Thrasher Magazine

Who do you know that can half-Cab back Smith Hollywood 16 and turn around to get first in a pro bowl contest? If you said Jagger Eaton, you’re probably thinking of a switch Back Smith. Ishod? Good guess too, but no. It’s Zion Wright, idiot! The ATV from Jupiter, Florida just dropped his own colorway of the new Vans Zahba. To celebrate the launch of the shoe, Vans threw a big ‘ol bash at their famous Space 198 in Brooklyn, New York City, United States of America. Rye and the Homies even flew in for the for festivities. Join me as I leave my desk to spend the day bothering all my favorite skaters.    —Ted Schmitz

Starting off the day, Rye said they were going to warm up with something low-key. I had a hunch this signless commercial space might have something to offer…

But there was no way to tell just by looking at the window

Once inside, I had an eerie feeling this place was familiar. I couldn’t think about it too long since Ronnie Sandoval and Grant Hatfield were already getting down to business

Pedro and Frankie were there to help

Pedro Delfino doesn’t test the waters; he takes the plunge. Backside nosepick

Ronnie gets his back going frontside. Goddamn, these guys are good

If you thought Frankie wasn’t also down to hit the sub box logo, then you’re not very bright, are you? Frontside pivot

“Alright, what’s next?”

“What do you wanna skate? No, what do YOU wanna skate?”

Before we got out, we had to pay a visit next door to my favorite coffee shop in Brooklyn

If you don’t know Taylor Nawrocki, educate yourself by watching his Spirit Quest part. I still can’t believe he made that

Don’t worry, Rye. I got the pin. Super mellow spot, not blown out at all

Gotcha

“Goddamnit, Ted”

“Did you see what Cookie did?”

Pedro wanted to test the rail…

…and he just did…

…the whole fuckin' thing. Frontside 50-50

Next up, Frankie goes flying on a gap to boardslide. You should buy one of those Alien boards now

I’m not sure why, but I’ve heard this stretch called the vegan chicken wing

Hey, Killa!

I might’ve told Roman there was something for him to skate here. That was my b

He also thought he was gonna eat in peace

It’s all good. This is true Homie shit

Tyson skated all day

See?

The boys were getting restless, trying to think of NBDs in NYC

Especially after Ronnie threw this Benihana crook first T

“DON’T SHOOT!” The man got lucky

This crew is a bunch of loose canons

They throw hands...

...and feet

Or maybe Pedro’s just a big fan of screamo

Either way, shit was getting dicey

And we needed to get the fuck out of the streets

Rolling up to Vans Space 198, we get to see our first Liquid Death of the day. And how about that mural?! I still think they should’ve called this place The Waffle House

I like to think of skateboarding as one big dysfunctional family. Natty Kons legend JZ Radical agrees

If you’re ever wondering who’s killing it in New York, a safe answer is always gonna be Kava from Bronx Girls Skate

Walking in, I saw someone reading the new mag

Well if it ain’t the guest of honor and Jupiter, Florida’s finest?!

Had to get him with the new kicks

Sadly, some vandals came through and ripped up his first pair…

…pretty sure I know who

Someone told me Lizzie was gonna make it

Someone was telling the truth

Back outside, we got the whole fam coming through. Always the best dressed, Mustafa reminds us you can’t teach style

Let's see what's going on in the park. Alright, Roman, look at all these quarterpipes! Do you need to stretch or anything?

I guess it’s straight to the big wall, alley-oop Smith

He just ate Pies and Thighs but still had room for eggs. That’s right, a food pun to caption this trick. What a novel use of language!

Roman did this backside nosegrind first try. Impactful stuff

Zion came onto the course to make sure the youth were doin' it right

Sixty seconds on the clock

Folks, we give you the next Rayssa. In all seriousness, this little ripper skated for five hours straight and had the best attitude in the park

Breaking news: skating is for everyone—except dickheads

First set of the evening, DJ Sheats absolutely crushed it on the ones and twos

This is my friend Brendan. You know him as the Secret Tape and he normally wears Blazers. But tonight, he’s branching out

That’s what we’re here for!

This is my friend Jaime. He was my first editor ever and I have a lot of respect for him

Except when he’s trying to get Closer than me to Ronnie…

Photo: Owens

That last caption was just a joke, but this first-try 180 nosegrind from Andrew Singh wasn’t

Just when I thought I didn’t have to climb up anymore, the kids were back on the goddamn wall. Lien to tail by Ronnie

This was just a setup slash for Pedro, but he looked sick with the gear and I need this picture in the edit for a C-minus joke I’m gonna make later

Roman doin’ the thing we saw Ronnie do at Supreme. Yeah, I knew it was Supreme the whole time. That was the bit!

This isn’t a bail. Check the Thrasher story for proof. No-hander footplanter

I told Ronnie I don’t know if the light was right and he said this was fine. I think he was over me by that point but was being nice about it

It’s always a treat when Jiro Platt rolls through

Here’s Jiro doing his best Pedro Delfino impression. That was the C-minus joke I was talking about earlier

I took this picture because I thought it would be funny. I was right

Leon also knows how to rollerblade, but I like it more when he does pole jams on a skateboard

I like what I see

This dude tried to give me his Instagram handle to send him this photo. I told him no and that it would be on the Thrasher site. He looked happier than I think I’ve ever been. Thanks for ripping, Peanut!

If you haven’t seen Akobi skate a park, then you haven’t lived a full life. I have. And now I’m worried I’ve lived a full life at 35. What the hell should I do with the rest of it? 

Who cares, local destroyer Matt Weitman was getting rad on the rail. Backside boardslide

Eric Abo is usually the best one on every session I see him at. Pedro was here though, so that kinda shit on my point…anyway, I asked him to do this nollie nosegrind and he said it would be easy. It was

I asked this guy his name and he said, “Void.” Then he said, “There’s a lot that goes into that, but I’ll tell you about it later.” I forgot to follow up. Three flip noseslide from the Void

Young rippers were everywhere. Ollie as the Europeans do

Yes, do!

Who Kid?! Yes, Who!

On the patio, Minnows bar brought their best out to serve libations. Make sure you tip JD when you see him

I said tip him, goddamnit

I call this picture “A Skate Jawn and a skate Jake.” Their names are Marcus Waldron and Jake Keenan

Heavy crew, Pad Dowd, Mark Del Negro and Bob Lasalle

The most Jersey Dave confirming, “Yes, this is THAT Cass from Genesis 3!”

Did Staten Island powerhouse Leo Heinert make it out? Yes, he did. Now let’s go find someone with pink hair!

There’s one!

There’s two! This time it’s Cami Best next to Queens legend Luis Tolentino and Kava

I was wondering how the food was, and Moose Abrams' empty plate told me everything I needed to know

Hit up Wadadli Jerk if you’re lookin’ for some killer Caribbean in BK

Solid turnout and it looks like the crowd’s movin’ toward the DJ

Was it just the vibes?

I don’t know but, Zion’s pretty stoked for it

Phones out for whatever's about to go down

Is that...

...a photo of Zion with his signature colorway of the Vans Zahba printed on a cake?!

Yes, it is! Now, let’s dance!

It’s pretty special to see the love Zion’s family and friends have for him. He’s an incredible talent and deserves all the colorways and accolades that come his way

I couldn’t leave until an hour after everyone else ‘cause Mike’s got the craziest stories. Thanks for hangin’, everyone