The History of Skateboarding: A Timeline (2026)
Skateboarding began with California surfers looking for something to do when the waves were flat. Here's how it grew into an Olympic sport.
Timeline at a Glance
| Era | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Late 1940s–1950s | California surfers start "sidewalk surfing" on wheeled boards |
| 1959 | Roller Derby sells one of the first mass-produced skateboards |
| 1963 | Larry Stevenson founds Makaha, one of the first skateboard companies, and sponsors an early contest |
| 1964 | The Quarterly Skateboarder, the first skateboarding magazine, is published |
| 1965 | National Skateboarding Championships air on ABC; Patti McGee appears on the cover of Life |
| 1965 | Surf City in Tucson, Arizona, opens as an early US skatepark |
| Mid-1960s | Popularity crashes after the first boom |
| 1969 | Larry Stevenson patents the kicktail |
| 1972 | Frank Nasworthy's polyurethane wheel is released, reviving skateboarding |
| 1975 | The Zephyr team (Z-Boys) brings a surf-style approach at the Del Mar contest |
| 1976 | Drought-era pool skating grows; purpose-built skateparks spread |
| Late 1970s | Alan Gelfand develops the ollie (most accounts say 1976) |
| 1979 | Powell-Peralta forms the Bones Brigade team |
| Early 1980s | Another decline |
| 1982 | Rodney Mullen adapts the ollie to flat ground |
| 1983 | The Bones Brigade Video Show helps launch the skate video era |
| Late 1980s–1990s | Street skating rises and comes to dominate |
| 1995 | ESPN's first X Games include skateboarding |
| 1999 | Tony Hawk lands the first 900 at the X Games |
| 2003 | Go Skateboarding Day founded |
| 2012 | Tom Schaar is the first to land a 1080 |
| 2021 | Skateboarding debuts at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics |
| 2024 | Skateboarding returns at the Paris Olympics |
Sidewalk Surfing (1950s–1960s)
Skateboarding is generally traced to California in the late 1940s or early 1950s, when surfers wanted something to ride when the waves were flat. Early boards used wooden planks and metal or clay wheels, which gave a rough, grippy-less ride. The 1960s brought the first boom: magazines, televised contests and commercial boards. Then interest dropped sharply in the mid-1960s.
The First Boom and Bust
Companies like Makaha, founded by Larry Stevenson in 1963, turned homemade boards into a product, and Makaha sponsored one of the first contests. By 1965 skateboarding was on network TV, The Quarterly Skateboarder had launched, and Patti McGee was on the cover of Life. The boom faded quickly, as clay wheels were unforgiving and some towns cracked down on skating in the streets over safety worries. Stevenson's kicktail, patented in 1969, gave boards the raised tail that tricks still depend on.
The Urethane Revolution (1970s)
In 1972, Frank Nasworthy's polyurethane wheels were released. They gripped better and rolled more smoothly, and skateboarding surged again. Surf-influenced skaters like the Zephyr team pushed a low, flowing style, and during California's 1976 drought, empty backyard pools became prized spots. Purpose-built skateparks began to open.
The Ollie (Late 1970s and 1982)
Alan Gelfand is credited with inventing the ollie in Florida in the late 1970s (usually dated to 1976), on transition. In 1982, Rodney Mullen adapted it to flat ground, opening the door to modern street skating. Learn it in how to ollie.
Vert, Video and the Bones Brigade (Late 1970s–1980s)
Pool riding grew into vert skating on ramps and in parks. Powell-Peralta formed the Bones Brigade in 1979, and its riders, including Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, Lance Mountain and Rodney Mullen, became stars through videos like the Bones Brigade Video Show (1983). Skate videos became the main way new tricks and styles spread. When many commercial skateparks closed in the early 1980s, skaters built backyard ramps and took to the streets.
Street Skating Takes Over (1980s–1990s)
After another early-1980s dip, street skating grew rapidly in the late 1980s and dominated the 1990s. Skaters turned curbs, ledges, stairs and handrails into obstacles. Read about grinds and skateboarding styles.
The X Games Era (1990s–2000s)
ESPN's first X Games in 1995 put skateboarding on TV again, and in 1999 Tony Hawk landed the first 900, two and a half spins in the air, at the X Games. Skate video games and shoe brands carried skateboarding to a far bigger audience.
How the Gear Changed
| Era | Typical Setup |
|---|---|
| 1950s–1960s | Flat wooden boards with metal or clay wheels |
| 1970s | Urethane wheels, sealed bearings, kicktails, wider boards for pools |
| 1980s | Wide vert decks with big graphics |
| 1990s | Narrow street decks with near-symmetrical double kicktails and small wheels |
| Today | Concave popsicle decks for street and park, plus cruisers and longboards |
Mainstream and the Olympics (2000s–Today)
Contests, video parts and skateparks spread worldwide. Skateboarding debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021) with park and street events for men and women, and returned at Paris 2024. See Olympic skateboarding and skateboarding competitions.
Keep Exploring
Read skateboarding facts, best skateboarders of all time and skateboarding documentaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did skateboarding start?
Skateboarding is generally traced to California in the late 1940s or early 1950s, when surfers began riding wheeled boards on land.
Who invented the ollie?
Alan Gelfand is credited with inventing the ollie in Florida in the late 1970s, usually dated to 1976. Rodney Mullen later adapted it to flat ground.
When were urethane wheels introduced?
Frank Nasworthy's polyurethane skateboard wheels were released in the early 1970s, transforming the ride.
When did skateboarding become an Olympic sport?
It debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, held in 2021, and returned at Paris 2024.
Why did skaters ride empty pools?
During California droughts in the 1970s, empty backyard pools became spots for skaters to ride curved walls.
Who invented the kicktail?
Larry Stevenson of Makaha patented the kicktail in 1969.
When were the first X Games?
ESPN held the first X Games in 1995, with skateboarding included. Tony Hawk landed the first 900 there in 1999.