Tom Fain and friends

Tom Fain and friends

We mentioned Tom Fain in a piece about the defunct Skatepark Magazine since he was on the cover posing with his eight wheeled skateboard under the caption “Why every community could use a Tom Fain.” and I made the joke “Really? Every community could use a guy who is seemingly completely out of touch with skateboarding culture?” because he was on an 8 wheeler, and most kids can’t relate to a board that is wider than 8 inches, let alone an eight wheeler from the 70’s. Well Tom eventually saw the post and wrote to me. He’s got a good sense of humor and wasn’t annoyed by the post at all. He sent in a bunch of pictures of him not being out of touch with skateboarding culture, as well as some scans of the article about him in Skatepark magazine. Tom has a web site devoted to his ministry and skateboarding called SAP Skateboards if you are interested.

Yes, Tom Fain used to skateboard.

Tom Fain on magazine

But, Tom Fain still skates.

Tom Fain hand plant

Tom Fain air

Tom Fain 8 Wheeler

Tom and skateboard notables.

Tony Hawk
Tom Fain and Tony Hawk

Bam Margera
Tom Fain and Bam

Steve Caballero
Tom Fain and Steve Caballero

Rodney Mullen. Seriously? Is that really him? Rodney is looking a little rough.
Tom Fain and Rodney Mullen

Richy Carasco
Tom Fain and Richy Carasco

Christian Hosoi
Tom Fain and Christian Hosoi

Mike Vallely

Tom Fain and Mike Vallely

Lance Mountain

Tom Fain and Lance Mountain

Lonnie Toft

Tom Fain and Lonnie Toft

Eddie Elguera (?) and Hosoi
Tom Fain and Christian Hosoi, Eddie Elguera

Tom Fain in Skatepark Magazine

The mag was intended to be for skatepark owners and was through socal skateparks but as you said it was cheezey and never took off.

Here’s the 2004 article from Skatepark Magazine, scanned by Tom. Click the pages to enlarge.

Tom Fain in Skatepark Magazine

Tom Fain in Skatepark Magazine (2)

Tom Fain in Skatepark Magazine (3)

Tom Fain in Skatepark Magazine (4)

Discussion

24 thoughts on “Tom Fain and friends

  1. shawn on May 1, 2008 - Reply

    You had me until I read ministry, thanks but no thanks to religion in skateboarding.

  2. That’s probably how most of our readers feel, including myself, but still I provide the information and link because it’s relevant to the story and it’s a small way of thanking Tom for taking the time to send in everything.

  3. JAKEANDANNOY on May 1, 2008 - Reply

    What about religion oustide of skateboarding?
    Like, um “Yearning For Zion” LDS ranch in Texas.
    They’re religious, and I dont think they are represented by any skateboarder.

  4. enemy combatant on May 1, 2008 - Reply

    How about people who make a religion of skateboarding? Oh, wait…

  5. JAKEANDANNOY on May 1, 2008 - Reply

    What about 2 girls, 1 cup?

  6. houseofneil on May 1, 2008 - Reply

    is it just me, or does he look like a cross between Brad and Steve Caballero?

  7. JAKEANDANNOY on May 1, 2008 - Reply

    More like Mr. Myagi & Cab

  8. two girls one cup was rad. i hope it comes out on blu-ray.

  9. Vonda Shrader on February 27, 2009 - Reply

    I think its awesome that Tom Fain is using religion and skateboarding to keep teens focused on having fun & keeping faith instead of doing drugs. Something only Tom could pull off! U go Tom!

  10. this is my dad! it really is!

  11. Tom Fain is a cool guy. That park that is in the photos is gone now, but it was bad ass while it lasted. Thanks for the goodtimes Tom.

    I am not a big fan of prosletizing and preaching, but if it gets a park built out in the middle of nowhere it ain’t all bad.

  12. Tom Fain on May 9, 2009 - Reply

    Hey guys thanks for the funny and cool comments, For me it’s all about getting places out there for kids to skate and giving people an option of a spiritual side if they want it. Nothing gets crammed down them. I’m really really open minded about my faith, not like a lot of the religious people out there that try and tell people how to live. Live the way you want to and get connected to something in the spiritual side, to better your life.
    SK8-4-LIFE

  13. yo your my uncle….lol…dougs me dadio/…..woooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!1wats up

  14. check out my myspace and add me @ mzkittykat@comcast.net…soo watz up with you…haha ..lol like the haif pipe it aswome ..you know thatscate board you gave to my dad”doug beck”..itz kool i got weels for it hahahaha..ive got to visit you some time

  15. I shot some of those photos. Tom is the real deal. He was a real pro in the 70’s for a team that was the equivalent of Baker/Flip/Element today.

    Tom is a real nice guy. Don’t be such jerks.

  16. If it were not for guy’s like Tom and Gordy and Lonnie, there would be no skate parks. These guys are to skate parks like the Duke was to surfing. Led Zepplin to Rock (sorry Elvis) so you should be thanking these guys like Tom for making skate what it is today. And there is nothing wrong with faith. whatever it is. Tom and I do not share the same views on our faith I am sure. But we respect each other. I am in aw of Tom and all his acomplishments , it was not easy for us growing up in the times we did. And most of our friends did not make it so well in the adult life. I love ya Tom and I am proud of you!

  17. Tom Fain on August 10, 2010 - Reply

    Thanks again for the comments I still send people to this page to check it out.

  18. Anonymous on December 13, 2011 - Reply

    Tom Fain passed away the morning of 12/13/11.

  19. Vonda Shrader on December 17, 2011 - Reply

    I am sorry to say that Tom Fain passed away on 12-13-11 He was one of the most awesome people I have ever known and he will be missed by anyone who knew him. I have known him since I was 5 years old. He had a kind heart and was open minded and non-judgmental to everyone. Not only that but he was cool as hell! He is someone you could count on in a pinch and he was always there for you. He was a skateboarding legend and should be remembered for all the great things he was, a skater, a pastor, a karate master, a musician, a father, a husband, and a friend! R.I.P. Tom!

  20. I knew Tom for 15 years, he was my mentor and taught me so much about skating, i had a blast throughout the years doing demos with him and sharing Christ’s love to people who had never heard it before. Tom was the most realest person there was, down to earth, and like he said in an earlier comment he did not shove his faith at you, he shared his testimony and let people make up their minds about faith, he will be missed by many

  21. I will always consider Tom as the first “Bad Boy” I ever knew. I was there when he was thrown out of class (CIHS circa 1976) because he wouldn’t leave his skate outside the class room! I was glad to see that he became such a inspiration to so many. God Bless you Tom… You left too soon.

  22. I loved and lived with Tommy for the past two years, and I was there with him when he passed. He gave me enough love in those two years to last two lifetimes. He loved everyone unconditionally, and he saw the best in everyone as well. I wanted to thank everyone who sent out good vibes and prayers for him. He is where he wants to be-skating pools with Jesus. He told me so many stories about his interractions with everyone over his liftime! I know he appreciates everyone for who they are. He is an amazing person, loved and missed by all who knew him. He is in peace, but definitely not resting!

    1. Anthony on August 28, 2014 - Reply

      Hey lizzy I found a board at a thrift store with a mural of tom fains .name and your name on it . Get at me tonyboycali@gmail.com

  23. Great Guy.. Skated with him @ Endless Wave in Oxnard. He stood at the Top of the Pro Bowl encouraging me to get to the top, I was 11 and got three out and was stoked..He was cool!!

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