Kevin Staab

Watching High Rollers – The Golden Age of Arizona Skateboarding is like finding a lost artifact that helps complete a larger mystery from the past. In this case High Rollers adds a much needed layer of knowledge to the origins of radical vertical, and over-vertical, skateboarding. The skateboard boom of the 1970’s went from “sidewalk surfing” and driveway antics to aerials out of backyard swimming pools in an astonishingly short span of time. This evolutionary leap was for the most part well documented in the pages of Skateboarder Magazine and the 2001 documentary Dogtown and Z-Boyz. However, the field of vision both of these forms of media is narrow (although both are excellent), they both deal almost exclusively with what was happening in California (with occasional nods to Florida). It is understandable as skateboarding was born and given life in California, but what happened next? What was going on elsewhere?

"There aren't any other sports that have pros who show up at local spots. It certainly doesn't happen in ball-sports!" - Tony Hawk. Tony and crew set out again to amaze and astound locals who thought they could grab a quiet session at their local park only to find it filled with hoards of skateboard fans. The power of the cellphone brings in everyone from skaters and their parents to random locals who've heard the name Tony Hawk.

The Birdhouse team touring all over Australia.

Filmed on his triumphant 2002 tour, TONY HAWK'S GIGANTIC SKATEPARK TOUR 2002 follows Tony and his guests Bam Margera, Mike Vallely, Eric Koston, Dave Mirra, Bob Burnquist, and Shaun White as they amaze audiences at sold-out skate parks nationwide. Also included is a look at what the tour bus is really like, lost bets between the athletes, and more.

A documentary exploring the rise and fall of 80s skateboard legend Mark "Gator" Rogowski.

Corey and his band of skater buddies sometimes make mischief, but they're more interested in girls and having fun on their boards than in getting into any real trouble. Notorious enemy crew the Daggers, led by Tommy Hook, get their kicks terrorizing the locals at Venice Beach. When Corey starts dating Tommy's kid sister Chrissy, the Daggers are furious. The boys then take their beef to the "L.A. Massacre," a deadly skate race down a canyon road.

Bones Brigade Video II. Powell Peralta skateboarding featuring: Steve Caballero, Adrian Demain, Richie Dunlap, Tommy Guerrero, Kevin Harris, Tony Hawk, Chris Iverson, Mike McGill, Lance Mountain, Rodney Mullen, Eric Sanderson, Steve Steadham, Ray Underhill, Per Welinder

Skaters and BMX riders show off some freestyle tricks. These freestylers demonstrate why the fad turned into a lifestyle choice for many riders and skaters.

From 1979 to 1983, skateboarding went though its first “dark age”. Popularity plunged, and most skaters ditched the sport. Then came the first of the famous Bones Brigade videos by Powell Peralta. It was filmed at the beginning of the 1980's skateboard boom and intended to show new skaters what had been going on in the sport. The Bones Brigade Video Show is definitely old school, and definitely rad. Packed with low riding & sliding action, pink shirts, high shorts, and the top names in skateboarding at the time and even today. The soundtrack, filming, everything - this is one of the best.