Makaha Commander, allegedly from 1960, but probably not. The construction looks to be fiberglass or epoxy of some sort, maybe bakelite? It’s not nothing super interesting except for… What the heck is that thing on the rear axle? Bigger view after the jump.

Larry Stevenson,founder of Makaha Skateboards, publisher of Surf Guide and Poweredge Magazines and inventor of the kick tail passed away at age 82. RIP indeed. Update: Obituaries in the NY Times and LA Times.

I gaped. I couldn’t believe what I’d seen. He’d ridden the wall. I jerked my head around to share with everyone else’s amazement, and no one, not one single person seemed to have even noticed what Christian had done. Stecyk knew though, and said, “You’ve got some catching up to do.” There’s an excellent in-depth interview with Jim Fitzpatrick interview on I Skate, therefore I am blog. It’s five parts long ( 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5) ! Fitzpatrick has seen some interesting times in skateboarding, including being involved in two hugely influential companies like Makaha and Powell Peralta, and spearheading the fight to have skateboarding classified as a hazardous activity. For those of you who scratch your head at that one, it’s one of the reasons that municipalities don’t have to carry massive skateboard-specific insurance riders for skateboard parks. Because, as an inherently dangerous activity, the rider assumes a certain amount of risk while engaging in the activity. The interview covers other aspects of Jim’s life as well, from surfing to being a Montessori school teacher. There’s even a Surf Punks reference. Definitely worth reading if you enjoy learning about key figures in skateboarding history.…

The crew at Poweredge Magazine is wrapping up a film called “We are Skateboarders” that looks like it has a lot of potential. Vintage footage mixed with modern footage, and a healthy dosage of professional skateboarders on camera. Check out the trailer after the jump. Should be good, after all, one of Poweredge’s publishers Larry Stevenson is the actual inventor of the kicktail.

I know this is not exactly current, but I let it go without an official post. Danny was what I’d like to call a “friend of the site.” Some friends are more difficult than others, but they are friends. We’ve had a few difficult friends here. Some of them disappeared, like Dick Cancer, and some of them got the boot like Daddy Yo. Colinwalshrules has even become somewhat productive around here on occasion. It was pretty obvious to me that Danny had some problems, but he was involved in one of the pinnacle times in skateboarding history, and did call me “Mr. Kilwag” when he was trying to get into my good graces. Apparently, Danny touched a lot of people. Here’s what Curt from Poweredge had to say: He rode for my father MAKAHA in the 60’s and we became friends even though he’d been injured badly as a kid. He was never the same…. But always friendly…. and in the new movie about makaha and the history of skateboarding… He was my neighbor and he lived to be 59 so I don’t know… He was mis-understood because of the meds and the accident he had it fucked him up……

Original Makaha and Hobie team rider and the first National and International Champion Skateboarder, Danny Bearer has been lurking on S&A for a while. Becasue he doesn’t seem to be able to keep his PR comments on topic, I decided to give him his own post. Danny, this is it. This is where you can let everyone know about your book, movie, media appearances, all of it. ….have finished the new film “Defence Above All” Contact 310-452-1030 or dannybearer@yahoo.com and dannybearerenterprises.com, Thank you,the book is in the works. The story of the first Professional Skateboard Club Makaha and the 10 year World Championship Team reign of the Hobie Alter Golden Diamond Surf Team still in competition in California in the early 1960’s , Thank you, Larry Stevenson,the Father of the Skateboard and Hobie Alter! Very truly yours, Danny Bearer Speaking of movies, the Makaha web site says filming has almost wrapped on a project called “Makaha, The Story of the Originator.” Meanwhile, catch some vintage video of Danny and his teammates in action after the jump. Juice Magazine has an online excerpt of an interview with Danny in issue #57, conducted by Steve Olson. Lastly, let’s not forget DannyBearerEnterprises.com. [Photo:…