Museum honors skateboarding roots in Dogtown

A project in the works for two years has brought the spirit of skateboarding’s origins back to the birthplace of the sport.

On June 30, the California Heritage Museum opened its exhibit “Dogtown and the Legendary Z-Boys,” which honors the founding fathers of modern Westside skateboarding. The exhibit, which runs through October 27, is the result of a partnership with the original Z-Boy, Nathan Pratt, according to the museum’s executive director, who called the exhibit “a long summer.”

Pratt, one of the project’s guest curators, was able to uncover hidden treasures in the form of decks, photographs and artwork from a multitude of skateboarding collectors and pioneers. The Skateboarding Hall of Fame was also a “major lender” of decks and memorabilia for the exhibit, an initiative Smith calls “100% Santa Monica.”

“It was really fun, it’s a show that appeals to women and men, it appeals to all generations… it’s a Santa Monica show, we’re Dogtown, you’re in Dogtown… and this show is for them,” Smith said.

The Z-Boys, otherwise known as the Zephyr Competition Team, were a collective of skateboarders who literally birthed tricks of the trade in Santa Monica and Venice. The surf-based style of skating born on the beach became the foundation of modern skateboarders, eventually leading to skateboarding on global television this summer via the Olympics.

Smith noted that while the sport now has its rightful place in the Olympic pantheon, it didn’t happen overnight, as the Z-Boys featured in the exhibit, such as Tony Alva and Jay Adams, were the first to attempt real maneuvers with the boards. She noted that the Westside youth were able to use empty pools to practice, as pools were closed during droughts, highlighting their ingenuity in times of hardship.

“These kids couldn’t afford to play golf, they couldn’t afford to play tennis, those were sports that cost money,” Smith said. “But skateboarding is so accessible. Anyone can learn to skateboard, regardless of age, gender or income level.”

A wide range of items, such as skateboards, surfboards, t-shirts and more, captivated the young audience as well as those who have lived in Dogtown, demonstrating the enthusiasm that the sport has generated for generations.

“It’s like painting,” Smith said of the objects. “It’s all about history. When you see paintings today, you can’t look at them and just say this came to the artist’s mind…it’s all about the history of the past.”

The museum hosted several of the original Z-Boys at its opening ceremony, and Smith plans to host more events in the future, such as a day highlighting lowrider culture. During Saturday’s Summer Soulstice festival on Main Street, the museum will offer a 2-for-1 deal on tickets to see the exhibit. For more information, visit californiaheritagemuseum.org.

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