Bugs, errors, glitches… Expect all of this and more as we roll out a new site design in bits and pieces as it is evolving, instead of completing it all at once like a sane person would.
Skate and Annoy: Daily
Cooper Hockey/Skateboarding/Hurling Helmets
A lot of so-called skateboard safety equipment of the 70’s was rebranded, ineffectual generic equipment; volleyball kneepads, gardening gloves, and hockey helmets that probably weren’t very useful for hockey either. Every couple years I get an email from the UK someone asking if I have any leads on old Cooper skateboard helmets, and the answer is always no, except when it isn’t. Is it a niche skateboard collecting community? No, not exactly. The hurling community values these. As recently as 2024, Cooper (Ireland) was still making these helmets, some with the skateboard brands they white labeled back in the 70’s.
Art Project or Viable Product?
It’s a coffee mug with a skateboard truck as a handle. This may not be new, but it’s new to me. It’s an idea that feels like it might have come from a high school art project, except Independent actually decided to have these made. The cult of Independent will surely make this line item at least break even. If ever there was a product crying out for the Maltese Cross version of the Indy logo, this is it. It’s goofy, but I kind of like it. The 80’s Thunder Trucks version of this mug just has a lizard on it and no logo.*
