| The site of the former Pacific Ocean Park in the | | | | of teens to join the skateboarding frenzy and |
| beach district on the Venice and Santa Monica border | | | | catapulted them to fame and fortune; the majority of |
| is something of a sacred legend within the | | | | the original Z-Boys went on to compete professionally. |
| skateboarding and surfing community. The area, which | | | | Bob "Bullet" Biniak retired from skating in 1980, but went |
| is nicknamed Dogtown, was immortalised in the 2001 | | | | on to play golf professionally, while the only female |
| skateboarding documentary, Dogtown and Z-Boys, | | | | member of the Z-Boys, Peggy Oki, rejected skating in |
| and later in the 2005 feature film, Lords of Dogtown, | | | | favour of surfing, and has competed in surf contests |
| which was based on the characters and events | | | | all over the world. Jim Muir and Tony Alva both |
| introduced in Dogtown and Z-Boys. | | | | rejected deals from major skate companies to set up |
| Dogtown and Z-Boys, directed by Stacy Peralta | | | | on their own, and were the first skateboarders to ever |
| (himself a member of the original Z-Boys) and narrated | | | | do so. |
| by Hollywood star Sean Penn, tells the history of | | | | In 2005, Stacy Peralta wrote the screenplay for Lords |
| skateboarding. The documentary charts the story of a | | | | of Dogtown, which dramatically retold the Dogtown |
| group of teenage surfer/skateboarders in Santa | | | | days. Starring Heath Ledger and Rebecca De Mornay, |
| Monica, known as the Z-Boys, and their influence on | | | | and featuring a cameo from perhaps the world's most |
| the history of skateboarding (and to a lesser extent | | | | famous modern day skateboarder Tony Hawk, Lords |
| surfing) culture, using a mix of film of the Z-Boys shot | | | | of Dogtown focused more on the relationships |
| in the 1970s and more recently conducted interviews. | | | | between the Z-Boys, looking at their friendships, how |
| The aerial and sliding skate moves that the Z-Boys | | | | they coped with fame, and how they grew more and |
| invented were the basis for the aerial skateboarding | | | | more competitive towards one another. It also focused |
| and surfing still popular today. These were just twelve | | | | heavily on the tragic loss of Z-Boy associate Sid, who |
| ordinary teenagers who hung out in the Santa Monica | | | | lost a battle against brain cancer. |
| neighbourhood of Dogtown who just wanted to surf | | | | Skateboarders or surfers keen to make a pilgrimage |
| and skate. They could never have known that they | | | | to the legendary and iconic Dogtown for themsleves |
| would start a revolution by turning what was a | | | | can find a hotel in Santa Monica for their |
| recreational past-time into an extreme sport. | | | | accomodation needs, and thankfully, the area has |
| Considered the most influential skateboard team in | | | | improved a lot since the Dogtown days. |
| history, the Z-Boy movement continues to this day as | | | | The story of the Dogtown and Z-Boys is an inspiring |
| an expression of performance, innovation and style. | | | | tale of determination, rebellion, and friendship, and even |
| Known officially as the Zephyr Skateboard Team, the | | | | those who have no interest in skateboarding or surfing, |
| Z-Boys began when they transferred their surf skills to | | | | and been won over by this fascinating little piece of |
| drain pipes and empty swimming pools with stunning | | | | American sub-culture. |
| results. Their acrobatic maneuvers inspired generations | | | | |