Louis Zamperini
‘His first experience with skateboarding was when he made my first skateboard around 1959‘
Luke Zamperini
President
The Louis Zamperini Foundation
www.zamperini.org
June 2026
How did Louis discover skateboarding?
Louis was a Malibu Beach surfer in the late 50’s and early 60’s. His first experience with skateboarding was when he made my first skateboard around 1959.
What triggered your dad to make his own skateboard?
Back in the 50’s and early 60’s professionally built skateboards were rare. The first skateboard in our neighbourhood was a 2×4 on metal skates. Dad made mine out of plywood shaped like a surfboard. It still had metal skates which were quite dangerous. They would literally stop on a dime, or a twig, or a crack on the sidewalk.
Do you remember which board he was riding? Do you still have it?
Louis’ last board was an Arbor longboard. My son Clay inherited it.
Where would he ride his skateboard?
Louis primarily rode his skateboard in and around Hollywood First Presbyterian Church where he was in ministry.
Would he skate with anyone else?
Louis taught skateboarding to the many kids that flocked around him in the church.
‘He broke his hip on rollerblades at age 81 and the family made him stop skateboarding at that point.’
Skateboarders are associated with being resilient. They fall more than landing tricks. Do you think Louis as one of the most resilient persons I have ever come across was drawn to it because of that?
Louis loved sports, and being an athlete, he loved to train and test his ability. He used skateboarding to attract and befriend young people to share his story and his love for his Savior Jesus Christ. He broke his hip on rollerblades at age 81 and the family made him stop skateboarding at that point.
Please tell us more about Louis Foundation?
The Louis Zamperini Foundation is dedicated to the study of the seminal book about his life Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand in schools across the United States and beyond. The book has a profound effect on young people as they are making decisions on the direction of their lives. The foundation is a nonprofit organization that receives no remuneration from the book that it promotes.