One of the best parts about skater culture is the love and respect we all have for the skaters who came before us. They paved the way for us to enjoy the sport we love. From the California surfers who created the sport to the Olympics, skateboarding has had a long line of iconic and influential skaters.
We put together a list of five men and women who have all contributed to the sport over the past 60 years in different ways at different times. Check them out. You might find a new hero and a new appreciation for the history of the sport that we all love.
(Jonathan Cooper/pexels)
1. Rodney Mullens
Known as the “Godfather of street skating,” Rodney Mullens started his skateboarding career as a successful freestyle skater. In the early 1980s, he was one of the best skaters in the discipline. His early career success, though, was simply an indicator of the success he would have later in his career and the massive impact he had on the sport.
In the late 1980s, Mullens transitioned from a hugely successful freestyle skater to street skateboarding. As a creative skater willing to try new things and overcome failures, Mullens invented some of the most well-known tricks, most of which now form the foundation of modern street skating. The kickflip and the flat ground ollie, tricks that are essential for beginners in the sport, especially street skaters, are both credited to him.
While we know these tricks to be simple basics that are the building blocks to more complex skills, they were groundbreaking when Mullens invented them. He showed that a bit of creativity and hard work are necessary to push the limits of what is possible on a board. His inventive attitude led him to pioneer street skating and a company. Mullens co-founded World Industries, one of the most well-established skate brands of the 90s, and patented multiple skating-related inventions.
2. Mark Gonzales
Known in the skating community as “The Gonz,” Mark Gonzales is respected alongside Rodney Mullens as one of the founders of street skating. Born in South Gate, California, a region with a large skater community, Gonzales quickly became an innovator in the sport, to such an extent that a new discipline can be partially credited to him.
While Mullens invented many tricks that define street skating, The Gonz is credited for the street aspect of the discipline. He was one of the first skaters to incorporate urban architecture into the sport, using handrails, stairs, and other features when skating.
His creativity and innovative personality gave Gonzales the freedom to pursue new and exciting areas of skateboarding, and we are all thankful for that. It took bravery to attack stairs and rails for the first time, and he didn’t have anyone to help coach him through it.
Like many other famous skaters of the 80s and 90s, Gonzales founded his own brands, including board company Blind Skateboards and apparel brand Krooked Skateboards. These brands, particularly his clothing company, helped solidify classic skater style. Today, you can still find the oversized skater clothes that define the sport in new and upcoming brands that share the creative and entrepreneurial spirit that Gonzales had.
3. Stacy Peralta
Maybe one of the most impactful individuals in the sport of skateboarding, filmmaker Stacy Peralta, helped put skaters on the map. Born in Venice, California, in the late 50s, Peralta was a member of the Zephyr skateboard team, or as they are better known, he was one of the legendary Z-Boys. The team of surfers that turned to skateboarding in the 70s became one of the most revolutionary groups of skaters ever. They took on empty swimming pools and brought the sport to the streets, and Peralta was a crucial part of that.
Some of Peralta’s greatest achievements happened after he retired from professional skating. In the late 1970s, he helped found Powell-Peralta, a company that would become a leader in the skateboard industry. He also established the Bones Brigade, a skate team that took on young, innovative skaters, including Rodney Mullen and Tony Hawk. The team became the designated innovators of the sport and paved the way for younger generations.
The Bones Brigade also inspired one of Peralta’s greatest works. As a filmmaker, he released “Bones Brigade: An Autobiography,” which highlighted members of the team and brought skateboarding to the masses. He also released a film based on his own experiences in skating. “Dogtown and Z-Boys” became an ode to skater history and Peralta’s own journey in the sport.
Peralta’s creativity, both on the board and on camera, brought life to the sport and showed the rest of the world the creativity, athleticism, and community that skateboarding has to offer. He is credited as a founder, pioneer, and influencer in the sport, and his impact can’t go unnoticed.
4. Leticia Bufoni
A new-age skater from Brazil, Leticia Bufoni is currently one of the best female skateboard talents in the world. She is a trailblazer for female skaters and skateboarding in South America. While her impact on the sport is ongoing, she has already accomplished a great deal and become a role model for young skaters.
Bufoni has earned multiple X Games gold medals and countless other competition victories. She has signed deals with major brands such as Nike, Beats by Dre, and GoPro, showcasing the success of female skaters to the world. Her baggy skater girl outfits, wicked technical skills, and flashy style make her one of the top influencers among younger skate generations.
5. Tony Hawk
Perhaps the most well-known and influential skater of all time, Tony Hawk’s impact on the sport can’t be understated. Skaters and non-skaters see “The Birdman” as one of the most decorated and successful athletes of the past 50 years. He won an astonishing 12 X Games gold medals in a row, alongside many other achievements in professional competitions.
Tony Hawk is who made skateboarding relaxed. With the most legendary skateboarding video game of all time, an iconic skate brand, Birdhouse, and a major charity to his name, Hawk can be credited with a great deal of growth in the sport.
Keep skating. Who knows, your name may be on the list soon.