The Birdman.
Tony tests out his new deck. The shape is a larger version of the skull board that everybody is familiar with and features somewhat re-imagined graphics. Around this time decks started to shift with an emphasis on longer noses. I find it interesting how wide the board is and how the tail is somewhat on the short side. It's almost too wide at 10.375".
A friend had this board. His was white with neon green griptape. I remember the board as being large with a deeper concave than what we were used to. It was somehow comfortable to ride, if I recall correctly. For how and what Tony was skating, this new design probably made a lot of sense. For a bunch of kids skating small launch ramps and slider bars, it probably wasn't the optimal board for our needs.
Powell had a similar ad with Lance Mountain that was shot from overhead from March of 1989.
Vert Is Dead is going on a winter break and will be back on Monday, January 16th.
Topics on the agenda for the new year include Planet Earth, Rhythm, and Cliché. Feel free to leave suggestions in the comments. And if you need a daily fix of nostalgia, you can always browse the older content since this thing has been around for eight years with over 2,000 posts. Have a safe and happy holiday.
Transworld - June 1989 Volume 7 Number 3
7 comments:
20 inch wheelbase??????
I appreciate what you do, Justin.
If I were to make a request, it would be for something Washington, D.C. related. Or Atlanta. Like, Andy Howell. Schmitt Stix era Andy Howell was a legend in the state of Georgia.
would love to read about 80s Skate 'Gangs' ie. JAKS
mid 90's etnies, flyaway helmets or fred gall, that should cover some eras and styles.
How about Treefort, Wil Harmon, or Maple?
I vote for the PE & Rhythm teams. I know kids are on this light -colored pants fad, but man those teams were the epitome of the light pants, navy T-shirts and white Stan Smith adidas. I always liked those guys because it was about doing your tricks well and with style.
--Rikku Markka
Thanks for the ideas. These are great.
Yeah, 20" is huge. I don't think that would be the actual wheelbase, just the difference between the deck length minus the nose and tall.
Planet Earth and Rhythm is in the works. Maple makes for a good follow up since some of the guys left PE for them. Treefort is a possibility.
I was going to do something on Etnies in the fall, but never got around to it. I'll add it to the list.
There was an article in Thrasher about the JAKS playing skate hockey. I can work that in somewhere.
I can do some stuff for DC and/or Atlanta in the future. I almost scanned an ad with Andy, but went with Al Midgett instead. Sorry.
You can always do a search using the window at the top. It works pretty well and I use it all the time to keep track of what I've posted already. Some of those guys have been on here already.
Will Harmon:
http://vertisdead.blogspot.com/2014/07/will-harmon.html
Andy Howell:
http://vertisdead.blogspot.com/2013/07/andy-howell.html
http://vertisdead.blogspot.com/2013/07/andy-howell-2.html
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