This issue blends nostalgia, heavy hitters, and raw regional scenes into a rich slice of early 2000s skateboarding. The cover throws it back to the heyday of T'N'T (Tommy and TNT) style with a classic moment captured at Vans Skateboard Camp in Mt. Hood, Oregon. Photographer Swift taps into that old-school energy, sparking a sense of déjà vu from the mag’s golden years. Inside, a contents photo by Atiba showcases rising talent Justin Herman, dubbed “the Herminator,” already dropping hammers and proving 2001 belongs to the groms.
The features are stacked. “Gut Check” dives into photographer Swift’s dream session—skating Oregon's dreamy concrete terrain, possibly Burnside or another Northwest gem. “Kaboom!” pits the Maple team against the Atari 2600, likely drawing parallels between old-school tech and skate trickery in a creative twist.
The Pro Spotlight shines on Kerry Getz, Philadelphia’s fierce and tech-savvy ambassador, bringing emotion and precision to every line. From there, it’s a global and local ride: Puerto Rico’s streets and freeways (complete with wild dogs and horses) in “Heading to Old San Juan,” followed by a Chicago piece featuring Uprise Skateshop and the city’s raw urban vibe.
“Nine Frames Per Second” offers a moody, artistic photo gallery, while Danny Montoya opens up in 20 Questions, capturing the tight-knit Long Beach scene he helped shape. Finally, “It's Only Skateboarding” documents a full-throttle Tony Hawk Supertour, with East Coast demos featuring Grant (presumably Taylor) and the Birdman crew at full tilt.
With supporting columns like Gasbag, Litterbox, Tangent, Any One Thing, Park Spotting, and Sightings, this issue strikes a strong balance between technical skating, scene reporting, and the irreverent voice that keeps the culture grounded.
