This Old Ledge: Pyramid Ledges

Some surfaces and settings are seemingly built for skateboarding, inspiring decades of innovation. In our third NYC installment, Ted details the appeal and surprising history of the Pyramid Ledges.
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[@howiespancakeshack]

Can't get enough of these.

[@JoHnAnDjAnEdOe81]

These are awesome!!!!

[@marvj8255]

Yes you can

[@ryguy5929]

Sick history, sick skateboarding. I feel ya homie

[@carolynberge2919]

I am living for these videos

[@pierrepodevyn8149]

fr

[@Spelonker]

Never stop making this series.

[@ellis7622]

Anything about the history of skateboarding is always great.

[@RealSkateStories]

💯

[@WHDRWN]

Nazis gave us the first footage of a skateboard with a kick tail being ridden for fun

[@ellis7622]

@@WHDRWN I’m pretty sure this isn’t true but I’m gonna go do some research just to be positive.

[@natethegreatakavoice3031]

Shout out to M. Paul Friedburg for unintentionally designing two historical skate spots! 💯

[@jgyekis]

"Skaters and Plaza Designers: Unwitting Co-creators of Urban Cultural Heritage", all revealed in this month's episode of This Old Ledge.

[@sandhanitizer15]

Paulyyy boyyy

[@skynoceros_]

Ted Barrow should do all these segments from this point. That attention to architectural detail, for skate spots, is invaluable. Priceless. My fav episode thus far. GGs.

[@vealchop2490]

Rodney's front blunt to kickflip 180 out is soooooo criminally underrated. He was years ahead of everyone in nyc in the late 90s.

[@homiescopies]

for real ! rockin osiris the storm gear, Rodney ripped !

[@EllWood847]

I'm fully engrossed, listening to a man wax poetic about urban architecture and bricks and shit. This guy's pretty good

[@JohnBoondock]

These and My War are the best content Thrasher puts out

[@matrixhasyou13]

True. Good call.

[@notoriousvic]

I’m gonna skateline but yeah, this is good shit!

[@MikeIuraduri]

big facts

[@LowEndMarauder]

@@notoriousvic He said best not worst

[@notoriousvic]

@@LowEndMarauder Oh my mistake 🙄

[@yung_sippy]

These vids are the best thing on Thrasher rn. Educational entertainment, can't beat it

[@BurntWifi]

Another Ted masterclass

[@praktiz7490]

I watch these series because of Ted Barrow, this guy has done his research or just knows his history and explains things so well, like that one cool teacher in school.

[@ConcreteWave98]

Great episode! I can't wait for more. One extra interesting tidbit about these plazas is that they really blur the lines between what we think of as private and public space. As Ted points out, the administrator of the building has a say over how to enforce behaviors in this seemingly public space. The austerity measures of the 80s and 90s resulted in a lack of public funding for public plazas so the city turned to developers to provide public space. While New York started this trend, it has been adopted in cities around the world, including SF. The SF parklet program, for exmaple, can be seen as a small-scale version: private companies such as cafes fund, build, and maintain public space. However, when we hand over the provision and maintenance of public space to private companies, we also tend to hand over the enforcement of the space to these same organizations. These organizations tend to not only enforce laws but enforce norms. Skating in their eyes often clashes with their norms. This is one of the reasons why skaters have so much trouble with security skating what first appears as public space -- skaters are one of the only groups actively or subconsciously contesting this grey area. Make public space public again!!!

[@spuckett2489]

This is one of the best comments I've EVER read on here.

[@vancouverbill]

I think this is a big reason why Europe has less of a problem with street skating, because less of it's cities have been privatized. I agree though 💯, people should be free to enjoy themselves, socialize, play or just chill without being in a private space where you are expected to pay or aren't welcome such as a mall or the parklets you describe

[@ConcreteWave98]

​@@vancouverbill You're absolutely right about cities in Europe. I live in the Netherlands and while there is little privately-owned "public" space, the societal norms are a lot more homogenous. The Dutch are notorious for saying 'just be normal, you're crazy enough already' and I think skating in public space still clashes with this norm. So instead of approaching the issue in terms of space ownership, the city I live in decided to classify skating in public space as a 'nuisance'. The nuisance stuff is another whole grey area/can of worms but it's really interesting how different legal systems and cultures try to regulate these activities in different ways. As my reply to the other comment said, I highly recommend looking into the researchers that are studying this phenomenon. Cheers!

[@kidsnas504]

THIS IS THE BEST SERIES THRASHER HAS DONE, EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW THE HISTORY OF THE SPORT THEY LOVE

[@jdtp95.]

This architect guy is cooking with these series

[@sebastianmayer8271]

big props to Ted Barrow....narrated super interesting

[@dadboard]

10/10 series. Never disappoints. Thank you, Ted & Thrasher for these.

[@leafystreet]

this series is my favorite. gets me hyped and relaxed at the same time

[@hsoj95]

Cranking these out

[@paddywalsh3162]

Dr Ted is so on point here - flawless commentary

[@kikoplaysgames]

Im ready for the next episode!!!!!!! Im ready for the next 20 seasons of This Old Ledge! Damn these are some interesting and extremely captivating videos!

[@erikarcher1869]

Love this series! Pedro's gap to back 50 with that spiked fence behind him is bonkers.

[@danielwellner7004]

FNG. BONKERS.

[@seansmith9903]

Kalis' ender might be my personal favorite. Have a special memory attached to it too, I bought my copy of Mind Field at Autumn Skateshop. When I went to pick up my copy Strobeck was in there holding court and talking about filming that trick when it was playing on the shop's tv.

[@kgregg06]

this series is some of the best skate history content out there. I love the way its presented and the amount of architectural history and skate history that's discussed. i could watch these endlessly. i hope there are many more to come!

[@andrethegrail]

Best segment

[@williamblackburn2917]

This is SUCH a great series

[@christopherash2720]

Another spectacular entry. Well done Ted.

[@the6ig6adwolf]

This Old Ledge Vancouver? We got some iconic spots up here.

[@GettingHyphy]

Begs the question of where, in fact, will they spotlight next??

[@BrangeBurger]

Please don't ever stop doing these videos.

[@LavelWashington]

Series is tough! Do this in every city that has a scene. Even after all major ones. It’s just as good to see popular spots in zones we don’t know about! St. Cloud, MN.. cough cough. Thanks thrasher!

[@dabica]

Unreal. Ted somehow gets better and better with every episode.

[@nicholasblackmar7559]

I could watch these all day - keep them coming 👍

[@sirKonradical]

Seeing those ledges, instantly takes me back to the 90s again

[@chapter2unit4]

This was so good, Ted fits like a glove

[@billysmith7990]

please never stop making these videos! It makes me feel so connected to skateboarding knowing a good amount of tricks that went down here. Its crazy how intimidating this place really is, its hard to tell online but even in my prime of skateboarding i was scared to pull something off here.

[@nickinportland]

Architecture, history, skating. What more could you want! This is such a dope series.

[@eletor]

Thanks Ted

[@rajs4719]

Rad to watch an episode with people skating the spot at the same time

[@RGTSK8KREW]

Best series

[@jacobcrabtree1857]

Every time I watch one of these I learn at least one new word.

[@AlleyIsDriving]

Love these videos explaining the architecture 🛹🏛️

[@timmytom6764]

Love how this counts as homework for my urban planning degree

[@BeardedDante]

Get Ted to teach a class on architecture and skateboarding

[@erstwhilerambler]

This is such a thoughtful, intelligent, and well-researched piece of architectural anthropology. Kudos to the folks who put this (and the rest of the series) together. 👏🏻 Really a testament to the entire skateboarding community.

[@jo18533]

This series is incredible.

[@willflint5014]

Thrasher and Jenkem (they did a similar series first) are two of my favorite mags just because of series like these.

[@OneHundredPercent-100]

👍🏽👍🏽

[@benmcreynolds8581]

I appreciate creative, thoughtful architecture. I really wish our modern era would bring back that pride & attitude towards how they want to build & impact their surroundings. It feels like such a forgotten art

[@hugolegge6532]

This is such a great series. Keep em coming

[@brendankearney9615]

These are really great. Like architecture digest meets thrasher

[@BHERMGCODE]

This is my favorite one yet! Ted is the man!

[@cameronsk838]

Ted really outdid himself with this episode. Well spoken, well done! 👏🎬

[@kevinlorenz6178]

I got so hyped when this popped up In my recommendations. This series is dope

[@michaelwaxer2541]

Easily the best series of skate content this decade. Keep ‘em comin guys!

[@bradydollarhide2701]

This is the best new content Thrasher is offering. Been following Ted since the feedback days on IG. Love all the history.

[@maxmameli]

Brian Brown, what else?! I love this serie, insights like these elevates knowledge and I could not be happier about it

[@beatgod9582]

I can’t get enough of these videos please keep making more thank you Thrasher.

[@AlexLopez-ph8dd]

loving this series! more pleaseeee

[@bashdjs]

These episodes are so well put together. Keep it up thank you

[@dinosertovic]

probably one of the best skateboarding videos that are being produced in these new times when skateboarding is boring and doesn't feel even close to what it used to in the 90s and early 2000s.. watching any of the episodes instantly brings back nostalgia and ted barrow just kills it with all these elaborated information... i'm fucking loving it. please don't stop. "this old ledge" from my perspective very much resembles "on videos" in the 2000s (thank you kirk dianda forever and ever). still the best skate videos ever produced and there will never be anything like that. but this series definitely evoke those same good feelings that on videos sparked back in the day..

[@shanesparks9888]

Best series ever, thank you and more please!

[@scottportner4587]

We need so many more of these. Very well done.

[@ferdo666]

I love this series. Keep them coming!

best series on Thrasher. Thank you !

[@AstronoizeOfficial]

Absolutely loving this series!

[@feral5404]

love this series so much

[@kimpohhh]

Love this series

[@chapmanskateboards7492]

So well done again and rad to see SKATEBOARDING’s history getting shared so well

[@danielwellner7004]

Is there anything better than this series? No, no there isn't. Ted Barrow is the fng man along with all the producers and crew

[@32srt32]

favorite series this old ledge!

[@davidvanvliet193]

Gino's skatepark..? Gino's skate-part! !

[@mattimaranda9638]

But nuh nuh nuh nuhhhh.... or however the song starts...

[@davidvanvliet193]

@@mattimaranda9638 Publicity instrumental.GZA The Genius. Beneath the surface.

[@konradmaerzluft985]

Gino’s line is legendary.

[@JosephACampbellJr]

Mike Hyped at the End for Jamirs clip was everything

[@ANGELES1616]

That bs bigspin/bs tailslide sequence shot and clip at the end are magical Tiagos switch version was textbook too! timeless tricks

[@homiescopies]

Tiagos é incrível !

[@bler1890]

Incredible level of detail in this. Love it!

[@lesterksi4521]

Loved this series!

[@SawDawify]

This series is amazing!

[@nickneumannsf]

Best series if found in a loooong time.

[@libtech98]

I love this series

[@recession81]

Love you Ted you're the man

[@killacam2644]

Thank you so much Ted.

[@alanalso]

Always look forward to these and they always deliver.

[@local3433]

Man, I love this series.

[@danielleklinko7366]

We love these educational videos!!!! Please keep them coming 🙏🙏🙏

[@briandaly501]

Great series keep em coming!

[@gabehinterman9142]

Probably the best skate series yall have done

[@FlutterMike]

This series is awesome!

[@nero16ify]

keep em coming please 🙌

[@matthewjames206]

Another fantastic episode. Always a pleasure 👏👏🍻

[@manuga360]

Master class, thanks Thrasher!!

[@daenysskates]

Born n raised on Long Island, I loved growing up watching NYC videos alll the time. I’ll never forget the first time one of my friends took me out there for skate day in like 2018. Im 24 now and all I do now is take the LIRR to go explore and skate these spots. ❤

[@eljermo]

I've always loved seeing new moves go down at that spot. Kickflip back noseblunt is da bomb

[@jaypeters7810]

These are fascinating, great job Ted

[@carlosiespinozab]

This has been the most eloquent skate video I've ever seen in my life.

[@akselolsson7576]

Thank you for doing this!🙏 Also last clip💥💥💥👌👌👌

[@AngryChineseWoman]

MORE PLEASE, MORE

[@iamnotanumber100]

Love this series 👏👏👏👏

[@novas_hijinxs4588]

So glad you added that Pedro gap to grind, was waiting for it to pop up haha, keep these coming!!

[@TuesdaysTurn]

Another amazing old ledge video!!

[@armchair_contrarian]

I love this series...

[@Dechral]

favorite thrasher series

[@antlr_dst]

Excellent as usual