The podcast discusses the evolution of skateboard deck shapes, the role of the Ollie in street skating, and the groundbreaking release of the barnyard skate deck in 1989. It also explores the future of skateboard design, the relationship between skateboarding and city architecture, and the impact of skateboarding on urban planning.
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Quick takeaways
Skateboard design has evolved to meet the needs of skaters, adopting the popsicle shape with a narrow middle and rounded ends.
Skateboarding culture has influenced urban design, with skaters reinterpreting and repurposing city spaces.
Skaters persist in finding new spots and utilizing the city in unique ways, despite attempts to deter skateboarding.
Deep dives
The Impact of Design on Skateboarding
Skateboarders have a unique perspective of the city, constantly on the lookout for spots to skate, such as ledges or curb cuts. Design elements like bench shapes and rails influence the skateboarding experience. Skate stoppers are used to discourage skating on certain structures. Love Park in Philadelphia, a modernist design, became an iconic skateboarding spot until it was renovated and designed to deter skaters. Skateboarders continue to seek out spots in the streets, finding hidden gems and putting their own mark on the city.
The Evolution of Skateboard Design
Skateboard design has evolved over time to meet the needs and styles of skaters. In the 1980s, innovative shapes like the barnyard skateboard emerged, featuring double kicks and unique graphics. Modern skateboards have adopted the popsicle shape, which has become the standard design with a narrow middle and rounded ends. Design improvements have allowed skaters to perform tricks and maneuvers more effectively.
The Tension Between Skaters and Cities
Skaters often face resistance from cities and urban spaces, leading to conflicts and the installation of skate stoppers. Cities may implement design changes or renovations to prevent skateboarding, but skaters adapt and continue to find ways to use public spaces for their benefit. Some architects and designers are now recognizing the creativity and impact of skateboarding culture, incorporating elements in skate parks and understanding its influence on urban design.
The Connection Between Architecture and Skateboarding
Architectural designs, particularly modernist styles, have unintentionally provided ideal spaces for skateboarding, with features like ledges, steps, and open plazas. Skateboarders encounter and navigate through different elements of the built environment, transforming them into spots for tricks and lines. The skateboarding culture has influenced the evolution of city spaces and the ways in which people engage with their surroundings.
Skateboarding as a Form of Creative Adaptation
Skateboarding can be seen as a form of creative adaptation, with skaters reinterpreting and repurposing urban spaces for their own use. Despite attempts to deter skateboarding, skaters persist in finding new spots and utilizing the city in unique ways. The freedom and self-expression inherent in skateboarding allow for the exploration and reimagining of the built environment.
Watch a skate video today, and you'll notice how similarly shaped the boards are. It’s called the “popsicle” design, because the deck is narrow in the middle and rounded off at both ends, like a popsicle stick. This may seem stupid simple, but that basic, clean popsicle shape is actually the product of a lot of experimentation and iteration. In 1989, one particular board would cement skateboard design as we know it. But to understand it, we have to go back over a decade to the mid-70s, as more and more money poured into the growing sport.