On March 16th, 1966, in Anaheim, California, Paul Van Doren and three partners opened up their first ever store and the Vans dream was born. Skateboarders who like Vans rugged make-up and sticky sole are seen sporting Vans all over Southern California in the early 1970s. Vans then begins creating the world’s leading action sport series with the sponsorship of the inaugural Triple Crown of skateboarding, which then develops into the Vans Triple Crown series which includes events in skateboarding, BMX, surfing, wakeboarding, snowboarding, motocross and super cross. In 1998 Vans open the first of its kind, a 46,000 square-foot indoor-outdoor Vans Skate park at the Block in Orange County. Vans continues to forge innovative collaborations through the Vault by BVans line with Vans sneaker combinations with design giant Marc Jacobs and OC up-and-comers Trovata flying off the shelves. In 2006 Vans celebrates 40 years at the heart of youth culture.