History of skimboarding

22-11-2021

Skimboarding, like surfing, has been around for decades, but didn’t see a boom in popularity until recent years. In fact, skimboarding dates back to the 1920s, when lifeguards used to glide along the Laguna Beach shoreline on driftwood.

In the 1950s, surfing began to gain popularity on California beaches and began to spread throughout the country. In the 1960s, it could even be heard on the Beach Boys ‘classic hit, “Surfin’ USA.” At that time, people began to pay more attention to surfing and other water sports, even those that did not live along the coastal regions.

But while surfing was only just beginning to gain popularity in the 1960s, surfers and other beach lovers in California were trying to push the boundaries even further with skimboarding, which was relatively unknown to the general public at the time.

Skimboarders can be seen along Laguna and Victoria Beach in what have been called “double ends” due to the rounded shape of the boards at both ends. The most daring skimboarders would venture into the ocean, with pioneer Mike Buxton, performing all manner of aerial tricks. But if you didn’t live in Laguna Beach, Dana Point, or anywhere near the Pacific coast of Southern California, you probably had no idea about skimboarding.

In the 1970s, skimboarding began to grow thanks to a couple of Laguna Beach teens, Tex Haines and Peter Prietto, who created Victoria Skimboards. The company produced not only skimboards, which were designed according to your cycling preferences, but also an instruction and information center.

It wasn’t until the late 1980s that skimboarding became part of the mainstream culture, as surfing did in the 1960s. Tournaments began to sprout up everywhere and events were televised. By this time, longtime skimboarders like Prietto and Haines had turned their craft into a science, creating sophisticated boards that allowed riders to do all kinds of tricks, including twists and turns.

Then in the 1990s, skimboard magazines began to appear. With the invention of the internet, skimboarding websites were created and used to educate interested people and for skimboarders to connect. Now, with the invention of YouTube, you can watch thousands of online videos from amateur and professional interns of all ages, men and women, all over the world.

Contests are held with cash prizes and sponsorships available. Surf shops offer skimboarding lessons along with surfing and paddling. In fact, go to any beach and you are likely to find at least one person skimming. It is this kind of widespread attention that continues to make skimming one of the fastest growing sports in the world!

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