This Old Ledge: Embarcadero

[@chrisball3036]

That was awesome, you need Ted to do this as a series

[@JawnCoaltrain]

I think that’s where this is going tbh

[@Mstrylowski]

Agreed! This was absolutely amazing!

[@Rufusdos]

Really hope they get Ocean Howell to do one. He's a professor of Architectural and Urban History.

[@moonfacesimpleton7326]

Absolutely!

[@linson2010]

Agreed. I visited a few years back and knew there was tons of history there but this helped out so much. Awesome segment.

[@timeslot09]

I was lucky enough to skate there many times during this historical era.

[@scab040]

This needs to become a series. Ted is awesome.

[@candyapu3]

Yes! I’d love to see a tour of what’s left of the Brooklyn Banks

[@nollieheel214aim]

This is dope, getting skate spot history and an architectural history lesson all in one. Make this a series!!

[@YouilAushana]

Refer to 'on video'

[@caseyaylward8853]

Dude The Giving Tree metaphor was sick, it fit perfect

[@RByrne]

That ollie up the steps to manual by Drake Johnson is insane!

[@WorkThrowaway]

If you ever seen the stairs in person it's doubly impressive. He made it look easy.

[@soydave1988]

Soooo crazy haha...and the fact that Tyshawn switch ollied up it, and also 180'd up it before is still insane to me as well

[@emsea42]

This right here! I literally grew up skating Embarco. When we started skating there the main ledge was were Henry did the pop shove crooked grind(I was there the day of the Henry crooked grinding the side of the 7 that ended up being the cover of Thrasher). I met, but was not part of a lot of the EMB crew back then. A very young Lavar, Karl, Mike York, Lee Smith(when he first started skating) were closest to my age. Later rollin with Drake Jones before Real..... Damn, I got so many memories of this spot!!! Even the DIY spot under the freeway that got torn down after the earthquake..... Amazing/crazy memories

[@bradydollarhide2701]

My mom moved to SF from Tulsa OK when I was in jr high. I spent one summer out there between 7th and 8th grade. When I arrived she gave me a BART card and said "...this is your key to the city, you can go anywhere you want, anytime". We were on Chenery in Glen Park. Of course the first place I went was EMB. This was 1988. That whole scene was incredible. I arrived with a busted bonite Cabalerro. Worked for 2 weeks cleaning the neighbors yard so I could upgrade to a Dresssen. Got it from Skates on Haight. I learned kickflips and no complies on that board in EMB. Best summer ever. I never wanted to leave.

[@RubesTune]

I could listen to this guy all day. Series please.

[@elmercyperro]

I have a PhD in architecture and have been a professor for 20 years. You killed it, bud! Great vid!

[@liquidpixel2055]

Nobody asked or cares.

[@CourageOfMyConvictions]

@@liquidpixel205521 people liked it and I thought it was cool for them to mention. Just because no one asks or cares about you, doesn’t mean that’s the case for others.

[@thegrudge]

@@liquidpixel2055 pobrecito, your momma didnt love you

[@aviverde9031]

i have two bikes. one is MtB and the other is BmX. have been riding them for 99 years. oh ye btw nice video!

[@johncitizen8828]

Well, what’s another name for pirate treasure, then? 🤔

[@christophersawyer253]

I went to EMB once in 2014. I was geeking out, looking at everything. Remembering all the tricks that I had saw in the skate videos of my youth that had been etched so deeply into my mind that I can’t even fathom who I would be without those videos and skateboarding. It’s absolutely holy ground for skateboarding. Probably the most influential spot that helped shape some of the great skateboarders of the time. ….and then all of us who witnessed it.

[@antg3550]

I started skating in 6th grade 1999. The internet was becoming mainstream and I'd just sit on AOL and deep dive into skateboarding content and message boards just reading all about the EMB and SF skate history because I lived about an hour away. Always wanted to go but never got the chance. A few years ago I stayed at the Hyatt Regency which is the hotel right above it. At night at went down and just walked around thinking about all the history I read about that went down there. They easily could've turned it into a skate spot sanctuary but just ripped everything out. Such a shame.

[@stevenkiers5533]

Best segment thrashers done

[@paulwillis7404]

Holy shit. This might be the greatest skateboard storytelling piece of all time. Kudos all involved.

[@Sssaaatttuuurrrnnn]

This is an incredible series. I'm not a skater at all, I got recommended this by a comment on Stewart Hicks' recent video on skateboard and architecture. It's really awesome to see how the design of these plazas influenced skating culture to the point of them becoming famous landmarks in the scene. Rattling off references to specific videos by notable skateboarders I've never heard of is particularly striking to me. The reverence given to single tricks done 30 years ago that lasted only a few seconds, how they must have influenced other skaters to try the same, to go to these spots, to design skate parks in homage to these shapes in the concrete. Skateboarding makes you look at and interact with the city around you completely differently and I think that's awesome.

[@Sssaaatttuuurrrnnn]

The way the skateboards literally leave their mark on the bricks and edges!!! Fuck this is so cool. It's like modern archaeology.

[@danieldeville7813]

Never thought i’d tear up on a skate ledge youtube video. But history tradition passion have a big place in my heart. Thank you for that.

[@christophersawyer253]

You should go. It’s unreal the feeling that comes over you at that spot.

[@danieldeville7813]

@@christophersawyer253 so ive always skated but when i turned 18 i was in a band in sf and in 2004-06, emb was an absolute bust and security was everywhere. During my band era i was obviously a lil more focused on music. But later learned about the significance from old punks. Emb has its place amongst many cultural expressions in its time. ive since gone back and skated alot during covid. When pier 7 reopened without skatestoppers i made sure to go there and really take the whole experience in. Surprisingly ive never done union square or china banks. Sf has a special place in my heart for a creative and subcultural era. Because being gay was so taboo, in sf it created a massive counter culture for all and thrived. But it feels like once it was legalized, the whole city just kinda became like alot of other cities culturally. What a time to be alive.

[@mescaliiiiine]

A nice change of pace for Thrasher, make more documentaries of this style please. You have the connections.

[@Pedestrian_accelerator]

Ted’s storytelling skills on top of the old footage and shots was so good. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

[@TheAnimeist]

ThrasherMagazine videos have been on fire lately.

[@Spelonker]

I already love this series. Learning about not just who did what trick and when, but the architecture and city planning backgrounds of spots is gold.

[@viva_la_mort]

Love these videos! The first time I skated Embarcadero, around 88, was a religious experience. So thankful my that my Dad drove us down from Reno.

[@lanceconklin7812]

WOW.... that was great. I had so many good times skateboarding there in the early 90's memories 😊

[@Jen-n]

I love these! I'm so happy that you discuss the history of the architecture, the history of change, when the Embarcadero fountain was erected. I'm from SF and I really miss it. It's fun to see all these great spots. I hope you do more:)

[@cderzzz]

Amazing. I feel like skateboarding history like this isn't all that accessible. I started skating in maybe 2007 but so much of this is new to me and so interesting. Need more of this!

[@MrLTW2009]

You are too late

[@liquidpixel2055]

Hahahahahahahaha isn't accessible?! Imagine growing up with monthly mags and bi-decade videos. Dumbass. Everything is on the web - all those vids, all those mags! You want it presented on a silver platter?! Kook.

[@tmherbamate]

I could listen to Ted Barrow talk about skating all day

[@CairoFoster]

You guys crushed it with this one 👏 @Ted @Brendan @Thrasher

[@gamby16a]

This video should be shown in architecture classes. Absolutely brilliant. The Bullitt bit was mind-blowing 😧

[@realskateboards]

Thank you Ted, this series is off to a great start!

[@tvsavery666]

Real! One of the best teams in skateboarding!

[@SmithsFitness]

I love being educated on these nuances man.... this series rips, thank you Thrasher!!!

[@EricGronneberg]

Love these videos with Ted

[@teapotsinorbit4063]

This is a great video with fascinating history. Architecture and design are supposed to be for the people, and sometimes the people use it in ways not intended and more innovations arise. Well done!

[@MonkeSkateboards]

First time going to EMB was in the summer of 1997 when the edges of the ledges where square. What a great piece of history and Ted Barrow's commentary added an incredible dimension to the whole affair..

[@mattlarsen8585]

I love all of this skate history stuff you’ve been producing lately! The hole of grosso’s love letters still hasn’t been filled.

[@kennybeckwith5089]

Woah! The architect that designed Embarcadero designed some plazas in Portland, OR.

[@hankpank]

Amazing vid! I’m a 43 yo guy who still skating and i can remember every single picture on the video when i originally saw them for the first time on the mag! Please,make this as a serie! Old schools will apreciate it A LOT! Kudos for the thrasher team! 🔥

[@JonasPolsky]

Amazing, ty for this. I visited SF for the first time in 2016 and despite the fact that all the old ledges had been torn down, I was till in awe to visit THE PLACE where skateboarding happened. I went and sat down on the little 3 stair and just basked in all the memories of skating that went down there.

[@SolidTryThough]

This Old Ledge is a hit!

[@Natus_ReBorn]

It’s the proven example that skateboarding can turn places that are like not as ‘decent’ for the public but skating gives it life , entertainment, and writes a story and a history books of how artistically built public places are showcase to another work of art which is skating

[@tom_edge]

Amazing piece, could have been 2 hours long. And this guy did an impeccable job at presenting it

[@thomasrainbow]

Honestly they should do the 2 hour length version for all of them. Too much history not to be covered and shared forever.

[@willkuuskmann8514]

this was great. need more skate history from the perspective of an art history prof ted barrrow. so good

[@crkrcksteady]

Ted needs to do many many more of these videos. I want to get sick of how many he does.

[@DMoney505]

We need more!! The 90’s was the golden era! Watching this takes me back in time, 93’ Til!!!!!!!

[@feral5404]

Ted was the perfect person to break this down

[@TehAwesomer]

Great series.

[@travismoore3146]

Yeah the guy leading this series in on another level of awesome. Love the literature references and how it ties into each spot. Looking forward to more of these. Keep up the great work.

[@jacktolliday1200]

More of this pleaaaase

[@matthewjames206]

I can proudly say that I was able to skate EMB back in the day. It was truly a magical spot. I thoroughly enjoyed this. A great concept. I look forward to seeing future episodes 🤘🤘🍻

[@DyingIinyourarms]

What part of it was your favourite to skate? n what’s your best trick or line you did there? I’m genuinely interested, if you don’t mind answering

[@pressureflipin1992]

I absolutely love this. I love embarcadero and EMB! only the real heads are gonna get that one.

[@aldofierro8783]

awesome and nostalgic !!❤

[@gabozun]

Trasher has been killing it lately! I almost believe it it again more than KZbinrs lol it's crazy how they took over but trasher is making me believe in the mag again.

[@jimmyg7806]

I love seeing the the history of skating etched into the surfaces of spots. Like walking through a city and seeing a waxed curb/ledge or a bondo filled crack. It makes me feel good

[@dabica]

Ted, this was outstanding. Great job to all involved.

[@rickbata]

This was awesome. Perfect length too. Can’t wait to see more.

[@TheHammersmashdave]

this stage in Thrasher: Skate and Destroy for PS1 is incredible. That whole game is incredible, but this is one of the better stages in the game. Please god we need a remaster of that game...

[@booski1865]

Best skating game ever

[@mrblaze6982]

Im from germany but am half american! Family in cali! Ive been to SF a few times! And everytime i go i just chill at emb or pier7 and think about all the stuff that went down there! Even the cardiel gold rail! So dope! So much history! So amazing!

[@MGWorldwide]

I LOVE THIS VIDEO SO MUCH

[@frictiontelevision]

Looks like Lawrence Halprin is pictured standing in front of Lovejoy park in Portland, Oregon… That was our Embarc… in the 89-90s until Burnside was finished…. thank You LHalprin…

[@78pts.of.articulation]

Such an awesome video. Much respect for doing this

[@GeoffSmithSkater]

I like that smart people skate too.

[@NinjaLifestyle]

bro whoever is involved in these videos is doing a fantastic job. the video. the commentary. the story. everything is perfect!

[@DT-471]

This is so sick it’s like a skateboarding archeological site. And we’re visiting it with a skate historian.

[@claytonmarshall1308]

History lessons with Ted needs to be a regular segment

[@non_brewed_condiment]

Dude yes. More Ted. More this.

[@apedog999]

please please let this guy ramble about other spots he cares about. thought I knew quite a bit before this but holy shit so many easter eggs in there

[@charliehobbies]

This is real era street park of skateboarding !!!! Love Embarcadero moment 🤙

[@alexpenman7431]

We need Ted doing more of these!

[@walliegrab9746]

I love Ted Barrow, always loved his feedback_ts account and he was also sort of a "role model" to me in pursuing my passion for Art History which is what I'm studying in University right now, looking forward to more episodes

[@nikokaapa]

This is the type of stuff I was yearning for in 2005. we’re kind of living the dream right now.

[@jasonbowers1085]

Please make these longer. So cool.

[@trevorfletcher1315]

Great format!

[@kevinalamo4250]

This was amazing. I feel like y'all really have something here

[@zoltthebolt217]

incredible editing and insightful, thx man. epic time for sure.

[@EDDIEM0NS00N]

That Thiebaud photo was also the cover of R•A•D Magazine

[@rippendale]

This series is so good its insane. How much research goes into this???

[@batardtrisomique]

The content and speech flow of this dude are absolutely amazing. More please.

[@dannyaglugub1643]

Heck yea...we would take the bus up about an hour to skate it..this was like 87..I remember sometimes the cops would bust it and the best escape route was through the burger King

[@J.L_TheGeneral]

Love hearing about the history of skateboarding culture around the world. More please

[@theodoreliscinski3587]

Ted Barrow: Elder Skatesman.

[@brettwebb5615]

This is such a cool series... that cross-over of creativity between architecture and skateboarding is intertwined to the core.

[@mattimaranda9638]

The history of skateboarding (and its spots) will always amaze me.

[@bb25pegasis]

this "old ledge" series is amazing, more please!

[@soydave1988]

A++ content right here, fantastic watch

[@freshmattic]

I feel stoked and educated. More of this please!

[@darkslide180]

out of all the people who talk about skateboarding teds gotta be top 1

[@drfrankendoodle]

More of this! Love hearing about skateboarding history from those more knowledgeable than me.

[@thedonofthsht76-58]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THESE!!!! MORE SKATE HISTORY PLEASE!! Gonna go skate this spot in Session now 😂

[@allegedartistlessons]

One of the best thrasher segments.

[@dmpsie_]

so happy to have a nice old tale with uncle Ted

[@notmyfaultyo]

Absolutely love this whole video, and Ted's narrative and reflections were captivating af! I'm sure y'all already have much more great content up the sleeve, but it's worth beating the dead horse already and hoping this might be a recurring series moving forward.. Love y'all Thrasher, thanks for continually being such a raw uncut source of dopamine for us over the decades

[@booth403]

I feel like more people need to appreciate that video title 😅 Makes me want to watch this with my 73 year old dad

[@mrcodez]

I could watch hours of these skate history videos. Really amazing to watch. Thank you.

[@mess_noise]

Welcome back memories and XL ..this went well with the morning coffee..

[@bradbradley4625]

this should absolutely be a series!

[@doschainzzz]

More of this please! Ted is the man!

[@draconianTL]

That was a very eloquent closing analogy. Wonderfully articulated history.

[@thenout]

Beautiful story man. Best skate culrure series out there rn

[@ShawnPBruce]

Yeah, I need more of this in my life.

[@edwardedge641]

I agree with everyone else: this needs to be a series!!

[@EliFleming]

Portland, OR skaters will recognize Lovejoy park in the Halpern montage…

[@aj_scoot1682]

Yes make this a series please!!!❤

[@ColossusCo]

We need more of this type of video, its incredibly entertaining and informative