I wonder if Tim Payne knew just how legendary the iconic "Chin Ramp" would become after he built it back in 1986? When Powell-Peralta contacted Tim to build the ramp (which was largest ramp at that time in 1986) for their timeless film, “The Search for Animal Chin," Tim happily accepted and quickly began brainstorming. You could say the rest is history, but...here we are.
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As many of us know, the outcome of the build was monumental and seeing the Bones Brigade skate the ramp for the first time was pretty unreal. But we hardly ever think about the man behind the design and build, let alone seeing him actually skate it! So the fact that Grant Brittain recently shared this photo isn't just special, it's pretty legendary in its own right. This is skateboarding!
Tim started Team Pain skateparks in 1977 and they're still one of the most respected skatepark design and build companies around, and for good reason. Their entire crew is stacked with ripping skateboarders, which is ironically a bit more rare than most folks might realize in the skatepark biz. I will say this, though—it makes all the difference. For skateboarders, by skateboarders. Exactly the way it should be!
Take a second to really admire this photo. I love all the scraps of wood in the background. Tim's cool, calm demeanor as he floats above his creation is absolutely epic. If you've seen "The Search For Animal Chin" then you know the ramp looked pristine, so seeing it in somewhat of a skeleton phase here is incredible. Grant's caption says, "Tim Payne rides the ramp he built, the Chin Ramp 1986, Oceanside, CA." And really, that's all that needs to be said. Iconic? Yes. Absolutely.
Thanks as always to Grant for the trip down memory lane. It almost gives me anxiety thinking of all the unreleased gems he has sitting in all those boxes in his garage.
More about Tim from the Team Pain Skateparks website:
"Team Pain’s Founder & President, Tim Payne is renowned for his 30+ years of continuous contribution to the skate park industry. Since his humble beginnings of building skate ramps in the late 1970’s, Mr. Payne has only had one profession and that is designing and building skate parks. His many years of skateboarding experience coupled with his unique design and construction capabilities has made Mr. Payne a leader in the skate park industry. He has personally designed and built over 200 skate facilities worldwide and has received Lifetime Achievement Awards, inductions into industry Hall of Fames and interviews and articles in prestigious publications."
