"The Skateboarder's Journal - Lives on Board 1949-2009"

I never could have imagined how this project would grow to its current size and breadth. Nor did I realize just how much work was involved in publishing a book. Though it is a stretch to call it "work", as I have enjoyed every moment I have spent on it.

Originally the book started out as a small collection of skateboarding stories I had written over the past 30 years. As I began to edit the stories, it occurred to me that there were many more skateboarding stories out there, just waiting to be told...needing to be told.

I decided to open up the book up to anyone who wanted to contribute a story about his or her skateboarding life. Not just the pros or the skaters you have seen in the magazines and videos over the last fifty years, I wanted to share the "everyman/everywoman" stories of skateboarding. Everyone from the "40 something" pad dad, to the 15 year old grom who's so stoked that he wants to skate every waking hour, to the women skaters who stories have been ignored or lost over the years.

After a few postings on various skateboarding websites, Facebook and a couple of e-mail blasts, the floodgates burst.

The project seemed overwhelming at times. Luckily, I was able to recruit my friend and fellow skateboarder Jonathan Harms to assist with the editing process. JBH, as he is known in the skateboard world, has an incredible grasp of the English language and superb attention to detail, as well as 30-plus years of skate experience of his own. Long time skateboarder and designer, Adrian Pina, created the graphic design of the book.

The book includes more than 180 stories and somewhere between 200-300 photographs. Along with the "everyman/everywoman" stories there will also be contributions from some "notable" skateboarders, and other personalties from the skateboard world that I have come to know since I began skateboarding in 1974. Here are just a few: Britt Parrott, Bryan Ridgeway, Chris Yandall, Curt Kimbel, Dave Dash, D. David Morin, Dave Hackett, Dan Gesmer, Don Hoffman, Ellen Oneal, Di Dootson, Jim O'Mahoney, Jim Fitzpatrick, John Fudala, John O'Malley, John "Tex" Gibson, Keith Meek, Laura Thornhill, Mark Partain, Mike Weed, Roger Hickey, Tom Sims and Wentzle Ruml IV.

Some of the great skateboarding photographers have graciously contributed to the book, including Glen E. Friedman, Ted Terrebonne, Mofo, Wynn Miller, Jim Goodrich and Grant Brittain.

The introduction is by Stacy Peralta.

Soft cover with perfect bind. Finish size: 8.5"" x 11""
Approximately 250-300 pages
Price: $24.95

Limited Edition Hardcover: $39.95

Shipping: (United States) USPS Media Mail $5.00 or UPS Ground $10.00
International: USPS $15.00

Payment Options:
Paypal: ID is jack@theskateboardersjournal.com
Check or Money Order:
Morro Skateboard Group
415 Acacia
Morro Bay, California 93442

Tags: Arts, Facebook, Kids and Teens, Morro Bay California, Skateboarding, Stacy Peralta, The Skateboarder's Journal - Lives on Board 1949-2009, United States, United States Postal Service, book, More…history, of, skateboarding

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Comment by Jack Smith on July 25, 2009 at 11:30am: Robo, I will be posting the cover later today and a sample page tomorrow. We're so close it's driving me crazy!

Comment by ROBO on July 25, 2009 at 10:11am: When will we be able to hug your book? Looking forward to my copy (with your autograph in it?).

Comment by ROBO on July 6, 2009 at 10:47am: Sorry to say....can´t afford it. Extremely expensive trip and accomodation.
The dollar is high and the krona is low.
I´m going to the EC in Czech republic, and hopefully reading your book before bedtime.

Comment by Chris Yandall on June 30, 2009 at 8:17pm: This has to be good. I'm even in this one :D . ahh yes, the mid 70's were one of a kind! Thanks Jack! You the mang!

Comment by Jack Smith on June 25, 2009 at 9:29am: Thanks Robo, I really think you are going to like it! Are you coming to Hood River?

Comment by ROBO on June 25, 2009 at 9:25am: You just got some money from me. Please sign the book.
I have allready thrown out some old shit to make room for this one on the shelf.