Skateboarder magazine was first published in 1964 as a quarterly during the very first skateboard boom. It was published by Surfer Publications out of Dana Point, California. After an initial release of only four quarterly issues in 1964-65, it ceased publication until the first big skateboard revival of the early 1970s.

Skateboarder resumed publication as a bi-monthly in 1975 with Gregg Weaver featuring on the first cover. It became a monthly publication in late 1977. It was credited at the time as "The Bible" for skateboarders the world over. Its success, in large part, over the other skateboard publications that were soon to follow in the 70s boom, was due to its exceptional photography and editorial content.

Warren Bolster (1944-2006) was the editor of the magazine during its second incarnation. It was Bolster who has been credited as the key driver of the magazine attainting its "biblical" status.