SKATE-ZINE

/// ZEN & CONCRETE ///

Fresh Cut

Finding Balance on Four Wheels

Skateboarding isn't just about the tricks; it's a moving meditation. Why returning to the board in your 30s is the ultimate mindfulness practice...

Read The Zine →

Oct 12, 1985 (Just Kidding)

The Neon Ollie

How to keep your joints happy while trying to pop that ollie you haven't done in 15 years.

Current Mood

Distressed Decks

Why a scratched-up board tells a better story than a fresh one. The aesthetics of effort.

Philosophy

Concrete Waves

Navigating the skatepark when you're the "Old Guy." Spoiler: Nobody cares, just skate.

Gear Check

Retro Setup

Reviewing the reissue decks. Are they actually better, or is it just the nostalgia talking?

Hey O.G. SKATER!

Page is killer. Brings me back to that ’80’s feel. “Nobody cares, just skate.” This is absolute truth.

A lot of skaters struggle with this. Young and old.

“Skateboarding isn’t just about tricks.” This is gospel. “Retro setup?” Great question. I vote YES! on the Retro’s. All Retro’s I have skated have never let me down.

A lot of thought, testing, and work were put into those designs. Popsicles have their place – but it became commonplace to issue those boards for all pros in the ’90’s and 2000’s – sometimes, today. No input from the riders. Stale.

Many skaters from our generation (and older) resented the popsicle (or, “the egg”). It was a strange design used to cut costs (less wood). But, it worked for the revolutionary street skating that EXPLODED on the scene.

I remember going to Endless [Grind] (Raleigh, skate shop) in 1991 to get a board and was shocked at the selection.

No more shaped boards. Narrow tails, less width, smaller wheelbase – but longer noses. The longer noses were revolutionary and were definitely needed.

That is the silver lining.
It had to happen.

A necessary change in skateboarding – although it hurt [to see the changes].