Photo: Transworld Cover – February 2013
Mike O’Meally

Skater: Emmanuel Guzman
Trick: Ollie
Santa Cruz, California
United States

Footage: Santa Cruz, “A Skater’s Paradise” (2013)

Additional Notes:
Transworld – Behind The Cover: Emmanuel Guzman

Mike O’Meally on the trick, from Transworld’s “Our Favorite Covers Of 2013 And The Stories Behind Them” (2013):
“Eman had his eye on this spot for years, it’s really heavy. Rough, windy, and steep. It was towards the end of last years Skate & Create with Santa Cruz, the spot is located right in the zone in SC. So after a full morning session on a flat bank on the seawall, Eman got his guts together and started sizing it up—there was some silent apprehension from all present, as nobody knew if it was even possible. We were worried he might get hurt, but nobody said anything, he had that eye of the tiger and any good MC knows his limitations. So after a few roll ups to case out the drop, Emmanuel Guzman cracked one and ran out—it looked pretty painful, just the stress on the legs of running down such a steep bank. Then second try it was all in and he hung on for life or death and made the ride away smooth. I was really glad he handled it so quick, it was just one of those big, ugly brutal spots were you were hoping that nothing bad happened, in fact the opposite was true—he made it look easy. One of the gnarliest things I have ever shot.”