I had no other plan. At that time the city was Mecca for skateboarding, and skaters from all over the world were making the pilgrimage. From skate videos and magazines, SF beckoned us with its exciting variety of terrain: hills, marble ledges, embankments, and smooth city streets.
I knew that I could get a job here and I didn’t care what it was, as long as I could skate. And I did. Seven days a week, before work, after work, sometimes all day long on my days off. I didn’t skate with the dream of becoming a professional – I skated just for the love of being on a board. The thrill of going too fast down Bush Street, the feeling of grinding the now-defunct brown marble ledges on California, and the clickety-clack of carving over benches on the brick “China banks” along the footbridge to the Chinese Cultural Center over Kearny. The whole city was there to explore. One could find a spot to session for hours, or until being chased out by security or ticketed, and sometimes, arrested by SFPD. Back then, skateboarding was a crime.
Most of the skaters that you see in the photographs moved to San Francisco to take part in the pre-ESPN skateboard culture that made this city the epicenter of skateboarding in the 1990s. Like me, they’ve skated through the many rises and falls in popularity of the “sport” – all despite broken bones, torn ligaments, and concussions. The responsibilities of adult life limit the time we get to spend on our skateboards, but when we do get that time, we feel the same joy as when we first stepped on a skateboard – only the slams hurt more now.
Occupation: Medic, Lowcard Mag editor, co-owner Strange Bird Distribution , photographer
Skateboarding for:
26 years
Moved to SF:
In 1993 from Machias, Maine, with a backpack, a sleeping bag, and a skateboard
Occupation:
Art director at Pixar
Skateboarding for:
27 years
Moved to SF:
From Mill Valley to attend art school
Occupation: Owner of Roughneck Hardware , moonlights as DJ Roughcutz
Skateboarding for:
25 years
Moved to SF:
From Baltimore, Maryland, in 1992 because of a drug deal gone bad
Occupation:
Owner and chef at The Blue Plate restaurant
Skateboarding for:
34 years
Moved to SF:
From the Bay Area: lived in San Jose, Santa Cruz, and came to San Francisco to attend culinary school but found it too expensive, so instead learned in friends’ restaurants
Occupation:
Concrete mason, carpenter, creator of
Nomad Skate Maps
Skateboarding for:
27 years
Moved to SF:
In 2003 from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to skate outdoors in November
Occupation:
Fine carpenter, contractor
Skateboarding for:
32 years
Moved to SF:
In 1990 from Orange County
Occupation:
Founder of
fecalface.com
, curator of FFDG
Skateboarding for:
24 years
Moved to SF:
From Toledo, Ohio, in 1993 and worked as a skate videographer for
Thrasher Magazine
Occupation:
Interactive designer at Razorfish
Skateboarding for:
19 years
Moved to SF:
In 1997 from British Columbia because it was “the epicenter of skating”
Occupation:
Financial planner
Skateboarding for:
25 years
Moved to SF:
In 1992 from Lowell, Massachusetts, to escape New England’s frigid winter
Young skateboarders are still making the pilgrimage to San Francisco to skate, and although the city and downtown property owners have learned how to make their properties unskateable, there are still spots to be found, legal or illegal, and the hills will always be here.
La Raza Skatepark
Crocker Amazon Skatepark
“The Dish” built in the 1970s, at Hilltop Park, 198 Whitney Young Circle, in Hunters Point.
If you’re antisocial or just like things your own way, build your own spot.
Get Thrasher Magazine ’s Ramp Plans or learn to work with concrete. (Or intern with George Rocha.)
DLX Skateboards and Clothing Store
Mission Sk8boards
Cruz Skate Shop
FTC Skate Shop
Purple Skunk Board Shop
From any pro or am at a skatepark who needs beer money.
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Raoul O
Old timers still ripping... Oh my old knees doesn't sound like an excuse any more... Great post!!
Of Hearty Stock
This is awsome! Franklin's photography rules!
kellywhohah
Ok... I don't even skate, but this is just awesome and inspiring!
failedathlete
sick post. good to let the youngones know you dont have to turn pro to keep skating.
Mary Catherine O
yeay!!! so great. hi Jessie and John!
You're remiss to have not included my husband, the Exploratorium's skate-science instigator Steve Gennrich, but I'll let it pass. (oh, he'll be so pissed if he finds out I left this comment!)
Hawadventeur
Fun article. How did you come about all these people? Glad to see there is representation for the ladies! I was getting worried for a quick second.
This article has a heavy focus on long time enthusiasts, any advice for new enthusiasts?
manofactionsports
Live in New England and glad to see so many people from back east representing. Its sad that the scene here is not as strong but not having a snowy and heavily salted street makes for some happy bearings. Sideways people are inspiring!
groshong
Nice one Franklin!!
rbellomy
This is one of the greatest stories I've read recently. I love the idea of profiling area riders and elevating the idea that responsible adults DO skate and I'd love to see something similar done for Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Albuquerque, San Diego, etc. We paid our dues, pay our taxes and we like to have fun and can still slam harder 'an most groms (or even former jocks), get up and roll away.
roughcutz
young is as young does... stay classy DF
Miquel H
Awesome. Now, can some of you donate your time to teaching Academy of Art students how to land their kick flips to that they don't drive the "longterm" neighborhood residents insane? You'd think with all the slacking that they do on their art that they'd get good at skating...
cagdas
Very inspiring... I've been skating for 25 years in San Diego... I go to the skatepark nearly every lunch... I met one dude that works in Sector 9 factory who has been skating for 50 years... We're not alone!.. :)
Raf
Awesome article! I love the profiles on "regular" people that are still shredding! Now if we can just convince the world that skating is a legitimate activity for people of all ages!
the c
so rad. working class skaters. we all are out there. no matter what you are doing off the board, you can still here the call of the wild.
Mike B
such an awesome story....
sgtpants
bigs ups to jessie van
nice to see females equally repd in skating, great article and pics
Run Your Mouth