Chet Childress #3.

Apparently kickflip backside grabs enjoyed a degree of popularity in 1998 as this is the second one I've posted in two weeks. And before you call out the trick for being lame, remember that Matt Hensley did them in the H-Street days and that means they are cool. Of course if you don't remember that time because you were born in 1990, well, then feel free to talk some shit.

The photos are by Lance Dalgart.

Thrasher - October 1998 Volume 18 Number 10

Mike Carroll #7.

You can't have Rick Howard without MC.

Freak Beat Fuzz has some photos from the recent Neil Blender art show opening at Thalia Surf/Vans Laguna Beach store.

Thrasher - December 1998 Volume 18 Number 12

Rick Howard #6.

One of Rick's many contributions to skateboarding was bringing the velcro strap back to footwear. I believe the story behind the Howard 2 was that Rick had an ankle injury and figured he could use a little more support. I had a pair of these in the gray and orange colorway. They were a little tight and had crappy ventilation so your feet would build up a nasty sweat.

Aaron Meza filmed the sequence. It's a frontside pop shove to nose grind and is a video grab, which is why it is so small.

Slap - July 1998 Volume 7 Number 7

Frank Gerwer #2.

More Frank than blank.

I think Gerwer would have been riding for the Firm at this time. If he wasn't, he would be soon.

I never got into the idea of cored wheels. Just give me a solid piece of urethane. It's the same as a plain wooden board. Keep it simple.

Thrasher - November 1998 Volume 18 Number 11

Ethan Fowler #6.

Save yourself.

Slap - April 1998 Volume 7 Number 4

Steve Olson #3.

Making it a great Friday with the Funky Monk rocking some blue Kastels and a big crooked grind.

My friend had a pair of the Ricky Oyola pro model from Kastel. They looked tight and were all synthetic, which mattered to my friend since he is vegan. I had a pair of the Mercury team model. They were big and clunky space boots. I never got them broken in. They might have been a little too small for my feet as well. I gave the shoes to another friend and he was stoked on them.

The excellent Chrome Ball Incident turned three years old this week and has a selection of classics hand picked by Michael Sieben for today. Keep up the good work, Chops.

I actually rolled away smoothly from a couple of frontside boardslides to fakie last night. I don't think I had ever tried or done that trick before. I've been working on my frontside sliders on the old flat bar and they really are nothing to brag about, but it feels good to land a new trick.

The photo is by Joe Picciolo.

Slap - July 1998 Volume 7 Number 7

Bob Burnquist #3.

Bob Gnar.

Larry tests a parachute.

Thrasher - December 1998 Volume 18 Number 12