Sup SBC, it’s Relisch here with my second “Check This Out!” This time we’ll be kickin’ it old school with some Natas Kaupas:
Now, everyone in the skateboard community has heard of Natas Kaupas, whether you watched him as a kid, or learned about him playing Tony Hawk’s Underground 2. He has been known for being one of the first ever street skaters, doing some of the craziest tricks people had seen at the time. Fir instance; he landed the first ever wallride, as well as the first ever handrail trick. But he is most famous for his trick dubbed the “Natas Spin,” where he spins on top of fire hydrant (I’m sure we all did lots of these in Berlin on THUG 2 haha). He is personally one of my favorite skaters of all time, as I have always loved old school skating. Oh, and his name spells Satan backwards, haha. All in all, Natas is a skateboard legend.
So here’s Natas’ part in Santa Cruz’s “Streets of Fire,” released in 1989:
Now, a brief history of Natas’ career:
1983: Won his first contest. Sponsored by Santa Moncia Airlines (SMA) owned by Skip Engblom
1984: Got the cover of Sept issue of Thrasher with a picture of him doing a wallride. First pro model released by SMA
1986: Reached distribution deal with Santa Cruz for SMA. Attempted first ever handrail boardslide at Pro-Am contest in Oceanside , CA. He would soon land the 50-50 on a handrail, the first ever handrail trick.
1987: Featured part in video “Wheels of Fire”
1988: Offered sponsorship and pro model shoe from Etnies. This is the first ever pro model shoe to be released.
1989: Featured part in Santa Cruz’s “Streets of Fire”
1991: Left SMA to start 101 Skateboards, but soon left due to lack of interest in the company.
1988: Started designing for Quicksilver and Element. Earned a spot on both Quicksilver and Element’s teams. Soon promoted to graphic designer for Quicksilver. Element releases a pro model board for Natas,
2003: Etnies releases another pro model shoe for Natas
2004: Natas leaves Element to start Designarium.
Natas is now semi-retired, but still skates and surfs. He is respected by all of the skating community, and for good reason. He invented tricks we all still do today. Natas Kaupas is one skateboarding greatest legends.
Thanks for reading, and thanks to BFL for recommending this video.
–Relisch
