Go Skateboarding Day

Skateboarding originated in the 1940s. According to popular belief, Californian surfers enjoyed surfing so much that, when there were no waves in the ocean, they wanted to replicate the experience on land. This led to the creation of a board with wheels, allowing surfers to continue doing what they loved. Today, skateboarding is recognized worldwide as an action sport and is one of the main attractions at the X Games. Popular skateboard tricks include the ollie, pop shove-it, boardslide, boneless, no comply, kickflip, heelflip, impossible, and 360 flip. Tony Hawk is arguably the most famous skateboarder, known for being the first to land a “900.”

Celebrate this unique holiday by heading outside to skate! If you don’t know how to skate, give it a try and learn the basics. Attempt a simple trick, such as a manual or an ollie. Drop into a half-pipe at your community skatepark or try grinding a rail! Wish your friends or fellow skateboarders a “Happy Go Skateboarding Day!” If you’re experienced, challenge yourself with a new trick. If skateboarding isn’t your thing, try playing a skating video game like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD. However you celebrate, have fun, stay safe, and remember to wear protective gear—just like the professionals.

Interesting Facts

• In 1959, the Roller Derby Skateboard, the first commercially manufactured skateboard, went on the market with clay wheels.
• Norway banned the ownership, use, and sale of skateboards from 1978 to 1989.
• In the 1970s, Frank Nasworthy introduced polyurethane wheels to skateboards.
• Road Rider created the first precision-bearing skateboard wheels.
• The first outdoor skatepark was built in Florida in 1976.

Jokes

• What did the lion say when he saw a boy on a skateboard?
• Meals on wheels!

• What is the hardest thing about riding a skateboard?
• The road.

• How many skateboarders does it take to screw in a light bulb?
• Just one, but it takes twenty tries.

Quotes

• “I consider skateboarding an art form, a lifestyle, and a sport. ‘Action sport’ would be the least offensive categorization.” – Tony Hawk
• “When I was a kid, I always wanted to live in California because I liked skateboarding.” – Demetri Martin
• “All I wanted to do was ride skateboards—I wanted to be a professional skateboarder. But I had this problem. I kept breaking half of my body skateboarding.” – Travis Barker
• “For me, skateboarding is a lifestyle. I really don’t know anything different. My life revolves around skating. If I wasn’t a professional skateboarder, I’d still be skating every day.” – Ryan Sheckler
• “Life is a lot like skateboarding.” – Lil Wayne

Destinations

• Visit your local skatepark to show off your skills.
• Head to a skate shop and customize your own board.
• Take a trip to the West Coast and ride a longboard near the beach.
• Check out the Skateboarding Hall of Fame Museum in Simi Valley, California.
• Stay home and read more about Go Skateboarding Day.

When is Go Skateboarding Day in 2025?

Go Skateboarding Day is observed annually on June 21.

Observations