1. The First Skateboard Ever
In March of 1964, when he was just 14 years old, Californian schoolboy Rodney Mullen invented the very first skateboard. It wasn't until ten years later in 1974 that it became a popular and widely seen activity (1).
Also Check: Best Quality Longboards For Long Term Use
2. The First Skateboard Trick
It took quite a while for skaters to start experimenting with tricks.
In one of the earliest recorded skateboarding events ever documented, surfers from all over California came to Venice Beach in 1938 to see a local surfer named Hawaiian Tom to knock over a pile of cans using his board (3).
3. Surfers Didn't Invent Skateboarding
Surfers didn't invent skateboarding; although, they often get the credit for it. You see, surfing and skateboarding are two completely different activities that likely share origins because of their Although Proximity to one another (4).
But, surfers never took an interest in skateboarding like skaters did with surfing, which is why only skaters were able to come up with creative tricks.
4. The most Expensive Skateboard
This year, an anonymous bidder purchased the "Bones Brigade" team signed Powell Peralta Tony Hawk Skateboard Deck for $250,000.
This isn't the first time this has happened. In 2010, a signed Hawk skateboard sold for $150,000, and in 2004 one sold for $110,000 (5).
5. Skateboarding is Not Dangerous
Although we often see skaters perform tricks such as flips and other risky acrobatics, skateboarding doesn't rank very high on the list of dangerous activities (6).
Out of over 1000 teenagers surveyed, only 8.7% said they had never gone skateboarding (6). Surfing is more dangerous than skateboarding!
6. The most Popular Type of Skateboard
Out of the 3 million Americans who skateboarded in 2010, 44% used a traditional deck (7). Other popular types include longboards and penny boards (8).
However, this could change if scooters become more popular among teens. Scooter popularity is already on the rise; there was a 19% increase in sales between 2015 and 2016 alone (9)!
7. The First Skateboard Wheels
The first skateboard wheels were made out of clay and resembled saucers (2). Later in 1934, roller skate wheels were added to create what we know today as modern-day skateboarding wheels.
8. First Skateboard Video
In 1965, Bruce Logan made what's believed to be the first-ever skateboarding video (10).
Of 450 listed activities by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission only three were less likely to cause injury than skateboarding; those specific skating-related injuries include: falling off or downstairs and ramps, tripping over objects left out, and slipping or stumbling (7).
9. In the last 30 years, the cost of a skateboard deck has not risen.
The price of decks used to fluctuate according to the market, but nowadays it remains relatively stable at around $25 per deck (11). This means that skaters are saving money by staying loyal to their favorite brands!
10. Richest Skateboarders in the World
According to Forbes Magazine, Tony Hawk is currently one of the richest skateboarders in the world with a net worth of $120 million.
He landed his first sponsor when he was just 16 years old and has since created several video games, including "Tony Hawk Pro Skater" (12).
Other famous skaters made money through their sponsors, endorsements, and YouTube revenue. Some of these include Ryan Sheckler ($800,000), Kelly Clark ($2 million), and Rodney Mullen ($5 million).
Conclusion
Skateboarding is a sport that continues to grow in popularity, as evidenced by the 10 skateboarding statistics and facts I've listed here.
If you are looking for a way to stay active or want an exciting new hobby, this may be just what you need!
