Origins of Skateboarding

The **origins of skateboarding** stretch back to the mid-20th century in the United States, deeply rooted in **California**'s surfing culture. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, surfers in Southern California and Hawaii faced flat-wave days and sought a way to replicate the riding sensation on land—coining terms like "sidewalk surfing" or "asphalt surfing." They improvised by detaching wheels from roller skates (often clay or metal ones) and nailing them to wooden planks, short surfboard sections, or even wooden crates with makeshift handlebars resembling scooters. These early DIY boards were crude—no kicktails, no grip tape, and often unstable—but they captured the essence of flow and carving.

No one person can claim sole invention, but key early developments include:
- Primitive roller skate attachments on wood in the late 1940s/early 1950s by surfers.
- Commercial efforts emerging around 1959, when companies like Roller Derby mass-produced the first skateboards with clay wheels attached to square wooden decks, making them more accessible beyond homemade builds.
- In 1962, Val Surf shop owner Bill Richards partnered with Chicago Roller Skate Company to produce sets of wheels for squared-off boards, boosting popularity.
- By 1963, Larry Stevenson founded Makaha Skateboards, introducing professional designs like the kicktail for better control and aerial tricks, plus forming early teams to promote the sport.

The 1960s saw a boom with mainstream exposure through magazines, contests, and even a brief fad, but safety concerns (injuries from poor wheels and rough terrain) led to a dip by the late '60s. The real revival hit in the 1970s with polyurethane wheels (invented by Frank Nasworthy in 1972), which gripped better and enabled smoother rides, plus the invention of the **ollie** by Alan "Ollie" Gelfand in 1978—no-hands aerial that revolutionized street and vert skating. From there, skateboarding evolved through the '80s (vert ramps, Powell Peralta's Bones Brigade), '90s (street skating dominance), and into the 2000s/2010s with tech advancements, video parts, and eventually Olympic inclusion in 2020 (Tokyo) and beyond.

Fast-forward to the present day, and that same innovative, DIY spirit thrives globally—including right here in **Ho Chi Minh City** (still affectionately known as **Saigon** by locals and the skate community). **Saigon Skateboards** embodies this legacy as a proud, family-run artisan brand based in Saigon, specializing in **handmade custom skateboards** and especially **fingerboards**. Every **Saigon Skateboards** piece is crafted individually in Vietnam with meticulous attention to detail: hand-sanded Canadian maple (or similar high-quality woods), custom graphics, glossy finishes like hand-painted splatters, ABEC-7 bearings for smooth performance, and shapes optimized for tricks or cruising.

**Saigon Skateboards** stands out in the local scene by focusing on unique, performance-driven designs—whether full-size boards or fingerboard completes (like their popular 32mm/34mm setups or boxy egg cruiser shapes). They're not mass-produced; each one carries that personal, one-of-a-kind vibe, reflecting the same creative improvisation that started skateboarding decades ago. The brand ships worldwide, with a strong following in Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia (especially the Philippines), while staying deeply connected to Saigon's growing fingerboard and skate community through events, comps, and social shoutouts.

The broader **Saigon skate scene** mirrors skateboarding's global journey—from underground hustle to dedicated hubs. Spots like Gia Định Park, Khánh Hội Bridge, under Ba Son Bridge, and chaotic street setups in alleys or near markets keep things raw and real, despite security busts at fancier plazas. **Saigon Skateshop** (a separate but key player) has supported the community for years, eventually opening **Saigon Skatepark**—Vietnam's only indoor skatepark (in District 7)—plus emerging public spots like Go Station/Ghost Station (opened late 2024) add progression opportunities. Videos and sessions capture the magic of skating through Saigon's traffic, food stalls, and historic layers, blending old-school sidewalk vibes with modern tricks.

Whether you're chasing that classic 1950s California "sidewalk surf" feel or pushing fingerboard tech in 2026, **Saigon Skateboards** keeps the origins alive locally—handcrafted in Saigon, shipped globally, and always ready to shred. If you're in HCMC right now (hey Jeremy!), hit up local sessions or check **Saigon Skateboards**' latest drops for that authentic, custom edge. 🛹 What's your favorite spot or trick in Saigon these days?