With all their warts and imperfections, some of the original skateboards are extremely primitive, others are rough, and some are rather crude. But there is no denying their folk art charm.
We all know the famous Beach Boys refrain from Surfin’ U.S.A.: “If everybody had an ocean across the U.S.A., then everybody’d be surfin’ like Californ-i-a!”
Well, with the advent of the “sidewalk surfboard” that vision became a reality. The skateboard ultimately democratized surfing; as concrete poured across America, it literally paved the way for generations of surfers-turned-skateboarders.
But let’s rewind to the beginning and retrace the journey.
As a passionate vintage skateboard collector, my partner Stanton and I decided to create a unique book through our brand Scavenger that embodies the magical transition from surf to skate. The book is called Surf to Skate: Evolution to Revolution, and this Friday, we’re hosting a Vintage Skateboard Show in Hollywood in partnership with The Inertia and EvilGood. We encourage you to come check it out.
Details are below:
Hennessey + Ingalls @ Space 15 Twenty in Hollywood (1520 Cahuenga)
Book Signing & Short Film Premier 6 PM – 9 PM
Follow us on instagram @Scavengerbrand or for inquiries: info@Scavengerbrand.com.
The following is an excerpt from SURF TO SKATE – Evolution to Revolution – Volume 1.
The book: Surf to Skate: From Evolution to Revolution.
Skateboarding came from surfing as an activity for surfers to hone their skills on land when the surf was poor. Obviously, there were no manufacturers making skateboards yet so it was up to surfers to hand craft their own.
All you needed was a plank of wood, your father’s saw and the wheels from your sister’s rusty old roller-skates and you were suddenly free to roll down the endless concrete sidewalks of suburbia. The concept known as ‘sidewalk surfing’ was born.
Many of the first skateboards were wood shop boards and are all unique and one-of-a-kind. With all their warts and imperfections, some of them are extremely primitive, others are rough, and some are rather crude. But one thing is for sure, in the end, there is no denying their folk art charm. They are all simply beautiful.
Back in the 1960s during the golden age of surfing, surfboard manufacturers mowed and transformed countless blanks of foam into custom longboards for surfers. These manufacturers began to notice the neighborhood kids “surfing” the sidewalks and wanted in on the action. A few of them even began to manufacture their own brand of “sidewalk surfboards” and formed competition teams to help introduce this brand new sport to the masses.
Early skateboard team pioneers were adept at mastering tricks while riding barefoot on these boards. Many of these tricks mimicked the moves surfers would perform in the water, like riding the nose or doing a headstand on the board. Like it or not, sidewalk surfing was here to stay with early entrepreneurial manufacturers laying the groundwork for corporations to follow and prosper. Skateboards from this era are extremely rare and are considered the “holy grail,” as few were produced and even less SURVIVED. Now the real trick is to go find one for yourself!
Before it officially caught on as a performance sport, early skateboarding was all about doing tricks on a board. Many people saw the activity being nothing more than a passing fad that would eventually be cast to the wayside like other trendy things like the hula-hoop or the yo-yo.
Opportunist toy manufacturers were quick to cash in on the craze and as always, they had a master plan. As soon as the first manufacturer took a red scooter already in production and reconfigured it as a Skoot-Skate or a Scootster, the rest of the manufacturers followed. Now little Johnny and Billy got their first skateboards at Christmastime and posed with their first rides. Was that board a Skee-Skate, Surf Jet or a Roller Derby? One thing is for sure. it was red, white and ALL you!
We have all heard of the old adage, “fish where the fish are”. And skateboard manufacturers not only heard it, but heeded that advice by realizing that moms and entire families shopped at department stores. Department stores were like general stores of the time as they carried something for everyone in the family. Mom could grab fresh linens, dad could rummage through the tool or tire section, your sis could cradle a doll, and you could purchase the latest and greatest skateboard emblazoned with the store logo!
Once department stores were doing it, everyone else followed. From car dealerships to tire manufacturers featuring graphics representing all of the common themes of the day. Suddenly everyone wanted to attach their brand to “cool” and generate a pile of cash.
All you needed was a plank of wood and four wheels and you were free. So, was the “sidewalk surfboard” a trendy object of desire or a true sporting good? Neither.
A true sporting great: From surf to skate!
The Book: Die-cut in the shape of a vintage skateboard.
If you’re in the area, check out our show in Hollywood on Friday from 6 – 9 PM.
