Dogtown and Z-Boys

Airborne, daredevil ‘vert’ skateboarders are a ubiquitous sight, so who’d remember that until the early 70s, skateboarding consisted of rickety wooden boards with metal wheels, the most thrilling tricks the on-board handstand or wheelie. Then came the Zephyr team, a bunch of scruffy no-hope kids from the wrong side of the west L.A. tracks, who brought their outlaw surf-inspired style to revolutionise skateboarding, youth culture, and influence extreme sport. Born out of a surf shop and nurtured in the empty pools of nearby Beverly Hills, the Z-Boys (including one girl) became famous as stylised photographs and videos of their high-flying skills were circulated via newborn specialist mags and tapes. Winner of the Director’s and Audience Prize at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival, DOGTOWN is narrated by Sean Penn and features a 70s soundtrack.