A penguin riding a skateboard is cool. Illustration by Stephanie Brachmann. Get yours at Crafty Wonderland or Etsy. Have a cool holiday, dear readers.

Yes sir, this is a groundbreaking development. The Cami Tres Assi (3 Aces) board was a ghost for decades, but in the past few years they’ve become regularly available providing you can pony up roughly $175 or so, not including shipping. This is the first one I’ve ever seen in orange or white. I don’t think a lot of thought went into most plastic skateboards as far as color options. Many times in a product’s life span it probably came down to what resin was available in time to ship the next batch. Even accounting for color shift in the photograph, the board on the left definitely looks orange. So that means this wonder was produced in Red, yellow, black, orange, and white. So far I’ve only seen the wheels in yellow and red.

Ronald Chapman ( Chappman, not Chatman ) asked if this advert for Pipp products as featured in the Vintage Skateboard Magazine Ad gallery was for sale. I told him I wasn’t going to take apart an old skate magazine to sell an ad individually. I wish everyone felt that way actually. I was curious though, the advert wasn’t that interesting so I asked him why he wanted it. The simple answer is that he has the two products featured in the advert, and they are definitely more interesting in real life.

The legendary China Banks spot AKA Bridge to nowhere is schedule to be torn down in 2026 according to an article in SFGate. I guess the (non-skating) locals haven’t liked it since it opened in 1971. It bums them out because it casts a shadow and takes up space, or maybe they just aren’t fans of brutalism. You’d think there’s be some sort of argument for keeping it as historical landmark. 2025 hasn’t ended yet and 2026 is already bringing me down. Get your session in while you can.

Photos courtesy of not asking Thrasher, but we’re cool, right?

I met Violet at the Sk8 Swap. She was knitting skateboards for freaks, or maybe she’s a freak, or no, they said “Freak.” Even a skull looks cool when it’s knitted. Is this even knitting? I’m pretty sure she was the one responsible for the knitted F-bomb too.

I was completely unaware of the Skuda brand of skateboards until I started posting ads from som UK-based magazines in the Vintage Skatemag Ads gallery. Like most overseas brands of the 70’s, they never had any market presence in the crowded USA market. Both of the Skuda ads I’ve seen so far are for some pretty nice looking wooden decks, but it looks like they also made some plastic decks.

Photos courtesy of Jon Welton (red) and Adrian Wink (white/yellow) Update: added couple more.

One thing I absolutely do not regret letting go of at the Sk8 Swap is this Long Rider, for multiple reasons. First off, I’ve still got two in my collection, including one in the original packaging. Secondly, this one was sold to none other than Willis Kimball, (who I’m sure is tired of what I’m about to point out) the son of 70’s pro skater Curt Kimball. “Long Rider” is the nickname his friends have given him, and this board is allegedly destined to end up on the wall of his skateshop, Rip’s Co.

I really enjoyed having a booth at Cal Sk8’s skate swap. I brought too much stuff and wasn’t quite prepared for the space. I was there for about 10 hours, which included about 3 hours total in setup and tear down. My booth was not a huge moneymaker after all expenses were paid, but it was still worth it for the total experience. I met some cool people and saw a lot of old friends. I only have one regret, and that’s the fact that I sold both sets of my 70’s era Sidewinder Wheels.

My booth at Sk8 Swap 3 tomorrow is going to be a mess, but if there’s space I’ll be hanging this 2″ x 6″ vinyl banner. Digital printing is a crazy thing. This cost me less than $20. 1986 me would have his mind blown to have a vinyl Skate and Annoy Banner. Heck, 2025 me feels the same way.

Come buy my skateboard related crap at Sk8 Swap 3 so my kids don’t have to throw it away when I die. Skateboards, toys, t-shirts, zines, all the kinds of stuff I feature on Skate and Annoy. This Saturday from 12-7 at Loyd Center Mall in Portland. Special guest appearance by the Colonel! Sk8 Swap is put on by the good folks at Cal Sk8 and Chris Nukala. I went last year as a spectator and loved it. Tons of foot traffic, music, lots to see. Last year featured one of the Godoy brothers in a tattoo booth. I can’t remember if it was Art or Steve, I didn’t arrive until after they had left.