Sportswear for sportsmen

This is an advertisement for Jantzen swimwear published int the June, 1966 issue of the Life Magazine. It gives Further credence to the idea that skateboarding was not dead by the end of 1965. Granted, the submission deadline could have been a couple months in advance. Also of note, this advert features 3 future Hall of Fame professional athletes in 3 different disciplines. It has NFL football player Frank Gifford, NBA basketball player Jerry West and NHL hockey player Bobby Hull, all admiring the Jantzen “Chemstrand Sharkskin” fabric wrapped around a skateboard and surfboard.

It was a much more innocent time for advertising. Can you imagine a bunch of mainstream pro athletes gazing intently at a skateboard in modern publications? Actually, I could. Howevert, they’d be doing it with hipster irony. Join the “International Sports Club. Sportswear for sportsmen.” Other members include Bob Cousy, Paul Hornung, Terry Baker, Dave Maar and John Severson. Jantzenis over 100 years old, and incredibly, still headquartered in Portland, Oregon. They should update this advert with a photoshoot at Burnside.

Check out the full advertisement.

Here’s a closeup of the ad copy.

Let’s get a look at that skateboard. Looks like a Hobie to me.