2025 Florida Skateboard Hall of Fame Inductees

 Rip set the World Skateboard High Jump Record at 4’11” in February 1977 at the age of 15.  Rip set the record at the Paved Wave Skatepark in Pensacola FL (witnessed, measured and verified by Paved Wave Officials) In 1978, Rip jumped heights exceeding 5’. Rip was undefeated in all Regional Freestyle Competitions from 1976-1978.  Including several in Pensacola, Gulf Shores and Birmingham AL. Rip invented the Stack Board Nose Wheelie Samoan, also known as the “Rip Stack”.Rip was compensated to Perform Skateboard Demonstrations at the Grand Opening of the Paradise Skate Park in Panama City, FL.  The Panama City News Herald photographed Rip jumping the Grand Opening Ribbon, held by the owner of Paradise and the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce. Rip finished 2nd in a summer long Speed Bowl Series at the Paved Wave in Pensacola, FL.  This Series drew skaters from three states. 

 Tim was one of the most determined skaters in the Pinellas scene and entered every contest he could as an unsponsored / independent skateboarder including the Sarasota Surfer Dome,Rolling Waves, Rainbow Wave and first Fun and Sun contest. In the Sarasota Surfer Dome contest, he won his 13-14 division in the slalom event held at the Van Wezel Hall in their parking lot. His results caught the eye of Muriel Yantiss, who managed the Clearwater Skatepark Team, and Tim was invited to a tryout for the Team. He continued to enter local contests as a CSP Team member, including the Pinellas Skatepark Series and the Fun and Sun events in 1979, and even entered the Clearwater Pro Event as a 16 year old. He skated the park a lot with Todd Webb and Brent Rademaker, who were in the same competition age group. His skateboarding continued to progress and evolve along with the sport, and he built a half pipe in his backyard. At the direction of Muriel, Brent drove Jim Goodrich over to shoot photos of his ramp, and a photo of him ripping that ramp was published in Skateboarder Magazine, which was the ultimate honor at that time. Tim went on to be an incredible photographer documenting skateboarding, and the death metal music scene that exploded in Tampa in 80s. He continued to skate the backyard ramps throughout Florida throughout the 80s and 90s, and he still can run some cones with the boys when we all get together for some slalom fun and reminiscing about the Clearwater Skatepark days.

 Started skating in 1986. Skated in the FASL series. In 1993 he got sponsored by New Deal skateboards. In 1995 he was approached by Bill Weiss to turn pro for Balance skateboards. He also worked for 411 Video Magazine and had a profile in an issue of the video, and also had the cover and interview in Big Brother magazine in 1999 . In 2001 Matt moved over to DNA skateboards and Axion shoes. Around this time he got involved with World Cup Skateboarding as a judge and has judged contests at SPoT, the Phoenix Am and all over the world. In 2021 and 2024 Matt was the head judge for skateboarding at the Olympics. He is currently a brand manager for Adidas Skateboarding.  

 Dave is from Deland, Florida. He was first sponsored by H-Street and later switched to Dave Andrecht's 777. Steve Douglas offered him a spot on the team at the New Deal in 1993. He had a part in 1994's Children of the Sun video. As the New Deal was phased out, Dave moved over to Element. He left them for Media in 1997. Etnies and Duffs gave him some shoes over the years.  

 Neal Mims grew up in Jacksonville FL, looking up to Caine Gayle. Bob Reeves hooked him up with his first sponsor Airbourne/Zorlac when he was 12. He became a professional skateboarder at the age of 17 when he began riding for World Industries. Since then, he has been featured in a variety of magazines from Thrasher to Transworld. He has also filmed several video parts. He also skated for Platinum Skateboards, Finesse and Deca Skateboards. He started the Neal Mims skate Academy,  where he teaches and shares his experience with inspiring kids. He is also a coach/mentor for some team USA Olympic skaters.