1976 - Carlsbad is the home of the first skate park. Vertical skating is pushed to the forefront with the popularity of skate parks. George Orton becomes aerial pioneer. 1977 - 133 skate parks in existence. 1980 - With the closure of skate parks, homemade plywood ramps become widely used.
Street skating dominates the skate world.
1982 - Tony Hawk of San Diego wins first contest at Del Mar Skate Ranch at age 14. 1990 - Thrasher. 1991 - Germany, Spain, France and USA run NSA competitions. Newport, R.I., holds ESPN's first Extreme Games. 1997 - Vert Doubles discipline introduced to the X Games held in San Diego.