SKATE NEWS

The Kayo Corp is the umbrella company that covers such hard hitting brands as Expedition One, DGK, Organika and Gold Wheels. I'd been a big fan of the Kayo family since seeing their all encompassing video, It's Official.

DGK

DGK Motivation (Black) 8.0 X 31.06
The DGK "Motivation" board featuring the reversal of psychology slogan, "I Love' Haters" comes in two distinct colors and sizes. The 'White' one being the smaller of the two, sizing in at 7.5 X 31.06. I was sent the 'Black' model, which at 8.0 X 31.06, is much more my style. With most boards I ride, I have the tendency to get stuck with either too much kick or not enough. This board has a clean shape and just the right amount of kick. Not too steep and not too flat. I skated this board for close to a month without any complaints. It's stiffness remained, as did the over-all shape of the board. Solid pop all the way through and DGK.

Organika

Organika Full Flavor Red 8.06 X 32
Next up was the Organika team "Full Flavor Red" board. The "Full Flavor" team decks come in blue, black and red, and all feature different lengths and widths. I received the biggest of the three, the 'Red', which clocked in at a nicely measured 8.06 x 32. This board features a super unique shape. It was much more stubby than I was used to, with a real bulbous nose and tail. After I got used to the unconventional width of the nose and tail, this board felt real comfortable under my feet. Its nice, medium sized kick lasted a while, even after I shaved down my tail to a sharp little razor. I should mention the overall quality of Kayo's wood. They use nice thin plys that somehow minimizes the weight of each board without compromising any strength whatsoever.

Expedition One

Expedition Stripe (Yellow) 8 X 31.2
The last board I rode of the bunch was the Expedition One "Yellow Stripe" deck. Like the Organika team series, this board is part of a group of three sizes, made up of a blue, green and yellow. The "Yellow Stripe" I rode is 8 X 31.25 and features a clean, straightforward shape. While riding this one I couldn't get over how resistant it was to my hard landings. I tend to land all my tricks real hard, slamming my board down to the ground, like an impatient dipsh*t. Back in the day, breaking boards on flatground was a ridiculous notion reserved for fat guys and giants like Brian Anderson. But in the recent years I've found myself breaking tons of boards on flat, especially with switch frontside shove-its (I've K.O'ed more boards with this trick than Kimbo's straight knocked out suckas). I guess I land hard. Anyway, with everyone of my forceful landings that should have snapped this board like twig beneath, it remained solid, just as the other Kayo boards had. I'm backing Kayo 100%, so that means you should too. Demand your local shop order some of their decks right now. If you're impatient like me, go here to buy direct from the Kayo crew.

The Final Flare
Lakai Footwear

It's Coming...
When Lakai's Fully Flared hit the streets, I nearly sh*t my pants. Why would you do such a thing, you ask? Because the flick was that good! That's why. And now, after it's highly succesful release, Fully Flared will be coming out in the form of a Deluxe Edition Box Set. The Final Flare Deluxe Bonus Edition box set will contain all kinds of special stuff, including 1 Blu-Ray disk and 2 SD DVD disks featuring the original Fully Flared release, photo galleries, alternate edits, unused footage and a 60 minute documentary entitled, Behind The Flare. If that wasn't enough to make your butt pop, the set will also be packaged with a 48-page photo book. Oh hell yeah, son! And the best part is, this bitch will retail for only $49.95. To celebrate this highly anticipated set, Lakai has issued an official countdown on their site. You can stare at the depleting numbers like a fool all day, or get a solid taste of what's to come by sampling the new extended trailer below. All you need to do is click away
If you thought Lakai’s Fully Flared was the best skate video of the year, wait until the Final Flare drops. Lakai Limited Footwear presents the Fully Flared Deluxe Edition–a three-disc box set with one HD Blu-Ray Disc and 2 SD DVD Discs. This must-have box set comes with a whole slew of goods featuring “Fully Flared”, a photo galley, a photo booklet, alternate edits, unseen footy, and an epic 60-minute documentary they like to call, “Behind The Flare.” The countdown has begun.

While we’re struggling over here on the east coast for warmer weather and a dry skate park, big things are going down in Los Angeles this weekend. Tomorrow, Saturday, September 27th, LA’s first-ever street skate plaza, dubbed Ambassador Plaza, will officially open. For those of you who don’t know, a skate plaza is the equivalent to skate heaven–it has every skate-able thing you could want/imagine. Visit The Ambassador Series for a full run-down on the event and watch a video featuring Raekwon the Chef, Paul Rodriguez, Daewon Song, and other ambassador-minded folks explaining the idea behind the epic plaza. Be there Saturday at 4pm to be part of the grand opening, which is sure to be chalked full of pro skaters.