Skateboard was developed in the 1950s by Californian surfers as a means of surfing outside of water. The first boards were actually the wooden planks with roller skates nailed to their front and back ends.

The first Roller Derby Skateboard was for sale by 1959, and in 1963 the first skateboard contest was held in Hermosa Beach, CA.

The urethane wheel invented in 1973 revolutionized the sport. These wheels provided much better speed, traction and maneuvering. Skateboarders developed a set of standard maneuvers, including the "Ollie," invented by Alan Ollie Gelfand, a leap into the air during which the board stays flush with the feet.

By the end of twentieth century skateboarding became the sixth largest participant sport in the US served by the developed industry. According to the Transworld Skateboarding Business Summer 1998 Retailer Survey shoes represented 26.5 % of the market share, followed by decks (26%), apparel (16%), trucks (11.5%), wheels (11%), and accessories (9%).

Skateboard trick tips with pictures and video