Navarette Talks to Himself

Join Darren Navarette over at Slap magazine where he sat down with himself to discuss topics in the vertical realm and beyond. Be sure to check out that never-been-done Eldrechtial sequence too!

Aaron “Jaws” Homoki Speaks

Aaron “Jaws” Homoki is on a roll. Whether he’s doing a padless 540 or kickflipping a massive set of stairs, you’ve without a doubt seen something from Jaws recently. He’s been in all the mags as of late, and now he’s even been taken under the Birdman’s wing. ESPN’s own Josh Brooks sat down with Jaws for a little Q&A session. Jaws discusses how he got his nickname, hanging out with Riley Hawk and growing up in Arizona. Head on over and let Jaws give you a piece of his mind.

etnies Updates Its Website

The crew over at etnies have completely revamped their website. Full of all sorts of new content, photos, features and interviews. Be sure to check out their new video featuring Sean Malto, Tyler Bledsoe, Jose Rojo and Kyle Leeper on a journey through Japan.

Skating Will Cost You in New Zealand

We ran across this article that reports on a New Zealand skateboarder receiving a NZ$750 ticket (roughly $435.00 US dollars) for skating on an empty sidewalk. We’re not sure of the various fines for similar laws here in the US, but that fine seems damn steep. Especially for just pushing down a deserted street.

The skater, Reuben Baker, is refusing to pay citing a larger fine than driving drunk or child endangerment. Fight the power, Reuben, fight the power…

The Berrics’ Bang Yo Self! 2 Winners Announced

The Berrics’ second annual Bang Yo Self! online throw down is a wrap where the runner ups and the worldwide winner were announced this afternoon. The Northwest’s very own Cory Kennedy took top honors and it’s quite obvious why after viewing his footage. We’ll undoubtedly be seeing a lot more from Cory in the coming years. With a switch tre like that he’ll find himself with a couple of sponsors by the end of summer. Four others, took home the runner up spots and have some pretty gnarly footage to back it up. Honorable mentions included a mixed bag of talent, but be sure to check out park rats Sebo Walker and Gabe Luna along with the super-stylish skills of Travis Glover!

Also, be sure to watch the “Thank You” montage which includes several key clips from the contestants. Like Guy Mariano in 1991…some of these kids are already the future.

Beware of the Brue Killers

Creature skateboards has just released its new line of Brue Killers decks with cruiser shapes and built-in bottle openers. Yup, no beverage is safe at the skate session any longer.

HUF & DQM Bags And Video

Incase has teamed up with our favorite high end shops HUF (in SF) and Dave’s Quality Meats (in NYC) to produce two custom bags. Yes, technically these are bicycle messenger bags, but both have killer skateboard carrying straps, solid style and look like they could take a pounding. That being said, almost $300 for a bag is a little crazy…but check out the video any way.

Powell’s Fun Kicks Off Its Premier Tour

ESPN’s Josh Brooks caught up with seasoned Powell team rider Jordan Hoffart for a short Q&A surrounding the efforts and road trips behind the brand’s latest video release, FUN! which premiered last night in San Diego. Check these West Coast dates for a premiere near you. Other regions to be announced soon.

DVS And SPoT Team Up for Spring Roll

In a couple of weeks, DVS will be heading out to the Skatepark of Tampa for a demo and to support an all ages skate contest put on by our friends there.

First up on the agenda, DVS riders Torey Pudwill, Daewon Song, Jeron Wilson and Jimmy Cao will be on the scene for a skate demo on Friday, April 10, 2009 at 7pm. Come out to watch some sick skating and meet these guys!

On Saturday, April 11, 2009 DVS proudly presents Skatepark of Tampa Spring Roll (an all ages contest). A free week at Woodward is up for grabs, along with product tosses and free BBQ!

Guy Mariano Epicly Later’d Part 4

Head over to Epicly Later’d for their newest installment of the Guy Mariano story, featuring some of Spike Jonze’s never-before-seen footage from Video Days. Check out some of Guy’s outtakes, then listen to Patrick O’Dell’s recent interview in which Guy details the transition from Blind to Girl. Guy also talks about hanging out with the Menace crew while filming his Goldfish part.

This is worth your time if only for scenes of 15-year-old Guy Mariano trying to pick up a (slightly older and surprisingly receptive) grocery store cashier.

Fully Fooled

It was bound to happen. Apparently with the flury of April Fool’s jokes flying around various skate-related sites (including our own) yesterday, some viewers took to these fictitious posts and reports as if they were fully legit. We meant no harm as our server went on red alert throughout the morning and we received a swarm of emails from those with deficient senses of humor. Case in point, this message posted below:

Hi Mr. Kanights,
I just wanted to know what you think of this tobacco push. I mean, on one hand of course the skaters are down for free money and cartons, but it just seems that they have some social responsibility to the children that look up to them. I mean, I personally don’t care being 22yrs old, but I know that parents will care. It’s one thing to just have footage in videos showing them doing the stuff, but something else when the endorsement of such things is so blatant and even lucrative. I think its a bad turn for the industry and it’s one hard to say no to because of the tobacco industry’s huge budgets.

Thanks for reading,
Sepehr

Well, at least this misguided individual spelled my last name correctly and was polite enough about the matter. Nevertheless, we have Frank Gerwer on point to hopefully cheer and clear things up a bit. Oh yeah, we look forward to next Wednesday with Reda as well. Onward.

Real Wants You to Design Their Ads

Real Skateboards must be really hurting in the art department. The renowned SF-based skateboard producer in connection with Slap Magazine have rolled out an art competition specifically to solicit your help in designing the next round of their ads. Read the detailed fine print right here. No computer skills necessary? Awesome!

Skatepark of Tampa Goes Belly Up

Citing tough economic times and a string of unpaid creditors (including a heavy tab at Mons Venus) and the Skatepark of Tampa today has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. We wish the best of luck to the venerable skatepark crew from Florida that has made a difference in skateboarding since 1993. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

UPDATE: In a bit of related news, etnies VP Don Brown’s liver is glad to announce that he has quit the Party Team for the now bankrupt Skatepark of Tampa. Don drank hard and long with the SPoT crew, but all good things must come to an end. “I just know it is time for me to jump from this “Drinking Ship” of a sinking ship. I’ll always remember partying myself into the slammer in Tampa with the SPoT hooligans! I just know that they have bigger bankruptcy issues to focus on right now than bailing me out of jail, so I’m quitting their Party Team for now,” said Don Brown, former SPoT Party Team Member. “Without the SPoT Party Team to regularly bail me out of jail I might find myself locked up with no alternative, so I will be seeking sponsorship from Liberty Bail Bonds. Does anybody know their team manager?”

Zoo York’s State of Mind Drops This Summer

Zoo York is heading down the home stretch with their new video release State of Mind to hit the big screen in NYC on June 4th and San Diego on June 18th. Check in with their team blog for a peek at their latest trailer and upcoming release dates.

The Power of Smoke

Well, it seems as if the slick suits and their affiliated agencies from the tobacco industry have finally realized and acted upon a profitable marketing opportunity within skateboarding and its related culture. Like it or not, news has emerged that Phillip Morris USA, Inc. is assembling an A-list of professional endorsers to bolster the “Marlboro Skate Team” to include heavyweights: Dan Drehobl, Dave Bachinsky, Caswell Berry, Silas Baxter-Neal, Kevin “Spanky” Long, Jerry Hsu, and Arto Saari along with ams Justin Brock, Peter Raffin, and Dyson Ramones.

At the time of this announcement, there’s an obvious absence of enlistment to this line up with skating’s vert veterans. Perhaps this observation connects to the realm of the U pipe’s unspoken tobacco-free environment or the stamina required to roll back-to-back to-back-to-back upon those big transitions? Original bad ass, Duane Peters is certainly available.

Eman and Vox Search for Skate Ratts

Vox and pro team rider Emanuel Guzman have launched an online Skate Ratt contest where skaters 18 years or younger are urged to submit their best skate footage for a chance to win some free Vox gear. The winner will be picked on May 1st, so you’ve got exactly one month to get busy.

JR and Antwuan Partner with Colorful Ink

Two of skateboarding’s biggest names, Jereme Rogers and Antwuan Dixon, have teamed up to announce their plan to open the doors of a prolific tattoo shop on LA’s Sunset Strip. As you know, the heavily inked pair of skateheads are devout fans of tattoos, its culture and individual artistic expression, and its permanence on one’s life so this business opportunity makes sense. Backed by another, yet undisclosed financial investor, and a trio of skilled ink slingers, Jereme and Antwan are gearing up for a launch party with Pink, Lil Wayne, and a host of celebrities and friends in their shop early next month.

Details to follow soon, but for the time being you can check out the promo flyer for the new shop and plan for your appointment early this summer. Mr. Worrest is already first in line to support the cause.

We wonder though, just how long it will be until TLC picks up a new version of LA Ink featuring pro skaters collecting artwork and slinging stories? Add the hip-hop stylings of Rogers and the G-Code antics of Dixon and it’s sure to deliver high ratings and money in the bank. It’s only a matter of time…who’s laughing now?

Powell Drops Its Latest Trailer for Fun

After close to a decade, Powell is ready to showcase their new line up of talent with its full-length video effort. With this newest project titled Fun premiering tomorrow night, make sure to view the latest trailer which clocks in at just over 2 minutes. Expect full parts from Jordan Hoffart, John White, Dallas Rockvam, Derek Elmendorf, Ben Hatchell, Aldrin Garcia and a bonus section with their legendary veteran Steve Caballero. Things are looking pretty proper over at Powell. What? No footage with Danny Wainwright?

Gerwer Gets House Broken on the Couch®

You never know who’s gonna drop by and have a seat on the Crail Couch® from day to day. This morning provided a surprise visit with San Francisco’s premiere resident Frank Gerwer where he mentions Segio Tacchini, Eugene Goodrich, Peter Hewitt, Sean Young, Coco Santiago and the Newell House’s random acts of weirdness.

PS - Meza, it’s NOT Frisco…you should know better.

Puzzle Releases Its New Issue

While 411VM lays dormant in the annals of skate history, the crew across the pond at Puzzle Video marches forward with their self-imposed bi-monthly video magazine schedule. They’ve just released their latest effort featuring: 5th District Japan Tour, Filmed by Mark Nickels, the Volcom Euro team in Alicante, with music by The Teenagers and more. Download it for free…the next issue drops in 44 days, 6 hours, 58 minutes and 37 seconds.

The Heritage of etnies’ Rap

Developed from the first skateboarder-owned shoe company, the etnies Rap was different than anything else on the market at the time. Check out this little video which explains the history behind the Rap and why etnies is recreating it today, with the RVL (Rap Vulc Low) and RVM (Rap Vulc Mid), featuring Pierre Andre Senizergues, Don Brown, Sal Barbier and Natas Kaupas.

Bakerboys Give Their Website a Facelift

Bakerboys Distribution home to Deathwish skateboards, Brigada sunglasses and Shake Junt have just revamped their entire website. Complete with full team profiles, blogs, news updates, videos and more. Head on over and peep it!

Ron Cameron Interview / Portfolio On SLAP

You may not know his name, but you’ve certainly seen his artwork. As it says in the intro to his audio interview on the SLAP site, “Blockhead to RVCA to Toy Machine to Nike to Krooked to H-Street and beyond”. Head on over to hear what Ron has to say and be sure to check out all of his fantastic work. And always remember ‘Nothing Is Cool’.

Ten-Year-Old Skateboarder Assaulted by Police Officer

Although this incident took place nearly one year go, it is one that certainly shouldn’t go unnoticed or without penalty. The Sun Sentinel reports that on April 6th of 2008 a ten-year-old boy from Davie, Florida was merely skating outside his home (where perhaps on the city’s books it wasn’t permitted) and was assaulted by a police officer. The kid was apparently picked up and slammed against the police officer’s vehicle in front of witnesses including the young skater’s father.

Eleven months later, officer David Rodriguez received a two-day suspension and the attendance of anger management classes. Really? Where’s the justice in that?
It’s incomprehensible that a figure of authority can so blatantly abuse the system and infringe on civil rights and basically walk away scot-free.

Buttery Ass Marketing Tactics

Following a bit of a hiatus, Buttery Ass Mondays is back as The Berrics with some good ole’ “Marketing 101” son. You can check out Donovan’s hustled lessons right here and get to bidness.

Vans Infiltrates the App Store with Vans SK8: Pool Service

Vans launched its new iPhone and iPod Touch application Vans SK8: Pool Service this morning. The game features the ability to customize a music playlist, 10 different skate events, 13 different tricks, high quality video and boards by Black Label and Element. Check out the new game website for downloads, trick tips and skater bios.

Then download and shred in the style of Bucky and Omar when you’re not doing some of your own.

J Brock Puts Some South in Your Mouth

Tired of another another predictable “Day in the Life” episode with your favorite pro or am skater? Well, DLXSF has flipped the script and a posted a humorous “Night in the Life” with their Southern slayer Justin Brock. Yup, he’s dirty and proud of it.