subota, 30. kolovoza 2008.
nedjelja, 24. kolovoza 2008.
nedjelja, 17. kolovoza 2008.
srijeda, 13. kolovoza 2008.
The history of snowboarding
Many times someone doing something a little different and having his or her ideas catch on has changed history. The pasteurizing of milk to prevent spoiling and contamination is a perfect example. Snowboarding was also the result of someone doing something a little different. In a few short years we have taken a crazy idea and turned it into a household word and created a culture and language around it. Snowboarding has become an Olympic event and has even forced us to ask ourselves questions about our society when we use the phrase “Smoke a fatty for Rebagliati”.
The history of snowboarding officially begins in 1929 with a man named M.J. Burchett. For some unknown reason, perhaps a dare from friends or the result of drinking, Mr. Burchett changed history when he cut a plank of plywood and secured it to his feet using a clothesline and horse reins. This humble beginning changed history forever.
Not much changed for snowboarders until 1965 when Sherman Poppen invented a toy for his daughter and eventually marketed it. His “Snurfer” consisted of 2-ski bound together with a rope at the nose of the skis to hold on to. This idea caught on fast and Mr. Poppen sold half a million of his Snurfers by 1966. Mr. Poppen helped create demand for his product by holding contests for Snurfers. Jake Burton took part in many of these competitions until he broke his collarbone in a car accident.
Snowboards as we know them came into existence in 1969 when riding down snowy hills on a cafeteria plate in college inspired Dimitrije Milovich. Mr. Milovich decided to make snowboards that where based upon the design of a surfboard but worked the same way skis did. In 1972 Mr. Milovich started a company called Winterstick and really fired up the idea of snowboarding until 1980 when he left the industry. To this day Milovich is seen as a very important pioneer in the industry.
In 1977 Burton came back to his first love, the Snurfer. After completing university, Burton moved to Vermont and needing to make some money, started to produce Snurfers again. Burton’s snowboards where made of laminated wood and he shocked the world when he won a Snurfer competition on his own board. One major reason for Burton being able to win the competition was the skiing styled binding that he added to his boards thus allowing him to control them much better.
During this time Burton had on major competitor, Tom Sims. Sims borrowed from skateboarding technology to create his own version of the snowboard. Sims snowboards came from an idea he had in shop class when to glued carpet to the top of a piece of wood and aluminum sheeting to the bottom of the board.
In order to showcase their innovations, Burton and Sims held the first ever snowboarding competition in Vermont in 1982. This competition was more of a survival contest as the runs where icy kamikaze runs. This event helped to launch the magazine Absolutely Radical that became the International Snowboarding Magazine.
Snowboarding technology continued to improve, as did the fame of its competitions. The competitions became so popular that the International Snowboarding Federation was formed to help judge competitions. In 1998 snowboarding made its grand entrance into the world of the Olympics at Nagano, Japan.
This too was a controversial time. The IOC dismissed the ISF and instead had the Federation Internationale de Ski over see the events. While this policy is still in effect to this day, tensions are easing between the two factions and things are running much smoother.
Of course no history of snowboarding would be complete with out mentioning Rebagliati in the 1998 Olympics. Rebagliati, a Canadian from Whistler BC, won the gold medal that year but later tested positive for trace amounts of marijuana and was stripped of his gold medal. Rebagliati appealed the ruling and won since marijuana is a controlled substance, not a banned substance and is not a performance-enhancing drug. This event helped to decriminalize marijuana in Canada and caused many people to rethink their position on marijuana. "Smoke a fatty for Rebagliati" was a common phrase to show support for Rebagliati and show support for the reforming of the Canadian laws.
Snowboarding has come a long way in 70 odd years. Snowboarding started as a crazy idea that only fools would try and has become an accepted Olympic event due to its popularity. Arguably, snowboarding is the fastest growing sport and industry. Few other innovations have caught on this fast or have become an Olympic sport so soon.
Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.snowboardinghelp.com. Please visit his website to discover the world of snowboarding!
The history of snowboarding officially begins in 1929 with a man named M.J. Burchett. For some unknown reason, perhaps a dare from friends or the result of drinking, Mr. Burchett changed history when he cut a plank of plywood and secured it to his feet using a clothesline and horse reins. This humble beginning changed history forever.
Not much changed for snowboarders until 1965 when Sherman Poppen invented a toy for his daughter and eventually marketed it. His “Snurfer” consisted of 2-ski bound together with a rope at the nose of the skis to hold on to. This idea caught on fast and Mr. Poppen sold half a million of his Snurfers by 1966. Mr. Poppen helped create demand for his product by holding contests for Snurfers. Jake Burton took part in many of these competitions until he broke his collarbone in a car accident.
Snowboards as we know them came into existence in 1969 when riding down snowy hills on a cafeteria plate in college inspired Dimitrije Milovich. Mr. Milovich decided to make snowboards that where based upon the design of a surfboard but worked the same way skis did. In 1972 Mr. Milovich started a company called Winterstick and really fired up the idea of snowboarding until 1980 when he left the industry. To this day Milovich is seen as a very important pioneer in the industry.
In 1977 Burton came back to his first love, the Snurfer. After completing university, Burton moved to Vermont and needing to make some money, started to produce Snurfers again. Burton’s snowboards where made of laminated wood and he shocked the world when he won a Snurfer competition on his own board. One major reason for Burton being able to win the competition was the skiing styled binding that he added to his boards thus allowing him to control them much better.
During this time Burton had on major competitor, Tom Sims. Sims borrowed from skateboarding technology to create his own version of the snowboard. Sims snowboards came from an idea he had in shop class when to glued carpet to the top of a piece of wood and aluminum sheeting to the bottom of the board.
In order to showcase their innovations, Burton and Sims held the first ever snowboarding competition in Vermont in 1982. This competition was more of a survival contest as the runs where icy kamikaze runs. This event helped to launch the magazine Absolutely Radical that became the International Snowboarding Magazine.
Snowboarding technology continued to improve, as did the fame of its competitions. The competitions became so popular that the International Snowboarding Federation was formed to help judge competitions. In 1998 snowboarding made its grand entrance into the world of the Olympics at Nagano, Japan.
This too was a controversial time. The IOC dismissed the ISF and instead had the Federation Internationale de Ski over see the events. While this policy is still in effect to this day, tensions are easing between the two factions and things are running much smoother.
Of course no history of snowboarding would be complete with out mentioning Rebagliati in the 1998 Olympics. Rebagliati, a Canadian from Whistler BC, won the gold medal that year but later tested positive for trace amounts of marijuana and was stripped of his gold medal. Rebagliati appealed the ruling and won since marijuana is a controlled substance, not a banned substance and is not a performance-enhancing drug. This event helped to decriminalize marijuana in Canada and caused many people to rethink their position on marijuana. "Smoke a fatty for Rebagliati" was a common phrase to show support for Rebagliati and show support for the reforming of the Canadian laws.
Snowboarding has come a long way in 70 odd years. Snowboarding started as a crazy idea that only fools would try and has become an accepted Olympic event due to its popularity. Arguably, snowboarding is the fastest growing sport and industry. Few other innovations have caught on this fast or have become an Olympic sport so soon.
Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.snowboardinghelp.com. Please visit his website to discover the world of snowboarding!
utorak, 12. kolovoza 2008.
Paragliding in Croatia
Because of the mild mediteranian climate, attractive geografical location and natural formation of the mountains around the island Vis, makes paragliding very attractive sport in Croatia and Europe. Strong wind which arrive from the Finland through Velebit mountains lose strenght thus create perfect conditions for the paragliding on the island of Vis. Once you reach hights, view is unbelievable which can last for hours. Gliding over the cristal blue sea, natural formations of the island rocky coastlines, secluded beaches, natural vegetation and those vinyards that spread for miles it s breath taking, something that will ingrave in you forever.Once your feet touch ground you ll never be same again. Even most experienced paragliders come back year after year because of the perfect (climate) conditions and of course that breath taking view from above.
ponedjeljak, 11. kolovoza 2008.
History of skiing
Patrick Field
Any Scandinavian will tell you that skiing was invented by Ull, the God of
Frost, Glitter and Skiing. In reality, the exact origins of skiing are unknown,
but it is certain that skiing has existed, in one form or another, for the best
part of 5000 years. Although it may be diffi cult to pinpoint the exact date
at which skis were fi rst used, the reasons why they were invented are easier
to determine. In those parts of the world that are covered by snow and
ice throughout the winter, primitive man developed, for his own survival,
means of travelling across the snow. In North America snowshoes were
developed; in Europe and Central Asia came the forerunners of what we
know today as skis.
EARLY SKIS
Some of the early skis which have been found in Norway, Sweden, Finland
and northern Siberia as well as in the Altai mountains of southern Kazakhstan
date back at least 4500 years and are surprisingly sophisticated. All are
recognisable as skis, although there is considerable variation between the
short (111 cm) skis found in Hoting in Central Sweden, which date from
about 2500 BC, and the long (204 cm) Finnish (Kalvtrask) skis dated around
500 years later.
Rock carvings showing skiers are widespread throughout the northern regions,
the most famous being those at Rodoy in northern Norway showing
a skier apparently wearing an animal mask and mounted on very long skis.
This carving is thought to be more than 4000 years old, whilst others on the
shores of the White Sea and Lake Onega in Russia may date back to even
earlier times. Hunting is the recurring theme depicted and it seems clear
that skis were originally devised for this purpose.
The discovery of the Altai skis in Central Asia can be linked to the known
migration of the Steppe or Reindeer people from this area towards Scandinavia
following the last ice-age between 15,000 and 10,000 BC. The conclusion
to be drawn must be that these nomadic people were the inventors
of the ski which they took with them to Northern Europe during their
migration. This theory is enhanced by the similarity between the old skis
to be seen in Swedish, Norwegian and Eastern museums. They are fl at on
both upper and lower surfaces, short and wide, generally made of pine,
are pointed and curved at both ends. The binding is simply a thong passing
through two vertical holes at each
side of the foot.
LINKS WITH THE PRESENT
From this early period of history, two
historical events stand out which link
the skiing of that era to the sport of
the present day. In 1206, during a
time of civil unrest, the infant prince
Haakon Haakonson was rescued from
his enemies, known as the Baglers,
by his bodyguards the Birkebeinere
or Birchlegs, so called from their custom
of wrapping birch bark around
their legs as protection against the
snow and cold. Two of them, Torstein
Skevla and Skjervald Skrukka, carried
the prince across the mountains
from near Lillehammer in the
Gudbrandsdalen to the safety
of Rena in the Osterdalen, from
whence he escaped northwards
to safety with his mother Inga
of Varteig. Haakon Haakonson
went on to become one of the
greatest of Norway’s early kings.
Some three hundred years later,
in 1520, the Swedish nobleman
Gustav Vasa, unable to persuade
the people of Dalarna to rise up against their Danish overlords and oppressors,
fl ed towards exile in Norway. Shortly after his departure from Mora,
news reached the town of the Stockholm Bloodbath, in which many Swedish
nobles were murdered by the Danes. They sent their two fastest skiers,
Lars and Engelbrekt, to chase after Gustav Vasa. Catching up with him
at Salen, near the Norwegian border, they persuaded him to return, raise
an army and lead Sweden to independence. These two historical events
are today remembered in two great popular races, Birkebeinerrennet (the
Birchlegs Race) and Vasaloppet (the Vasa Race)
Shortly after the events surrounding Gustav Vasa, Olaus Magnus, Bishop of
Uppsala in central Sweden, wrote “The History of the Nordic Races”. Appearing
in Latin in 1555, the book described the way in which the Lapps used
their skis: “They attach the skis to their feet, take a pole in their hands to
steer in the chosen direction, and run uphill, downhill and on the traverse as
they wish across the snow-covered hills”. Olaus Magnus’ book is illustrated
with drawings engraved for each chapter, and is made more interesting by
the fact that the engraver, who had never seen the things he was drawing,
used his imagination to depict skis in the form of pointed wooden shoes,
curved in front and cut off square behind the heels.
Although educated Cent ral Europeans were able to read of skis in works
such as these, skis were still largely unknown outside Scandinavia, where
their use had continued since the very earliest times. In 1636 Lapp skis were
displayed at an exhibition in Worms and another 17th Century work explained
that “when a Lapp skis, he has just one long and strong pole which
he holds obliquely in both hands to push, support himself and brake on either
side”. By this time Lapp skis were of unequal length. One ski of the pair
was short and wide. Called kalhu or sivakka in Finnish or ski in Norwegian
(from the Old Norse word skid a split length of wood), it was often covered
in skins and provided propulsion. The other ski was long (2.5 to 3.0 metres)
and had a pronounced curve. The front narrowed to a very thin point while
the rounded back curved gently upwards: called lyly or suksi by the Finns
and andor in Norway, it was the gliding ski. The Lapps were already suffi
ciently sophisticated to make their skis of diff erent woods to suit diff erent
snow conditions, using a fl exible and heavily cambered ski for hard snow
and a longer, lighter ski for fresh snow conditions.
Until the end of the 19th or beginning of the 20th Centuries, skiing was
largely confi ned to the valleys and forests. About 1600 Peder Claussoen
Friis wrote: “No man shall cross this mountain” (between Eidfj ord and Hallingdal)
“after the Feast of St Bartholomew (24 August) until the Feast In-
Patrick Field
Any Scandinavian will tell you that skiing was invented by Ull, the God of
Frost, Glitter and Skiing. In reality, the exact origins of skiing are unknown,
but it is certain that skiing has existed, in one form or another, for the best
part of 5000 years. Although it may be diffi cult to pinpoint the exact date
at which skis were fi rst used, the reasons why they were invented are easier
to determine. In those parts of the world that are covered by snow and
ice throughout the winter, primitive man developed, for his own survival,
means of travelling across the snow. In North America snowshoes were
developed; in Europe and Central Asia came the forerunners of what we
know today as skis.
EARLY SKIS
Some of the early skis which have been found in Norway, Sweden, Finland
and northern Siberia as well as in the Altai mountains of southern Kazakhstan
date back at least 4500 years and are surprisingly sophisticated. All are
recognisable as skis, although there is considerable variation between the
short (111 cm) skis found in Hoting in Central Sweden, which date from
about 2500 BC, and the long (204 cm) Finnish (Kalvtrask) skis dated around
500 years later.
Rock carvings showing skiers are widespread throughout the northern regions,
the most famous being those at Rodoy in northern Norway showing
a skier apparently wearing an animal mask and mounted on very long skis.
This carving is thought to be more than 4000 years old, whilst others on the
shores of the White Sea and Lake Onega in Russia may date back to even
earlier times. Hunting is the recurring theme depicted and it seems clear
that skis were originally devised for this purpose.
The discovery of the Altai skis in Central Asia can be linked to the known
migration of the Steppe or Reindeer people from this area towards Scandinavia
following the last ice-age between 15,000 and 10,000 BC. The conclusion
to be drawn must be that these nomadic people were the inventors
of the ski which they took with them to Northern Europe during their
migration. This theory is enhanced by the similarity between the old skis
to be seen in Swedish, Norwegian and Eastern museums. They are fl at on
both upper and lower surfaces, short and wide, generally made of pine,
are pointed and curved at both ends. The binding is simply a thong passing
through two vertical holes at each
side of the foot.
LINKS WITH THE PRESENT
From this early period of history, two
historical events stand out which link
the skiing of that era to the sport of
the present day. In 1206, during a
time of civil unrest, the infant prince
Haakon Haakonson was rescued from
his enemies, known as the Baglers,
by his bodyguards the Birkebeinere
or Birchlegs, so called from their custom
of wrapping birch bark around
their legs as protection against the
snow and cold. Two of them, Torstein
Skevla and Skjervald Skrukka, carried
the prince across the mountains
from near Lillehammer in the
Gudbrandsdalen to the safety
of Rena in the Osterdalen, from
whence he escaped northwards
to safety with his mother Inga
of Varteig. Haakon Haakonson
went on to become one of the
greatest of Norway’s early kings.
Some three hundred years later,
in 1520, the Swedish nobleman
Gustav Vasa, unable to persuade
the people of Dalarna to rise up against their Danish overlords and oppressors,
fl ed towards exile in Norway. Shortly after his departure from Mora,
news reached the town of the Stockholm Bloodbath, in which many Swedish
nobles were murdered by the Danes. They sent their two fastest skiers,
Lars and Engelbrekt, to chase after Gustav Vasa. Catching up with him
at Salen, near the Norwegian border, they persuaded him to return, raise
an army and lead Sweden to independence. These two historical events
are today remembered in two great popular races, Birkebeinerrennet (the
Birchlegs Race) and Vasaloppet (the Vasa Race)
Shortly after the events surrounding Gustav Vasa, Olaus Magnus, Bishop of
Uppsala in central Sweden, wrote “The History of the Nordic Races”. Appearing
in Latin in 1555, the book described the way in which the Lapps used
their skis: “They attach the skis to their feet, take a pole in their hands to
steer in the chosen direction, and run uphill, downhill and on the traverse as
they wish across the snow-covered hills”. Olaus Magnus’ book is illustrated
with drawings engraved for each chapter, and is made more interesting by
the fact that the engraver, who had never seen the things he was drawing,
used his imagination to depict skis in the form of pointed wooden shoes,
curved in front and cut off square behind the heels.
Although educated Cent ral Europeans were able to read of skis in works
such as these, skis were still largely unknown outside Scandinavia, where
their use had continued since the very earliest times. In 1636 Lapp skis were
displayed at an exhibition in Worms and another 17th Century work explained
that “when a Lapp skis, he has just one long and strong pole which
he holds obliquely in both hands to push, support himself and brake on either
side”. By this time Lapp skis were of unequal length. One ski of the pair
was short and wide. Called kalhu or sivakka in Finnish or ski in Norwegian
(from the Old Norse word skid a split length of wood), it was often covered
in skins and provided propulsion. The other ski was long (2.5 to 3.0 metres)
and had a pronounced curve. The front narrowed to a very thin point while
the rounded back curved gently upwards: called lyly or suksi by the Finns
and andor in Norway, it was the gliding ski. The Lapps were already suffi
ciently sophisticated to make their skis of diff erent woods to suit diff erent
snow conditions, using a fl exible and heavily cambered ski for hard snow
and a longer, lighter ski for fresh snow conditions.
Until the end of the 19th or beginning of the 20th Centuries, skiing was
largely confi ned to the valleys and forests. About 1600 Peder Claussoen
Friis wrote: “No man shall cross this mountain” (between Eidfj ord and Hallingdal)
“after the Feast of St Bartholomew (24 August) until the Feast In-
BMX HistorySomewhere in southern California during the early 70's, a bunch of kids on modified 20' Schwinn Stingray bicycles went out to a vacant lot and created a brand new sport of their very own... Those kids were probably not even the first. The same scene of youthful energy and American resourcefulness was quite probably going on in Nebraska and/or New Jersey. But it was the California gathering of nameless pioneers who were recorded on film by Bruce Brown's cameras. The resulting motorcycle film, ON ANY SUNDAY, would spread the word like a wildfire.
There was no stopping it now. A new sport created by kids for kids was born. Bicycle Motocross was the name it was given. That name was quickly shortened to BMX. It grabbed the attention of thousands of kids in one short summer. Boys and girls on their modified bicycles were seen jamming through the dirt emulating their motorcycle motocross heroes.
Imitation lead to innovation and quickly the kids were performing tricks and 'getting air' that made their motorcycle heroes green with envy. The next step was organized racing. By 1977, pockets of loosely organized BMX races dotted the nation from coast to coast. It was time for a national sanctioning body and from out of this need, the AMERICAN BICYCLE ASSOCIATION was created. The AMERICAN BICYCLE ASSOCIATION not only filled that need, it completely changed and continues to shape the future of the sport it serves. The first step was to create a system of qualifying participants that was not only fair, but one which enhanced the competitive nature of the very sport itself and still afforded each and every rider the chance to be a winner. This need for fairness and allowing for the fortunes of luck led the way to the transfer system, in which the winner of each moto advances to the next round - be it quarter, semi or main event.
That first step led to a long and continuing list of firsts that spell out the very success of the ABA. From supplying the first and world's largest national sanctioning body, first national tour, first Pro purse, first Cruiser class competition, first sanction to call fouls as they occur, first starting light system, first automatic gate system, first voice command, first duel announcing, first computerized membership and points system, first computerized sign-ups, first computerized system for local tracks, first interactive website to service it's members, first and most prestigious National Amateur Championship to cover all ages and the list goes on.
ABA BMX racing is a sport of youthful achievement and the American family. While the young boy or girl BMX racer develops skills at an individual pace, they are learning about winning, losing and trying again. The racer's family learns that time spent together is support of the racer and the individual achievements is quality time.
It is the duty of the ABA to establish the rules of racing that provide fair competition and fun family entertainment for all of it's 60,000 plus members. This is a job to which the AMERICAN BICYCLE ASSOCIATION and all of it's employees are 100% dedicated.
The History Of Skateboarding
Skateboarding has rich history of innovation and is full of intriguing stories. Many of these stories are documented in this book in great detail. However, this essay will provide you with an overview of the last nine decades.
The first type of skateboards were actually more like scooters. These contraptions, which date back to the early 1900's featured roller skate wheels attached to a two by four. Often the wood had a milk crate nailed to it with handles sticking out for control. Over the next five decades kids changed the look of the scooter and took off the crate and started cruising on two by fours with steel wheels. Tens of thousands of rollerskates were dismantled and joyfully hammered on to planks of wood.
In the 1950's modifications were made to the trucks (the device that hold the wheels) and kids started to maneuver more easily. Towards the late 1950's, surfing became increasingly popular and people began to tie surfing together with cruising on a board. By 1959, the first Roller Derby Skateboard was for sale. Clay wheels entered the picture and sidewalk surfing began to take root.
By the time the 1960's roll around, skateboarding had gained an impressive following amongst the surf crowd. However, when Larry Stevenson, publisher of Surf Guide begins to promote skateboarding, things started to take off. Larry's company, Makaha designed the first professional boards in 1963 and a team was formed to promote the product.
The first skateboard contest was held at the Pier Avenue Junior School in Hermosa, California in 1963. In 1964, surf legend Hobie Alter teamed up with the Vita Pakt juice company to create Hobie Skateboards. While most skaters took to the street or sidewalk, some brave souls decide to ride empty swimming pools. By 1965, international contests, movies (Skater Dater), a magazine (The Quarterly Skateboarder) and cross country trips by teams of skateboarders elevated the sport to enormous heights. Over fifty million boards were sold within a three year period and then all of a sudden skateboarding died in the fall of 1965.
The first crash of skateboarding came about due to inferior product, too much inventory and a public upset by reckless riding. The manufacturers were so busy making product that little was done in the way of research and development. Although some companies developed better quality wheels, clay wheels were the cheapest to manufacturer. However, clay wheels did not grip the road well and skaters fell everywhere. Cities started to ban skateboards in response to health and safety concerns and after a few fatal accidents, skateboarding was drummed out of existance (for the time being at least!). Manufacturers like Vita Pakt and Makaha lost enormous amounts of money due to canceled orders for the Christmas season.
Over the next eight years, skateboarding remained fairly underground, showing up only in areas like Santa Monica, California. During this period Larry Stevenson invented the kicktail and tried to resurrect skateboarding but he met with only a small amount of success.
In 1970, a surfer by the name of Frank Nasworthy visited a friend at a plastics factory in Purcellville, Virginia. The factory made urethane wheels for Roller Sports, a chain of roller rinks. The urethane ensured roller skaters would have decent traction and Frank realized that the urethane wheels would fit on his Hobie Skateboard. He decided to develop a skateboard wheel made from urethane. As you would expect, the ride is magnificant compared to clay wheels. Frank promoted the product in the San Diego area and he initially met with a great deal of resistance. Over time however, the urethane wheel gained a following and word spread throughout California of these tremendous wheels.
By 1973, Frank Nasworthy's Cadiallac Wheels launched skateboardings' second boom. Truck manufacturers like Bennett and Tracker began making trucks specifically designed for skateboarding. Board manufacturers sprung up over night and suddenly, the industry was awash with new products and new ideas. In 1975, Road Rider came out with the first precision bearing wheel ending decades of loose ball bearings. Slalom, downhill and freestyle skateboarding are practised by millions of enthusiasts. SkateBoarder Magazine is resurrected and is soon joined by other publications hoping to cash in on skateboardings comeback. Bruce Logan, Russ Howell, Stacy Peralta, Tom Sims and Gregg Weaver are featured heavily in the magazines. The sport is on a roll once again.
The first outdoor skatepark was built for skateboarders in Florida in 1976. It was soon followed by hundreds of other parks all over North America. Skateboarding moved from horizontal to vertical and slalom and freestyle skateboarding became less popular. The look of skateboards also changed from being six to seven inches in width to over nine inches. This increase in size ensured better stability on vertical surfaces. Top riders included Tony Alva, Jay Adams and Tom "Wally" Inoyoue. Wes Humpston and Jim Muir marketed the first successful line of boards with graphics under the Dogtown label. Soon after, almost all board manufacturers put graphics under their boards.
In 1978, Alan Gelfand invented the "ollie" or no hand's aerial and moved skateboarding to the next level. The roots of streetstyle developed when skaters started to take vertical moves to flatland. Skateboard culture began to mesh with punk and new wave music. Images of skulls appeared on skateboards thanks to the creative genius of Vernon Courtland Johnson at Powell Corporation.
Pool skating was hugely popular and as a result of the better technology, skaters were able to perform aerials and go far beyond the coping. Skatepark insurance became an issue due to the problem of liabilities. In fact, skatepark insurance was so expensive for most owners that they closed their doors and the bulldozers were brought in. By the end of 1980, skateboarding died another death and once again, many manufacturers were faced with tremendous losses. As BMX became popular and SkateBoarder Magazine turned into Action Now, most skaters deserted the sport. Skateboarding moved undergound once more. A hardcore contigent stayed with skateboarding and built backyard half pipes and ramps as more skateparks closed.
In 1981, Thrasher Magazine began publication in an effort to provide hardcore skaters with information on the skateboard scene. Although skate contests were held, the turnout was small and the prize money wass even smaller. In 1982, Tony Hawk won his first contest at the Del Mar Skate Ranch. By 1983, skate manufacturers like Santa Cruz, Powell Peralta and Tracker begin to see the sport on the upswing. In that same year, Transworld Skateboarding entered the skate scene.
By 1984, vert riding took off, followed closely by streetstyle skating. Launch ramps became popular. Powell Peralta created the first "Bones Brigade" skate video thanks to the highly creative talents of CR Stecyk and Stacy Peralta. The video featured all the team skaters and helped to propel skateboarding to new levels of popularity. Dozens of new manufacturers sprung up and skateboarding entered its third wave of popularity. Numerous vertical champions emerged including Tony Hawk, Christian Hosoi, Lance Mountain and Neil Blender. In the street, Mark Gonzales, Natas Kaupas and Tommy Guerrero took the ollie to new heights. Freestyle skateboarding was also a part of the scene and Rodney Mullen dominated all competition.
In the mid to late 1980's three main manufacturers handled most of the skate market-Powell Peralta, Vision/Sims and Santa Cruz. Board royalites and contest winnings escalated and some pro skaters pulled down earnings of ten thousand dollars per month. The National Skateboard Association, headed up by Frank Hawk, held numerous contests across North America and eventually throughout the world. Skateboard shoes from Airwalk, Vans and Vision became enormously popular along with skate clothes.
Towards the end of the decade, skateboarding shifted focus to street skating and vert riding became less popular. A number of pro skaters decided to leave the larger manufacturers and start their own skate companies. One of the first skaters to do this was Steve Rocco who started up World Industries. Over time, the personality of skateboard world changed and new school skateboarding was born. Its focus was on ollies and technical tricks and it took on a whole other attitude.
By 1991, a world wide recession hit the world and the skate industry was deeply affected. As in the past, a number of manufacturers were faced with large economic losses. The industry turned extremely negative and began the process of reinventing itself. Big Brother began publication in 1992. As in the past, a hardcore contingent remained with the sport, but this time, the attrition was not as great as it was in the past. By the mid 1990's, skateboarding once again reemerged and the fourth wave started. In 1995, skateboarding gained a great deal of exposure at the ESPN 2 Extreme Games. Skateboard shoe manufacturers like Etnies and Vans began selling huge quantities of product and were joined by other soft good manufacturers eager once again to cash in on skateboarding's popularity.
Towards the end of the 1990's, skateboarding's focus remains streetstyle and the industry is filled with numerous manufacturers and marketers. In many cases, pro skaters develop their own product and manage their own companies. Longboarding, a once forgotten art (featuring large boards), began to make a comeback and downhill skateboarding enters a whole new dimension thanks to street luge. In California, skateboard parks have started to be built once again thanks to a change in legislation. The hard work of Jim Fitzpatrick and the International Association of Skateboard Companies has ensured that other states follow California and more parks are scheduled for construction over the next few years.
Over the past 40 years, skateboarding has had its peaks and valleys of popularity. Poor product, safety concerns, insurance issues and recessions have all contributed to the valleys. However, skateboarding technology has vastly improved since clay wheels. In terms of injuries, the sport remains much safer than football, rollerblading or hockey (when you look at percentage of participants injured). Despite safety concerns or economic recessions, the sport endures simply because it is so much fun to do.
The first type of skateboards were actually more like scooters. These contraptions, which date back to the early 1900's featured roller skate wheels attached to a two by four. Often the wood had a milk crate nailed to it with handles sticking out for control. Over the next five decades kids changed the look of the scooter and took off the crate and started cruising on two by fours with steel wheels. Tens of thousands of rollerskates were dismantled and joyfully hammered on to planks of wood.
In the 1950's modifications were made to the trucks (the device that hold the wheels) and kids started to maneuver more easily. Towards the late 1950's, surfing became increasingly popular and people began to tie surfing together with cruising on a board. By 1959, the first Roller Derby Skateboard was for sale. Clay wheels entered the picture and sidewalk surfing began to take root.
By the time the 1960's roll around, skateboarding had gained an impressive following amongst the surf crowd. However, when Larry Stevenson, publisher of Surf Guide begins to promote skateboarding, things started to take off. Larry's company, Makaha designed the first professional boards in 1963 and a team was formed to promote the product.
The first skateboard contest was held at the Pier Avenue Junior School in Hermosa, California in 1963. In 1964, surf legend Hobie Alter teamed up with the Vita Pakt juice company to create Hobie Skateboards. While most skaters took to the street or sidewalk, some brave souls decide to ride empty swimming pools. By 1965, international contests, movies (Skater Dater), a magazine (The Quarterly Skateboarder) and cross country trips by teams of skateboarders elevated the sport to enormous heights. Over fifty million boards were sold within a three year period and then all of a sudden skateboarding died in the fall of 1965.
The first crash of skateboarding came about due to inferior product, too much inventory and a public upset by reckless riding. The manufacturers were so busy making product that little was done in the way of research and development. Although some companies developed better quality wheels, clay wheels were the cheapest to manufacturer. However, clay wheels did not grip the road well and skaters fell everywhere. Cities started to ban skateboards in response to health and safety concerns and after a few fatal accidents, skateboarding was drummed out of existance (for the time being at least!). Manufacturers like Vita Pakt and Makaha lost enormous amounts of money due to canceled orders for the Christmas season.
Over the next eight years, skateboarding remained fairly underground, showing up only in areas like Santa Monica, California. During this period Larry Stevenson invented the kicktail and tried to resurrect skateboarding but he met with only a small amount of success.
In 1970, a surfer by the name of Frank Nasworthy visited a friend at a plastics factory in Purcellville, Virginia. The factory made urethane wheels for Roller Sports, a chain of roller rinks. The urethane ensured roller skaters would have decent traction and Frank realized that the urethane wheels would fit on his Hobie Skateboard. He decided to develop a skateboard wheel made from urethane. As you would expect, the ride is magnificant compared to clay wheels. Frank promoted the product in the San Diego area and he initially met with a great deal of resistance. Over time however, the urethane wheel gained a following and word spread throughout California of these tremendous wheels.
By 1973, Frank Nasworthy's Cadiallac Wheels launched skateboardings' second boom. Truck manufacturers like Bennett and Tracker began making trucks specifically designed for skateboarding. Board manufacturers sprung up over night and suddenly, the industry was awash with new products and new ideas. In 1975, Road Rider came out with the first precision bearing wheel ending decades of loose ball bearings. Slalom, downhill and freestyle skateboarding are practised by millions of enthusiasts. SkateBoarder Magazine is resurrected and is soon joined by other publications hoping to cash in on skateboardings comeback. Bruce Logan, Russ Howell, Stacy Peralta, Tom Sims and Gregg Weaver are featured heavily in the magazines. The sport is on a roll once again.
The first outdoor skatepark was built for skateboarders in Florida in 1976. It was soon followed by hundreds of other parks all over North America. Skateboarding moved from horizontal to vertical and slalom and freestyle skateboarding became less popular. The look of skateboards also changed from being six to seven inches in width to over nine inches. This increase in size ensured better stability on vertical surfaces. Top riders included Tony Alva, Jay Adams and Tom "Wally" Inoyoue. Wes Humpston and Jim Muir marketed the first successful line of boards with graphics under the Dogtown label. Soon after, almost all board manufacturers put graphics under their boards.
In 1978, Alan Gelfand invented the "ollie" or no hand's aerial and moved skateboarding to the next level. The roots of streetstyle developed when skaters started to take vertical moves to flatland. Skateboard culture began to mesh with punk and new wave music. Images of skulls appeared on skateboards thanks to the creative genius of Vernon Courtland Johnson at Powell Corporation.
Pool skating was hugely popular and as a result of the better technology, skaters were able to perform aerials and go far beyond the coping. Skatepark insurance became an issue due to the problem of liabilities. In fact, skatepark insurance was so expensive for most owners that they closed their doors and the bulldozers were brought in. By the end of 1980, skateboarding died another death and once again, many manufacturers were faced with tremendous losses. As BMX became popular and SkateBoarder Magazine turned into Action Now, most skaters deserted the sport. Skateboarding moved undergound once more. A hardcore contigent stayed with skateboarding and built backyard half pipes and ramps as more skateparks closed.
In 1981, Thrasher Magazine began publication in an effort to provide hardcore skaters with information on the skateboard scene. Although skate contests were held, the turnout was small and the prize money wass even smaller. In 1982, Tony Hawk won his first contest at the Del Mar Skate Ranch. By 1983, skate manufacturers like Santa Cruz, Powell Peralta and Tracker begin to see the sport on the upswing. In that same year, Transworld Skateboarding entered the skate scene.
By 1984, vert riding took off, followed closely by streetstyle skating. Launch ramps became popular. Powell Peralta created the first "Bones Brigade" skate video thanks to the highly creative talents of CR Stecyk and Stacy Peralta. The video featured all the team skaters and helped to propel skateboarding to new levels of popularity. Dozens of new manufacturers sprung up and skateboarding entered its third wave of popularity. Numerous vertical champions emerged including Tony Hawk, Christian Hosoi, Lance Mountain and Neil Blender. In the street, Mark Gonzales, Natas Kaupas and Tommy Guerrero took the ollie to new heights. Freestyle skateboarding was also a part of the scene and Rodney Mullen dominated all competition.
In the mid to late 1980's three main manufacturers handled most of the skate market-Powell Peralta, Vision/Sims and Santa Cruz. Board royalites and contest winnings escalated and some pro skaters pulled down earnings of ten thousand dollars per month. The National Skateboard Association, headed up by Frank Hawk, held numerous contests across North America and eventually throughout the world. Skateboard shoes from Airwalk, Vans and Vision became enormously popular along with skate clothes.
Towards the end of the decade, skateboarding shifted focus to street skating and vert riding became less popular. A number of pro skaters decided to leave the larger manufacturers and start their own skate companies. One of the first skaters to do this was Steve Rocco who started up World Industries. Over time, the personality of skateboard world changed and new school skateboarding was born. Its focus was on ollies and technical tricks and it took on a whole other attitude.
By 1991, a world wide recession hit the world and the skate industry was deeply affected. As in the past, a number of manufacturers were faced with large economic losses. The industry turned extremely negative and began the process of reinventing itself. Big Brother began publication in 1992. As in the past, a hardcore contingent remained with the sport, but this time, the attrition was not as great as it was in the past. By the mid 1990's, skateboarding once again reemerged and the fourth wave started. In 1995, skateboarding gained a great deal of exposure at the ESPN 2 Extreme Games. Skateboard shoe manufacturers like Etnies and Vans began selling huge quantities of product and were joined by other soft good manufacturers eager once again to cash in on skateboarding's popularity.
Towards the end of the 1990's, skateboarding's focus remains streetstyle and the industry is filled with numerous manufacturers and marketers. In many cases, pro skaters develop their own product and manage their own companies. Longboarding, a once forgotten art (featuring large boards), began to make a comeback and downhill skateboarding enters a whole new dimension thanks to street luge. In California, skateboard parks have started to be built once again thanks to a change in legislation. The hard work of Jim Fitzpatrick and the International Association of Skateboard Companies has ensured that other states follow California and more parks are scheduled for construction over the next few years.
Over the past 40 years, skateboarding has had its peaks and valleys of popularity. Poor product, safety concerns, insurance issues and recessions have all contributed to the valleys. However, skateboarding technology has vastly improved since clay wheels. In terms of injuries, the sport remains much safer than football, rollerblading or hockey (when you look at percentage of participants injured). Despite safety concerns or economic recessions, the sport endures simply because it is so much fun to do.
sport-extremely
This History of X Games
The story of the X Games begins in 1993 and evolves to 2003 with the start of X Games IX in L.A. This is a brief timeline on how the X Games arrived as the world’s signature action sports brand.
1993 ESPN management decides to devote significant resources to the creation of an international gathering of action sport athletes. A team assembles to develop the concept.
1994 At a press conference at Planet Hollywood in New York City on April 12, ESPN announces that the first Extreme Games will be held in Rhode Island in June of 1995.
1995 From June 24 through July 1, the Extreme Games are held in Newport, Providence and Middletown, R.I., and Mount Snow, Vt. Athletes compete in 27 events in nine sport categories: Bungy Jumping, Eco-Challenge, In-line Skating, Skateboarding, Skysurfing, Sport Climbing, Street Luge, Biking and Water Sports.
198,000 spectators attend the first Extreme Games. Seven sponsors -- Advil, Mountain Dew, Taco Bell, Chevy Trucks, AT&T, Nike and Miller Lite Ice -- lend their support to the event.
After enthusiastic response from the athletes, organizers, spectators and sponsors, ESPN decides to hold the event the following year, instead of every two years as originally announced. In October, it is announced that Rhode Island would be the location for the 1996 event.
1996 In January, the event name Extreme Games officially changes to the X Games. The primary reasons for the change are to allow easier translation to international audiences and better branding opportunities.
In late June, approximately 200,000 spectators turn out for X Games II in Newport, R.I. Kiteskiing, windsurfing and mountain biking are replaced by wakeboarding.
The site of the first-ever Winter X Games is announced at a press conference on June 30. Snow Summit Mountain Resort in Big Bear Lake, Calif., would host competitions in snowboarding, ice climbing, snow mountain bike racing, super-modified shovel racing and a crossover multi-sport event.
1997 From January 30 through February 2, the inaugural Winter X Games are televised to 198 countries and territories in 21 different languages. This is the first year that ABC Sports broadcasts an X Games event. More than 38,000 spectators make the trek to Big Bear Lake for four days of competition.
In March, the X Trials, a qualifying event for the X Games, begin in Providence, R.I. Additional X Games qualifying events, including the B3 and EXPN Invitational, are held each summer through 2002 in cities including Orlando, Fla., Louisville, Ky.; St. Petersburg, Fla.; Virginia Beach, Va.; Richmond, Va.; Lake Havasu, Ariz.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Bristol, Conn.
From June 20 through June 28, a record crowd of 221,000 fans watches X Games III in San Diego and Oceanside, Calif. Snowboard Big Air amazes on-lookers with a 10-story jump comprised of hundreds of tons of manmade snow.
In September, the X Games Xperience road show travels to Disneyland Paris, France. Xperience is held in conjunction with Eurosport.
1998 Approximately 25,000 spectators gather over four days in January at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colo., for Winter X Games II. New sports include Freeskiing, Snowmobile SnoCross and Skiboarding.
In April, the first-ever international X Games qualifying event is held. The Asian X Games features 200 athletes from the Pacific Rim competing in Phuket, Thailand for a limited amount of spots at X Games IV in San Diego.
In June, the X Games tops its attendance mark for the fourth consecutive year as more than 233,000 spectators flock to Mariner’s Point in San Diego X Games IV.
1999 Crested Butte is once again the site for Winter X Games III. More than 30,000 attend the event in January, which features more disciplines, including women’s Freeskiing.
From June 27 - July 4, X Games V in San Francisco attracts nearly 275,000 spectators. Those in attendance were treated to Tony Hawk’s first-ever “skateboarding 900” and the X Games debut of Moto X.
ESPN announces that the X Games will now be held in August to allow for new marketing and programming opportunities.
2000 Winter X Games IV are held February 3-6 in Mount Snow, Vt. The first Winter X of the millennium features the largest crowds to date - 83,500 - and the debut of Winter X on the East Coast. The new Snowboard SuperPipe competition is added.
June through July, some of the world’s top skateboarders and BMX athletes hit the road traveling to skate parks across the United States as part of the inaugural Tony Hawk Gigantic Skatepark Tour, which is televised documentary-style on ESPN2.
X Games VI takes place August 17-22 in San Francisco on Piers 30/32. A Moto X Step-Up competition is added. Announcements are made regarding the launch of several new ventures, including the Action Sports and Music Awards, International X Games Qualifiers and more.
The story of the X Games begins in 1993 and evolves to 2003 with the start of X Games IX in L.A. This is a brief timeline on how the X Games arrived as the world’s signature action sports brand.
1993 ESPN management decides to devote significant resources to the creation of an international gathering of action sport athletes. A team assembles to develop the concept.
1994 At a press conference at Planet Hollywood in New York City on April 12, ESPN announces that the first Extreme Games will be held in Rhode Island in June of 1995.
1995 From June 24 through July 1, the Extreme Games are held in Newport, Providence and Middletown, R.I., and Mount Snow, Vt. Athletes compete in 27 events in nine sport categories: Bungy Jumping, Eco-Challenge, In-line Skating, Skateboarding, Skysurfing, Sport Climbing, Street Luge, Biking and Water Sports.
198,000 spectators attend the first Extreme Games. Seven sponsors -- Advil, Mountain Dew, Taco Bell, Chevy Trucks, AT&T, Nike and Miller Lite Ice -- lend their support to the event.
After enthusiastic response from the athletes, organizers, spectators and sponsors, ESPN decides to hold the event the following year, instead of every two years as originally announced. In October, it is announced that Rhode Island would be the location for the 1996 event.
1996 In January, the event name Extreme Games officially changes to the X Games. The primary reasons for the change are to allow easier translation to international audiences and better branding opportunities.
In late June, approximately 200,000 spectators turn out for X Games II in Newport, R.I. Kiteskiing, windsurfing and mountain biking are replaced by wakeboarding.
The site of the first-ever Winter X Games is announced at a press conference on June 30. Snow Summit Mountain Resort in Big Bear Lake, Calif., would host competitions in snowboarding, ice climbing, snow mountain bike racing, super-modified shovel racing and a crossover multi-sport event.
1997 From January 30 through February 2, the inaugural Winter X Games are televised to 198 countries and territories in 21 different languages. This is the first year that ABC Sports broadcasts an X Games event. More than 38,000 spectators make the trek to Big Bear Lake for four days of competition.
In March, the X Trials, a qualifying event for the X Games, begin in Providence, R.I. Additional X Games qualifying events, including the B3 and EXPN Invitational, are held each summer through 2002 in cities including Orlando, Fla., Louisville, Ky.; St. Petersburg, Fla.; Virginia Beach, Va.; Richmond, Va.; Lake Havasu, Ariz.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Bristol, Conn.
From June 20 through June 28, a record crowd of 221,000 fans watches X Games III in San Diego and Oceanside, Calif. Snowboard Big Air amazes on-lookers with a 10-story jump comprised of hundreds of tons of manmade snow.
In September, the X Games Xperience road show travels to Disneyland Paris, France. Xperience is held in conjunction with Eurosport.
1998 Approximately 25,000 spectators gather over four days in January at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colo., for Winter X Games II. New sports include Freeskiing, Snowmobile SnoCross and Skiboarding.
In April, the first-ever international X Games qualifying event is held. The Asian X Games features 200 athletes from the Pacific Rim competing in Phuket, Thailand for a limited amount of spots at X Games IV in San Diego.
In June, the X Games tops its attendance mark for the fourth consecutive year as more than 233,000 spectators flock to Mariner’s Point in San Diego X Games IV.
1999 Crested Butte is once again the site for Winter X Games III. More than 30,000 attend the event in January, which features more disciplines, including women’s Freeskiing.
From June 27 - July 4, X Games V in San Francisco attracts nearly 275,000 spectators. Those in attendance were treated to Tony Hawk’s first-ever “skateboarding 900” and the X Games debut of Moto X.
ESPN announces that the X Games will now be held in August to allow for new marketing and programming opportunities.
2000 Winter X Games IV are held February 3-6 in Mount Snow, Vt. The first Winter X of the millennium features the largest crowds to date - 83,500 - and the debut of Winter X on the East Coast. The new Snowboard SuperPipe competition is added.
June through July, some of the world’s top skateboarders and BMX athletes hit the road traveling to skate parks across the United States as part of the inaugural Tony Hawk Gigantic Skatepark Tour, which is televised documentary-style on ESPN2.
X Games VI takes place August 17-22 in San Francisco on Piers 30/32. A Moto X Step-Up competition is added. Announcements are made regarding the launch of several new ventures, including the Action Sports and Music Awards, International X Games Qualifiers and more.
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