Nike SB’s journey to becoming a skateboarding powerhouse wasn’t immediate. In the early days, the shoes didn’t quite resonate, the team felt a bit random, and there was some resistance from skaters. However, things shifted in the early 2000s as the brand brought on board both legends and future icons, solidifying its place in skate history. Now, with a rich history behind it, it’s worth exploring how it all began.
Hunter Muraira, who served as the team manager and later the global brand director for Nike SB, was instrumental in shaping the team and the marketing strategy of the early days of Nike SB. He had his trusty Yashica T4 camera in hand during his time on the road with the team, capturing moments of his life and everything happening around him. Hunter has generously shared some of these photos and provided context, giving us insight into what the early days of Nike SB were really like.
Omar Salazar at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco
Omar Salazar is undoubtedly one of the original pioneers of Nike SB. It’s important to remember that he was among the few who had a signature shoe during that time. This photo was taken around 2010 at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Omar contacted me, excited about the possibility of getting Dinosaur Jr. tickets. It was around the time of his collaboration shoe with Dinosaur Jr. His connection to the Alien Workshop video also played a role. He was confident that we would meet J Mascis, and we did, even managing to get a photo with him. I was particularly excited when this photo came out, as it also happened to capture Frank Sinatra in the background. The collaboration between Alien and Dinosaur Jr. is something that may not be widely known, but it predates many in the current skate scene.
A group photo including Lewis Marnell, Neckface, Reese Forbes, and Elissa Steamer
I took this photo knowing that such a diverse group might not come together again. It included some of the older crew, such as Reese Forbes and Wieger Van Wageningen, alongside some of the newer faces, like Lewis Marnell, Neckface, Reese, and Elissa Steamer. Lewis had a remarkable spirit, full of life and energy. Even through a photograph, I can almost feel his infectious energy. I’m also glad to see Neckface smiling in this shot.
A Halloween party in Miami with various Nike SB personalities
This was taken in Miami during 2009 or 2010, at Neckface’s large show at the OHWOW Gallery. The diverse group of people in the photo underscores the magnitude of the event. I hesitate to call it a “network” since everyone in the photo was primarily his friend and supportive in some way. Being a Halloween party, Neckface had merged Halloween themes with his art. Attendees had to walk through his family-built haunted house. His family, who normally set up a large-scale haunted house in Stockton, brought 15 members to Miami for this event. Jerry Hsu, known for his creative nature, didn’t hold back with his costume. He is easily one of the most creative individuals I have encountered, not just in skateboarding, but in his intellect. Jerry is definitely among my top five favorite skaters. Also, on the far left, Meryl Smith, an exceptional artist, adds more creative talent to the shot.
Beagle dressed as Willy Wonka at the party
Beagle’s larger-than-life personality really shines through in this photo where he is dressed up as Willy Wonka. Everyone was committed to their costumes, which was a sight to see.
Paul Rodriguez in a "Rare Air" commercial shoot
This was during a commercial shoot, though I can’t recall the exact name. It might have been called “Rare Air,” aiming to humanize Nike Air technology. I suppose I am not as much of a jock as I thought, because I forgot the name of the woman in the photo. It could have been Sharapova… Maria Sharapova! This was a larger campaign, not specific to Nike SB, so Nike needed a way to make PRod recognizable, hence the PR T-shirt. Paul was always game for these types of shoots. He also sported a Nike SB hat with the Mountain Dew logo on it. At the time, co-branded sponsorship items were popular. He also had custom Plan B boards made specifically for contests, showing all his sponsors. I recall discussions back then about the visibility of the SB logo compared to others. I always likened it to NASCAR. Paul, known for his high-impact skating, needed these boards because it was easier to have a fresh one ready than re-gripping and re-stickering.
Paul Rodriguez's Plan B Ring
I might have been trying to capture an interesting shot here, focusing on the different elements of the shoot. Perhaps I was beginning to grasp what photographers look for. Although I do not remember the product we were shooting for, I do remember being struck by Paul’s Plan B ring. He had some really wild things back then. Based on the diamonds I’ve seen and bought, I estimate that ring to be worth at least 20-30K, but this is PRod, so it’s probably closer to 100K!
Hunter's first encounter with Eric Koston
I’ll never forget the first time I met Eric Koston outside of a skate park. It was Halloween in 2004 or 2005, and some friends and I ended up at Eric’s house. We waited in his dark living room and I remember the space was quite empty, probably because he was moving or maybe he was a minimalist back then. I was anticipating something like a scene from Less Than Zero. Fun fact: Eve of the Ruff Ryders was Eric’s neighbor! It would have been incredible if she had dropped by that night.
Hunter Muraira using Humphries' photo setup
This photo shows me using Humphries’ photo setup, likely for headshots for the SB website. I called all the guys to get together for a photo. I remember Humphries saying, “Don’t bite my shit, dude.” I replied with, “My shit is going to be tighter than yours.” I’ve known him for 20 years and we even worked together at Savier before Nike, so I give him a lot of grief.
Nike SB and Girl team members in Sydney for the Gay Pride parade
I am pretty sure this was the trip when Sean Malto, Mike Mo Capaldi, and Alex Olson turned pro for Girl. This shot was taken in Sydney during their Gay Pride parade and weekend. This was one of those times when Girl and SB joined forces. Sam Smyth, Girl’s TM, is a close friend, and I admire his approach to “talent management,” as he calls it.
Hunter Muraira's view from the other side of the fence
One perk of being the TM was the access I got, being on the other side of the fence, so to speak. I posted this photo on the anniversary of Grosso’s passing. Lance thanked me for the photo, so I sent them to him. Even though I was part of it all, I’m still a fan. When someone like Lance acknowledges your photos and thanks you, it’s incredible. I’m lucky to have been part of it, taking these photos.
Stefan, Biebel, and Dylan together at an event
Stefan, Biebel, and Dylan were always together during this time. This picture was taken at the Brian Anderson and Eric Koston shoe launch. Brian wanted the event to evoke an ’80s vibe, so they had a crazy vert ramp. They also had Bad Shit and Nickatina perform, blending pure Bay Area music into the Los Angeles scene.
Gino Iannucci and John McEnroe on a shoot
There’s an old John McEnroe ad which is an adaptation of James Dean in the rain. We tried to replicate that with Gino pushing. Gino is a natural athlete. He is good at tennis, hockey, and knows what he’s doing. With his input, we got McEnroe for an hour, which was a low-budget shoot for us. I don’t even think we got a permit for that location in New York. The McEnroe you see on TV is exactly how he is in real life. If I remember correctly, he asked Gino, “So you’re a pretty good skateboarder?” and Gino casually replied, “Eh, yeah.” They are both strong personalities and true New Yorkers, so it was fascinating to watch them interact. Gino mentioned that he bumped into McEnroe at an airport later and McEnroe remembered him, which was amazing.
Keith Hufnagel, Neckface, and Brian Anderson in front of Huf's office
This photo was taken around the winter of ’08, featuring Keith Hufnagel, Neckface, and Brian Anderson in front of Keith’s office. Anybody could have taken this photo, but as Neckface always said, “Yeah you can, but a lot of people won’t let you.” That meant a lot to me. I had unique access to these guys, but they were also my friends, which allowed me to capture these moments. Keith was a mentor to me, someone I looked up to. I never got to tell him that directly, but he was a mentor to many. He had the confidence to share how he handled situations and what he would do if he were in your position. I learned a lot from him.
These photos and stories offer a unique window into the early days of Nike SB, showcasing the personalities, moments, and friendships that shaped its history. Hunter Muraira’s lens provides an invaluable perspective on this pivotal time in skateboarding.
