The history of Freestyle Skateboarding in America is a significant aspect of the sport's evolution and growth. Freestyle Skateboarding, also known as old school skateboarding, is a style of Skateboarding that involves performing tricks and maneuvers on flat ground, and it has been a beloved and exciting aspect of the sport for decades.
In the early days of Skateboarding, Skateboarders primarily rode on flat surfaces such as sidewalks and empty swimming pools, and the tricks performed were limited to basic maneuvers such as cruising and sliding. However, in the 1970s, a new style of Skateboarding emerged, known as Freestyle Skateboarding. This style of Skateboarding involved performing tricks and maneuvers on flat ground, such as kickflips, ollies and aerial tricks, which were the precursor of modern Skateboarding maneuvers.
In the 1980s, Freestyle Skateboarding began to gain mainstream acceptance and became a staple of the sport. This period saw the rise of professional Freestyle Skateboarders such as Rodney Mullen, Per Welinder and Mark Gonzales, who helped to set new standards for what was possible on a Skateboard and popularized the sport among a wider audience.
In the 1990s and 2000s, street-style Skateboarding became more popular, and Freestyle Skateboarding started to fade away. Street-style Skateboarding focused on performing tricks on street obstacles such as rails, ledges and stairs, and Freestyle Skateboarding was no longer in the spotlight.
Despite this, Freestyle Skateboarding has remained an important part of the Skateboarding culture, and it has a dedicated following among Skateboarders. Many Skateboarders continue to practice and perform Freestyle Skateboarding as a way to honor the history and roots of the sport. Additionally, many competitions and events, such as the International Freestyle Skateboarding Association (IFSA) World Championships, are held to showcase the talents and skills of Freestyle Skateboarders.
In conclusion, the history of Freestyle Skateboarding in America is a significant aspect of the sport's evolution and growth. From its origins as a style of Skateboarding performed on flat ground to its fading popularity in the face of street-style Skateboarding, Freestyle Skateboarding has remained an important part of the Skateboarding culture. And it continues to be practiced and honored by a dedicated group of Skateboarders who appreciate its historical significance and unique style.