MOUNTAIN X
Up Front
With rumors and death threats flying, MOUNTAINX began
keeping a loaded gun for self-defense.
Across the Atlantic on a set of ledges strangely reminiscent of Wallenberg, Salman Agah (above)
broaches the length backwards. Above right: "Hey, how ya doin'?"
Rick Oyola backside tailslides a well-waxed ledge at an East Coast Mecca.
Love Park, Philadelphia, PA
Spot
Check for just a third of the year. At the top of this slate monstrosity
The first thing you might notice is a cascade of marble steps
surrounding either side of a large, empty fountain which is filled
are marble benches, planters and a few rectangular holes in
the ground. The ledges here are well-worn and kept up with a
slippery, wax-like layer of film on the edges. The absence of
cops makes Love Park an East Cost shred site localized by the
likes of Matt Reason, Rick Oyola, Roger Browne, John Puca,
Jeff Lutzo and Sean McKenna. So get moving. -Derek Rinaldi
Salman Agah:
In My Eyes
I was talking to a big friend of mine with killer tattoos and he
helped me to realize that being pro includes responsibilities I've
been avoiding. I'm quite sure there are many of you out there
wanting to know what's going on. What is going on? Well, if you
want to know whether or not you can be a pro, the answer is yes!
But, is being pro for you? It could be. When I was younger 1
always went out skating with the attitude that I would be pro
Hours, days, months and years of toil, for what? Obviously to live
my dream. I used to practice lines in the Alpha Beta parking lot
all day and night just waiting for the chance to prove that I was
the best in some contest. It always ended up that I was lame
because I would barge on all the other kids and also I didn't ever
win. But I kept doing it. Skating was a lot simpler then.
Now you're sponsored and popular in the industry. People are
constantly calling you to beg for your model. You're off on tour
and all the chicks want your cock. This is no fantasy. It's coming
true, it's all real. Everything you always wanted at your fingertips.
You're thinking, "What could be better?" Nothing. Now you're
pissed because your once hot gear is not good enough anymore.
Photo shoots are now rainy days. Filming ends up with depres
sion and three broken decks. You're thinking, "What the fuck is
wrong? I have and do everything I've always wanted." You quit
skating to do whatever it takes to find yourself and realize that it
all comes back to the basics. Forget everything, skateboarding is
what you want to do and now you're back to the drawing board.
Is this for you? You don't know. Why does your gear suck? Why
are photo shoots rainy days, because you suck or because you
conformed to some trend of one-trick wonder skating and quit
skating yourself? Why is film ending with depression and broken
decks, because you aren't flipping your board enough or you're
thinking about everything else that is going on in your life besides
skating? Why quit skating, because you wanted to start your spir-
itual life with your God or you figured I'll just skate again and fade
out like all the others? Is this for you? Welcome to the life of a
professional skateboarder.
-Salman Agah
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