Elissa Steamer #10.

American Music.

Elissa had a productive 2024 with a Thrasher cover and a feel good part in Baker Has a Deathwish 2. I was stoked on the assorted Toy Machine vintage graphic t-shirts from last year. There's nothing wrong with living in the past on some days, just not all the days.

It warmed up to the low 40s yesterday so driveway skateboarding actually felt like skateboarding. I don't mind battling the cold, but a few degrees warmer does make a huge difference.

Vert Is Dead is taking a winter break and will be back on Monday, February 10th.

Thus concludes the slapdash look back at 2024. I've got some random stuff and a week of HUF planned for the future.

Thrasher - August 2023 Volume 44 Number 8

Nora Vasconcellos #8.

Cat Powered.

I bet Nora could get Thunder to make the baseplates with the little lizards and swords on them again like they did back in the 1980s.

With Krux allegedly going out of business in 2024, a bunch of people had to find new truck sponsors. Nora pivoted over to Thunder. I say allegedly because Krux later resurfaced with a new video of a handful of the guys who always rode for the brand. It's a tad remarkable that Krux has lasted this long. It's also on the crappy side that they cut the whole team, but that's the shady skateboarding industry for ya.

I've gotten in some driveway skateboarding the last two days. It's been cold and breezy, but not terrible. The sunsets are noticeably later now so there isn't as much of a rush after work. It finally feels like I'm skating again after the last two months of unhelpful weather.

Thrasher - November 2024 Volume 45 Number 11

Tanner Burzinski.

Wallriding.

Tanner is from Vista and one of the many pros for WKND. They celebrated his professional status this summer with a clever video that featured a full part of unique ledge tech tricks. I was stoked on this fakie wallride to kickflip out.

Thrasher - May 2024 Volume 45 Number 5

Emile Laurent #2.

Faithful leap.

Emile was elevated to pro status at Polar in 2024. He's a wild one on board and not afraid of a huge gap or steep drop in.

I've been skating in a pair of Asics for the last month. To be fully fair, the shoes are not being tested under ideal skateboarding conditions. The weather has been seasonal for the season thus far so I'm getting an inconsistent read on the sneakers. They seem to skate fine, although they are wearing out on top very quickly. If it was a milder season and I could skate as much as I normally do, they would probably be completely wrecked by now. The soles feel thick and stiff. The uppers are thin and stiff, too. For comparison purposes where Sole Tech shoes are generally a solid B in terms of materials and construction, then Asics are a B-. I really wanted these shoes to be good, but they simply aren't.

With Lakai flaring out, I've been in search of some chilling shoes to replace the Manchesters I wear in the milder months. I decided to check out Opus. I got a pair of their low top Standard model in black and white. These are some nice vulcanized kicks that are well built and comfortable. I wouldn't skate in them, although they'd probably be decent. Opus is run by former Planet Earth pro Mirko Mangum. I'd say their shoes are very much worth checking out if you want to support a skater owned small brand.

I got in some driveway skateboarding after work yesterday. There was the smallest bit of drifting snow from the strong winds, but it wasn't in the way. I did some frontside 50-50s, noseslides, and tailslides. Good enough for winter. It would've stunk to have lost a 35˚ F day to high winds.

Thrasher - December 2024 Volume 45 Number 12

Alexis Ramirez.

Tony Gwynn.

Alexis is from San Diego, California and is pro for SK8MAFIA. His other sponsors include Independent Trucks and Bronson Bearings. He was on DC, but I think he rides for Nike now. Alexis is really good at handrail skating along with doing all sorts of ledge and switch tech tricks.

I believe JSVL was a clothing company done by SK8MAFIA.

I got in some driveway skateboarding yesterday. Things unexpectedly dried up. It was a tad chilly, but fine. I did some backside 50-50s and noseslides. These last two months are the least I've skated in I don't know how long due to seasonal weather.

The photo is by Dan Connelly.

Thrasher - October 2015 Volume 36 Number 10

Jimmy Wilkins #5.

Vert is not dead.

Jimmy kept the stoke going on the giant wooden halfpipes in 2024. I like how he specializes in ramps only and doesn't dabble with park or street stuff. It makes him a vert purist. I feel Jeff Grosso would be proud.

I lucked into some favorable weather for last weekend. It warmed a little and was dry after work on Friday so I got to skateboard in the driveway for about a half hour. I wound up going to Food Court Skatepark on Sunday. I was a tad leery on going because of extra traffic for the Bills game and weather potential, but the skies were clear and the drive was quiet. A friend was in the city to visit his in-laws and had the free time to skate for a bit so I met up with him at the park. I didn't really do all that much in terms of tricks, but it was good to get in some skateboarding when I wasn't expecting to. Things are looking snowy for this weekend. It was extra cold this past week.

Thrasher - February 2024 Volume 45 Number 2

Didrik "Deedz" Galasso.

Ten in the swear jar.

Deedz is from Larvik, Norway and currently lives in Lisbon, Portugal. He rides for Nike, Spitfire, and Ace Trucks. His board sponsor was enjoi, but he parted ways with them ahead of the impending collapse of Dwindle so he's been buying boards the last couple years. Deedz had a Xiu Xiu scored part for Ace at the end of 2024. He does a lot of extra long grinds on really burly terrain above very rough ground as one should do in a video for a truck company.

The photo is by Pedro Raimundo.

Thrasher - May 2024 Volume 45 Number 5