Z-Boys

The Z-Boys were a group of skateboarders from Santa Monica in the 1970's who are credited with popularizing skateboarding and essentially creating the punk/skater subculture that now exists.

Related Topics:
Santa Monica - Skateboarding - Punk - Skater - Subculture

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The Z-Boys grew up in what was known as Dogtown, an extemely run-down low-class area in Santa Monica. They initially devoted all of their energy to surfing at the local pier. Eventually the Z-Boys turned to skateboarding, which was a dead sport at the time, and brought over techniques they had learnt from surfing, namely riding very low on the board and cutting hard turns.

Related Topics:
Dogtown - Surfing

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They first gained national attention in 1975 at the Bahne-Cadillac Skateboard Championship. Their unique style of riding became an instant hit, and drastically shifted the world of skateboarding from a flatland freestyle, which resembled gymnastics, to the fast and aggressive form that it is today.

Related Topics:
1975 - Gymnastics

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After the competition they started skating heavily in empty pools, which were plentiful due to the California drought that year. Here again they changed skateboarding when Tony Alva hit the first aerial maneuver, which quickly came to dominate the sport.

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Eventually their own popularity and the promise of more riches started to break them apart. By the end of 1976 they had all gone their own ways to separate teams. Soon after skateboarding started to wane and money started to dry up. The Z-Boys never reunited.

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The Z-Boys wouldn't stay down forever. Over time skateboarding regained its popularity, especially with new skaters like Tony Hawk gaining rock-star-like celebrity status, and in 1999 SPIN Magazine decided to do an article on the Z-Boys. This article led to a 2001 documentary called "Dogtown and Z-Boys," which in turn led to a dramatic "Lords of Dogtown" movie (2005).

Related Topics:
Tony Hawk - Celebrity - 1999 - SPIN Magazine - 2001 - Dogtown and Z-Boys - Lords of Dogtown - 2005

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The Z-Boys were: Jay Adams, Tony Alva, Bob Biniak, Chris Cahill, Paul Constantineau, "Baby" Paul Cullen, Marty Grimes, Shogo Kubo, Arthur Lake, Jim Muir, Peggy Oki, Stacy Peralta, Nathan Pratt, Wentzle Ruml IV, and Alan Sarlo.

Related Topics:
Jay Adams - Tony Alva - Bob Biniak - Chris Cahill - Paul Constantineau - Paul Cullen - Marty Grimes - Shogo Kubo - Arthur Lake - Jim Muir - Peggy Oki - Stacy Peralta - Nathan Pratt - Wentzle Ruml IV - Alan Sarlo

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