Memories of Yoda (part 1 of many)

Tonight, the skate park owner’s dog, Coco, was at the park. It brought back memories of my main man Yoda. Here are a few choice shots from sessions past.

Middle School Skate Park

Yoda watches Pete Thompson (I think) ollie the hip at Middle School in Hampstead, NC

PotSprings Ditch

Stoners get stoned at aptly named Pot Springs Ditch. Yoda wasn't down with it, so he bailed.

Placid Planet Team guy and Transworld cover boy Adam Ayer sliding tail as Yoda hangs out

Placid Planet Team guy and Transworld cover boy Adam Ayer sliding tail as Yoda hangs out

Robbie Gangemi

Robbie Gangemi uses a handicap ramp to lauch above the lens flare. If you look close, you can see Yoda chillin in the back.

Yoda takes a stand on a board

Inside the Liquid Spaceship Surfshop in Boston, Yoda gets busy on a board while I assemble another

Yoda watches Pat Noonan

Yoda watches Pat Noonan slide in Copley Square

Colorful Characters in Full Color

Boston yo. Streets was mad ill, son.

Well, not really.

And that isn’t how I talk either, but some of the crew did and I love to imitate it. Fo realz, the streets were a constant source of entertainment. I didn’t always carry my camera cuz we were riding to and from spots. And I didn’t shoot much color in those days. It meant money out of pocket as opposed to the bulk film roller-process yourself black and white. But I did bust it out when the situation called for it. Here are a few tidbits that survived the moves and storms and fires. Peace out yo.

Adam Ayer ollies down some steps during a World Industries demo. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

While the pros hung out and procrastinated, Adam Ayer 180's down the steps into a demo platform.

Kareem Campbell boardslides a handrail. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

During the World Demo, Kareem Campbell nails a gnarly rail (in those days).

Mike Savage at the Boston City HospitalPhoto by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Snap Grind on the bricks at City Hospital by Mike "Mikey Dread" Savage. Note the PMA!

Robbie Gangemi ollie the hip. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Robbie Gangemi pops one over the hip.

Preston Maigeter ollies the hip. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Preston Maigater was fun to skate with. Totally humble. Here he is with a big ollie over a small hip.

Blue Davis doing a funky rock n' roll type thing on the tubes at Turtles. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Blue Davis did these weird tube rides on the outside of the tubes. Kinda like a rock n' roll, sort of.

Adam Ayer street Skating in Boston. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Adam Ayer. Ollie. Street. Barricade. Fun.

Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Jahmal didn't want to do this, but I think Noonan pressed him saying it would be a good shot. I walked up and down looking for a good angle. Couldn't find one. But Jahmal did it anyway—a long, fast downhill slide into a underground parking garage.

Ollie grab at Turtles in Boston. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Ollie snag at Turtles by John____. I'll remember his name. Give me a second.

Turtles Banks, Cambridge Mass. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Didier Munza, a visiting Frenchman, lets go of a ollie grab at Turtles.

Style is all attitude as displayed by Mikey Dread. Photo by Gibber. ©2011 All rights reserved

Dread recently joked about how we survived on one piece of Newbury Pizza a day. This photo shows that you don't need money to have style.