes from deals arising from the endorsements of skateboarding products.
The journey of a professional skateboarder would start in the streets, where he would take endless attempts to do new tricks and perform new stunts. These tricks and stunts are to be displayed in tournaments which the different sponsors are carefully keeping an eye on. If a certain company sees a skateboarder with much talent and has a promising career, they would give him free stuff for him to use. This move is also advantageous for the company since the skateboarder will sort of “endorse” their products. When a skateboarder has become a crowd favorite and catches the attention of everyone, then talks are usually made for endorsement deals, and the money will come in.
Skateboarding shoes and other apparels are the real cash cows in the skateboarding industry and not the skateboards themselves. Actually, other shoe lines have suffered losses because of the rise in popularity of “urban” shoes which cater to the lifestyle of skateboarders.
If you really love the sport that is skateboarding, you’d probably dreaming of being a professional skateboarder someday. There’s no harm in dreaming such things since being a professional skateboarder can really bring in lots of benefits. Going pro can bring things like money and fame into the table, but at the end of the day, what really matters is that you enjoy what you are doing.
According to recent statistics, there are over twelve million skateboarders worldwide and more than 80 percent of these skateboarders are under 18 years old. It has touched the younger markets quite well and has a firm grip on them. Some of these skateboarders skate as a hobby or as a means of transportation, but very few of these skaters go on into the big leagues to become a professional skateboarder.
The industry of skateboarding is a big one. Armed with a huge market, skateboarding has become a multi-billion dollar industry. The mere fact that it is very popular with the young generations and getting into skateboarding is quite easy, there is a lot of money to be made from selling products, advertising and events organizing.
What does being a professional skateboarder exactly mean? Well, as in any other sport, going professional means using the sport as a means to earn money. If you get paid for your skateboarding abilities and skills, then you are a pro skateboarder.
Many of the great skateboarders such as Reese Forbes, Kareem Campbell and Ron Bertino began their careers from humble beginnings. The dynamics of commercialism really gives the much needed financial value to the sport that is skateboarding. But, how does one earn from skateboarding?
One popular way of earning from skateboarding, as many people would see it, is to join and win skateboarding tournaments. Yes, indeed, there is some money to be made from regularly joining these tournaments and these tournaments provide avenues for skateboarders to be recognized, but in reality, the real money in professional skateboarding does not lie in winning tournaments. The bulk of the money comes from deals arising from the endorsements of skateboarding products.
The journey of a professional skateboarder would start in the streets, where he would take endless attempts to do new tricks and perform new stunts. These tricks and stunts are to be displayed in tournaments which the different sponsors are carefully keeping an eye on. If a certain company sees a skateboarder with much talent and has a promising career, they would give him free stuff for him to use. This move is also advantageous for the company since the skateboarder will sort of “endorse” their products. When a skateboarder has become a crowd favorite and catches the attention of everyone, then talks are usually made for endorsement deals, and the money will come in.
Skateboarding shoes and other apparels are the real cash cows in the skateboarding industry and not the skateboards themselves. Actually, other shoe lines have suffered losses because of the rise in popularity of “urban” shoes which cater to the lifestyle of skateboarders.
If you really love the sport that is skateboarding, you’d probably dreaming of being a professional skateboarder someday. There’s no harm in dreaming such things since being a professional skateboarder can really bring in lots of benefits. Going pro can bring things like money and fame into the table, but at the end of the day, what really matters is that you enjoy what you are doing.
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