It is a huge
sport now that
is known around
the world and is
a multimillion
dollar industry.
Every year a new
wave of teens,
pre-teens and
maybe in some
post-teens (is
there such a
thing? Yes, they
are called
adults) decide
that they want
to be part of
the phenomenon.
There is even
talk about it
being added as
an event in the
2012 Olympics.
Yes, the
skateboard has
come a long way
from its humble
beginnings and
for many they do
not know what
those beginnings
are. Well now
they can find
out as the
California
Heritage Museum
presents
Skateboard:
Evolution and
Art in
California.
Is it true that
the first
skateboard
really
originated from
a soap box derby
cart and a
broken pair of
roller skates or
is that just
some story that
circulated from
watching "Back
to the Future?"
Or did "sidewalk
surfing" really
come about from
surfers who
missed riding
the waves in the
wintertime? The
evolution of the
board is
certainly
explored from
its first board
on skates
version to the
latest state of
the art
polyurethane
aerodynamically
designed superboard.
Learn all about
the deck,
trucks,
bearings, the
lapper, ribs,
wedges, copers
and guards plus
the advantages
of the
longboards and
the
disadvantages of
not taking
proper
precautions. As
the technology
of the board
design becomes
more
sophisticated,
the more
complicated the
stunts performed
and the more
danger the
boarder can put
himself in. All
areas are
explored as well
as a galleria of
over 275 rare
and one of kind
boards donated
by some of the
top names in
this field.
So if
skateboarding is
an interest, a
hobby or a
passion come
find out a
little more
about this sport
that sure to be
giving out the
gold one of
these days. Art
is in the eye of
the beholder
they say and
there is
certainly beauty
to be found in
some of the
amazing boards
on display and
in the various
photo arrays
that capture
some
awe-inspiring
stunts. It's
California dude.
Catch a cement
wave and see
where it takes
you.
- Brent B.
What:
Skateboard;
Evolution and
Art in
California Where:
California
Heritage Museum,
2612 Main
Street, Santa
Monica When:
Now through May
30 Tickets:
$8.00,
seniors/students
$5.00, children
under 12 free Info:
310.392.8537,
http://web.mac.com/calmuseum/Site/Home.html
