The Return of the NISS Tour
In 1994, Rick Stark and Mark Billik—two longtime friends with a deep love for competition and culture—launched the National Inline Skate Series (NISS) on the beaches of Southern California.
Image courtesy of Katie Brown: NISS 1997 Santa Monica, CA.
ESPN2, barely a year old and eager for fresh content, jumped on board and began broadcasting the series. That national exposure helped secure Taco Bell as the tour’s and the sport’s first major sponsor.
Image: Matt Matz || NISS 1994
Building Courses
With $150,000 in backing, Stark and Billik enlisted Spohn Ranch to build a portable vert ramp and street course—complete with the now-legendary Death Rail and Bauer Box—and thus NISS was born.
Image: Arlo Eisenberg || Venice Beach, CA || NISS 1994
A National Stage
With 50 of the best skaters worldwide in the debut season , NISS launched a six-stop tour that would make history, transforming an underground movement into a nationally televised phenomenon. and many more.
Image: NISS 1994 Rider Official Roster
Friendship and Comradre
Over the next five years, NISS became more than just a tour—it evolved into a movement. Events spanned from LA to New York, Portland to Boston. They expanded internationally with IISS (International Inline Skate Series), stopping in Spain, Italy, Rome, Holland, and many more. Skaters formed lasting friendships across the pond, inspired local scenes, and transformed their passion into global careers.
Image courtesy of Katie Brown: NISS 1997 California
Fueled By Community
Publications like Daily Bread and Box Magazine were already well established as the industry's voice, and the television exposure only helped fuel the momentum.
When aggressive inline skating debuted in ESPN’s first-ever X-Games in 1995, NISS was widely recognized as the launchpad. It wasn’t just about competition—it was about building a community, creating opportunities, and giving young athletes a real shot at a future in the sport they loved.
Image courtesy of Ray Mendez: NISS 1996
In collaboration with top-tier events, pro skaters, media partners, and dedicated promoters, the mission is clear: discover and elevate the next generation of talent, build a U.S. team for Olympic competition, and create a sustainable platform that celebrates skating’s global potential. The new NISS isn’t here to replace what’s been built but to amplify it. Think of it as the umbrella over a thriving scene that’s been holding strong for decades. The revolution that started in ’94 is rolling again—with bigger dreams, better tools, and a new generation ready to ride.
