Action Sports Skateboards: Brian Martin
Brian Martin had not one, but two models on “Action Sports” skateboards. This is a nice, full page, full color ad for an unknown company and an unknown rider. Anybody have any background information on this guy?
Detail of the Brian Martin Pro Model. It looks like more sane/serious version of “The Wiz” by Variflex.
Company/Brand: Action Sports
Product Type: Skateboards
Decade: 80's
Year: 1986
Rider: Brian Martin
Magazine: Transworld
Issue: Transworld: December 1986
Country: USA
I have a quick story about this dude. Sometime around 1988, we were skating at our local strip mall in East Windsor, NJ. All of a sudden this RV rolls up with an older dude driving it – and by older, he was probably in his late 20’s at the time – and asks if he can skate with us. When he got out, he introduced himself as Brian, and we started to kind of recognize him from that cheesy ad. He skated with a mix of freestyle tricks and early street stuff that was basically adapted from vert. When we finally got the courage to ask him if we was the guy from the Action Sports ad, he confirmed it. It turns out he was doing some contract work for one of the local companies – he was some kind of chemist or engineer or something – and he was out from California for a couple months. That was the last I ever saw or heard anything about him.
Yeah, he is a real jerk who likes to hit on women that are way out of his league.
Not sure who Jo is, or if he/she is talking about the right guy, since there is also a younger pro street skater named Brian Martin. That is my deck and I was a sponsored Am and pro for Sims, Tracker and Vans before finishing out my pro career on Action Sports. I am now 61 and besides skating, I do a lot of judging of skate contests. Yes, that was me in NJ, as I was a contract engineer fromSouthern California. Good memory Benj.
Dude I’ve been skating about 30 years my name is Brian Martin also. Wacky. Search Brian Martin skateboarding on YouTube. How do I get one of your old decks!?!? Lol.
Thanks Brian! So cool to relive the connection. And so awesome that you’re still involved with skating. You definitely made an impression on some young kids in NJ who had never seen a pro before. I’m happy to say that almost all of the kids you skated with that day in that crusty parking lot still skate, myself included.
Brian,
I never met you – I almost became an action sport team member. Some guy named Charlie from action sports found me at the original pipeline, came out to my house several times – then I broke my wrist and never heard from him again.
Brian recently passed away i started talking to him on facebook in 2016 and a friend I did a guest deck for him , he was so proud to have a deck out.He was a skater a contest judge and a proud dad .skated for sims from 75-85.and briefly for Madrid and Action Sports.
Oh man, that is sad to hear. Thanks for the update. Best to his family.
Brian was a good friend we had many adventures together sk8ing he lived for his kids #-1 and skateboarding #2 Never did drugs was a top sk8er and skateboard judge who loved everything about skateboarding he was crazy and would sk8 anything without second thoughts I am glad I was part of your wonderful life you were such a great inspiration and fighter these last 3 years I love you and will miss you my friend
I just found this page on accident. My name is also Brian Martin, skateboarding has been my whole life, it’s crazy to find all this. Sorry to hear the news about your friend. I was hoping to get to talk to him. I will carry on the Brian Martin skate name to the best of my ability.
I know that’s not the same Brian the older one I know for a fact is a stand up dude I’m in my 40’s now but when I was a kid between 8 an 12 Brian an his brother would take myself and my two brothers to universal studios or Disney land all the time
But as for respect he treated everyone with the same respect that was delivered
Did that ad for Brian… did other work for action sports… he wasn’t well liked and the company favored rob maggi… a good time and a learning experience…. went on and became art director for Hot Bike magazine… have my own company… design industrial
I owned a Skate-Surf shop called J and J boards unlimited in Cypress Ca.
From 1978 till 1985 then I sold it . Brian was a local at the shop I remember watching Brian skate the Monster bowel at LKWD and the half pipe at Skatopia he crushed it . Brian
Also was a decent surfer. RIP