Go Skate Day
People in journalism always say, “report on what you know.” Skateboarding has been a personal passion of mine for years. There were several summers where I would watch my favorite three skate videos (Enjoi Bag of Suck, DVS Skate More, Girl Yeah Right!) religiously and then I would run out into the streets with my board. I waited for the perfect event to showcase my love for this sport and photography. Last Saturday 5Boro owner Steve Rodriguez, K.C.D.C. and others organized a massive skateboarding holiday to celebrate the sport and its culture.
On Go Skateboarding Day, seas of skaters from all over the city and beyond gathered at the Brooklyn Banks near City Hall and Williamsburg, Brooklyn to play games of S.K.A.T.E. (similar to H.O.R.S.E. in basketball) with their favorite skateboard idols. They came out to support something that gave them self-esteem, a sense of belonging and entertainment.
I hope this audio slideshow I made, in whatever small way, explains what the spirit of skateboarding is. It’s the notion of playing a sport for the sheer joy of it.
Click here for audio slideshow: Go Skateboarding Day
Kids test out their tricks on the smooth basketball court in the Brooklyn Banks that hardly ever see a basketball. Skating is almost therapeutic in a hectic place like New York City.
Turned pro at the age of 19, Kevin “Spanky” Long posed with excited fans in Brooklyn. “My favorite video? Hmmm, ” Long, chuckled. “Stay Gold because I have a part coming up in it.”
Ben Gilley from Zero 50-50’s down the widowmaker rail at the Brooklyn Banks during Go Skateboarding Day. Filmers and photographers were ready to capture the action.
Jerry Hsu poses in front of a mob of fans in front of K.C.D.C. skateshop begging for an autograph from their idol. “Everything I give to skateboarding, I get back from it, ” Hsu said. “I personally criticize myself to progress. I always want to get better at it.”
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Pro skater and notorious wild child Dustin Dollin got up close and personal with thousands of fans in front of K.C.D.C skateshop in WIlliamsburg, Brooklyn.
”It’s great to see so many little kids out here skating, just like how I was,” pro skater and owner of Baker Skateboards Andrew Reynolds said.
New York’s Finest were making sure the event went smoothly for skaters, motorists and pedestrians.
These skaters took a break from the crowds and watched the celebration perched on the upper bank
My skate idols: the high-energy Keith Huf, the zany and fun Louie Barletta, the forever reinventing and amazing Rodney Mullen and the Tara Lipinski of skateboarding, Eric Koston.
For more of my audio slideshows click on the “New York Daily News Portfolio” page on the right-hand column.
nice stuff joy, the spanky and dollin photos are great! looks like you’re keeping busy on the photography front, congratulations. i shot a couple photos i like at the banks that day, i’ll get them uploaded to my flickr account eventually…