Thrasher Magazine

After the heaviest year on record we're proud to announce our eight finalists for the 2016 Skater of the Year. Check the stats, watch the videos and cast your vote for who YOU think should take the only award that matters. Congrats to all our SOTY contenders! Ain't skating great?

Who are the big dogs picking for SOTY this year? Have a look...

Skateboarding just gets bigger and better every year. Here’s our hot list of 2016 SOTY Contenders. Who’s getting your vote?

Evan Smith took a cosmic approach to creating this new video showcasing the new colorways of his signature shoe.

The man is a monster - there’s really no other way to say it. He makes the impossible not only possible, but often times it seems like he’s just making it up as he goes along. Incredible!

Element's squad is massive and loaded with rippers from all corners of the globe. The team kicks off this vid with a killer montage, and then Evan Smith grabs the reins and rides off into the sunset. He’s seriously one of the most gifted skaters ever, just flowing like water.

The Element team has been going ballistic these last few months in preparation for this promo vid. It’s a heavy one, folks. Premieres here on Friday.

DC shoes and Boulevard skateboards teamed up with LB Skate in Long Beach to throw Tiago Lemos a premiere for his Thrasher part going up this Friday. With Tiago's pop and trick selection, it was a no brainer for all of Cherry Park to come check out the sneak peak. —Ben Karpinski

There’s more to Evan Smith than mind-melting skateboarding. Embark on a journey with him, Chris Blake and their crew through space, time and consciousness. Life’s a trip, dude.