Skateboarding, from its innocent birth in the 1950’s, to its current incarnation as an Xtreme sport, has always remained, to a large degree, true to its original roots. Originally conceived as a way to “surf on the sidewalk”, early skateboarders were also diehard surfers, who had embraced surfing’s easy-going, non-competitive philosophy. Harkening back to this era, those who today engage in organized competition are also judged as much for their style and originality as they are for their competitiveness.

Early on, the predominant style of skateboarding at the time was known as “freestyle”. Freestyle was essentially surfing based, and at times set to music and some choreography. As skateboarders without a surfing background (gymnasts and dancers) joined the sport, tricks were developed and incorporated. Most skateboarding competitions were largely local events, and the winners would receive a trophy and possibly some cash award.

Freestyle has largely taken a backseat to the more popular “street skating” style, but there are organizations such as the International Network for Flatland Freestyle Skateboarding (INFFS), and World Freestyle Skateboard Association (WFSA) that represent freestylers worldwide. The WFSA promotes contests and encourages participation, also holding world championships annually.

Snowboarding also takes its roots from skateboarding and surfing, and has grown into its own worldwide sport. It has been included in the Winter Olympics since 1998.

Currently, “vert” and “street skating” are there the two dominant styles of skateboarding. Vert (short for vertical) is a form that incorporates a ramp, with a vertical face. Skateboarders perform tricks on the top edge of the ramp, or simply use the ramp as a launching point to perform airborne tricks, simply go as high as possible. Street skating, which incorporates some vertical elements also incorporates all surroundings. Anything that can be ridden on is fair game for a street skater.

Current competitions are geared for these two styles. Xgames has competitive events for men and women, in the vert and street categories. Winners receive awards and prize money.

The Maloof Maney Cup is billed as the “Worlds greatest skateboarding competition” with nearly $500,000 in prize money awarded.

The World Cup Skateboarding Association promotes over 25 competitions annually.

Non-competition based awards are given annually by Transworld Skateboarding (TWS) and Thrasher Magazine.

TWS presents awards to seven skaters for their excellence in the following categories:

Best Rookie
Best Street Skater
Best Transition Skater
Best Team
Best Video
Best Video Part
Readers Choice (magazine readers choice)
Legend award

Thrasher Magazine has bestowed a “Skater of the Year” award annually since 1990.

Skateboarding is very popular with teens worldwide and is slowly gaining some degree of legitimacy as a “real” sport. There has been discussion of adding skateboarding to the Olympics, but currently that is not planned. Some argue that the inclusion of skateboarding in the Olympics would somehow “mainstream” the sport, and cause it to move from being a sport of original expression to one of simple competition. No matter the current outcome, skateboarding is too popular to simply fade away. It is here to stay, is a worldwide sport and will eventually find its way to the Olympic podium. It is only a matter of time.