The Birth Of Skim
From Radical Origins: Episode 3
While surfing is iconic to the Laguna Beach scene, skimboarding holds the birthright.
From Radical Origins: Podcast 3
Listen to how skimboarding started as the pastime of local lifeguards that grew into a global phenomenon with extended stories, bonus interviews, and more on our podcast.
Listen to the Full PodcastWatch The Birth Of Skim
"The history of skim boarding is to me as old as the first guy who skipped a stone on a pond. It’s that old."
- Tex Haines
From Sand to Sea
Skimboarding is said to have started with Laguna Beach life guards sliding across the sand on wedge-shaped “skid boards” in the 1920’s. Since then, the sport has erupted from the Laguna shoreline out to the rest of the world.
Wrapping Around the World
Today, Skimboarding has become an intense, high-energy sport that’s performed at the top levels by a close-knit community of welcoming professionals and amateurs.
Discover More Stories
01
Reef
Madness
The world’s longest running surf contest and the feral surfers who started it all.
02
Trails
Unbound
The trailblazing story of Laguna’s extraordinary network of trails.
03
The Birth
Of Skim
The story of a true Laguna Original and its growth around the world.
04
Protect And
Conserve
When unchecked development collides with art and activism.
05
Short
Strange Trip
The short-lived Woodstock of the West Coast and its permanent legacy.
06
Innovation
At The Source
How a small town stirs up big inspiration for culture and innovation.
07
Long Live
The Rejects
The indomitable and authentic soul of a creative culture.
01
Reef
Madness
The world’s longest running surf contest and the feral surfers who started it all.
02
Trails
Unbound
The trailblazing story of Laguna’s extraordinary network of trails.
03
The Birth
Of Skim
The story of a true Laguna Original and its growth around the world.
04
Protect And
Conserve
When unchecked development collides with art and activism.
05
Short
Strange Trip
The short-lived Woodstock of the West Coast and its permanent legacy.
06
Innovation
At The Source
How a small town stirs up big inspiration for culture and innovation.
07
Long Live
The Rejects
The indomitable and authentic soul of a creative culture.
01
Reef
Madness
The world’s longest running surf contest and the feral surfers who started it all.
02
Trails
Unbound
The trailblazing story of Laguna’s extraordinary network of trails.
03
The Birth
Of Skim
The story of a true Laguna Original and its growth around the world.
04
Protect And
Conserve
When unchecked development collides with art and activism.
05
Short
Strange Trip
The short-lived Woodstock of the West Coast and its permanent legacy.
06
Innovation
At The Source
How a small town stirs up big inspiration for culture and innovation.
07
Long Live
The Rejects
The indomitable and authentic soul of a creative culture.
Presented By Visit
Laguna Beach
Visit Laguna Beach is more than just a warm welcome. We’re curators of Laguna’s culture and storytellers revealing how it became an extraordinary destination in the first place.
Visit Laguna Beach
