I saw a link on Quartersnacks today that took me back. I remember seeing these two little kids skating in New York around 1993. They were twins from Jersey, and I’m not sure if I first saw them skate the Banks or if it was at this contest in Staten Island when I very first started filming.

All I remember from that contest was KRS-One’s “Return of the Boom Bap” had just come out so the DJ played “I Can’t Wake Up” over and over again, Frank Gerwer broke his board during the contest and had to skate a new board with no griptape in the finals, Mike Cardona wore his hat cocked to the side, and Quim Cardona had this loose original style, so unlike anyone I had seen before.

I’m pretty sure Quim won that contest and I started filming with the twins every time I saw them around after that. The very first opener I ever had in 411 (issue #8) was a trick of Quim’s;

Nollie inward heel over the Banks wall opener

When 411 asked me to start working on articles instead of just sending them random tricks, the first thing I started to put together was Mike and Quim’s “Wheels” (though it could also have been Bobby Puleo’s, I’m not sure which really came first). Watching it today is pretty insane, first of all the filming is craze, but I’m struck by how proper Quim caught his flip tricks and how ill Mike’s style was. Their skating complemented each other, Quim being goofy and Mike regular. I think this was all filmed in three or four days around the Banks and their home in New Jersey and the interview was filmed in their bedroom with Teddy Powell. I can’t believe it was 16 years ago.

Mike and Quim “Wheels of Fortune”

Rest in peace Mike…