Hopefully you're all still thriving after the over-indulgence of Christmas. For those of you still struggling with indigestion, heartburn and/or confinement due to the terrible weather, we thought we'd knock together a whistle stop tour of our five favourite clips from the latter end of 2023. Most of these dropped in the November/December run up to Thrasher Magazine's SOTY and obviously there are about 200 others to choose from but, for us at least, these are the stand outs of the tail end of the year. So, here they are, in no particular order. If nothing else, it'll give you an excuse to avoid the television tomorrow night!
1) First up and the most recently released of the bunch: The National Skateboard Co's latest clip 'Prizefight'. Rocking in at 9 minutes, this is a short but deadly punch in the face from UK-based imprint. Alongside footage from established heads (Zeta Rush, Michal Juras and Tommy May) you're treated to an official intro to the team for Leeds based ripper Dale Starkie along with stand out parts from newer riders Don Irfan, Massimo Cristofoletti and Irish head Dee Collins. Diverse music, amazing filming and editing and an all-round revamped and slimmed down team vibe. If you're not humming along to Christy Moore after the first watch then something's rotten in the state of Denmark!
2) Tony Hawk's 'Tapes you leave behind'. Do we need to explain why 5 minutes of brand new, progressive Tony Hawk footage (filmed post-injury at the ripe old age of 55) is worth your time? Thought not. No waffling necessary - Big Tone is still on one!
3) Pedro Delfino's 'Road to Nowhere' Vans part. The perfect antidote to the technical mastery of Yuto or Miles Silvas. Pedro delivered what was promised: basic tricks taken to the edge of sanity, truly disgusting looking slams and speeds formerly reserved for GX1000 heads. Watch this, then consider buying yourself some safety equipment if you dare to emulate this maniac. Truly edge of your seat stuff. Big up!
4) Spitfire Wheels: Louie, Mason, Jake and Curren. I mean, if you were going to make a video featuring four of the most gnarly and naturally gifted skaters in the world, you'd pick this lot wouldn't you? Truly pisstake levels of skating from all involved here as you'd expect. Nine minutes isn't enough. Big up Spitfire Wheels for always handling business!
5) Lois Pendlebury and Percy Dean 'The Shepherdess'. And now, for something completely different. If you've had a gut full of stair bangers and incomprehensible tech then put your feet up and get comfy. This Element Skateboards piece featuring long time Black Sheep friend/UK pioneer Lois Pendlebury and filmed/edited by former Document magazine editor Percy Dean is, put simply, absolutely beautiful. Ever wondered what it would be like to just chuck in the towel and move into a wooden cabin thousands of meters up a mountain? Prepare to find out. Life-affirming stuff!
Anyhow, enjoy that little selection from the vast swathes of video content dropped this year. Our SALE has already started too so if you need anything - you know where to go!
