Skateboarding

From skateboarding's distant origins in the 1940s to the heyday of the Z-Boys to Tony Hawk's lifelong and lucrative career as a professional skateboarding icon, this book showcases what skateboarding was in the past and what it's now evolved into. In the last half century, skateboarding has evolved from a simple, idyllic child's pastime that originated in southern California to becoming a worldwide youth culture phenomenon. This now-mainstream action sport has spawned a multi-billion-dollar commercial market for skateboarding equipment, skateboard-related media and entertainment, as well as skate-inspired softgoods like clothing, shoes, and accessories; and it is likely to soon become an Olympic sport. Skateboarding: The Ultimate Guide is brimming with fascinating history and engaging stories from skateboarding's 60-odd year existence and evolution. Covering the action sport's origins, myriad breakthrough developments, pioneering heroes, both "street style" and "vert" or ramp skating, unique popular culture, and likely future, this book will delight anyone with an interest in this individualistic and compelling athletic pursuit.

Becky Beal, PhD, is associate professor of kinesiology at California State University in Hayward, CA, where she teaches classes in the sociology and philosophy of sport.

Series Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Skateboarding Timeline
1. Introduction: Alternative and Mainstream
2. Origins and Development of Skateboarding
3. Venues for Creativity: Sites, Events, and Competitions
4. Pioneers and Heroes
5. Navigating the Built Environment: Technology and Physics
6. Future Trends
Resource Guide
Glossary
Bibliography
Index