SKATEDAILY.net – Skateboarding's #1 Online News Source

It comes with great sadness for us to report that the East Coast ripper JR Neves had passed away yesterday. Our condolences go out to his family and friends and to many of those who shared a skate tour or session with him.

Virtually unknown, but not for much longer, Ben Fisher is the newest recruit at The Berrics. It’s time to recognize this young gun’s ill skills.

Thrasher’s “Back to the Berg” took another page into skateboarding’s collective history this afternoon. Amongst the sea of familiar faces on the scene, several unknown young guns showed up to prove their skill and some busted big and some got shut down (for whatever reason), but in the end the banner name pros and ams dished out one hell of a spectacle. Getting buck for the gals, Marissa Del Santos rolled close to a dozen ollie attempts, but couldn’t quite pull it. Without a doubt, Chris Cole rolled away with the heaviest of stunts during the 60 minute jam to include a backside 360 (on his second try) and backed it up with a switch frontside kickflip moments later. Damn!
Have a look at Thrasher’s highlight reel and check back often for more footage to follow. Of course photos and video will stream out elsewhere across the interweb in the days and weeks to follow as well. Sad but true, the Wallenberg era is a done deal.
Tricks that went down in order:
Chris Cole – Backside 360 (second try)
Lizard King – Backside 180 one foot
Nick Merlino – Switch heelflip
Lindsey Robertson – Backside heelflip
Lizard King – Airwalk (No grabs allowed?), ollie onto last stair
Jordan Hoffart – Varial heelflip (hand drag, caught last step)
Cody McEntire – Backside big spin
Chris Cole – Switch frontside kickflip
Andrew Pott – Hardflip

Not able to witness the action first-hand with Thrasher’s much-hyped “Back to The Berg” showdown today? Well, you don’t have to completely miss out. Slap Magazine has arranged to set up a live webcast video where you can watch and hear the repetitive attempts and successful stunts from the roll-in ramp. The action begins at 11am PST. Tune in and trip out.

No longer on flow status, Sacto’s Matt Miller and the Inland Empire’s Marquise Henry have officially linked up with DC’s Am team. Have a look at the power duo’s “Welcome, Homies” clip and expect full parts from each of them with the brand’s first-ever full-length Am video due to drop later this year. Speaking of “Welcome To The Team” videos, Organika’s Zach Lyons is featured in one right here as a reminder to us all that he’s tuned in to roll and get busy with HiFi wheels from this point forward.

The new Krooked summer catalog is up, running and filled with videos including Gonz, Mic-E, Luke Croker, Mike Anderson and others. Plus, check out the latest goods and what not. You’ll be glad you did.

Head over to the Element site and check out the trailer for ‘Make It Count’ which is a full-length feature that, according to the site “showcases Element’s defining moments and will delve into it’s compelling story. From it’s humble beginnings, to a forward thinking global brand.” Woah.
Plus, the film will be available for free on the Element website on August 1st. Interesting concept.

Blitz Distribution has announced its new license partnership with Momentum Wheel Co. today. Blitz will now be responsible for all international and U.S. distribution for the wheel brand while Ultimate Skateboard Distribution continues to hold down the business in Canada.
Momentum is part owned by pro skater, Rick McCrank and ex-Bones Brigade pro, Kevin Harris, who also owns Ultimate Skateboard Distribution in Richmond, B.C.
Momentum Wheel Co, based out of Metro Vancouver, B.C., Canada, recently celebrated ten years of producing top quality urethane. Its team currently consists of pros Rick McCrank, Brandon Biebel, Chris Haslam, Corey Sheppard, Toeda Yoshiaki and Jose Rojo along with an am team with Mike Barker, Magnus Hanson, Travis Stenger, Morgan Smith and Nate Lacoste.

The Real team is going to be at Val Surf in Valencia, CA on Saturday, June 13th
from 1pm -2:30pm for a signing and demo to follow immediately at the new Santa Clarita skatepark. Kids have a chance to be interviewed for the next LOST DAYS episode! Special guest appearances by the Nike SB team too.