Twenty Years
Twenty years, 211 issues, and thousands of pages of skateboarding madness. Who ever would've thought that a magazine called TransWorld SKATEboarding would last so long? I was there when Larry Balma and Grant Brittain showed up at the Del Mar Skate Ranch with the first issue, and at the time, I wasn't a fan. "Skate and Create" versus "Skate and Destroy?" TransWorld? Be good? That was a sketchy beginning, but it took a lot of guts to go head-to-head with Thrasher (the only skate mag in 1983). They didn't want to start a North versus South rivalry, but that's what happens when two truck manufacturers own the skateboard media.
With the help of skateboard-lifers Grant Brittain, Neil Blender, Lance Mountain, Marty Jimenez, Garry Davis, Tod Swank, Bryan Ridgeway, Britt Parrott, and so many others, the mag came up quickly. You could tell those guys put their heart and soul into making a skateboard magazine with no geographical bias-an open forum of creativity from all over the world.
And so here's our twentieth Anniversary Issue, a magazine that will no doubt become a collector's item. The original idea for the cover was to have Steve Caballero grinding twenty stairs to commemorate our twentieth anniversary. Steve was picked 'cause he was on the cover of our first issue, and also for the fact that he's skating at his level twenty years later-amazing. Well, Steve has the cover, but the opportunity to utilize some other skaters from the all-time list came up, so four different covers was a go.
The 41 Winks showcases a large group of skaters who have been a big part of TransWorld SKATEboarding's history. When you look back, these are the skaters who stood out in their respective eras since we started publishing in 1983. They influenced all of us in some way or another, and many continue to kill it in their own special way even today.
Throughout the 80s, the Bones Brigade skaters were the best team of the decade. They made the best videos (hell, they invented what is now the skateboard video), pushed skate progression by innovating new tricks on a regular basis, won 90 percent of the contests, toured the world, and became skateboarding superstars. We separated them from the 41 Winks skaters because they were pretty much an innovative force on their own.
With the upcoming release of the new Zero video, Dying To Live, right around the corner, we figured it's the right time for a Jamie Thomas photo feature. He was also supposed to be in the 41 Winks feature, but we didn't want to overload you with Jamie coverage.
Staff sightings, what the hell? Pretty self-explanatory-your favorite editor, photographer, art director, or video guy taking up valuable space in the mag. Guess what? They deserve the recognition for their tireless work month after month, year after year. Check 'em out, they ain't half bad. But guys, just don't quit your day job!
Also included is a piece on the Del Mar Skate Ranch. What the hell is that? Well, between the years 1978 to 1983, The Ranch was the shit. It was more than just a skatepark, it was a clubhouse. A place where you could go every day (sometimes even Christmas Day), all day, and have a great time. So many memories. This article is dedicated to all those who spent a big part of their youth within the friendly confines of the Del Mar Skate Ranch.
It's been an arduous task completing this issue, but I think the results have all been worth it. Please enjoy the rest of the issue as we start working on the beginning of another twenty years.-Dave Swift
