Pro Property.

Ramp Locals.

This is an interesting read on the assorted ramps of the pros from 1989. Christian Kline talks to Christian Hosoi, Eric Nash, Steve Alba, Lance Mountain, and Bryce Kanights for the feature. It's fascinating that all the ramps are vert ramps except for Bryce's Studio 43. It's cool to have the data on the ramp specs and who helped build them.

The photos are by Christian Kline, Rick Kosick, Alec Schroeder, Joel Hyatt, and Sin Egelja.

Poweredge - March 1990 Volume 3 Number 3

John Thomas & Jef Hartsel.

Cellblocks & Blue Thunders.

Two of the guys in the Alva posse skateboard at a mini ramp in the backyard of a crusty looking house. I've got nothing on this. I liked the layout of the ad. It's a bit different from many of the other Alva advertisements.

The photos are by Joe "Xeno" Lloyd.

Poweredge - April 1989 Volume 2 Number 3

Allen Losi #3.

Losi Grind.

Allen had a return to the spotlight after some injuries in the later 1980s. He had his own board company that was distributed by Airböurne called Allen Losi Skates. Allen invented a lot of tricks including the Losi grind, also known as a bag lady, which is shown in the top sequence. It's a trick that pops up every now and again on street and vert. Mike Smith said Al did some great Smith grinds, too.

The photos are by Mike Ballard and Anderson. I'm not sure on a full name for Anderson.

Poweredge - April 1989 Volume 2 Number 3

Mike Smith #4.

"That was in the Dog Bowl at Marina Del Rey skate park. Me and Pat Ngoho were just skating together in the shallow end, just being lazy. Instead of grinding and hurrying to get back in the bowl, we were trying to figure out a way we could stay up there and rest for a bit before we dropped back in. It was basically a 'Smith stop.' You went straight up and lapped over and rested the rail on the coping. Later on, people started doing good ones and putting it together like Allen Losi. He'd do Smith grinds where he'd go really far on the coping. Monty Nolder did backside ones."

Mike discusses the origin of his namesake grind. I like this photo. You can see the Rip Grip and World Industries Bedpan risers on Mike's board.

RIP Chris Casey.

The photo is by Rick Kosick.

For the quote: Big Brother - December 1997 Issue 31

Poweredge - March 1990 Volume 3 Number 3

Jacob Rupp #4.

Wild Style.

Jake does a crisp and clean tailslide back when he rode for Element. It took me a minute to figure out who this was with the graffiti letters. I was a tad surprised nobody had scanned this ad before. Jake went through some quick sponsor changes in 1999. He was on Santa Cruz and Krux to begin the year and switched over to Element after an offer from Donny Barley. He's riding Ventures in the photo. I believe Jake was on Kastel to some extent before they closed up shop.

Vert Is Dead is taking a late summer break.

I'm going to take some time to get everything organized for this site before posting any new stuff. My friend was able to copy everything off the old iMac's drive so I'm in great shape in terms of having all my files. I'm thinking maybe do a four day week after Labor Day or wait until September 9th to start back up. I'll see how it goes.

Have a good one. Feel free to leave suggestions in the comments.

Thrasher - January 2000 Volume 20 Number 1

Karl Watson #4.

ASR Booth #405.

Karl does a noseslide on a bannister. I'm not sure who his board sponsor was at the time, as I think Mad Circle was done by the fall of 1999. He might have been on Expedition One. This was the first two page Ipath ad and it was used to generate some hype for the upcoming Action Sports Retailer trade show. Sadly, they didn't get the booth number that they wanted.

Thrasher - September 1999 Volume 19 Number 9

Matt Field #10.

Grasshopper.

Big ollies and nollies are usual tricks for Matt, but a frontside crooked grind is something you don't see very often.

I suppose the Grasshopper is one of Ipath's iconic designs. I like how the shoes look, but I can't wear high or mid tops. In thinking about it, I don't believe I've ever seen a pair of Ipaths in the wild, which doesn't seem possible given how long the brand was around for. I probably have and don't remember.

The nollie and ollie photos are by Gabe Morford.

Nollie 180: Thrasher - July 1999 Volume 19 Number 7

Front crooks: Thrasher - October 1999 Volume 19 Number 10

Ollie: Thrasher - December 1999 Volume 19 Number 12