Natas Kaupas Bio Pt 4

[EricRusselHodgson]

i remember unlocking his character back in tonyhawks underground when i had a nintendo gamecube! i fucking went apeshit just finding out he was that awesome of a skater you had to unlock the bastard fromhis digital cage! natas has changed skating so much and i think that him and rodney are the two greatest skaters of all time.

[PGHSK8R]

I got a Natas deck around 88, it had the best kick tail ever. I wish I still had it.

[etnie1031]

Im in seventh grade so I had NO IDEA about this stuff... it feels good, kinda like listening to big L and classic hip hop

[socksprod]

I started skateboarding when I was 6 that was 1983,skateboarding is my life and love ,I can t describe with words how I feel about it,I stopped competing at 28 ,now I just ride sometimes,broke my ankles bad,thats it for me no more flying,I enjoy running again,Have Fun, don t over do it .

[jagonation]

the real word in all this is PURE

[allisonmodelone]

I was at that demo where he hit that box that the kids held up in NY. It was huge that day. Its cool seeing this video and stumbling across this unexpectedly.

[islandsidetv]

Thanks for that, really enjoyed it - must speak to Mark about it next time he is back in NZ

[MarkHarrellJr]

He's always smiling, always happy...even his normal conversational voice has an undercurrent of laughter in it, like he's always on the verge of busting up. I love his personality, he seems like a way cool dude. I certainly looked up to him back in the day. We all day dreamed about being able to ollie like Natas. But man, I had no clue what major force he was in so many other ways, this was an informative documentary.

[sneakerthekid]

Guys like Natas and The Gonz made it acceptable for skaters to be individuals and have a freedom of style and look. I thank the maker every day that i was able to come up in a time where these great skaters were on top of there game and industry, and still are. TO ALL THE YOUNG SKATERS, do your homework, learn about these guys and this era of skateboarding, as it was the one that changed the game forever. Trust me, it was a great time to be a skater.

[jackasscrew7]

im proud to be one of the new comers to skating (im only fourteen) and still know why im riding a board and where it came from gonz and natas are beast thumbs up if you agree

[bizzmarky76]

my heroes don't appear on a postage stamp.

[dbspaceoditty]

@bizzmarky76 one day the hawk man will be on a stamp.

[coolmadness200]

@dbspaceoditty he was on one a year or 2 ago

[dbspaceoditty]

@coolmadness200 didnt know the day had already come. now he gets to sit in glass cases with monroe the king and JFK

[motherfucker21fith]

I remember when I first started skating my local heroes who I idolized, idolized Natas.

This one dude named Guido ( I don't even know his real name) was the local ripper who coulda been sponsored but didn't really give a shit about all that rode nothing but Natas boards and OJ II's.

No idea where I'm going with all this, just thought it relevant being as I kept thinking about that while watching this bio.

[marvinshenk]

Natas was the illest street sk8er, and every pic I saw of him inspired me to go do that! He and Gonz were definitely the pioneers of what could be done on the street on a sk8board. Without them, sk8ing is set back ten years from where it is now. I was lucky enough to sk8 with Gonz in 2000 in San Fran one night, and it will always be one of my favorite memories. I remember I was doing switch k-flips every time, and he couldn't pull one, but he was stoked on the ones I pulled. So awesome.

[Dshowcat]

what is that song that starts on 2:55. i have also heard it from Motorola phones

[thecoolconcern]

Well done and a great bio. He and Gonz were my skateboard heros!

[jernamdoeekandafog]

Giggity

[elgab123]

3:36 sick lol

[stoplying]

A man who truly deserves to have a bio movie made about him. Thanks for posting this, it was great.

[SummertmeBrews]

Natas is so sincere and positive.....like how element said it, as long as you exsist, it doesnt matter if he still skates today or never, the point is you stepped on one a long timeago and changd the sport. what an honor

[vertsk8n]

i've always admired natas's skating, but never knew how laidback and chill a guy he is until this video...

[lucard001]

that was AWESOME! NATAS is forever! thanks for posting.

[speier]

why does mark gonzales always have to wear his fucking pants on his head?

[bamberwales]

Because he is Mark Gonzales and because you and I will never be Mark Gonzales or Natas Kaupus or Jay Adams or Christian Hosoi or good at anything really. He could wrap his T-shirt round his c**k or shove it up his a** for all I care. He'd still be Mark Gonzales - and that is surely enough in this world to do whatever the f**k you want in my book.

[southboundtraveler]

respect

[bamberwales]

I had the extreme good fortune to spend a couple of weeks hanging out with Natas and Jessie Martinez on their European tour in 1989? The things I saw Natas do in the early hours of the morning in Lacanau Ocean on that trip stay with me to this day. I beheld things that are not rightly possible that night. Natas defined a skate ethic that remains and endures, but in my judgement his ability will never be surpassed.

[montysurfs]

wicked

[6383830]

i thank this man every day of my life!

[benjie414]

i want a "jared from subway" board

[timslucky]

HA...thats hilarious

[faxxo1972]

..I had one your board ! ..for me Natas....you are the best !

[COroom156]

thats the best video I've seen in a long time wow!!!!!! *****

[pointblank4]

whats sad is so many young and up and comers, have no clue who Natas, Gonz, and many other pioneers are...and how they shaped street skating into what it is now. My generation has done a poor job of passing down skate history to the next generation.

[nicksnicknet]

@pointblank4 thank goodness for utube then ay ;)

especailly because all my old VHS have huge lines through the middle o them line Video Days, Animal Chin, etc... Wheels of fire.... damn!!

[panamanubian]

@pointblank4 That is because we are graduating from law school, and concentrating on how to be the next big shot, hahahaha I remenber those days I miss them, magazine pages on my bedroom ceiling, hahaha, nice.

[dude19288]

@pointblank4 Agreed, Whenever I tell people which skateboarders I like, they're like "oh.....ok?". They don't understand that skateboarding is supposed to be like this.....fun.

[THIl2D3Y3]

@pointblank4

I would agree that skate history doesn't get passed down to a lot of new skaters, but I wouldn't say that the current generation has done a poor job because new skaters are not always in contact with people who know the history, they just get started because they see friends or other people doing it.

It would be somewhat unrealistic to expect all new skaters to learn the history due to the fact that new skaters aren't learning skateboarding from the same or similar sources.

[frog606]

Legend, plain and simple. An artist in all senses of the word.

[everready59]

amazing. just fuckin'amazing--I don't think people got the full impact of what he was trying to do.

[davidsosebee]

wow thx for putting this on

[toymach2000]

When I was in grade 6, I was able to own a Natas Kaupas deck..As i Remember a Black Panther graphics on it..

NATAS is skateboarding!

[RUSSTRADAMUS]

@toymach2000

me 2 but 4th grade I think

[REGANKING78]

WHAT A TRUE LEGEND... thanks Natas, keep tha stoke going.

[newnum2]

I might go gay for Natas.  but not the butt.

[FaraohTony]

no fuckin way

[Henkster33]

Natas is one of a kind! thanks for the inspiration when i started back in 87!

[2541steve]

hes easily the best in my opinion

[chiznarlie]

Does anyone know why the Gonz wears that shirt on his head? BTW I never knew the extent of Natas' contributions..... amazing

[rucatrupa]

he prbably wears that shirt on his head becase he's got wild style. I think its looks sick!

[HExtab13]

NNThats not a T-shirt.........

[REVERENDJOSHGODDERS]

@chiznarlie its the gonz. no one knows anything a about what he does. thats why we love him!

[dbspaceoditty]

@chiznarlie when you have long hair it keeps it out of your face, also, it actually cools your head off. like those people who live in the desert, the head goes too the shirt instead of your head. also the gonz is just fucking weird.

take a look at flip sorry(the original) at bastien salabanzi(SP?) he rocked it also, keeps your head cool, keeps sweat out of your eyes.

i do that a lot in the summer. also, it helps with balance and wind. it works kind of like a wind sock in high winds

[PeterGratrex]

@chiznarlie Because he's a crazy motherfucker!

[Pighaterskater]

@chiznarlie Its comfortable.

[havaphit]

@chiznarlie its not a shirt its a pair of sweat pants

[nivag2508]

Hey thanks for upping this.

I remember seeing the first Natas video part and was like WTF?

Pity I sucked at skating, but the guy is still an inspiration.

Cheers

[megamarkd]

Thank You for this!

Natas was one of the biggest influences on my skateboarding. I learned to wall ride and slappie because of him, and am still doing them.

[seze1]

The image of him ollieing onto that picnic table has been burned in my mind since about '86.....love that guy.

[srarcade]

Amazing story and true inspiration for any skater looking to build a successful career from a passion. I never knew the entire Quicksilver branding change was based on his designs! I can't even begin to think how long I tried to learn the fire hydrant trick, I eventually gave up and just said the dude was superhuman. What a legend!

[yuckityuck]

hopefully a lot of people see this

[stripjay]

Thanks much for posting this.

[MattTheGonzGonzalez]

just imagine what the skate industry would be like if natas stayed away from those corporations of quicksilver and element!?!

yeah... he's helped and is helping (somewhat)...

but those corporations are limiting his creativity.

it's so lame

[kevvymetal666]

QFT

[DeanStealth]

My hero since 1987. Bless ya!

[sanchex378]

natas is a true legend. i don't care how much heat i take for it, but about a year ago my buddy managed a skate shop and they got a few decks from designarium, which is a company natas may still be working with, but anyways i skated both of the boards they got that were old school shapes, but still are perfect for skating. the decks alone were $100 bucks, but the shop tanked so i got them for half off. to start off as pieces of art, i think they are more priceless now that they've been skated

[MuhammadBlowupijad]

Wow I had never heard of this guy before watching this bio. I didn't know that all these tricks came from him, awesome.

[travisbrooks]

that was amazing. thanks for explaining where his name came from - i all ways wondered about that. dude ... thank god for youtube. and thank god for southern california. and thank god for RIP CITY SKATES ! it's great to hear that NATAS is still a healthy and successful individual. may he all ways remain so .... thanks NATAS !

[themccshizzler55]

Hero.

[mehugtree]

natas has been inspiring me since at least 88. rock on..

[cashmoneymarvelous]

Excellent! Natas and Gonz practically started street skating as we know it. There would be no Koston et al without them. I'm sure he'd be the first to say it, despite being one of the roolas of the day.

[pauliewalnuts0101]

I think it's cool that he found a career in being a graphic artist after his injury. The man is and always has been talented in the art department. I was influenced so much by Natas when I skated and seeing all the old skate movies makes me wanna get a board again. I show the clips of Natas, Gonz, Frankie hill, Hensley, Vallely, to my kids now and they are blown away. My respect to this man for the roads he paved!!!!! Good job Natas hey hey really good job man!!!!!! Thank you!

[sk8punk720]

one of my fav boards back in the day. SMA natas. he ripped so hard his whole career and i thought that was it when he was not around anymore. man i had no clue all he did for sk8ing and then some. quicksilver? the current logo font? wtf? oh and inventing handrails? man i thought the wallrides, and 5050 to switch 5050 and the dumpster was enuff back in the 80's. just think about that - inventing sliding handrails. how many boardsports fabricate handrails these days. natas rips.

[FFsilje]

wait why did he say nothing on this video(i asked coz some friend said that he died)

[FFsilje]

what did natas die of?

[kaleidoscope74]

He is still living! A living legend!!

[1mantle]

That was awesome . You rock NATAS !

[dumfaggot12345]

he created street skating

[KurtSam143]

so... he created natas spin n etnies n quicksilver?????? i wasnt paying attention xD

[TheTruthishere2stay]

yea

[KurtSam143]

so... he created natas spin n etnies n quicksilver?????? i wasnt paying attention xD

[jimmerz1975]

I love skateboarding:-)

[cremefresche]

where can you get a copy of this doc.? Is it available in Skate shops? They need to do a doc. on Mark Gonzales also! :)

[trajhver2]

we love you natas

[sloanliv]

Bona Fide Official. Thanks.

[MeuchteFoese]

How can u not give this biography 5 stars???

6/5 from me

[imthesportsagent]

natas is a favorite in my books forever

[robbass89]

gr8 stuff

[MP78213]

Same thing with taking me back to being a kid...I remember the best board I had was a Natas 32 inch black.

[poonseeka]

man, this takes me back .

[10elbow]

man i have never left a response on a vid before but this was truely an insight and an inspiration ... my first board was an eric nash .. sims i believe no skatin anymore but street track bikes make eight dayz sound fuckin great!

[dootiefree]

Thanks for uploading all of this!

[bigstefan]

thank you so much for posting this! it takes me back to some creative times.

[csedition]

Natas. Gonz. Mullen. Hawk. The only four skaters that will ever really matter. Everyone else has just been a footnote. Great video, thanks for posting.

[kneckzor]

dont forget danny way. he was as much or might even more influencial as hawk. but you are right though. they are kings

[csedition]

Danny Way is to vert (and Hawk) as Pat Duffy / Chris Cole are to street (Natas/Gonz). They took things to a different level, but really didn't add to, or change, the foundation that was laid by their predecessors. Danny Way, no doubt, is one of the best skaters that ever lived. That said, he is a tecnichian. Hawk was the creator.

[ZXEN1]

thats a bold statement.

[bob3g]

yes, they are some of the true true pioneers/inovators of modern day skateboarding... but Henry Sanchez, Mike Carroll and Guy Mariano created all the super tech tricks from 1989-1992 that you see people doing now in many different variations.

[somegeek]

Dope upload. Thanks. My fist board was a Natas back in 89. ;-)

[Koldunas3000]

yeah now i am a bit proud that I am livin in lithuania8)

[aseptic404]

awesome video, awesome story, awesome skate legend.

[unknownskater121]

du got the full vid on google like u did with the rodney mullen bio?

[mattlisner]

This video helped me get over the 4 day depression I have been suffering from after watching the Gator doc, "Stoked" . Yikes, it's like the yin to the yang.

[chriseller96]

good job bro, Him mullen alva they are all pioneers when it comes to skating.

[kickflipking06]

wow man ima go out n skate but everytime i ollie or everytime i grind ima remeber why thank u natas for makin street skatin wat it is

[hillbomber69]

I am a speedboarder, boardwalk boarder, any type of longboarding i do it. I can say from a different view that he is the best skater to walk on this earth. With out him street skating would be a thing in the past.

[asshole10000]

wow. im 14, im a skater girl, that doc was really cool. i wasnt alive then but he looks like a wicked legend!!!

[chudx]

Thanks for posting this. I still have 3 of my old Natas boards. Always my favorite.

[jimdeadly]

Thanks for posting this. Natas is the man.

[BrassilSavage]

Natas is legend for sure. I miss seeing that guy rip.

[MethodBoi]

Thank you for Street skating. When I was little, I didn't have access to a vert ramp but I has access to a curb.

[fatkokk]

wicked doc,

i too am another late eighties skate boffin, and i too remember how Natas set the standards for the highest ollie's and how we'd fo around saying:"yeah natas could ollie that anytime" ,,, and shite like that.

Natas, Mullen, Caballero, Guerrero, kendall... and soo many more...

[fatkokk]

wicked doc,

i too am another late eighties skate boffin, and i too remember how Natas set the standards for the highest ollie's and how we'd fo around saying:"yeah natas could ollie that anytime" ,,, and shite like that.

Natas, Mullen, Caballero, Guerrero, kendall... and soo many more...

[burningbushmen]

yeah, this made my day for sure. i guess it's coincidence to find this. i miss the skating days, even though i sucked....i was too young to care and had so much fun. bill danforth, mike smith and claus grabke visited my town and my mom ended up driving them around!!!! those were the days!!!!

[ManbehindTheBud]

Superb doc! Brought back a lot of great sk8 memories!

My first years in skating were focused around Wheels of fire and streets on fire and the first pair of Etnies i got was Natas's Sig shoes..

Thanks for the upload!

[digsdarklighter]

Good lookin on the upload man..Never knew this existed..Brings back mad memories..One of a kind Natas is ..

[Ceguinho]

respect kaupas ...nice doc guys thnks for posting

[standardgrey]

sooooooooooo inspiring, as a (former) skater and current photographer and design student...lucky bastard.

[theymademedoit00]

i have to say i have never seen this doc before,and it totally rocked!!!!what a legend!! i always wondered what happened to him ?im stoked to fuck that it all worked out--brought back so many memories of how me and my mates could be entertained in a multi storey carpark for hours on end by a couple of milk crates and a waxed curb!!!thanks shit loads for posting this

[iliikkapoeka]

Thank you for upload!

this documentary was awesome <3

[jimboya]

great documentary...

I had pictures of Natas all over my wall when I was a kid.

[petrius666petrius]

GOD SKATER!YE FROM LITTHUANIA,KAUNAS,

[mervinnn]

Awesome Video. Natas is a true original. Thanks for posting!

[SalesDudeMcBoob]

I rode my purple Natas board till it looked like a chewed up piece of bark.