Skateboarding in the early to mid-90s was a golden era (at least it is in my mind) that many skaters still look back on with pure nostalgia. It was a time of grit, creativity, and a DIY attitude, where skate culture really started to find its identity. Before the mega skateparks and big-name brands took over, skateboarding was raw, underground, and unfiltered. Let's rewind the clock and dive into what skateboarding was really like in those formative years.

The Streets Were the One

Unlike today, where theres bare skateparks available in most cities, the 90s were all about street skating. Skaters didn’t have the luxury of dedicated spaces. Instead, they turned the streets into their own playground, using whatever they could find to practice tricks—handrails, stair sets, ledges, curbs, and gaps were fair game. Cities like San Francisco, New York, London and Birmingham became iconic spots for skating, offering a crusty urban landscape that perfectly suited the counterculture nature of the sport.

This need to adapt gave rise to a new level of creativity in skateboarding. Tricks weren’t just about pulling off a perfect kickflip; they were about finding new ways to make ordinary architecture skateable. This was the era when the "technical" side of skating began to shine, with skaters pushing the boundaries of what could be done on the streets.

Skate Videos: The Heart of 90s Skate Culture

In the 90s, skateboarding videos were everything. There was no social media to instantly share tricks or get exposure, so skate videos were how skaters around the world connected with each other. These videos captured the essence of the time: low-fi VHS quality, raw street footage, and soundtracks that mixed underground hip-hop, punk, and rock.

Brands like World Industries, Toy Machine, Plan B, and Girl put out skate videos that became legendary. These videos introduced skaters to pros like Rodney Mullen, Daewon Song, Mike Carroll, and Tony Hawk, shaping a generation and inspiring countless others to pick up a board. Watching a video meant gathering around a friend's TV, rewinding the best tricks, and talking about how you’d try to nail them yourself. Every release was a big event, and if a skater got their part in a video, it was a massive deal. Its also why when everyone asks me if I got clips, naaahhh fam, didnt have phones and couldnt afford a video camera. 

The Style and Gear of the 90s Skater

The style of the 90s skater is unmistakable. Baggy jeans, oversized T-shirts, flannel shirts, and backward caps were all the rage. Skate shoes were big and chunky, with brands like Airwalk, Etnies, Duffs, and DC Shoes creating designs that balanced durability and comfort. Unlike today’s slim and streamlined skate shoes, the 90s were all about the bulk, with shoes offering serious padding to withstand the harsh impact of street skating.

Decks were another defining feature. Boards got smaller and lighter than in the 80s, around 7.5 to 8 inches wide, making them easier to flip and manoeuvre. Graphics on skate decks became edgier, often with irreverent humour and underground art that reflected the counter-culture vibe of the time. Skaters took pride in customising their gear, adding stickers, writing messages, and creating a personal connection to their board.

For those who didn’t have access to a good street spot or ledges, DIY skate spots and backyard ramps became popular. Skaters took it upon themselves to build what they needed—using old wood, concrete, and whatever materials they could find to create mini ramps, grind rails, and ledges. This was the beginning of a DIY ethos in skateboarding that’s still alive today.

Backyard ramps were especially common in the UK, where rain often made street skating challenging. Skaters would take refuge in garages or back gardens, setting up ramps and spending hours practising tricks. This DIY scene fostered a sense of community, as skaters bonded over shared struggles (although bein kicked out the spot by security is a skate tradition thats alive and kicking) and the drive to keep skating no matter what.

Skating in the 90s: The Rise of New Tricks and Technical Skating

The early 90s marked the rise of technical skateboarding, with skaters focusing on flip tricks, manuals, and technical combinations. Rodney Mullen, often regarded as the godfather of modern street skating, popularised tricks like the kickflip, heelflip, and 360 flip. Skaters were obsessed with trying new tricks, combining flips, spins, and slides into unique sequences.

In this era, it wasn’t enough just to land a trick. Skaters wanted to do it with style, making tricks look smooth, effortless, and clean. The pressure was on to master technique, and skaters would spend hours perfecting their moves. Competition was fierce, but it was all about respect. Nailing a new trick meant more than just showing off; it was about pushing the limits and setting new standards.

Skateboarding Magazines and Zines: The Voice of the Scene

In the 90s, skateboarding magazines like Thrasher, Transworld Skateboarding, and Big Brother were the ultimate sources of skate culture. These mags featured interviews, trick tips, and articles covering the latest in skate fashion, skate spots, and the big personalities in the scene. Skaters would wait eagerly each month for the latest issue, treating every new page like gold.

Zines also played a big role, especially in the UK. These were self-published, often photocopied magazines made by skaters, for skaters. They were raw, gritty, and full of attitude, reflecting the true DIY ethos of the scene. If you wanted to know what was happening in the underground skate world, the zines were where it was at. Many of them covered local spots, events, and skater profiles, bringing the skate community closer.

Skateboarding’s Rebellious and Underground Image

The 90s were a time when skateboarding was still seen as rebellious, even anti-social. Skaters were often kicked out of spots by security, chased away from stair sets, and treated like outcasts (shit got real lame in 2002 when Avril Lavigne dropped sk8er boi). This only strengthened the bond among skaters, creating a tight-knit community of people who felt they didn’t quite fit in with mainstream society.

Skateboarding had an underground, outlaw image that many young people were drawn to. It was about freedom, self-expression, and breaking the rules, which made it appealing to those who didn’t want to conform. It wasn’t about corporate sponsors or Olympic medals. It was a lifestyle, an attitude, and for many, a way to channel creativity and frustration.

The Evolution into the Late 90s and Beyond

As the mid-90s came around, skateboarding began to evolve and gain more mainstream appeal. Brands like Element, Zero, and Blind grew, making skateboarding more accessible to the public. Skateboarding began to appear in video games and TV shows, and eventually, big brands like Nike and Adidas entered the scene, bringing more exposure and opportunities for skaters.

Yet, the essence of the early 90s era remains influential today. Skaters still look back to this time for inspiration, valuing the style, creativity, and grit that characterised the decade. For many, it was the ultimate era of skateboarding, a time before the mainstream took hold, where skating was all about passion, style, and pushing the limits.

Wrapping Up

The early to mid-90s were a defining time for skateboarding. From the streets to DIY ramps, low-fi skate videos to skate zines, it was an era rich with culture, creativity, and a sense of rebellion that still resonates today. For anyone looking to understand skateboarding’s roots, the 90s offer a time capsule of what made this sport and lifestyle so raw and authentic. Whether you were there to witness it or are just learning about it now, the 90s will always hold a special place in skateboarding history.