The story of skateboarding on Tyneside is being celebrated in a fab new book ‘Those Bloody Kids’, which is being launched at Baltic in September. I believe the word is: rad.

Oh, man! This book is a real doozy! Coming in at 100 full colour pages, it looks at the history of skateboarding on Tyneside from the late 70s skate/surf scene in Whitley Bay through to 2022’s Girl Skate North East. It combines interviews with skaters with an incredible treasure trove of pics – many unearthed from scrap books and photo albums. Local national champions feature – as well as some of the more infamous skating spots – and if you want to know more about Leap of Faith, Pea Town Crew, King of the How Man, Plaza Sessions, then you’re in luck: they’re all covered. The book also details how the scene is thriving today among a new wave of shredders including more women than ever before and LGBTQ+ skaters. The book is being launched at Baltic in September with a free event where you’ll be able to hear from skaters who were there in the 70s, 80s, 90s, and right up to the present day. Jump to it!

‘Those Bloody Kids’ is published by Shred The North, Tyneside’s Skate CIC and Playtoon. Launch event: Saturday 30 September, Baltic, Gateshead, 1-3pm, free. shredthenorth.co.uk