Surfing on the Sidewalk: The Origins of Skateboarding

 Surfing on the Sidewalk: The Origins of Skateboarding

The Internet is full of lists of fun facts about skateboarding, such as fact number five that states the following: Skateboarding was initially called ‘sidewalk surfing’ (and was invented by surfers at the time). This statement has often been repeated and accepted as a fact in skateboarding culture, but it could not be further from the truth.

History

The first use of the term skateboard was by a man named Walt Whitman, who described it as an American boy's toy. However, skateboarding was initially called sidewalk surfing, which consisted of heavy wooden planks that were fastened with roller-skate wheels and pushed around city sidewalks. These boards were called rollerskates or rollerboards. These early versions of skateboards were not widely popular due to their hard-to-control nature.

Getting Started with Skateboarding

If you're interested in getting into skateboarding, one of the first things you'll need to do is figure out what kind of board you want. Decks come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on your age, skill level, and personal preference. As long as your deck is at least 27 long and 7.5 wide it will work for most people just starting out in skateboarding.

Improve Your Skills

Skateboarding began in the early 1900s. It was initially called sidewalk surfing. This is because skateboarders would perform tricks and stunts on sidewalks like surfers ride waves. In this way, skateboards were originally just an extension of surfing.

Push Your Own Boundaries

If you want to try something new, push your own boundaries. Try a new hobby or activity and discover a whole new world of fun for yourself.

Learn from Others

Skateboarding was initially called sidewalk surfing and emerged in California in the 1950s. Surfers who couldn't afford to buy a surfboard would surf on their skateboards instead.

Get help from a professional skateboarder

As a professional skateboarder, I can say that skateboarding has grown tremendously in popularity over the years. It is important to remember that skating came from humble beginnings and was originally called sidewalk surfing. In the early days, it was mostly surfers who were inspired by surfing to skateboard. There are many similarities between surfing and skating, such as riding waves or curling rails.