Classics: Natas Kaupas "Streets of Fire" part

He's a true pioneer in taking full advantage of existing street terrain and here's just one chapter in Natas' epic legacy. Keith Hufnagel introduces a classic part from the 1989 Santa Cruz video.
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[@scrumpymanjack]

He was a neighbour of ours when we lived in Santa Monica a few years ago. I remember him taking his toddler to the park. I can honestly say that he was the best father I had ever seen - engaged, patient, understanding and fun. Never saw him looking tired or frazzled. He was just very cool.

[@CL2005]

Love this 👌

[@kenneththam2480]

Wasn't expecting to see Huf doing the intro, that shit hit hard. RIP Huf.

[@justinsymanietz2844]

No doubt. It's rad to see Natas' influence on his style though. RIP

[@gerardoneri5115]

Rip Keith.

[@MycoMatty]

@@justinsymanietz2844 oh he fucking 100% had a influence on the way Huf skated. Fucking blasting massive ollies with style and grace. The both of them complete power houses. Perfect person to introduce this one. RIP HUF

[@dneck]

RIP MUCH RESPECT

[@rhonin420]

RIP

[@1000sofusernames]

You American's don't realise how good you have it for skateboarding. I skated in the 80s/90s in the UK and skateable spots were like gold dust. We all used to dream of sun and endless terrain. Watching these videos was as depressing as it was inspiring.

[@angrytater2456]

I felt the same way watching vert in the 80s. I had no access to ramps.

[@davyrockxx1563]

I do realize how good it was that's why i made the original statement

[@ethancooper9456]

Your comment just took me way back! I skated in the the 00’s in the UK, we only had 2 street spots in our town and it took forever to skate from one to the other. 😂 Either that or pay 3 quid for the train to Basingstoke just to stand at the top of a quarter and go “nah not today” 😂

[@angrytater2456]

@@ethancooper9456 HA! It took me awhile to drop in a big half-pipe. The first time I didn't commit and went sliding down on my back. The second time I over-committed and faceplanted. I finally got it my third time after smoking a joint with my buds.

[@ethancooper9456]

@@angrytater2456 Eating shit then smoking a joint with your buds was the only way to learn back then, no KZbin tutorials 😂 I had to learn it by tail stalling first then trying to imagine what it would feel like in reverse. It didn’t stop me from slamming but it definitely helped my confidence going into it 😂

[@davyrockxx1563]

Skating now a days like everything else has become too complicated and technical. This was when you woke up at 7 am and threw on your vans and skated all day until night JUST FUN

[@LargeInCharge77]

You can skate however u want anytime of the week

[@StanleyKubick1]

the only thing that changed about that is that you got old. kids still do that. stop being a grumpy boomer

[@morganconklin8849]

Hasn’t changed for me

[@davyrockxx1563]

@@LargeInCharge77 that's true THANKS!

[@davyrockxx1563]

@@morganconklin8849 AWESOME

[@cyclox73]

I saw Natas skate at a demo for Sessions in Aurora CO and that dude went faster, higher and skated with more intensity than any pro I had ever seen before. Best way to describe it was controlled chaos. Natas is a legend and hands down one of the best skaters ever.

[@MintV2]

When I was in Junior High in the mid 80's, Natas and Bones t-shits were banned because they thought they were "satanic." I've probably watched this part a hundred times, it never gets old. 

[@Olysk8er]

We got Simpsons t-shirts (especially the ones with Bart who seemed to always have his skateboard) banned at my elementary school around '89-90. Shit was whack.

[@CeQuana]

MintV2 Well, Natas backwards is Satan, after all.

[@trupiil]

@@CeQuana It's a lithuanian name and his parents are from lithuania. It's the male version of Natalia. No satanic intention there.

[@trupiil]

@ANTISCAM POLICE they explain it somewhere I do not know him.

[@mut4nt158]

If natas is satanic then what would they have thought about lizard king

[@YorkshireMatt]

Bought a guitar and joined a punk band that I still play in after listening to the descendents on this video. Also bought a new board of to the park Saturday I am 43 now. Once you love skating you never stop loving it... Just your knees hurt a lot more.

[@jewelscoop3570]

CBD balm will get u right

[@fillentropy6519]

SK8 or DIE!!!

[@jerryselih]

What decendents song is this

[@YorkshireMatt]

@@jerryselih the full video

[@jerryselih]

What songs are in this one

[@entheogenerator7432]

Some of these guys were really ahead of their time. Yea skating is technically over the top now but you have to remember what year this was. I watched him skate at an indoor park in Brandon Manitoba in 89'. He was an absolute beast, did everything full tilt, never slowed down for any trick. Far more aggressive a skater than almost anyone you'll see these days. Great nostalgic video. Just received one of his reprint boards with the panther lenticular graphic on it. It's F*cking beautiful, can't wait to hang it.

[@slashtrio]

always loved natas, had his pro model in middle school. I don’t recall seeing this part as a kid, but I love his part on the earlier Santa Cruz video, maybe “wheels on file” ? He actually skates to the band fire hose on that part too. The good old days. We would skate in the summer heat and then take breaks at my house and watch bones brigade, Santa Cruz vids, street style in Tempe, and eventually the H street vids. Man, I was pretty good back then, only like 11 years old. Now I’m an old dad teaching his kids to skate👴🏻

[@jdmresearch]

Natas had two sections in Streets on Fire. This is the "San Francisco" part (although it's not only from there). The first part is the one you're referring to.

[@bon14789]

Ond of the sickiest parts I've ever seen and not a single kick/heelflip was made.

[@wagfinpis]

I stopped skating in 89', the kick flips were getting real popular and I never learned them. I skated with passion for 3ish years. Natus even complimented me on a launch ramp to inclined railing slide trick once in 87 or 88 in Wisconsin's Rotation Station skate park, when I was like 13 or 14 years old. one of my greatest moments! Natus approved!

[@rebusd]

@@wagfinpis excellent. That would've made my whole year lol

[@alfredoking14]

this is one of the most classic of all skateboard classics

[@dylaz13]

This just looks fun, what skateboarding should be.

[@afrosheenix]

Dylazz it's funny to see it now, with slow motion on simple tricks, but back then alot of this was brand new. Plus his style is undeniable.

[@anzaeria]

Back in the day, those boards were considered light weight! Some of the cheaper, middle of the range boards of the same era were even heavier. Though I do like the extra width of 80s decks in that they provided nice stable landings from big airs.

[@patrickcrosby3824]

What it used to be maybe 20 years ago

[@universex7570]

More like 33/4 yr. ago now

[@biertrang]

benicia. super tight and taco bell right next door.

[@SK8facts]

A video of natas always makes me want to cruze around and hit everything!

[@maorigenetics451]

I was 12 when this came out,inspired us so much. Back in the days when skating was just fun.

[@sol3starmusic]

RIP Huf. Cheers for all you did. And THANX to Natas for all the innovations. 2 legends right here.

[@MillCityShogun]

He's the best. So much style and raw power. His frontside wallrides are incredible and his pop was gigantic.

[@michaelmiller2858]

This brings back that Dogtown era, This is the origin of great skating. R.I.P. Hufnagel

[@buffalonickel7323]

I had a subscription to Thrasher Mag as a kid (late 80s to early 90s). I even went to BC Surf and Sport and built a deck... the deck was Natas Kaupas's deck. Love this vid... dude shows how gifted he was!

[@irishrover9332]

PD's Hotshop, Kits Shoes on Robson and Westbeach on 4th

[@Dsowers777]

I remember renting this from blockbuster in the early nineties. Changed everything

[@nikolazaharija]

80s golden age of skateboarding

[@humanbeingfromearth]

Isn't this from the 90s?

[@nikolazaharija]

@@humanbeingfromearth i think 89

[@heshwuan]

If 'Public Domain' and 'Future Primitive' were rented out at the VHS place, this is what I would rent. I've seen this countless times and, to this day, it still scratches that itch. I remember wearing those same Converse and using shoe-goo to get them through the entire summer.

[@impking5156]

Miss the good old days. Best and most carefree time in my life.

[@joshuanicely8722]

I remember a Thrasher spread in the mid 80's of Natas pulling an Ollie over a dumpster, my friends and I couldn't believe it!

[@larryjimbob]

Natas has the most fluid skating style that I've ever seen....still! 😊❤

[@drharkins93]

this is super cool to see as someone who was born a few years after it was made. I don't see this era of skateboarding a lot and its awesome to be able to be stoked by it 15 years later in crazy ass world of skateboarding today. this is one of my favorite thrasher series...or what ever they're called...keep the classics coming!!

[@rskalisky]

Natas and the Descendents, perfect combo

[@mierdahumana9113]

Potatoes O'Brien that’s true!!!!

[@bengordon6311]

Who's the first band? Are Descendents second part?

[@rskalisky]

@@bengordon6311 Yep, it's Coolige off the record Liveage, not sure of the first band.

[@bengordon6311]

@@rskalisky Thanks P

[@rskalisky]

@@bengordon6311 I think Firehose is the first band.

[@randyrodgers1265]

Welcome to 2021!!! NATAS IS STILL THE MAN!!

[@MegaAppl3]

I could go into a long rant for sure ! I looked up to him when I was younger. One of my all time favorites.

[@deedeekreep9139]

Man. Such an Inspiration. His Ollies are god like. He's that one that made me want to pursue my first ollie

[@zacko6020]

pedestrians who saw this shit going down were probably so confused

[@nkmcfrln]

This is California you fucking idiot. If you've spent the last 60 yrs living under a rock you might be confused about skateboarders and skateboarding if you decided one day to Venture out from under it.

[@listerinestrips1156]

lol get the wordplay? Venture trucks boiiii!!!!hahahaheheheh

[@listerinestrips1156]

very nice nicevery nice

[@americansauce]

I walk by that post office on Arizona and 5th all the time. That boardslide was insane.

[@williamnewman3158]

It’s crazy to see all these spots in such an old video

[@claytongreen5285]

This clip brings me joy.

[@lordvader6726]

dam those dudes could catch mad air. with heavy boards too

[@rebusd]

What's trippy is seeing someone actually break one

[@grantarmstrong6826]

Great vid, my favorite skateboarder

[@MasonH24]

A truly iconic part, it still stands the test of time. Bow down to Natas, our one true god.

[@Bravo-Too-Much]

Man I just love those old boards.

[@zachman8235]

So here I am watching this reminiscing on all kinds of old skating videos my dad used to have. This is what I always thought of when I said I wanted to learn to skate. 12 years later and I still can hardly ollie on a trick board.

[@georgesellhorn7603]

Ahhhh the memories...i started skateboarding right around this time...NATAS is a LEGEND!

[@brndnryn]

All time classic. Best style. Natas is a legend.

[@supernewuser]

Awesome. I especially like the dramatic tailscrape backside 180 on the hip at 3:00. Really makes me wish it wasn't snowing here.

[@charlesincharge.5161]

Still on hit in September 2022. My favorite too. One of my many idols. Matt Hensley Danny Way Tony of course. Lester. Years of great great memories. 📡👽🇺🇸 RUN!!!

[@buffalonickel7323]

When I was a youngster... Tony Hawk set up a half pipe in Southwest Plaza Mall in the center Court. This was circa 1989-1991. Hawk attempted his 1080 move. He couldn't replicate it... but it was super cool to be in his presence. 😃 Southwest Plaza was and is in Littleton, Colorado

[@exit747steve1]

One if my favs too. Where I got introduced to the band Firehose as well. Great stuff!

[@dizzychizzy1]

I wanna go curb skating right now

[@idmhead0160]

If you want curb skating inspiration, checkout Ace Pelka. The guy is the slappy master.

[@drubabineaux8772]

Those were the great ol days! I wish it was like that again

[@Krondelo]

Wow, amazing how much skating has evolved.. still great fun and some gnarly tricks these guys were doing.

[@RandyTwang]

R.I.P HUF.

[@theduder232]

Yes, he is well cited for his skateboarding. Thank you.

[@plzineedtogowayrn6353]

85-02 is the golden age of skateboarding imo

[@Nediler]

always has been

[@codyolmstead4907]

All of these are fucking sick. All of these were beyond their time. I fell in love with snowboarding when it gave me unlimited freedom. At 3:20 that melon grab was ultimately what made me fall in love with the sport. The way it feels when you are either ripping through the streets or the mountains is next level. Everyone has their own trick list, but after snowboarding for about 17 years or so, and then taking a few years off... the first grab I did off a kicker was a melon. When I landed I knew I wanted to get back into it, after typically riding 30-50 days a year. Anyone who loves their sport.... get back into it!!!!!!

[@samkupper]

R.I.P. Keith Hufnagel

[@gmtime5439]

Natus just has that X factor that makes you want to watch him.

[@snapbacks223]

Damm when boards were such smaller wasn't born in the 80'a but damm this is gold

[@mampfdampf2423]

natas was my idol in my youth as skateboarder and still he is .... great style. wooow. i had one of the sims boards ;-)

[@Martin-sx4bx]

I love his style

[@skatechatham]

All these years and I never noticed he taps his board off the fence post 3:44

[@Enemiesexposed]

Back in my day, we would ride boards a foot wide, with 100mm wheels, weighing 50 pounds. We rode those tanks in blizzards 10 miles uphill both ways. We would eat sh** hard, and we fu**ing loved it! One day Billy popped his board a foot in the air! We were all dumfounded, and asked wtf did you just do there Billy? He said Alan invented the ollie and showed him. Spent my whole life trying to ollie like Billy, but could only ollie an inch. Billy kept trying to teach me, but I sucked. Hill bombing was my jam. I sent it down some gnarly fu**ing hills back then. Sometimes I would eat sh**t so f**king hard, I had to stop skating for a while. Billy, and Jimmy would always encourage me to keep skating...

[@CT-nb5lm]

NATAS didn't invent the sleeve cutoffs we'd sport as Beannie's! But he did put it on the map... I still sometimes skate in these when it's too hot for a Beannie & you need to control sweat.. Thank You Natas!!! A Whole generation knows & respects you &* what you did.

[@supakidgalaxy]

I love natas, he's such a boss

[@Dad-Gad]

Golden Age of skating imo 👍

[@feral5404]

the no comply at 3:18 is so good

[@KenshoBeats]

Djeez, the memories, the inventor of the No Comply!

[@jdmresearch]

Interesting that they chose Natas' second part in Streets of Fire. I mean, it's really great, but the most famous one is the first.

[@jamese4498]

Natas was ahead of his time

[@Gabe-hd6ok]

Firehose, Natas doing a 360 board puncture on a fire hydrant, those were the days.. forever burned into my mainframe.

[@idmhead0160]

Back when life was simple.

[@davyrockxx1563]

Natas Was such an Ollie King!

[@nikku1166]

2:40 sick North Foot 180.

[@MrJasonodonnell]

Theres a lot to learn here....No "bros" yelling and running about after that "sick" instagram trick, no Gangsta dichead rubbish, no "im to cool to smile", Just Fun, sun, real friends, and truly expressive skating...

[@martinaxe6390]

fIREHOSE and the Descendents. Perfect soundtrack.

[@bendyer1465]

Those Ollies over that asphalt hip at the school…. He gets so much air time

[@blackrebelradio9879]

I lovehim more than anything. Hardcore

[@UnknownStatus29]

Crazy some of the pop these guys get with rails on pretty heavy boards.

[@LaurentMarc-Skateboard]

Natas kaupas skateborder creative and inspiration no limit free ride the freshest rider he will always be the best street rider in the world 😎🤘🛹⚡

[@RodrigoOrlov-om2ql]

Amazing

[@marksingleton3868]

first song....windmilling by firehose

[@DV-id6di]

Just remember when u was a kid, people saying he’s the Ollie king

[@abcd-ur8fo]

I skated there. Long time ago

[@jkuebler89]

Dudes a beast. I want those converse.

[@chrisredshift540]

RIP KEITH❤️

[@solohouette401]

Yes the good old days.

[@coreyfisher2542]

Benicia was sick. I forgot all about that place. They had ripper locals I remember, one kid in particular.

[@friendsof9street]

R.I.P. the old Benicia park. they put a new one and some more sick locals coming out of there

[@jksinorbit]

Met Natas in Laguna Beach once… what i nice guy, i dont he realized what a god he was to me as a teen.

[@dwayneandrews2059]

Flips are for kids. Natas had so much style and flow. I've been skating for over 40 years and still a big part of life but can't stand the robotic, technical bs. The ol' days are long gone but damn the evolution was fun to watch and learn from. Keep rippin' sorta😵

[@spht9ng]

This is like the skating equivalent of 1950s basketball

[@cr1138]

Bout time we got some Natas up in here.

[@DEEPMUCH]

My first skate was a Natas in like 87 i saved my paper route money and bought a custom complete..powell rat bones "free style wheels" pink tracker ultra light trucks on my brand new NATAS i was ollie king on my block...i was 11 then now im 46 and still skating...only stopped between injuries....SK-8 or DIE right?

[@BranFlake421]

keith

[@sebastianrodriguez2932]

If this does not get You skateboarding nothing will. Best rider on this planet, and I don't think that martians can skate this well, then maybe in the universe. Awesomely stylish.

[@hanza101]

Pure joy.

[@tuliopcc]

Awesome

[@streamer_services]

Back when skating wasnt a corporate sponsored who can do the hardest trick sport......and no elevated nose boards.....days gone forever unfortunately

[@delmusdugan]

Rad is the skaters that rip in this.Rad is the spots that are still around so all can rip them

[@exit747steve1]

2nd song is Coolidge by the Descendents @ Pedro

[@worminator15]

Just realized that this was shot on film. Anyone has any idea what camera setup they used back then on streets on fire?

[@Star_cab]

streets of fire with Natas Kaupas is a better watch.

[@mirbogatyr]

Is Santa Monica Airlines still a thing...had an SMA Natas model that was light and rugged... similar to the old Billy Ruff G&S deck... good to feel the Natas street style...so adaptive to the environment being skated...cheers

[@coreygolphenee9633]

Watch any surf aerial today they jump like this

[@charlesruffing5606]

Natas Kaupas absolute legend