Skateboarding originated in the United States, more precisely in California, in the 1940s. Initially, it was created as an alternative for surfers to practice maneuvers on days without waves. The first skaters used wooden boards and wheels from dismantled skates. Today, in addition to being recognized as a sport, it is also present at the Olympics! Ready to meet the biggest names in skateboarding today? Read on!
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Read on to find out who the biggest names in skateboarding today!
Biggest names in Skateboarding today: historical context
Incredible tricks, talented youngsters and a unique lifestyle define skateboarding, which became an Olympic sport in Tokyo 2020.
However, its roots go back to the 1920s in the United States, when teenagers began attaching axles and wheels to wooden boards as a form of entertainment.
There are theories that skateboarding evolved from roller scooters, a type of scooter manufactured since 1900.
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Recent discoveries indicate that in 1918, a young American named Doc “Heath” Ball had already attached skate axles and wheels to wood, using one knee to support himself and the other foot to propel himself.
At the end of the 1950s, Californian surfers, faced with days without waves, tried to replicate their aquatic maneuvers on dry land using wooden boards with wheels and axles.
Skateboarding arrived in Brazil in the 1960s, initially in Rio de Janeiro, brought by children of Americans and Brazilians who traveled to the United States, especially pioneering surfers in the country.
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Skateboards have evolved to include a wooden deck (known in Brazil as a “shape”), aluminum axles and wheels designed for different types of terrain.
Skateboarding involves a balance between pushing off with your feet, balance and technique to perform maneuvers.
Before its inclusion in the Olympic Games, Brazil was already producing skateboarding legends such as Bob Burnquist, Sandro Dias (Mineirinho) and Letícia Bufoni.
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These athletes have left an indelible mark on the history of the sport, inspiring new generations of skateboarders.
Highlights
- Origins: 1920s in the USA, evolving from rollers scooters and the inventions of young people like Doc “Heath” Ball.
- Evolution: from improvised fun to a sport with specialized equipment.
- Arrival in Brazil: 1960s, brought by surfers and travelers.
- Equipment: shape, aluminum axles and specific wheels for different terrains.
- Maneuvers: require a combination of momentum, balance and technique.
- Brazilian pioneers: Bob Burnquist, Sandro Dias, Letícia Bufoni.
With a vibrant and growing scene, skateboarding continues to capture the imagination of people around the world, uniting sportiness and urban culture.
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Biggest names in Skateboarding today: rules and disciplines
Skateboarding is divided into several disciplines, each with its own rules and unique characteristics. Here are the detailed rules for the main disciplines:
Street
- Obstacles: includes stairs, handrails, curbs, benches, walls and ramps.
- Competition format: Generally held in jam session format or individual runs.
- Judging criteria: the judges assess the difficulty, execution, style and creativity of the maneuvers. The line followed by the skater is also taken into account.
- Duration: individual runs usually last between 45 seconds and 1 minute. In jam sessions, a group of skaters ride for a set time, usually between 10 and 20 minutes.
Park
- Structure: it takes place on tracks with transitions (curved ramps) such as bowls, pools and half-pipes.
- Competition format: similar to street, with individual runs or jam sessions.
- Judging criteria: evaluation based on fluidity, height, variety, difficulty and execution of the maneuvers.
- Duration: individual runs of approximately 45 seconds to 1 minute.
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Vert
- Structure: vertical ramps, such as half-pipes, at least 3.65 meters high.
- Competition format: usually individual runs.
- Judging criteria: aerial height, complexity of maneuvers, fluidity and consistency.
- Duration: each run lasts between 30 seconds and 1 minute.
Downhill
- Route: down hills or roads at high speed.
- Competition format: can be against the clock (time trial) or head-to-head (knockout heats).
- Judging criteria: mainly the fastest time. In heats, whoever crosses the finish line first advances.
- Safety equipment: helmet, gloves, knee pads and elbow pads are compulsory.
Freestyle
- Area: can be done on any flat surface.
- Competition format: the skaters perform their tricks in a choreographed routine.
- Judging criteria: evaluation of creativity, difficulty of the maneuvers, fluidity and style.
- Duration: each routine lasts between 1 and 2 minutes.
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Big Air
- Structure: giant lid where skaters gain speed to perform maneuvers in a big jump.
- Competition format: individual runs where each skater has a specific number of attempts.
- Judging criteria: evaluation based on the height, complexity and execution of the maneuvers, as well as the landing.
- Duration: each attempt lasts just a few seconds, but skaters have several attempts.
Slalom
- Course: fast descents with obstacles (cones) that need to be circumvented.
- Competition format: against the clock (time trial).
- Judging criteria: fastest time and penalties for touching or knocking over cones.
- Safety equipment: helmet, gloves and protectors are recommended.
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Biggest names in Skateboarding today (Male – World)
Nyjah Huston (USA)
Multiple street champion and one of the most popular skateboarders in the world.
Yuto Horigome (Japan)
Olympic gold medalist at Tokyo 2020.
Pedro Barros (Brazil)
One of the biggest names in the park.
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Biggest names in Skateboarding today (Female – World)
Rayssa Leal (Brazil)
Tokyo 2020 silver medalist, known as the “Skateboarding Fairy”.
Leticia Bufoni (Brazil)
Influential figure in women’s skateboarding and multiple champion.
Sky Brown (United Kingdom)
Young prodigy, Olympic medalist at Tokyo 2020.
Momiji Nishiya (Japan)
Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist in street.
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Biggest names in Skateboarding today (Male – Brazil)
Pedro Barros
Park specialist and multiple medalist.
Kelvin Hoefler
Tokyo 2020 silver medalist in street.
Viggest names in Skateboarding today (Female – Brazil)
Leticia Bufoni
Multiple champion and influential figure in skateboarding.
Rayssa Leal
Tokyo 2020 silver medalist, known as the “Skateboarding Fairy”.
Which countries have the best chance of medaling at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games?
- Japan: with skaters like Yuto Horigome and Momiji Nishiya, Japan is a skateboarding powerhouse.
- USA: Nyjah Huston and other stars make the USA one of the favorites.
- Brazil: with names like Pedro Barros, Leticia Bufoni and Rayssa Leal, Brazil has a great chance of medals.
What did you think of getting to know the biggest names in skateboarding today? Find out more about the big names in other Olympic sports!
