by Krystle Hernandez

Created on: May 07, 2007   Last Updated: May 11, 2007

Born in 1969 in Santa Monica, California, Natas Kaupas was at the heart of Skateboarding's birthplace. Often spending time in the area of Santa Monica known as Dogtown, Kaupas would use his personal and professional experiences among legendary skateboarders to become one of the pioneers of the skateboarding industry and create a legacy for himself.

In 1984, fifteen year old Kaupas was discovered by the owner and manger of Santa Monica Airlines, Skip Engblom, who was a major skateboarding sponsor at the time. His relationship with Engblom sky-rocketed him to fame, landing him a cover on the widely respected industry publication, Thrasher Magazine.

Less than a year later, the sixteen-year-old was a bona fide professional. Beginning with his work on flatground street ollies, Kaupaus revolutionized street skateboarding with his creation of the innovative Ollie Wall ride which he later incorporated, with the assistance of colleague and contemporary, Mark Gonzales, into handrail skating, effectively synthesizing vertical skating aspects into popular street skating methods.

Although Kaupaus was the first to attempt a boardslide on the handrails, he was unsuccessful; however, it was his legendary move, a 720 degree revolution on the peak of a fire hydrant which launched him into the history books as the Natas Spin's difficulty has proved the stunt to be virtually impossible to recreate, even among the most professional skaters in the industry.

Not only was Kaupaus the first professional skateboarder to release a model shoe with the famed Etnies in 1990; less than a year later he founded his own company, 101 Skateboards. Although 101 is no longer in business, in 2004 Kaupaus came out of semi-retirement to found his new organization, Designarium.

Today, Kaupaus makes occasional appearances at professional events such as the X Games, but his daily business is typically centered around his role as creative director at the extremely popular name brand surf-wear company, Quiksilver.

Without a doubt, Kaupaus not only pioneered the sport of Skateboarding, he also continues to demonstrate his creativity and innovation as an artist with his designs, geared primarily toward active and athletic skaters who want to follow in the wake of his legacy. Even still, skateboarders internationally have big shoes to fill when it comes to the level of intricate skill and grace demonstrated consistently by this legend throughout his revolutionary career.

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