Sunday, February 19, 2023

90's Skate Spot Highlight: Embarcerdero AKA EMB

Ah, Embarcadero - a skateboarding mecca that has played a significant role in the history of skateboarding. Back in the late 1970s, Embarcadero was a hub for street skaters. Located in the heart of San Francisco, the area was full of smooth, flat ledges, banks, and stairs - perfect for skateboarding.

As the popularity of street skateboarding grew, Embarcadero became the go-to spot for skaters from all over the world. The scene was so intense that it even inspired a documentary called "Street Skating in San Francisco," which documented the skateboarding culture in Embarcadero.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Embarcadero was the center of street skating. Skaters such as Mark Gonzales, Tommy Guerrero, and Mike Carroll were among the first to skate there, and they set the tone for the style of skating that would become synonymous with Embarcadero.

The famous "EMB" spot, as it was commonly called, was known for its legendary three-stair set. Skaters would spend hours trying to land tricks down those stairs, and the spot became a testing ground for many of the skate industry's most influential products.

Embarcadero also played host to many skate contests and demos, including the 1991 "Wheels of Fire" contest, which featured some of the biggest names in skateboarding at the time.

Unfortunately, in 1995, the city of San Francisco decided to demolish much of the area, including the iconic three-stair set, to make way for the development of the Ferry Building. This marked the end of an era for skateboarding in Embarcadero.

However, the impact that Embarcadero had on skateboarding culture lives on. The style of street skating that emerged from Embarcadero continues to influence skaters around the world to this day. It's hard to imagine what skateboarding would be like without the influence of Embarcadero, but one thing's for sure - the scene would not be what it is today without the legacy of this legendary spot. 

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