Elijah Berle's "Hell of a Year 2020" Photos
12/10/2020
Photo: AtibaElijah Berle is a natural. That’s not to say he’s some kind of trick machine or contest automaton or flawless skateboarding magician. Not that kind of natural. Rather his approach to riding the stuntwood is closer to what skateboarding would be like if there weren’t any cameras, no thought of ABDs, worries about deadlines or Nine Clubs. He truly is in it for the fun. When Berle’s on a good one, there’s no stopping him. When the vibes peak and the homies are ripping, he can’t help but get in there and bust, grinning ear to ear. And when he’s off it, when the ankles fold or the boards snap, he might take a couple weeks off to surf, get some sand between the toes and live. Fortunately for us, Eli’s chosen to fight against this natural state and force himself to battle for these tricks and videos. The process can sometimes be like watching a tiger forced into a cage, but the results...always stunning. Elijah Berle, natural-born skateboarder. —Michael Burnett
Good ol’ pre-COVID Euro trip kicked it off big time. Backside flip, marble-wise Photo: Acosta
Fin slap with Rozo Photo: Atiba
Double rainbow?! But what does it mean??? Photo: Atiba
Seven-plies of flinging fury Photo: Atiba
He got bigger nosegrinds this year, but this one’s awfully pretty Photo: Atiba
Berle-tech, stomped out nollieflip 50 Seq: Burnett
When the world’s locked down, the spots open up. Premium NBS near Rodeo Dr. Photo: Peters
The first trip for the grind ended like this Photo: Burnett
December 2020 cover. How sweet it is! Photo: Burnett
Yer goddamn right… Photo: Burnett
Unlocking more West side spots. Fakie 5-0 180 Photo: Burnett
That tunnel smells great. Tow-in at the Echo Park mini-Mega Photo: Atiba
Up in the fronds at Raleigh’s pool. Thanks, Oz! Photo: Burnett
Frontside 180 fakie 5-0 into the shallows of Sacto Photo: Burnett
Tenth trip, last trick! Seq: Burnett
Hella pumped! Photo: Burnett
Knucks to the good fools Photo: Burnett
"I made it by THIS much …" Photo: Burnett
Hell of a year, Berle! Big love! Photo: Burnett-
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