A skateboarder is someone who rides a skateboard, a narrow board mounted on four small wheels. Skateboarders push off the ground with one foot while balancing on the board, using their body weight to steer, turn, and perform tricks.

Skateboarding started in California in the 1950s when surfers wanted something to do when the waves were flat. They called it “sidewalk surfing.” What began as a simple way to cruise around neighborhoods evolved into an athletic pursuit requiring serious skill and creativity. Modern skateboarders practice for years to master tricks like ollies (jumping with the board), kickflips (making the board spin), and grinding (sliding along rails or ledges).

Some skateboarders focus on transportation, using their boards to get to school or around town. Others treat skateboarding as a sport or art form, spending hours at skateparks perfecting new tricks. Professional skateboarders compete in events and even at the Olympics.

Many skateboarders develop remarkable balance, persistence, and confidence, since learning new tricks means falling down repeatedly and getting back up to try again.