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and most of these skaters are hospitable. Unlike skaters in other big cities, the people in Atlanta
do not give off bad vibes. So, if Atlanta's unfortunate stigma has prevented you from visiting in
the past, this article should give some incentive to visit in the future.
Skateboarding was founded in Georgia in the late seventies. During this era, Concrete Surf,
the Tube and National skateparks opened in Atlanta. These parks provided breeding grounds
for potential rippers. However, these parks were not the only resources available to skaters;
backyard pools also provided outlets for skateboarding. One of the main pools skated during
this time was the Mansion Restaurant pool. Here, the "Rancheros" gained their infamy. These
beer-guzzling good ol' boys put a nonstop whoopin' on that cement pond. Guys like Jimmy
O'Brien, T Kay (one of the builders of the Animal Chin ramp), Load and Lenny Byrd were just a
few of the locals. Local to the parks were prodigies such as Don Hillsman, Tim Humphreys and
Thomas Taylor. Many of these talented skateboarders rode straight into the eighties.
The eighties produced more than good pop rock in Atlanta; it produced good
skateboarders, and during this era, skating reached its pinnacle. In this decade,
Thomas Taylor, Don Hillsman and Jimmy O'Brien ruled the scene. They ripped vert
relentlessly all through the eighties. Spots like the Ramp Ranch (from which the
"Rancheros" eventually adopted their name), the Skate Zone and Street Waves were
frequently terrorized by these guys. They were the mentors of vert skating. However,
vert skating was not the only type of skating in Atlanta. Street skating began to grow
in the city. Athletes such as Andy Howell, Josh Rule, Daniel Powell and Fred Reeves
heavily influenced the scene downtown. Their debut into the street arena created
another direction for skateboarding in Atlanta. Many of the spots in the city have
been hard hit since. The main spots in the city were and still are the Bell Banks, North
Avenue, Peachtree, Marta Station, Colony Square and Anchor Banker. As street skat-
ing grew in the late eighties with the help of these spots and influences, more talent
emerged onto the scene.
By the late eighties and early nineties, street skating was practically the only thing
happening in Atlanta. Unfortunately, all of these skateparks were closed by then, and
this forced people into the streets. Here, new talents were found. The Burnt Brigade
could be seen sliding banisters, blasting gaps or just plain cruising. Jason Lagi, Bobby
Fowler and Cameron Goetting contributed to the reputation of this group. Jason
Lagi was just a crazy Italian who didn't know the meaning of fear, Bobby Fowler had
one of the biggest pops ever, and Cameron Goetting did tech tricks that people can-
not do even today. Aside from this wrecking crew, there were others who shredded
the streets. On a lucky day you might see a streak of lightnin' burn down a hill. This
bolt of fury was known as Bruce... Bruce Lightning.
A Billy Idol look-alike named Joel was usually accom
panying Bruce with some mean Smith grinds. With
this healthy group of shredders, how could the scene
ever die in Atlanta?
Well, the scene has not died. With its solid founda-
tion for skateboarding, the scene in Atlanta is far
from gone. It will probably surpass the peak of the
eighties in this decade. The dedicated skaters of the
past keep it alive and growing, giving rise to more
skateboarders in Atlanta. Up-and-comers like Matt
Bolding, Cooley, Mike Morris and the Torque Team
are the present influences in Atlanta. Matt Bolding
nollies over trash cans, Mike Morris rides anything
with confidence, Cooley just rips, and the Torque
Team shows no weakness. These are the guys who
help skating progress in Atlanta. They continue where
the founders of the seventies and eighties left off.
They are truly dedicated to the sport and not con-
cerned about the fashion or trends that come with it.
Just to watch these guys skate should give enough
reason to visit Atlanta, home of the Tomahawk Chop.
61
This air to fakie by Stacy Lowery (top) at "The Garage,"
in Cherokee County, GA, was so shocking that paramedics
were called in to resuscitate two of the witnesses. Brian
Chung (left) puts some chop in his pop. Jason Guthrie
(above) plays in Thomas Taylor's backyard. John Montesi
(opposite left) flies over the hip at the Skatepark of
Tampa. Basketball (opposite top) on the brain. A meaty
pop-shove (opposite bottom) by Dax Brunet at the SPOT.
TAMPA, FLORIDA by Brian Schaefer
The city of Tampa has the third highest crime-rate
city in the US, the worst football team in the NFL
(as well as the only NHL team whose name doesn't
end with an S) and also the dirtiest street corner
vagrants in the business. What comes to mind most.
of all when I think of Tampa are people like Jerry
Giardina, Chris Williams, Craig Schmele, Mike
Frazier, Coss, Paul Zitzer, Leonard Trubia, John
Montessi, the Conklin Brothers, Tully, Allen Russell,
Jeff Lenoce and the places there are to skate.
To start out with, let's just talk about this place we
call the Bro Bowl. It sometimes rains quart bottles, it
has long history of board jackings and muggings,