Neil Blender (born 1963) is an American former professional skateboarder, skate company owner, and artist.[1][2] His pro career began during his senior year of high school in 1981.[3][4][5] He is regular-footed. By 1986, Blender invented at least two tricks, the Wooly Mammoth and the Gay Twist.[6][7]
Blender skated for Powerflex for three years in his mid-teens.[3] Brad Jackman introduced Blender to Gail Webb, team manager of Powerflex who signed Neil. After Powerflex went out of business, Blender skated a contest at the Big 'O' Skatepark in Orange, placing first. Steve Cathey from the G&S amateur skateboarding team appreciated Blender's skating and signed him to G&S.[citation needed]
In January 1981, Blender appeared on national television on the 'World of People' television program, which featured footage from a skate contest in San Francisco.[3]
In 1990 Chris Carter, Mike Hill, and Blender decided to form Alien Workshop, a company based in Dayton, Ohio, at a time when the skateboard industry's core was located in California.[8]
Throughout his career, Blender often made cameos in other companies skate videos. In 2015, Blender was inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame.[9]
In the 30th Anniversary edition of Transworld Skateboarding, published on December 20, 2011, Blender was number 19 of the 30 most influential skaters of all time.[10]
In his teenage years, Blender enjoyed drawing cartoons and photography.[3] Blender was one of the first skaters to design his own board graphics.[10]