History of Skateboarding Speech
Title of Speech: The History of Skateboarding
Attention Getter
In the 1970s California skateboarders, with no skate parks to practice in, would drive through neighborhoods in search of empty swimming pools. While pools were easy enough to find, however, empty ones were not. Many skaters began to cart around hoses, pumps, brooms and other gear so that an unattended pool could be emptied in a hurry. Skateboarding pioneer Wes Humpston on the Biography Channel (Source 1) once recalled draining a 30,000 gallon pool in four hours. He and his friends then enjoyed the fruits of their labors until the police arrived and it was time to flee.
Bridge to Thesis Statement
From these drastic actions, the skateboarding community proved that the lifestyle of skateboarding wasn’t just a temporary fad. It was here to stay. Skateboarding was now a way of life for many people. It was a way to escape the norm and become more individual.
Thesis Statement
So without further delay, let’s start learning the history of skateboarding!
Statement of Scope
We will first go over the birth of the skateboard. Then we’ll see how skateboards have changed over the ages, and finally we will discuss present day skateboarding as a whole.
Transition to First Main Point
Now let me take you all back to the 1950’s when the first skateboards came into existence.
Subpoint 1
According to Kathy Fry’s article Skateboarding History on skatelog.com (Source 2), California is where it all started. During the 1950’s, surfing made its way up to the top sport. But some days many of the surfers fell victim to a waveless ocean. Noticing the hilly roads across the city, they got inspired. People started building skateboards to recreate the feeling of riding a wave. It became a savior to the surfing culture, allowing them to surf the sidewalks.
The first skateboards started off as boxes and 2x4’s attached to roller skate wheels. It was basically a scooter. Eventually the box was taken
Attention Getter
In the 1970s California skateboarders, with no skate parks to practice in, would drive through neighborhoods in search of empty swimming pools. While pools were easy enough to find, however, empty ones were not. Many skaters began to cart around hoses, pumps, brooms and other gear so that an unattended pool could be emptied in a hurry. Skateboarding pioneer Wes Humpston on the Biography Channel (Source 1) once recalled draining a 30,000 gallon pool in four hours. He and his friends then enjoyed the fruits of their labors until the police arrived and it was time to flee.
Bridge to Thesis Statement
From these drastic actions, the skateboarding community proved that the lifestyle of skateboarding wasn’t just a temporary fad. It was here to stay. Skateboarding was now a way of life for many people. It was a way to escape the norm and become more individual.
Thesis Statement
So without further delay, let’s start learning the history of skateboarding!
Statement of Scope
We will first go over the birth of the skateboard. Then we’ll see how skateboards have changed over the ages, and finally we will discuss present day skateboarding as a whole.
Transition to First Main Point
Now let me take you all back to the 1950’s when the first skateboards came into existence.
Subpoint 1
According to Kathy Fry’s article Skateboarding History on skatelog.com (Source 2), California is where it all started. During the 1950’s, surfing made its way up to the top sport. But some days many of the surfers fell victim to a waveless ocean. Noticing the hilly roads across the city, they got inspired. People started building skateboards to recreate the feeling of riding a wave. It became a savior to the surfing culture, allowing them to surf the sidewalks.
The first skateboards started off as boxes and 2x4’s attached to roller skate wheels. It was basically a scooter. Eventually the box was taken