There’s a lot of skaters here, right?

ScienceAlert has an interesting article on factors that led to the rise of skateboarding in Southern California that led to it becoming an international sport.

A Perfect Storm of Culture And Climate Gave Us Pro Skateboarding, Study Says

Crap.

(Grabs stick and puck. Walks out of thread)

I skateboarded Northern California in the 70s, punctuated by a few trips south. One could do a dissertation on why it blew up the way it did, but I think of two things in particular: The cost of entry is very low, and it's a good outlet for the guys (and gals) who didn't fit into traditional youth activities. Personally I'd rather surf, but the nearest prime spot is an hour plus away, the waves are sporadic and the locals tough. But the street started twenty feet away from my house. 

The Z-flex  gang were mainly surfers, but Santa Monica and Venice Beach surf sucked - epecially after they tore down the POP piers. Skaters from further inland didn't have as strong a surf influence, and they focused more on the tricks and street skating. There was also a lot of media in Socal. For years Skateboarder magazine ruled the racks and they were owned by the  same people who ran Surfer Magazine. Ultimately Thrasher magazine came out with a more punk edge.  

The socal skate scene was (and likely still is) bigger than most folks realize. People think I'm joking when I say I've skated since I could walk, but it's true. For youth who can't participate in sports or whatever else, it's a great outlet for energy, creativity, as well as being a really good way to easily make friends and connect. 
 

Had to give it up, still idly think of trying but with my wrist issues I can't risk falling... still, the desire is deep in my blood. 

Something kinda related that someone in the BMX industry once told me: a skateboard is relatively inexpensive and also fits in your locker. 

In reply to David S. Wallens :

Yes they do. Especially convenient when you go to school where I did. 
 

bottom circle is the skatepark. I skipped so many classes. 

David S. Wallens said:

Something kinda related that someone in the BMX industry once told me: a skateboard is relatively inexpensive and also fits in your locker. 

In that sense it's like soccer. Baseball, Football, lacrosse, motorsports, skiing, et cetera all require lots of stuff. Anyone with a ball can play soccer and anyone with a skateboard can hit the pavement.

I'm not sure baseball needs a lot of stuff, you need a few gloves and a bat. I used to use a skateboard to deliver newspapers in the 80s, because it was better for door-to-door than a bike in a neighbourhood that has the houses set back from the street. I used to four-wheel drift it around corners but I didn't do tricks.

Later, I attached a windsurfer sail to it.

barefootcyborg5000 said:

The socal skate scene was (and likely still is) bigger than most folks realize. People think I'm joking when I say I've skated since I could walk, but it's true. For youth who can't participate in sports or whatever else, it's a great outlet for energy, creativity, as well as being a really good way to easily make friends and connect. 
 

Had to give it up, still idly think of trying but with my wrist issues I can't risk falling... still, the desire is deep in my blood. 

Rollerblade X-Gear Wrist Guards | REI Co-op

In reply to Keith Tanner :

Although, for baseball, you need friends. :)

Seriously, though, everyone here used a folding chair as a catcher, right? 

I used to deliver papers using a hand truck. It was probably at least a hundred years old so not your modern aluminum one with cup holders and satellite radio. Fun stuff, right? Eventually we had a bike. I was just the sub, though. I still remember delivering a lot of papers back then. 

I’m seeing a lot of scooters at our local skate park, and I can the reasons: fairly low barrier of entry and even easier than skating. 

So, why did skating go away? Did the hardcores stay while those who saw it as something new fashionable move onto the next Big Thing? 

Currently listening to Agent Orange, by the way. 

In reply to David S. Wallens :

I used to drag a...like a hand cart with a cage on it, we used one like it for shopping...behind me on the skateboard. I'd leave it in place, zoom up to 4-5 houses then tow it to the next point. The skateboard was actually really well suited to it.

I also put foot straps on a Sims skateboard deck to make a snowboard in 1987.

But despite this, I'd still say I wasn't into skateboarding :)

Sounds you were into skateboarding. :) 

Keith Tanner said:

I'm not sure baseball needs a lot of stuff, you need a few gloves and a bat.

And a decent amount of space.

I started when I was twelve, in the early 60's.....we did the old nail a roller skate to the bottom of a 2X4, then later a 2X6 but the bearings in those didn't last too long even when you oiled the crap out of them, and the metal wheels didn't give you a lot of traction or control. I lived on a pretty steep hill and I know my mom cringed every time we went down the hill......especially when we hit a patch of gravel or had to bail for traffic!

Soon after you could buy real skate trucks and then the whole board and we were off.....I don't know how many miles I did on my board (it was a LOT) before I figured out I could go a lot further and a LOT faster on my bicycle. Shortly after that I got my license and my first car and left skating behind......

Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:  ... and anyone with a skateboard can hit the pavement.

Literally!

I am a sponsored downhill skater, not too many of us but if more are on this fourm that would be pretty sweet 

David S. Wallens said:

Something kinda related that someone in the BMX industry once told me: a skateboard is relatively inexpensive and also fits in your locker. 

Ballinest skateboard in the world wouldn't run me what my frame did. 

In reply to Mndsm :

Dual Run Downhill Longboarding with Brandon Ailion! [ThreeSix Downhill] - YouTube

I have some pretty ballin setups, but bike frames are dumb expensive 

How about those Canucks though? Three strong lines and second in the league right now.

In reply to bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter) :

I was at the game yesterday. Honestly, I'm not sure if I was impressed with Chicago hanging in there with them - they probably should have had a 6 on 4 with a minute left, but the trip on Bedard was missed - or if Vancouver was having an off night. Because they are that good, Chicago is that bad (Mrazek is a good backup on just about any other team), and yet it was a 1 goal game. 

mtn said:

In reply to bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter) :

I was at the game yesterday. Honestly, I'm not sure if I was impressed with Chicago hanging in there with them - they probably should have had a 6 on 4 with a minute left, but the trip on Bedard was missed - or if Vancouver was having an off night. Because they are that good, Chicago is that bad (Mrazek is a good backup on just about any other team), and yet it was a 1 goal game. 

as always, the poorer the competition the worse the Canucks do. they always seem to get complacent when they're facing the bottom feeders.

David S. Wallens said:

So, why did skating go away? Did the hardcores stay while those who saw it as something new fashionable move onto the next Big Thing? 

 

Who said it's gone away? Our local skateparks get a lot of use by the young crowd. Then there's us old crazies  

I used my board mostly for transportation, because there wasn't anywhere nearby to use it for much else. About ten years ago the town built a great skate park that stays busy with skaters of all ages. I'd love to have a go at it but not having touched a board for decades, my lifespan would probably be measured in seconds.

I couldn't open a peanut butter jar today, and I blame that on repeated wrist injuries from skateboarding. Yes, I had my wife open it for me. She can't ollie though.