Thrasher Dec 2020

This issue balances reflection and survival, threading personal history through the chaos of modern skating. Departments like People I’ve Known, My War, and Abnormal Communication lean into lived experience and strange encounters, while Epic Spots and Photo-G keep the focus on terrain and visual impact. There’s a gritty, unfiltered tone throughout, touching on everything from community recognition to burnout, all orbiting the idea that skating is as much about endurance as it is expression.

The features dig deep into legacy and resilience, with Burnside 4 Life standing as the emotional core, framing the park as both a physical landmark and a cultural monument built through decades of commitment. Skaters like Ben Nordberg and Franky Villani bring contrasting styles and attitudes, while Hell of a F#cked Up Year captures the strain of simply getting through it. Music and culture threads run alongside, but the issue is grounded by Elijah Berle’s precision on the cover and a sense that skating’s history is still being actively carved into concrete.