History

In 2006, Jeff Stern, Founder/President of the National High School Skateboard Association (NHSSA), built the first ever organization to hold a season of skateboard competitions where the best high school skateboarders come together as a team to compete against other high schools.

The idea came from Jeff’s involvement with his seven year old son. Jeff states, “My son, Jackson has been heavily involved in skateboarding for the last few years and I have seen a need to get the sport of skateboarding recognized as a legitimate sport. The talent these kids have is incredible and I don’t believe the parents or the community understand what it takes to get to the level some of these skateboarders have reached. I want to create an environment where the talent of these kids can be shown. I approached Todd Huber, owner of Skatelab located in Simi Valley, California a year ago with an idea. I spoke to Todd about allowing high school kids to form teams to come to Skatelab and compete over a season to determine which high school has the best skateboarders. Todd liked the idea and told me if I could put something together, he would allow the skateboarders to compete at his facility. After over a year in the making, I formed the California High School Skateboard Club. This non-profit organization’s purpose is to be the foundation that will set in motion the future of high school skateboarding. It is the goal of the organization that within a few years, skateboarding will become a recognized high school sport, while still keeping true to the skateboard culture. With input from the skaters themselves, I believe this organization can offer a future for many of the kids involved in skateboarding.”

One of the biggest obstacles Jeff faced was the liability that comes with skateboarding. When Jeff first approached the high schools about making skateboarding part of their athletic program, he was quickly told, “Won’t happen, skateboarding is a hazardous activity.” With persistence, his luck changed, he was able to get Don Zimring, Ph.D., Deputy Superintendent for Las Virgenes Unified School District, to hear him out. In the beginning, Mr. Zimring had the same response as all others. Mr. Zimring informed Jeff that skateboarding will not be considered as part of the athletic program because of liability. Mr. Zimring understood the benefits of organizing skateboarding into a sport, but confirmed that the school districts are not able to be involved.

After giving it some thought, Jeff once again contacted Mr. Zimring, but with a new approach. Jeff inquired, “What if I create an organization, and take on the liability. Can I arrange for high school kids to compete against each other?” Mr. Zimring gave his support and the California High School Skateboard Club was created.

Mr. Zimring is quoted, “Mr. Stern is attempting to promote a regional approach to skateboarding to address many of the problems our schools have had along with the frustrations our students have had. I have explained to him that our district is not in a position at this point to sponsor this or call this a “district” activity due to the liability issues involved. However, as a “youth sports” or other “community” activity, I have given him every encouragement possible.”

Research has shown that high schools have never competed against each other in the sport of skateboarding. In Jeff’s search of the United States, Canada, and Europe no evidence of high school kids competing against each other existed. After consulting with Miki Vuckovich, Executive Director for the Tony Hawk Foundation, the results of Jeff’s research were confirmed. Mr. Vuckovich is quoted, “The concept of organizing skaters through the high-school-club system is not new. But the traditional high-school skate club exists as an isolated group. I was pleased to hear of a plan to create a network of high-school skate teams and promote inter-scholastic competitions. Interscholastic skateboarding contests would offer skaters a way to be at their best, yet contribute to the overall standing of their team and their school. The California High School Skateboard Club is the first step in connecting the passion youth have for skateboarding to their schools.”

In it’s first season, the California High School Skateboard Club had seven teams competing against each other over a four month season. What was to be a test season, turned out to be the platform for the future. The skateboard community and the media from all over the country showed interest in the California High School Skateboard Club. Due to the demand for expansion, the California High School Skateboard Club is now the National High School Skateboard Association (NHSSA).

With sponsors like Nike SB, Red Bull, Ogio, Element, Powell, Active, X-Games, and many others, the future of skateboarding at the high school level looks good.

The NHSSA was built for the skateboarder. The history of the NHSSA will always be based on giving respect to the skateboarder, offering opportunities to the skateboarder both professionally and personally, and allowing the skateboarder to have the freedom/independence to express themselves.

The NHSSA is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization

HISTORY