Transworld Skateboarding
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Jerry Madrid
Jerry Madrid’s career is a masterclass in American craftsmanship and industrial resilience. Spanning over half a century, his journey from a teenage surfboard shaper to the head of an iconic global brand has fundamentally shaped the technical evolution of skateboarding. The Early Years: From Surf to Street Jerry Madrid began his career in the late
Tim Payne
Tim Payne is not just a skatepark builder; he is the visionary engineer who translated the rebellious spirit of 1970s skateboarding into the permanent, world-class infrastructure of today. With over 35 years of continuous contribution, Payne’s journey from a high school student building backyard ramps in Orlando to the President of Team Pain Enterprises is
Jim Gray
Jim Gray has been skating for over 50 years- he competed as a pro in the Gold Cup Series in the early 80’s, had a board on G&S and started many companies including ACME, Formula One Wheels, Standard Trucks. Videos
Dale Smith
Dale Smith aka “The Sausage Man” has dedicated his life to skateboarding- first as a freestyle skater, then coach for the Hobie Team in the 1970’s and then as a board manufacturer and innovator of safety gear like Smith caps, Smith Gloves etc. Dale Smith began skateboarding in 1958 at the age of just over
Titus Dittmann
The German skateboarding scene found its unlikely pioneer in Titus Dittmann. In the late 1970s, a sports student, Titus was captivated by skateboarders in Münster and quickly recognized the scarcity of skate gear in Germany. He began clearing out all the leftover gear in shops from the previous generation, and soon after started importing products
Don Bostick
Don Bostick – born August 1, 1950 – Honolulu, Hawaii I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. My father was in the Navy and married my mom, a local Hawaiian girl from Hilo, Hawaii. My father was of Dutch/German decent and grew up in Texas. I have an older sister, Esther Jewett and a younger brother,
Jack Smith
From Morro Bay, California, Jack found his interest in skateboarding as a young man in the ‘60s. Considered a founding father of long-distance skateboarding, Smith made his first cross-country trip in 1976 at the age of 19, going through 11 states in 32 days. Since then he made multiple trips across America for various charity organizations. Jack became the oldest person to go across the country in 2013 at the age of 56. Smith worked for both Skateboarder Magazine, Transworld Skateboarding, and continued a career in advertising and marketing. He would go on to create the Skateboarder’s Journal as well as the Morro Bay Skate Museum. – C. Harp
Rip City – Icon
Founded April 1st, 1978, Rip City Skates has managed to be one of the few stable forces in an ever changing Santa Monica, California. Described as polar opposites, cousins Jim McDowell and Bill Poncher, both held the same passion for skateboarding, which is what made Rip City one of the longest running skate shops in the world. Keeping true to its roots, Rip City has, and continues to be, an academy and safe haven for skaters of all backgrounds seeking guidance. While Jim McDowell retired to Colorado in May 2022, Bill Poncher continues to return to his community oriented shop alongside the growing Rip City family. – Chuck Harp / Concrete Disciples May 2024
Skip Engblom – Icon
With a passion for surfing and anti‑mainstream creations, Skip became a co‑founder of Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions with Jeff Ho and Craig Stecyk in 1971. Engblom would help create both Zephyr Surf and Skate teams, the latter housing the infamous Z‑Boys. Recognizing their budding talents, Skip offered not just skating advice during sessions. He nurtured his young band of pirates by providing them with the confidence and structure needed to pilot their ship in the heart of Dogtown. Engblom would go on to create Santa Monica Airlines in 1978 and has been highlighted in various films on his importance to skate culture. – Chuck Harp / Concrete Disciples
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Jim Fitzpatrick
Jim Fitzpatrick is one of the most influential, foundational figures in the history and business of skateboarding. Over a career spanning more than six decades, Fitzpatrickhas successfully transitioned from being a pioneering athlete to an industry executive, lobbyist, and cultural preservationist. His efforts fundamentally changed the legislative landscape of action sports, directly enabling the global
Steve Rocco
It is almost impossible to cover the complete legacy of Steve Rocco. No one would have known that when Steve, the oldest of six siblings in Hermosa Beach, received his first skateboard at age eleven it would begin a story molded in success, risk, and controversy. First gaining recognition as an excellent freestyle skater, Rocco
Larry Gordon – G&S (Gordon and Smith)
Larry Gordon (Dec. 13, 1939 – Jan. 1, 2016) Full Bio coming soon. Covers: Ads:
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