This Van Wastell Backside Tailslide Compilation (1998-2008) Is Pure Nostalgic Gold

Originally posted on TransWorld SKATEboarding
By Brian Blakely | Last updated Sep 18, 2025 4:03 PM ET

For those who know, Van Wastell was truly one of a kind, and this new edit (I'm pretty sure his brother made it) spanning 1998 to 2008 is pure gold for the skate nerds and Van fans who still hold on to his hype.

The best part? It’s a decade’s worth of backside tailslides (with a few tasteful variations), and while that might sound oddly specific, watching Van string them together across different spots and different eras reminds us why he’ll always be remembered as one of skateboarding’s true originals. Plus, who doesn't love a good BSTS? Dive in:

Again, it goes without saying, but Van was super original and always had a way of making everything look awesome. And it was during a time when nobody was really doing stuff like he did, you know? I won’t say the stuff he was doing was simple by any means, but it was a perfect example of less is more in such an impactful way. Keep your laser flips and your technical wizardry! This is what I want.

While I didn’t know Van personally, he still impacted my life the same way he did countless others, through his skating and his clear positivity. He always seemed to be smiling and having a good time—truly enjoying himself—and that’s how he’ll always be remembered as far as I’m concerned.

I'm stoked this edit exists, to say the least. We miss you, Van!

This article first appeared on TransWorld Skateboarding and was syndicated with permission.

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