Skateboarding is a relatively recent outdoor activity, pastime, and sport. Although its roots are deeply attached to mid-20th-century California surfing, the skateboard DNA reveals a connection to a recreational activity born 200 years before in Europe.

The history of skateboarding, as well as the personalities who contributed to the invention and birth of the skateboard, are well documented.

Interestingly, though, there's usually an undervalued contribution that goes a long way back in time.

No, we're not taking you all the way to somewhere between 4,500 and 400 BC, when the early signs and versions of the wheel took shape.

Our main focus is on the invention of roller skates, a pair of transportation and leisure items that were developed in the 18th century.

To be fair, the skateboard owes as much to the lack of waves in Southern California as to roller skates.

Let's not forget skateboards evolved from these contraptions installed under our feet into milk crates or wooden boxes with wheels attached to them and handles sticking out for control before morphing into the modern skateboard shape.

In other words, roller skates paved the way for products like Kne-Koster (1925), Scooter Skate (1930s), Flexy-Racer (1932), and Skeeter Skater (1945), before the popular flat-deck-and-wheels design.

So, what exactly are the origins of roller skates?

Made for Arts

One of the first surprising things about roller skates, the predecessor of the skateboard, is that they were originally aimed at the performing arts world.

It was not a physical exercise novelty equipment.

According to historians, the earliest models were used in European theater and musical events to simulate ice skating onstage, an activity with over 4,000 years of history in southern Finland.

However, these roller skating appearances were rare because the first models made turning or curving nearly impossible.

Therefore, actors, actresses, and performers could only ride in a straight line.

It would take a century to see relevant improvements and updates to the equipment and, consequently, a spread in popularity.

Broken Mirror: The Disastrous Debut

As with skateboards and other sports gear, roller skates result from several incremental iterations.

Researchers point out that the first report of the use of wheeled skates took place in 1743 on a London stage.

However, the first recorded invention dates from 1760.

It was introduced by John Joseph Merlin, an inventor, musical instrument maker, and clockmaker from Liège, Belgium.

The tale behind Merlin's innovative roller skates is quite funny.

The story goes that the Belgian inventor made an unforgettable yet disastrous debut of his invention.

He showcased his skates at a high-society event hosted by Teresa Cornelys at Carlisle House in Soho Square, London.

During this demonstration, Merlin tried to impress the audience by skating around while playing a violin.

However, the skates, which lacked any kind of steering or braking system, proved difficult to control.

"Although well-known as an inventor and musician, Joseph Merlin was not a good skater, notes James Turner, author of the book "The History of Roller Skating."

"He couldn't control his speed or command his skates to go in the desired direction, and wildly crash-landed into a huge and expensive mirror [£500 value[, smashed it to bits, severely wounded himself, broke his violin and sent roller skating technique back to the drawing board."

Sadly, Merlin's written records had no drawings nor descriptions of wheel configurations.

The First Patent

The second of three important roller skate iterations happened on November 12, 1819, when Charles-Louis Petibled, a French inventor, filed the first-ever patent for roller skates.

He called them "land skates" and designed them to replicate ice skating moves indoors, allowing skaters to mimic gliding and maneuvering on solid ground.

Petibled's skates featured a wooden or metal sole mounted onto a boot or secured with straps.

The wheels - made from materials like metal, wood, or even ivory - were arranged in an inline configuration.

The design allowed for some degree of movement but had significant limitations, making tight turns or advanced maneuvers difficult.

The number and size of the wheels were flexible, with some models including three wheels with or without grooves.

Notably, Petibled incorporated a basic braking mechanism: a screw placed under the heel.

The skates' components, including cleats and axles, were constructed from sturdy materials like steel and riveted securely to the base.

Though primitive, this design laid the groundwork for modern roller skates.

The Defining Iteration

The last of three critical improvements arrived half a century later.

John Joseph Merlin's contribution to the birth of roller skates is undeniable.

However, it was American inventor James Leonard Plimpton who gave them safety and easy-to-use properties.

The patent Plimpton registered in 1863, a century after Merlin's creation, allowed riders to steer by leaning to the right and left.

They were called "rocker skates."

The four-wheel setup, also called "quad skates," featured independent axles for easy turning in a smooth arc and truly ignited a revolution.

Although his roller skates marked a significant breakthrough in the evolution of roller skating, a major issue persisted: the wheels wore out quickly due to substantial friction between the wheels and the skate axle.

Plimpton addressed this problem by introducing a brass ring positioned between the wheel and the axle.

To further reduce wear and tear, he applied lubrication to this brass "skate bearing."

Soon, roller skating rinks were popping up in New York and then expanding to other cities in America, Europe, and worldwide.

Merlin also founded the first roller skating club for gentlemen to impress the ladies.

In the venue, riders had to follow proper rules of etiquette and could have lessons to learn and improve their skills.

James Plimpton's roller skate design is still pretty much similar to the one used today.

His innovations also served as the inspiration for the creation of the skateboard and skateboarding roughly 100 years later.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

First Push Syndicate, established in 2021, hit the ground running with a singular mission: to put skateboards in the hands of as many kids as possible.

Through our flagship initiative, the Get On Board program, we've worked to integrate skateboarding into physical education (PE) classes, aligning with the principles of Meaningful Physical Education (MPE) to inspire a lifelong love for physical activity in students across the country.

The beginnings of Get On Board trace back to 2010 when the program was first launched by Beau Lambert, then general manager of Rye Airfield.

What began as a local initiative in New England has now grown into a robust educational movement.

Even after Rye Airfield closed its doors in December 2020, the program gained new life through a unique partnership with schools and PE classes.

Since then, Get On Board has reached over 50,000 students, providing them with an opportunity to learn skateboarding while developing essential motor and social skills.

In 2023 alone, we logged 22,693 student learning hours.

These numbers reflect the immense potential skateboarding has to engage kids and enrich their social, emotional, and physical experience.

Our approach to physical education aligns closely with the principles of MPE, which emphasize personal relevance, social interaction, and delight in movement.

Gear Grants Available

Skateboarding naturally lends itself to these concepts.

The creativity and individuality inherent in skateboarding foster personal expression and lifelong enjoyment of physical activity while also promoting social bonds as students learn and improve together.

Through MPE, we aim to make skateboarding a gateway for students to connect with physical activity in a meaningful and lasting way.

Thanks to an external grant received in the summer of 2024, First Push Syndicate is now poised to take Get On Board to the national stage.

Our new initiative, the Gear Grant, allows us to provide public (traditional and charter) schools across the United States with the equipment necessary to launch skateboarding programs at no cost to teachers or schools.

Each Gear Grant includes a "gear pod" containing skateboards, helmets, and protective pads, ensuring students have everything they need to learn safely.

In addition to gear, grant winners will get training and ongoing support to help ensure an easy implementation into their PE curriculum.

The Gear Grant offers a game-changing opportunity for schools, districts, and individual PE teachers to bring skateboarding into their communities.

PE teachers interested in learning more or applying can do so by visiting our website, firstpush.org, under the Get On Board tab.

The deadline to apply is January 1, 2025.

Words by Zach Steere | Media Coordinator at First Push Syndicate

On Saturday, October 26, 2026, in the same area and on the same day as the Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series, a city ravaged in excitement needed just a little more chaos.

So, the crowds gathered for the sixth circle of Halloween Hellbomb.

From my car, I managed to find some costumed characters disinterested in the ballgame between the blue and white waves of LA fans.

When we diverged from the crowd marching into Dodger Stadium, I was transported into an outdoor dressing room, with skaters and guests changing into costumes and applying makeup done in side view mirrors.

A revving chainsaw was my introduction to the scene, finding a ramp jam already in session with a heavy crowd gathered.

Some observers sought refuge in the cheap seats atop a barren dirt hill, using a rope tied off by early hikers.

"You're telling me you rather pay one thousand dollars for a game instead of this shit?" one spectator spewed about the neighboring baseball patrons between deep sips from his tallboy.

Down in trenches, crowds clambered over one another, scaling the barricades in hopes of getting close enough for a board to kiss their face or taste smeared face paint.

Many tried (and failed) standing primo to see over masked heads.

A car, possibly a Dodger's fan, ignored the "No Parking" signs and was left in the area.

Unfortunately for the owner, it was physically moved by volunteers and then was used as a bench for people to stand on.

Cameramen foresaw this issue and arrived with step ladders to rise above the dense gathering.

Bloody Hell

Many skaters drafted friends or partners to capture their downhill descent.

Plenty of skaters murmured about participating, but even with their filmer's encouragement, many gave up after one run, if they went at all.

I witnessed one woman being filmed, cruising down and barely touching the kicker before panic shook her when narrowly avoiding collision.

She ran back to the top of the hill, never to be seen again.

The first obstacle for the downhill hellblazers was the Witches' Well, a blackened well slathered in bloody handprints with a hung dummy.

Boards and bodies flew through the air like ghosts, skin slamming and tearing on the blacktop.

It was during the long rail event that the Keen Ramps crew tried to open space for the ride away.

When their pleas fell on deaf ears, others chanted for skaters to ram into the crowd, teaching them the hard way.

With so much going on, the police snuck into the camp, somehow only making three appearances throughout the day (that I could count).

The Badge Boys demanded the hill people move immediately, leading to a mass panic, leaving many to slip and tumble back down.

More gutsy individuals tried to dirt-drop or ride their boards back down, and they, too, felt nature's wrath.

Misunderstanding, Injuries, and Chaos (As It Should Be)

By the time the third event began, tensions seemed to rise, possibly from too much sun, suds, or stoke.

I observed one man with a busted ankle hollering about posers making off with his board.

He hobbled up to anyone with a board, demanding to see their deck, screaming in their face.

One devil-dressed man grabbed another skater by the landing, helping him avoid getting flattened, only for that skater to take it as disrespect and attempt to tangle with the Devil.

I even overheard another rider complain to an organizer that someone was giving out the People's Elbow to anyone they were close to landing on.

The bump-to-stairs third event had its gap periodically widened. Every drop looked like life or death.

One person had to be carried out due to what looked like a severe ankle injury. Another person caught a board to the face.

And I'm sure by now everyone has seen the footage of Dylan Witkin somehow walking off, ramming his chest into the back of the stair set.

If you haven't, go pay your respects.

In the end, checks were given out to Dylan Witkin, Greyson Fletcher, Kanaan "The Joker" Dern, and Dalton "Batman" Dern before everyone trekked down the hill.

Making moves back to my car, I witnessed skaters bombing the hill in the shadow of Dodger Stadium, leaving the streets silent and Hellbomb to crawl back to the underworld till it was ready to rise again next year.

Words by Chuck Harp | Writer

Patti McGee, a skateboarding pioneer and the world's first professional female skateboarder, passed away at 79.

It's impossible to tell the history of skateboarding without mentioning the "Queen of Skateboarding."

Curiously, Patti's interest in skateboards started in the surf.

Born on August 23, 1945, McGee grew up in Southern California and was soon drawn to the surf culture that dominated the San Diego coast during the 1950s and 1960s.

So, it was no surprise that she took up surfing at 13 in 1958.

However, when the swells didn't bring the joy she was seeking as a teenager, Patti turned to an alternative way of living the thrill of surfing on land.

At the time, skateboards were not the skateboards we know today, and skateboarding wasn't the sport and art it is nowadays.

The early makeshift skateboards were basically crate scooters or roller skate wheels attached to wooden boards.

McGee's passion for sidewalk surfing grew fast after she began seriously practicing around 1962.

Her skills developed quickly, and by 1964, she had started competing.

Patti's first relevant achievement came when she took first place in the women's division at the Santa Monica Surf Fair skateboarding contest. 

"The First Betty" followed this with a victory at the First Annual National Skateboard Championships on December 4, 1964, where her talent caught the eye of the growing and prestigious Hobie/Vita-Pakt alliance.

Going Pro at 19

After her impressive competition wins, McGee joined the Hobie Super Surfer skateboard team, becoming the first female professional skateboarder.

At just 19, she signed a professional contract earning $250 a month - a significant amount at the time - and embarked on a national tour, performing skateboard demonstrations at department stores across the United States.

Patti was living a new reality no girl had ever dreamed of.

The SoCal rider's performances introduced skateboarding to a broader audience, captivating crowds with her signature trick, the handstand, which would become an iconic move synonymous with her style.

But Patti McGee's career would reach new heights.

In May 1965, her fame soared when she appeared on the cover of LIFE magazine, performing her handstand on a skateboard.

The cover photo eventually became a pivotal moment in skateboarding history, propelling the young sport and its inclusive characteristics into the mainstream.

Now, every girl or woman could try to be a sidewalk surfer like Patti.

The historic LIFE magazine cover led to television appearances, including spots on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," "The Mike Douglas Show," and the popular game show "What's My Line?"

That same year, the intrepid and elegant rider landed the cover of Skateboarder Magazine.

Promoting Inclusivity in Skateboarding

In an era when skateboarding was predominantly male-dominated, Patti McGee "dared" to reserve a space for women within the sport.

Her presence on the Hobie team - initially composed only of young boys - helped to shift perceptions and inspired other girls to take up sidewalk surfing.

"Skateboarding is 100 percent just as much for girls as it is for boys," she once famously stated.

Also, her participation in high-profile events, like the 1966 Dick Clark World Teen Fair, where she performed in front of 45,000 young fans, helped maintain the sport's visibility afloat during its early years.

However, in the late 1960s, the popularity of the urban outdoor pastime went down the skate bowl's drain, and the sport dropped into its dark ages.

McGee opened her horizons and shifted her focus to snow skiing while still maintaining her connection to the skater community.

A Comeback at 55

Skateboarding's awakening from darkness and hibernation took a decade (late 1970s and early 1980s), but it wasn't until 2002, when McGee was 55, that she returned actively to the sport she had pioneered.

Encouraged by fellow skateboarders David Hackett and Steve Olson, McGee got back on a board and quickly became an inspirational figure for a new generation of skaters.

At the remarkable age of 55.

Patti founded The Original Betty Skateboard Company alongside her daughter Hailey Villa to support female skateboarders and promote a brand that encouraged women to embrace the sport.

Her outstanding contributions were formally recognized in 2010 when Patti McGee became the first woman inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame.

The honor was a fair and well-deserved tribute to her pioneering achievements in the 1960s and her ongoing commitment to getting more female skaters onto the scene.

McGee was a force of Nature and continued to promote her beloved sport's inclusive spirit by attending events like the annual Mighty Mama Skate-O-Rama, which celebrates women skateboarders and mothers.

The 2021 release of the children's picture book "There Goes Patti McGee!" by Tootie Nienow and Erika Medina introduced the blonde Californian's story and legacy to a new generation of young budding skaters.

"Thank you for helping to pave the way for all of us when skateboarding was simply considered a 'menace' in the 1960s,” expressed Tony Hawk.

Patti McGee, skateboarding's matriarch, passed away on October 16, 2024, days after suffering a stroke and subsequent complications.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

When London's Selfridges opened in 1909, few would've thought the legendary department store would host a permanent skate bowl more than a century later.

It's the United Kingdom's second-largest retail space.

Selfridges survived World War II bombings and became a symbol of London's lively Oxford Street, with over 250,000 people visiting the store weekly.

Until 2018, a small percentage could be skateboarders looking for apparel and accessories.

However, since then, the number of passionate skaters entering the majestic main entrance has most probably skyrocketed.

The reason is unusually surprising - there is actually a rideable skate bowl inside the premises.

But why would a classical department store like Selfridges want to host a skateboarder's sanctuary in a Grade II listed commercial space?

The remarkable story honors the founder's belief that shopping should be a fun adventure and leisure time.

Harry Gordon Selfridge knew his Oxford Street store could be a welcoming environment and a social and cultural landmark.

Selfridges and Skateboarding

So, in 2018, Selfridges partnered with The Mighty Mighty, Brinkworth, and Four One Four to design a genuine in-store skateboarding space featuring the world's first fully enclosed skate bowl.

The installation showcased a 360-degree wooden exoskeleton, revealing the underside to highlight the construction process.

Overhead, a cocoon-like framework keeps skaters contained and enhances structural stability.

At first, it might look like an odd and weird idea. But after snubbing it, you ride it.

Interestingly, this was not the first time Selfridges had a go on skateboarding.

In 2014, the British institution partnered with HTC to build a temporary 18,500-square-foot pop-up skatepark in the former Selfridges Hotel behind the flagship store on ever-busy Oxford Street.

But The Bowl is on another level for its bold approach.

The Design

The primary material used was birch plywood, assembled like a three-dimensional puzzle.

The bowl's shape is formed by vertical ribs supported by horizontal braces, creating a double-layered lattice of 18 mm plywood for strength and flexibility.

Each component was custom-made and cut using CNC technology based on a 3D digital model that precisely located each piece.

These sections were then bolted together on-site with flush dog bone joints, minimizing the need for extra materials.

The challenge was to design something that could fit the available space, making the free-standing structure independent of the building but still complementing the surrounding architecture.

A unique "hip" in the bowl's side was included to accommodate a column, adding a bend that serves as a skate feature.

To enhance both the skater's experience and spectator visibility, a clear curved polycarbonate section at the top of the ramp extends the skateable area while maintaining a line of sight.

Have skaters hit their heads on the birch plywood elements? Yes, they have, but there's nothing a bit of attention and a helmet won't fix.

From Short-Term Installation to Permanent Skate Hub

The Bowl at Selfridges was built upon impressive numbers.

The rider's pool required 320 hours to design components in 2D and 3D, 720 hours to make them in the workshop, and 2,400 hours to build on-site.

The 95-square-meter bowl area took 30,000 fixings, 5,000 meters of CNC-cut plywood, and 40 meters of coping steel.

Lastly, the indoor skate bowl weighs six tons.

But where is this unique skate venue at Selfridge London's flagship store? At the Designer Street Room.

Initially, it was supposed to be a short-term installation, but the structure became a permanent resident at the department store.

A Ride With a View

While skating in the wooden arena, skaters have a privileged glass window view of the corner of Oxford Street and Duke Street, where hundreds of thousands of people and red double-decker buses move frenetically from one side to another daily.

The innovative customer experience initiative introduced by Selfridges aimed to address urban culture enthusiasts and boost streetwear sales.

And it really paid off. Mr. Selfridge would be proud.

Suddenly, London, known for decades for its thriving skateboarding community, had a legit shredding hub in the city's most noble artery, managed by pro skater Ross McGouran.

Anyone older than seven is welcome to drop in and experience The Bowl on floor 1.

They can book their hour and have skating lessons on how to surf the wooden wave lines.

The unassisted Open Skate Session (advanced riders) is complimentary, while the one-hour 1-2-1 Skate Lesson (intermediate riders) is £20.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

Venice, California, is arguably the birthplace and crib of modern skateboarding. From the Dogtown era and Z-Boys to the days of the Pavilion, torn down in 2000, it's where the first street skateboarding stars launched into stardom.

It's still difficult to understand why such an iconic neighborhood took so long to honor its skate culture roots.

The Venice Beach Skatepark opened in Venice, California, on October 3, 2009. It can be easily spotted at a distance, lying over the warm sands at 1800 Ocean Front Walk near Windward Avenue.

The public skateboarding facility cost $3.4 million to build, funded by the sale of excess city-owned property in Venice and development fees.

The total riding area is 16,000 square feet (1,485 square meters), and its privileged location against dramatic sunsets makes it a gorgeous site for amateur and professional skateboard photographers.

The renowned Los Angeles skatepark features a series of steps, rails, ramps, and bowls that mimic the look of empty swimming pools where vert skateboarding started during the mid-1970s California droughts.

The Venice Beach Skatepark is also called the Dennis "Polar Bear" Agnew Memorial Skatepark in honor of the famous original Dogtown skater Dennis Agnew, who passed away in March 2005.

It is open exclusively to skateboarders every day from 8 a.m. to sunset - no scooters, BMX, or bicycles are allowed in the skate plaza.

The only exception to its regular riding times occurred in April 2020, when the park was filled with sand to prevent crowds from gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Years of Lobbying

Today, the concrete skate arena built in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles welcomes several hundred skaters every day, meaning it is mostly always busy.

Before its creation, over 20,000 people walked the boardwalk every weekend. After the inauguration of the skatepark, those numbers soared.

But the road to its construction was long.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a group of Venice locals led by Jesse Martinez launched an initiative to create the Venice Beach Skatepark.

The movement intensified the lobbying after the destruction of the once-historical Venice Pavilion.

"In 2000, they finally determined they were going to tear it down when they re-renovated the beach area," original Dogtwon Ray Flores once explained in a 2023 documentary by Bart Saric.

"It was both good and bad when it got torn down."

"I knew what was going down since 1989, but a lot of people didn't listen until that Pavilion was knocked into dust."

An Ice and Roller Hockey Rink? No Way!

Jerry Lewis was the executive director of the Venice Surf and Skateboard Association (VSA) from 1998 to 2009.

Lewis accompanied the process of building the Venice skatepark way before the Pavilion was demolished.

"The city knocked it down because it wasn't being used for its original intended purposes," noted Jerry.

"The city government wanted to give us an ice and roller hockey rink," something the skateboarding community would never approve.

Jesse Martinez revealed that "the hardest thing was the wait, getting the funding for the park and having our voices heard - that this is what we want, a skatepark here."

"We went through three city council terms, different representatives, watched mayors and city councils come and go."

"A lot of politicking and dirty politics. A few times, if we didn't make an unannounced meeting, there'd be no skatepark out there today."

Jerry Lewis stressed that "this park would not have been built if it wasn't for the efforts of VSA members. It just wouldn't be here."

"The VSA members did everything - from lobbying, campaigning, construction, design. Everything."

Built Over Water and Old Oil Fields

The cost of the Venice Beach Skatepark was an issue among the community.

"People ask why the park was so expensive. But this isn't like digging a ditch. You're right on the ocean, on the sand. The water table is only 20 feet below," added Lewis.

"Secondly, the area was an oil field, so it had to be remediated - all toxic pollutants cleaned up, and wellheads capped 250 feet below the surface."

"These were engineering feats that haven't been done for a skatepark before. It's definitely a unique park, and I'd say we're in the top three, location-wise, being so close to the ocean."

On October 3, 2009, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Councilman Bill Rosendahl cut the ribbon of Venice's new skateboard arena.

Tony Hawk and Jay Adams were there, too.

The opening ceremony attracted thousands of sidewalk surfers eager to be the first to ride over the brand-new concrete waves.

"It's a great day. Now, skateboarders from all over Southern California and the world will come to Venice to get a slice of this unique community," Villaraigosa said.

And the truth is skaters are not the only ones who are coming.

Venice Skatepark also became a landmark in the laid-back surf-and-skate neighborhood and a tourist attraction for the thousands that snap pictures of riders getting airborne in the main, 9-foot deep concrete bowl.

The Design

The Venice Beach Skatepark was designed by Zack Wormhoudt, RRM Design Group, in cooperation with local skaters, city agencies, and community groups.

The first sketch was reviewed by Jesse Martinez, Pat Ngoho, Christian Hosoi, and other Venice riders, who provided inputs for corrections and improvements.

The suggestions, for instance, included changes to the bowl, such as a softer hip and a more pronounced curve added on the opposite wall from the hip.

The contractor chosen to build the facility was California Skateparks.

The final design unveiled a skatepark with four main sections: a pool, a mini-bowl, a snake run, and a street section.

The snake run - the park's focal point - is a throwback to 1970s skatepark designs. It starts with a square-shaped 3-foot basin and ends in a 7-foot kidney-shaped half-bowl.

Critics argue that a more practical choice would have been a set of modern bowls with coping instead of this retro design.

The street section mimics urban environments with various obstacles.

Detractors feel that the place is overcrowded and poorly designed, with too many obstacles packed into a small space, leaving skaters without enough space to gain speed or land tricks.

The mini-bowl at the center of the park is usually a consensual feature that is often praised for its well-built construction and fun rideability.

The 9-foot-deep pool and its design also honor the Dogtown legacy, even though its coping is mostly chunky, unmaintained, and difficult to skate.

Overall, despite some outdated or poorly designed elements prioritizing nostalgic aesthetics over functionality, it's still a fun experience to try out a full run at Venice Beach Skatepark.

It's surely one of the most iconic skateparks on the planet.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

Gui Khury landed the world's first kickflip body varial 900 in competition at the 2024 X Games Japan in Chiba.

The skateboarder completed the complex skateboarding maneuver in the Japanese event one month after becoming the first rider to nail it at the Green Box skateboard training facility in Paraná.

Khury stomped the kickflip body varial 900 to win the Vert Best Trick final gold medal at the X Games.

The feat earned him the eleventh podium at the X Games and the first gold of his career in this skateboarding event series.

The 15-year-old also broke the teenage record held by multidisciplinary Estonian skier Kelly Sildaru as the under-20 athlete with the most X Games medals.

Gui Khury now has five golds, four silvers, and two bronzes at the iconic action sports competition.

One day before landing the historical air trick, Gui won the Skateboard Vert final. The Brazilian took an early lead in the first run with 88.66 points.

In the third run, Japanese skater Soya Inomata scored 90.00 points, but the Khury responded with a 92.66-point performance to keep the lead.

Gui would then improve even further his tally in the fourth and final run with 93.33 points to seal the deal. Inomata took silver, and American Tom Schaar took bronze with 89.00 points.

Ultimately, the young skater from Curitiba secured three major titles in a month after taking out the vert final at the World Skate Games 2024 in early September.

Gui Khury holds three Guinness World Records.

He is the youngest X Games athlete at ten years and 225 days old, the first skater to land a 1080 on a vert ramp, and the youngest X Games gold medallist at 12 years and 210 days of age.

To put things into perspective, Tony Hawk was 31 years and 45 days old when he first pulled off the 900 at the X Games.

The Kickflip Body Varial 900

A kickflip body varial 900 is an incredibly advanced skateboarding trick that merges two complex movements: a kickflip (board flip) and a body varial (skater's body rotation) but with extreme difficulty due to the skater's rapid 900-degree spin.

Here's how it can be broken down:

1. Kickflip

The trick starts with a kickflip, where the skater uses their front foot to flick the board, making it spin 360 degrees along its horizontal axis (lengthwise).

The movement causes the board to rotate while the athlete remains airborne.

2. Body Varial (900-Degree Rotation)

At the same time, while the board is flipping, the skater spins their body 900 degrees (which equals two and a half full spins).

It's the body varial aspect, where the rider rotates mid-air without the board.

A 900-degree rotation is extremely difficult because it requires the skater to spin their body very quickly while staying in control.

3. Landing

After the board finishes its kickflip and the skater completes the 900-degree spin, the rider must re-align with the board mid-air, catch it with their feet, and land smoothly back on the ground.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

In every skater's life, they will embrace one moment that is entirely theirs that day.

A time when they stare down a runup, eyes focused on the unknown at the edge, and with the board beneath their feet, they charge forward across a slab of concrete toward the obstacle in their eye's scope.

They know the risks that come with the reward.

Careening into the street ahead, where passing cars are more concerned about their commute than who trickles into the road.

And that is why the spotter is key to their survival.

Taking hold of their moment does not mean a skater is entirely alone out there.

The spotlight might be on them, but there are plenty of other players who play a part during a session.

The skater risks their lives, the cameraman captures the moment, and the spotter is on the lookout for all trouble.

These individuals in skateboarding are a living safety net: checking for approaching police, pedestrians, or, more importantly, cars speeding into the landing zone.

Safety inspectors in every way, they survey the area and give the OK to begin, even if they must rush the process along for the sake of time and opportunity.

They'll hang on the edge of the blacktop, taking the pressure by making the call to, screaming out an excitable, "Go, go, go!"

The Wingmate

A guardian by every right, they thrust their own bodies into the line of traffic, halting all those in the way regardless of their honks, curses, and threats of physical violence.

They'll block out the world with zen-like patience so strong that monks themselves would be jealous.

Not once do they waiver or allow distraction to pass.

They'll even take impact when aware their friend is unable to safely stop due to their speed.

All to protect not only their friend but sometimes pedestrians and parked cars that might just so happen to be in the line of fire.

And what of their payment? Sitting shotgun on the car ride home? A free drink? A simple thank you?

The spotter doesn't do it for these things. More times than not, they're the first to head downstage and set the scene.

They want to see the performance go off without a hitch, happy to be part of the success and not just waiting in the wings.

Not a job to take lightly. Never one to be forgotten.

All props to the spotter.

Words by Chuck Harp | Writer

Skateparks are not all the same. Only a great design, vision, location, and diversity of features and obstacles make a sidewalk surfing arena iconic and exciting to ride.

Skateparks should always be designed by skaters. Or, at least, by architects and planners who once ollied the streets of their towns.

These concrete wave arenas can change lives and propel skateboarders into global stardom.

However, only a few stand the test of time and truly make a skater want to come back ever and ever again.

Take a look at our carefully curated list of iconic and legendary world skateparks.

1. Venice Beach Skatepark, California, USA

The Venice Beach Skatepark in California is arguably the world's most iconic public skatepark, situated in the vibrant Venice Beach area of Los Angeles.

Originally known as the Dennis "Polar Bear" Agnew Memorial Skatepark, it is 16,000 square feet and is located near Windward Avenue and Ocean Front Walk.

Launched in 2009, the park has since become a mecca for skaters from all around and firmly rooted Venice Beach to its rich skateboarding legacy.

One of the most influential places in the development of skateboarding has been Venice Beach.

The early 1970s saw skaters like Tony Alva, Jay Adams, and Stacy Peralta experimented with modern-day skateboarding tricks and methods in impromptu skate spots around town.

These early wheelsmen, often associated with the Z-Boys, helped popularize the sport and made Venice Beach a legendary skateboarding hub.

The idea for the construction of Venice Beach Skatepark was launched following a community effort spearheaded by local skater Jesse Martinez.

The project was funded by the sale of surplus city property and cost $3.4 million to carry out.

The playground was designed to reflect the area's rich skateboarding history, featuring a variety of steps, rails, and bowls inspired by backyard pools where some early skaters used to ride.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the park briefly became a focal point of public health measures when it was covered in sand to discourage gatherings.

2. Southbank Skate Space, London, England

The Southbank Skate Space beneath London's Queen Elizabeth Hall is a legendary skate spot.

The birthplace of British skateboarding, the place has been a skateboard sanctuary since the early 1970s.

Originally an unused, dimly lit space, the site was adopted by skateboarders attracted to its unconventional man-made concrete landscape consisting of ledges, banks, stairs, and pillars.

Southbank Skate Space has a history of defiance and togetherness.

The spot was threatened with demolition several times during the 1990s and early 2000s as developers eyed it for redevelopment.

That led to the establishment of a campaign group called Long Live Southbank in 2013, and that movement eventually won out over developers.

The movement not only saved the skate area but also led to its renovation in 2017.

Sections that had been closed off for years were restored, and the spot was enhanced with new lighting and concrete repairs.

The undercroft's layout, with its smooth floors and varied obstacles, creates a perfect street-skating environment.

It's a space where skaters can come at any time during the day or night and skate without having to worry too much about other people disturbing them.

The spot is also renowned for its lively graffiti, making the city much more moving.

3. Le Bowl / Bowl du Prado, Marseille, France

The Bowl du Prado, also known as Le Bowl, is a famous skatepark located in Marseille, France, on the picturesque Prado beaches at Escale Borély.

Built in 1991, this one designed by Jean-Pierre Collinet is probably the most important skatepark of its kind Europe-wide, if not worldwide.

It is designed with five rounded cavities that resemble a clover, each shaped like a bowl.

You have bowls from 1.80 meters up to the deepest bowl at a depth of whooping 2.70 meters, making it great for beginners or more advanced riders chasing various challenges during their sessions.

Additionally, a spine section composed of two half-pipes and a street-style skating mini-bowl area is part of the design.

The assorted design variation is meant to suit all sorts of different skateboarding styles, turning it into an extremely versatile spot for both rookies and veterans.

The Bowl is also a favorite of BMX riders.

It's free access and equipped with nighttime lighting for full-on shredding 24/7.

The skatepark hosts numerous international competitions, including the prestigious Quiksilver Bowlrider, Red Bull Bowl Rippers, and the Orange Massilia Freestyle Cup.

The iconic riding arena is already a vital part of Marseille's urban landscape.

4. Black Pearl Skate and Surf Park, George Town, Cayman Islands

The largest outdoor skatepark in the western hemisphere and second largest in the world is located at Black Pearl Skate and Surf Park in George Town, Cayman Islands.

It covers a giant 62,000 square feet area.

The park, opened in 2005 by the greatest skateboarder of all time, Tony Hawk, was designed with quarter pipes, half pipes, rails, stairs, and bowls for plenty of adrenaline-fueled sessions.

The facility, run by the Cayman Islands Skateboard Association (CISA), also hosts a standing wave machine, all conveniently located just 15 minutes from George Town, behind the Grand Harbour Shopping Centre in Red Bay.

Are you a foreign visitor? No problem. Black Pearl also offers equipment rentals, including skateboards, scooters, and safety gear.

5. GMP Skatepark, Guangzhou, China

The GMP Skatepark, located in the district of Panyu in Guangzhou, China, is the world's largest skatepark, covering an enormous 168,000 square feet.

The venue, which opened in 2015, was a pricey investment for the city.

The project was a collaboration between local authorities and renowned skatepark designers Brad Shaw, founder of Sk8scapes, and Eddie Liao of B&E Actionsports.

They aimed to develop an internationally renowned skatepark that could cater to the global market and host riders from near and afar.

The GMP Skatepark features everything a sidewalk surfer dreams of.

There's a street area that mimics urban environments, with stairs, handrails, ledges, and benches.

The transition area has a range of ramps, mini ramps, snake runs, and bowls, including a massive cradle that challenges skaters to perform advanced tricks.

Last but not least, the vert section features a full pipe and a vert ramp.

While the skatepark is massive and had grandiose intentions, authorities have not been able to keep up with taking care of their facilities.

Some areas of the park were unofficially closed to skaters by 2017 after mishaps in a deep 12-foot bowl, prompting concerns over maintenance and safety.

6. Stapelbäddsparken, Malmö, Sweden

Stapelbäddsparken in Malmö, Sweden, is one of the largest and most significant in Scandinavia and Europe.

Finished in 2005, the park is a product of a collaboration between Malmö City and Swedish riders from Bryggeriet, the local skaters' club.

The joint venture was set to create an area of dedicated skateboard space, as well as make a shipyard-area derelict site into a dynamic social hub for young people.

The name "Stapelbäddsparken" reflects the area's historical roots as part of the Kockums shipyard, where ships were once constructed and launched.

Occupying almost 3,000 square meters of real estate, the arena features a range of skatable zones that include a bowl landscape, street-inspired sections, and a series of rideable metal sculptures added in 2014.

The park is open to the public year-round and is completely free to use.

Its design, led by Stefan Hauser and his company Placed To Ride, has made it suitable for casual riding and international competitions.

7. Pura Pura, La Paz, Bolivia

Pura Pura Skatepark, located in La Paz, Bolivia, is a remarkable skate venue that stands out for its altitude and the spirit of community that brought it to life.

It is located some 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) above sea level and happens to be the highest skatepark in the world.

Interestingly, the abnormally high location makes riding physically challenging due to the thin air.

The skatepark was constructed in 2014 through a collaborative effort led by the non-profit organization Make Life Skate Life, with the help of over 100 volunteers from 15 different countries.

In just under five weeks they - including local skaters Milton Arellano and Kenny Davalos - were able to build the 1,200-square-meter (approximately 21,500 square feet) park.

The project was a huge DIY effort, proving just how good for skateboarding (and the world) coming together can be.

Pura Pura also serves as a community hub, especially for the youth in La Paz and the neighboring city of El Alto.

The Ayni organization operates a youth center at the venue, offering free skateboard equipment loans and weekly classes for at-risk youth.

8. Kona Skatepark, Jacksonville, Florida, USA

Kona Skatepark is a historic skatepark that has been pivotal in shaping the progression of skateboarding.

It was founded in 1977 by the late Martin Ramos II and his wife, Helen.

After some years of financial difficulties and two bankruptcies in 12 months, the local Ramos family efforts reopened Kona in 1979.

The park has since been dedicated to the youth of Jacksonville, providing a safe and healthy sports space for skaters from toddlers to 40-year-old shredders.

Kona Skatepark is famous for building some of the first vert ramps and half-pipes with a flat bottom. 

It played home to several landmark events over the years, including the 1978 U.S. Open of Skateboarding that pitted East Coast skaters against West.

The park has also been a breeding ground for elite-level pro skaters, with more than 20 pros emerging from Jacksonville over the past decades.

During its brief closure in 1978, it was the site of legendary skate sessions and became a symbol of skaters' resilience and creativity.

The park's influence extended to the media as well.

In the early 1980s, the Ramos family contributed to the growing skate culture by publishing the "Skateboard" magazine.

Kona Skatepark is still operating today thanks to Martin Ramos III after his father passed away in 1995.

Over the years, additional elements like a street course and mini-ramps have been added to give it new life.

9. Livingston Skatepark, Scotland

Livingston Skatepark, in West Lothian, was the first skatepark in Scotland to be listed as a historic structure.

The iconic park, often referred to as "Livi" by locals, has been one of the Highlanders' favorite skate hubs since it opened in 1981.

Architect Iain Urquhart, who was influenced by his skater wife Dee Urquhart, drew his inspiration for the design and construction from American skateparks.

The place received the seal of approval from Tony Hawk, who famously lit up the bowl in 1991 and described it as a "legendary place."

10. Gratitude Trails, Andros, Greece

Situated high up in Kakosouli Mountain, the Gratitude Trails is an unconventional, out-of-the-box skating zone.

This skate paradise is a relatively short walk from the BluEnigma Hotel run by park founder Nikos Garyfallos, and overlooks the Aegean Sea offering breathtaking views.

Garyfallos, a passionate skater and engineer, built the Gratitude Trails as a labor of love.

The park showcases a series of gently sloped, interconnected bowls and pump tracks that resemble a yellow moonscape.

The trails offer ample challenges for riders but are a work in progress as Garyfallos adds new features and tweaks others.

One of the best things about this magical place is the scenic hike visitors are invited to embrace to reach the sports playground.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

Australian sensation Keegan Palmer made history by clinching his second consecutive Olympic gold in park skateboarding at the Paris 2024 Games on Wednesday, August 7.

Palmer’s remarkable performance followed Arisa Trew’s gold-medal victory in the women’s park skateboarding event the previous day, securing a golden double for Australia in the sport.

Entering the final as the top qualifier, Palmer was the last to skate at Place de la Concorde.

He delivered a stunning score of 93.11, immediately seizing the lead and maintaining his top spot throughout the event.

Despite fierce competition, the World No.2 remained unchallenged during the subsequent runs, successfully defending his Olympic title.

The silver medal went to Team USA’s Tom Schaar, who achieved a score of 92.23 on his second run, while Brazil’s Augusto Akio claimed the bronze with a score of 91.85.

Notably, Palmer and Schaar were the only skaters to complete their initial runs without any mistakes, as other competitors faced challenges and bailed out.

The camaraderie that characterizes Olympic skateboarding was evident during the men’s park final.

Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Pedro Barros shared a moment of solidarity with fellow Brazilian skaters Akio and Luigi Cini as they awaited his final score.

Barros narrowly missed out on a podium finish, ending up in fourth place with a score of 91.65, just behind Akio.

The supportive atmosphere continued as Palmer’s competitors celebrated his confirmation as the back-to-back Olympic champion.

Mirroring the Tokyo 2020 Games, Palmer had secured his gold medal before his final run. In a twist from his previous Olympic performance, where he improved his scores, this time Palmer’s victory lap concluded with a fall, though it did not impact the final results.

Park Skateboarding at Paris 2024 | Men's Final

1. Keegan Palmer (AUS) 93.11
2. Tom Schaar (USA) 92.23
3. Augusto Akio (BRA) 91.85