hard to believe this public plaza, attached to a world famous museum, that’s been skateable for over 20 years is in danger of being destroyed. If you’ve been there, you know the history and the perfect flatground, if you’ve never been, help save it for your future trip.
„The MACBA plaza is not just a spot; it’s a legendary landmark in skateboarding history. Some of the most famous skaters in the world have left their mark here, turning it into a global hub for creativity and progression. If this space is destroyed, a significant part of skateboarding history will disappear with it, leaving a void that can never be replaced.“
Our friends over in Barcelona who do MACBALife have a long history of taking care of the spot, throwing contests, and filming epic content out of their corner of skateboarding’s Mecca. We’ve actually got a collab collection dropping with MACBALife later this year! Keep your eyes peeled.
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When we saw this link come through, we were hyped. The Recording The Ride exhibit at New York City’s Museum of the Moving Image is an unprecedented display of the genesis of skateboard video making that has shaped what we know today. To have historian Bobby Puleo walk us through this is a treat. Watch on.
„Bobby Puleo does a walkthrough of the ‚Recording the Ride: The Rise of Street-Style Skate Videos‘ exhibition at the Museum of The Moving Image.
In the late 1980s and 1990s, skateboard teams harnessed inexpensive, widely accessible video equipment to record and share limit-pushing tricks. Featuring skaters traversing stairs, benches, and other skate-able elements of public architecture, such videos assembled grainy footage of bodies in flight into music-driven montages.
These high-energy VHS-format videos, shot with limited budgets on consumer-accessible cameras equipped with genre-defining fish-eye lenses, were circulated among skaters and sold in skate shops. They served as inspiration and instruction, a form of proto social media that bound together an avid, expanding skater community. Soon, skating and the way it was captured on video became inextricably linked, complementary forms of artistic expression.
Recording the Ride features videos and artifacts from skate culture’s formative years, with a focus on releases by H-Street, Plan B, World Industries, Girl, Zoo York, 411, Birdhouse, and others that manifest the structure and style that defined the modern skate video genre. Highlights include artifacts from the production of The Bones Brigade Video Show (1984); a focus on Mike Ternasky and the brand Plan B, with vintage production and post-production artifacts used in the making of their seminal releases The Questionable Video (1992) and Virtual Reality (1993); and behind-the-scenes images, including photos shot by Spike Jonze—whose filmmaking career began with the production of skate videos—on the set of Video Days (1991). Period skateboard decks link the spirit and aesthetic established in these videos to the emergence of 1990s skater-owned brands.
Organized by guest curators Jacob Rosenberg and Michaela Ternasky-Holland, Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs Barbara Miller, and Director of Exhibition Management and Design Dánae Colomer.
About the guest curators: Jacob Rosenberg came of age making the seminal Plan B skateboard videos in the early ’ 90s under the mentorship of Mike Ternasky. Rosenberg is a director/filmmaker who has made documentaries and commercials for such brands as Nike, Ford, Verizon, MLB, and NBA. His debut documentary, Waiting for Lightning premiered at SXSW in 2012.
Michaela A. Ternasky-Holland is a Peabody-nominated and Emmy award-winning director who specializes in creating impactful stories using immersive and interactive technology. She is one of the first directors to create and premiere a short film utilizing Open AI’s SORA platform, which screened at Tribeca Festival 2024. As a nominee for the Producers Guild of America’s Innovation Award, she is also a consultant, speaker, and thought leader, who has been recognized as one of the 100 Original Voices of XR and listed as one of Blooloop’s 50 Immersive Influencers.“
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Mirko Mangum’s career as a pro skater was bright—coming up out of San Diego, riding for high profile companies like Planet Earth, traveling to the European contests in the summers and placing well, getting clips in 411s, classic photos in all the mags—but all this also set him up for a career in the skate industry after the professional days faded. Mirko’s worked for C1RCA, Zoo York, Black Box, among others. Now he’s got his own baby, Opus Footwear, which you can find stocked in skater-owned shops all over. The Platfrm did a nice profile video piece with Mirko you can watch below.
„Mirko Mangum started skating at age 12 in El Cajon outside of San Diego, California and, with the help of solid influences and legendary support, he has been a lifer ever since. Naturally, though, after turning pro on the board the breakdown of the body began. He refers to it as when he “retired physically, not financially” as his entrepreneurial spirit took hold. He started working in-house at Planet Earth (after riding for the brand professionally) and received the ultimate first-hand learning experience for how to run a proper business in skateboarding. Mirko took more than notes, though. After seven or so years at Planet Earth he popped off with other friends to create their own clothing brand in ALPHANUMERIC. Then he took a position with C1RCA focused on setting up the ultimate team with the likes of Jamie Thomas and Chad Muska. Next came the Blackbox Days, before Zoo York, and then Univ, Whatever distribution, and a role at Vans… At this point, if you want to hear Mirko’s full story and the origins of his latest skate company, watch this episode of CORE: Opus Footwear’s Mirko Magnum.“
Those El Cajon Courthouse clips are classic, as are the Greyhound bumps footage. Classic SD stuff. The TWS Check Out photo is insane! Big one footer at Jump Ramp School.
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We’ve gushed on and on about how epic this exhibition is—you really need to get out to New York City by any means possible and see Recording The Ride at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens. Now, via RB Umali’s IG post, the reception has been so massive that the museum is extending its residency. Great news!
RB Umali’s video camera is in the museum. Jon Holland’s VX that he filmed the seminal TransWorld videos with is in the museum.
The most influential.
„#RecordingTheRide at The #MuseumOfTheMoving Image in Astoria Queens has been so successful that they have extended it’s run for a few more weeks. I am beyond honored to see artifacts from #ZooYorkMixtape#PeepThis and the #SonyVX3 Hi8 video camera I brought with me when I moved to NYC in this exhibit along with artifacts from every single skate video that has influenced and inspired my career.“—RBUmali
Rick Howard and curator Jacob Rosenberg checking out Plan B ephemera on the opening weekend.
It’s all there ^^, why you should peep it. If you’re at all interested in how we got here and the pioneers who blazed the trail of skateboarding visuals, this exhibit is mandatory.
All praises due to Jacob Rosenberg, Michaela Ternasky-Holland, and the museum for hosting such an incredible show.
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The year was 1977, the place—sunny Southern California—the birthplace of everything cool. Vans and Carpet Company invite you to see what the world would be like if the Old Skool was never invented.
„Inspired by the 1977 Style 36, the Vans Skate Old Skool 36+ by Carpet Company coming soon.“
Omar Hassan checking the plumbing, J Mascis mopping the floors, Ronnie Sandoval pushing pencils—love edits like this. The honorable Ray Barbee presiding! Then old man TA reading the nursery rhymes at the end. Thank god the Style 36 was invented, or all of these guys would’ve never had careers in skateboarding (that’s the point, right?).
Vans‘ youtube video dropped on December 30 with the promise of the shoes „coming soon.“ The Friends and Family 1977 pairs are sold out on Carpet Co’s site. But stay tuned to Vans‘ social media as they’ve announced the shoes will drop tonight, January 8, at midnight.
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In one of the worst tragedies to befall the great city of New Orleans, Philly Santosuosso and the family of skateboarders around Humidity Skate Shop are running a righteous deck sale to help victims‘ families. Buy a deck in person or on Humidity’s online store for the next two days and 100-percent of profits will go to funds helping the families.
„Please read. As most of everyone knows what happened on New Years morning. Shit fucking sucks. Only a few blocks from the store. Being in the Quarter has been heavy. Want to say big shout out to everyone who has stopped by and reach out. For the next two days 100% of decks sales will go to the victims that were injured and killed in the attack that happened on bourbon. We will also be matching that number. This also goes for online deck sales. So if you need a fresh deck or just want a wall hanger not only will your money got to the victims we will be matching that number. We love you New Orleans ⚜️✊“
Philly’s always done right by his city and its skateboarders. The scene down there is rad and worth a visit. Consider buying your next deck, ASAP, from Humidity.
Few events in skateboarding capture the spirit of community and raw talent like the annual Copenhagen Open, which is why it’s really no surprise the CPH Open has been considered arguably the best skate event of the summer for the past few years.
This insane global gathering brings together the world’s heaviest pros, ams, and a variety of skate enthusiasts of all ages for an unforgettable (well, maybe sometimes forgettable) week of skating, partying, and absolute fun.
Nike SB just released its official ‘Copenhagen Open 2024 Recap’ video (although, it did take place in Athens, Greece this year…ha!) that’s certainly worth a watch and makes all my blabbering above make a little more sense. Check it out:
One thing is for certain—there was no shortage of ripping in Athens last year. This is where raw skate action and culture collide. If you’ve ever been lucky enough to experience one of these events, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. And if you haven’t, this is the perfect taste.
The flatground sessions are all-time. The bowl jam looked insanely fun. This edit is like a dad-cam montage in all the best ways; a proper fly-on-the-wall experience!
Not exactly sure why the CPH Open was in Athens this year, but I’m certainly not complaining. Summer will be here before we know it! Who’s going this year?
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As skateboarders, when we think of what a skatepark is, a number of things can come to mind. Perhaps it’s a giant concrete paradise in the middle of nowhere, fully equipped with every obstacle imaginable. Maybe it’s a fun little spot on the edge of town with a few hips and quarter pipes or a prefab pop-up park in a community center with all the bells and whistles. It could be a unique DIY slab in an old rundown parking lot. Whatever! The list goes on.
With that said, it could also simply be a variety of movable obstacles in your front yard! Having a ‘DIY skatepark’ in your yard is a dream scenario for any skateboarder. Not only does it offer the convenience of skating whenever you want—minus the crowds—but it’s a place that can really cater to your personal preferences.
Hey, skateboarding has no rules, and remember, like I said, a “skatepark” can be anything—even if it’s just a few rails, boxes, quarter pipes and random obstacles set up in your yard! Let’s dig a little deeper and see just how possible it is to make this dream a reality.
The best thing to do before starting a project like this is to have a plan. Do you have any of these obstacles already? Are you planning on building any yourself? Are you going to buy certain items from ramp-building companies? Is cement mixing going to be involved? Knowing your budget, how much space you have, and what you want to skate are the first few things you’ll want to figure out.
What Materials and Tools Do I Need?
Depending on the task at hand, you’ll probably need a variety of materials and tools to build your personal little skateboarding paradise. Items like plywood, angle iron, 2x4s, concrete, and screws are all you need to build a handful of obstacles like a kicker ramp or box, for example. You’ll also want to make sure you have a drill, screwdriver, hammer, measuring tape and other essential tools handy.
Again, it all depends on what you’re trying to build. But having a little box with angle iron and a kicker ramp is a great place to start! Lines for days.
In case you’re unaware, a “box” is basically just a ledge that you build out of wood. In my opinion, it’s an essential obstacle for any skatepark to have! They’re also super versatile. From grinds and slides to manuals and drops, a box can provide endless fun and really help you progress. And they’re honestly pretty easy and straightforward to make!
You’ll just need some plywood, 2x4s, metal coping and some screws. I could sit here and explain how to construct it, but if you’re a visual learner like myself, our friends at Empire do a great job providing plans here.
Gotta have a box in the mix!
Also, just keep in mind that ramp-building companies like Keen Ramps also sell a variety of boxes in different shapes and sizes. They provide all the materials and instructions as well. Easy-peasy!
Get a Rail or Flatbar
Rails or flatbars are another obstacle that I think every skatepark should have—especially one at home! Why? Well, they’re typically the easiest to move and store. They don’t take up a ton of space, and like boxes, they also provide endless fun and can really help you lock down your rail game. You can build them if you want, but I’d look around for used ones first. Someone out there is always selling a rail!
An essential obstacle at any skatepark!
Or you can buy pre-made ones from a variety of brands out there, depending on your preference and budget. Brands like Blunt Steel offer fun ride-on grind options as well—fun for all ages and skill levels! And like normal rails and flatbars, they’re super easy to move and store.
At any rate, if you have a ramp, box and a rail in your front yard … well, consider your skatepark open for business! But there’s always more you can do…
Do You Have Room for a Quarter Pipe?
Adding a quarter pipe to your home skatepark is a major upgrade—this is when things get serious. Whether you have space to pour some concrete and make a proper one somewhere at home or build/assemble your own out of wood, having a quarter pipe to practice your transition skills is a huge bonus. And let’s be real… it will start to make your setup truly look like a little skatepark!
Again, there are a ton of ramp-building companies out there who make building and owning a quarter pipe super convenient. Keen Ramps is a great example. Check these out! (They even have mini ramps, too.)
And aside from practicing your transition skills, quarter pipes are a convenient way to help piece together lines as you can simply kick turn and hit the obstacle again without skipping a beat. If you have room and budget for a quarter pipe, I’d highly recommend it!
Random little items like parking blocks can add variety to your skatepark as well. Endless fun awaits with one of these cement gems plopped in the mix! Get some of that good red curb paint and lather it up, or just keep it classic and have some wax on hand. Trust me, it’ll slide and grind one way or another! The best part is that a parking block has many uses—skate over it, practice no-complies, blunt stalls … the world is yours. I mean, seriously, who doesn’t love a good old parking block? Timeless.
Okay, so you built your own box and kicker ramp. You found a flatbar on Craigslist and decided to splurge a little on a quarter pipe. All of a sudden, your yard has become one of the best skate spots in town! Once your ‘DIY skatepark’ is complete, there’s only one thing left to do—invite your friends over for a session and enjoy the fruits of your labor!
One of the perks of having movable obstacles is that you can keep experimenting with different setups to keep things fresh and exciting. You also have the choice to just skate a few or all of them whenever you want. It’s a great way to progress, get creative and keep the sessions flowing at all times! Just keep in mind that safety should be your top priority when building and skating your new little spot. Make sure everything is stable and secure, watch for cars (and splinters), otherwise … let ‘er rip!
I had a little kicker ramp, two different boxes, rails, a parking block and even a plastic barrier in my front yard growing up, and it really did feel like my own little paradise. The sessions my friends and I had will stay with me forever. And it really did come in handy some mornings when we wanted to warm up or on days when the skatepark was flooded with scooters and skate camps. It’s rewarding, to say the least, and provides so much motivation. No excuses when all you have to do is walk outside and move a few things around!
So whether you’re crafting your own little pop-up park or diving deep into a cement project, the options are as endless as the fun they provide. Keep the fire burning and have some fun with it! And hey, get your friends to chip in. Sometimes you gotta pay to play!
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Brian Kelly has been holding down the San Diego skate scene since the Street Machine days, basically since forever. He’s an epic dude, a family man, and a lifelong ripper in his own right—peep his 40-year old video part!
Recently his family took a hit when their house burned down. Luckily the family and dogs weren’t harmed, but the Kelly family is in a rough spot, looking for a new home, not to mention Brian’s collection of skate VHS tapes, decks, shoes, clothes and more were damaged in the fire.
On Sunday night, December 15th, Brian Kelly and his family came home to find their house in Chula Vista had been destroyed by a fire.
Due to the fire, Brian, Chloe, their 3 year old son and the family dog have lost most of their belongings, but more importantly a place to live just before Christmas.
In effort to provide a place to stay for their family and basic essentials in this time of need, we are asking for any donations possible. Anything helps, thank you in advance for all of your support.
The Kelly Family“
Anything you can do to help Brian would be amazing. He’s helped out countless skateboarders far and wide, so it’s our turn to return the favor. We take care of our own. Thanks everyone.
From Brian’s IG: „These past 5 days have been some of the hardest in my life. I’m trying to come to terms with what happened and let go of what I cannot change. What happened with the fire was tragic but what is happening with the outpouring of support is amazingly unbelievable. I want to say THANK YOU to everyone that has supported, donated, reached out, helped spread the word and kept myself and my family in your thoughts. It’s been very overwhelming and I am so grateful for all of you. I love you ❤️“
35th North is one of the dopest skate shops in the game, and with some support from Vans, there’s nothing they can’t do! Right!? Well, I’d have to say yes. The infamous ‚All City Showdown‘ retutned this year after an eight year hiatus, but if you ask me, it’s like it never left.
This is pure, raw skateboarding at its finest. This is community building at its finest. The concept rules, the skaters killed it. Ah, welcome back ACS! Press play and remind yourself what you’ve been missing. So rad.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the „All City Showdown“ concept, let’s let the dudes behind the scenes take the stage:
„35th North and Vans bring ACS BACK! After an eight year hiatus, the original true street skateboarding contest born in Seattle has returned. This year, 10 teams of four skaters each (three skating and one filming) had just eight hours to get footage on August 25th, 2024. This was the 12th year of ACS and the 1st year of its return since 2016!“
Personally, I was so stoked to see this contest return. It shot me back to the glory days of simply charging and skating with your homies, stacking clips and, most importantly, being on a legit mission. Can’t beat that!
Not only is a contest like this absolute fun for all involved, but it’s such a proper glimpse into a variety of low-key scenes across the country. Whether you’re here rooting for your favorite squad or just getting a taste of what’s going on elsewhere, this is such a rad concept and again, I’m so happy to see it return. Plus, I love 35th North. Seattle’s finest!
If you haven’t watched the video yet, find some time to carve out and watch it from start to finish. I guarantee it’ll get you fired up. Oh yeah, and support your local skate shop!
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