Extreme Sports: Skateboarding

Skateboarding first made its appearance in the 1950s. Skateboarding involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard. Skateboarders are sometimes called skaters. The feeling experienced by skaters is similar to that experienced by surfers.

Skater Attempting to Ollie over a Barrier- Image via Wikipedia

During the 1980s, skateboard companies-usually owned by skateboarders-started producing new styles of skateboards and skateboarding equipment, such as skate shoes. Now many large action sports footwear and apparel companies, such as Etnies, offer lines exclusively designed for skaters. Skaters can use this Etnies coupon to save on their purchases of fashionable skating gear.

Skateboarding gained more prominence in 1995, when ESPN held its first Extreme Games (X Games). The Summer X Games and the Winter X Games have extreme action games as their focus. Both Extreme Games are sponsored by ESPN.

X Games- Image by Zach Dischner via Flickr

The Summer X Games held this year saw Ryan Sheckler winning his third gold medal in skateboarding.

World Cup Skateboarding is the international body that governs world skateboarding competitions. As with car racing, skateboarding teams are sponsored by companies, rather than countries.

The Ollie

The Ollie maneuver was created in 1975 by Alan ‘Ollie’ Gelfand.  In the Ollie maneuver, the skateboarder slams his foot down on the back of the skateboard and simultaneously jumps into the air. This has the effect of propelling both the skater and the skateboard into the air.

Illegal Skateboarding

Skate boarding is considered a public nuisance and safety risk in a few areas. The Laguna Beach police department receives more than 100 calls from residents complaining about skate boarders.

For safety reasons, skateboarding is illegal in some areas. Police in recently seized the skateboards of three skateboarders who were found riding in an out-of-bounds area in Adelaide. Although skateboarders say that specially designed skateboards allow them to maneuver easily, drivers say that they still pose a significant risk to themselves and others by skating in roadways.

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