SKATEBOARDING HISTORY

The concept of skateboarding was invented in the 1950s when California surfers wanted to do
their surfing techniques on land. Surfers all over California began making their own "land
Surfboards" by adding skate wheels to boards. These surfers threw themselves down the
slopes and made their movements as they descended. But this idea was painful. These skates
had no mobility enough on the board and many surfers were injured while performing the new
sport.

One day, a young man named Alan Gelfand revolutionized Skateboarding. While he was going
forward he hit the tail of the skateboard against the ground, causing the front part to rise, then
he jumped with the board. This technique would later be called “Ollie.” This was what made
the difference between land surfing and skateboarding. A new sport had been born.

Now that the board could be lifted off the ground, a whole new world of movements was
going to be discovered. All over the United States, children made their own tables.
Skateboarding became a sport of discovery. An old businessman saw the market potential
behind skateboarding and invested in it; “now these guys could buy their boards and not have
to build them themselves”. The market exploded and became an industry.

TONY WAUK

Anthony Frank Hawk (San Diego, California, May 12, 1968), better known as Tony Hawk, is a
famous American skater. He is considered the best skater in the world on vert as well as one of
the most versatile and skilled

By 2004, Tony Hawk had already won 10 competitions and invented numerous tricks on the
skateboard. In 1985, he landed the first "720º" (720 degrees, or 2 full laps), and in 1999, he
became the first skater to complete a "900º" (900 degrees, 2.5 laps), which was considered a
"immortal" achievement in the world of skateboarding. He has also invented a variety of tricks
such as the Madonna, Benihana, Stalefish, among others.

WAS TONY HAUK IN THE OLIMPICS?

Hawk, 53, did not compete for gold at the Olympics but instead served as a commentator with
NBC to help bring viewers into the event. But while Hawk was in Tokyo to help NBC with their
broadcast, he spent much of his time off joyously dadding out.

Tony Hawk is synonymous with skateboarding, his name made the sport popular around the
world and even a video game carried his last name. But time passes and the legend of the
skateboard has turned 52 years old, so he is no longer physically able to perform the tricks
with which he knew how to amaze the world.