Skateboard Companies
Dwindle Distribution, the largest skateboard company founded by Rodney Mullen and Steve Rocco, is an iconic California-based brand. Other popular brands include Santa Cruz Skateboards, Element Skateboards, Girl Skateboards, Zero Skateboards, and Flip Skateboards. There are over 300 skateboard brands in the market, with the United States accounting for 50 percent of skateboarders. The market is expected to grow as skateboarding gains popularity among youth.
Largest Skateboard in the World
The largest skateboard ever built, measuring 36 feet, 7 inches long by 8 feet, 8 inches wide by 3 feet, 7.5 inches high, was designed by Rob Dyrdek and Joe Ciaglia in Los Angeles. Weighing over 3,600 pounds, this board is 12.5 times the size of a standard skateboard and features racing car tires and steel trucks. Transporting it requires a flatbed truck.
Skateboarding Destinations and Records
- Guangzhou, China opened a 16,900 square meter skatepark in 2006.
- A town in Victoria, Australia boasts one of the biggest megaramps in the world.
- Backyard mini-ramps, like the one built by Peter Wilson for his son Keefer, provide great practice spaces.
- Consider starting small with grind rails and boxes before building a full half pipe.
- The largest backyard ramp on record is 12 acres in San Diego, reaching 62 feet tall at its highest point.
Skateboarding Records
- Aldrin Garcia holds the record for the highest ollie at 45 inches.
- Leticia Bufoni holds the record for the most X-Game medals won by a female skater with 11.
- Legends like Tony Hawk continue to inspire new generations to take up skateboarding.