Skateboard Factoid Archive

Skateboard Factoid: A sexy presentation of nominally fascinating facts & trivia about skateboarding and the sk8 industry.

Categories:

Equipment Factoids
Pro Skater Factoids
Video & Film Factoids
Skate Company Factoids
Skate Magazine Factoids
Skate Park Factoids
Statistical Factoids

Skateboard Equipment Factoids

Pads can get cumbersome, but if you are getting on in age, they may well extend your life as an active skater.
Skate within your abilities until you are confident in what you are attempting.
Don't keep tools in your pockets. When you slam, you'll regret it.
The durometer value of a skateboard wheel has the letter ‘A' after it. The larger the number, the harder the wheel.
On a standard board, your trucks should be matched to the width of the board. Don't let your wheels poke out.
Larger wheels, 62mm and above, are mainly used on longboards.
The term "Mongo" means you push with your front foot while keeping your back foot in place.
A surfer named Frank Nasworthy pioneered the first urethane skateboard wheels in 1971. He named his invention Cadillac Wheels.
Christian Hosoi's first deck was shaped by his father, Ivan, who was an avid surfer and surfboard shaper.
Christian Hosoi revolutionized skate decks with both his "Fish" and "Hammerhead" shapes.
In September 2004, pro skater Andy MacDonald launched a marketing campaign for The Flybar 1200 - a steroid-packed pogo stick.
Approximately 25,000 skateboard wheels are produced each day.
Five layers of material go into the manufacturing of grip tape.
A skateboard traveling at 30 MPH results in bearings cycling through an average 4,700 revolutions per minute.
Tim Piumarta was one of the first designers to put concave curves into boards in the early 1980's, and developed the first upturned nose.
In late 2005, a mint-condition 1986 Zorlac, Craig Johnson, Fire Demon deck sold for $1,100!
Mattel Toys has entered the sk8 market in 2007 with 2 Hot Wheels products: Skate Freaks Rock ‘N Skate Half Pipe Playset & Quick Trick Skate Park.
The terms "frontside" and "backside" come from surfing. Frontside is when your body faces the wave. When skating, the ramp or obstacle is "the wave".
Expedition made a series of boards called Interlock which featured threads that let you screw your trucks in from the bottom of the board.

Pro Skateboarder Factoids

Danny Way was Thrasher Magazine's Skater of the Year in 1991 and again in 2004. Now THAT's a career!
Jason Lee, a professional skater in the 80s, has appeared in several Kevin Smith films and restarted his former skateboard company, Stereo, in 2004.
Tony Hawk has his own talk radio show on Sirius Satellite radio.
Bam Margera's movie and television antics have grossed over $100 million.
After purchasing a Lamborghini, Bam Margera, dubbed it the "Bamborghini".
Like Tony Hawk, Bam Margera, was given a show on Sirius Satellite Radio in early 2005.
Pierre Andre is the only skater allowed practice time while still enlisted in the French Army.
Stacy Peralta played a pilot in the movie "Real Genius" staring Val Kilmer.
Stacy Peralta led the way for skateboard films and videos when he filmed the Bones Brigade Team.
Tony Alva was the first pro skater to own his own company while still competing professionally. Christian Hosoi was the second.
In his prime, Christian Hosoi rented a home formerly owned by movie star W.C. Fields.
Christian Hosoi invented many tricks including the "Christ Air" in which he simulated the effigy of Jesus while in mid-air. Oddly this signature move came long before he became religious.
Prison is an unlikely choice for those seeking a High School diploma, however this is the route Christian Hosoi took while serving time in a Hawaiian prison on drug charges.
Danny Way's DC Mega-Ramp ain't just for the boys. Lyn-z Adams-Hawkings launched the 60 foot gap on Dec. 4, 2004.
Jeff Phillips was the first pro skater to win a vert contest without doing a McTwist (after the trick was invented).
Danny Way was born in Portland, OR on April 15, 1974.
On August 29, 1975, Collin McKay was born in Richmond, British Columbia.
In 2005, Rune Glifberg was sponsored by Right Guard Deodorant... interesting.
Richard Mulder is the first skater to own a greeting card company. All cards feature sk8 pix and themes.
Vanessa Torres, sponsored by Element, is one of the few female pros to get national recognition.
Steve Caballero's first contest was September 19, 1978 at the Campbell skatepark in Campbell, CA.
A "dragon sitting on a bearing", drawn by Court Johnson, was Steve Caballero's first board graphic. Released in 1980, it lasted until 1985 making it his longest running design.
Elissa Steamer joined the Zero team in the Summer of 2006.
September 20, 2006 Lyn-z Adams-Hawkins' picture was on the front page of the New York Times regarding an article about pro athletes and schooling.
Braydon Szafranski spent 6 days answering calls from TWS Magazine readers after Baker put his phone number across the top of one of their ads.
Jamie Thomas was named Ernst & Young's entrepreneur of the year for San Diego in its consumer and business products and services category.
Eric Koston admits to being an avid golfer, often hitting the lynx twice a week when time permits.
1965 Woman's Skateboard Champion, Patti McGee, was pictured doing a handstand on the May 1965 cover of Life Magazine.
Pro skater, Jason Ellis premiered his new Spike TV show The Wild World of Spike in Jan. 2007.
Mike Vallely used to skate with Tom Groholski every week on Tom's backyard ramp.
On Sept. 27, 2006, PJ Ladd threw out the first pitch in Boston's Fenway Park to raise awareness for the Charles river Sk8 park.
Mike V. settled out of court with the jocks he beat up in the CKY3 video.
Iggy Pop was one of 5 bands playing at Bam Margera's Feb. 07 wedding which was caught on video for an Mtv reality show, Unholy Union.
In 2007, Tosh Townend created a 180-page comic book called, Skate Farm.
After leaving the band Flogging Molly, pro skater Matt Hensley opened a bar in his hometown of Carlsbad, CA named, The Flying Elephant.
Ed Templeton is mostly recognized as a pro skateboarder. But he is gaining recognition as an artist. Now he is becoming known in the art world through his award winning photo series: "Teenage Smokers".
Sandro Dias won the vert contest at the 2006 X-Games.
Brazilian, Felipe Gustavo took first place at the 13th annual Tampa AM contest on their newly designed course.
Playboy's 2001 Model of the Year Heather Christensen once appeared in Playboy skating naked. She also dated pro skater Anthony Furlong.
Pro skater Cara-Beth Burnside skated in Tom Petty's music video for "Free Falling".
Bob Burnquist lives with female pro skater Jen O'Brien who once appeared in High Times Magazine.
Alan Gelfand invented the Ollie in 1978 when he was only 14 years old.
Chad Muska was the first pro rider on C1rca when they started in 1999.
Matt Mumford's silhouette appears in the first Mystery ad.
Lizard King (aka- Mike Plumb) originates from a Jim Morrison poem.
Both Kenny Hoyle & Tony Magnusson are missing pieces of their fingers.
1031 owner Kristian Svitak also sells real estate and has a band called The Heartaches.
Boston skater Vanik Hacobian has a tattoo of Armenia on his shoulder.
Clyde Singleton has a scar on his chest from where his brother stabbed him as a kid.
Element rider, Brent Atchley once rode for Stereo.
Ryan Sheckler endorsed Proactiv zit creme to the tune of $3 million in 2008.
Artist Neck Face attended Pratt Institute for 2 years before dropping out.
Knox Godoy's father, Steve, skates and is a tattoo artist.
Prior to Habitat, Joe Castrucci ran a Cincinnati-based skate company called Solid Skates.
After turning pro for Alien Workshop, Rob Dyrdek only repped one other company - Seek.
Bob Burnquist has an Anti Hero "tramp stamp" tattooed on his lower back.
Fred Gall was 15 when he turned pro.

Skateboard Video & Film Factoids

Stacy Peralta's movie Lords of Dogtown opened in May 2005, staring Heath Ledger.
Actor Matthew Lillard (Hackers, Scooby Doo) was formerly Skatemaster Tate's co-host on "SK8 TV".
On May 16, 2005 DVS Shoe Company premiered their latest video, Skate More at the Arclight Cinema Dome in Hollywood, CA.
Chris Carmichael's 1975 sk8 film, Spinn‘in Wheels, was re-released on DVD in 2006.
The 1976 pilot episode of "Charlie's Angels" featured Farah Fawcett on a skateboard - although she had no clue.
Mark Gonzales' latest video release Gnar Gnar removes technology and re-introduces fun. This lo-fi gem was shot and released only on VHS.
Eric Muss-Barnes and female pro skater Holly Lyons, created an instructional sk8 DVD for beginners called, Learn To Ride A Skateboard. The DVD is FREE and they encourage you to copy it and give it to your friends.
The now defunct wheel company, Landspeed, released the first CKY video.
Eric Muss-Barnes started California Girls Skateboards in 2009.

Skateboard Company Factoids

The Anti Hero skateboard company was almost named Rebel Yell.
Tommy Guerrero is the co-founder of the Real Skateboard company.
In the Summer of 2005, the DVS Shoe company gave punk-rocker actress Juliette Lewis her own signature shoe. She is the ex-wife of pro skater Steve Berra.
Lakai Footwear was founded by pro skaters and Girl Skateboard's co-founders Mike Carroll and Rick Howard in 1999.
"Skateboarding Must Die" is a trading-card game that builds your stoke and lets you dominate your session.
Sk8kleen manufactures the only soap for skaters and it's molded from a real sk8 wheel. Lather up, cuz it's lame to reek!
Patti Segovia, founder of the All Girl Skate Jam, wrote a book in 2007 called, Skater Girl: A Girl's Guide to Skateboarding.
Powell Peralta's Bones Brigade Video, Public Domain is the only one in the series to feature 3 female skaters; Lori Rigsby, Anita & Sophie.
A woman named Uma Chowdhry invented tethatrane, a chemical used to make urethane in skateboard wheels.
2ReVert is making custom jewelry from recycled skateboard parts.
Gotcha's "Bubble Fish" logo, designed by Shawn Stussy, was the brand's first official logo. It was retired in favor of the "Fishman" logo, which quickly became a globally recognized icon.
In early 2009 DVS released a poker set in a metal case. Kind of an odd promo item although thoroughly DVS branded.

Skateboard Magazine Factoids

Big Brother Skate Mag was published by Larry Flint, the publisher of Hustler Magazine.
Both Micke Alba and Ted Nugent graced the cover of the April 1980 issue of Skateboarder Magazine.
Christian Hosoi was 11 when his first photo appeared in a skate board mag - the June 1980 issue of Skateboarder.
Wrench Pilot, drawn by Mel Bend (aka: Andy Jenkins) and published by Transworld Sk8 Mag from 1989 through 1991, introduced us to the every-man's skater, Lettus Bee.
The first-ever sequence of the Caballerial appeared in the Feb. 1981 issue of Action Now (formerly Skateboarder) and featured a motocross pic on the cover.
Chris Nieratko, former staffer for Big Brother Sk8 mag, has written a book called Skinema, available in select adult book stores.

Skate Park Factoids

The first outdoor skatepark was built for skateboarders in Florida in 1976.
In 2005, country music singer Brad Paisley donated money towards the new $200,000.00 Wheeling Skate Park in his home state of WV.
At age 10, Christian Hosoi rode the Marina Skatepark where his father was the manager.
Approximately 2100 skateboard parks have been built between January 2001 and January 2005.
The Cayman Islands isn't just for off-shore banking. In 2004 the world's largest skatepark, The Black Perl, opened with a sprawling 62,000 square feet of terrain.
Skatopia was started in 1996, in Meigs County, Ohio on 88 acres of land purchased for $45,000.
The legendary Carlsbad Skatepark was destroyed by bulldozers on May 12, 2005, despite efforts to save the park. Another piece of history - gone.
On June 11, 2005 Rob Dyrdek's dream of creating the first skate plaza in the U.S. became a reality as numerous pro skaters and thousands of fans descended on Kettering, OH to skate during it's grand opening. As Rob put it, "Not a skatepark, but a park to skate in".
Bob Burnquist's fascination with the Mega Ramp led him to build one for himself on his farm. He bypassed zoning laws by stating the ramp was an agricultural structure... he just happens to use the roof for skateboarding.
In 2007, Six Flags in San Antonio, TX opened "Tony Hawk's Big Spin - a skateboard themed roller coaster.
The Public Skatepark Development Guide, the most comprehensive handbook for skatepark advancement, is a 128-page book that every city in the US should have.
2008 saw Tech Deck selling 18" replicas of the Brooklyn Banks to go with their miniature skateboards.

Skateboard Statistical Factoids

A 15 year old from British Columbia landed 75 consecutive kick-flips without putting a foot down.
Tony Hawk's Trick Tips video stayed in the #1 spot on Billboard's Recreation Sports Video sales chart for 378 days!
In 1980, 175 professional skateboarders were at the Gold Cup Series.
7-11 convenience stores have been in business since in 1927. Go grab a Slurpee and celebrate!
138,672 fanatics attended the X-Games 12 (2006) in Los Angeles.
In 2006 footwear and T-shirts account for $5 billion in annual sales, according to Board-Trac, an industry marketing and research firm.
27 year-old Dave Cornthwaite traveled 3,728 miles across Australia on a skateboard - setting a new record and raising $100k for charity.
ESPN ranked skateboarding at #37 in terms of difficulty. Boxing was #1 and Fishing was last.
If you skate enough to burn off an extra 800 calories per day, you will lose 20 pounds in approximately 3 months.
The winning bid for "spending a day with Tony Hawk" went for $160,000. It included a private skate demo, visit to 900 Films and being a guest on Tony's Sirius Radio show.
June 21st has officially been proclaimed Go Skateboarding Day by the U.S. House of Representatives! Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D- CA,Orange County) recognized June 21st as the official holiday of skateboarding.
In 2007, skateboarding has shown a six year increase of 2.7% in comparison with mainstream sports such as baseball and basketball which have both shown a decrease in participation.
One-third of skateboard injuries are suffered by skaters who have been skating for less than one week according to the National Safety Council.

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I feel smarter already.

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