Lance Mountain
Encyclopedia
Robert Lance Mountain was one of the more popular skateboarders throughout much of the 1980s, and one of the five most legendary members of the Bones Brigade, as featured in the 1987 classic The Search For Animal Chin
(Bones Brigade Video Three).
Mountain was born in Pasadena
, California
. When contests were the main judge of status in the skateboarding world, Mountain was a top competitor during street skating's first phase, but he specialized at riding vert (on ramps and in pools), where he also regularly placed in the top five. Mountain was first sponsored by Variflex in 1981 before joining Powell Peralta
a year later, where he formed a strong friendship with Stacy Peralta
, the team leader and director of the Bones Brigade video series.
Mountain gained further eminence when he won the Upland Turkey Shoot at Upland Skatepark in 1983, against tough competition from fellow team riders Steve Caballero
, Mike McGill
and Tony Hawk
. This was followed by Mountain acting as the backdrop of skateboarding's first, full length company video, The Bones Brigade Video Show, from 1984. In it, Mountain serves as the segue for all the vert and freestyle parts as he skateboards around Los Angeles, showcasing street skating in its infancy as a legitimate discipline.
In the early 90's, the skateboard industry went through a major shift as street skating overtook vertical skateboarding as the dominant discipline, and the popularity of the Bones Brigade faltered as the next wave of skaters made a name for themselves. He left Powell Peralta and started his own skateboard company, "The Firm" in 1991 with notable skateboarders including Bob Burnquist, Ray Barbee
, and Rodrigo Teixeira. On March 13, 2006, Lance Mountain announced the end of The Firm. He is now riding for Flip Skateboards
, in addition to Independent Trucks, and Stüssy
clothing. On May 7, 2007, Nike SB announced the addition of Mountain to their team.
He is also one of the pros featured in Tony Hawk's Proving Ground
, which also marks his first appearance in the Tony Hawk series.
Mountain is often cited as one of the inventors of the fingerboards
, back in the late 70's, fashioning out of cardboard, pencil erasers, and a disassembled Hot Wheels
toy. It was featured in an article in Transworld Skateboarding Magazine as well as in the Powell Peralta video, Future Primitive
. It was created as a fun do-it-yourself project, using kitchen sinks to emulate pool riding. It has since evolved into a major toy category selling multiple millions of units, most prominently under the Tech Deck brand. He was the co-designer of the Independent Stage V truck, along with Steve Caballero. He is also the co-inventor of the Gay Twist, along with Neil Blender.
He was a stunt camera man in the film Lords of Dogtown
.
Mountain is a Christian
. He is married to Yvette Loveless and has one son, Lance Ronald Cyril Mountain.
The Search for Animal Chin
The Search for Animal Chin is a 1987 skateboarding film featuring the Bones Brigade. It is one of the first skateboarding films to have a "plot".- Cast :Bones Brigade:*Tony Hawk - Himself*Steve Caballero - Himself*Mike McGill - Himself...
(Bones Brigade Video Three).
Mountain was born in Pasadena
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. When contests were the main judge of status in the skateboarding world, Mountain was a top competitor during street skating's first phase, but he specialized at riding vert (on ramps and in pools), where he also regularly placed in the top five. Mountain was first sponsored by Variflex in 1981 before joining Powell Peralta
Powell Peralta
Powell Peralta is an American skateboard company founded by George Powell and Stacy Peralta in 1978. The company rose to prominence in the 1980s as skateboarding began maturing as a sport. The company featured the Bones Brigade, a team of the era's top competitors...
a year later, where he formed a strong friendship with Stacy Peralta
Stacy Peralta
Stacy Peralta is an American director and entrepreneur. Peralta was previously a professional skateboarder and surfer with the professional skateboarding group, the Z-Boys.-Early life:...
, the team leader and director of the Bones Brigade video series.
Mountain gained further eminence when he won the Upland Turkey Shoot at Upland Skatepark in 1983, against tough competition from fellow team riders Steve Caballero
Steve Caballero
Steve Caballero is a professional skateboarder and musician. Steve was born in the year of the dragon, and has had several board graphics that feature dragons. He was born with scoliosis.-Life and career:...
, Mike McGill
Mike McGill
Mike McGill is an American skateboarder. He is best known for inventing the McTwist, an inverted 540 degree mute grabbed aerial which he first performed on a wooden half-pipe in Sweden in 1984 and then at the Del Mar Skate Ranch in a concrete bowl when he returned to the US. He was inspired by...
and Tony Hawk
Tony Hawk
Anthony Frank "Tony" Hawk , nicknamed "The Birdman" is an American retired professional skateboarder and actor. Hawk gained significant fame for completing the first 900 as well as his licensed video game titles distributed by Activision...
. This was followed by Mountain acting as the backdrop of skateboarding's first, full length company video, The Bones Brigade Video Show, from 1984. In it, Mountain serves as the segue for all the vert and freestyle parts as he skateboards around Los Angeles, showcasing street skating in its infancy as a legitimate discipline.
In the early 90's, the skateboard industry went through a major shift as street skating overtook vertical skateboarding as the dominant discipline, and the popularity of the Bones Brigade faltered as the next wave of skaters made a name for themselves. He left Powell Peralta and started his own skateboard company, "The Firm" in 1991 with notable skateboarders including Bob Burnquist, Ray Barbee
Ray Barbee
Ray Barbee is an American skateboarder from San Jose, California. He was one of the first skateboarders to bring freestyle/flatland tricks to street, technical ollie combinations and numerous no comply variations....
, and Rodrigo Teixeira. On March 13, 2006, Lance Mountain announced the end of The Firm. He is now riding for Flip Skateboards
Flip Skateboards
Flip Skateboards is a US-based international skateboard company, owned by Jeremy Fox, Ian Deacon, and Geoff Rowley. The company produces skateboard decks, wheels, and clothing. Flip is distributed by NHS Distribution in the US.- History :...
, in addition to Independent Trucks, and Stüssy
Stussy
Stussy, or Stüssy , is a clothing brand and private company started in the early 1980s by Shawn Stussy. The company is one of many that benefited from the surfwear trend originating in Orange County, California, United States but has largely been adopted by the streetwear and hip-hop...
clothing. On May 7, 2007, Nike SB announced the addition of Mountain to their team.
He is also one of the pros featured in Tony Hawk's Proving Ground
Tony Hawk's Proving Ground
Tony Hawk's Proving Ground is a video game developed by Neversoft for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 video game consoles; by Page 44 Studios for the PlayStation 2 and Wii; and by Vicarious Visions for the Nintendo DS...
, which also marks his first appearance in the Tony Hawk series.
Mountain is often cited as one of the inventors of the fingerboards
Fingerboard (skateboard)
A fingerboard is a working replica of a skateboard that a person "rides" by replicating skateboarding maneuvers with their hand. It can also be referred to as a finger skate board or even a Tech Deck. The device itself is a scaled-down skateboard complete with moving wheels, graphics and trucks...
, back in the late 70's, fashioning out of cardboard, pencil erasers, and a disassembled Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels is a brand of die cast toy car, introduced by American toymaker Mattel in 1968. It was the primary competitor of Matchbox until 1996, when Mattel acquired rights to the Matchbox brand from Tyco.-Models:...
toy. It was featured in an article in Transworld Skateboarding Magazine as well as in the Powell Peralta video, Future Primitive
Future Primitive
Future Primitive may refer to:* Future Primitive , from Southern California* Future Primitive and Other Essays, a collection of essays by anarchist John Zerzan...
. It was created as a fun do-it-yourself project, using kitchen sinks to emulate pool riding. It has since evolved into a major toy category selling multiple millions of units, most prominently under the Tech Deck brand. He was the co-designer of the Independent Stage V truck, along with Steve Caballero. He is also the co-inventor of the Gay Twist, along with Neil Blender.
He was a stunt camera man in the film Lords of Dogtown
Lords of Dogtown
Lords of Dogtown is a 2005 biographical film directed by Catherine Hardwicke, written by Stacy Peralta. The film is based on the story of "The Z-Boys", an influential group of skateboarders who revolutionized the sport...
.
Mountain is a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
. He is married to Yvette Loveless and has one son, Lance Ronald Cyril Mountain.