Skateboarding Hall of Fame.
This weekend, on December 4, 2010, the skateboarding community will gather at the Cooper Building in the historic core of downtown Los Angeles for the 2nd annual Skateboarding Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The Skateboarding Hall of Fame, hosted by the International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC) and Skatelab, will induct Torger Johnson, Stacy Peralta, Steve Caballero, Eric Koston, Bob Burnquist, and the first female inductee, Patti McGee.
In addition to the induction ceremony, attendees will have the chance to bid on a large variety of skateboarding memorabilia with proceeds to benefit a several charities, including sending kids to skate camps.
“Skateboarding’s rich culture has been built around iconic heroes that have helped to take skateboarding to another level of progression, inspiration and fun,” said John Bernards IASC executive director. “IASC recognizes the importance of honoring the pros that made skateboarding what it is today- without those icons and legends the tricks skateboarders are doing today would not exist. This year’s inductees represent the best, most progressive skateboarding from 1960 to 2010 and we congratulate each of them on their accomplishments.”
Last year, the iconic skateboarders inducted included Tony Alva, Bruce Logan, Danny Way, and Tony Hawk. Hawk has also informally announced via Twitter that he’s in production of making the documentary, “The Bones Brigade.”
Patti McGee, the first “Betty” of skateboarding, on the cover of Life Magzine, May 14, 1965.
What’s also quiet exciting about this year’s upcoming event is that Patti McGee, 65, the first female pro skateboarder, is also getting inducted. Patti broke boundaries in many ways: On May 14, 1965, she was featured on the cover of Life Magazine, and then again on the cover of Skateboarder Magazine (in comparison, it took Transworld Surf until this year to feature a woman on the cover, Stephanie Gilmore). Patti won the 1965 Woman’s National Skateboard Championship and was sponsored by Hobie and Vita Pak at the age of 19.
Patti McGee later in 1965, gets the cover of Skateboarder Magazine. Classic goofy-foot style.
Considered the first “Betty” of the sport and greatly admierd for her skill and sense of style, McGee could easily skate a short board or longboard. The Life magazine article about her was described as, “Skateboard Mania – and Menace – San Diego’s Pat McGee National Girls Champion on the cover. A teeter-totter on wheels is the new fad and menace – Too much moxie breeds mayhem in the streets – It’s easier to get bloody than fancy.”
After 4 decades of skateboarding’s evolution, giving rise to an entirely new sporting culture and lifestyle, it’s good to hear that it has a home base that’s preseving it’s heritage. “The goal of the Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum is to assure that these legendary skateboarders are recognized by their peers and will be remembered by future generations,” said Todd Huber, founder of Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum.
