RAY MEYER Talkin' Freestyle Skateboarding and Growing up in

In this deeply nostalgic episode of Talkin' Schmidt, host Schmitty sits down with legendary San Francisco freestyle skater Ray Meyer at the historic shipyards—the birthplace of Thrasher Magazine and the epicenter of early West Coast skate culture. The conversation traces Ray’s journey from his 1961 birth in San Francisco to his formative years skating the city’s infamous hills, his early days at Cal Precision and the emergence of the Kermdals crew, and his groundbreaking role as the only person to have a signature freestyle board for Santa Cruz Skateboards. Ray recounts the raw, unfiltered energy of the 70s and 80s skate scene—freestyle contests, backyard ramps, the rise of independent trucks, and the cultural significance of places like Golden Gate Park and the shipyards. He reflects on the camaraderie, the risks, and the sheer joy of skating in a time when everything felt new and revolutionary. The episode also touches on Ray’s personal life, his family, his son’s tattoo tribute, and his enduring love for Rush, the Giants, and the city that shaped him. The emotional core lies in the reverence for San Francisco’s skate legacy and the quiet pride of being a part of something that changed the world, even if no one knew it at the time.