Time Machine: Natas Kaupas

Natas Kaupas
Born 1969
He is a semi-retired American professional skateboarder. He grew up in South Santa Monica, California in the area known as Dogtown and is of Lithuanian descent. He attended Santa Monica High School. He is often referred to as one of the first true professional street skateboarders.


In 1983 Kaupas won a local Santa Monica surfing contest and received a Santa Monica Airlines(SMA)skateboard as a first place prize

By the mid 1980s Kaupas had discovered riding walls where he would throw his skateboard up on a wall and ride off of it. He then perfected this trick by just riding up the side of walls without using his hands. In 1984 Thrasher Magazine photographer and skating commentator Craig Stecyk took a photo of Kaupas riding off a wall. The members of Thrasher Magazine were so impressed by Kaupas the photo made the cover of the magazine in September 1984.


While at a pro-am skate contest held in Oceanside, California Kaupas stunned the crowd by attempting a board slide down a handrail. Although his attempt was unsuccessful, skating history was made. This was followed up when Kaupas and Gonzales performed what is considered the first legitimate rail slide and later with 50-50 grinds.






Streets of Fire: 1989




Santa Cruz "A Reason for Living": 1990