This Old Ledge: Brooklyn Banks

Few plazas loom as large as The Banks. From the Bones Brigade to Harold Hunter, the sessions that sparked these clips are seared into our minds. Ted Barrow's back to highlight its significance.
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[@andygreatfield]

These episodes are some of the best content ever produced for Thrasher hands down.

[@cstpa1]

do you watch dern bros they also do this type of series

[@doodlebrighton124]

Agreed

[@timb6558]

Love these videos! Keep 'em coming!

[@bobdobbs6969]

Wair's ISHOD??? kzbin.info/www/bejne/sH6bhIt3jtGMpZI

[@vperkv6554]

Preach

[@EVAASIVEOne]

RIP Harold Hunter, Justin Pierce, Keith Hufnagel, and Mike Cardona..... Banks Legends and forever the Kings of New York to me.

[@paulblankenship1146]

You beat me to it, I was gonna show them love too. Especially Mike Cardona, I saw him in ABF skateshop about 3 days before his passing was announced. He was such a chill guy. I miss my local jersey heroes

[@digitalbridgeCR]

Saw them both here in the late 90's. Harold tried to sell me some skate shoes. LOL and Keith just past by with some massive ollie down the bank.

[@berrtusmaximus5212]

Strange way to find out Huf died…4 years ago. Man I gotta spend more time keeping up on the guys I grew up watching instead of their old parts….

[@EVAASIVEOne]

@@digitalbridgeCR cherish those memories and maybe even write more of em down somewhere for people to see 🙏🏼

[@EVAASIVEOne]

@@paulblankenship1146 RIP to Mike bro Im just glad Quim’s good and living a successful happy life

[@gowiththegilmours2564]

Massive shout out to Steve Rodriguez and all the work he's done with the City of New York to fight to get these spots back open and skateable!!!!

[@reportedstolen3603]

Yess!!! Helped NY skateboarding more than anyone. Massive skull on that dude

[@danielwellner7004]

Hell yea.

[@andynonymous2164]

Church.

[@vancouverbill]

So rad

[@junipersnow1]

Fk yah, original B. Banks skater here 83-86 till I found Jerry Garcia and got outta that trash pit haha lol (hope it dont smell like piss anymore lol)... Thats back in the day when Skaters ran the streets, Street/Drug gangs telling us they OWN the Block, till they got 5-6 teenage skater knocking there heads with our trucks and boards... Different days, It was CIA Crack back then, compared to CIA Fentanyl today. Black gangs (Not Negative, thats what they called themselves back then, we own this block suckas) bring the Drugs to the streets in NYC through corrupt cops, Mafia via CIA. We got our illegal Herb, weed, Ganja from Mott St., Chinese/Italian Mofia are the fairest.

[@majtechtings]

I have skated with Ted a few times. This is just a sample of just how much this man knows his shit. So knowledgeable and the first person I saw do a switch flip back tail in person. Thanks Ted.

[@majtechtings]

@xskateworldx2957 I mean...that's how knowledge works.

[@nixnistudio659]

Facts I didn’t want to have sw bs tails until I watched Ted do them in person

[@thedonofthsht76-58]

​@@majtechtingshahaha

[@sean78745]

"they turned it into a parking lot" America at its finest folks

[@skateboston420]

That's what they did to my local skatepark, after less than 20 years, it's now a parking lot for the harbor master.

[@seancarterx]

“They paved paradise, put up a parking lot” - Joni Mitchell preaching the ongoing American specialty

[@user-kq1kp7wu5j]

its coming back phase 1 open and phase 2 and 3 the next year !

[@joes.4149]

to every 100 cars there are like 1 skater

[@OutofPocketCinema]

Ted Barrow is again giving us the SSBSTS of Skateboard/City Culture. 👍

[@100milesandrunnin]

I visited NYC for a month in 2018, made a pilgrimage with my friend to see the Brooklyn banks for the first time was like a dream, gob smacked and we were both like “omg, no way. There it is” it was fenced off but we peaked through, walked and skated underneath the bridge to see it all in its glory. Saw so many famous spots that were actually so hard to skate. Saw a few pros, met some, skated all around NYC. It still one of my favourite trip I’ve ever done. This clip brings back the memories. Thank you. Big love all the way from Australia

[@stalwartzero7001]

My first time skating the banks, I was 14. We bought a bong on Canal street, got ripped, skated the banks and tried to get in to CBGB with it.

[@galianophoto]

fun tidbit about John Roebling who engineered the cables for the brooklyn bridge is that the cables were made at his factory in Trenton, NJ which is now home to Freedom Skatepark

[@user-px9wu6yu7m]

Another fun fact is he built a bridge in Cincinnati connected to Covington/ Newport Kentucky before the Brooklyn bridge but the design is the same.

[@coverlovercomics2579]

Damn! Ken Burns of shred! Thank you. These are fantastic.

[@Jordanrld483]

So sick for Hosoi to have a benchmark on an iconic street spot. I'm sure it was amazing to watch him cruise those banks 80s Style.

[@Reburthsk8]

RIP Harold Hunter. Legends never die. One of my favorite skaters growing up. Zoo York legend. Forever missed.

[@dandrechesterfield5411]

Mike and Quim Cardona have the best clips here from back in the day

[@jimsnodgrass8285]

For real. His 180 in at 1:10 is one of my favorite tricks of all time. Not to mention how nuts that Nollie varial flip over the wall was. That bank is unbelievably steep to even roll down. To do anything into seems impossible until you see it happen. Let alone blasting a giant 180 over a can and going in switch. The wall seems equally impossible to imagine hopping over, let alone off the nose. Amazing stuff

[@bakkaslon]

Quimm Cardona nollie varialflip ❤❤❤ that dude was ahead of his time

[@danielwellner7004]

Dudes are still trying to catch up. All the wallie nollie outs and shit. That's all him, and others of course, maybe, but yes, Quim Cardona.

[@AlHodgson]

We are so lucky to have Ted

[@WrdtoMuva]

Ehh. You’ll see right thru the bullshit soon enough

[@futurejupiter]

will you help us to see through the bullshit?🙏@@WrdtoMuva

[@briandalyboston]

He’s the worst dude in skateboarding

[@bryanflo4500]

interesting how the worst dude in skateboarding is dropping socio-cultural knowledge on one of the world's most famous spots on the only major skateboarding publication's yt channel

[@patfinn2697]

So rad!! Thanks Ted! I lived in Carroll Gardens from 93-98 where I owned a cafe with my wife and most everybody that worked there was a skater, including Aaron Suski. We would fly down Smith St. to the plaza, go over the bridge and hit the banks, almost every day.

[@andynonymous2164]

Hey wait ... I grew up on Long Island skating jump ramps and from 1987 (when Mom drove me in to compete in a contest *Harold won) all the way up until today, I still could never get the hang of that rolled-over lip at the top of the little banks. Thanks for doing this and thanks for keeping all the OGs names and clips alive. I know at some point the dust will have swallowed us all and a history of the Banks will be told through the eyes of Frog or Melodi kids with teddy bears sewn into their jeans somehow... And that is the nature of things. But for now it's nice that nobody has been left behind, and we all co-exist, as skateboarders, timelessly. The Brooklyn Banks is a catalyst and a time capsule.

[@jdavis180]

well put my friend

[@vancouverbill]

​@@jdavis180indeed indeed. In the big picture and in time skateboarding could be long forgotten once children of the future spend all their time in the meta verse, climate change wipes us out, we blow our own dumb selves up or which ever dystopian future happens but that doesn't take away for a short time one of the raddest, most beautiful subcultures ever was happening on little four wheel stuntwoods. Often in these overlooked parts of metropolis where no one else saw any value. Haloed ground indeed!

[@andynonymous2164]

@@vancouverbill There will always be a smart group of people who learn that being outside, Skateboarding with friends is the antidote to joining the tragically online lonely men's community.

[@nicholasmercado6545]

As a 97 baby. I caught the amazing Baker, Zero, Plan B, Flip era of skate videos. And I remember seeing them for my first time. But these videos are allowing me to learn the importance of these parts and spots and the history behind them and what came before I was old enough to learn about the thing I love most….Skateboarding. Thankyou Thrasher and god bless the architects that accidentally made the most overlooked historic spots we know and love

[@RobLarsen]

I'm reminded contextually and in physical characteristics (who knew brick could be that fun) of Boston City Hospital. The extra context is really great in this series.

[@MediocreSpider-Mike]

Woah... The insight, depth and archival footage brought to this video was incredible I'd read articles about the history sure, and seen the skate videos of course, but having them side by side with context makes a world of difference

[@bradyorion]

The importance of this series cannot be overstated. We absolutely love how informative this is in terms of historical architecture blending with landmark moments in skateboarding!

[@coryshaw8873]

Skating in the Vinnie Dead End contests in the 90s was legendary as a young SHUT flow team rider

[@wickedcityrips2409]

I met Harold Hunter at a skate event in Houston almost 20 years ago now. He was the most chill, cool guy. He even brought me and a couple friends into their tour bus, and gave me and my friends brand new zewyork decks. As a kid it was so memorable. I’ll never forget his kindness, RIP HH Legend!

[@TimandVic131]

Fun fact, when the Brooklyn Bridge finally opened in 1883, the bridge walkway saw A LOT of pedestrian traffic. Just six days in, a rumor quickly spread that the new bridge was about to collapse after a woman descending the wooden stairs on the Manhattan side tripped and fell. This caused another woman to scream at the top of her lungs, which caused those nearby to rush towards the scene. The commotion sparked a chain reaction of confusion, and as more and more people panicked and mobbed the narrow staircase, a massive pileup ensued. Thousands were on the promenade, quickly turning the situation deadly, as there was a stampede on the bridge that led to the deaths of 12 people. *Side note: there’s also a “mini Brooklyn Bridge” that connects Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington, Kentucky. When that bridge was built, 17 years before the Brooklyn Bridge, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. It was overtaken by Roebling’s next bridge; the Brooklyn Bridge. The Cincinnati bridge, in many respects, was built to test out the design for the bridge connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn. Great work Ted!!

[@nixnistudio659]

Love you Ted what a found calling. Beautifully executed per usual. The professor of skateboarding.

[@bl00sub]

I am in awe of how eloquently Ted Barrow speaks about this spot.

[@MFSHECKS]

I love this episodes

[@pressureflipin1992]

Absolutely fantastic, again! Best thing thrasher has ever done. I wish this old ledge could last forever but with only so many plazas with ledges left it's going to have to turn into this old gap😅 and I'm down for that!

[@lesterksi4521]

More of these series! Love the historical and cultural stories behind it

[@papaskeeter420]

Im 22 and it was cool to see the style of those guys back in the 90s. Really feel like we are back to the roots as of recently

[@christhomasen7407]

As a 9 yr old i sk8ed everyday there with Mike V , Mike Kepper , Jeff pang , H.H and i will never forget those times !!

[@cheeto4sure]

The nollie varial flip at 5:05 🤩🤩🤩

[@tomf4087]

Cardona bros were great. Rip Mike. I skated Liverpool England whole of 90s. We always related to East Coast skaters. Similarities in many ways between New York. And linked history. Film and TV use Liverpool as stand in for New York. Some buildings in both cities have same stone in buildings, from same quarry. In fact I work in reclamation company and have supplied film industry with all sorts including smashed stone block, for "destroyed buildings" in Liverpool that was supposed to be Gotham, in Batman film, and another film set in New York, but its Liverpool.

[@mikecrook]

I had the pleasure to skate here with Harold, one of the more challenging spots I have skated. Conditioning yourself to the bricks and cracks as they gave so much vibrations to your feet, I remember the first day my feet were on fire just riding the banks for less than an hour.

[@neighborhoodturnt]

“The physical remains of our culture and how radical it is are tied to the bricks in spots like these” that’s truly beautiful these spots are historical landmarks.

[@jdportwerks6795]

Skated this spot in the late 80s with a bunch of friends from sunset park and bayridge area! Watched Steven Cales Ivan Perez Richy Rojas Ryan Hicky all Brooklyn skaters skate the shit out this spot! Such a memorable era the late 80s and 90s here

[@cit1st]

That Thrasher with the pink cover that they feature on this is the first Thrasher I ever got, and I saved it.

[@realspaceratXIII]

i want to skate in new york so bad

[@sealdogg8325]

That's great but you can make something outta nothing anywhere or find the next spot

[@GrammerOfficer]

New York fu**ing sucks don't come here.

[@unknownskater121]

doooooo it

[@mikehemens9359]

No thanks on new york.

[@fuckdavid]

new york spots arent as good as they seem fyi

[@ir4kk]

yo Quim's varial at 5:05 was SICK

[@morganw3251]

Could listen to this dude go on about spots forever 👊

[@DawnPeez]

Good one. Javi, we see you… 💪🏾 Brooklyn Banks. Us SF kids could only dream of this spot back then. Salute to all the skaters that were local to it. 🫡

[@wyatt.little]

really appreciate this smart conversation about skateboarding

[@aaron_siegler]

I‘m definately not good at skateboarding but it’s fun and a part of my life. Back in 2009 I had the chance to skate at the Brooklyn Banks and it was such an amazing feeling. As a guy from Germany it was even better than for the most of you guys because the skate spots here are just crap in comparison to skate spots in the US. A spot like this, known from many great video parts and even videogames is something different. Just remembering that days back in 2009 brings a smile to my face. 😁🙌

[@hunterdavis3003]

INCREDIBLE writing and excellent narration. Please keep up this caliber of reporting Thrasher…remember you ARE the Bible

[@travishickok4660]

I will watch anything that Ted puts out. Golf claps sir

[@glauskoo]

Could watch it all day

[@Maostodon]

Now, that’s a Ted talk 👏👏

[@nollieheel214aim]

Very grateful these were my childhood skate spots, mid 2000s man the banks and OG LES skatepark was it man. So many memories.

[@blatantlocal]

Please protect Ted at all cost

[@bravotipo9037]

this is the best. architecture, history and skateboardin have always been so connected to me. urban space changes around you and if you skate it you see it with different eyes.

[@maxcafe5756]

favourite thrasher feature, ted is a great presenter too

[@alexanderednie1205]

Those shots of Huf got me choked up

[@AnglandAlamehnaSwedish]

Y

[@BurntWifi]

@@AnglandAlamehnaSwedish passed away

[@mattstupid]

beautiful, eleguant, brilliant as always

[@thegourmetfoodi3702]

Well spoken! Great to see home old footage 🔥

[@Rufusdos]

Love this series.

[@NotHereForGold]

This is so sick, keeps these up Gents. Very important and I thank you!

[@bgul4000]

Another great addition to the series. Keep em comin Ted!

[@bovedli]

I skated it in 2004 and 2009 too. It’s surreal. The big banks are way steeper and bigger IRL. Props to anyone doing any trick there basically

[@turtleboypurp]

love this series, thanks for putting these together so the kids know where skate history lies.

[@Cloax]

grab a cafe, a spliff, and tune in time!!! love this section thrasher has been doing lets go!!!

[@magnusm.4437]

Ted reminds me of a history professor I had. Always eloquently weaving architecture and symbol to inform historical perspective.

[@scouthanamura2380]

Please keep posting stuff with Dr Ted, it's my favorite series on the channel

[@Riz2336]

That spot is old school dude. Great to see this series back again, it's dope

[@andrewberg4632]

So great to see the NYC version of this series, keep 'em coming

[@birdman4birdlegs]

This series is so fascinating

[@Zurxcs]

we need more videos like this. This was awesome!

[@georgekatsios_]

Never stop making this series

[@ScamLikely9327]

The best thing thrasher does these days.

[@grandadgator]

I hope they make more videos like this. I love the combination of the history of the urban planning or the city along with the history of skating at that location.

[@5am_mills]

Glad you copped Spencer Fujimoto! He has been such a transparent person and honest these years

[@s_m_north]

Good! A very welcome back to this series. Fantastic work Ted.

[@dominator479]

Love these episodes! Keep em coming!

[@RasKitchen]

So good guys, love the editing and Ted as Host 🙌

[@jonhyz29]

Im one of the gen. Z and i wasn't borned when the story has been wrote. But im huuge fan of the skateboard. the videoparts and videogames like tony hawks just make the hard work for me to reference this spots and what impact they made in skateboard history. And its really fun when you have a tipe of mention because this spots transforms a museum of joy and essences.❤ thanks for excelent job thrasher.

[@christopherash2720]

This is such a phenomenal series. Please keep em coming.

[@snugmode]

you need to keep doing these forever

[@nathanieljohnson2664]

Love these pieces.

[@dushragg101]

Tom Snape switch flip over and into one of those beautiful banks recently was heart warming.

[@sukice]

Thanks for the history Ted!

[@dneck]

thank you for sharing this!

[@robinabrams6056]

Seeing Harold brought me back to Zoo York Tapes on Fuel TV right after the Captain and Casey Show ❤

[@andrewperkins185]

Always love this program 🏆

[@bigwave7207]

Thank you Thrasher 🔥 Loving the skate history.

[@naterkane_also]

I have so many good memories from the brooklyn banks. Thanks for this!

[@dadboard]

I love this series so much ❤ ty Ted

[@EclecticWizard6]

Glad the series is back keep it up!

[@andrethegrail]

Love this segment

[@mrsimo7144]

I love the narration on these videos. Thank you. 🇬🇧🤘

[@jpencz]

Visited NYC for a high school class trip from Toronto in spring 2000 and we ran into Harold Hunter at a skate shop in lower Manhattan and he took us around skating and hung out with us for the day. We skated all over the place, he took us to his place in alphabet city and sold us some of his gear, we took him back to the Marriot in Times Square and had dinner at one of the tourist restaurants and he was hitting on our female classmate as well as a group of older ladies across from us (lol). The craziest part is he took us to the Banks the same day that Brian Wenning was there for the switch 3flip and we got to see it live. I was wearing a red shirt that day and you can see my blurry shirt in the distance after he lands. One of the best memories of skating for me. Thanks Harold, RIP brother. Memories for life.

[@local3433]

Brilliant. Thank you.

[@jimbeam275]

Best series on all of KZbin!!! Thank you

[@madmikejohn]

Excellent piece! BBs still on my bucket list ❤

[@enzofer2125]

This was such an amazing video to watch. Really pulled on some nostalgia.

[@robbery666.]

Fantastic video! One of my favorite things i've seen on this website lately

[@dylives7667]

Loving these much necessary history lessons.

[@BetterSkateThanNever]

another banga! would've been great to see a few more wallrides but of course too many clips to fit in. would be so sick to have companion edits with all the iconic tricks that went down at each featured spot. glad yall included Austyn's ollie & Zered's wallride trick, so buck

[@jakethesk8roberts763]

History lesson kids these episodes we need more 💯

[@mikey10ish]

Yes we need more like this!!

[@scocooper1]

This is an entirely different level of skate nerdery and I'm so fucking here for it. Keep em coming

[@matthewjames206]

It's back! I dig this series 👍👍

[@Hct80]

So good ted

[@RhysticStudies]

really cool ode to the spot. thanks for this.