The Skateboard: The Good, The Rad, and the Gnarly is out

We did this shoot last Feb on a stormy day. Haven't seen the book but heard it just came out. We shot at Lake Cunningham Regional Skate park and in Santa Cruz at the Santa Cruz Skate park. My photo by Lucci Griggi for a Skateboard Book that Ben Marcus a local surfer/skater/writer originally from Santa Cruz was putting together. I set up the photo shoots with Rick Blackhart, Richard Novak, Doug Haut, Bob Denike, Steve Caballero, Keith Meek, Gary Holl, Michael "Smiley" Goldman, Tim Piumarta, and a few others. Sent them on their way to Thrasher to shoot more folks. The book is done and I look forward to seeing the final project. Below are shots they took prior to coming North.

The Skateboard: The Good, The Rad, and the Gnarly

The story of the simple skateboard is part thriller, part underground, underdog success tale. It’s chock-full of innovations, far-out graphic artistry, and ever-more-incredible hot-dogging feats. And the story’s told in this book with contributions from the stars themselves—Tony Hawk, Stacey Peralta, Jeff Ho, the Dogtown Z-Boys, and more. Beautifully illustrated with historical posters, ads, and memorabilia along with new action photography, studio skateboard shots, and unique portraits of the stars, this is a fitting tribute to an American classic.


Tony Hawk



Steve Olson



Skip Engblom

Lake Cunningham double photo shoot Nikki Brooks

While waiting for the concrete to dry and between shooting with Lucia Griggi, Gary, Patti and I were skating around having fun trying some freestyle moves with Gary Holl. Nikki Brooks came over from Santa Cruz with Ben Marcus for the shoot. Nikki takes great photos as well so we got a twofer that day. This morning I was pleasantly surprised to have her send these photos and thought I would share. Patty in the bowls playing as the park was not open. I warmed up in the pool as it was super cold and there was snow on the mountain tops this day. Rick Blackhart in the full pipe was ripping until he crashed. I push the helmet thing on him and I got the finger. This run or the next he hit the ground pretty fing hard. Not saying but saying told you so.

Nikki's Jetty Girl write up.

Big thank you to the guys at the Lake Cunningham Skate Park you guys rock!

Patty created this great Women's skateboarding Audio piece that is really good, part of it was made at Lake Cunningham Skate park with Steve Caballero and his daughter Kayla who is quite the ripper.

Photo shoot for Skateboard History book

Despite the rain yesterday we found a dry spot at the Lake Cunningham skate park and once that was rideable it seemed the park started drying up pretty quick. Lucia Griggi shot Rick Blackhart in the Pipe, Gary Holl by the backside of the cradle. Looks like a concrete sphere and Cab at home since his son was sick. I got a fun pick but it won't make the book as I've just been the conduit for a bunch of skaters like Keith Meek, Mike "Smiley" Goldman, Don and Danielle Bostick of World Cup Skateboarding.
Check a few picks out on Ben's site. Some great stuff.
There are a ton of skaters that made a difference to skate all over the World in every nook and cranny. We skate because we love the sport. I'm looking forward how many of us will be the first generation of skaters that will be the over 50 skaters. NOT the same age growing of generations of the past.

Skater for Life!

Skateboard book in progress by Ben Marcus

Steve Olson

Tony Hawk


Skip Engblom




Ben Marcus a local surfer/skater/writer originally from Santa Cruz is working on this skateboard book. Very cool imagery. Photographer Lucia Griggi does amazing work. Shooting around California and heading to NorCal soon.