When you hear the term extreme skateboarding what do you picture in your mind?  Many think of young people in jeans and t-shirts riding on a piece of board with wheels, racing around downtown or anywhere else for that matter except designated skateboard areas.  You may have these young people living next door or even in your household.

When you hear the term extreme skateboarding what do you picture in your mind?  Many think of young people in jeans and t-shirts riding on a piece of board with wheels, racing around downtown or anywhere else for that matter except designated skateboard areas.  You may have these young people living next door or even in your household.

Skateboarding became a pastime when some adventurous kids took their roller skates apart.  They then took the wheels and using what ever means were available attached them to pieces of wood.  These early efforts were rewarded with limited mobility, splinters and the occasional broken bone.  The evolution of the skateboard has gone over hundreds of changes since those early days.  These modifications give it a smooth ride. This allows the maneuverability needed to perform the extreme stunts and moves you see today.

The term sidewalk surfing became popular due to the popularity of surfing.  The only difference was if you were on water or on pavement. The interest was fueled in the 1960’s when the first professional skateboard teams was formed.  The first skateboard contest was held in California at a junior high school.  This then had kids so excited they started skateboarding on and in some cases in everything.  Empty swimming pools were being used and are still used today.  It was those who were skating in these empty pools that started the trend of extreme skateboarding.

Due to the safety hazards and concerns there was a period that cities all over the country were adopting ordinances banning skateboarding.  Safety gear was not addressed and skateboard design was still in the early stages.  These early times were responsible for some fatalities which was holding the sport back.  Manufactures went to work and evolved the skateboard and the concept of safety gear was initiated.  Skateboarding then began to flourish and occupied the minds of teenagers everywhere, along with empting parent’s wallets.

To combat the cities complaints regarding skateboarders practicing throughout the city and causing some disruption in normal pedestrian travel, skate parks were being constructed to give these enthusiasts a place to go that was safer for both participants and pedestrians.  Florida is credited with having built the first outdoor skate park.  This is a bit ironic since the sport originated and was more popular on the other coast in California.  They did not have the only one for very long as cities all over the United States were building a place for skateboarders.

At this time, skateboarders were no longer content with just skating horizontally.  They started adding vertical maneuvers to their stunts.  Known as getting air, this opened another new avenue to the sport.  This then coupled with the connection with punk rock has dictated everything from their passion to their clothing and hair styles.  They then began to fly off or ramps and doing flips in the air.  They didn’t stop at that soon they were doing multiple flips while in the air and contorting their bodies into what seems to be impossible shapes.  It is this adrenaline rush that just fuels them to continue to develop more and more extreme stunts.  It is also what keeps the dedicated ones coming back.

In conclusion, There is no limit on what can be accomplished using a skateboard, or what is available.  There are easily hundreds of boards to choose from.  Any shape, color, size imaginable is available.  If not available you can custom design your own.  If you are looking for extreme adventure, try extreme skateboarding.