Are you the guy that ordered this? It should be in your hands already or very soon, becasue it shipped out on Tuesday. What about the sexist nature of this graphic? Exploitation? No! Well… yes, but that’s the point. When I conceived this graphic back in the 80’s skateboarding was in the middle of a boom and there was an influx of crappy equipment being sold by toy stores and sports chains trying to get a piece of the pie. Add to that the fact that some of the major skate companies were overcome with greed and began employing pimping out the image of skateboarding. So the point of this graphic was to convey how sleazy the industry was becoming. Also, we thought it was funny. And well, there were boobs too. I am conflicted about using it these days, but I think it still resonates. Click to enlarge, but don’t order any because we’re out of wood for a couple weeks.

When you think of skateboard companies based in Texas, one word comes to mind. Zorlac…. oh wait. Did you know Nash had it’s manufacturing plant in Fort Worth Texas? I would have guessed China, if anything. In 2006 there was a fire at Nash Manufacturing that destroyed the facility. The cause was said to be under investigation, but nothing ever surfaced, at least not on the Interwebs™. I’m going to make a case for industrial espionage and sabotage, because Nash is a true industry innovator. Proof after the jump.

Phil Tedder makes the raddest coping blocks around. Check out his website to see projects he’s worked on and order up some hard long-lasting blocks for that backyard bowl. Tedder tells me shipping is prohibitively expensive over 1200 miles these days (Thanks Bush administration) but if you’re local this is the block for you.

Lance Robson snapped some photos at a Tampa pro vert contest. Which one? I don’t know. That’s right, I don’t know. AST? Actually, this was the warm up day, not the actual contest. He’s also got some shots of the Bro Bowl from the same day thrown in the mix. He’s got a photo set and a short but interesting write up. Check it out on Flickr.

I don’t get “Go Skateboarding Day,” but this kid in the shot above certainly does. Carl Warren went to eight different skateparks on GSD and took a bunch of photographs. Update: Ugh. Follow this link then hit the link that says “go skateboarding day 2008”

Issue number three of Preparation S is courtesy of the collection of Sonny Robertson of SPS fame. Preparation S is from Palestine, Texas, circa 1987. It’s all meticulously hand lettered, and almost every page is covered down to the last bit of white paper. This issue is mostly comprised of the “Staff” of Preparation S, except for a spread on Art and Steve Godoy, and a few other pics of Texas locals like future Zorlac pro Rob Mertz.

I forgot to mark where I found this, so my apologies to the person who originally scanned this, but it wasn’t this site. This is not quite as wacky as the more recent bike and skateboard hybrids, but it does appear to be the first one. It’s the Wham-O Wheelie Bar. If they made one of these now, they have to call it the “Wham-O Manual Bar!” See the full ad and watch an old TV commercial after the jump.

Sports Illustrated Kids has a video tour of Kona skatepark. Think of the intended audience and get prepared for you Federal Recommended Daily Allowance of flyouts. For a video tour, there sure are a lot of still photos. Check it out

Lincoln City locals love their park, but unfortunately for them, so does everyone else. This weekend is gong put their patience to the test as the park is hosting both the annual Sleeestock, which is a weekend of debauchery and skateboarding, as well as an appearance by the 30th anniversary Independent Trucks tour on Sunday. Alas, my wife’s birthday is this weekend and she’s got visitors coming in from out of town, so I will be watching the kids and you’ll have to skate in the gravel parking lot without me. How do you type the sound effect for a whip?