Berkeley Skatepark to Re-Open

After weeks of necessary repairs and improvements, Berkeley’s public skatepark has planned a re-opening event on Saturday, June 14th. The day will be filled with live music, a Best Trick event and plenty of skating of course.

Damn Am Live Webcast from Minneapolis

In case you’re stuck indoors and looking for something to do with your time tomorrow, log on to Skateboard.com at 10am PST/1pm EST and you can watch the live webcast of the Damn Am Finals and Best Trick competition. Who’s gonna come out on top? Well, you’ll just have to watch, wait, and see won’t you?

Chocolate Cinema Presents Easy Steady

Skate Fairy isn’t the type of site that updates every day…but when they do post new content, we pay attention. The latest offering is a video short entitled Easy Steady featuring the Chocolate team. We find it inspiring to see new ideas take shape and filming go in new directions. Watch, take it all in and then check out the behind the scenes photos. Then go skate.

One Of The Fittest Guys in America

“I skate a lot with my shirt off, so working out has always been important to me.”

Can you guess which skater spoke to Men’s Fitness Magazine about the importance of fitness in skateboarding? The answer here. Damn! We were guessing Hosoi circa 1987 or Grosso. (Stolen directly from Crailtap, we just couldn’t resist. Thanks guys.)

Brian Patch’s Day In Court

Yesterday in a Orange County court room Brian Patch pleaded not guilty to charges that he had sex with a 15-year-old girl who had run away from home. Read the details here. Currently Patch is out on $45,000 bail and is set for a July 24 pretrial hearing.

In a related OC Register story Patch tells his side of the story, and says the truth will come out. Patch is accused of letting the 15-year-old sleep at his house and having sex with her in his room on April 11, 2008, prosecutors said.

Girl Presents Yanks On Planks

In case you slept on it, this new Girl video presentation is mandatory viewing. We could list all the stars of this thing, but why bother. You need to watch. Click over to their site and check it out. You can also download this sucker as a Podcast and take it on the go.

Capaldi, Olson and Malto Officially Girl Pros

Well, now it’s official. Girl Skateboard Company has welcomed Mike Mo Capaldi, Alex Olson, and Sean Malto to the pro ranks. Check out the press release here. Hate to say we told ya’ so.

Come & Get Some in Wilmington

Ever heard of the Wilmington Skate Project? If not, check out this info. Importantly, this coming Friday, June 6th a benefit art show is being organized to generate funds towards the skate plaza effort in Wilmington, Delaware. Get on out and show your support!

Tim Brauch Always Remember Jam

If you are anywhere near Sunnyvale California this Saturday June 7th be sure and hit up the Always Remember Jam honoring Tim Brauch. Now in it’s ninth year it’s happening from 12 - 4. Never forget. To learn more about Tim, visit his website.

Those Damn Ams Hit the Midwest

This weekend’s Damn Am at Minneapolis’ 3rd Lair skatepark kicks off with a couple of skate related events with local skateshops, Cal Surf sponsored by DC and Familia in associated with Krooked, beginning tomorrow evening. An art show/party featuring the works of Jimbo Phillps will serve the crowds well on Saturday night.

Back to the Banks 2008

Back to the Banks is coming at you again in this summer! Brought to you by Steve Rodriguez and 5boro, along with Emerica and Volcom and Skateboarder Magazine. Saturday, August 16th is the date. Mark it on your calendar and be there!

Team Rider Developments

No official press release in our Inbox, but word on the street has confirmed that Sean Malto is deservedly the newest pro on Girl. No word yet as to the status with its two remaining super ams Mike Mo and Alex Olson. After a decade long relationship, Element has parted ways with Tosh Townend. He is now a free agent ready to pursue endorsements with board, shoe and apparel brands as they arise.

UPDATE: Girl’s super ams Mike Mo Capaldi and Alex Olson also have been bumped up to the professional ranks with ads appearing in the newest issue of Thrasher. Notably, this news marks the first time ever that a professional skateboarder has succeeded his father’s pro skateboarding career. Congrats Alex! And Mike and Sean too. We look forward to lots of great skateboarding from you guys in the years ahead.

Analog Reveals Skate Footage from Japan and Greece

Analog’s “Japan and Greece Tour 2007” is now available to view and download over at the Anolog site. Navigate to the Skate video section to peep the original footage, outtakes, and more from Analog’s entire skate team including: Arto Saari, Dylan Rieder, Omar Salazar, Stefan Janoski, Brian Sumner, and Jon Goemann.

Board Rescue to Serve Underpriviledged Youth

Northern California Skateboarders Gary Holl, Judi Oyama, and Andrew Huberman have created the Board Rescue organization to provide skateboards and safety equipment to kids in need. Initial donations have come from Santa Cruz Skateboards and NHS Distribution. “Skateboarding is a lifestyle,” said Bob Denike, president of NHS-Inc and life-long skateboarder, “NHS and our family of companies are proud to sponsor Board Rescue’s effort to get safe, solid equipment into the hands of deserving kids.”

Among the organization’s first donations, the YMCA of San Francisco, has been the recipient of skateboards from Board Rescue. We are going to rely on organizations like the YMCA to provide the equipment to children that really need it , said Judi Oyama, VP of Board Rescue. “With the donation of skateboards we received from Board Rescue, we are able to provide kids who may not have had a chance to skateboard with the opportunity to experience many of the great things this sport has to offer”, said Crissie Ponciano, Richmond District FLEX Skate Program, YMCA of San Francisco.

In addition to donating skateboarding equipment, Board Rescue members reach out to local city and school organizations to encourage both skateboarding and skateboarding safety. Of course, all sports have inherent risks , said Andrew Huberman, PhD and Secretary/Treasurer of Board Rescue. Understanding how to skateboard and use safety equipment correctly improves kids chances of having a fun and not getting injured. Bottom line is that every kid should get an equal chance to get involved in skateboarding. Board Rescue s goal is to make sure they get that chance.

Element Rolls through Europe with “Our Mountain” Art Tour

Element in association with Sixpack France presents “Our Mountain,” a traveling art experience featuring new works and outer spaces by Steven Harrington, also featuring Justin Krietemeyer. Follow “Our Mountain” from start to finish on the frequently updated blog.

Locations
Paris - Thursday, June 5th 2008 at The Lazy Dog Gallery

Berlin - Saturday, June 7th 2008 at the Lodown ‘West Berlin’ Gallery

Milan - Tuesday, June 10th 2008 at the Nana store

Barcelona - Thursday, June 12th 2008 at Galarie Montana

Burnside Skaters Recognized in Web Documentary

Take a break from your busy day and spend the next 6.5 minutes to absorb this inspirational documentary on Portland’s worldwide renowned Burnside skatepark with two of its originators Kent Dahlgren and Sage Bolyard, local businesswoman Joanne Ferrero, and Bud Clark, Portland’s Mayor at the time of Burnside’s inception. This insightful piece serves as a positive resource of DIY information. Gone are the days to just sit and complain about your local skate scene…get out there and do something about it and make it thrive. As Sage says… get on with the “Full-tilt boogie!”

“Gotta Teach Him to Grind.”

We’d like to wholeheartedly congratulate Independent Truck Co’s Brand Manager Keith Wilson and his lovely wife Jen on the recent arrival of their new baby boy, Clive Robert Wilson. He was born during the evening of May 30, 2008.

Skate Rocking with Jello

OG Skaterockists Los Olvidados and Drunk Injuns are gearing up to scorch some chords and entertain party goers at Jello Biafra’s 50th Birthday party on Monday, June 16th at SF’s Great American Music Hall. Jello is going to hit the stage to celebrate with the Melvins as well.

Skateboarding 10-Year Winner in U.S. Sports Participation Growth

Among sports and recreation activities that grew more than 15% the past 10 years, skateboarding led the way with a 74.1% growth, according to the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA). Full article here.

Woah. So is this a good thing or bad thing? Talk amongst yourselves. Oh, and the ‘sport’ with the second highest growth…target shooting.

Beauty And The Beast Media Blitz

It’s all over…and yet, the media keeps pouring in. He’s our attempt at bringing it all together. Below are just a few places to grab photos and video from this infamous and groundbreaking tour.

Crailtap: The latest video, video 2, video 1, Koston’s photos, Carroll’s photos 1, Carrol’s photos 2, Spike’s photos

Thrasher: Orcas Island, Portland - The Department, McMinnville, Lincoln City, Time Trials

Etc: O’Dell’s photos, another Department video

That should keep you busy for a while…

WCS Rolls Through Rome this Summer

During the days leading up to the 2nd annual CPH Pro in Copenhagen and a week before the 15th annual Mystic Cup in Prague, the WCS crew is heading south to run an Open skate contest with a prize purse of 20,000 Euros on the line. Consider that a bit of extra incentive to hit up the Roman skate scene as part of your Europe travel this summer. It all takes place at The Spot skatepark in Rome from June 25th-27th with Mens and Ladies Street and Mens Vert and Best Trick.