I can’t recall the date exactly, but I’d say this was taken in 1990, or 91. There was a hipster nightclub in Chicago called Shelter. They would have all kinds of events and promotions, and since I was a partner in the silkscreen business that printed for them, I occasionally got to be involved behind the scenes in a minor way. For instance, I got to hang out with some the famous club kids from NYC, before they became famous murderers. Another event that I didn’t understand but certainly enjoyed, was the outdoor miniramp. Someone came up with the promotion to build a miniramp in the outdoor section of the club, whic was really large, if I recall correctly. The club was located in a sort of derelict industrial area, next to some railroad tracks, so noise wasn’t an issue. Originally I was actually supposed to build the damn thing, but somehow it got puled out from under me, and a guy named Sluggo took charge, which was kinfd of annoying as he was an employee of mine at the time. Sluggo? There are a few “Sluggos” in skateboarding scenes across the nation, this guy lives in Chicago. So they…

I found this picture uncredited on one of those image amalgamation web sites. It actually had a WB watermark in the bottom corner. Heath Ledger was known to pick up a skateboard, who knows, maybe he had a kickflip in him…. It looks like a photoshop job though, especially with the board backwards. Regardless, the end result is a good one. Full frame after the jump.

Skateboarding dog float at the Rose Parade! How did I miss this? Oh yeah, I didn’t watch it on TV. This was the battle royale of skateboarding bulldogs, the float featured both Tillman and Tyson the, uh, skateboarding bulldogs… Flickr user theMaykazine actually went there. [Source: The Skatepark Times]

Graham Taylor has made a video comparing skateboarders to modern ballet dancers. It includes some UK footage from the 90’s on. Noticeably present, the Craig Stecyk quote about technology, a cement playground and the minds of 11 year olds. Noticeably absent is the Daniel Gesmer spotlight. In any case, It’s an odd little film that might make you chuckle, especially when the jump cuts between the two disciplines get hopping. Try to imagine a session at street spot with everyone in tights. Then try to imagine ballet dancers gathering secretively in an empty warehouse with their generators and mirrors, practicing their moves and then cursing loudly while trying to focus that big wooden bar. [Source: When we was RAD]

Actually, it’s most of the time. I remember hearing about a Major League baseball player who also sang in a punk rock band (not Charlie Sheen), but I didn’t realize he was also one of the owners of Skate Lab, home of a world famous skateboard museum, as well as two skateparks and of course, a line of kids furniture accessories. It doesn’t stop there, he’s got the too-good-to-be-true skateboard comic-type last name of Radinsky. That’s Scott Radinsky. And how did I put that all together? Well the obvious way, the owner of a baseball blog contacted SnA to say they posted a Scott Radinsky interview.

Unbeatable Banzuke is a physical obstacle course Japanese game show (Kinniku Banzuke) that airs in reruns on the G4 network in the US. Apparently the original show was cancelled in 2002 after two contestants suffered serious spinal cord (OK, cervical vertebrae) injuries. The “Skeboarder” episode features a skateboard obstacle course that looks like Grover’s wet dream. An enterprising individual has captured some of it in the time honored fashion of pointing a video camera at the TV. Check it out after the jump. G4’s site has some footage but they don’t do anything to make it easy for you to find out when a particular episode will be on. “TV that’s plugged in?” Hardly. The course looks really fun, actually. One of the contestants has his occupation listed as “Skateboard Salesman.” I wonder if he goes door to door. – Thanks to Rich for the tip.

Flipping through the first few pages of Concussion #37 makes it clear that Concussion is new Concrete Wave. Page 13 – Full page advert for Foundation re-issues, no big deal. Page 23 – full page Art and Steve Godoy advert for Bones Wheels. I don’t know what’s more shocking, the Godoys on a Powell brand or the Godoys in any advert. Where was the hype back when I needed it? Actually, I think they’ve always been on good terms, but they didn’t fit the squeaky clean image of Powell back in the day. Those are Factory 13 boards they are sporting. Then on page 26 there’s a full page Circle-A advert. Oh yeah, Full page OJ’s and and a full page Lester Kasai ad for S One Helmets too. And I’m just kidding about that Concrete Wave comparison Davoud. Sorry, couldn’t resist.

Another huge moneymaking plan that someone else beat me to the punch on. I guess I’d better get moving on my 900 phone-skating number. Secrets of Skateboarding wants your email address, which they swear will not be sold or misused, and you gotta believe them. If you cough up your email (or any email) you can get access to the page where you get the scoop on Tony Waters’ success plan (He studied Tony Robbins!) for becoming a kickass skater. Revealed… An effective technique to improve at skateboarding without actually skating. Although the secrets apparently fit in a software box, if you buy now you’ll also get a chance to download for free, How to Shoot a Killer Skate Video. Here’s a free tip from me – Step one: Ditch the VHS camera. Then there’s what looks like the wheelchair access version of Professional Ramp Plans. How much will all this bounty cost you? Only $27, and they’ve got an affiliate program too! I need to get signed up for that. Who is Tony Waters? One Clue: “Underground Skater Finally Comes Out!” He’s still a little shy, as he only appears in one small photo wearing sunglasses in front of…

Granted, the site is named Hypebeast, but they are reporting that the Disney corporation has Christian Hosoi to design some limited edition skate decks and apparel. No actual confirmations yet, so maybe it was just an excuse to make that cool graphic. Old Walt must be (rock and) rolling in his grave, except for his cryogenically frozen head. – Thanks to JF for the tip.

Tony Hawk’s Big Spin has been open for a while now. It’s got to be surreal having your own amusement park ride. There’s no Michael Jordan’s Big Dunk ride out there, but you would think he would have been able to sign the contract if he wanted. Here’s two YouTube videos with two different takes on the ride. One is a guy who obsesses on amusement park rides and the other is a couple of snotty kids who just like to hear themselves say “I hate Tony Hawk.” Check ’em both out after the jump. – Thanks to Tito for the tip.