NEW YORK
STATE OF
MIND
STORY & PHOTOS BY SEAN DOLISNKY
Chris Keeffe (above) plows a
metal rail while America dozes
OUT OF THE EIGHT MILLION PEOPLE that live in
New York's five boroughs (Manhattan, The
Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island),
a handful of skateboarders have emerged
to firmly scratch New York City onto the map.
Household names such as Hufnagel, Milton,
Pang and Hickey (among others) have brought
the New York City scene some much deserved
credit over the past few years by demonstra-
ting the skills it takes to make it in the Apple.
In order for all of you out there who have never been to New York
City and/or don't know much about this incredible place, let me
paint you a few mental mirages of what this place is like for those
who skateboard. First of all, you have to understand how difficult it is
to stick with skateboarding in a city of this size and magnitude.
Whether it be the insane weather conditions (hot-as-hell summers, and
bone-chillin' winters), lack of legal skateable spots and the overabun-
dance of security guards (complete with attack dogs), or the crazy taxi-
cab drivers who don't think twice before running over your board or
legs, one thing remains clear-nothing will stop these diehard rippers.
from doing the thing they love most-skateboarding. Secondly, the
scene (if that's what you can call it) is not like most other scenes found in
cities, in that everyone, for the most part, is like a big family. Sure, peo
ple hang out in different little groups, but when everyone comes togeth-
er to skate the city, or just session the Brooklyn Banks, it's evident by
the way everyone interacts with each other that respect is given to all who
skate in this immense city. Most importantly, it must be said that skaters