If you love to skateboard, you've probably thought a lot about what it would be like to go pro. Pro skateboarders travel around the world to compete are known the world over for their amazing tricks, and may even get a chance to create their own skateboard line. The key to going pro is to get sponsorships. A sponsored skateboarder can expect to get free gear and support to attend skateboarding events and competitions.  A pro skateboarder often gets money from the sponsorship company for appearing in ads or other publicity activities, too, and may receive a paycheck from the sponsoring company in addition to being compensated with gear and trips.

If you want to get serious about skateboarding and are looking into the possibilities of going pro, your first step is to practice! Skateboarding is very competitive, and you won't find any companies to sponsor you if you're not the best of the best. There are millions of skateboarders out there, and you must do something to set yourself apart. It is entirely possible to become a sponsored skater while you're still in your teens, but it requires a lot of hard work to become that good at such a young age.

Once you've learned some unusual and difficult tricks, show them off. Enter any local skateboarding competitions you can find, post videos of your trick on YouTube, and do anything you can to get your name out there. Earn a reputation as one of the best skateboarders around. Companies can't sponsor you if they don't know that you exist. If you're serious about finding a sponsor, put together a sponsorship or publicity package. This is the information that represents you as a person and you as a skateboarder. It is you opportunity to show potential sponsors that you have the skills and the dedication, and that sponsoring you would be a good business decision.

Once you have a sponsorship package, take it to different companies who may be able to sponsor you. Generally, this includes companies in the skateboarding industry and those who already have sponsored skateboarders. Your publicity package is your “pitch” to the company about why they should sponsor you. Don't be surprised if you get turned down a lot before you find a company willing to sponsor you. Most skateboarding companies get dozens if not hundreds of sponsorship inquiries every month.

Sponsored skaters are paid by their sponsor company to compete, do photo shoots, or participate in other publicity activities. They often get the opportunity to travel around the world. Any skater who earns money through competitions is considered a pro skater. It is very difficult to make it in the world of professional skateboarding, so assess your reasons for doing so. Pro skateboarders do it for love of the sport, not for the income possibilities.

Do you want to make a living skateboarding? Is your dream to be featured in one of the top skateboarding magazines or to win one of the largest skateboarding competitions in the world? If you can achieve this level of skateboarding success, you'll be in good company. Becoming a sponsored skateboarder takes a lot of hard work, but it is well worth the effort.

As summer days grow into cold winter afternoons, you'll probably be skateboarding less and less. Depending on where you live, skateboarding might be out of the question entirely during the winter months. By storing your skateboard properly over the winter, you'll be able to enjoy riding again as soon as the warmer temperatures return.

Winter is known for cold, wet weather, and this can wreak havoc on skateboards left outside. Never leave your skateboard in the elements for any length of time, even just overnight. It's especially important not to leave them there all winter long.

Wherever you store your skateboard, make sure that it remains dry and relatively warm. Very cold temperatures, very hot temperatures, and humid or wet storage areas can actually damage your skateboard more than you might realize. For example, the grip tape may peel right off the deck if your skateboard is stored somewhere damp, and the finish might start to look a little funny. If it is stored in a wet area for too long, your skateboard can even become warped and unusable. Extreme changes between cold and hot storage locations can damage your skateboard quickly. Wooden skateboard decks can even crack under these circumstances, and rubber wheels will become brittle when stored in these conditions over time.

While your skateboard is in storage, take this opportunity to inspect all parts of the board, making any necessary repairs or upgrades. Though it my seem silly to repair your skateboard only to store it away for the next few months, this way you won't have to waste your time doing this in the springtime when you could be out riding instead. By fixing these issues before you store your skateboard, you'll be ready to go as soon as the weather is nice enough for skating.

When you do bring your skateboard indoors, make sure that it is stored somewhere where it won't be tripped over, stepped on, or otherwise get in the way. Store it off the floor, in a rack designed specifically for skateboards, to ensure that it will be in the same condition when you're ready to ride in the spring as when you stored it away in the winter. This will keep your board off the floor and away from harm. A skateboard storage system is also a great solution for day-to-day storage of your skateboard, not just long-term storage.

If you are passionate about skateboarding, then you've probably invested a lot of time and money in the perfect skateboard, with the highest quality deck, trucks, wheels, and other components. If you want this skateboard to last more than a year or two, you must take very good care of it. Otherwise, it may get ruined during the off-season, and you will have to buy a new skateboard before you can ride again. Though you probably take good care of it throughout the parts of the year when you're riding it, too many skateboarders just throw their skateboard on the back patio, in the garage, or on the floor of their bedroom when it gets too cold and rainy to keep riding it.

Music has always been involved in the world of skateboarding since its earliest history. The  counterculture of skateboarding, in fact, is known for its wide variety musical styles. Today, there are several different genres that are closely identified with skateboarding. The music most identified with the sport tends to have a fast beat to pump up your adrenaline while skating.

Since skateboarding grew out of surfing culture during the 1950s and 1960s, it follows logically that the music and culture of skateboarding was originally quite similar to that of surfing. However, skateboarding would soon be seen as more counter-culture than surfing, and began to develop a rebellious attitude displayed through clothing and music. This punk influence is still quite evident in today's skateboarding culture.

One of the first music styles to be associated specifically with skateboarding was reggae. In the late 1980s, the SMA Rocco Division skateboarders, including Jesse Martinez and Jef Hartsel, helped to usher in the emerging reggae-skateboarding culture. The song “I N I Style” was credited to Jef Hartsel and fellow skateboarders from Rocco, Jamie Zebulon and Albert Naphtali. Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, several of those involved in the skateboarding industry recorded reggae-style songs. 

While skateboarding has traditionally been associated with punk or rock music, recently hip-hop and street culture have embraced the sport, having a huge influence on the music enjoyed by skateboarders. Today, skateboarding has grown to encompass a diverse fusion of cultures, including punk, hard rock, street, and hip cop culture. As a result, there is a wide variety of musical styles that are enjoyed by skateboarders around the world, though there is also a style popularized in skate shops that is specific to skateboarding and related sports.

One of the more recent moves within the skateboarding culture is the trend towards “emo” or “pop-punk” bands like Fall Out Boy or Green Day. These bands are very popular not only within the skateboarding community but also in the larger world.

Often, skateboarders will listen to their favorite music when skating around town or trying to get themselves pumped up to try new tricks. A perennial favorite among skateboarders is the band “CKY.” The brother of popular pro skateboarder and stuntman Bam Margera (known for his “Jackass” movies) is in the band, one reason for the band's continuous popularity within the skateboarding subculture. Formed in 1996, CKY videos and music have long been favorites of skaters.

MXPX is another mainstay among skaters. MXPX is for upbeat music that is good for practicing tricks. For skaters who particularly enjoy getting their adrenaline pumping before a big race or performing a new trick, check out Offspring, NoFx, Rancid, Dropkick Murphys, or Flogging Molly. All are quite popular among the skateboarding crowd.

If you are a skateboarder looking to find some new bands, head to your local skateboarding shop. Skateboarding goes hand in hand with the local music scene. Often, it is the smaller local bands that are more popular within the skateboarding sub-culture. If you skateboard with friends, ask them to bring some music; you never know what new bands you might be introduced to. While there are certainly some bands that remain popular with skaters year after year, the styles are always changing, and the subculture of skateboarding has grown to accommodate nearly every musical style.

Skateboarding today is a very popular sport, and many who are involved in it, whether they are riders themselves or simply spectators, collect vintage skateboards. These relics of the 1960s,  1970s, and 1980s, go back to the earliest forms of the sport. Many skateboards from this era look nothing like modern boards. Called “old school” by modern skateboarders, vintage skateboarding decks have a great aesthetic that is a lot of fun to display in your home.

When collecting vintage skateboards, look for brands or styles that were very popular in their day. Many of these were created by the sport’s earliest pros, such as Stacy Peralta, who sold his board designs under the “Powell Peralta” brand name. Today, these boards often sell for upwards of a thousand dollars. These high-end boards from the past are hard to come by. Not only are they prized by collectors, but they were also produced in very small quantities. During the sport’s infancy, there simply were not as many skaters around. Those who did purchase boards often did not have the money to invest in high-end boards; these kids were working odd jobs like mowing lawns to save up the money to buy themselves a board.

Now collectors’ items, vintage boards went through several incarnations before settling on the size and style of a modern skateboard. For example, those made from the 1950s through the 1970s were shaped more like a surfboard, and constructed of solid wood or plastic. A few even had metal decks. Most were only six or seven inches wide, and had clay or metal wheels that were originally designed for roller skating.

Skateboards produced in the late 1970s, the second incarnation of boards, use modern urethane wheels rather than clay or metal wheels. Incorporating trucks and other components that are much closer in style to modern skateboards than those produced in the 1950s through the early 1970s, these boards often had decks made of polypropylene, fiberglass, or other modern materials, though maple plywood was the most popular material.

The 1980s is known for boards with creative artwork. During this era, many top skateboarders owned their own skateboard companies or provided creative input for board design. These boards are among the most popular for collectors because of their individualist style. Some were even produced in limited editions, making them even more difficult to come by today.

Vintage skateboard collectors consider not only the skateboard style and its rarity, but also its condition. The most prized vintage skateboards are those that are still usable, though most collectors display them rather than using them. Their wheel design was much harder to control than those on modern boards, so you may find it difficult to ride a vintage board even if you are a skilled skateboarder. Today’s skateboards, in contrast, use modern materials and have trucks and wheels that have been designed specifically for skateboards, making them easier to ride.

If you like the vintage style but don’t necessarily want a skateboard that is several decades old, consider a reissue of a vintage “old school” skateboard. These are great for skaters who love the look and feel of the older boards, but don’t want to purchase an original, or can’t find an original issue of the board they want.

In the world of extreme sports, freeline skates are relative newcomers. Designed in 2003 in San Francisco, inventor Ryan Farrelly was trying to design a better version of skates for downhill racing. Freeline skates were borne of the idea that instead of standing on a platform on top of wheels, the rider can simply stand on each set of wheels, doing away with traditional skate construction. Unlike regular skates and blades, these are not strapped to the rider’s feet.

Freeline skates are specifically designed to give the feeling of skateboarding, surfing, and snowboarding, all at the same time. A pair of these skates consists of two separate metal plates with two wheels attached to each plate using a specially-designed truck, similarly to how skateboard wheels are attached to a skateboard deck. The wheels are shaped on both sides, rather than just one side like standard skateboard wheels. Otherwise, the wheels appear to be quite similar to those used on skateboards. The aluminum plate is covered in grip tape, the same material that helps skateboarders’ feet grip their skateboards. Overall, the freeline skates look much like two miniature skateboards with dual independent wheels.

New versions of freeline skates are being introduced each year as understanding of the sport develops and more people are drawn to it. This history closely mirrors the early history of skateboarding and other extreme sports, when multiple varieties of skateboards were developed, often vastly different from each other.

The technique used to skate with freeline skates is unlike any other sport. It is known to be quite challenging to learn, even for those who are familiar with other extreme sports. Even if you already know how to skateboard, snowboard, or surf, check out freeline skates for a unique challenge. Difficult to master, there are even YouTube instructional videos to help seasoned skateboarders or snowboarders get the hang of this new style.

Freeline skates are known for high traction on level ground and uphill, and these skates can be used almost anywhere. Freeline skates are used most often on slight downhill slopes, and utilize many of the same movements of other extreme sports, while adding a unique twist. This challenging sport provides great opportunities to use your skills in a new manner of riding and invent new tricks.

When riding, skaters take a sideways stance, similar to the stance used on a snowboard. Freeline skates are propelled similarly to snowboards, as riders shift their weight from heel to toe to change direction. Turns using freeline skates create an ‘S’ shape.

One of the newest innovations in the world of extreme sports, freeline skating is a whole new way to propel yourself on wheels. This new style of extreme sport has been recommended as a way for snowboarders to keep up their skills during the summer months, and is also a fun activity for anyone who enjoys skateboarding or surfing. These portable devices are also the smallest and lightest form of wheeled transportation currently available. Looking for a new challenge? Try freeline skates, the newest invention in the extreme sports world.

Shopping for a teenage guy? As you’ve probably realized by now, teenage boys are hard to shop for. The changing trends make it hard to choose something they will love. Most teenage boys today love to skateboard. So do girls, in fact, and many people who have passed their teenage years. This very popular sport is growing each and every year, and more and more companies are producing skate gear. If you’re looking for a great gift for a skateboarder, consider the following options:

1) Skateboarding clothes. Many skateboarders wear skateboard shoes and other apparel from popular skate brands every day, even when they aren’t skating. A backpack or beanie hat with skateboarding company logos also makes a great gift. Skateboarding clothes can be found in skate shops, sporting goods stores, and even some department stores. This look is very popular, even for those who don’t skate at all.

2) A skateboard. If you do know what kind of skateboard the recipient wants, buying a new skateboard is probably the best gift you can give. However, be sure you know exactly what you’re looking for. The brand and size of the board makes a big difference to skateboarders. If in doubt, choose a gift certificate, or place a picture of a skateboard in a box and tell them you’ll purchase the board of their choice.

3) Skateboarding equipment or gift certificates. Though you may feel that you don’t know enough about the sport to buy a complete skateboard for a gift, there are plenty of skateboard accessories that every skater needs, like grip tape. Worried about the skateboarder’s safety? Select a helmet and a set of pads. This may not be the coolest gift, but at least it will keep your skateboarder safe. You could even pick up a gift certificate to a local skate shop so that they can find their own equipment if you feel bewildered by the choices that you see.

4) Magazine subscriptions. Popular skateboarding magazines profile pro skateboarders, demonstrate new tricks, and review the latest skateboarding equipment. A subscription to one of these magazines is sure to be enjoyed all year round; the magazine will probably even get passed around to all of the recipient’s skateboarding friends. This is a great choice if you’re not sure what equipment they already have for skateboarding.

5) A skateboard rack. Are you tired of tripping over your kid’s skateboard every time you enter their room? Keep it off the floor by giving a skateboard rack for the next gift-giving occasion. Skateboard racks are a perfect choice for most skateboarders, as it’s something they will rarely buy themselves, but something that every skateboarder can use. Skateboards left on the ground may get tripped over or even broken. Skateboards cost a lot of money; riders should protect them by keeping them off the ground using a skateboard rack.

Since skateboarding has become more popular, there is a good chance that someone you know would love a gift of skateboarding accessories. Show the recipient that you support their favorite hobby by picking out one of these must-have skateboarding items. From skateboarding clothes to a rack to hold their new skateboard, these skateboarding accessories are sure to please.

Although skateboarding may seem like a purely American invention, and in fact the sport was created in sunny California, this activity has spread worldwide since the 1970s. In fact, skateboarding is quite popular in Japan. The burgeoning Japanese skate scene is definitely worth checking out if you are a skateboarder who happens to be traveling to Japan.

Skateboarding in Japan is absent much of its ‘counterculture’ edge. In fact, most skaters in Japan are clean cut, not “punk.” Some have noted this attitude to be the biggest difference between Japanese skateboarders and those in the west. Still, skateboarding in Japan still has some of its “bad boy” image, especially as cops begin to crack down on skateboarders, but even the punk or tough-looking Japanese skateboarders tend to be polite and well-mannered.

Unlike in America, where the vast majority of skateboarding takes place outdoors, in Japan there are quite a few indoor skate parks. Land is very expensive in Japan, and many of these skate parks have been set up in warehouses. These large warehouse skate parks can only be found in the largest cities; elsewhere, there just aren’t many areas where skateboarders are allowed, though there is plenty of concrete to attract them. Many wonder if Japan will begin providing public skate parks as skateboarding becomes more and more popular there.

Another downside is that many large Japanese cities, especially Tokyo, are very congested. Even if you were to find an interesting area to skate, it’s not likely to ever be deserted enough for you to be able to skate there. Plus, “no skateboarding” signs are showing up all over the country, and police are cracking down on this trend. In Japan, there just aren’t that many places to skate.

Another factor making it more difficult for Japanese skateboarders getting involved in the sport is the price of boards, wheels, bearings, and wax. Though there are a few Japanese skateboarding brands, most skateboarding products still cost more in Japan than they do here in America. You’re actually more likely to find a board by looking in a second-hand shop than you are by looking for a skate shop.

Skateboarding is quickly growing in popularity throughout all of Asia. Still, it has a ways to go before it reaches the same level as American skateboarding. In fact, many high school students in Japan don’t recognized skateboarding as a popular sport, while in America one survey ranked it as the 3rd most popular sport. While it is still catching on among youth, skateboarding has already spawned skateboard companies and magazines in Japan, including an official association known as the All Japan Skateboard Association, which was founded in 1996.

In Japanese, a skateboard is known as a sukeetoboodo. Skateboarding is sukeetoboodingu, though within a group of skateboarders it might be referred to simply as “sukebo.” A skater is a Suke-ta, or a “Suke-tobo-do yatteru hito,” which is literally translated as “a person who skateboards.” The American slang terms ‘awesome’ or ‘sick,’ often heard from skateboarders, translate to ‘sugoi.’

Did you know that skateboarding is very close to becoming a recognized high school sport? The National High School Skateboarding Association, launched in 2007, is working to make skateboarding a team sport in high schools across the country. Many see this step as fundamental in making skateboarding a mainstream rather than counterculture sport.

The first season of team high school skateboarding, in 2007, was known as the California High School Skateboarding Club. Though it began small, it received widespread attention. This club was soon contacted by people all over the country who wanted to begin similar skateboarding teams at high schools nationwide. For the 2008 season, more than 20 high school teams signed up to compete throughout Southern California, and the name was changed to the National High School Skateboarding Association to reflect the national attention the movement had already received.

In 2009, there were over 45 teams competing in three regions: North, Central, and South Los Angeles. Though the movement is still centralized in California, not surprising considering the lengthy history of skateboarding there, the movement is poised to explode throughout the nation in the coming years. Soon you may see a competitive skateboarding team at a high school in your town.

The current competitive skateboarding season includes two competitions in the regular season, with the winners advancing to additional competitions at the semi-final level. The top individuals at the end of the season can potentially win an invitation to compete in the X Games, one of the sport’s most prestigious competitions. NHSSA provides a valuable platform for young skateboarders looking to get their talents seen by big names.

The mission of the National High School Skateboard Association, or NHSSA, is to provide an environment for high school skateboarders to showcase their skating talents while still in school. The NHSSA believes that young skateboarders, like all other young athletes, need an outlet to compete and reach their full potential. The NHSSA supports skateboarders who want to take their abilities to the next level professionally, those who want to have a career in the skateboard industry, and those who simply enjoy skateboarding as a hobby.

Though this movement has received widespread attention, it is actually not the first attempt at competitive high school skateboarding teams. In fact, the idea goes as far back as the 1970s, the era of team skateboarding. In this era, skateboarders would often affiliate themselves with their local surf/skate shop, forming teams that would travel throughout California, competing for bragging rights. Though most of the competitors were high school students, teams were affiliated not with high schools but with skate shops.

With the National High School Skateboarding Association, it is clear that skateboarding is here to stay. This popular sport is on the cusp of becoming widely recognized as a high school sport. In future decades, it may become possible for teens across the nation to join a competitive high school skateboarding team. Still, the prospect of team skateboarding is not attractive to some young skateboarders, particularly those who skate with an individualist spirit and resist becoming part of an organized group, instead preferring skateboarding to remain counterculture.

Bam Margera, whose birth name was Brandon, was born in 1979 in Pennsylvania. He earned the nickname “bam” from his grandfather after his habit of running recklessly into walls. Bam learned to skateboard in 1988. Today, he is known as one of the most interesting if not controversial characters in the skateboarding world, and has made skateboarding and stunts a way of life.

Bam is known as a stuntman, director, actor, and skateboarder. Somewhat of a daredevil, he rose to prominence as part of MTV’s “Jackass” crew, known for outrageous and dangerous stunts caught on camera. His other works include MTV’s “Viva La Bam” and “Bam’s Unholy Union,” both reality shows following Bam produced under the Jackass label.

After learning to skateboard, Margera began to film his skateboarding stunts and the tricks performed by his friends. These tapes eventually became the CKY video series, which currently includes four videos. His friends formed a loose skateboarding group known as the CKY Crew; his brother Jess is in a rock band also known by the name CKY; this band can be heard on CKY videos.

After the success of the CKY project, the former editor of the Big Brother reality TV series brought him on board for the team that would become Jackass. Other CKY crew members, including Ryan Dunn and some of Margera’s other friends, also appear in Jackass shows. The TV show spawned two moves, “Jackass: The Movie” and “Jackass: Number Two.”

After Jackass, Margera had his own MTV series, known as Viva La Bam. This reality TV show, which ran between 2003 and 2005 for five seasons, followed Margera and his friends, filming them as they performed various stunts, including many on skateboards. He has also written, produced, and starred in three independent films. His later production efforts include a Sirius Satellite Radio Show broadcast weekly known as “Radio Bam.” He has also started a music label and has directed several music videos.

Margera is known not only for his crazy behavior and stunts but also for his skateboarding skills. Pro skateboarder Tony Hawk included Margera as an animated skateboarding character in his popular video game line, including the Pro Skaters and Underground series, which also feature other top names in the sport as animated characters.

Bam was married in 2007 to Melissa “Missy” Rothstein. The engagement and wedding was filmed for the MTV series “Bam’s Unholy Union.”  The couple currently resides in a large house in Pennsylvania known as “Castle Bam.” The “castle” boasts a gothic theme and sits on 14 acres, with a skate park in the drive way. In 2007 Bam built a large skateboarding ramp on this land.

In addition to his TV and filmmaking career, Margera is also a popular skateboarder in his own right. Bam is a member of Team Element, demonstrating tricks for Element Skateboards. He also has numerous other sponsors, including Destructo Trucks, Speed Metal Bearings, Electric Visual, Fairman’s Skateshop, Jones Soda, CKY, Volcom, Spitfire, and more. Though he has stayed away from the larger skateboard competitions and is not usually considered one of the top professional skateboarders in terms of skill level, he is considered to be “pro” status due to his sponsorships.

Pro skateboarder Christian Hosoi has long been one of the more controversial figures in the sport. Born in 1967, he was known by the nicknames “Christ” and “Holmes” during his childhood and adolescence.

Among pro skateboarders, Hosoi was one of the youngest to start skateboarding, at the age of five. Already by this age, his idols were skateboarding veterans like Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta, who were at the center of 1970's skateboarding culture. Christian’s father, Ivan “Pops” Hosoi, became the manager of the Marine Del Ray skatepark soon after his son began skateboarding seriously. Christian would later quit school to spend all of his time at the skate park, developing his skating skills. His first major competition was the Van’s Offshore Amateur State Finals in California, where he placed in the top 5 of the boys 11-13 division in 1980.

While still classified as an amateur, Christian was sponsored by Powell Peralta, a top name in the sport. Just a year later, he left Powell Peralta, as they would not allow him to turn pro. He then joined Dogtown Skateboards, one of the original names in the sport. Unfortunately, they went out of business shortly after he joined. At the age of 14 in 1981, he finally turned pro, sponsored by Sims Skateboards.

Once he turned pro, Hosoi became a top competitor in the world of vert skateboarding, joining popular pros of that era like Steve Caballero and Mike McGill. His major competition wins began in 1985 and lasted through 1988. He would eventually develop a rivalry with fellow pro skateboarder Tony Hawk. In the 1980s, he and Hawk would become known as the top names in the competitive skateboarding industry.

While Hawk is known for his technical ability when performing difficult tricks, Hosoi is known for a graceful style and unique flair. Hosoi is credited as the inventor of the Christ Air and Rocket Air tricks, and is also known for his huge aerials. At one point he was the world record holder for aerial height on a skateboard.

As a pro skateboarder, Hosoi earned major endorsements from companies like Converse, Swatch. Several ‘Christian Hosoi Pro Model wheels have also been released. In 1984, Hosoi founded Hosoi Skates, selling a very popular skateboard.

By the early 1990s, the world of skateboarding had turned its attention to street skateboarders. As a vert skateboarder, Hosoi found himself winning competitions less and less often. After being involved with a series of failed skateboard companies, he faced bankruptcy, as well as a growing addiction to drugs. He stopped entering competitions, and even declined an invitation to the very first X Games competition, then known as the Extreme Games. Charged with trafficking meth in 2000, he served four years in prison, and was released in 2004.

While in prison, he married his girlfriend, Jennifer Lee, and became a born-again Christian. Today, Hosoi and his wife have two sons, and Christian has earned his high school diploma, since he had dropped out to devote more time to skateboarding at his father’s skatepark. He lives in Huntington Beach, California, long the center of skateboarding culture. Hosoi has resumed his skateboarding career, taking 1st at the 2009 X Games 15 “Skateboard Park Legends” contest, where he was invited to compete as a well-known name from the history of the sport.

The Ollie is one of the most well-known tricks in the world of skateboarding. If you are learning to skateboard, the Ollie is very important, because it is the basis for dozens of other skateboarding tricks. There are countless variations of the Ollie to learn, including Ollie components used as part of various flips and other tricks. The Ollie is a relatively simple aerial trick that should be one of the first you learn as a skateboarder.

To do the Ollie, the first step is to stand on your board, in the same stance as you usually ride the board. Although it is easiest to do the Ollie when you are already rolling, it is possible to do it when stopped.

When you do the Ollie, your front foot should be a couple of inches behind the front hardware of your skateboard, and your back foot should be sitting towards the tip of the tail. Then, bend down, and jump into the air. Jump with as much height and as much force as possible. At the same time as you jump, snap the tail of the board against the ground as hard as you can. This will make the board pop up into the air with you.

As it comes up, your feet will come off of the board. The key to performing the Ollie successfully is for the board to land a split second before your feet come down on the deck. By the time your feet land, your legs should be slightly bent to cushion your landing, but they should not be as bent as when you were crouching to prepare for the jump.

While at the height of the Ollie, slide your front foot forward on your skateboard. The front of the board will then level out with the back, so that you can land on it. If you start with your front foot too far back on the board, you will find it difficult to balance in the air. The landing is tricky if you are not balanced when in the air. If you miss the landing, you will fall of your board, so be prepared for this possibility. Wear your helmet and pads when practicing the Ollie or any other skateboarding trick.

Once you learn how to do the Ollie on flat ground, increase the challenge by practicing it over curbs, benches, or your friend’s skateboard. However, do not try this until you have mastered the Ollie itself. You can also try to increase the height of the Ollie; many skateboard competitions include a “Highest Ollie” component. For a bigger Ollie, you’ll need to snap the tail harder against the ground, which takes practice.

The Ollie was first performed in the late 1970s. Alan Gelfand of Florida is credited as the creator of this essential skateboarding trick. His nickname was “Ollie,” which gave this new trick its name. The Ollie is considered a fundamental trick in the sport. Without the Ollie, the world of skateboarding just wouldn’t be what it is today, and many other tricks simply would not be possible.

The world of skateboarding just wouldn’t be the same without legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk. An inspiration for many new skaters, he has taken the sport to new limits, setting dozens of records for his amazing skateboard tricks.

Though Hawk is clearly a leader in the sport, it is important to remember that he started off where all skateboarders did. At one time, Tony Hawk had to learn how to skateboard, like all other skateboarders. He has put a lot of hard work into becoming the top pro skateboarder that he is today.

Born in San Diego, California, he first began skateboarding at the age of 8 after his older brother bought him a used skateboard. His father, a retired U.S. Navy officer, built a ramp in their backyard for Tony to practice. He won his first skateboarding contest just three years later, and turned pro at the young age of fourteen. Since then he has won dozens of major competitions in the world of skateboarding, becoming a top name in the sport.

Tony Hawk is known for completing the first 900, or spinning around for two and a half rotations while on a skateboard. This feat was accomplished at the 1999 X-Games, the world’s largest alternative sports competition. It took twelve attempts for him to land this trick during the 1999 competition; he again successfully completed the 900 during the X Games in 2001.

Tony Hawk is best known as a vert skateboarder, meaning that he uses ramps and bowls rather than skating on flat ground. Vert skateboarding is known as being very difficult; it can take quite a while just to learn how to drop in to the bowl, making his tricks all the more impressive.

Tony Hawk is known not only for his skateboarding tricks, but also for his video game line distributed by Activision. These realistic games provide an opportunity to practice tricks virtually by taking on the persona of a pro skateboarder. The series debuted in 1999, and there have been 11 titles to date, including the Pro Skater and Underground series and the latest game, 2009’s “Tony Hawk: Ride.”

His skateboarding-related activities extend beyond competitions and video games. In 2002 Hawk started the Boom Boom Huck Jam, a live show featuring displays in motocross, skateboarding, and BMX. He has also appeared in many films, including “Police Academy 4” in 1987, “Gleaming the Cube” in 1989, “Jackass: The Movie” with Bam Margera, Lords of Dogtown about the history of skateboarding, and several other movies.

He has also donated money to help build skate parks across the country and provide skateboards for kids who can’t afford them. He has spent years encouraging others to take part in the sport he loves. He often interacts with his younger fans at competitions and other appearances, and is known as somewhat of an ambassador in the sport.

Tony Hawk is among the best-known names in the world of skateboarding, and for good reason. His story, competition record, impressive tricks, and other skateboarding activities have earned him a place in the history of the sport.

If you love to skateboard, chances are good that you visit skateboard parks whenever you can. These parks offer skating opportunities that you simply can’t find anywhere else. Still, this doesn’t mean that you can do anything you want once you’re in the skate park. There are a few etiquette rules that you should pay attention to when using a skateboard park.

Skating is an inherently dangerous activity, so you must pay attention to what you’re doing to avoid crashing into other skateboarders. Many skate parks develop certain traffic patterns on ramps and pipes; don’t try to skateboard against the flow of traffic. Don’t begin down a ramp until there are no other skaters in your way. Always be aware of where other skaters are in the park so that you don’t crash into them. This is particularly true if you see younger kids in the park, as they may not always move in predictable patterns. If there is a line, don’t ride out of turn. If you visit a skateboard park with a group, be sure that other skaters that aren’t in your group are able to use the ramps and any other park features.

Know your abilities, and don’t try to do tricks that are too difficult for your skill level. The skate park may offer the steepest ramp you’ve ever seen, but be sure you can handle it before you try it. Otherwise you may end up hurting yourself or others. Skate parks offer a variety of features for skaters at every skill level, so remember that you don’t have to try out everything you see. Master the basics before visiting a skateboard park.

Always wear a helmet and safety pads while skating, whether you’re on the street or in a skateboard park. You may feel silly being out in public wearing these items, but feeling silly is better than falling and ending up in the emergency room.

Don’t bring food or drinks into the skateboarding area. These can be enjoyed around the park, where most skateboard parks have placed benches. Don’t sit on the edge of the ramp or on the rails while waiting for your friends; instead, move off the skateboarding area, and sit on the benches. This way you won’t get in anyone’s way. Keep everything you don’t need on you to the sides of the skateboarding area, but only bring what you need to the skate park, so that you don’t have to keep an eye on expensive possessions that you’ve left to the side of the skateboard park.

Many skate parks have their own posted rules. Always read these before skating, and follow them while you’re at the park. For example, the park may be closed after dusk. Even if there’s no one there to enforce this rule, it is not safe to ride in the dark.

Skateboard parks are a great opportunity for skaters and the perfect alternative to makeshift ramps or alleys, curbs, and other places not designed for skating. When skateboarding in a skate park, remember that the park is not there for your exclusive use. There are others skaters at the park. Follow skate park etiquette to keep skating there safe and fun.

If you love to skateboard, check out skateboarding films! These shows range from history and culture to how-to or demonstration reels. There’s something for everyone, from those who have never been on a board to expert skateboarders.

To learn about the history of skateboarding, watch “Lords of Dogtown.” This blockbuster hit explored the history of skateboarding in the 1970s in California. A group of skateboarders called the Z-Boys started what eventually became the punk/skater subculture that exists even today. “Lords of Dogtown” was written by Stacy Peralta, one of the earliest pro skateboarders, and he appears throughout the movie, showing off amazing tricks. Their story was also explored in the movie “Z-Boys and Dogtown.” For the 1980s history of skateboarding through the eyes of pro skateboarders from that era, check out “Stoked: The Rise and Fall of Gator,” a documentary. All three are must-see movies for those who are interested in the origins of today’s skateboarding culture.

Are you trying to improve your skateboarding skills or learn new tricks? Many top skateboarders produce their own demo films. Some are clips of their competitions; others actually show you, step-by-step, how to perform skateboarding tricks. Some are designed for beginners, even those who can do nothing on a skateboard besides simply rolling forwards. Others include more advanced tricks, including some that are so tricky you may not have even seen them in real life unless you’ve been to a major skateboarding competition.

Skateboarding films are a great choice for skateboarders, and they’re also a good way to prepare yourself for skateboarding. If you have young kids and aren’t quite ready to let them skateboard yet, let them watch skateboarding films to feel like they’re part of it all. In fact, there are many skateboarding shows that are designed especially for kids, even those who have never skateboarded themselves. The cartoon series “Rocket Power” is a great example of this. It has all of the great skateboarding culture, without the danger of falling. There are many other family-friendly cartoons and comedy movies that incorporate skateboarding, too.

If you’re looking for a little entertainment with a skateboarding theme, there are plenty of dramas and comedies incorporating skateboarding. “Grind” is a movie featuring several pro skateboarders as high school students seeking to strike it big as pro skateboarders. “Gleaming the Cube” is a unique drama featuring both a murder mystery and skateboarding.

Many of these movies feature pro skateboarders, whether they are documentaries, demonstrations, or even comedies. Tony Hawk is perhaps the best-known skateboarder with numerous video games and movies featuring his tricks. If you want to see some of his most famous tricks, watch “Tony Hawk’s Trick Tips,” which features tricks for everyone from beginners to pros. His “Boom Boom Huck Jam” series features skateboarding, BMX, and motocross performances filmed during his Boom Boom Huck Jam live performances.

Many of these have been big hits, but there are also countless independent films about skateboarding, ranging from drama to documentary to how-to instructional videos. These can be found on Youtube or through the Skateboard Film Festival, held each August in Seattle. If you enjoy skateboarding, these movies can entertain you, teach you about skateboarding culture, and even show you new moves.

Too many skaters don’t have a nice area to practice their skating. Skate parks have bowls, ramps, rails, and other features designed specifically for skating that usually can’t be found anywhere else. If you love to skate, but there isn’t a skate park nearby, consider taking action to get a skate park built in your community. Although some skate parks are built by skate companies or others in the industry, grassroots organizations can also get skate parks built.

First, figure out how much interest there is in getting a skate park built. Try to determine how many skaters live in your town. If there is a local skate shop, talk to the owners, and see if they can estimate how many skaters there are. This will go a long way towards showing the need for the park and drumming up interest for the project.

Once you determine who would be interested in a skate park, form an organization. This should include skaters and others who are interested in the park, such as local business owners. Make sure that you have plenty of adults involved, not just teens. Since the majority of community members are not skaters, concentrate on providing information on the benefits to the community when getting people to support your skate park project.

Once you have enough interest in getting the park built, it’s time to determine how much the skate park will cost. How big will it be? What kind of features do skaters in your community want to see in their park? You may want to visit nearby skate parks to get an idea of what you want. Contact construction companies in your local area, or one of the larger skate park building companies located around the country. Ask for a general estimate of how much it would cost to build a skate park.

Think critically about how the skate park will operate. Who will pay for maintenance or repairs? What about liability if someone falls while skating? Will the park be monitored? What hours will it be open? Will BMX bikes be allowed, or only skateboards? Those in charge of skate parks in other cities can be a valuable resource for determining the best answers to these questions. Be sure that you have ready answers to these questions.

Now, print posters and flyers to attract the general community to your cause. Hold community meetings to generate interest, but be ready for those who are opposed to the area. Some in your community may feel that skating is too dangerous or that a skate park may attract the wrong crowd. Be ready to address their concerns. Choose a few articulate members of your organization to do most of the speaking. These meetings should be held in a public place in your community, like the local library or recreation center, or in the local skate shop. You may want to develop a petition once the larger community becomes involved in your project so that you can show how many supporters you have. Don’t forget about the internet as a way to spread the word.

Once you have a plan developed, take your case to the city council. At the meeting, present the need for the skate park and show your evidence of community support for the park, like the petition. Ask your community leaders about any possible funding sources they can offer for the skate park.

Once you get people excited about the park, you’ll need to make a plan to start raising cash. Ask your local skate shop if they’d be willing to provide space for a donation box. The owners may even be willing to donate directly to the cause. Hold lots of fundraising activities. Raising the money is often the hardest part of getting a skate park built, so be patient.

When you’re getting close to reaching your fundraising goals, your next step is to determine where the skate park should be. There should be plenty of community involvement in this step. Host community meetings and hang up fliers to get community input. The skate park should be located in a central area, but there may be concerns if the park is located too close to other businesses.

2009 marks the 15th year of the X Games, the world’s largest extreme sports competition. Over the years there have been many world records set here, including Tony Hawk’s 900 degree spin, the first time this skateboard feat had ever been accomplished in public, and Travis Pastrana’s double backflip in motocross.

2009 promises to offer similar highlights, although only time will tell how many records will be broken this time around. The 2009 X Games takes place in Los Angeles from July 30 to August 2, 2009, with the majority of events taking place in or near Staples Center. The X Fest music and entertainment festival will coincide with the X Games, as it has for several years. Like always, the games will be televised on ESPN.

This year’s events include competitions in skateboarding, rally car acing, motocross, BMX, and surfing, as top athletes from around the world show off their latest moves. This year, there are two new events joining the X Games. They are Skateboard Big Air Rail Jam and Skateboard Park Legends. Skateboard Big Air Rail Jam is similar to the Big Air ramp competition, with an added 20-foot long rail after the ramp. Expect to see big tricks on this rail. Skateboard Park Legends is a concrete skateboard park competition in which top skateboarding icons will be taking part, including Christian Hosoi and Steve Caballero.

In addition to the two new competitions, two events have been renamed for X Games 15. Skateboard and BMX Freestyle SuperPark will be renamed to Skateboard Park and BMX Freestyle Park. Moto X Racing will be called Super X. In this event, you’ll see racer James Stewart, already well-known in the sport as the winner of the 2009 Supercross Championship and other top events, compete in his first X Games.

Over 200 athletes plan to take part in X Games 15.  Athletes taking part in the X Games must be invited to compete. This year’s invited athletes, as always, include the top names in their respective sports. For skateboarding, expect to see Bob Burnquist, four time X Games Skateboard Vert gold medalist. He is the two-time defending gold medalist in the Big Air competition, and is one of only three athletes this year to have competed in every X Games competition to date.

Another X Games athlete to have appeared at every X Games competition since the first competition held in 1995 is Rune Glifberg, who will be competing in the Skateboard Park and Vert competitions. He is a nine-time medalist at the X Games, and will be defending his gold medal in the Skateboard Park competition.

Ryan Sheckler is a two-time gold medalist in the X Games Skateboard Street competition, and will be defending his gold medal this year. Skateboarder Elissa Streamer will be defending her gold metal in the Women’s Skateboard Street competition; she is a four-time gold medalist in this competition.

Popular X-Games veteran Travis Pastrana will return in Rally Car racing. He is the current Rally Car Racing defending gold medalist, and is well-known within the sports of motocross and rally car racing for his stunts.

If you are learning to skateboard, you may think that learning how to stay on the skateboard and perform tricks is the cool part, but learning how to fall correctly is just as important. Yes, there is a correct way to fall and an incorrect way to fall. If you fall the wrong way on a skateboard, you can break bones or get a concussion, even if you weren’t very far from the ground to begin with.

When you’re learning how to skateboard, you can’t be too afraid to fall, or you won’t have the confidence to learn anything. Wearing a helmet and pads can help you learn how to skateboard without worrying about injuring yourself. As you fall over and over again, you’ll soon realize that there is definitely a wrong way to fall. As you get better, hopefully you’ll fall less often, but when you do fall, your body should naturally move so that your falls hurt less.

Most people start to flail wildly as they realize they are losing their balance on the board. This can actually make you more likely to fall because your limbs can’t regain balance if they are moving rapidly and in random directions. Instead, start to crouch low on your board. As you get closer to the ground, your body will have a shorter distance to fall when you finally lose your balance. Plus, the lower center of gravity you create by crouching down on the board can actually keep you from falling. Another automatic reaction is to tense up your body. Consciously make your body more relaxed, because you’re less likely to get injured than if you fall with stiff joints.

If you’re up in the air and you realize that you won’t be able to land on your feet on the board, try to position your body so that you land on the areas that have flesh rather than bone. Tuck your elbows and head in. Landing on your butt, your back, or your stomach will hurt a lot less than landing on your head. Knee and elbow pads, a helmet, and a mouth piece can protect the areas that you don’t want land on.

Some skateboarders try to tuck and roll as they fall. In fact, this it is probably the best way to fall, as long as you know what you’re doing. Rolling is a particularly useful skill in the bowl of a skateboard park because its sloped sides usually work well with this technique. Roll so that you land on your back or your shoulder. If you don’t roll, try to wear gloves when skateboarding, so that you don’t scrape up your hands when you inevitably use them to stop your momentum. Another way to fall is to continue your momentum by running, or by sliding on your kneepads if you’re on a ramp or bowl.

Once you learn how to fall, you won’t fear it like you did when you first started skateboarding. As a result, you’ll be willing to try new tricks that you were too afraid of before. However, make sure that you don’t find yourself up too high in the air if you don’t know what you’re doing. Falling from any height is much worse than falling off your board when it’s on level ground. And remember, even if you have been skateboarding for years, you will still occasionally fall. Knowing how to fall correctly and never forgetting to wear your pads and helmet can help to minimize the damage when you do.

Street luging is a sport related to skateboarding which requires a streetluge board, also known as a sled. This wheeled sled is ridden down a set course or paved road. Although the board itself looks quite like a long skateboard (longboard), it is actually ridden with the rider lying on his back on the board, not standing up. In this manner of riding, it is more closely related to the winter sport of luging than to skateboarding.

Although this sport form is related to luging, it is actually one of many sports to grow out of skateboarding culture. Luging originates in Southern California, where it was first conceptualized by downhill skateboarders wanting to go faster on their boards. They found that they could reach higher speeds by lying on the skateboard rather than standing. This early form of street luging is called “classic style” today, and the term “street luge” was actually not used for this style of riding until much later.

The first professionally organized street luging event took place in California in 1975, and was hosted by the U.S. Skateboard Association. This race was based purely on the top speed attained. Because street luging was still in its infancy, board designs varied greatly, from those that looked like regular skateboards to those designed more like skate cars, completely enclosing the rider in a plastic or fiberglass shell set on wheels.

Early street luge races, including the race in 1975, allowed contestants to ride in whichever position they preferred, either standing or lying on the board. However, by 1978 a high rate of injuries led to an end of these races. Although the U.S. Skateboard Association was no longer hosting races, street luge enthusiasts began holding their own events in the 1980s and early 1990s as part of other groups like the Underground Racers Association and the Federation of International Gravity Racing.

Street luging has been rising in popularity since the late 1990s thanks to an increased focus on extreme sports through competitions like the ESPN X Games and the NBC Gravity Games. Although street luging is not currently a sport in either of these large competitions, it is still popular around the globe. By some estimates, there are over a thousand active street luge competitors.

Street luge riders may reach speeds of over 60 miles per hour. In part due to the rider’s very short distance from the ground, street luging can be a dangerous sport. Although it is safer to compete today than in the 1970s thanks to new safety regulations, street luging still requires the wearing of helmets and pads, like most related sports.

Currently, street luge board designs used in competitions must have skateboard-style trucks as well as front and rear padding. Mechanical brakes and a shell to enclose the rider’s body are prohibited. Different sanctioning bodies may have rules on length or width restrictions for boards used in street luging competitions. Most riders use custom-made street luging boards, although a few commercial designs are on the market today.

Street luge courses range from half a mile to 3 miles long, and are always downhill. This sport requires excellent balance and a fast reaction time. If you’re a skateboarder who is looking for the next challenge, try street luging.

Because skateboarding is a relatively new sport, the range of possible tricks is still expanding each and every year. With large competitions like the X Games, there’s a good chance that at least one record will be broken during the event. Many of these world records can be seen in videos online and elsewhere thanks to the public nature of these events.

The world of skateboarding is full of pro skateboarders who are driven to push the bar with their tricks. Pro skateboarders are constantly working to improve their performance, shooting for more complicated tricks, bigger air, and more flips. Here are a few of the most well-known skateboarding records to date:

Longest skateboard. Although the lengths of the standard skateboard and the longboard are fairly standardized by now, there are some variations. For example, in 2005 three boys created and rode the world’s longest skateboard. Over 30 feet in length, it required all three riders at once to control the full length.

Distance. Many people use skateboards as their primary mode of transportation, riding several miles every week, although there are others who have made a name for themselves based on how far they have ridden. In 2008, Ted McDonald rode barefoot for 242 miles in 24 hours. Rob Thomson is another skateboarder known for distance. He skateboarded approximately 7,500 miles over two and a half years.

Speed. The fastest speed that can be attained on a skateboard has been measured at 63 miles per hour, set by Gary Hardwick back in 1998. However, there are multiple reports of faster, unmeasured speeds, of up to 80 miles per hour.

Spins. Spins are incorporated into many skateboarding tricks. In 2000 Richie Carasco broke the record for consecutive 360 degree spins, with 142. Tony Hawk is known for many records, including the first 900 degree spin, or two and a half complete rotations without landing, a feat that was first seen at the 1999 X Games. The elusive 900 degree spin is the goal of many pro skateboarders, as is the 1080 spin, which has not yet been attained.

Jumps. High jumps and jumps over long distances are something practiced by most professional skateboarders. In 2005, Danny Way became the first person to jump over the Great Wall of China on a skateboard. He is also know for many other skateboarding world records, such as the greatest distance jump (79 feet). Danny Way also invented the Mega Ramp used to set both of these records; this structure is likely the largest skate ramp every built. Danny Way’s other records include height out of a skateboard ramp (23.5 feet).

Ollies. The Ollie, in which the skateboarder flips the skateboard under them while in the middle of a jump, is arguably the most popular skateboarding trick. Although the record for the highest Ollie is officially 44.5 inches, set by Danny Wainwright, there are many claims of higher Ollies, up to 50 inches. In 2007, Rob Dyrdek completed the most Ollies in a row, with 215. In fact, Rob Dyrdek holds over 20 world skateboarding records, such as the longest rail grind (100 feet), and the highest jump into water with a ramp, at 10 feet and 8 inches.

Skateboarding is a popular sport, particularly with the younger crowd. Many of today’s most famous professional skateboarders turned pro when they were just teens, and some started skateboarding when they were only in preschool. Children of all ages can get involved in skateboarders, and today more and more young children are showing interest in the sport.

If your children want to skateboard, you may be trying to weigh their desires, as well as benefits like increased balance and exercise, against safety issues or feelings of skateboarding as a “counterculture” sport. Be aware that minor bumps and bruises are to be expected with this sport, as with nearly every other sport out there, but skateboarding is still a fun and exciting way to exercise.

If you’re not quite ready to let your kids skateboard, consider fingerboards or handboards, miniature versions of skateboards. Other ways to expose your kids to the world of skateboards without worrying about safety issues include skateboarding video games, of which several popular titles exist, as well as watching skateboarding performances or competitions. Your kids may also want to wear skate shoes or other apparel from skateboarding brands. These activities can help them get involved with the skateboarding community without worrying about their safety.

If you decide that your kids are ready for skateboarding, you should take them to purchase a skateboarding as well as all of the necessary padded gear, including a helmet. When first allowing your children to skateboard, be sure to instruct them on how the skateboard should be used. Make them aware of the potential dangers.  The truth is, it is very possible to fall when skateboarding, especially when trying to perform tricks.

It is very important to make sure your children are always wearing protective gear when skateboarding. Your children will probably not want to wear their pads, especially if their friends are not wearing them. Elbow and knee pads can prevent scrapes and broken bones, and of course, a helmet is a necessity. Make sure that they know wearing this padding is necessary if they want to be able to skateboard. Although children should be given a choice in many matters concerning them, protective gear is not an area where you should compromise.

You should supervise your children after they get their skateboard to make sure that they are using it safely and aren’t attempting tricks for which they don’t yet have the skills. It also makes sense to help your children understand their skill level; young children may become frustrated when they can’t perform the same tricks, or may hurt themselves trying. Help them achieve a balance between safety and confidence that allows them to try the tricks they feel able to complete. Skateboarding DVDs can also help them learn new tricks, but be sure to get one with tricks that are matched to their skill level.

Skateboarding is a fun activity enjoyed by children and adults worldwide. It is a great physical activity and a way to get some exercise outdoors. You can let your children skateboard in your yard or take them to skate parks where they can practice their skills with friends. There are also skateboarding competitions for skateboarders of all ages. Get involved in your kids’ activities; take an interest in their new hobby and watch them perform the tricks they learn.

If you are a skateboarder, then you may be interested in playing skateboarding video games when the weather is too bad for you to skateboard outside, or it’s already dark out. These video games allow you to simulate your favorite skateboarding moves. Many of these popular titles include the likeness of famous pro skateboarders. In the game, you can perform the various moves and tricks made famous by your favorite skateboarders.

One of the earliest skateboarding video games was a 1987 title called “Skate or Die,” for early Atari and Nintendo systems. It allowed up to eight people to play at once, which is several more than even most modern skateboarding games. However, it was a short game, featuring only five events, and the downside was that most skateboarders could master it very easily. Modern skateboarding games have rectified this by included many more levels for players to master, including some that are ‘unlocked’ by special moves.

One of the most well-known of all pro skateboarders, Tony Hawk, has lent his image to many different skateboarding video games, fifteen different titles in all produced since the late 1990s. They are produced for nearly every popular gaming console or system, including GameCube, GameBoy, Playstation, and Xbox. Popular titles include Pro Skater and Underground. Some of these are story-based, while others are based solely on the tricks you learn to perform. Most feature other popular skateboarders besides Tony Hawk, while some of the players whose personas you can take on as a player in the game are fictional.

Introduced in 2002 for the GameCube and Playstation 2, Evolution Skateboarding is one of the top selling skateboard video games yet. Including lots of professional skateboarders, such as Danny Way and Rick McCrank, this game is known for offering plenty of tricks to master. You must master certain ones before the game will allow you to move on and explore other moves.

Disney has also entered the popular world of skateboarding video games with their game called Disney’s Extreme Skate Adventure. Designed for younger players, and even those who may be too young to actually skateboard, it features favorite Disney characters from Toy Story, Tarzan, or Lion King. Their second title, 2003’s Disney Sports Skateboarding, included classic characters such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy. Targeted towards a younger audience, it is geared towards those who may have never been on a real skateboard before, unlike most other skateboarding video game titles.

The best skateboarding games historically have been those with a soundtrack that resonates with skateboarding enthusiasts, as well as well-done graphics that can bring the skateboarding tricks to life. Like skateboarding itself, skateboarding games offer many different levels, from beginner to advanced, making it easy for anyone to enter this world. Some manufacturers are currently working on new technology that will allow players to stand on a skateboard-like board in their living room to control the player’s movements in the game. Movements will be captured by the foot motion and leaning.

If you are a skateboarder who enjoys skateboarding on ramps, you essentially have three choices. Use the skateboarding ramps at a local skate park, build your own from scratch, or buy a skate ramp. Luckily, there are many inexpensive skate ramps out there. How do you choose the best one for your needs?

No matter what kind of skate ramp you are looking at, be sure to buy for your skill level. There are some ramps that are very long and step, and you shouldn’t try these as a beginner because you are likely to fall. If you’re new to skateboarding, you may feel like jumping right in and starting with the biggest ramp you can find, but this usually isn’t the best investment. Start with a ramp that is appropriate for your skill level, instead. Another benefit of a smaller ramp is that it is much more portable than a larger and heavier ramp.

When buying a cheap skate ramp, remember not to sacrifice quality to get the lowest possible price. Since you will be skating over this ramp on your skateboard at high speeds, it’s important that it is very sturdy, unless you enjoy visiting the emergency room after skateboard crashes.

If you are a beginning skateboarder, start with a small plastic ramp. Not only the length, but also the angle is important. It won’t be too steep for you to handle, but you’ll still be able to practice your tricks on your own, without visiting a skate park. The best of these plastic ramps are made of sturdy, hard plastic. Make sure that they seem able to withstand the weather as well as any abuse from your skateboard. Thinner plastic ramps may even bend under the weight of you and your skateboard.

Once you have mastered this smaller ramp, then you can move up to a larger and steeper ramp. You can always use this smaller ramp along with your larger ramp to make a mini skate park once you’ve outgrown it. More experienced skaters can start with a large, steep ramp, or even a mini quarter pipe or half pipe. These are more expensive, and more dangerous because of their steeper inclines, but they are also challenging enough for any level of skateboarder. Choose one of these after you’ve already mastered the shorter plastic ramps. These are usually made of wood, and will not bend under the weight of your skateboard.

Besides the traditional ramp design, you can also find low rails, grind boxes, and other forms often found in skate parks. You should be able to find a suitable skate ramp for your skill level online or by visiting your local skate shop. If you can’t find a suitable premade skate ramp, you may decide to build your own. These are usually made of wood; the downside is that unlike plastic ramps, you’ll need to keep it covered when not in use to protect it from the elements. These do take some time to build, but are also very rewarding. If you choose this route, don’t sacrifice quality when choosing the plans and materials; a little extra investment may go a long way towards ensuring that you have the best quality ramp you can build.

The history of skateboarding, as is well known, began in California. Thanks to the movie “Lords of Dogtown,” many have heard of the 1970s history of skateboarding in California. Dogtown, or the Santa Monica/Venice Beach area, is in fact where skateboarding first became really popular.

During the 1970’s, a group of skateboarders called the Z-Boys essentially created the punk/skater subculture that exists to this day. These skateboarders were part of a team called the Jeff Ho Zephyr team, which is how they got their name.

The Z-Boys got their start in 1973, when Jeff Ho and others opened Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions in Venice Beach. The first Z-Boy was Nathan Pratt, then fourteen years old. He was hired to work at the shop, and became an apprentice surfboard maker and the founding member of what would become the Z-Boys. By 1974, this group of teenagers also included Allen Sarlo, Jay Adams, Tony Alva, Chris Cahill, and Stacy Peralta. These surfers were notorious around Dogtown for being a rough-and-tumble crowd who dominated the surf.

In the 1970s, surfing was a counterculture sport, frowned upon by much of mainstream society. The Z-Boys were not only surfers, but also avid skateboarders who used their boards to imitate popular surfing moves and create their own tricks. They developed a new style that was completely different than that of most other skateboarders of the time. By 1975, the Z-Boys started a skateboard team that was separate from the surf team started by Jeff Ho.

The Z-Boys’ first competition was the Del Mar Nationals in March of 1975, today recognized as the first major skateboarding competition since the mid 1960’s, nearly a decade earlier. Half of the finalists of the competition were Z-Boys members, in part thanks to their new style and approach when compared to the other competitors. Despite their comparatively young age, the Z-Boys soon rose to the top of the skateboarding world.

The Z-Boys’ style, which relied on vertical and airborne moves, would become widespread over the next year. During a drought in the mid 1970s, the Z-Boys took their boards to empty pools, skating on the sides. It was during this time that the technique of coming out of the “bowl” and re-entering was discovered; the Z-Boys had invented aerial skateboarding. Their techniques paved the way for today’s skateboarding world, which relies heavily on aerial tricks. It is hard to imagine today, but before the Z-Boys, no one was skateboarding in bowls.

Soon their stories were gracing the cover of Skateboard Magazine. Members of the Z-Boys became top ranked surfers and skateboarders. As a result, many team members left for other companies and teams. By 1977, the Z-Boys were no longer together. Despite their short history, the Z-Boys are considered one of the most influential skateboarding teams to this day, and their story has been chronicles in numerous films and books. The Z-Boys played a significant role in turning skateboarding from a hobby to a widely recognized extreme sport.

The X Games are an event much like the Olympics, but held annually and focusing on extreme sports. Broadcast by ESPN, the Winter X Games occur in January, and the Summer X Games are held in August. Both events are held in the United States, and draw competitors from all over the world. The competition is known for frequently showcasing new tricks.

Each year, over 80,000 spectators show up to the Winter X games and over 200,000 to the Summer X Games, and thousands more watch the events on television. Along with the competitions of the X Games, ESPN also hosts the X Fest sports and music festival, with live music, autograph sessions, and other interactive activities. The event is growing each year, with more events added to the lineup, more sports stars competing, and more fans showing up to watch.

The Winter X Games will be hosted in Aspen, Colorado, through 2012, while the Summer X Games will be held in Los Angeles, as they have been for the past several years. Besides the main X Games, there are also smaller international competitions called the Global Championships, as well as demo events held by X Games at varying times through the year, all around the world.

The first Winter X Games were held in Big Bear Lake, California, in 1997. The event has also been held in Colorado and Vermont. The Winter X Games include skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling events, and have recently included new events such as free skiing, SnoCross, and SkiBoarding. New events are added every couple of years to keep up with the changing face of the extreme sports world.

The first Summer X Games took place in 1995, when the event was called Extreme Games. Competitions were held in Rhode Island and Vermont. Summer sports include inline skating, bike stunts, motocross, skateboarding, surfing, and wakeboarding.

Most of these extreme sports’ biggest stars have taken part in the X Games. Popular participants include snowboarder/skateboarder Shaun White, snowboarder Danny Kass, skier Sarah Burke, skateboarder Tony Hawk, motocross and rally racer Travis Pastrana, and many others. The X Games gain media exposure by attracting big name sponsors and the top athletes in their respective sports.

For skateboarding, the X Games currently includes six divisions: Big Air, Street Women’s, Street Men’s, Vert Men’s, Vert Women’s, and Vert Best Trick, where top skateboarders often debut new stunts. Big Air includes a 60 to 80 foot roll-in with a gap 50 or 70 feet long, ending in a 27 foot quarter pipe. This style of skateboarding was developed by pro skateboarder Danny Way, and is used exclusively at the X Games. During the street competitions, athletes perform in a concrete skate park with stairs, ledges, banks, and other features. In the vert competition, competitors ride down a 120-foot wide ramp with transitions, combining big air and lip tricks.

Scores in all three competition types are based on style, creativity, difficulty, and amplitude. Big Air competitions are untimed, while Street competitions give an allotted time of seven to fifteen minutes, and the Vert competitions include 45-second runs.

You are already reading our blog which is greatly appreciated, but did you know that we also "twitter"?

According to Wikipedia, Twitter is:

..a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users' updates known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length which are displayed on the user's profile page and delivered to other users who have subscribed to them (known as followers).

Since tweets are shorter, we tend to twitter more about what's going on here at Sk8board Racks, random thoughts and occasionally special offers or short-term deals that we don't post about elsewhere.

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