About Skitch Hitchcock - Pro Skateboarder Profile, Biography and History

William Skitch Hitchcock was born in Long Beach, California, in 1952. He initially started skating in the era of steel wheels around 1957, but then took a break. He resumed skateboarding around 1963, crafting his own decks using wood and fiberglass in a woodshop.

Skitch is renowned for popularizing the gorilla grip, a technique that involved gripping the nose and tail of the skateboard with the toes and leaping upward. This method allowed catching air on flat ground or launch ramps and predated the flatland Ollie we see today by at least five years.

Skitch designed the first small portable launch ramps and also created the first fairing and skate car for downhill speed runs. He developed small hand skates for handstands on flat ground and in bowls, and he was a pioneer in using fiberglass and foam core for skateboard decks.

Skitch went on to become the first pro skateboarder to design his own trucks, aptly named Hitchcock Trucks.

Through his expertise, he also contributed to designing and developing several skateparks. His skatepark designs led to the successful development of multiple skateparks.

Skitch Hitchcock was a prominent member of the Hobie team and was also sponsored by Bad Co. and Stinger at different times, and in 1975, he won the freestyle division at the San Diego World Contest.

Despite his significant contributions, Skitch was often overlooked in skateboarding history discussions. Skateboarder Magazine finally honored him with an interview in their February 1979 issue.

In 2008, Skitch collaborated with Dale Smith to release the Hitchcock model deck by Skate Designs, Inc.

Sadly, Skitch Hitchcock passed away on May 21st, 2014.

In 2021, he became a Skateboarding Hall of Fame Inductee:

"Skitch Hitchcock is my hero! Saved my life! When I needed skating more than ever, Skitch gave me the feeling I needed to back me up. We are two completely different skateboarders, but his energy is a strong thing with me until this day, that is what makes a legend!!! And thank you Skitch!!!"

"Awesome guy. I lived in Dana point and he skate boarded with 2 wrist braces. Amazing guy crazy stories. All his buddies are cool too. Nice guys"

"He came to my junior high in 1977 with the Hobie Skateboard team, all who saw him wanted to be him! A few weeks later I saw him surfing North Beach in San Clemente, he was super cool and humble."