As a kid, I probably watched this tape at least a hundred times. I recorded the Huntington Beach Pro OP Skateboarding Championship off of ESPN back in 1986, around the time skateboarding began making a comeback. I can remember dreaming about building a half-pipe ramp just like this one in my backyard. That never happened, but Jason Meziere ended up with a quarter-pipe at the end of his driveway and those of us who were brave enough would build up much speed as possible in an attempt to “catch air”. I never caught any air, but I distinctly remember catching concrete (and a few splinters) once or twice. Anyway …
This tape is 25 years old and about to die. I recently picked up a couple of inline video signal boosters from the thrift stores, which I may use to try and boost the signal while capturing these tapes. If nothing it should at least boost the signal enough to control the color balance.
Its funny you posted this, Hosoi was a god…Conicidentally, I just watched ‘Stoked: The rise and fall of Gator’ yesterday. I had a Gator board back in the day and I too dreamed of a halfpipe in my backyard…but had to settle for plywood leaned up against our family picnic table :)
Man back in the 1980’s us kids loved living without a net. No helmets, pads, etc. just full on fun, action and no worries. They sure don’t make kids like they use too :)
The Gator doc was good but such a sad story. The doc on Hosoi was excellent as well, Rising Son: The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi.
Gleaming the Cube still gets played on a pretty regular basis for me.
I’ve seen both of those documentaries, and both of them were depressing (at least Hosoi’s has a happier ending). Those guys made so much money so quickly and just had no one advising them.
Gleaming the Cube was good, although I greatly preferred Thrashin’ (the movie, not the magazine). I also always loved the skateboarding scene in police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol.