Ollie History Museum and Skateboarding Archive

OLLIEHISTORY.ORG - NEWS - August 2007

Our site is on vacation while it undergoes a redesign & gets new content
added. Look for a brand new OllieHistory.org web site in the fall of 2007.

Join the Ollie History Museum and Skateboarding Archive in Celebrating 30 Years of the Ollie, 1977-2007

Once an obscure trick invented by Alan "Ollie" Gelfand in Florida way back in 1977, the Ollie has become one of the most important tricks in skating and the essential move for every skater on the street today. Our newly designed web site will present a retrospective of the Ollie like you've never seen before. Stay tuned.

— Other 30th Year Anniversaries —

Kona Skatepark
Kona opened on June 7, 1977 and is probably the only surviving first generation park in the US. Except for a brief closure in 1978, it has remained in continuous operation. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, it is one of skating's historical landmarks and has even been featured in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 video game.

Skateboard USA
Thirty years ago in March of 1977, this skatepark opened up in Hollywood, Florida. It would become the place where the Ollie would get invented and would be another historical landmark if it were still around today.

Maple-ply skateboard decks
The skateboard industry embraced the 7-ply maple deck in 1977. This lightweight board and molded kicktail quickly replaced the solid wood decks that had been favored by pros at the time. Maple-ply decks arrived by way of a Canadian skater called Wee Willie Winkels and still remains the standard for deck design today.

Elvis Presley's death
We're not sure why you'd want to celebrate someone's death, but it was 30 years ago on August 16, 1977 when Elvis Presley left the building for the last & final time, heading for that mansion in the sky, we hope...

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Historical & Noteworthy Links

Alan "Ollie" Gelfand
Inventor of the Ollie and one of the first members of the Bones Brigade during the 1970s.
http://www.ollieair.com/

Tommy Guerrero
One of the first skaters of the 1980s to explore the street in new ways, most notably with the Ollie.
http://www.tommyguerrero.com/

Powell-Peralta
The most influential company of the 70s and 80s. With Ollie Masters such as Alan Gelfand, Rodney Mullen, Tony Hawk and Tommy Guerrero it's no wonder.
http://www.powell-peralta.com/

Santa Fe Skate School
Every Wednesday it's history class at the Santa Fe Skate School in New Mexico! Run by the cordial and knowledgable Joe Lehm of Timeship Racing, they have a museum too. Be there or be square.
http://www.skateboardsafety.com/

CreateAskate.org
With a startling new and unique approach to education in the classroom, this non-profit started by skate industry leader Paul Schmitt is bringing math, science and ecology to kids through a program centered around the design and construction of a skateboard deck.
http://www.createaskate.org/

Concrete Wave Magazine
Recommended by many, this bi-monthly magazine covers the full gamut of skateboarding and often features at least one good historical article in every issue.
http://www.concretewavemagazine.com/

Grind for Life
A non-profit that's making a difference. Run by Mike Rogers, a two-time cancer survivor, GFL provides financing and support for cancer patients and their families.
http://www.grindforlife.org/

Ollie at Kona skate park, by Craig Snyder

Special Thanks

Olliehistory.org and the Ollie History Museum and Skateboarding Archive would like to extend thanks to:

Sean Cliver, author of Disposable: A History of Skateboard Art, which is being re-released in 2007 by Gingko Press. This is a highly recommended book, a great read with plenty of photography.

Craig B. Snyder, author of A Secret History of the Ollie, which is also due to be released in 2007, published by Concrete Wave Editions. From what we've heard, expect the unexpected.

Photo on the main page of the orange Powell-Peralta Alan "Ollie" Gelfand Tank pro model (1980), courtesy of Sean Cliver. The Rodney Mullen Powell pro model (1981) and Ollie action photography on inside pages, courtesy of Craig Snyder.