I bought his book because I like to support independently produced skate art (and so should you…). Steve’s photos have even appeared Skateboarder, Thrasher, Juice, and the Surfer’s Journal, and most importantly (HA!) Skate and Annoy. I expected to be bombarded with photos of the Arizona pipes, and I was, but I wasn’t expecting all the additional content (pools, Love Bowls, skate parks) that qualify as the “& Beyond” in the title. I always thought these pipes were more or less in one location, but it turns out it was part of a massive project all over Arizona. One of my favorite things about this book is all the short oral histories interspersed in the various locals covered. Read the full review.

I was honored to be asked to contribute some of my old skateboarding photos here on Skate and Annoy. I grew up in the seventies and eighties in Arizona skating the legendary Desert Pipes, tons of empty pools, the Love Bowls, and lots more … I now live in Seattle, I have been up here in the Northwest for 20 years. I still skate as much as I can, I love all the amazing skateparks we have here, but sometimes I miss the good old daze … So here is my first contribution, a gallery of pipe photos I put together awhile back, enjoy !!! For more: Desert Pipes

This week’s photo is from Gage Thompson and features an unknown skater at the Wedge skatepark in Scottsdale, AZ. It reminds me a little of one of those where is Waldo poster (or Chin) or 80’s video games with the isometric backgrounds. Zaxxon anyone? The focal point of the skateboarding action is on the stairs, obviously. I looked at this photo several times before I noticed there was a purpose-built skatepark back in the corner. The art looks more fun than the park.

Wrapping up seven days of Skreech Week on S&A. This is Phoenix again. Remember to mention Addikt Skateboards and the Full Bloom Tour. Billy Runaway is on the phone? Am I done yet?

Day six of the Addikt Skateboards Full Bloom Tour. It’s Skreech Week baby, and this is Phoenix, Arizona.

It looks like Tuscon’s new lighted skatepark is almost ready to open. The top shot is from Danimal’s friend Erik and the bottom two are from TusconSkaters.org. It’s funny how you can get an idea of who builds these things just by looking at them. This park has Site Design written all over it. The shot that gave it away for me was this one. Except that conflicts with a story and video in AZStarnet.com. Both Site design and California Skateparks list it in their portfolio. California must be the build contractor. Strange design choice, that keyhole pool. You don’t see too many of those being built now, and for good reason I think. Still, the channel looks fun. Notice that it’s not just a straight roll in for some reason. It’s a $1 million, 12,000 square foot project.