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Tony Hawk - Occupation Skateboarder (with Sean Mortimer)

Tony Hawk is the world's best known skater. He dominated the contest circuit through the 90's to the point that he often did not compete. Stories circulated of him showing up to practice, blowing everyone away, and then bowing out just before the contest (much to the relief of fellow competitors). He felt great pressure to perform and expectations that he would always rank in the top three also contributed to his declining enthusiasm for competition. With the pressure growing, and his enthusiasm wearing thin, Tony contemplated retiring years before the ESPN television network's ‘X-games' made (read:manufactured) him into a new school sports superstar. He finally retired, in his early thirties, just before the printing of this book. Occupation skateboarder chronicles the life of a hyperactive spoiled-brat, child prodigy, to teenage pro phenom, to mature businessman, industry icon, and family man with wife and kids. It's an interesting story. His humble, happenstance view of his arrival at his career is reflected in the title of the book. The back cover is a photocopy of a French airport form with Tony's particulars; name, date of birth, residence, and occupation - skateboarder! A theme for Tony is recognition that he is athletically gifted, and basically ‘fell into' a profession where only the elite generate significant income. (He did have to work very hard and the accomplished skater is credited with pioneering more than 80 tricks, which are documented in the back of the book). Tony recounts lively anecdotes from his growing up in the rebellious, and often chaotic world of skateboarding. Tony sadly tells the story about his dad, and childhood hero, succumbing to cancer, and recently passing away. Frank Hawk founded the powerful and influential National Skateboard Association (NSA), and opened his doors to the multitudes of traveling and wayward skaters that needed a place to crash and recuperate. Tony humorously relates a story about the dismantling of one of his gigantic ramps in the California hills. Frank Hawk supervised the work, and to Tony and his friends chagrin, insisted on systematically removing each nail from every single board. Tony schemed, and convinced a wary Frank Hawk to fetch the lunch supplies. The lads strategically removed a few key supports and the ramp crashed into a splintered mess. Frank returns with sandwiches and merely shrugs as he surveys the ruin. Other stories are offered that I suspect may lack impact if the reader isn't privy to the goings-on of the skateboard industry. These same stories may have insiders and fans salivating and turning the pages as intently as I did. (I could put faces to names and visualize the events Tony discussed). It is a shortcoming, but inherent in the telling of a unique story like this. The book suffers from average writing and a narrow scope, but it is an interesting, and entertaining look into the life of the world's best known professional skateboarder.

Harper Collins (reganbooks.com)

Dysfunctional
... is beyond words. I am speechless. 200 pages of photographs, ads, drawings and art from the skateboard scene, documenting the 80's and 90's eras of modern skating. There are unforgettable images in this book. This is a must have for any skater with a serious art-graphics-zine- type personality. Well worth the $50 (Cdn) cover price. Exquisitely layed out, and an obvious labour of love. Concieved by Aaron Rose. Forward by C.R. Stecyk and G.S Davis.

A real good crop of magazines hit the streets.In early summer I went to Tower and picked up an issue of Skateboarder The cover (at left) exemplifies the brilliant art direction in the skate industry. It is an oversize format. Very cool. I also grabbed the latest issue of While you were sleeping. Graffiti inspired and lots of T+A and features on visual artists on the fringe.It's pricey at $7 Cdn, but well worth it. Another expensive zine was Adrenalin, a Brit publication with fantastic style. The best thing was a photo essay by Mark Gallup with shots of snowboarders ripping spots like Island Lake Lodge, and accompanying photos of the same rugged, rocky spots in summer. This mag rocks. I was also impressed by SBC Skateboard and Punk Planet, two superior magazines that deserve your attention in 2001.

In early 2000, I also picked up a copy of Cometbus, one of the most famous
and long running zines in existence. Aaron writes confessional style prose full of the right blend of angst, reflection and humour to keep you engaged, page after page. Punk rock with a sentimental side that keeps me buying issue after issue.