| Shown in movies and commercials or seen on the | | | | made out of clay or steel and were less sturdy than |
| side of roads and at skateparks, skateboarding is a | | | | today's version of wheels. |
| relatively new sport, which has found its way into | | | | Constructed out of 7-ply cross-laminated maple, most |
| mainstream American culture. It was once difficult to | | | | decks are stable and can handle daily use and |
| find or create areas in which to skate, but now cities | | | | hard-play. However some decks are made out of |
| are full of designated skate areas in order to | | | | fiberglass, resin, Kevlar, bamboo, aluminum, or carbon |
| accommodate skateboarders. Despite the vast | | | | fiber or plastic components as well in order to |
| amount of skaters and skateboard companies at | | | | increase rigidity. |
| present, the origins of skateboarding and the | | | | The average size deck is 8 inches wide. Some can be |
| invention of the skateboard are shrouded in mystery. | | | | as small as 7 inches and others are up to 10.5 inches. |
| It has been argued the first skateboards arose in the | | | | Width depends primarily on style and preference. |
| 1930's and 1940's when children would ride soap-box | | | | Street skating usually requires a deck that is 7.5"-8", |
| carts attached to rollerskates (or planks on roller | | | | while wider decks are used for trick skating. The |
| skates). Removing the box from the plank would | | | | average length of the board is 29-33 inches long. |
| leave a plank on wheels or what could be called a | | | | However, longer decks are known as longboards and |
| skateboard deck. However, others suggest the | | | | are quite common. They are much longer and do not |
| skateboard was an adaptation of a dismantled | | | | have "kicktails," but instead are aerodynamic and |
| rollerskate-that is, the wheels were removed from a | | | | intended for street-skating long lengths of road or |
| rollerskate and then added to a plank, a move that | | | | downhill. |
| was influenced by surfers and their desire to | | | | On top of the deck, grip tape is used. It provides the |
| recreate the surfing motion on land. Both possible | | | | skater the ability to "grip" the deck by creating |
| origin theories have been argued in historical texts, | | | | friction. On one side of the grip tape is an adhesive, |
| magazines, and even on the big screen in | | | | which attaches to the deck. On the other side is a |
| documentaries as well as out on the street. | | | | sandpaper-like top. While the general feel and shape |
| However, we do know the first retail skateboard | | | | of a skateboard is quite common, the main |
| appeared in 1958 and was marketed by Bill and Mark | | | | difference in boards is located on the bottom of the |
| Richards of Dana Point, California. It was then | | | | deck. Decks can range from solid colors and patterns |
| mass-produced and remodeled in the 1960s. The | | | | to graffiti-covered art. Styles can include logos, |
| blank, or deck, was often made in the shape of a | | | | phrasing, cartoon or movie or comic book characters, |
| surfboard out of solid wood or plastic. Some metal | | | | to original characters and themes such as aliens, |
| boards were created as well. The wheels were often | | | | music, animals, or skulls and crossbones. |