Penny.

Story: Clyde Singleton

So last night, i was watching that embarrassing ass Rob Dyrdek show, and.. actually.. why did i even mention that? imma keep it trilla, and go on record to say that shows asscheeks. no hate. just being reality.. the reason i can say this openly, is because Rob & I go back like some spinal cords.. which brings me to todays, and what happens to be my first post on the Kr3w site.. See, id spend alot of time between Dyrdeks & Kareem Campbells house. but there was this one trip i’d went down there, with who i still see as not only the best skateboarder. but possibly, the most gifted athlete in the world- Tom Penny.

I’d first met Tom at a contest in Northhampton. i remember being ready to puke before my run and dude walks up and goes, “dude.. how do you do a fakie hardflip..”. First i was like, “dayum!! whas wrong wif’ this n!kka teef’?!!?” Then, we got to shooting the breeze, and he passed his J off and wished me luck. Years later, when he touched down in the states, was when we really started chilling. Day in and out, you could find me, Muska, Angel,Ronnie Creager, and Tom skating or hanging out at either Ronnie, or Angels’ crib.

But there was this one trip, when i think(we smoked ALOT of weed, so excuse my exacts) Tom & I had taken a train down to SD to hang with Dyrdek and the boys. Both Tom and I had no clothes, bag of weed, and about $100 in our pockets. The plan was to go down, get some flicks, and head back in a day, or two. Tom, being the “genius” he was, “remembered” when we arrived- all he had was some Timb’s on. Perfect.
Never the one to miss out a session, Tom joined Elissa Steamer, Dyrdek, Kelly Bird, Tom Drake and my self at the now inf amous ledge Eissa so eloquently body-checked in her debut Toy Machine part.. Tom skates up(joint in hand, Timb’s on his feet..), and starts toying switch crooking that sketchy beast from the flat, and landing about 3 stairs in.. we all had the, “i KNOW this dude aint about to..” look. he keeps toying with it.. and looks at some random kid skating and goes, “hey.. can i borrow your shoes..” i forgot who was shooting, but ive NEVER in my life seen a camera man set-up so quickly.. nevertheless..
Tom puts dudes shoes on his feet, skates back. does a couple flatground tricks. brushes what he deemed a “haircut” out his face, and i swear on everything- this dude switch crooked that sketchy ass ledge, first try.. i, nor anyone with me, had EVER seen something like that in our life.. i dont even think the dude “tried”. he just did it.. rode up. someone elses shoes. sketchiest ledge on the planet, and just did it.. to see it in the Etnies ad, was one thing. but to BE THERE, and SEE it? cmon.. as i said.. this is one of the MANY of stories i could build on about the dude, but that day in itself will always stand out in my memory.. dude was the BEST. and there will never be another. i can proudly say i was a friend of the dudes and watched alot of things people speak about- actually, go down.. so Tom. this post is for you.. fukk a Dj Khaled. you “da Bast!” and Rob.. you gotta do something bout that show, dog.