"Skateboarding in the 1970s: The Birth of Professional Skateboarding"
The 1970s was a decade of growth and expansion for Skateboarding. As the sport continued to gain popularity, the first professional Skateboarders began to emerge, and the first Skateboarding competitions were held. This decade marked the birth of professional Skateboarding and the beginning of a new era for the sport.
As the decade began, Skateboarding was still considered a niche activity, mostly enjoyed by a small group of enthusiasts in Southern California. However, as more and more people began to discover the thrill of riding a Skateboard, the sport began to grow in popularity.
One of the major developments of the 1970s was the introduction of new tricks and the creation of new Skateparks. Skateboarders began to experiment with new maneuvers, such as the Ollie, which allowed them to perform aerial tricks and take the sport to new heights. The new Skateparks, which were built in cities across the country, provided Skateboarders with a safe and controlled environment to practice and compete in.
As the sport grew in popularity, the first professional Skateboarders emerged. These early pioneers, such as Tony Alva, Stacy Peralta, and Jay Adams, helped to establish the sport's first competitions and set the standard for what was possible on a Skateboard. They also helped to create the first Skateboarding teams and companies, such as Zephyr and Dogtown Skates, which helped to promote the sport and provide sponsorship for top Skateboarders.
The 1970s also saw the rise of a new Skateboarding culture, one that was heavily influenced by the counterculture movement of the era. Skateboarders of the time were often seen as rebels, and the sport was associated with the "surf and sun" lifestyle of Southern California. Skateboarders often wore long hair, surf-style clothing, and sported a laid-back attitude that set them apart from mainstream society.
As the decade progressed, Skateboarding began to spread to other parts of the world, and the first international competitions were held. The sport also began to attract a wider and more diverse group of participants, and it began to be recognized as a legitimate sport.
In summary, the 1970s was a crucial decade for the development of professional Skateboarding. With the introduction of new tricks, the creation of new Skateparks, and the emergence of professional Skateboarders, the sport established a new level of competitiveness and began to be recognized as a legitimate sport. The decade also marked the birth of the Skateboarding teams, companies, and the beginning of a new era for the sport, which would continue to grow and evolve in the following years.