Alan Gelfand
Alan "Ollie" Gelfand | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | January 1, 1963 New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Skateboarder, entrepreneur, racing driver |
| Known for | Inventing the "ollie" |
Alan "Ollie" Gelfand (born January 1, 1963) is an American skateboarder, racing driver, and businessman credited with inventing the ollie, the foundational skateboarding trick.
Early life
[edit]Alan Gelfand was born in New York City, and is Jewish.[1] Gelfand moved to Hollywood, Florida with his family in 1972.[2] He started skateboarding in 1974 after his father bought him his first skateboard.[3]
Skateboarding career
[edit]| Sport | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Sport | Skateboarding |
| Event | Vert skating |
| Team | Powell Peralta |
| Turned pro | 1978 |
Invention of the ollie
[edit]Named by Thrasher Magazine as "The Founding Father of A Generation", Alan Gelfand's invention of the ollie changed the face of skateboarding.[4] His initial performance of the trick in 1976 at Skateboard USA in Hollywood, Florida, was serendipitous, stemming from the imperfect construction of the skatepark itself. Gelfand explained that the park's poorly constructed features inadvertently led to his groundbreaking discovery. "It was all by accident. The park was built so poorly that many of the features were over vertical and uneven. There was a part of the pool run where, when you skated it, you went out, caught air, and because it was over vertical, the board would pitch back towards your legs. You'd bend your knees back in and the board would come back to you. It was all by accident, really," Gelfand recalled. He began applying this technique to various elements, further refining his approach.[5] By 1979, during a visit to Winchester Skate Park in San Jose, he was perfecting the ollie, leading to it becoming a fundamental move in skateboarding.[6]
This unintentional innovation, dubbed the "trick of the century" by Stacey Peralta, fundamentally changed skateboarding, transforming it from simple maneuvers to complex aerial dynamics.[7][8] Gelfand was credited in the Oxford Dictionary of English, the Encyclopaedia Britannica, and the Webster's Dictionary as being the inventor of the trick after it had previously been listed as unknown.[9][10][11][12][13][14]
The trick involves a skateboarder snapping the tail of the board down while jumping to lift the board into the air without the use of hands.[6]
Gelfand's technique was first showcased in a detailed how-to feature in the January 1979 issue of SkateBoarder Magazine. Titled "Special Tips on Progressive Aerials," the article described his method for executing the no-hand ollie air, providing a step-by-step guide that has influenced generations of skateboarders.[5]
Professional achievements and contributions
[edit]Gelfand's skateboarding prowess extended beyond the invention of the ollie. He competed in various significant events in the 1970s and 1980s, showcasing his skills across multiple countries on tour as the first member of the legendary Bones Brigade team put together by Stacey Peralta.[15][16] The Bones Brigade was an elite team of skateboarders sponsored by Powell-Peralta, which included other legendary skateboarders like Tony Hawk and Rodney Mullen, and was instrumental in the evolution and popularization of skateboarding.[17][18] Their collective innovation and media exposure played a significant role in skateboarding's transition from a niche hobby to a global phenomenon.[19][20]
Gelfand's competitive spirit was evident as he participated in and won numerous skateboarding contests globally. His tour and competition schedule in the late 1970s included events across Europe and South America, where he showcased the ollie and other complex maneuvers, further popularizing skateboarding as a sport.[3]
Gelfand was entered into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame in 2013.[21]
Competitions entered, touring and cultural impact
[edit]Throughout his career, Gelfand participated in numerous notable skateboarding competitions.[5]
1970s
- 1976 South Florida Skateboard Championships, Hollywood, Florida: An early competition that highlighted Gelfand's emerging talent.
- 1976 First Annual Central Florida Skateboard Championships, Skateboard City, Port Orange, Florida: Showcased his prowess in slalom and freestyle skateboarding.
- 1977 Florida Pro, Kona Skatepark, Jacksonville, Florida: Gelfand competed against top regional skateboarders.
- 1978 First Annual Fun ’N Sun Skateboard Championships, Clearwater, Florida: Participated in cross country, giant slalom, and dual slalom.
- 1978 Catalina Classic, Avalon, Santa Catalina, California: Competed in downhill and dual slalom events.
1980s
- 1980 Big O Pro-Am, Big O, Orange, California: Known for winning the 'Highest Air' category, showcasing his ollie skills.
- 1980 Gold Cup Series, various locations in California: Participated in a series of events, excelling in bowl and freestyle skating.
Special exhibitions and demonstrations
- 1979 SkateBoarder Magazine Exhibition: Featured in a special demonstration that solidified his status within the skateboarding community.
- 1980s Bones Brigade Tours: As a key member of the Bones Brigade, Gelfand participated in national and international tours, performing in exhibitions that popularized skateboarding globally.
During his tours, Gelfand's style and technical skills left an indelible mark on the international skateboarding scene. He participated in significant events such as the Super Skate Show in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1979, which featured prominent skaters of the time and was a key venue for Gelfand to demonstrate the ollie to a wider audience. Rodney Mullen reported in skateboarding.com that event was the first time he and Gelfand performed the Pop Shove It trick.[22]
Racing career
[edit]| Alan "Ollie" Gelfand | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born | January 1, 1963 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Wins | 4 |
| Previous series | |
| Grand-Am Cup Street Stock Series, IMSA Firestone Firehawk Series, Longest Day of Nelson 24 Hour Endurance Race | |
| Championship titles | |
| 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 | Longest Day of Nelson 24 Hour Endurance Race |
After retiring from professional skateboarding, Gelfand transitioned into car racing, particularly focusing on Volkswagens. His racing career spanned from the late 1980s through the early 2000s, where he participated in various endurance races and showcased his driving skills.[23]
Early Racing Career and Karting Achievements
[edit]Gelfand began his motorsport journey in 1982 by winning the South Florida Autocross Championship in the C Street Prepared (CSP) category.[24] In 1985, he went on to win the Florida Grand Prix Karting Championship.[25]
In 1986, Gelfand claimed the World Karting Association (WKA) Grand National Championship, setting lap records at three national tracks.[25] He also competed in the Florida Oval Asphalt Karting Series, where he secured the fastest lap and pole position at the Grand Nationals.[25]
His karting achievements established Gelfand as a versatile driver capable of excelling in various forms of racing.
Racing success
[edit]Gelfand achieved notable success in the Longest Day of Nelson 24 Hour Endurance Race for Showroom Stock Cars, held at the Nelson Ledges Road Course. He secured first place in this race for four consecutive years from 1990 to 1993, demonstrating his prowess in endurance racing.[26]
Grand-Am Cup Series
[edit]Gelfand competed in the Grand-Am Cup Street Stock Series in 2001, participating in multiple races across different circuits:
Daytona International Speedway: Third and eighth positions in two different races.[27] Phoenix International Raceway: Fifth and twenty-first positions.[28] Homestead-Miami Speedway: Seventh position.[29] Watkins Glen International: Tenth position.[30]
Other competitions
[edit]Gelfand also competed in various other endurance races:
1993 IMSA Firestone Firehawk race: Fourteenth position.[31] 1993 3 Hour Firestone Firehawk Endurance Championship at Laguna Seca: Twenty-eighth position.[32] 2001 Daytona Motorola Cup: Ninth position.[33]
| Year | Race | Class Position | Team | Car Make/Model | Class | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | SCCA S-2000 Championship | 1 | N/A | N/A | S-2000 | "SCCA Racing Log" (Document). International Motor Racing Research Center: Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). 1987. Document from the IMRRC archive showing Gelfand's win in the 1987 SCCA S-2000 Championship. |
| 1990 | Longest day of Nelson 24 Hour Endurance Race for Showroom Stock Cars | 1 | BSI Racing | 1981 VW Rabbit | 1 IT-B | Racing History Project |
| 1991 | Sebring | 1 | N/A | N/A | ITB | "SCCA Racing Log: Sebring Event" (Document). International Motor Racing Research Center: Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). February 23, 1991. Race log for Sebring event showing class position: 1st place, ITB. |
| 1991 | Charlotte ECR Enduro | 2 | N/A | N/A | ITB | "SCCA Racing Log: Charlotte Event" (Document). International Motor Racing Research Center: Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). April 13, 1991. Race log for Charlotte event showing class position: 2nd place, ITB. |
| 1991 | Road Atlanta ECR Enduro | 1 | N/A | N/A | ITB | "SCCA Racing Log: Road Atlanta Event" (Document). International Motor Racing Research Center: Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). April 20, 1991. Race log for Road Atlanta event showing class position: 1st place, ITB. |
| 1991 | Daytona ECR Enduro | 3 | N/A | N/A | ITB | "SCCA Racing Log: Daytona Event" (Document). International Motor Racing Research Center: Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). May 11, 1991. Race log for Daytona event showing class position: 3rd place, ITB. |
| 1991 | Road Atlanta Sark | 1 | N/A | N/A | ITB | "SCCA Racing Log: Road Atlanta Event" (Document). International Motor Racing Research Center: Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). September 2, 1991. Race log for Road Atlanta event showing class position: 1st place, ITB. |
| 1991 | Sebring Twinn 6 | 1 | N/A | N/A | ITB | "SCCA Racing Log: Sebring Twinn 6 Event" (Document). International Motor Racing Research Center: Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). November 2, 1991. Race log for Sebring Twinn 6 event showing class position: 1st place, ITB. |
| 1991 | Sebring Sark | 2 | N/A | N/A | ITB | "SCCA Racing Log: Sebring Sark Event" (Document). International Motor Racing Research Center: Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). November 30, 1991. Race log for Sebring Sark event showing class position: 2nd place, ITB. |
| 1991 | Nelson Ledges 24 Hour | 1 | N/A | N/A | ITB | "SCCA Racing Log: Nelson Ledges Event" (Document). International Motor Racing Research Center: Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). June 28, 1991. Race log for Nelson Ledges event showing class position: 1st place, ITB. |
| 1992 | Nelson Ledges 24 Hour | 1 | N/A | N/A | ITB | "SCCA Racing Log: Nelson Ledges Event" (Document). International Motor Racing Research Center: Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). June 26, 1992. Race log for Nelson Ledges event showing class position: 1st place, ITB. |
| 1992 | Moroso 6 Hour Endurance | 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | "SCCA Racing Log: Moroso Event" (Document). International Motor Racing Research Center: Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). August 1, 1992. Race log for Moroso 6 Hour Endurance showing class position: 1st place. |
| 1992 | Ace Auto Parts 250 Firestone Firehawk Endurance Championships Sebring International Raceway-Sebring, FL | 8 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| 1993 | Longest day of Nelson 24 Hour Endurance Race for Showroom Stock Cars | 1 | BSI Racing | 1981 VW Rabbit | 1 IT-B | Racing History Project |
| 1993 | IMSA Firestone Firehawk race | 14 | Team Schlesinger-Gelfand | Volkswagen Corrado | N/A | Ultimate Racing History |
| 1993 | 3 Hour Firestone Firehawk Endurance Championship for Grand Sports, Sports, and Touring entry list | 28 | Rally's Hamburgers | Volkswagen Corrado | Touring | Prog Covers |
| 1998 | Night Enduro SCCA SPU Class | 1 | N/A | N/A | SPU | "SCCA Racing Log: Night Enduro" (Document). International Motor Racing Research Center: Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). January 17, 1998. Race log for Night Enduro SCCA showing class position: 1st place, SPU. |
| 1998 | Cabin Fever Cure 4 SPU Class | 1 | N/A | N/A | SPU | "SCCA Racing Log: Cabin Fever Cure 4" (Document). International Motor Racing Research Center: Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). February 7, 1998. Race log for Cabin Fever Cure 4 showing class position: 1st place, SPU. |
| 2000 | Sebring Club Racing SPO | 1 | N/A | N/A | SPO | "SCCA Racing Log: Sebring Event" (Document). International Motor Racing Research Center: Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). November 25, 2000. Race log for Sebring event showing class position: 1st place, SPO. |
| 2001 | Daytona International Speedway | 3 | Speedsource | Porsche Boxster | ST | The Third Turn |
| 2001 | Moroso Club Racing SPO | 3 | N/A | N/A | SPO | "SCCA Racing Log: Moroso Event" (Document). International Motor Racing Research Center: Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). May 12, 2001. Race log for Moroso event showing class position: 3rd place, SPO. |
| 2001 | Phoenix International Raceway | 5 | Speedsource | Porsche Boxster | ST | The Third Turn |
Progression into automotive industry
[edit]| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive repair |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Alan Gelfand |
| Headquarters | Hollywood, Florida, United States |
Number of locations | 1 |
Area served | Hollywood, Florida |
| Services | Specializing in German automobiles |
| Website | German Car Depot |
Frequently working as a mechanic on the cars he raced, and those of his teammates, post-racing, Gelfand continued his involvement with automobiles by founding the German Car Depot in Hollywood, Florida. The business specializes in the repair and maintenance of German automobiles, reflecting his connection with automotive engineering and mechanics.[23]
Automotive Business - German Car Depot
[edit]Gelfand opened the German Car Depot, an auto repair shop specializing in German automobiles, located in Hollywood, Florida. The shop, established after a rebranding from VW Depot due to a trademark dispute, now operates with eight bays and serves hundreds of cars monthly, generating multi million dollar revenues.[23]
Entry into the dictionary
[edit]Alan "Ollie" Gelfand's name and contribution to skateboarding were immortalized when the term "ollie," was added to the Oxford English Dictionary.[10] This inclusion not only acknowledges his invention but cements his legacy within the English language as both a noun and an intransitive verb.[10] This recognition highlights the widespread impact of his innovation on skateboarding and popular culture, illustrating how a sport's technical term can become embedded in everyday language.[34] The Canadian Oxford Dictionary still lists the origin of the word as unknown, despite all other editions crediting Gelfand.[12][11][13]
Legal battles and trademark issues
[edit]Gelfand has also been involved in legal actions to protect his intellectual property related to the ollie. He filed lawsuits against major companies, including Disney and Sega, for using the term "ollie" without permission, claiming infringement on his trademark rights.[35]
Filmography
[edit]Gelfand's significant contributions to skateboarding have also been recognized in several documentary films, which explore the cultural and historical aspects of the sport. His participation in these films helps preserve the legacy of skateboarding's evolution and his pivotal role within it.[36]
Skateboard Madness (1980)
[edit]Gelfand appeared as a skateboarder in Skateboard Madness, a documentary that captures the vibrant skateboarding scene of the late 1970s. The film provides insight into the dynamics of skateboarding culture during a period of significant growth and innovation.[36]
Bones Brigade: An Autobiography (2012)
[edit]In Bones Brigade: An Autobiography, directed by Stacy Peralta, Gelfand appears as himself. The documentary focuses on the history of the Bones Brigade, a legendary skateboarding team known for their influence on the sport in the 1980s. Gelfand's firsthand account contributes to the narrative of the team's pioneering impact on skateboarding.[36]
Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001)
[edit]Gelfand also featured in Dogtown and Z-Boys, another documentary by Stacy Peralta. Originally filmed in the 1970s, but released officially in 2001, these two films examine the skate and surf culture of 1970s Venice, California, highlighting the innovations brought by the Zephyr Skateboard Team. Gelfand's involvement in the documentary underscores the revolutionary changes in skateboarding during this era, including his invention of the ollie which can be seen on video for the first time.[36]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Ollie rides again," Miami New Times.
- ^ "30 Most Influential Skateboarders of All Time". www.stadiumtalk.com. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ a b "Alan "Ollie" Gelfand". Alan "Ollie" Gelfand ~ Lifestyle. September 15, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ Thatcher, K. J. (September 1991). "Down, Sideways, Over, Under". Thrasher Magazine. September 1991: 50–51.
- ^ a b c "How to Ollie | A Secret History of the Ollie". www.olliebook.com. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ a b "Definition of OLLIE". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ Bones Brigade: An Autobiography Movie CLIP -Ollie Air (2012) - Skateboarding Movie HD. Retrieved April 28, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Skateboarding Tricks: The Ollie | Exploratorium". Exploratorium: the museum of science, art and human perception. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ "Alan Gelfand | American skateboarder | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c Stevenson, Angus (2010). Oxford dictionary of English (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford university press. ISBN 978-0-19-957112-3.
- ^ a b Stevenson, Angus; Lindberg, Christine A., eds. (2010). New Oxford American dictionary (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-539288-3.
- ^ a b Barber, Katherine, ed. (2004). Canadian Oxford dictionary (2nd ed.). Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford Univ. Pr. ISBN 978-0-19-541816-3.
- ^ a b Moore, Bruce (2008). The Australian Oxford dictionary. Australian national dictionary centre (2nd ed.). Melbourne: Oxford university press. ISBN 978-0-19-551796-5.
- ^ "Definition of OLLIE". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ "Powell Peralta Limited Edition Gelfand OLLIE Tank Skateboard Deck - 10 x 30". Powell-Peralta. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ "Selected Skateboard Contests, 1963-1980 | A Secret History of the Ollie". www.olliebook.com. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ Small, Rob. "George Powell The Entrepreneur That Changed Skateboarding". surfertoday.com. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ "How Tony Hawk and the Bones Brigade Made the Most Legendary Skate Video of All Time". GQ. August 15, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ Willing, Indigo; Green, Ben; Pavlidis, Adele (May 3, 2020). "The 'boy scouts' and 'bad boys' of skateboarding: a thematic analysis of the bones brigade". Sport in Society. 23 (5): 832–846. doi:10.1080/17430437.2019.1580265. hdl:10072/383977. ISSN 1743-0437.
- ^ Brooke, Michael (2001). The concrete wave: the history of skateboarding. Toronto, Ont: Warwick. ISBN 978-1-894020-54-1.
- ^ Todd (April 19, 2020). "Alan Gelfand SHoF 2013". Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ Eisenhour, Mackenzie (September 28, 2016). "Origins of the Front Pop with Steve Rocco, Rodney Mullen, and Alan Gelfand". TransWorld SKATEboarding Magazine. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ a b c Hodowanic, Paul (May 3, 2021). "From Skateboard Star to Shop Repair Pro". Ratchet+Wrench. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ Alan Gelfand's SCCA Competition License Application, 1981-1993, held by the International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC).
- ^ a b c Alan Gelfand's Racing Resume, 1982-1990, archived by the IMRRC.
- ^ "1990 Longest Day of Nelson Results" (PDF). Racing History Project. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
- ^ "2001 Grand-Am Cup Street Stock Series Results at Daytona". The Third Turn. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
- ^ "2001 Grand-Am Cup Street Stock Series Results at Phoenix". Motorsport.com. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
- ^ "2001 Grand-Am Cup Street Stock Series Results at Homestead". The Third Turn. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
- ^ "2001 Grand-Am Cup Street Stock Series Results at Watkins Glen". The Third Turn. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
- ^ "1993 IMSA Firestone Firehawk Race Results". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
- ^ "3 Hour Firestone Firehawk Endurance Championship Entry List" (PDF). Prog Covers. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
- ^ "2001 Daytona Motorola Cup Results". ZoomPics. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
- ^ Gleaves, Rebekah. "Ollie rides again". Miami New Times. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ "Inventor of skateboarding's 'ollie' move sues companies". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Alan Gelfand". IMDb. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
