Huck’s favourite skate stories of 2017

  • Text by HUCK HQ
Shredding out the year — From tracking the feral legacy of Piss Drunx to exploring how a drab London shopping centre has become a haven for the city’s young shredders, here are Huck’s favourite skate stories of the year

Be it through unearthing how a drab, old London shopping centre has become a haven for the city’s young skaters, or the whirlwind ten minutes we spent with seminal Z-Boy Tony Alva, we’ve had a lot fun this year covering all things skate.

So, just in case you missed any of them the first time round, here are the best of the lot. Featuring the final days of LOVE Park, an interview with shredder turned shaman Greg Carroll, a visual celebration of the women of skateboarding and much, much more, get stuck in and see out the year right.

© Ed Templeton

© Ed Templeton

Piss Drunx: The legendary skate crew lucky to be alive

In 1998, a mob of young skateboarders descended on an ordinary street in Huntington Beach, California. Spread across four apartments, they quickly gained notoriety not only for their on-board antics, but for embracing a lifestyle of excess.

10 minutes with skate legend Tony Alva

As he dropped into London to celebrate his 60th birthday, we sat down with the seminal skateboarder and original member of the Z-Boys for a whirlwind chat on his life and legacy.

© Hannah Bailey

© Hannah Bailey

Celebrating the women of skateboarding, in photos

Back in July, Copenhagen played host to Yeah Girl – an exhibition celebrating the best female skate photographers from around the world.

© Tino Razo

© Tino Razo

Shredding South California’s abandoned pools

Photographer and skater Tino Razo documents and shreds abandoned backyard pools across Southern California in Party in the Back, embodying care-free and youthful expression without even trying.

© Jonathan Rentschler

© Jonathan Rentschler

Documenting the final days of Philly’s legendary LOVE Park

Skateboarding might have been banned in Philadelphia’s LOVE Park, but for years it was a mecca for skaters from the city and beyond. Photographer Jonathan Rentschler captured the concrete playground in its final years.

© Jason Henry

© Jason Henry

The skater who became a shaman 

Greg Carroll revolutionised the skateboard industry, taking him from rags to riches and back again. Now he’s disrupting on another level: helping people make sense of their lives.

© Theo McInnes

© Theo McInnes

How a drab shopping centre became a haven for London’s skaters

London is dying. Where culture and community once blossomed, now private security guards and Jamie’s Italians now reign supreme. But, in one drab East London shopping centre, a true skate community spirit lives on.

© Jonathan Mehring

© Jonathan Mehring

The Batman of skateboarding

From New York to Ethiopia, DIY legend Jerry Mraz transforms neglected spaces under the cover of darkness – selflessly crafting skate spots for anyone and everyone.

© Scott Pommier

© Scott Pommier

When skateboarding and motorcycles collide

There is a sweet spot where skateboarding and motorcycles converge. And these guys know how to hit it just right.

© Grey Hutton

© Grey Hutton

Why skate shop culture is vital for developing fresh talent

As Europe’s top skate shop teams go to battle in Holland’s Pier 15 skatepark, determined to be crowned Shop Riot champions of 2017, we soak up the riders’ stories and learn why skate shop culture really matters more than ever.

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