Matt Homan
Line Lexington, PA
For an uncontrollable legend such as Jay Adams, there exists a cer-
tain political agenda: "Save our sport!" Jay says. "Fuck those freestyle
fags and all that little sissy, flipping crap! Feel the need for speed!"
Jim Fitzpatrick was an original Makaha team rider back in '62. He
personally introduced the skateboard to Europe, and publishes the
seminal Surfing Guide to Southern California. Last year a certain manu
boosted an old surfing picture of Jimmy and ran it "unauthorized" on
a board bottom. The lengthy cue was the "guy's bestseller for a
while." Fitzpatrick muses, "I never got a paid a cent." Right now
Fitz's daily ride is a monolithic 1974 Sims oak plank. Says Jim, "We've
gone full circle backwards into the future. On planks, you feel them
with your body, so you might ride barefoot. Modern laminated
boards are more lively, so you can feel them through the shoes."
While the occasional corporate opportunist, who neither surfs nor
skates, might try to sell "sidewalk surfboards," there is an overriding
ocean orientation that permeates much of the longboard legion.
Ventura's Rich Phelps works for surf guru Steve Walden building
boards. "I've been skating for 18 years, and it's fun to evolve and
adapt the old school tricks to the big board," says Phelps. Other
waterfront skate types of note include Wingnut Weaver, Mike
Meyers, Vince Felix, Mike Archimedes, Donovan Frankenreiter,
Brad Gerlach, Joey Tershay, Pat Black, Curtis Hsiang, Brad
Strandlund, Mike Taylor, John Oliver, Vetea David, Cris Malloy,
Skip Wunderlic, Rich Hof, Trevor Crist, Jeff Brushie, Rob Defoe,
Joe Scott, Slowboy, Jiro Harave and Glenn Kennedy. A special men-
tion should be made to the spiritual leader of the surf/skate move-
ment Doc Ball, who has continued to ride sidewalk into his nineties.
So, take it further, or leave it as you find it. Adaptability is the key
to advancement, so keep an open mind. For many, history can func-
tion as the gateway to the future. Find out for yourself, big boards
can equal big fun.
-Lowboy
Rich Phelps
Ventura, CA
Jim Houser
Line Lexington, P
Tom Sim
Lowboy
Santa Barbara, CA
Malibu, CA