Hi-Fi New York

Some thoughts on Marc Johnson being named the ‘07 SotY …

- I’m a huge MJ fan, but doesn’t this feel a little bit like a lifetime achievement award? Just a little bit? That’s going to come across as hating, but it isn’t. As amazing as MJ is, I don’t think anyone would say he’s peaking right now, and I just think that there are guys who are more on top of their games right now is all. There, I said it.

- Is there a chance that MJ won it based on getting the closing part in “Fully Flared”? The video just came out, after all, and I’m sure everyone over at Thrasher HQ is still buzzing about it, especially if it’s even one-tenth as good as everyone says it is. But does a video part warrant a SotY?

- Tons of commenters on Thrasher are calling for Dan Drehobl to win it. Now you won’t catch a bigger Cancer Dan fan than yours truly. To me, he’s the one skater I enjoy watching more than any other, hands-down (with Chet Childress in second place). But, I think Drehobl’s overall appeal is a little too limited. To me, diehards know him, but beyond that, there should be an element to the award that speaks to the skater’s overall popularity. And I think that’s where Drehobl would come up short.

- So who would I have picked for SotY 2007? Dennis Busenitz, that’s who. Kid’s on top of his game, he’s extremely relevant in skateboarding in general, and he embodies what the award stands for. Or at least what I thought it stands for; when it comes down to it, I have pretty much no idea what I’m talking about. My opinion is as supremely amateur as that Sean Malto character.

(Photo Tailtap: dgkdipset)

Oh, and for posterity’s sake, here’s a year-by-year look at the SotYs …
1990 - Tony Hawk
1991 - Danny Way
1992 - John Cardiel
1993 - Salman Agah
1994 - Mike Carroll
1995 - Chris Senn
1996 - Eric Koston
1997 - Bob Burnquist
1998 - Andrew Reynolds
1999 - Brian Anderson
2000 - Geoff Rowley
2001 - Arto Saari
2002 - Tony Trujillo
2003 - Mark Appleyard
2004 - Danny Way (only person to win it twice)
2005 - Chris Cole
2006 - Daewon Song
2007 - Marc Johnson

Independent put up the Intro and Part One of their Northwest Tour video recap. It features Darren Navarrette, Chet Childress, Matt Mumford, Omar Hassan, Sammy Baca, Al Partanen, Dan Drehobl, Peter Hewitt, Andrew Currie killing some ‘crete in the cool and rainy part of the country. At least do yourself a favor and watch the intro. It’s disturbingly inspiring.

I could watch Dennis Busenitz skate a mini-ramp all day. Honestly, all day. Twenty-four hours. Wouldn’t poop or anything. I’d just sit on the platform and watch.

• GOODS: Holiday shopping? Limited edition Dennis Busenitz adidas!
• GOODS: Not feeling the Busenitz kicks? Limited edition Gonz adidas!
• GOODS: Spend your hard-earned scrilla at Caliskatz and get a free Strange Notes “Tastes Like Awesome” DVD. Sorry, forgot the exclamation point!
• NEWS: Girl Skateboards? Nah. Skateboards for girls. Evidently, gals don’t need that pesky seventh ply. At least Cool Girls don’t.