kicktail
KIK-tayl
/ˈkɪk.teɪl/
The upward-curved rear end of a skateboard or surfboard that allows the rider to pivot, lift the nose, or pop the board into the air.
The kicktail is a critical mechanical feature; without it, modern street skateboarding tricks like the ollie would be physically impossible.
The story behind the word. Invented in 1969 by Larry Stevenson, founder of Makaha Skateboards. By adding a simple upward bend to the tail of the board, he allowed riders to 'kick' down on the tail to lift the nose, completely changing the trajectory of the sport.
Word relationships
- tail: Tail is the general rear end of any board, while kicktail specifically refers to a tail that curves upward.
- flat tail: A flat tail has no upward curvature, offering stability but limiting trick capability.
Commonly confused with
- nose: The nose is the front end of the board, whereas the kicktail is located at the rear.
Collocations
- double kicktail
- steep kicktail
- pop the kicktail
Example sentences
- "The deck features a steep kicktail, which gives the rider more leverage and pop when executing technical street tricks." A technical review of a new skateboard deck design.
- "The introduction of the kicktail transformed the skateboard from a simple sidewalk glider into an agile machine capable of jumping obstacles." A historical account of how skateboarding evolved in the late 1960s.
Memory hook
You 'kick' the 'tail' of the board down to make the nose jump up. Kick the tail to pop the board.
When not to use
Do not use 'kicktail' to describe a flat tail on a traditional longboard or vintage surfboard that has no upward curve.
Fun facts
- Larry Stevenson patented the kicktail in 1971, and although he faced many patent infringements, his invention is widely considered the spark that created modern skateboarding.
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