History and Legacy of the Iconic 917 Skateboard Model

The History of the 917 Skateboard

Skateboarding has come a long way since it first emerged as a countercultural activity in the 1950s and 60s. Few skateboard models represent the evolution of the sport better than the iconic 917 skateboard. With its classic shapes and styles, the 917 has become deeply ingrained in skate culture and cemented itself as one of the most enduring skateboard designs of all time.

The Rise of Skateboarding in Dogtown

The 917's origins can be traced back to the 1970s in an area of Santa Monica and Venice Beach, California known as Dogtown. This was a time when skateboarding was shedding its reputation as merely a childhood pastime and developing into a serious sport for teens and young adults. The DIY, punk rock attitude of Dogtown skaters set the stage for innovation in skateboard technology and culture.

Dogtown locals like Tony Alva, Jay Adams, and Stacy Peralta were some of the top skateboarders pushing the sport forward. They founded the legendary Zephyr skate team (aka Z-Boys) and blew minds with their aggressive vertical skating style. Their daring exploits in empty pools and plummeting vert ramps demonstrated the possibilities of skateboarding in a way the world had never seen before.

The Birth of the 917 Deck

In 1972, another young skater from Dogtown named George Powell teamed up with manufacturer Stacy Peralta to produce a new type of skateboard. They wanted to create the kind of board the Z-Boys would actually want to ride. The result was the Powell Peralta 917 deck.

The 917 featured a wider profile and more vertical concave than previous skateboard models. This gave skaters greater control and stability when blasting the coping on vert ramps. It quickly became a favorite among the Zephyr team and other Dogtown locals who adopted Powell and Peralta's cutting-edge creation.

The 917 was named after the apartment number where Powell lived with his wife back in the 70s. Skaters today can still purchase reissued 917s labeled with that iconic apartment number and enjoy a piece of skate history.

The 917 Goes Mainstream

Over the rest of the decade, the 917's popularity grew beyond Dogtown. As skateboarding expanded from California across the country, more skaters sought out the superior 917 deck. Powell and Peralta founded Powell Peralta Skateboards in 1978 and began mass producing the board to meet demand. The iconic red and black graphics of the Powell Peralta Bones Brigade era further cemented the 917 as a staple skateboard for generations.

A major moment came in 1982 when a young skater named Tony Hawk joined Powell Peralta's legendary Bones Brigade team. Riding his 917 deck, a 14-year-old Hawk stunned the world by nailing the first documented 900 aerial spin. Hawk and other Bones Brigade members like Steve Caballero, Mike McGill, and Rodney Mullen pushed skating to new technical heights thanks to the performance of their trusty 917 skateboards.

The 917 Legacy

The 1980s saw skateboarding plunge in popularity for a time. But the 917 endured through skating's ups and downs. Powell Peralta separated in 1991, but both brands continued producing reissues to satisfy longtime fans. George Powell's Powell Skateboards relaunched the 917 in 1999 to an eager audience.

Over 50 years since its creation, skateboarders still seek out the 917 for its classic styling and ability to handle big airs with precision. Its wide profile standing in contrast to today's popsicle sticks offers a distinctly retro ride. Combining modern performance with old school style, the 917 delivers an iconic skateboarding experience and remains a celebrated classic.

Tips for Beginners Learning on a 917

The 917 has built a reputation over decades as one of the most versatile and well-balanced skateboard decks out there. For new skaters just learning the ropes, a 917 can provide a great platform to build foundational skills on. Here are some tips for beginners learning their way around a 917 skateboard.

Get Used to the Width

One of the defining traits of the 917 deck is its wide shape. At around 10 inches, it offers significantly more surface area than a standard popsicle skateboard. This width feels less awkward under the feet for many new skaters compared to narrower boards. But it still takes some adjustment if you’re a true beginner.

When just learning to push, balance, and ride, start off somewhere flat and spacious like an empty parking lot. Plant your feet in a comfortable stance across the deck and practice controlling your balance. It may feel unwieldy at first, but the 917’s width provides stability, making it ideal for getting comfortable cruising around.

Utilize the Concave

Another signature element of the 917 is its pronounced concave shape. This scooped out deck contours around the feet. The angled sides help lock you in better for maneuvering the board and maintaining control.

As you gain confidence riding around, utilize the 917’s concave shape to practice turns, kickturns, tic tacs, and other beginner maneuvers. The concave cradles the feet, giving you leverage to twist, pivot, and shift weight across the deck.

Learn to Ollie

Once you’ve dialed in the basics, start working on ollies. This fundamental trick forms the foundation for practically all other skateboarding maneuvers. The 917’s steeper concave gives good pop when snapping the tail to launch ollies.

Position your back foot on the concaved end to lift the board up as you jump. Slide your front foot forward to level things out in the air. Keep centered over the wide deck and land bolts to stick a clean ollie. Mastering ollies on a versatile board like the 917 equips you with core skills to expand your trick repertoire.

Cruise Parks and Pools

Another spot where the 917 excels for fresh skaters is riding transitions. The board’s wide profile offers nice wall riding ability in pools, bowls, and skateparks. As you gain speed pumping through transitions, the extra surface area provides stability without feeling squirrelly.

Carving up ramps and slashing coping on a 917 connects you to decades of skate history. The board that once powered Dogtown pool rippers can launch you on your own journey of skating progression and enjoyment.

Maintaining and Modding Your 917

Part of the appeal of the 917 for collectors and lifelong skaters is its classic, old school aesthetic. But to keep one of these vintage decks riding smooth for years requires some proper maintenance and mods.

Keep It Clean

Like any skateboard that gets extensive use, griptape and moving parts get dirty. Be sure to periodically clean your 917 to prevent deterioration. Use a stiff brush and soap to scrub caked on griptape. Clean bearings by removing and soaking them in a solvent like alcohol or acetone.

Check for things like cracked wood and shredded grip and make repairs promptly. This preserves the deck and ensures flawless flip tricks, grinds, and landings.

Upgrade Components

While the 917 deck maintains an old school vibe, you can upgrade the components for modern performance. Good wheels like Spitfire Formula Fours or Bones STF can handle rough roads and big jumps better than 1970s urethane.

For bearings, Bones Reds offer super smooth rolling in a classic styled package. And titanium trucks and hardware from Indy, Venture, or Thunder give lasting durability without sacrificing the classic look.

Personalize With Stickers

Originally, Powell Peralta decks came blank without graphic designs. Skaters customized them with stickers of their favorite brands. Continue this tradition by slapping on stickers of your local skateshop, favorite bands, or amusing memes.

Let your personality shine through by coordinating stickers into a unique collage. Offsetting the retro deck with your own modern flair pays homage to the DIY spirit that birthed the 917.

The 917's Continuing Legacy

Some five decades after its introduction, the 917 continues inspiring new generations of skateboarders. Its influence extends beyond just the board itself to the culture and community it helped shape.

A Symbol of Skate History

The 917's fame stems not just from its capabilities, but its storied history. It rose up with Dogtown skaters in the 70s, dominated competitions in the 80s, and never faded from production. Brand new boards still get stamped with that iconic 917 apartment number tieing back to the deck's roots.

Each 917 carries this heritage along, reminding skaters of the sport's evolution. Riding one invokes the feeling of rolling on a true classic.

A Community Icon

Beyond its performance legacy, the 917 also represents a spirit of fun, creativity, and rebellion. It originated with punks skating backyard pools in defiance of mainstream culture. That outsider mentality still imbues the 917 decades later.

Modern skaters unite over their love of the board and what it represents to their shared culture. The 917 remains integral to the enjoyment skaters get from pushing their limits together and building lasting communities.

A Starting Point for Progression

Despite its old school charm, the 917 continues evolving along with skate tech and culture. While paying homage to the past, skaters progress the sport daily by innovating new tricks on these trusted boards.

Each generation leaves their mark by building on what came before them. The 917's role as a platform for progression persists from its Dogtown origins all the way to skaters today pushing their personal limits.

The 917 skateboard remains an influential and sought after deck because it represents the heart and soul of skate culture. Its rich heritage continues inspiring both newbies learning to skate and hardcore rippers to keep pushing it forward. This timeless skateboard will maintain its hallowed place as long as skaters celebrate their love for the ride.

FAQs

What makes the 917 skateboard special?

The 917 features a wider deck and steeper concave than earlier skateboards, giving it better stability and control. It was also one of the first signature pro model boards. The 917 helped pioneer aerial maneuvers and vert skating in the 1970s.

Where did the 917 name come from?

The 917 was named after the apartment number where skateboarder George Powell lived when he first developed the deck with Stacy Peralta in the early 1970s.

What pro skaters rode the 917?

Prominent pros who rode the 917 include Tony Hawk, Mike McGill, Steve Caballero, and other members of the legendary Bones Brigade team in the 1980s.

Is the 917 still made today?

Yes, Powell Skateboards continues producing reissues of the 917 for modern skaters to enjoy. It maintains many of the same shapes and sizes as the original 1970s models.

Why does the 917 remain popular after 50 years?

The 917's legacy comes from its high performance as well as its status as an iconic skateboard representing an influential era in skate history and culture.