Intro & Interview by Adam Abada
Photos by Tom Botwid
What “is” skateboarding? A seven-ply piece of maple? Thirty-three inches of length and no more? “Not a crime?”
Just as skateboarding often eludes definition — existing in a purgatory between physical expression and existential thought — poetry uses language to access a similar type of feeling and add something new to our shared experience.
Of all the peculiar trends to afflict modern skate videos, not putting skaters’ names is one of the most annoying — especially for anyone who came of age in the latter days of the “video magazine.” (We’ll forget the name of the person who introduced themselves to us five seconds ago, but will remember the name of the dude who did a nollie tailside bigspin in a Logic video 16 years ago…)
Cyrus, Antonio, Bobby Worrest, and others on a Nike SB trip skating around somewhere in the middle of the country.
The only regret from 2018 that came into the QS office on the first day of 2019 operations was not editing the second half of last year’s “Best of” clip to “Thank U, Next.” Kyota has us covered in his winter iPhone montage though. Borough Hall, L.E.S., the new 11th Street manny pad, etc.
Had no idea what this was upon click, but it’s pretty sick: “Massapequa Keith Garbarino Mixtape” via Matt Schleyer. Switch back tail shove at Riverbank was fire.
“The city could have blindly purchased a half-pipe but have instead commissioned a sweeping concrete amphitheatre and painted tarmac hill. The expressive architectural gestures exist without the need for an explicit purpose, allowing children, families, cyclists and skateboarders to develop their own relationship with the space.” You already know most of what it has to say, but this is a nice article about cities embracing skateable public space.
Lucas Puig has an iPhone part for …Andale Bearings.
Paul Grund has a quick photo feature over on Skate Jawn about him, Bobby D, Hjalte, and Nik Stain’s voyage through Eastern Europe with Ben Chadourne. And yeah, there doesn’t seem to be much use skating anywhere else in Prague.
Even almost two years after its demolition, there’s no lack of “last days of Shorty’s” content, but this mini doc on Tommy Cuba, one of the original Shorty’s crew members, is probably shot way better than the rest of them.
Raw Deals #008 via Tombo from roughly around ~2003 A.K.A. the era of rough fits. The “fashion” from this time period is really something else. Half the people are dressed like they’re getting a greasy hungover bagel in Murray Hill on a Saturday morning wearing their girlfriend’s Ugg slippers.
There’s some condo over on 61st and Riverside that has its own private mini ramp the same way it’d have like, a swimming pool or a gym. That thing will definitely get a ton of use. (There’s a rail and a few ledges in front of the Soulcycle that you get some time at, though.)
These edits from Swedish slappy lords Poetic Collective are — along with the POP Clips — some of the funnest Euro edits going right now. Never not hyped to skate (and book Euro tickets) after watching one.
The Bunt is back with a new season. Their first episode is with Pedro Delfino.
Rest in Peace to the Lower East Side Guy in All White.
While everyone has a reinvigorated interest in Soulja Boy given his recent, um, media blitz, we feel obligated to point everyone in the direction of this Endless Shrimp mix that Shrimp C did back in 2017 (it was the last episode of the show he ever did.) He listened to literally every Soulja Boy song in existence, and narrowed the best ones down to an hour-long playlist. There are a couple omissions, but to each their own.
QS Sports Desk Play of the Week: The game itself was ok, but the end of Sixers v.s. Thunder was the most fun all last week.
Quote of the Week
Inquisitive Gentleman: “How the hell do you even know that guy?”
Sean Kinney: “I went to his wedding. He has nipple rings.”
We post this every MLK Day, yes ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
A grainy Jeff Pang via That’s A Crazy One
Seems like the skateboard world has still collectively been regrouping since Glory Challenge Weekend? Or everyone just went out to Paris for fashion week? Because it’s been slow as shit out there for any #interesting #skate #content.
If we were exiled from New York, we’d probably have the easiest time relocating to Paris (similar distractions/fashionability/volume of “Summer Trip To” clips), so just to practice: 1) Thierry Gormit has a sick new part over on Free with a Lucas @ Republique cameo. Who is gonna be the first one to do a trick into the East River though? 2) Swedish slappy poets, Poetic Collective, make the obligatory “Summer Trip to Paris” edit. 3) Skate Jawn has a Remy Tav interview. Big year for footage at the Louvre. 4) Le Dome is a go again. Shout to Rick Owens for the tip.
Looks like Tony Hawk is an avid QS #TRENDWATCH reader.
This half New York / half Tampa Sam Bellipanni part has some cool Columbus Park tricks, and lines at the Banks are always nice to see.
This Ricta commercial filmed around New York never misses a chance to remind you that you’re watching a wheel company commercial. Also, only one of those spots could be considered “crusty.” *Queue up this classic 12th & A quote*
“Skaters in Cars Looking At Spots” is just called “Skaters in Cars” now. The new one is with Louie Lopez. We should steal this concept but have it focus exclusively on claimers. “Didn’t you say you were going to nollie back heel those steps but can’t do those on flat?”
A 19-year-old who just happens to be the best native skateboarder from New York City opened his own Caribbean-American restaurant in The Bronx. Congrats, T.J!
Need more Glory Challenge content? Probably not, but Village Psychic interviewed everyone waiting outside two weeks ago about who they thought would win the World Championship Game of S.K.A.T.E.
“Team Nightwork” via Kyota’s iPhone.
Basketball player and wallie noseblunt extraordinaire, Justin Henry, is the latest guest on The Bunt.
Jeff Ihaza re: Lil’ Wayne being hip-hop’s best skater, though I think Rich the Kid would wash him in S-K-A-T-E.
Quote of the Week
Gentleman Who Was Almost Maced By Montreal Police: “There was just a riot outside the bar.”
Charles Rivard: “Yeah, the city just does that to promote drinking.”
Kinda like this loosie from the winter and “Back From The 80s” more than anything on The Carter V.
