October 1965 cover |
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| Categories | Skateboarding |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Year founded | 1964 |
| Language | English |
| Website | skateboardermag.com |
Skateboarder Magazine was first published in 1964 as a quarterly during the first skateboarding boom by Surfer Publications out of Dana Point, California. After an initial release of only four issues in 1964–65, it ceased publication until the first big skateboard revival of the early 1970s. The magazine started life as The Quarterly Skateboarder, but the title was abbreviated to just Skateboarder from Volume 1 Number 3 on. In his first editorial, John Severson wrote: "Today's skateboarders are founders in this sport – they're pioneers – they are the first. There is no history in Skateboarding – its being made now – by you. The sport is being molded and we believe that doing the right thing now will lead to a bright future for the sport. Already, there are storm clouds on the horizon with opponents of the sport talking about ban and restriction."
Unfortunately, those storm clouds gathered, and due to poor quality equipment in the form of steel and clay wheels, which led to numerous accidents, many American cities banned skateboarding. By Christmas 1965, skateboarding had largely disappeared, and along with it, The Quarterly Skateboarder. Skateboarder resumed publication as a bi-monthly in 1975 with Gregg Weaver featured on the first cover. It became a monthly publication in late 1977. It was credited at the time as "The Bible" for skateboarders the world over. In large part, its success over the other skateboard publications that were soon to follow in the 1970s boom was due to its exceptional photography and editorial content. Warren Bolster (1944–2006) was the editor of the magazine during its second incarnation. Bolster has been credited as the key driver of the magazine attaining its "biblical" status. Bolster also tapped a friend of his, artist / designer Jim Evans to be the illustrator for the relaunch of the magazine.
Skateboard magazines have become a staple of the industry ever since the sports humble beginnings. This was a way, especially early on, to show the lifestyle side of the skate life. Unlike most sports that are all about glitz and glamour, people really got to see that the life a skateboarder may have not been all that appealing, but also shined through that many a pro were doing it for the love and passion skateboarding gave them. These feeling can be seen through the often underrated photography found in the industry. Skateboarding itself is considered by many to be an art form all its own, but there is something about the still image that always help emphasis the degree of difficulty of a trick, or displaying the many characters found in the industry up to devilish antics behind the scenes. Also getting on the cover of one of the industry's leading magazines to a skater is a success cherished by those who receive the honor.
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