SAY CHEESE: When Even Pros Have to Pose

Words and Illustrations by Adam Creagan

OTHER THAN Guy Mariano and a few other Comeback Kings, when someone falls off the pro-skating radar for an extended period, it’s usually a permanent leave of absence. So, in between the blood and sweat that pro-level skating requires, getting random non-skate photos lets the world know you’ve still got a pulse. Portrait ads can do the trick and, of course, the internet offers infinite opportunities for shitty snapshots. Here are some of the usual suspect poses.

(In fairness, there’s only so many things you can do when a camera’s aimed at you, and none of these poses are even remotely unique to pro skaters only. So, these apply to you and every other rat-faced weirdo.)

  • January 1989

    January 1989
    Cover: Jay Adams – Grind Photo: Hudson Inside This Mag: Thrash-A-Thon in San Luis Obispo and what skateboarding is all about in 1989Also In This Issue: An overview of contests, demos and other skate-intrusions in '88, pool skating in Cambridge and some snowboarding actionMusic Articles: The Sugar Cubes, Igor's record collection, Suicidal Tendencies and Eek-A-Mouse  
  • Winter 1988

    Winter 1988
    Cover: Tony AlvaPhoto: Kevin ThatcherInside: Best Of Thrasher: Our first 13th issue. Interviews with Mullen, Hosoi, Blender, and Smith.
  • December 1988

    December 1988
    Cover: Lance Mountain – Sad PlantPhoto: Ogden Inside This Mag Capitol Burnout in Sacramento with Lance Mountain, Micke Alba, Eric Dressen, Jason Jesse, Mark Gonzales, Steve Caballero and Ben Schroeder and skating in Germany Also In This Issue: Spotlight on skating in Boise, IDMusic Articles: Social Distortion and Guns 'n' Roses
  • November 1988

    November 1988
    Cover: Bod Boyle – Back Lip Photo: Kanights Inside This Mag: Jaks team in Santa Barbara and the World Cup '88 in MunsterAlso In This Issue: Metro D.C. skate report, the "Gotcha Grind" in Seattle and the O'Boy/Thrasherland/TNT Skate Shop series finaleMusic Articles: The Hard-Ons and Social Distortion
  • October 1988

    October 1988
     Cover: Dave Hackett – Frontside Grind Photo: Katz Inside This Mag: The Tracker Bluegrass Aggression Session at Freedom Hall in Louisville, KY, skating in Albuquerque and a photospread of skating at a New Zealand canalAlso In This Issue: Pool sharks and gnarly skate injuriesMusic Articles: The Accused and happening bands from the East Coast featuring Living Colour, Soul Asylum, H.R. from Bad Brains, White Zombie, Gwar, Danzig and more