Neil Blender (born 1963) is an American former professional skateboarder, skate company owner, and artist.[1][2] His pro career began during his senior year of high school in 1981.[3][4][5] He is regular-footed. By 1986, Blender invented at least two tricks, the Wooly Mammoth and the Gay Twist.[6][7]

Skateboarding

Early life

Blender skated for Powerflex for three years in his mid-teens.[3] Brad Jackman introduced Blender to Gail Webb, team manager of Powerflex who signed Neil. After Powerflex went out of business, Blender skated a contest at the Big 'O' Skatepark in Orange, placing first. Steve Cathey from the G&S amateur skateboarding team appreciated Blender's skating and signed him to G&S.

In January 1981, Blender appeared on national television on the 'World of People' television program, which featured footage from a skate contest in San Francisco.[3]

Professional career

In 1990 Chris Carter, Mike Hill, and Blender decided to form Alien Workshop, a company based in Dayton, Ohio, at a time when the skateboard industry's core was located in California.[8]

Throughout his career, Blender often made cameos in other companies skate videos. In 2015, Blender was inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame.[9]

In the 30th Anniversary edition of Transworld Skateboarding, published on December 20, 2011, Blender was number 19 of the 30 most influential skaters of all time.[10]

Skate video appearances

Art

In his teenage years, Blender enjoyed drawing cartoons and photography.[3] Blender was one of the first skaters to design his own board graphics.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Neil Blender Interview". TransWorld SKATEboarding. December 21, 1999. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  2. ↑ "Neil Blender - Complete Interview". TRACKER - History of Skateboard Book. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Beyerbach, Chris (February 17, 1981). "Saxon skates towards success". Saxon Shield.
  4. ↑ "Classic Graphics: Neil Blender". thrashermagazine.com. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Neil Blender".
  6. ↑ "Interview: Neil Blender". Society Menace (2): 7–8. 1986 – via Internet Archive.
  7. ↑ "Interview: Neil Blender". Society Menace (2). 1986 – via Internet Archive. Interviewer: Tricks you have invented? Blender: Wolly [sic] Mammoth and Gay Twist.
  8. ↑ "Alien Workshop". TheDarkSlide. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Neil Blender – 2015 – Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum". April 21, 2020.
  10. 1 2 "Best Skateboarders Of All Time". TransWorld SKATEboarding. December 20, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Summer Sessions skate video soundtrack | Skatevideosite". skatevideosite.com. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  12. ↑ "The Vision Pro Skate Escape skate video soundtrack | Skatevideosite". skatevideosite.com. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Thrasher - Savannah Slamma skate video soundtrack | Skatevideosite". skatevideosite.com. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Ohio Skateout skate video soundtrack | Skatevideosite". skatevideosite.com. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Santa Cruz - Speed Freaks skate video soundtrack | Skatevideosite". skatevideosite.com. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Gordon & Smith - Footage skate video soundtrack | Skatevideosite". skatevideosite.com. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
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