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After 30 years, a forgotten dream was born again and this time, the dream became a reality shared with family and friends... 
It was a very funny conversation, not one you have everyday, but the kind you have with a lifelong friend. As we spoke of the many near death experiences we shared together during the summer of 1975, I began to realize how lucky and truly fortunate I am. That was the summer that me and my friend Damon got our first urethane skateboard wheels and hit the streets of Orange County. That ultimately led to an array of secret escapades deep into Los Angeles and many other dark holes and areas of Southern California.
This conversation was taking place just prior to the end of school and the before this summer, 2006, and originally focused on our own children. You see we have four boys between us and this story is about family, friends and a reckless love of skateboarding and building of memories for our children to carry on. Its about this summer and a special group of family and friends that while blazing through the streets of Southern California, will watch several of them come of age.
I remember as a 13 year old, how we would ride tandem down the steepest streets we could find, wearing pots and pans on our heads, traveling at speeds that are still debated. You see, while our parents never really watched us, they did insist that we had some protection for the skulls they would ultimately be responsible to pay for if we broke them!
As the memories, stories and legendary tales were relived, the excitement and feelings of that special time came rushing back to me as though I was reliving it all over again. That’s what maintaining friendships can do for you, they don’t let you forget some of the best times of your life.
So it began with a trip down memory lane followed by a planned skateboard adventure and ended up with a flyer and group of kids and dads that would retrace the original Zephyr Skateboard team. But as you know, the major motion picture “The Lords Of Dogtown” brought the story to life for a whole new generation of skateboarders.
I personally enjoyed the Documentary version much better as it was and is, based on fact with real accounts from those who actually lived and participated in the tale. It was also more true to my own memories and experiences of the time. But one thing is for sure; they have both have been viewed at least 20 times or more at my house.
With a couple weeks of planning, we were able to identify most of the schools and a few other locations that the Z-Boys skated. Many of them you can find actual pictures of on the Internet. In fact, Google Earth and other Internet resources make plotting out a skate session or trip so easy that what began as an original idea, was clearly a reawakening to the sessions of yesteryear.
While the skateboard industry has made advancements in the last 30 years, the real advancements have come in technology that allows you to quickly identify places and areas to skate that are off the beaten track or the non-skate park locations. The type of place where you know, you are in control. You against the hill, against the run itself. Now I am not talking about ground breaking or earth shattering feats such as the Z-Boys and the pools and the half pipes from hell. I am speaking of runs like Ridglea Avenue and La Mirada Park (Damon and I had several near death experiences there, if my memory serves me). Spots like Paul Revere School or the Kenter Banks, where one can get a ticket after jumping a fence or ignoring a sign.
The search for these runs is half the fun. Everyone wants the credit for finding the next big run, the ride of rides. The finder of the “5-mile run”. The one that will be talked about and rode for years to come. It’s the thing street skaters live for, its what keeps them talking about skateboarding their whole life or at least until they grow up and leave the cement roads of Neverland. But I remember as a kid, it was my life, “Look at that hill, hell I could take that on my long board” you know the drill. We look at the streets we drive down every day and imagine how we might maneuver the road on our boards. What board or wheels would be best, hhmmm we made need a custom job to really negotiate this bad boy! Oh yes, the dream is alive and well and now I get to live it with my children in ways my father never did. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to make it happen in a way that I never really did for myself. Now I sure did enough for myself and with my friends that was so cool we still talk about it 30 years later, that’s for sure! But this trip and the many others planned for this summer were never something my father had the resources or desire to do. Isn’t it just a bit strange that a few fathers would actually take a group of kids on a skate session like this, with all the potential problems? These kids do it anyway, why not join them in the things they love and want to do. Lets do it and lets do it right, they won’t be kids forever!
After a reasonable amount of planning on the Internet and the creation of a Sessions flyer/invitation appropriately titled: The SkullCrackers Sessions #1” I gathered our crew. There were many kids who wanted to join us as the word got out we were going to visit and skate Dogtown (Santa Monica and Venice Beach).
I immediately realized we needed several adults as the crew began to reach 20+ skaters. I recruited to of our long time family friends and cohorts, Richard Bybee and Sergio Davilia, both with boys who love to skate as much as mine. As the day for session #1 approached my friend Damon was not able to make it (bummer) I think the thought of hitting the hills where we almost died was too much for his middle-aged body to handle. So at the last minute we added Cary Faas and his two boys, all three of them are very good skaters! With our initial crew set, we were ready for session #1.
We set out bright and early on a Saturday and headed straight to Bicknell Hill in Santa Monica. This is the hill that is a couple blocks from the original Zephyr Surf shop and where the Zephyr Skate team practiced back in the early 70’s. There are many classic pictures out there (on the net and in magazines) of Jay Adams and the other Z-Boys racing down this hill.
Not only was it a great place to start the day, but I had also contacted Skip Engblom, one of the original Zephyr Surf Shop owners and the main man who got their skate team started…
With the morning slightly overcast, air still thick with fog, we arrived as excited as a group of skaters could be after a 40 minute drive at 6:15 AM. We watched a few skaters in our group dive right into the hill as if they had practiced for days leading up to this moment. Clearly the excitement was building and I too found myself pumped, as I knew what the day had in store for us! Our crew went from the hill itself over to the grass and even began to shred the dirt and grass slopes and cliff’s the were in a park area in need of some tender loving care or at least a gardener or save the park volunteer group. Then as I looked around and saw the homeless, rough streets of DogTown, I noticed a naked black man trying to dry himself after a morning shower in a local restroom sink! I could only imagine the parents of our crew would say?
Just then, right at that very moment, as if he had planned it that way, we heard a great big “Hey Guys, COME UP HERE!” we turned to look and there he was, the legend himself, Skip Engblom, the Skipper, the man the myth. From the bottom of Bicknell hill looking up he seemed seven feet tall. With the naked black man still fresh in my mind (if not the whole crew’s) he seemed like a savior, a surf god, a skate god, a rock star! Well maybe not ELVIS, but a key player in the greatest skateboard crew ever! Here to provide an immediate escape from the seaside dwellers of a moment ago.
Let’s face it, the kids who skated here 30 years ago had a rough life and I think as sure as Skip helped some of the kids then, he continues to do so today, maybe not in the same way, but at this moment there is no doubt he has an interest in making the day better for these kids. Many of the crew started yelling SKIP, IT’S SKIP, and HEY SKIP, HOW’S IT GOING SKIP!
I was anxious to meet him too. You know there are fewer and fewer people who have seen this area of Southern California change like he has. The stories he could tell are the kind books and movies are made of. He has lived to tell the tale. There he was in his Cadillac, telling the story of how Heath Ledger gave it to him. He was wearing an original POP Dogtown shirt, you know, the old school style, the real deal.
Handmade, home grown, never store bought but rather made by the man himself and worn with a pride that can’t be bought. It was this kind of pride, that on this day seemed to make him glow! He was as happy to meet the crew, as they were to meet him. He talked with all of them. He shared a little about the area, his car (which was the same year, make and color of one he previously owned) and of course was very generous with his time. He signed boards, helmets, and pictures, DVD’s and thank goodness no one brought their wives or he would have signed them too! We immediately began calling ourselves the unofficial SMA Street Crew! It was clear to all of us that he is a living legend. He had a friend of his show up (someone who used to do some design work for him, PK I think was his name) and they clowned around and made everyone laugh! Yeah his buddy was funny, but I could not help but notice how rich this man really is in terms of his life's experiences and friendships. Not many people have that.
We all make sacrifices and choices throughout our lives, some good and some bad. Clearly Skip has found himself in a nice place. Hey, there is always a thing we may have done different, but are we where we wanted to be?
I think Skip is! This I can say for sure, I hope I find myself as happy as Skip appears to be some day. Surrounded by friends, a town he has spent most, if not all of his life in. He even has a touch of celebrity status about him and rightfully so, he’s earned that.
As we prepare to part company, Skip gave us some instructions and updates as to some of the locations we planned to visit that day. He also wanted to share some experience about a skateboard industry he loves and some of the board manufacturers out there that really don’t care about the quality of the boards they build or how long they last. How some companies know that people (parents) will just replace boards for their kids as they need to. Now I thought to myself how right he really was. So when I listened to what he was saying, I thinks there is something to be learned from the likes of the Skipper himself, with his vast experience.
Sure a board that you buy can have a lot requirements by its rider, but one thing that is usually at the bottom of the list is how durable is it? How long will it really last? How much is it? When I think about that, it seems that one things for sure, the capitalists arrived on the skate scene a long time ago.
But as a consumer who buys the board his or her kid really wants, I never really noticed, but I should, we all should. My parents never really got into looking at how I used or rode my skateboard. They didn’t have a lot of money and they would not simply replace my board if I broke it. That’s why I learned, as many other skaters did, how to make our own. Or at least fix them as best we could.
An outgrowth of that process was really learning to appreciate the things we had and I think my skateboard was the first thing I owned that I really cared about. I found it funny how that memory comes back with a brief conversation, one that strikes a chord and stimulates a feeling of caring about more then yourself. Its true most skaters care about their board but for the majority out there who are the skate kids benefactors in supplying them with the funds to get boards, please remember that there are life lesson you can teach a skater especially in terms of values and responsibility.
While Skip explained this to us, he never attempted to sell us boards or push the custom decks (nice ones too) that he creates. Skip offered, out of genuine kindness and a love for boarding to give skateboards to needy kids, the kind of need there was plenty of in Dogtown, all we needed to do was let him know and impart the situation to him directly.
Now I found this to be very representative of whom he is today. I don’t think it is because of the life he has led or the opportunities he has (he created them) rather I believe it’s the way he is built. He is a giver, and a true old school guy who, while he could do so much more, chooses to take the path less traveled in a world surrounded by materialistic people.
I also thought of the 8 skateboards sitting in our garage most of which don’t get used anymore. On the upside for me, I have made a change, I am here on the streets with my family and friends learning the value, teaching the value of caring for your board.
A lesson taught by Skip to thousands but only learned by a few. I guess one really needs to understand that there is more to life then one might think. Stop and take it in, think, listen and learn. Yes life can be simple if you want it to be. So enjoy it!
Well off to his shop he went, the stickers his buddy left behind were immediately put to use on anything and everything. They said SAK-UP and they were very cool, I thought I noticed some shirts around town with the same logo. So after a few brief “wow that was really Skip” conversations and a last run down Bicknell hill, we began a day that would already be one for the books!
With the naked black man far from our minds, out came the map book and off to some historic skate sites we went.
Our first stop was the school where they tried out the new urethane wheels in the movie, Mar Vista Elementary School. Now Skip did tell us they planted trees on the main bank there, but we had to see it. Well its no wonder they did that (now that we are looking at it) the houses in the surrounding neighborhood seemed to sit on top of the school.
There was a fence that was at least 12 feet tall surrounding the entire school. One of the boys in my car (we had a caravan of three, loaded with skaters) said we could jump it. Then I heard a quite boy in the back say; we’re not really going to have to climb that fence are we? No I replied, you could work the camera! Just kidding, he laughed with relief. On a serious note, if I can’t climb the fence we aren’t going but it’s a good thing the skaters didn’t know that because I would be teased all day.
It was however worth stopping by as the crew had seen it in the movie and there was a lot of commotion while we looked! Next stop, Kenter Elementary School.
While on the way across town I could feel the tension building and these kids we dying to get back on the street with their boards. We stopped the car in the middle of the road and did a quick Chinese fire drill, ran around the car and had some laughs and continued on.
We stopped for a quick bite to eat as hunger took over. We ended up at Teddy’s Café on Bundy Drive. HHhmmm I thought, breakfast at Ted Bundy’s café. Not one of our young riders even new who of him. I got a laugh out it anyway. After a pancake bacon and egg frenzy and a good ole cup of Joe we were back on track. As we continued down Bundy we talked about the other infamous event on Bundy. Nichole Simpson and OJ. Thankfully again, most of our young skullcrackers never heard of it, but they do know who OJ is (go figure). The Dads all knew and we drove right by it and I thought about the time it happened, I realized that our oldest skull (kid skull) would have been about 4 years old at the time. Then it hit me, I am an old guy, but not old enough to remember the Pacific Ocean Pier (got ya on that one Skip).
Well enough of the private tour of death (my friend Damon would have stopped and taken a picture of that). Just ahead were the Kenter banks. We drove right by and around the corner, where we all got our helmets and boards ready and then, we hit the school in force. I had a rush of excitement as the crew began to board in every direction, and I was cautiously keeping an eye out for someone to tell us to get the hell out!
It truly was a mix of emotions as we skated the school’s banks. I could not help but remember how I wanted to visit this place in my youth, I never did, until today to watch my two boys and their friends skate it! I immediately snapped photo after photo. I noticed that there was a nice banner up on the fence. The school was celebrating its 50-year birthday, 50 years! It was built in 1955-56 and is now, in 2005-06, 50 years old. I wondered how many skaters have skated these banks? Since there were signs everywhere and the fences were 12 feet high, I assume there are less and less. But to think of the many superstars who actually learned on these banks and the generations who have been captivated by print and film, hell who can count, in fact who cares, lets skate!
It was so very cool and the sounds of our crew could be heard throughout the canyon and even began to echo through the halls of yesteryear.
When I saw a car pull up to the stop sign at the corner, back up and do a double take, I thought it might be time to go. While I thought it through in my own mind and had a quick word with the other chieftains, we thought what the heck, how much could a ticket be? Then as if the pillars of heaven shook, something happened, a sign I think, it was time to leave. To be kind, I will tell you this, when I turned around and saw the crew staking up the benches to perform some unknown, never before seen (let alone tried) aerial maneuvers, it was clear the time had come to head on to the next location. I thought for a brief moment how my friend Damon would have encouraged them “Come on we used to do crazier stuff then that, remember when you” then he would have started calling them chicken and would have used the infamous double dog dare. Some stories are better left in the past and that, my friend, is one of them. I suddenly didn’t feel so bad that the crazy kahuna wasn’t there. My job for the day wasn’t a hard one; just bring the crew back alive!
So far so good, no broken skulls, lots of smiles, and some great rides and good picks. The little adrenaline rushed crew in the back started talking about becoming a team a real street skating crew and immediately started working on a name. As we talked about what a team is and what a street crew is, something very cool began to happen with these boys. They began to find a love for skateboarding as a group. They had forgot all about the struggles they fought through in the recent baseball season, the trial and tribulations of the recently ended drama fest called school. No mommy’s around to tell them what to do or how to do it. I think they were becoming a crew. I included a little name of Da Skate & Deck Crew (very generic) on the flyer, but they must have missed that. But what the hell was I thinking, they were taking over, it was there crew, and clearly I was just the means to help them live it out (at least at the moment).
After several names that their parents would never approve of (but I liked them) they begin to talk about the Y-boys (most of us live in Yorba Linda) and that was quickly dismissed since there was already a Z-boys. But it seemed like they were getting close. We could make T-Shirts and a logo, shouted one skull. We can get Mr. Bybee to have them made said another more excited skull (Bybee has sponsored shirts for the baseball team and seems to have become the official T-Shirt Guy) HHhmmmm perhaps, I thought to myself.
I was spinning with crazy ideas too as we continued the crew name debate. We began navigating our way to the next stop, Paul Revere School. Now I have been by this school many times as an adult but never actually skated there and did not realize that this was the place although it had always seemed familiar to me. Now I know why.
When we arrived, we drove through the school and into the back area, where a fence was blocking us from getting in. There were a few small banks that curved around like little breakers (baby waves) it was very cool. There were activities in the gym, and in the auditorium too. So needless to say there were a lot of people around and I thought we would be chased out of there in a New York Minute. But we came for the humongous banks that lay in wait for us on the backside, behind a minor obstacle (a lousy fence). But this crew had a mission and was determined to hit the big ones out back. Did I jump the fence? No I hung back to handle the faculty, coaches or teachers that surely have dealt with this before. I had a great plan! I would ask for help! Perhaps they could let me in so I could go get them out. Yeah, it just might work.
Screw the plan, I got in the car and drove around to the park area and drove right up to the backside, where there were no gates at all. Now were talking baby, you can walk right up to the drop off, and in the action is where you be now. The banks were just the way I have seen them in many photos and articles. It was very cool indeed, a paradise of smiling skulls on wheels. There was no one around with any interest in stopping us. It was getting hot as some of the crew seemed to have lost their shirts. As the crew was moving at ever increasing speeds they began to really negotiate the corners very well, I was impressed with all of them. I knew when those who could not make this trip heard about it they would be pissed they missed out. I look at it this way, its always comes back to the choices we make. There is one very cool kid whose parents chose to keep him on the ball field this Saturday, he wanted to make this trip so bad, but had no choice in the matter. I know he will join us on other trips, but each one is different and each day brings its own adventure. I really wish parents would listen to what their kids want from time to time. As these boys turn into teenagers they will begin to make choices for themselves, they will find their way to the concrete slopes and paved waves of Neverland, and I hope that the boys in this crew learn to keep things in perspective.
Now if we can just avoid any unnecessary trips to the ER well be in great shape.
You could quickly tell who the better skaters were in the group. But let me tell you this, the best skaters in our crew, were not on this trip. They will join us at the next session and that will be awesome to see as the level a skating will improve for everyone. Having good skaters skate with you usually brings everyone's best skills to the session. I could see it happening today! That’s what I love most about street skating, is everyone encourages and pushes each other to do better.
These guys ruled the day and the moment and as we watched. Justin raced down the biggest hill straight on, with no fear, only to see Andreas hit one bank then another and then another as if it was the reason he was here. Alex, Mitchell, Ernie and Michael were cruising and carving up the banks and dodging the nets from the volleyball courts, laughing as one skull almost got their head ripped off! The dads even began to do a little alpha male bonding… Me, I almost crashed, while Sergio laughed and offered to help.
The crew cheered as Curtis gave it his all (he always does) and Ryan went higher and higher with each run! It was impressive to see Carry and his sons CJ and Casey skate together and Richard was busting a few moves while Sergio and I were betting on which skull would get hurt first! Now this is a pool that will get carried over to the next session since we had no significant casualties. By the way, road rash is not an injury it’s a medal of honor to be displayed for all to see and relived each time you tell the tale!
While the entire crew wanted to stay at Paul Revere, and would still be there if we had not dragged them away, it was only thought of hitting some of the skate shops in Venice that got the car loaded.
As we headed back into the bowels of Dogtown, the skulls in my car were very interested in visiting the old Zephyr Shop. We went to Venice Blvd. and turned right and as we drove past Venice High, I encouraged a quick stop but was out voted as these guys had money to spend! I had not been to Venice Beach in years, and as I would soon find out it has changed a lot. But then again it hasn’t really changed much at all. Parking still sucks and we parked a couple blocks away and skated in. The crew changed into their suits and was hoping for a quick wave riding session, since many of them brought boogies boards and skim boards too.
The plan was to head up to the boardwalk and check it out, then come back, grab the boards and hit the water.
This was not to be; as we reached the boardwalk and began to cruise it was clear that the young skulls had no intention of going back until their money was spent. Since most of the board shops are off Main Street or at least a few blocks from the beach, we ended up truly skating the streets of Venice! Not just the streets, but also in the alleyways and sidewalks and anywhere else these guys drifted off to. This was very cool.
Only thing was, the Zephyr Shop (which is now called Horizon Surf Shop) was several miles back up in Santa Monica. Not a problem, we had no injuries and no fear, no rules! As we skated out to the main street, some of the crew was trying to spend money along the way! Save it we told them, wait for a better shop! Well as we found ourselves spread out along the main roads, with skaters two blocks in front of us and some two blocks behind us
an older skull suddenly asked where his buddy was? The chieftains quickly gathered and made a quick assessment, we were short not one, but two skaters! I prefer the word short rather then missing as missing implies we had no idea where they were. When in actuality we knew where they were, they were in Dogtown, Venice Beach, and living life on there own, free to do what they wanted. And they wanted to call mom! Our record was about to be thrown out the window, and just then, Sergio’s cell phone rings? Who could it be? The boys did not have his number, “yes, yes, ok, here its for you” he said as he handed me the phone. “Hello” I said, wondering who it could be. And to my surprise, the two missing skulls had called their mom, who called my wife, who could not reach me (my cell phone and 4 walkie talkies were left in the car, since we were just going to check out the beach and come right back). So she called Sergio, but lets just say this, my friend Damon, remember him? He never would have answered her call. Mmmm I could feel it coming, and then it came. “Why are other peoples moms calling me and telling me you lost their children in Venice Beach” well I said “I’m not sure” but we new where they were and immediately went to get them. Yes the record had been tarnished, and skulls would soon be cracked!
After our group broke into two groups we all eventually made it to the Horizon Surf Shop. One the last group hijacked a bus and forced them to stop in front of the shop, in the red zone. I on the other hand took a cab (remember it was hot) since we were so far behind. The kids ran into the shop, tripping over each other on the way, pushing past the locals as if we owned the place. Well they did think they were Skip’s boys now! They came out moments later and said, “The Zephyr portion of the shop is currently closed and would open in about 30 minutes”. So how do you keep 10 skate kids entertained while we wait?
Truth be told they did the entertaining! First, with a construction worker on top of the building across the street. He was interested in the cold water our crew was drinking and throwing at each other so when he asked for some, the boys made him sing for it. I thought he was pretty good, at least worthy of a bottle of water. But is was not to be. But he wanted it; he had a fan base now, and continued to sing! Then he realized these weren’t just any kids, they were a crew in training, as they began to torment the guy, who played along. Until he understood the only way to get any water from these guys was to play the obedient role of puppet for the masters of all skull puppets!
In retrospect, he got off easy. It was the two young ladies (somewhere between 15-21 is our best guess) who showed some attention to them next, as they became the next victims in act II.
They began by saying how cute the boys looked all lined up against the wall. “Oh you skater boys think you're cool, what do want to be little Zephyr skate punks” I was going to warn her, but she continued to encourage them. “Show us you tricks, don’t you know any tricks?” she continued, “what kind of skates are you? You don’t even know any tricks? Come on now, show us your tricks, what are you a bunch of losers?” Now keep in mind that after skating all morning and hijacking a bus, and sitting around for 20 minutes in the hot sun waiting for the shop to open, this crew was really not in the mood for harassment from some shop chick. So when her badgering continued, one of the more daring skull kids got up, put his board on the ground, (which drew further verbal teasing) and proceeded to hang one of the most perfectly timed BA’s I have seen in a long time! Yes a moon pie, the big bare ass! And it was followed by a round of applause from the construction site, who had been patiently watching and waiting to see how these boys were going to handle these pushy local girls.
It brought back memories of my younger years, I am sure everyone has seen that at least once in their lives. Very funny! The girl with the load mouth even started laughing and brought people from the shop out and said “hey show them you skate tricks” but to no avail. She went on and on about how cool it was that they have style, and attitude and what a great thing it was to be hanging out and skateboarding all day.
She was very impressed and even more so when they did some real skateboard tricks for her. I could hear the construction crew laughing 30 minutes later when we left. The girls turned out to be very cool too. They like to harass the visiting skaters and shoppers I think. I think they wanted to join the crew; I assured them they would never survive the initiation (not that we had one) she laughed and thought that was pretty cool too!
Finally the shop opened and not a moment to soon (I expected the press or police or fire department to show up any minute). There store was very cool and the crew was ready to buy, buy, and buy! Funny thing is a few of them did not bring their money, as they changed into their swimsuits (how convenient). Had they not been there to help me spend mine, I would have had to carry it all back by myself. It seemed a fare price for the entertainment and a couple IOU’s.
Well a couple more stores, lunch at the Pub (I liked that) another disappearing act and another call to mommy (this one was intercepted) followed by a lecture and a long skate down the length of the boardwalk back to Venice. I was feeling pretty Dogged at this point. But never to tired to go look for another few strays that wandered off (to the car actually). The entire crew then hit the waves and cooled off.
Me, well I waited by the car in my lawn chair with my feet up, smoking a cigar, calling moms, and handling damage control with my wife. Then I spent the rest of the time laughing and reflecting back on the greatest first session any crew has ever had, as I began to plot out the next trip in my session book.
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