Sidewalk magazine
Encyclopedia
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
magazine covering skateboarding
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
culture published by Factory Media.
History
Originally known as Sidewalk Surfer at its inception it later changed its name to the current Sidewalk moniker. Sidewalk Surfer replaced R.A.D (Read and Destroy) Magazine as the Britains only skateboarding magazine (at the time).Founded in 1995, Sidewalk Surfer began publishing under Jim Peskett, owner of Permanent Publishing with Ben Powell at the helm as editor. Initially, the publishing and editorial team were all based in Oxford, England, where they worked alongside the editorial teams of sister titles Whitelines Snowboard Magazine
Whitelines
Whitelines is an English language magazine covering snowboarding culture published by Factory Media.-History:Founded in 1995, Whitelines began publishing under Jim Peskett, owner of Permanent Publishing, with former British professional snowboarder Tudor ‘Chod’ Thomas as editor...
and The Surfer's Path
The Surfer's Path
The Surfer's Path is an international surfing magazine which is published every two months. Founded in 1997, the magazine is a bit of an anomaly in the surf-publishing world. Based in the United Kingdom, the Path is low-key and philosophical. From the start, its Caribbean-born editor, Alex...
.
Andy Horsley, Chris Forder, Jon Robson and with Wig Worland as photo editor and chief photographer was the line up at its inception. Wig remained with Sidewalk until 2004 although he is still currently credited as a staff photographer.
Sidewalk Surfer has also featured the photographic work of Bryce Kanights, Richie Hopson, Fred Mortange and Giovanni Reda, and editorial contributions by professional skateboarders such as Geoff Rowley
Geoff Rowley
Geoff Rowley , is a professional skateboarder and co-owner of Flip Skateboards.- Professional Skateboarder :Rowley started skateboarding at age 12 in Liverpool, England...
.
The first issue of Sidewalk Surfer featured a young Tom Penny
Tom Penny
Tom Penny is a professional skateboarder from Dorchester-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England. He is well known in the skateboarding community for his calm style and natural abilities and as a master of frontside flips and many kickflip variations...
on the cover. Sidewalk magazine helped to spawn the careers of characters such is Brian Sumner
Brian Sumner
Brian Sumner is a professional skateboarder for Reliance Skateboards, Truth Soul Armor Clothing, Airspeed skate shoes, Rocket Wheels, Independent Trucks, Ninja Bearings, Furnace skate shop, Project Hardware and Fender Guitars...
, Benny Fairfax, Olly Todd, John Rattray
John Rattray
John Rattray is a Scottish professional skateboarder. Raised in Aberdeen, Rattray initially turned professional for the British company Blueprint Skateboards. In 2001, he signed with American company Zero Skateboards . He has featured in their videos "Dying to Live" and "New Blood"...
, Stuart Graham and more.
The print edition continues to boast a huge market share in the British skateboarding magazine category. Ben Powell (Who contributed to that first issue) now sits as editor and Leo Sharp (who also contributed back then) fills the role of Photo Editor. Kevin Parrott is the assistant editor of Sidewalk.
Early 2005 saw the release of the Globe Shoes
Globe Shoes
Globe International Limited is a global company engaged in the design, marketing and distribution of apparel, footwear and skate hardgoods brands for the action sports and street fashion markets. Globe International products are sold to nearly 100 countries around the world...
"Finale Sidewalk" collaboration shoe.
The magazine moving to Factory Media was part of the merger of three leading specialist sports publishers. Action Sports Media (ASM), Permanent Publishing and 4130 Publishing. Jim Peskett remains as Publisher of the UK board sports arm of Factory.
New Media
The website www.sidewalkmag.com and online content is currently headed by Ryan Gray (Web Editor).Currently there is a huge push with their online position - none more so than with their Mpora site. This is shared between all of the Factory Media magazines and simply described would be the "Action Sports Youtube".
Videos
Sidewalk has to date produced one video.- In Motion (2004) VHS.
Featuring Ben Grove, Franklin Stephens, Paul Silvester, Benny Fairfax.
Appearances by internationals such as Ali Boulala
Ali Boulala
Ali Boulala is a professional skateboarder who rides for Flip Skateboards, Flip Clothing, Independent trucks and Flip wheels...
, Pontus Alv and a veritable "who's who" of British skateboarding.
Benny Fairfax's section was used as his introduction to Jason Lee
Jason Lee (actor)
Jason Michael Lee is an American actor and skateboarder known for his role as the title character on the NBC television series My Name is Earl, his portrayal of Syndrome in the film The Incredibles, his role as Dave Seville in the Alvin and the Chipmunks films, and his work with director Kevin...
and Chris Pastras which ultimately secured his place on the Stereo Sound Agency.