How Did The SLS Contest Came To Be?

If you're a fan of skateboarding, you've probably heard of Street League Skateboarding, or SLS for short. But do you know how this contest came to be? Here's a little background on it.

SLS was founded in 2010 by Rob Dyrdek, a former pro skater and entrepreneur who wanted to create a professional skateboarding league that would showcase the best street skaters in the world. He envisioned a series of events that would have standardized courses, formats, and judging criteria, and that would offer big prizes and exposure for the participants.

Dyrdek partnered with ESPN and other sponsors to launch the first SLS season in 2010, with four stops in the US and a final in Las Vegas. The inaugural season featured 24 of the top street skaters, including names like Nyjah Huston, Chris Cole, Ryan Sheckler, and Paul Rodriguez. The first SLS champion was Sean Malto, who won $200,000 and a custom Nixon watch.

Since then, SLS has grown to become the most prestigious and influential street skateboarding contest in the world. It has expanded to include international stops in countries like Brazil, Spain, Germany, and China. It has also introduced new features like the Super Crown World Championship, the Women's Division, and the SLS Pro Open. It has also become the official qualifier for the Olympic Games, starting with Tokyo 2020.

SLS has helped to elevate the level of street skateboarding and to showcase its creativity, diversity, and culture. It has also given opportunities to many skaters who might not have had them otherwise. It has inspired millions of fans and aspiring skaters around the world. And it all started with one man's vision to create something new and exciting for the skateboarding community.