Tag: Skateboard History

  • Magazine Covers

    Magazine Covers

    When a skateboarder (and their photographer) discovers that a photo of them was chosen to grace the cover of a skateboarding magazine, it is a big deal worthy of a party and social media celebrations. Over the decades, this level of promotion has often eluded female and non-binary skaters which has meant that any cover…

  • Lori Rarey

    Lori Rarey

    Lori Rarey (Hayden) is Wonder Woman. In the November 1978 issue of the National Skateboard Review on page 12, it was stated that “Lori Rarey did a chase scene for Warner Brothers Studios as the stunt double for Lynda Carter of Wonder Woman while Ellen O’Neal was the stunt double for the guest star, Cynthia…

  • Linda Finley

    Linda Finley

    In 1964, C&D Skateshop in southern California organized a team of youth who were avid surfers to provide demonstrations as part of the “Skate Board Division” of the Surf Team. There’s a vintage group photo with everyone on the team barefoot, including one Linda Finley in the middle, possibly at a contest since there’s trophies…

  • Lauren Perkins

    Lauren Perkins

    Lauren Perkins (Marvle) was a pro street skateboarder from Huntington Beach, who made an impact during the early 2000s. She locked in a variety of sponsors including Etnies, World Industries, Oakley, Nixon, Vans, Volcom, Darkstar, Tensor, Stussy, Skull Candy, Kickers, Joker Skate Rails, and Jack’s Garage over the years. At age five, Lauren “was already…

  • Skate and celebrate

    Skate and celebrate

    Happy Go Skateboarding Day and Indigenous People’s Day! Fun fact… Trevor Adolph of the Xaxli’p First Nation won the Canadian Nationals in the 12 and under amateur boys in both 1980 and 1981. He was celebrated in the September 1980 issue of Indian World where it was written that the contest was held in Burnaby…

  • Stacey Roper

    Stacey Roper

    Stacey Roper (aka “Stace the Ace”) is a legendary pin-striper from Aotearoa (New Zealand), best known for her highly detailed work and official Rat Fink artist status. And yet, I had first heard about Stace because of the website, Frontside Betty which was hosted by a fellow Canadian, Denise Williams in the late 1990s /…

  • Gale Webb

    Gale Webb

    Over the years, Gale Webb has been dubbed “Mrs. Skateboard,” “The Skateboarding Mom,” “Rad Mom,” “Motocross Mom,” “Mrs. Moto,” and “America’s Sports Mom,” all of which she embraced. In Gale’s Skateboarding Hall of Fame bio, it’s explained that she was born in Brooklyn, NY and at age 12 she had dismantled her old roller skates,…

  • Arisa Trew 900

    Arisa Trew 900

    As you may be aware, Arisa Trew from Australia, at age 14 became the first female skater to perform a 900 in vert last week! Moments after her feat was accomplished, I received an invitation from WithIt Girl, which is a long-standing skateboard-oriented website since the early 2000s. They had received Arisa’s photos and video…

  • Skateboarding Hall of Fame 2024

    Skateboarding Hall of Fame 2024

    Last night, the Skateboarding Hall of Fame at the Vans Headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA recognized their 2023 and 2024 inductees, and there was a fantastic line-up of women receiving recognition. I was literally there “in spirit” because about two months ago I received a phone call from none other than Laura Thornhill-Caswell, encouraging me…

  • Jean Rusen

    Jean Rusen

    Jean Rusen Keyser (aka Calamity Jean) is someone who has successfully challenged the myth that skateboarding is purely a youthful pursuit, best taken up as a pre-teen before you have a chance to be deterred by pain and distracted by adult responsibilities. Jean is a skater, surfer, musician, and mother of two girls, Jada and…