Rider? Trick? Trucks? Santa Cruz? Skate Obsession plunges readers into the exhilarating world of skateboarding.

Retrace the history of skateboarding and its iconic brands, meet the legendary riders, and learn all about the skater universe in this fully illustrated book. From fashion to film, music to art, and the Olympics to video games, here—at last!—is a complete guide to all aspects of skateboarding culture. Learn how the activity rose to the heights of cool, decipher the (previously unwritten) skater code of conduct, and discover the trends that have turned skate life into an obsession for the past seventy-five years.

Invented by surfers as a way to kill time between waves, skateboarding rose from its “anti-sport” roots in 1950s Californian youth subculture to its place today as a global cultural phenomenon. Perfect for novice riders, this book covers skateboard anatomy, a dictionary of key terms, and a guide to the tricks—the ollie, flip, grab, grind, manual, shove-it, slide, and wall ride—along with their infinite combinations and accompanied by step-by-step illustrations. Diehard skate obsessives can take a visual deep dive into all facets of the sport’s history through profiles of epic skate locations, headline skateboarders such as Tony Hawk and Nyjah Huston, and popular and cult brands that cater to skaters. Riding a balance between the rebellious spirit and mainstream appeal of skateboarding—which draws generations of young audiences worldwide—and cementing its status as a lifestyle choice that transcends even the sport itself, the ever-evolving world of skateboarding is obsessively fascinating.

About The Author

Charles Ravinski is an expert on fashion and alternative cultures. A passionate skateboarder since childhood, he has been a consultant for numerous brands and knows some of the biggest stars in skateboarding.