Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard. It was probably born sometime in the late 1940s, or early 1950s, when surfers in California wanted something to do when the waves were flat. Although it is not known who made the first board, it seems that several people came up with similar ideas at around the same time period. The first manufactured skateboards were ordered by a Los Angeles, California surf shop, meant to be used by surfers in their downtime. This is the reason why skateboarding was originally referred to as "sidewalk surfing", where early skaters emulated surfing style and manoeuvres, while performing barefoot.

Skateboarding can also be considered a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2009 report found that the skateboarding market is worth an estimated $4.8 billion in annual revenue with 11.08 million active skateboarders in the world.