Skateboarding Youth Culture in Southern California (1970s–1990s)

1. Zephyr surf-and-skate shop opens in Santa Monica

   Jan 1, 1971Labels: Jeff Ho, Zephyr Productions, Dogtown

   • Zephyr shop
   • Jeff Ho bio

2. Urethane wheels help restart modern skateboarding

   Jan 1, 1973Labels: Urethane wheels, Frank Nasworthy

   • Smithsonian wheel

3. Zephyr Competition Team forms in “Dogtown”

   Jan 1, 1975Labels: Zephyr Team, Z-Boys, Tony Alva

   • Z Boys
   • Jeff Ho bio

4. California drought accelerates backyard pool skating

   Jan 1, 1976Labels: Backyard pools, California drought

   • Z Boys

5. Vans Era shoe co-designed for skateboarders

   Jan 1, 1976Labels: Vans Era, Tony Alva

   • Smithsonian Vans
   • Time Vans

6. Zephyr shop closes as the first era ends

   Dec 1, 1976Labels: Jeff Ho, Zephyr Productions

   • Zephyr shop
   • Z Boys

7. Powell Peralta founded, building an organized team era

   Jan 1, 1978Labels: Powell Peralta, George Powell, Stacy Peralta

   • Powell Peralta

8. The ollie emerges and reshapes what boards can do

   Jan 1, 1978Labels: Alan Gelfand, Ollie

   • Ollie trick

9. Thrasher magazine launches and amplifies skate style

   Jan 1, 1981Labels: Thrasher Magazine

   • Thrasher Smithsonian
   • Thrasher history

10. “Fast Times” puts SoCal skate look onscreen

    Aug 13, 1982Labels: Fast Times, Vans checkerboard

    • Time Vans
    • Highsnobiety

11. Bones Brigade Video Show boosts skate video culture

    Jan 1, 1984Labels: Bones Brigade, Powell Peralta

    • BBVS

12. Natas Kaupas cover signals the rise of street skating

    Sep 1, 1984Labels: Natas Kaupas, Thrasher cover

    • Natas Kaupas
    • Thrasher history

13. “The Search for Animal Chin” expands skate mythmaking

    Jan 1, 1987Labels: The Search

    • Animal Chin
    • GQ oral history

14. X Games launch brings skateboarding into mass media

    Jun 24, 1995Labels: X Games, Extreme Games

    • X Games kit
    • X Games