Why Was Mullen Never Skater of the Year? What is a Suciu Grind?

[@francky4549]

Rodney doesn't need to be the skater of a year because he's the skater of several generations

[@lucavinnied.502]

Francky TRUE TRUE

[@alexsimmons326]

True.

[@Khourylol]

You not wrong

[@Nominay]

Steve Caballero was actually awarded Skater of the Century by Thrasher, in 1999, but yes, I think in our hearts we can safely give it to Mullen instead. No offense Steve!

[@beinke]

Rodney never won the Thrasher SOTY, but he did win the Transworld Reader's Choice SOTY in 2002.

[@TysonHook-22-]

I've heard it stated from Jake Phelps or from someone else recalling of J.P. That Thrasher use to have a SOTY fan vote or considered having a fan vote aspect but quickly realized it wouldnt work because no one wouldve ever won besides Rodney Mullen. Not 100% positive but I believe the story as I heard it told was that the first few SOTY awards had a fan vote aspect and each year Rodney was overwhemingly picked as SOTY by Thrasher readers but was never honored as such instead Jake Phelps and Thrasher employees voted on SOTY themselves and they quickly got rid of the fan vote aspect entirely, but I believe the first few SOTY awards had some sort of fan vote aspect to them or maybe it was pro's themselves voting on who they thought was SOTY but the legend has it that Rodney was voted year in year out by fans for the first few years of SOTY awards. Of course it should be taken with a grain of salt as the myths and legends of both Mullen and Jake Phelps constantly grow larger than life so maybe im spreading a rumour with no basis or maybe its truth thats slightly skewed over the years of retelling either way its just an interesting tidbit of information I've heard from somewhere.

[@FtotheP]

Can't pick a year for Mullen's SOTY? No worries; he's Skater of The Century.

[@skylarmccloud4080]

Mullen has been dubbed "The Godfather Of Skating" He holds the highest title, but in a very humble way.

[@napalmkitty6686]

skylar mccloud oh man hes so cool and humble. We are lucky to have him!

[@DeathBringer769]

@@skylarmccloud4080 Godfather of Street Skating, considering he wasn't the godfather of vert ;)

[@dehydratedculture9126]

Mullen being skater of the year would be like the owner of a company being employee of the month. Lol

[@SQUIRTGANG]

I'm so blessed to have grown up in a city (Wilmington, DE which is 20 mins south of Philadelphia). Even though we didn't have any skatepark, there were PLENTY of street spots, and better yet, a 20 minute drive to FDR skatepark. Growing up being 11 years old skating FDR was truly amazing. I remember when the Xgames came to Philly twice in 2001-2002 (I think), I went both years, and I remember the second time I went, my dad took me and my brother over to FDR during an Xgames intermission, and Eric Koston was there, I remember he fell at one point and his board rolled over to me, I picked up his board and handed to him, he just said Thanks little dude! And having played him on THPS the very night before, it was a moment I will never forget. Truly amazing I am so grateful

[@pvdev8044]

For some reason your account reminds me of stories about the first few months of playing Magic the Gathering on the west coast and the first tournaments people started. Kids growing up and messing around with with Alpha Lotuses or just rare Alpha and Beta cards in general, right as they came of the printing press. I did not know Thrasher back then but I remember watching 411 videos and then finding out about Rodney Mullen when playing the Tony Hawk video game series. I'll always remember when I unlocked his video, I could not believe what I was watching. I did manage to land a couple of his tricks later on (Casper slide and the standing on the edge of the board flippy thing) and he will forever be my favorite sk8ter. I did not grow up in the US but those are some of the only times (the 90's) where I wish I'd have had a front row somewhere other than where I actually grew up so I could have witnessed the emergence of that whole subculture first-hand. Thankfully I at least got to experience a good chunk of it in a delayed way, and then a little bit later in real time through the internet and the early days of online gaming. All of this stuff was simply mesmerizing and interestingly enough the internet itself (along with other factors of course, but it's a big one) ended up destroying a lot of that creativity and diversity. At least I find it harder to find these days.

[@axel.lessio]

Mullen can't be SOTY for a simple reason: he's already the greatest in skateboarding history.

[@skylarmccloud4080]

Mullen was already decreed the "Godfather Of Skating" you can have 20 SOTY awards and they wouldn't measure up to Mullen's title. So it would be kind of redundant.

[@PACKERMAN2077]

*Short Answer:* He never did the big vert airs, was never comfortable with the scene, public, or media, and he was _waaaaay_ too technical and ahead of his time for any of the judges to even comprehend how to compare him. But he still won just for being there, so _"it was always a contest of who was the first to get second."_ *-some documentary*

[@jonathanduarte720]

"Short"

[@MultitaskingGuy]

Mullen needs a lifetime achievement award or something

[@suburbia8831]

More like The Godfather award 👑

[@poolboywuzhere97]

@Tobias Funke fuck you and your family

[@Haywood-Jablomi]

@Tobias Funke you know that's objectively false

[@euminkong84]

Mullen himself said he feels honored to have taken part in creating a language greater than himself. He is the godfather of street skateboarding.

[@TheMapleDreamer]

@J he literally invented the flat ground ollie, kick flip and heel flip, nearly every modern trick is just a variation of those. He also helped design the modern skateboard as you know it, using his knowledge of why you're even able to manipulate the board the way you can.

[@derekperc]

Andy MacDonald did the first mega ramp jump from what I recall. It was in a 16mm section of a Transworld video. It did not have a quarterpipe after it though, so I think that's generally referred to as 'big air' rather than 'mega ramp'.

[@tomsy6522]

I love watching your vids and learning about different skateboarding stuff. Am 26 and stopped skating 11 years ago, trying to get back into it. Skateboarding is hard!

[@SquirrelASMR]

You retired your career at the age of 5?

[@nutchunder]

I am basically in the same boat, hahaha. 10 years and 100 pounds makes for a different feel for sure!

[@tomsy6522]

Squirrel ASMR math is hard too eh! Would be 15 my guy. Lol

[@Nominay]

As I recall, Rodney was a contender for SOTY for his part in Round 2, but I forget the one or two other considerations he was one-upped by. In his book, Mullen makes it sound like Round 2 was the first street part of his that he was legitimately proud of.

[@danmunhoz1714]

Hey dude, doubt you'll read this, but i started skating in 2007 and your videos helped me so much. it was super inspirational to see some random nerdy looking kid on a farm doing noseslide trick tips when i first started skating because I always associated skateboarding with "the cool kids" and never thought I was cool or athletic enough to skate. I just turned 28 and Ive been skating for over 10 years at this point (never stopped) you might not get much notoriety for what you've done for skating but I still do this day think back to those trick tips you made whenever I go out and skate. You were the first do to breakdown tricktip video in a very understandable format and I honestly feel like many skate youtubers use a similar format to what you did back in the day. Props homie!

[@kentjg32]

Mullen's street skating reminds me of the painter Paul Cezanne; innovative, extremely technical, different, not flashy enough, seemingly unmotivated by fame. Cezzane was also super shy like Mullen. Picasso called Cezzane "the father of us all" and claimed him as "my one and only master!"

[@ThePubliusValerius]

Mullen and his style will never get old. As long as he does tricks I cannot do, and never will do - which includes pretty much all of them - he will be fresh, amazing, and the absolute unadulterated king of skateboarding.

[@Hapasan808]

I remember your old channel! Back in 2007, I was trying to get back into skateboarding for the second time, I would watch Rodney Mullen videos. I wanted to do the trick he would do a lot (later identified as "Walk the Dog") which led me to your channel on "How to Walk the Dog." After that I watched your other tutorials. I remember taking notice of your freestyle board. I didn't know about freestyling boards back then, but I remember trying to buy one like it. I guess I felt it would be easy to do things like treflips on, which is why I wanted it. In hindsight, it probably makes those types of tricks harder.

[@ccubed-pp7tc]

I remember your old videos. I remember watching the plasma spin video where I had no idea what trick it was but it blew my mind. I remember you got a sponsor from a company called Zyklon. Those were the good old days of KZbin

[@stusux]

Cause its thrasher....thrasher doesnt acknowledge freestyle skateboarding.....easy answered.

[@suburbia8831]

Jake Phillips is a tool. I meant him years ago @ spot & in San Diego he’s a cocky self entitled asshole

[@nikokaapa]

Do you mean Phelps? A rough angel.@@suburbia8831

[@phillipduffie8732]

Jake Phelps is dead now

[@ericduminil]

Street skating would be really boring without Rodney Mullen. He invented at least half the tricks which are featured in Thrasher.

[@dankybongblunttree9634]

His legacy as an originator of skateboarding is worth 1000 times more than a 4 page spread in a magazine. Just my opinion

[@BD-vr5lu]

I’m from Michigan and still live here cool to know your from here too

[@klauserikk]

Skate 3 and 2 servers are up again so you should update the game reviews and talk about the Skate 3 online features a bit more.

[@Ckypwnd]

Klaus-Erik Krönkvist up again? When the hell did they go down?

[@gimmegamma4849]

Ckypwnd they were for a good 3-4 years bro,but oh is a nice thing to see

[@virtuaskimmer6714]

Klaus-Erik Krönkvist Damn man you got the P's3 or Xbox? Can you see if the have my park it was crazy on the P's3 user:Ganjulationess

[@klauserikk]

Virtua Skimmer i have a ps3

[@dustinalicea3304]

Add me:DustyyShellz

[@tyonorshapzc7tjfvb7-caz]

one of the honest guys about everything on youtube is Rad Rat i have to say, i even watch stuff that i generally dont find that interesting and still being entertained, keep up the good workz >)

[@HAYLO_TWO]

Glad to hear you talk about your early days that is what I know you from originally here on YT. I have been combining street & freestyle for over 12 years now. I used to use your videos to help me, especially with the Flamingo stand in particular. BTW Mark's last name is pronounced SU-CHEW. I grew up next to him my friends were friends with him I was too busy focusing on my own skating at the time to care but I did know him and it's cool to see him considered a true professional. Some of the old clips on my channel are some of the spots that Mark used in his old sponsor me footage. (San Jose, CA)

[@Baegus]

I don't even skate but I love the THPS series and I love this channel. Some super interesting stuff here

[@Cloudkusanagui]

Dude, what's up with that drum loop in the background? please, if you need music collabs to be on the background here i'm in for it hahaha kinda of annoying that one, takes the attention away. Really like your research in skarteboarding history, tho

[@vgrepairs]

Igor Maia please send him your music man!

[@wowza935]

Skarteboarding sounds fancy.

[@trentheselden8574]

Igor Maia You got the drums, I’ll do the bass :P

[@Sidnfjdkdndfbd]

Igor Maia now u point it out now thats the only thing i can hear

[@ovaerd]

Please save this rat, man.

[@SamShredits]

Why be skater of the year when you're already a skate god :) Being SOTY would probably degrade him ;P

[@NathanielHD]

Went to temple with suciu and I would skate Cecil almost everyday. I never saw him skate Cecil though, he did come by with a book once in a while and read on the brick ledges. I also saw him at love a couple of times, he'd show up do what he wanted to do in a couple tries and then leave. Dudes amazing on a skateboard and one of my favorites, wish he skated with us all though. This was around 2013-15.

[@NathanielHD]

Also in was smoking a blunt on the basketball courts that have the sketchy triple kink that suciu 5050d and I saw tom asta switch front crook to popover into the crusty bank . I have a picture of it on an old phone that broke and I need to see if I can get it. Also ishod skating love gap.

[@kanescrimes4848]

You're definitely a relevant part of the larger skate-world sphere now Raddy. You might not feel like it, but it is what it is.

[@donniediscgolf951]

When was the first board with concave.

[@rickachumusic]

You should change the title of the video here. Rodney wasn't Thrasher SOTY but he was Transworld SOTY. I know 90% of skaters forgot about Transworld, but he was skater of the year, just a different publication. The year was 2002

[@edwardduarte7393]

I like how you are talking about skating and have a Kandinsky behind you.

[@JohnSmith-ix5gx]

a Kandinsky is painted on both sides

[@mauimillen3484]

From everyone knowing you to a guy thinking that you were in the army with him

[@matrixarsmusicworkshop561]

Maui Millen hahah gold

[@matrixarsmusicworkshop561]

Maui Millen nugget

[@Patrick_Andrews917]

Can we get some Grind King updates soon?? Also, a Brand Breakdown on Darkstar, and maybe a Retro Rippers on Chet Thomas? I would love to hear a lot about each of these, and some in depth info on Darkstar... Particularly their iconic art style (not what McKee did, I've looked into that.) And their board technologies over the years, and anything else they were iconic for. Also, the drum loop sounds like Sinatra by Helmet XD Have a good day!

[@TheTimB]

Transworld 2002 readers choice skater of the year - Rodney Mullen

[@bradmurray1736]

Came here from vlskate. Been on a binge for a while now. Love the nerdy bits of skateboarding

[@AhriMcCoy]

Yea it's Soo-choo. The people I skate with call anything that you rotate into and rotate out of back to the original position a Suciu grind.

[@JohnSmith-ix5gx]

I'm totally relating to the living on the farm in the middle of nowhere not having anybody close who skated ,I grew up in Santa Cruz in the 80s it was tough man

[@andrewhaffner5304]

Anyone hear about Rune Glifberg anymore? That should be a retro rippers.

[@ps5622]

Andrew Haffner he was at the flip demo in France a few days ago!

[@Painless1992]

Dude is active and gets some coverage in the spotlight from time to time. Still ripping, even contests.

[@andrewhaffner5304]

Nice!!

[@AustinHansen]

I’ve been wanting to know what happened to Gailea Momolu

[@grosgraslarge]

Paul Stewart Ah stylé il y avait qui de la team flip ?

[@bradmurray1736]

Hey rad rat. I know this is a bit of a long shot but could you do a retro rippers on Jason lee.

[@dino2042]

Thanks for answering my question :)

[@swaxTV]

I have a question? Will you please wear that zebra hat in the next video????

[@skylarmccloud4080]

Rodney should definitely get a Life time achievement award if he hasn't already.

[@jd55636]

I have a question rad rat..are flamingos(flips) fround upon in the skate community or do I just not see anyone do them.?

[@brightmoor]

Two uploads in a three days?! Lol, jk. Keep up the good work Aron, and I’ll enjoy the videos whenever you get them out. Edit - one recommendation- an upgraded mic would help the sound a lot. Edit 2 - hmm....I thought you had a different mic before, so if you do, please disregard this. Lol.

[@geirkarlsen7329]

Mullen was the first who did flat ground ollies. His years of isolation is how he became so creative to invent most of todays street tricks. And then you have tho other street skaters who had a huge impact before todays skate boom. Natas, Gonzales, Valelly and I think Frankie Hill belongs in that crowd. Personally I think Mullen, Valelly and Gonzales progressed street skating the most. Impossibles and trayflips mullen did back in mid 80s.

[@iambeetle]

Mullen couldn’t win “skater of the year”. But if there is a “skate god of the year”, he’d win every year.

[@shilohikem1487]

suciu is pronounced sue-choo

[@amandawisby1569]

That’s how I’ve heard it

[@gemst0nes]

when i was a little kid watching every skate video i could find on youtube and i remember the viral kick flip tutorial it just hit me so hard bruh lol crazy to seem how far you came !

[@amazingface2230]

Maybe if they had skater of the decade, Mullen would've gotten it for either 80's or 90's

[@benhaney5843]

Probably not actually. Almost certainly not. Tony Hawk would win 80s, Koston or Thomas or somebody would win 90s. This isn't my personal opinion necessarily but if Thrasher gave out those 2 awards in like 1990 and 2000, he wouldn't have won

[@nippleuserecticus8256]

Mullen was never SOTY because he is the Immaculate. He is the Untouchable. He is the reason people believe. He is Skater of the universe.

[@ivantwopairs1766]

Short answer: it's less about tech achievements than attitude and style, they have to have that "thrasher" element

[@gustawkefqd2848]

What do you think about jeff grosso's loveletters?

[@AgentXaos]

Look at him he's a red blooded American male who skates...why wouldn't he love the letters?

[@BrainSail]

Thank you for answering my question :) definitely the highlight of my night.

[@analysan7]

Why would you give the greatest skater of all time an award for a year?!!!!!

[@144pGore]

6:38 Suicu Grind 7:12 Bennet Grind

[@9doublem28]

skater of the year would be a understatement anyway.. he's more like skater of the century.. Godfather of skateboarding is the perfect title for him

[@Ckypwnd]

Just watched a rodney documentary last night from a on skateboarding dvd from like 02 i believe it was when he was still on enjoi hahah old one

[@SuperNormalCat]

Wow didn't realize that was the reason why Rodney never won the year round 3 came out. Keep it up your videos are always awesome.

[@atharris8]

Mullen is SKATER OF THE CENTURY.

[@ovaerd]

Make your own teleprompter with that pad on a stand next to the camera, i feel like you just want a break from talking to me as it is now. You have way too much charisma to be staring at a pad like that. I'm so happy to see this channel grow!

[@chaosultimamage]

literally the Godfather of Street Skating. everyone knows him and at least some of what he's done for the sport. plus, he's the most humble dude ever, he wouldn't want it lol

[@matrixarsmusicworkshop561]

360 on flat is pretty nice

[@mre2393]

Rodney Mullen is the skate godfather he needs not to be skater of the year for he is to humble, but Dude is a fucking legend,and legends are immortal.

[@jaimeortega4954]

RAD RAT can you please do a video on what happened to SHORTY’S skateboard’s?

[@SLSmith_96]

Yo Rad Rat have you picked Session back up lately? They've got a new build for a "Free Flip" mode where you actually can control the flip speed and you manually catch your own tricks. Would love to see you do a video on it. Something I think you would really enjoy.

[@H0tDawgWater911]

I remember that old channel ❤️

[@jd55636]

Rad rat my second question is are hospital stalls possible...(a blunt stall when you hand stand on the nose of the board)?

[@runratchetrun]

Just submitted a question for the Rat!

[@jgskate1]

That's so crazy I used to watch your videos all the time

[@silvansuz656]

I remember that kickflip video hahah

[@szprychaminogerysuje]

Hey Radrat, i wanted to ask you if you think that switching stances may change one's skill. I've been skating goofy for about three years and i sucked terribly, and after couple of ankle injuries i had to stop skating and i started to wonder if i skated regular i would be a better skater. Also, maybe mongo pushers should be skating the other way, like mongo goofy should be regular with normal push?

[@jasonhaley1821]

Radrats the shit!

[@realMaverickBuckley]

Because hes a God? SOTY would be like awarding a Navy Seal a boy scout of the year award.

DUDE I've been watching your videos since 2010 whitout realizing

[@onebadhombre7158]

Aron's channel Aronl was so awesome back in the day

[@nikokaapa]

10:57 His Virtual Reality part from the very next year is easily as good, if not better…

[@130world1]

Rodney was probably never Skater of the year award because Thrasher was underground. I remember having oldschool skate magazines/books as a kid and. .although skating was amazement, it seemed like there were views of it

[@130world1]

Books I got from my much older uncle up north

[@130world1]

Congratulations on your channel

[@NeedyForMusic]

What happened to your other channel?

[@Mystninja]

There was a tiny town on a farm. Must have been a big farm

[@Mystninja]

I didn't know you where in the army.

[@shortcutDJ]

4:20 i would even go further and imply that you probably tought more kids who went on to go pro. i'm fairly certain there are pro's who made it pro thanks to your help and tips. 1.000.000. back then equates to 10 times as much today in virality.

[@ZacharyPadilla]

heck yeah my dude. keep them coming!

[@SpazziJackazzi]

keep up the good work man

[@zook420000]

really good point

[@travisguide4516]

He is the soty every year for me we all owe Rodney for all our tricks we can definitely say he had a heydey prior to the soty award being invented it was 1981 or so never lost a single freestyle tournament can't tell you exactly I was born 1982

[@BurntCarne]

He technically hasn’t won Thrasher’s SOTY, but he did win Transworld’s Skater of the Year in 2002.

[@euminkong]

I love Kristian Svitak Team Insanity Black Label days and 1031 and Radrat i watch your videos because i can actually learn something about skateboarding. Keep up the good work and just wear a I love haters t shirt hahah

[@JoHnAnDjAnEdOe81]

What haven't you reviewed Skate Lines?

[@81casperflip]

I love your videos. I'd love to skate with you lol I'm sure everyone would

[@raidencastle7613]

If u have an iphone you should check out the new skateboarding game it's basically a skate 3 port in my opinion

[@AidenCral]

Anybody know what happened to his old channel? With so many viewers, surely you wanna hold on to that.

[@aidanmurphy4963]

A skate god like Rodney Mullen doesn't need to be on the cover of a magazine. We all know that all the skaters to ever be dubbed skater of the year still don't come close to Mullen's greatness.

[@flickering_wick]

I think freestyle deserves to get much more attention than vert. It's so much more interesting and impressive to me.

[@tomf4087]

I don't think the mega ramp had anything to do with it. I don't even remember it till later. It was his unbelievable vert skating but also, he was a great street skater too at that time. Hardly any vert guys were really good on street. But his part in plan b video was big part of it.

[@ShreddexReturn]

Yoooo. Do you still skate ever? You should be shredding and postin' clips

[@xtlm]

I wonder why Mullen never did Street in the early X-Games. Was it because the early street events were more vert based?

[@cremebrulee6667]

Who did the best/hardest manual trick?

[@SquirrelASMR]

SKATE 3 SERVERS ON RADRAT

[@devinkk]

nice Kandinsky!

[@adamheeley285]

You are a really interesting guy.