Steve Rodriguez (skateboarder)

Steve Rodriguez (born 1971) is an American goofy-footed skateboarder, skate company owner, skatepark designer, and community organizer based in New York City.^[1] He is a leader in the effort to restore the iconic New York City skate spot Brooklyn Banks, a place where Rodriguez spent much time skateboarding.^[2] Until it closed for construction in 2010, Rodriguez hosted skate contests at the Banks.^[2]

Steve Rodriguez

Rodriguez at the 2019 Battle at the Beach – Far Rockaway Skatepark, Queens, NY
Personal information
Nationality	American
Born	Steven Rodriguez Sayreville, New Jersey, U.S.
Sport
Country	USA
Sport	Skateboarding

Early life

Raised in Sayreville, New Jersey,^{[citation needed]} Rodriguez discovered skateboarding around 1983 and started skating not long after.^[3] He started skating in New York City as a teen, working for his mom who managed a store in the city. Rodriguez would skate through the city while doing deliveries and running other errands.^[3]

Skateboarding career

In 1996, Rodriguez and a group of NYC skaters founded 5Boro Skateboards.^[4] The original 5Boro squad consisted of Andy Henry, Neil Morgan, Pat Guidotti, Jim Young, JP Lotz, Alex Corporan, Dan Pensyl, Tato Feliciano, Ben Wall, and Jay Hammond.^[4] In 2004, 5Boro collaborated with the Beastie Boys to produce an exclusive co-branded board graphic.^[5]

Skate video appearances

• 1999: Fire It Up – 5boro^[6]
• 2004: Word of Mouth – 5boro^[7]
• 2007: Short Ends – Champman Skateboards^[8]
• 2012: Join, or Die – 5boro^[9]

Skateparks designed or co-designed

• LES Skatepark^[10]
• Golconda Skatepark (Fat Kid)^[11]
• Sgt. William Dougherty Skate Park^[12]
• River Avenue Skate Park^[13]