By the 1970s, skateboarding had outgrown the sidewalk. Riders were pushing the sport into new territory, carving harder turns, learning tricks, and building a culture that was entirely their own. These vintage photos capture that shift in real time.
The look of a 70s skater was unmistakable. Tube socks pulled up high, short shorts, and simple t-shirts were standard. Vans shoes became the go-to footwear, built tough enough to handle the pavement. Hair ran long, and it showed — flowing behind riders as they carved through turns.
Safety gear was rarely part of the picture early in the decade. Basic helmets started showing up more toward the late 1970s, but for most of these photos, riders were bareheaded and fully committed.
The boards themselves were changing fast. Decks got wider and were commonly made from wood, giving riders more stability underfoot. Most boards also featured a kicktail — an upward curve at the back end — that let skaters pop the front wheels up for tricks and tighter turns.
The biggest gear change of the era was the wheel. The noisy clay and metal wheels of the 1960s were gone, replaced by urethane wheels that were smoother, wider, and often brightly colored. They gripped the ground far better and allowed for real speed.
With better equipment came more ambition. Riders weren’t just cruising anymore. Empty pools, drainage ditches, and purpose-built ramps gave skaters vertical surfaces to ride, turning a street pastime into something far more dynamic.
