Skateboarding originated in the United States in the 1960s, with its precursor being the surfboard.

In the 1950s, the surfing culture in California was thriving.

However, surfing couldn't always be enjoyed due to inconsistent wave conditions, especially on days without suitable winds. A young individual, Larry Steven, ingeniously removed the handlebars from a scooter and used them as a land-based sliding surfboard.

In 1964, this early form of skateboarding was mass-produced for the first time, gaining popularity among numerous young people. It was gradually aligning with the adventurous tastes of the youth, and skateboarding rapidly spread worldwide, conquering obstacles and breaking free.

The standard double-kick skateboard is the most popular and common type, featuring a deck made of multiple layers of pressed maple wood for enhanced structure and strength. Banana boards, conversely, have decks made of engineered plastic, offering a more affordable option but with less stability due to their shorter and narrower design.

Other variations include longboards, street skateboards, fingerboards, cruiser skateboards, and electric skateboards. Electric skateboards have gained popularity in recent years, available in both remote-controlled and sensor-activated models. The decks often have grip tape for better traction and are designed for easy portability.

Recently, the Australian company Evolve introduced the Hadean series, the most advanced electric skateboard to date, capable of reaching speeds up to 50 km/h, equivalent to the typical speed of a small car on the road.

Skateboarding is often associated with a rebellious and uncontrollable image, leading many observers and outsiders to worry about being labeled as such. Consequently, skateboarding seems to struggle to become a mainstream sport.

In reality, skateboarding is not as distant from our lives as it may seem; for many people, elements of skateboarding culture have already been integrated into daily life. For instance, many hip-hop and punk music enthusiasts can find parallels in two distinct skateboarding styles.

Hip-hop skaters typically wear loose-fitting clothes, focusing on smooth movements and intricate tricks. In contrast, punk-style skaters often wear slim-cut pants, showcasing a more aggressive style with visible dirt from repeated falls, creating a weathered visual effect or a "punk" vibe. However, these polarized descriptions may be overly broad, as many skaters find a balance between the two in both clothing and style.

Moreover, many popular streetwear brands have roots in skateboarding. For instance, Supreme, initially a skateboarding apparel brand in the United States, gained widespread recognition when non-skaters wore red logo T-shirts. Collaborations with Nike, Vans, supermodels like Kate Moss, and designers like Takashi Murakami further propelled Supreme into high-end streetwear.

Another niche brand, Diamond, initially specialized in producing skateboard hardware, unexpectedly rose to fame with T-shirts featuring the company's diamond-shaped logo. This shift transformed the accessories-focused company into a producer of trendy streetwear. Now, seeing the "big diamond" on young people's chests in the streets of New York is no longer surprising.

Even the fashionable and ever-popular "skate shoes," commonly called "sneakers," play a role in daily life. Vans, a brand known for its skate shoes, is recognized by many, even those who don't skate.

Vans actively supports events that incorporate skateboarding elements, such as sponsoring World Skateboarding Day activities since 2009 and organizing House of Vans events featuring various street elements like skateboarding, tattoos, and pop music. The goal is to introduce more people to skateboarding and foster a love for skateboarding attire and gear, especially Vans products.

The manager of Vans' extreme sports division states, "Supporting the development of skateboarding in the long run is beneficial for the brand. The peripheral market will expand as more people engage in and enjoy this sport. By radiating outward from skateboarding culture, more people will come to appreciate skateboarding apparel and equipment."