Skateboarders often possess a wealth of obscure knowledge, from the pioneers of specific tricks to the rise and fall of fleeting brands. This passion for skateboarding history is almost a badge of honor, leading to endless debates about who knows more. Now, thanks to Gordon Eckler’s Skate Trivia card game, you can finally settle those arguments objectively.
Published by Gingko Press, known for its books on street culture, art, and skating, Skate Trivia is poised to reach a wide audience, from local skate shops to mainstream bookstores. We sat down with Gordon to discuss the game’s development, his fact-checking process, and how he navigated the often hazy world of skateboarding folklore.
Is Extensive Skate Trivia Knowledge Attractive?
Gordon laughs, “I’ve never found skate trivia to be a turn-on. Maybe you’re thinking of those bar trivia nights in places like Brooklyn. I haven’t been to one, so I can’t really say.”
While skate trivia nights are popular, especially in cities like NYC, they can sometimes be dominated by older skaters focused on the 90s or earlier. Gordon’s game is designed to be different. He explains, “Early on, while ‘road testing’ the game with friends, I realized that focusing on just one era would give someone an unfair advantage. To level the playing field, I mixed trivia from all years and geographic locations. The four core categories became Names & Nicknames, Footy Tape, Teams & Companies, and Tricks of the Trade. Anything that didn’t fit went into Wild Card. I’m working to add more from the last decade to keep it fresh.”
A headshot of Gordon Eckler, the creator of Skate Trivia, with a neutral expression.
The Criteria for Inclusion
When Gordon first started developing the game around 2004, his rule was that facts had to be documented in a magazine or video. He later changed his criteria, deciding that “as long as it’s true and had been verified by a reliable source, then it’s fair game.” He shared that he once sent almost 200 trick-related questions to Lance Mountain, who not only reviewed them but also added notes to make some even more challenging. Gordon even incorporated some of Lance’s stories directly into the game.
Gordon also considers the complexity of the question. “If it’s really difficult, I try to make it multiple-choice. But because of character limits on the cards, this isn’t always possible.”
Curators and Fact-Checkers: A Star-Studded List
Gordon’s network of collaborators is impressive, considering he didn’t actually work in the skate industry. He skated for various teams from ages 16 to 30, including Consolidated and Creature, and then moved to San Francisco in 2004 where he met many of the people he had been writing trivia about. He explains, “It was just from skating, going on trips, and meeting people.” He reached out to Bryce Kanights online and they became friends. Mark Whiteley, former editor of SLAP Magazine, was instrumental in connecting Gordon with other big names to verify questions.
Now, in the age of Instagram, Gordon often goes straight to the source. “Nine out of ten times, the person is stoked that I’m writing a trivia question about them and are happy to help.”
A photo of Gordon Eckler doing a 50/50 stall on a skateboard.
Why Are Skateboarders Such Historians?
“Honestly, I don’t know,” Gordon admits. “Skateboarders are inherently competitive, know-it-all nerds. We always ask ‘Who skated to that song?’ on road trips. That’s where the game started.” He recounts long drives with his friend Brian Ball, challenging each other with skate trivia. Over time, this led to a collection of over 2,000 questions. “Not all of them are good. I got better over the years for sure.”
From App to Card Game
Initially, Gordon tried to develop a skate trivia app in 2010, but lack of funding put the project on hold. In 2020, he decided to revisit the project and pitched the idea of a book to Gingko Press. To his surprise, they suggested a card game format, releasing questions in series. “I was speechless. This was a dream come true.”
A photo of Gordon Eckler with Bart Banks in what looks like a skatepark.
Unearthing Skateboarding Myths
During the development process, some long-held “truths” turned out to be false. For instance, Ed Templeton shared a story about his company TV Skateboards. Gordon explains, “To Ed, ‘TV’ meant ‘Television’, but to Mike Vallely, it meant ‘Templeton Vallely.’ When the company switched distribution, they changed the name to Television Skateboards to avoid legal issues. This story killed one of my questions but led to 10 more good trivia pieces!”
Twenty Years in the Making
Gordon acknowledges that the game has been in development for over two decades, starting as a fun way to kill time on road trips back in 1995–96. “It was just fun stuff written in spiral notebooks back then. I didn’t start to form it into a game until around 2004–06.” He considers himself lucky that Gingko Press was the first publisher he approached.
The Impact of YouTube on Skate Culture
Gordon believes YouTube has been the biggest change in skate culture since 2004. He explains, “When I first started, I had to find VHS copies of videos, really hunt for stuff. Now, I can almost always find it online, normally on YouTube. It’s so crazy. Working on this game has never been so easy. But you gotta know what to look for.” He points to the book The Next Wave: The History of Skateboarding 1999–2020, which discusses how YouTube changed skateboarding.
A photo of Gordon Eckler doing a pivot fakie on a skateboard.
Where to Find the Game
Skate Trivia is being distributed through various channels, including Gingko. Shops can also find it through distributors like Project Distribution (Australia), Ultimate Distribution (Canada), Rock Solid Distribution (UK), and AWH Distribution (USA).
Gordon encourages people to ask their local skate shops if they will be stocking the game. If not, it can be purchased directly from SkateTriviaGame.com, with orders packed and shipped by Gordon himself, often with stickers and extra goodies.
The Cutting Room Floor
Some questions didn’t make it into the game, but not because they were “edgy or raunchy.” Gordon explains that some were just too hard, too obscure, or he thought they might be a downer. “We all did dumb stuff as kids, and some things just need to be left in the past. I get that.”
A photo of Gordon Eckler skateboarding at Jims Ramp.
Who is the Biggest Skate Nerd?
This is a difficult question, with many contenders. Gordon names Templeton Elliot, host of the “Mostly Skateboarding” podcast, Matt Derrick, manager of the DLXSF shop, Jason Strubing and Schmitty as some serious skate historians who love to help out.
Drunk Fact-Checkers?
Gordon doesn’t believe the facts are compromised by the potential for drunk fact-checkers. He acknowledges that verifying facts from the 70s and early 80s is tricky. “But then again, some of it is very well documented.” He also notes that the lack of pocket cameras back then, not necessarily substance use, is what makes it hard to verify.
Skate Trivia is more than just a game; it’s a celebration of skateboarding’s rich history and the passionate community that keeps it alive. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual fan, this game is sure to challenge your knowledge and spark some fun debates.
