🛹 Steve Cathey: The Unsung Pioneer of Skateboarding

When you think of skateboarding legends, names like Tony Hawk or Rodney Mullen might come to mind. But if you're digging into the roots of innovation and style in the 1970s skate scene, Steve Cathey deserves a spotlight all his own.

🌊 Born to Ride

Steve Cathey was born on August 17, 1959, in La Jolla, California—a coastal town steeped in surf culture. His journey into skateboarding began in the early '70s after a short-lived stint in Pop Warner football. The bigger kids roughed him up, so he traded shoulder pads for a skateboard. His first board? A Hobie Super Surfer with clay wheels, gifted by his sister’s surfer husband. That moment sparked a lifelong passion.

🚀 Breaking Ground with Tricks and Tech

Steve wasn’t just a skater—he was an innovator. He’s credited with inventing the tail drop into vertical terrain in 1977, a move so foundational that every beginner who’s ever dropped into a halfpipe owes him a nod. He also pioneered spinning 360s on two boards on flat ground, pushing the boundaries of freestyle skating.

But his influence didn’t stop at tricks. Steve helped develop the first skateboard wheel with rounded edges—the iconic G&S Yo-Yo—and the first side-cut board, the G&S Sidecut, which changed how boards handled and performed.

🏆 Competitive Edge

Steve turned pro in 1976 at age 17, riding for G&S (Gordon & Smith), Yo-Yo Wheels, and ACS Trucks. He dominated in freestyle and park skating, winning the freestyle division at the 1975 Ventura California State Championship, tying with Russ Howell at the World Masters Championship in 1976, and clinching the doubles event in 1977 at Spring Valley with Layne Oaks.

📸 In the Spotlight

His style and charisma landed him in Skateboarder Magazine in 1978, along with numerous ads for his sponsors. His image graced t-shirts, skate park logos, billboards, and even Vans and McDonald’s in-store displays. He also appeared in surf and skate films, Pepsi and 7-Up commercials, and various documentaries.

🛹 Pro Model Decks & Team Management

Steve had his own signature board with G&S, a badge of honor for any pro skater. Later, he transitioned into team management, assembling a powerhouse squad in the 1980s that included Billy Ruff, Neil Blender, Chris Miller, Gator, Micke Alba, and Jim Gray. His leadership earned him the title of Team Manager of the Year in 1980.

🌍 Global Influence

Steve toured extensively, doing demos across the USA, Canada, Europe, and Japan, helping spread skateboarding’s gospel worldwide. He was also the resident pro at Moving On and Spring Valley skateparks, mentoring the next generation of skaters.

🏄 Life Beyond the Board

Today, Steve Cathey works as a mortgage banker with Wells Fargo’s Builder Division. But he hasn’t left the board behind—he still surfs in California, Mexico, and Hawaii, snowboards, plays golf, and spends time with his wife, Sharona.

STEVE CATHEY- 1970's ERA 2 INDUCTEE- 2021

Endless Wave / Marina Del Rey / Lakewood Skateparks (SkateBoard Madness).

SKATEBOARDING 1975-77