Skateboard Magazines 1980–1990
The 1980s were a defining decade for skateboard magazines, with titles launching across the USA, UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil. Vert, street, freestyle and BMX all shared the pages, creating a rich record of global skate culture. This section highlights key magazines from around the world published between 1980 and 1990.
USA
Action Now (USA)
Successor to Skateboarder, covering skateboarding alongside BMX, freestyle and other action sports in the early 80s.
Thrasher (USA)
Iconic core skate magazine known for its raw photography, interviews and “Skate and Destroy” attitude.
Transworld Skateboarding (USA)
Major US magazine offering polished photography, how-tos and worldwide coverage throughout the 1980s.
Poweredge (USA)
A late-80s US mag focusing on street and vert with a strong underground feel and memorable layouts.
Lapper (USA)
Independent US magazine with a more DIY approach, reflecting local scenes and rider-driven content.
Homeboy (USA)
A lifestyle-driven magazine mixing skateboarding with music, fashion and 80s youth culture.
Skateboard (USA)
Another US title from the 80s, documenting the changing terrain from parks to streets.
Eastern Vert (USA)
Magazine focused on the East Coast vert scene, highlighting ramps, contests and regional pros.
UK
Skateboard! (UK)
UK magazine capturing the early 80s transition from parks to street and ramp skating.
BMX Action Bike (UK)
Primarily BMX, but with important coverage of UK skateboarding, ramps and pools during the 80s.
RAD (Read And Destroy) (UK)
Legendary UK magazine documenting skate and BMX with strong photography and scene coverage.
Freestyle BMX (UK)
Freestyle BMX magazine that frequently overlapped with skate culture, ramps and street spots.
Invert (UK)
A UK skate and BMX title with strong vert coverage and scene reports from across Britain.
Skate Action (UK)
Magazine focusing on UK ramps, street spots and contests in the mid-late 80s.
Edge (UK)
UK publication mixing skate, BMX and surf, reflecting the broader action sports scene of the decade.
Skateline (UK)
A more specialist UK title bringing together dedicated skateboard content and scene news.
Skate News (UK)
News-style publication reporting on UK parks, contests and shop updates in the 1980s.
Germany
Monster (DE)
German skateboard magazine featuring European vert and street riders, parks and contests.
Italy
XXX Skateboard Magazine (IT)
Italian skate magazine capturing local scenes and European skate trips in the late 80s.
Skate Magazine (IT)
Another Italian title, documenting ramps, street spots and riders from across Italy.
France
Surface Mag (FR)
French magazine featuring skateboarding among other urban and board sports of the era.
No Way (FR)
French skate title highlighting local riders, spots and the growing European skate scene.
Spain
Skat Power Magazine (ES)
Spanish skateboard magazine with coverage of local parks, contests and European events.
Skate Magazine (ES)
Another Spanish skate title, capturing the emergence of street and vert scenes across Spain.
Australia
Skateboard Australia (AU)
One of Australia’s key skate magazines, covering parks, pools and early street skating.
Skatin' Life (AU)
Australian magazine chronicling local skaters, contests and DIY spots throughout the 80s.
Slam (AU)
Long-running Australian skate mag, with strong photo features and interviews.
Five 40 (AU)
Australian title documenting local parks, ramp scenes and visiting pros.
Speed Wheels (AU)
Magazine linked to Speed Wheels branding, reflecting 80s skate graphics and promotion.
Perfect Transition (AU)
Australian mag focusing on transition skating—ramps, bowls and pools.
Skating Pro (AU)
Publication covering professional-level skating, contests and sponsored riders in Australia.
Wild Times (AU)
A more general action sports title that included Australian skateboarding coverage.
New Zealand
New Zealand Skatin Style (NZ)
New Zealand magazine documenting local skaters, parks and the emerging 80s NZ skate scene.
Brazil
Overall (BR)
Brazilian skate magazine capturing the growth of South American skateboarding in the 1980s.
Skatin' (BR)
Another Brazilian title, with coverage of local riders, contests and street spots.
Yeah! (BR)
Brazilian magazine blending skateboarding with music and youth culture.
Vital Skate (BR)
Brazilian skate publication featuring ramps, street, and the rise of Brazilian pros.