Tag Archives: 1996

Paul Sharpe and the rites of passage of Heath Kirchart – Transworld UNO – 1996

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0-gZWX0BpU?rel=0]

We don’t really have all that much footage of the incredible pop of Paul Sharpe. Back in the mid-90s if your looking for someone to straight nollie that obstacle, he was the guy to call (maybe Paulo Diaz if Sharpe was unavailable). Digging in the online video crates, there are really only a handful of parts from his career.

Let’s take a moment to visit this buried gem from Transworld’s first non-Dreams of Children video, Uno. Paul Sharpe switch ollies a fence,  locks into a tall smith, and I really love the backside flip up a curb to start a line.

And then we get a couple tricks from a babyfaced Heath Kirchart. I see that final kickflip as the death of young barbarian at the gate Heath the birth of the HK that continues, still, many years after his retirement, to own skateboarding with mystery, dignity, and a slow motion death defying grace.

Let’s not forget Ben Sanchez

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkhkV-sIfa8?rel=0]

Perma-Am Ben Sanchez, as seen here in Chocolate’s Las Nueve Vidas De Paco, was probably the least celebrated of the Chocolate (and maybe even Girl/Chocolate) team. His subtle and efficient style, quick push, and consistent lines were always tossed into the middle of the video, and he didn’t have the camera-mugging of a York or the popularity of a Gino. But I always appreciated his parts and think they stand out even more when singled out from the entire full length via youtube.

Even better is his part in Mouse:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7U7Y5TFJXs]

Gino – 101 – Trilogy

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Dill’s Bobshirt interview, with a sprinkling of Miles Silvas executing a mid super-line LA gap switch back tail, got me hankering for some vintage Gino.

Let’s travel back to the golden afternoons of 1996 for a little 101 Trilogy action:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6967M1wb8rc?rel=0]

There are only a few skaters who have earned single-name status. Perhaps somewhat from having possession of an uncommon first name, sure, but truly carving out an undeniable mark in history with undeniably enviable style and talent. There is only one Gino, and it ain’t Gino Perez.