The Hot Skaters for 2010 and beyond

We've already gone through the skaters who came up in 2009. Here's a prediction of what that list will be for 2010. This is the best of the next generation of skaters. Some you know, some you may not, but over the next 12 months you'll see why they made this list.

10. Cory Kennedy: The newest recruit to Girl and Nike. So you already know that those are the two hardest companies to get “on” on, now add in his Battle At The Berrics performance, and you’ve got a next-generation skater who hasn’t yet had a major video part. Whenever it drops, you and I will both go get it.

9. Andrew Langi: He bounced around on flow status for a while, but recently found a home on Flip. This kid can skate everything—streets, parks, vert—and he does it all with a smile.

8. Davis Torgeson: Like Cory Kennedy, we haven’t yet seen a video part from Torgerson, but he’s scheduled for one in the upcoming Real video, so just trust me until then.

7. Ben Hatchell: “That guy” from the Powell video. I think he might be on Zero now. Or Zero flow. And if Zero is indeed putting out a video in 2010, here’s hoping for Hatchell.

6. Tyler Bledsoe and Taylor Bingaman: I’m lumping Taylor and Tyler together—not only because they both had video parts in ’09 (Mindfield and Hesh Law ), not only for the cool alliteration, but they both are scheduled for a Transworld video part in June. Expect covers, interviews, the whole package deal. Bledsoe should probably close out the year as a pro.

5. Wes Kremer. I dare you not to like this kid. For that matter, the SD Trifecta of Wes, Tyler Surrey, and Marius Syvanen are three of the best skaters on the scene, and they’re all gonna be your favorites before the year is up.

4. Luan Oliveira: He’s won Tampa Am twice, and the Damn Am in 2009, and still had time to deliver one of the best parts in Flip’s Extremely Sorry. Pro by the end of 2010, or something’s not right.

3. Jimmy Carlin: Jimbodeeni has been earning himself recognition for a few years now, with his class-clown-meets-Rodney-Mullen personality and repertoire. Inventing flatground tricks is fun to this guy. I think he needs a board with his name on it.

2. Nick Merlino: He could very well be the next Corey Duffel. Came out with a mouth that got him in trouble, Landed on Foundation, top-three’d in a bunch of contests and is about to drop a video part that will leave jaws dropped on the floor. He might not be pro by the end of ’10, but he’s on his way.

1. Gilbert Crockett: It’s my prediction that Gilbert will be pro by the end of 2010. Banger parts in Fallen’s Ride The Sky and Mystery’s Black and White, as well as a homey video or two, and he closed out ’09 with a sponsor overhaul. I think this will be Crockett’s year.


Info provided by FUELtv.com