The First Ever Skateboarding Competition

The first skateboarding competition was held on August 18, 1963, in Hermosa Beach, California. It was organized by the Makaha Skateboards Company, which was one of the leading skateboarding companies at that time. The competition was held on a closed course, which was set up in a parking lot near the beach.

The competition was a huge success, with more than 100 participants from all over the United States. The competitors were divided into three categories: Junior Men, Senior Men, and Women. The judging criteria included style, creativity, and technical ability, and the winners were awarded cash prizes and trophies.

The competition was significant in several ways. Firstly, it marked the first time that skateboarding was recognized as a serious sport. Until then, skateboarding was viewed as a fun activity that was mainly performed by teenagers. The competition brought together professional skateboarders and paved the way for the development of skateboarding as a sport.

Secondly, the competition helped to promote skateboarding and make it more accessible to the general public. Makaha Skateboards used the competition as a platform to showcase their products and to demonstrate the potential of skateboarding as a sport. This helped to raise awareness of skateboarding and encouraged more people to take it up.

Lastly, the competition paved the way for the establishment of skateboarding as a legitimate industry. Following the success of the first competition, more and more companies began to produce skateboards, accessories, and clothing, and the industry began to grow rapidly.