In the realm of skateboarding history, certain moments stand as pivotal turning points, forever altering the trajectory of the sport. Among these, the day Christian Hosoi ollied over the Brooklyn Banks wall for the first time in the fall of 1986 remains a landmark event. This wasn’t just another trick; it was a paradigm shift, a moment that propelled street skating into a new era. This pivotal moment, captured in newly discovered photos, reveals not only Hosoi’s groundbreaking feat but also the dawn of modern street skateboarding.
The story begins with a treasure trove of forgotten photographs unearthed by Stana Weisburd, an OG NYC skater. These weren’t just any snapshots; they were time capsules, preserving the raw energy and innovation of 1980s NYC skateboarding. Among the rediscovered negatives were rare images of an 18-year-old Christian Hosoi at the iconic Brooklyn Banks. But one moment stood out: Hosoi’s attempt to ollie over the wall, an achievement previously thought impossible.
A black and white photo shows a skateboarder ollieing over a wall, with spectators watching in the background
The atmosphere that day at the Banks was electric. Local NYC skaters were having a session of a lifetime, skating alongside the legendary Christian Hosoi. But when Hosoi announced his intention to ollie over the wall, everyone stopped. Skaters and onlookers alike gathered, witnessing an attempt that would redefine the possibilities of street skating. The author, Eli Morgan Gesner, also a 15-year-old skater at the time, observed the historic event firsthand.
A black and white photo shows a side view of a skateboarder mid-air, ollieing over a wall, with spectators on the side
Hosoi’s successful ollie over the Banks wall wasn’t just a trick; it was a moment of transformation. What was previously the era of awkward street plants and boneless maneuvers was replaced by the potential of ollies into ledge tricks, down handrails, and across seemingly impossible gaps. The ollie, once a simple maneuver, became the catalyst for a complete overhaul of how street skating was done.
A color photo shows a group of people watching a skateboarder jumping over a high wall
The significance of this moment might not have been fully appreciated at the time, but looking back, it’s clear that everyone present witnessed the birth of modern street skateboarding. As Gesner states, “We were watching something that would change the world forever.” The ollie, invented by Alan Gelfand in 1977 and then adapted for flat ground by Rodney Mullen in 1983, spread like wildfire, influencing a generation of skaters experimenting with early ’80s street skating moves like bonelesses, powerslides, inverts, wallrides, and yank airs.
A black and white photo shows a skateboarder performing a trick on a ledge with another skateboarder in the background
Before Hosoi’s feat, the ollie was merely another trick in the repertoire. The progression of the ollie was a slow but rapid evolution. It started with small tricks like ollies over cracks or curbs, then progressed to ollies up onto ledges, tables, and even over small obstacles. Soon, skaters like Mark Gonzales were doing kickflips, Natas Kaupas was ollieing over fire hydrants, and Tommy Guerrero was mastering ollies off of ramps, achieving heights that were impossible with yanks and grabs. The ollie revolutionized the way skaters interacted with the environment, allowing them to jump higher, farther and with more precision than ever before.
A black and white photo shows a skateboarder performing a trick on a ramp
The ollie unlocked a new dimension for street skating by freeing skaters from the constraints of having to grab their boards. This freedom enabled them to jump over, onto, and through obstacles that were once considered insurmountable. Hosoi’s ollie over the Brooklyn Banks wall was one of the first real-life demonstrations of how the trick would reshape skateboarding.
A black and white photo shows a skateboarder performing an ollie over a gap
This pivotal moment wasn’t just about the mechanics of the ollie; it was about the vision and audacity to redefine what was possible. As Gesner puts it, it was the “death and re-birth of street skating.” It paved the way for the innovative skating we see today, with skaters pushing boundaries and challenging norms. The ollie had become the foundation for modern street skating.
A black and white photo shows a skateboarder performing an ollie over a barrier, with a person in the background
In addition to the historical significance, these rediscovered photos also unveil a rare piece of skateboarding gear: Hosoi’s prototype Santa Cruz Hammerhead deck. This unique board, featuring a graphic resembling Hosoi performing a powerslide and a distinct point at the nose, never made it into production, making it another unique element of this remarkable story.
A close-up photo of the underside of a skateboard deck, showing a graphic of a skateboarder
The day Christian Hosoi ollied over the Brooklyn Banks wall wasn’t just another day in skateboarding history; it was a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of modern street skating. It was a testament to innovation, the drive to push boundaries, and the lasting impact one trick can have on the world. The newly surfaced photos allow us to relive this extraordinary moment and appreciate the true magnitude of what happened at the Brooklyn Banks that day. The 1980s remain a golden era in skateboarding, and this event encapsulates its spirit of creativity and progression.
A black and white photo shows a skateboarder performing a trick on a ledge with people in the background
Photos by: Stana Weisburd
Captions by: Eli Morgan Gesner
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