Transworld Jul 1998

Transworld Skateboarding – July 1998 (Vol. 16 No. 7)

The July 1998 issue of Transworld Skateboarding captures skateboarding at a boiling point of creativity and momentum, with a strong focus on rising talent, East Coast innovation, and heavy international energy. The cover and intro photos are pure late-‘90s grit—first, a skater named Neal flowing into smooth frontside 270s at a hidden hip in San Diego’s Barrio Logan, and then Grad Vogt catching a nollie front crook revert at the Escondido skatepark, both shot by Dave Swift.

The magazine kicks off with its signature voice in Gasbag, followed by Litterbox and Jam Sandwich, where jokes, reader mail, and cultural commentary fill the air. Mandatory Info likely compiles new gear, news, and quick hits, while Starting Point provides snapshots from trips and tours. Trick Tip continues its instructional legacy, and Skatepark Listing gives readers locations to hit during their summer travels. Checkouts at the back end highlights new faces with strong footage and fresh styles.

Feature-wise, the mag dives headfirst into Manhattan: Modern Playground, offering a raw look at New York City's evolving street terrain and the skaters shaping it. Spots, attitudes, and hustle—this piece documents a time when NYC skateboarding was still underground and untamed. From there, The Tampa Am Contest recap captures the rising chaos and energy of one of the most important amateur contests in skateboarding, showing who's next in line for the spotlight.

Jim Houser’s Brain Floss likely delivers an artistic sidebar or surreal visuals—Transworld occasionally threw in offbeat contributions from artists embedded in the skate world. That gives way to a heavy hitter: Keith Hufnagel’s Pro Spotlight. Before HUF became a brand, Keith was a relentless East Coast powerhouse. This profile catches him at a time when his speed, pop, and effortless aggression were setting new standards.

Rounding out the features is It’s the Amateur Overload, which stacks multiple rising stars in one place—documenting the sheer volume of next-up skaters pushing boundaries at local and national levels. Pennsylvania Blowout brings a full-throttle skate mission through Philly and beyond, where ledges, banks, and crusty streets mix with unpredictable East Coast energy.

Chet Thomas' Good Stuff likely presents gear picks or personal faves from the Tech Deck pioneer and vert-to-street crossover skater, while Sightings closes the book with visuals from across the scene—capturing raw tricks, unseen moments, and the kind of atmosphere that made every photo feel legendary.

This issue represents skateboarding in full motion—pros rising, ams exploding, and a coast-to-coast surge of creativity and style. Whether it’s Hufnagel bombing through traffic or Tampa Am launching new careers, July '98 cements itself as a document of a culture about to blow the doors open.