In the summer of 1985, something wild happened. A teenager named Marty McFly rode a skateboard through the streets of Hill Valley, outran a carload of bullies, and launched skateboarding straight into the pop culture stratosphere. It wasn’t just a cool scene — it was a defining moment. And the board he rode? That wasn’t […]
BACK TO YOUR FUTURE Chap: 8 As this is the SkateGeezer Manifesto, it’s essential at this stage of the book to reiterate one key point: don’t stop skateboarding. If an injury prevents you, I get it. But longevity and quality of life work hand in hand. Skaters under 21 (aka NOT SkateGeezers) will go out […]
LIVING ON VIDEO – Chapter # 7 Skateboarding is such a powerful visual medium so it makes sense that films and videos are a massive part of its history. The first skateboard film was released at the height of the skateboarding boom in 1965. “Skaterdater” was an 18-minute film that greatly influenced the popularity of […]
MINDING THE GAPS #6 In the previous chapter, I explained the two boom and bust cycles of skateboarding during the 1960s and 70s. In this chapter, I want to explore how different cohorts respond when things break down and why SkateGeezers are uniquely positioned. Not only can they deal with gaps and help fix things, […]
Joy & Pain – Chapter #5 As 1978 morphed into 1979, something odd happened – skateboarding suffered its second bust. It felt like the rug had been pulled under my feet. My constant practice paid off, and the fusion of punk rock and skateboarding kept me super motivated. But I kept wondering, “Hey, where did […]
Chapter 3: The Power of Generational Flex As 1976 rolled into 1977, my passion for skateboarding began to snowball. It consumed me, and my focus was learning new tricks. I wanted to get better and, of course, get sponsored! The way to do this was moving from a generic plastic deck to what the pros […]
Chapter-1 Reinventing the Wheel As I mentioned in the introduction, 1975 was a pivotal year for me regarding skateboarding. But the truth is that in 1974 I first witnessed a skateboarder skateboarding. I was visiting family in Brighton, a seaside town on the English coast. It’s extraordinary that 50 years later, the image of a […]
The Independent Stage 4 215 Gonz Box Set is the kind of drop that reminds you why you fell in love with skateboarding in the first place. It’s loud, weird, raw, and full of soul—just like the two legends behind it: Independent Trucks and Mark Gonzales. This isn’t just hardware in a box. It’s a […]
Tom Sims was an innovator whose impact on snowboarding and skateboarding lives on in the boards we ride and the culture we celebrate today. Born in Los Angeles in 1950 and raised on the East Coast, Sims was a lifelong board enthusiast who chased thrills on waves, streets, and snow. His journey from his first […]
For over 12 years, BoarderLabs and CalStreets have been at the forefront of the surf skate revolution, refining and perfecting the craft to create the ultimate ride. Now, in an unprecedented collaboration, CalStreets has teamed up with Madrid Skateboards and Carver Skateboards to deliver a custom line of glow-in-the-dark surf skates that blend iconic skateboard […]
The Hidden Stash: Unreleased Chrome Alligator Stickers Emerge! When we call these Alligator Chrome stickers “rare,” we mean it: they have NEVER been released to the public! Years ago, Brian Bennett commissioned me to develop the next generation of color gator stickers, and I took the opportunity to update the artwork for each design. While […]
Madrid Skateboards holds a legendary status in the skateboarding world, standing as a pioneer in craftsmanship, innovation, and dedication to the sport since its inception. Rooted in the 1970s Southern California skate scene, Madrid Skateboards emerged at a pivotal time when skateboarding was evolving from a casual pastime to a cultural movement. This article delves […]