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.
But, Tom Fain still skates.
Tom and skateboard notables.
Tony Hawk
Bam Margera
Steve Caballero
Rodney Mullen. Seriously? Is that really him? Rodney is looking a little rough.
Richy Carasco
Christian Hosoi
Mike Vallely
Lance Mountain
Lonnie Toft
Eddie Elguera (?) and Hosoi
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.
24 comments
Willy
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!!
Lizzy
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!
Anthony
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
Corry
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.
Danny H
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
Vonda Shrader
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!
Anonymous
Tom Fain passed away the morning of 12/13/11.
Tom Fain
Thanks again for the comments I still send people to this page to check it out.
Kristi
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!
GD
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.
kathryn beck
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
kathryn beck
yo your my uncle….lol…dougs me dadio/…..woooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!1wats up
Tom Fain
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
Brock
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.
jujubcfl
this is my dad! it really is!
Vonda Shrader
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!
LP
two girls one cup was rad. i hope it comes out on blu-ray.
JAKEANDANNOY
More like Mr. Myagi & Cab
houseofneil
is it just me, or does he look like a cross between Brad and Steve Caballero?
JAKEANDANNOY
What about 2 girls, 1 cup?
enemy combatant
How about people who make a religion of skateboarding? Oh, wait…
JAKEANDANNOY
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.
Kilwag
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.
shawn
You had me until I read ministry, thanks but no thanks to religion in skateboarding.