Danforth and Duane Dueling Laybacks

Bill Danforth and Duane Peters dueling layback grinds, Summer 2010. Photo credit American Nomad.

Uncle Wiggley Skateboards

Started in 1983 by Doug Ring then later becoming business partners with Swedish pro skateboarder Tony Magnusson, the company produced boards built with the epoxy/glass construction method. Aluminum rivets were insserted into the noses of most models to help prevent nose delamination. UWS was later known for the deep concave with molds hand built by Tmag (Hell Concave). All decks were pressed in hydraulic presses in a small shop off Miramar Road in San Diego, the boards were popular with the locals. Notable skaters who worked there were over the years Steve Steadham, Reese Simpson, Dan Sturt(photog), and Dave Bedore. Other brands pressed in the UWS shop were Sure Grip International, Blockhead, and early H-Street. (Info from the Uncle Wiggley facebook page.)

Top view.

Curb Kreep

Ned at Assault Skateboards just keeps on putting out more and more rad decks and the Curb Kreep is a fine example. 8.625" by 33.125" with a dual wheelbase. "This board is great for slappin' CURBS, shredding ditches, or just skating down to the store for a cold one. Dedicated to Riky Barnes, John Lucero,Ricky Winsor,and the rest of the curb mashers out there." Get yours NOW!

misunderstood.

I've always contended that if your city doesn't have a skate park, then your city is your skate park.

Jank Bank

In the weeds again at the old dirty wallride spot. Taking more than just the broom next time. Gomer Pylon style.

Eddie El Gato Elguera Prize Shirt

Received this in the mail yesterday, my prize from El Gato's photo contest during the PPP. Thanks!

Buttery Slappy

Go Big or Go Bigger

The Deckcrafters Butter Bean (14" x 36") and the Pocket Pistols Duane Peters BRSC (9.5" x 36") were my picks for the day.

Saturday Banks and Curbs

Red Curb Contest

Ben Schroeder: Broken But Not Beaten

Ben Schroeder is no stranger to injuries sustained while skateboarding. The founder of Locomotive Skateparks found himself in Denmark for a park build and is now undergoing an excruciating 4 month treatment to help straighten his left leg which was broken and then healed crooked. Pocket Pistols is selling two t-shirt designs (before and after)with proceeds going to help Big Ben offset his medical expenses. You can order yours here.

Alley-oop 50/50 to Smith grind? Power slide/lip slide roll in?

Schroeder's "Crash Test Dummy" graphic. Pic from Skull and Bones.

Grosso's Loveletters To Skateboarding Jeff Tatum Backside Ollie

Lance Mountain Coat of Arms

A coat of arms, or family crest, was an important part of heraldic display in the middle ages as their designs uniquely represented their owners. Lance's "family crest" graphic from Powell-Peralta circa 1989 was no different as it uniquely represented Mr. Mountain with the familiar symbols of his Future Primitive graphic and other icons associated with the Bones Brigade. Photo credit Skateboard Stickers.

Flatland ollie crail grab on the Powell-Peralta Lance Mountain family crest model circa 1989.

Tony Hawk Pro Skater HD

Soundtrack info released! Read it here.

Krooked Rips The Ripper

Duane Peters Indy Air

Duane Peters Indy Air, Oasis Skatepark, 1980, by Craig Fineman.

By The Time I Get To Arizona

Lanny Kearns Greyslide.

Inspiration

Rest In Peace Shane Hidalgo

Heart breaking loss for the Gravity family and the skateboarding community. Long may you run Shane.

Slappy Sunday Throwback Pic

Brian Wood slaps a curb.

Lance Mountain BPSW

Lance Mountain from the era of big pants and small wheels.

Why I Will Never Quit Skateboarding - Confessions of a Lifer

In the last couple of weeks we have seen a number of articles written by non-skaters in the mainstream media. Some have been positive, some have been negative, and some have been a total waste of space as they attempted to question the validity of "the middle-aged" skateboarder. As a writer and a skateboarder who recently turned 40, I felt it was time to give my opinion on the matter. Skateboarding is the fountain of youth, and for me, has no rules, and knows no age limit. I cite Duane Peters, Dave Hackett, and Pastor Eddie Elguera as my primary examples, although those of us reaching the minimum age requirement for the "Master's Division" grows daily. There is a lot I could say here about how skateboarding is no different than any other physical activity, and how no one questions the validity of, or puts an age limit on, activities such as jogging, cycling, etc. But I won't. I will say that skateboarding saved my life six years ago and that I don't plan to stop until my corporeal being ceases to exist as my spirit is stronger than ever. As for the "writers" composing verbal garbage and passing it off as "work" in the mainstream media, my advice is to stick to what you know, and leave skateboarding to the skaters.

Redwood Coast Skateboards

Redwood Coast Skateboards in Fort Bragg, California, is producing a quality line of shop boards that are looking good! Pictured below is the 8.5" Crusher which sports a 15" wheelbase and looks suitable for pool, park, and street.

The Redwoods Coast 9.6" x 33" Pool Crusher sports a 16.75" wheelbase and deep wheel wells to accommodate the loosest of loose trucks. Graphics by Jacob Hewko, pictures courtesy of Redwood Coast Skateboards.

Reign Skate Shop Curbs Their Enthusiasm

Slappy the World

Thanks R. Mack for the link

Steve Caballero at Newberg, Oregon 2006

Sunday, August 12, 2006. My wife and I are in the shot at the 0:01 mark directly to Cab's right as he drops in (I'm wearing a red shirt and my wife is wearing a sleeveless top and we both have on sunglasses). Thanks to the Oregon Trifecta, I will never forget our wedding anniversary!

Listen To Pat Ngoho

Pro-Tec Pool Party 2012 Highlights

Minor Threat - Good Guys (Don't Wear White)

Pro-Tec Pool Party 2012

One of the most anticipated skateboard events of the year is now one for the books and history was definitely rewritten last night. The final results of the Master's Division was a top four sweep by past members of the Bones Brigade with Mike McGill taking fourth, a flawless Lance Mountain claiming third, Tony Hawk rolling into second place on his 44th birthday, and Stevie Caballero taking home the big check in the first place position after bouncing back from a broken shoulder he incurred just weeks ago.

It's not a "five", it's a McTwist, perfectly executed by the man it was named for, Mr. Mike McGill. Photo courtesy of Mike McGill.

The results of the Master's were not without controversy with social networking sites overflowing with criticism of the results and a handful of "off the wall" conspiracy theories. I'm not going to delve into the negativity, I watched all four heats and the finals and have to say that the contest was judged accordingly, but skateboarding has its share of critics, unfortunately many of them skaters themselves. It used to be "us versus them", but now it seems to be "us versus us", but enough already, there's always next year.

The Q-Man

Jeff Phillips Speed Freaks 1989

Eric Dressen Speed Freaks 1989

What Luck? DIY Ethics and Punk Rock Roots

The What Luck Skateboards 2012 Old School Fist deck. 9" x 32.25" with a 15" wheelbase, slight fish shape with a blunt nose.

What Luck x Grind For Life Rails. 1/2" tall, 3/4" wide, 5/8" base, and 14.75" long with 4 mounting holes. These are some burly rails! Best part is that all proceeds from the sale of these rails go to Grind For Life to help people fight cancer.


The Bill Tocco Pool deck! 9" x 33.75" with a 15.5" wheelbase, square tail with a classic pool deck shape.

The DIY Stocking Cap Program is truly a one of a kind endeavor. "...for $8 plus shipping, you get this killer RAD Stocking Cap and so does a homeless dude. Easy as that. EVERY What Luck DIY Stocking Cap you buy, What Luck will donate one to help the homeless. Your getting a RAD deal and helping out at the same time. WIN WIN. This is what we DO." RAD! Now that is something to Respect and Support!

What Luck 2012 Fist deck popsicle shape, available from 7.5" up to 8.5" and affordably priced!

In today's ever increasingly cutthroat market, it's good to find a skateboard company that embraces old school DIY ethics and the roots of skateboarding. What Luck is one such company, doing what they do for the LOVE and the FUN of skateboarding, and not for the money. Check their website for more awesome products including McRad and JJ Mace decks, Bill Danforth's Indestructible Mounting Hardware, wax, buttons, bearing lube, and more. You'll be glad you did.
Product photos courtesy of What Luck? Skateboards, used with permission.

Garry Scott Davis

The frontside front-foot foot-plant, later renamed "the Boneless One".

"What is skateboarding about? It's about cars. Jumping off of cars." GSD layback rollout in an early Tracker ad.


The Tracker GSD Banks/Curbs model, possibly the first "street" deck.

Before Barrier Kult, GSD was the scariest dude on the block.

Garry Scott Davis, pioneer of bank skating.

Rest In Peace Adam Yauch aka MCA

In 1986, License to Ill was the soundtrack to our launch ramp sessions. I had the luck to see the Beastie Boys live in 1994 and needless to say it was a high energy show that bounced from hip-hop to punk rock and all points in between. Respect Eternal Adam, much Love.

Got Tail Slides?