Back in the late 80s and early 90s, RAD magazine – or Read and Destroy to give it its full title – was the absolute bible of UK skateboarding.
Covering all the news and events across the British skate scene, from competitions, info on pros and amateurs, trick tips, locations and more, RAD was an essential publication.
Don’t forget, there was no Internet or social media to immediately grasp the latest developments, nationally or internationally. All we had were occasional video productions and dedicated monthly magazines.
So RAD was a big deal. A trusted source for everything in skateboarding within its hallowed pages.
And in one issue, there was a photo of me in it.
Well, sort of. Issue number 79, from September 1989, had a feature about the Hot Tuna sponsored Skate Masters at Morfa Stadium, Swansea – and I had been there on the day. We were on a family holiday in mid Wales and I begged my parents to take me the rest of the distance to attend the competition.
So, on the first page of the published feature, I can be spotted in the audience, watching the vert competition. That’s me, sat down wearing my yellow Thrasher Puszone t-shirt. Not exactly a mind blowing photo of me landing one of my many incredible tricks (ahem…), but technically I was in a photo in RAD magazine.
When the mag was out, I don’t think my vague, tiny appearance impressed anybody. I thought it was kind of fun, though.
As I remember it, all these years later, the competition was a great event. Top professionals from across the UK were there, plus some from further afield. There were street and freestyle events as well as vert, so I was able to see some great skateboarding.
So there you go. I appeared (sort of) in a legendary skate mag. Well I didn’t, but this old publication brings back some happy memories.
I have plenty more old magazines in my skateboard museum, I’ll feature some more if there’s any demand (and it’s not illegal to do so…).
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