Towards the end of the 1990's, skateboarding's focus remains on streetstyle and the industry is filled with numerous manufacturers and marketers. In many cases, pro skaters develop thier own companies. Longboarding, a once forgotton art (featuring large boards), began to make a comeback and downhill skateboarding enters a hole new dimension thanks to street luge. In California skateboard parks have started to be built once again thanks to a change in legislation. The hard work of Jim Fitzpatrick and the international Association of Skateboard Companies has ensured that the other states follow California and more parks are scheduled for construction over the next few years which gets us to now.
Over the past 40 years, skateboarding has had its peaks and valleys of popularity. Poor product, safety concerns, insurance issues and recessions have all contribured to the valleys. However, skateboarding technology has vastly improved since clay wheels. In terms of injuries, the sport remains much safer than football, rollerblading or hockey (when you look at percentage of participants injured). Despite safety concerns or economic recessions, the sport endures simply because it is so much fun to do. |