When the kids come home on their BMX’s and inline skates, and start blabbering about tricks and moves, the odds are good that no parent will really ever understand or mutter anything further than “Really? That’s nice dear” But in the interests of freaking-out the kids with a little knowledge (it’s so much fun!) here’s a crash course in BMX and inline skating!
BMX History
California, late sixties, where men were men, and kids wore their older sibling’s cast-offs without complaint. The engine-powered motocross champions of the decade inspired a generation of kids to get outside, customise their Schwinn Stingray bicycles and emulate the hell out all the tricks, jumps and crazy feats of speed they could. Originality and innovation ensued. BMX was born.
BMX Hero
Matt Hoffman – An innovating vert ramp rider. Aside from taking his BMX base jumping, creating about a billion tricks and playing a pivotal role in the inception of the XGames, he’s also the guy who benefits when the kids beg for a new Hoffman BMX.
Inline Skating History
But what about the other kid, the one in the inline skates? Ice skates were popular in the 17th Century. Consider the impact of sunny summer on ice skates and their practicality and there we have the birth of the inline skate. Fast forward to Minnesota, 1980, and an ice hockey team looking to train during the summer. There we have the birth of the modern inline skate. It’s not really as cool a history as BMX, but contemporary aggressive inline skating (the kids jumping off stuff in the park and grinding down handrails) has grown into a discipline all its own.
Aggressive Inline Skating Hero
Arlo Eisenburg – Often cited as one of the founders of contemporary inline skating culture. Has been instrumental in the cosmetic design habits of aggressive inline skating products, as well as being an absolutely awesome skater (winning the 1996 XGames street division)
Now go forth and freak out the kids with this newfound knowledge!