A Makaha Skateboards ad features team riders

Title

A Makaha Skateboards ad features team riders

Description

A Makaha Skateboards ad features team riders Joey Saenz, Danny Schaefer, Torger Johnson, and Woody Woodward.

Venice lifeguard Larry Stevenson (1930-2012) designed and manufactured the first commercial skateboards in 1961, under his brand Makaha, and with the help of his wife Helen. He later worked with surfer Mike Doyle to develop his designs. The Makaha Phil Edwards model of 1963 (named another legendary surfer) was the first-ever professional skateboard. It introduced two revolutionary components: clay wheels and Chicago trucks (the first, double-action, adjustable trucks).

In 1963, Makaha sponsored the first-known skateboard contest at Pier Avenue Junior High School in Hermosa Beach, CA.

Makaha's original team captain was Dave Rochlen Jr., followed by Jim Ganzer, and Bob Feigel. Early team riders were Danny Bearer, Brad "Squeak" Blank, Phil Edwards, Jim Fitzpatrick, John Freis, Mike Hynson, Torger Johnson, Bruce Logan, Joey Saenz, Danny Schaefer, George Trafton, and Brendan "Woody" Woodward.

Larry started publishing "Surf Guide" magazine from Topanga Beach in 1963 to help promote Makaha Skateboards.

In 1969, he invented the "kicktail," the bent-upwards end of a skateboard, which made most of today's tricks possible.

Date

circa 1963

Source

Digital only

Rights

Materials in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of Topanga Historical Society gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Contributor

Michael Hayashi, www.facebook.com/100082921233869
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Collection

Citation

“A Makaha Skateboards ad features team riders,” Topanga Historical Society Digital Archive, accessed November 8, 2026, https://www.topangahistoricalsociety.org/archive/document/2075.