ASIA X GAMES 2010

Created on 2010-05-29

Mini-MegaRamp explodes onto Shanghai scene

The mini-MegaRamp^TM made its debut in Asia at the KIA X Games Asia today, drawing the loudest applause in the Skateboard mini-MegaRamp^TM final as more than 13,000 spectators cheered on for Pierre-Luc Gagnon of Canada, who won the gold medal with a perfect score of 100 points.
The highly anticipated final did not disappoint as the skaters put on a magnificent aerial show, throwing down amazing run after amazing run in the jam format. After a complete rain out of yesterday's competitions, conditions were near perfect today as Gagnon dazzled the crowd and impressed judges his perfect score, executing a switch-frontside-heelflip-180 over the gap into a huge kickflip-bodyvarial-540 on the quarter-pipe to clinch the gold.
That got the crowd going and the rest of the field stepped up a notch but no one came close to hitting another perfect score.
Speaking at the medal presentation, Gagnon said: "I'm pretty happy about winning gold. The mini-MegaRamp^TM is amazing because it's a little bit smaller than the regular mega ramp and you get to be so much more technical with the flip tricks and other kinds of stuff. When you do a trick and fall, you have a lot more time to get back and do another one."

He was also quick to give the thumbs-up to the new jam format at the KIA X Games Asia, and added: "The jam format is amazing because you get 20 minutes to pull off as many runs as you can and you get to try a whole lot of different tricks instead of sticking to only one. I got my two basic runs done and from there, I stepped it up to two harder ones."
Skateboard Street Final
While many expected American Austen Seaholm to defend his gold medal performance from a year ago in the Skateboard Street final, it was his buddy and fellow American Tyler Hendley who came through when it most mattered and won gold. Seaholm was in peak condition as he breezed through the heats as the top dog, with all signs pointing to him retaining his throne. But Hendley ultimately stuck the best run of the competition with a combination of tricks that set him apart from the field with a score of 87.33.
"Winning gold feels a lot better than second place, that's for sure," said Hendley. "Basically, I was falling all over the place because my friends on the course were just landing everything, one after another, and I just kept falling. So I figured, I'll just try a really hard run and somehow I landed everything."


The KIA X Games Asia will feature another impressive line-up of nearly 200 of the best athletes from more than 30 countries competing in the region's No.1 action sports competition. In addition to the mini-MegaRamp^TM, this year's event features sport disciplines such as Aggressive Inline (Vert and Street), Skateboard (Vert and Street), BMX Freestyle (Vert and Street) and Moto X Freestyle demonstrations (Big Air). Competitors this year compete in a new ‘jam session' format in the Vert and Street disciplines of Skateboard, BMX Freestyle and Aggressive In-Line Skate where athletes make multiple attempts per event to score points during the elimination rounds and the Final, instead of having consecutive runs.
The KIA X Games Asia 2010 is broadcast live across Asia on ESPN from 1.00 to 3.00pm on 28-30 May. Kindly refer to www.kiaxgamesasia.com for more information.

Created on 2010-05-29

PLG's insane perfect score

Pierre Luc Gagnon was proclaimed king of the Mini-mega ramp contest at the 2010 KIA X Games Asia with a perfect score.
Arguably the best Vert skater in the sport at the moment, started his day in the heats, looking frustrated, after failing to land most of his tricks.
He did however manage to get himself into the Finals along with Adam Jacob Taylor, Rob Lorifice, Pedro Barros and Andy Macdonald.
PLG got into the groove of things when he hit a perfect score of 100 when he nailed a switch-frontside-heel-flip-180 over the gap before switching into a kick-flip body varial five on the quarter-pipe.
That got the crowd going and the rest of the field stepped up a notch but no one came close to hitting another perfect score.
American skaters, Taylor and Lorifice scored 96.00 and 87.00 respectively to take home the silver and bronze medal.
Speaking at the medal presentation, Gagnon said: "I'm pretty happy about winning gold. The Mini-mega ramp is amazing because its a little bit smaller than the regular mega ramp and you get to be so much more technical with the flip tricks and other kinds of stuff. When you do a trick and fall, you have a lot more time to get back and do another one."
PLG was also quick to give the thumbs-up to the new competition format at the Asian X.
He added: "The jam format is amazing because you get 20 minutes to pull off as many runs as you can and you get to try a whole lot of different tricks instead of sticking to only one. I got my two basic runs done and from there, I stepped it up to two harder ones."
Next up for Gagnon is the Skateboard Vert Finals on Sunday.
Skateboard Mini-mega Ramp ContestPierre Luc Gagnon (CAN) - 100.00
Adam Jacob Taylor (USA) - 96.00
Rob Lorifice (USA) - 87.00
Pedro Barros (BRA) - 80.00
Andy Macdonald (USA) - 79.00

Created on 2010-05-29

No masking Hendley's victory

Tyler Hendley put one over his close pal, Austen Seaholm to win the Skateboard Street gold medal at the 2010 KIA X Games Asia held in Shanghai, China.
Defending champion, Seaholm was in peak condition as he breezed through the heats as the top dog, with all signs pointing to him retaining his throne.
Along with the two American skaters, Brazilian boy Rodolfo Ramos and Juergen Horrwath made it into the Finals as well.
Korea youngster Lee Ji Hun kept the Asian flag flying when he qualified for the Finals in what was his Asian X debut.
Seaholm went toe-to-toe with Brazilian skater, Rodolfo Ramos in the first few runs, with the lead changing hands on numerous occasions.
It looked as if the gold medal was a straight fight between Seaholm and Ramos, as the two battled for supremacy, with the lead changing hands on numerous occasions.
Out of the sudden, Hendley went on a faultless run to put out a score of 87.33 to relegate the two frontrunners into second and third.
"It feels a lot better than second place, that's for sure. Basically, I was falling all over the place because my friends on the course were just landing everything, one after another and I just kept falling. So I figured, I'll just try a really hard run and somehow, I landed everything." said Hendley after his win.
As for the beautiful city of Shanghai, the champion had nothing but good words to say.
He added: "I've been here a couple of times. The people are super nice, the skateboarding scene is progressing a lot so I'm really happy to see that everyone is getting better and how things are happening for them. I'll be back next year to defend my title and I'll have a new mask along with it I promise!"
For skateboard enthusiasts, make your way down to the KIC Jiangwan Sports Center to catch the Skateboard Vert Finals on Sunday!
Skateboard StreetTyler Hendley (USA) - 87.33
Rodolfo Ramos (BRA) - 84.67
Austen Seaholm (USA) - 83.67
Juergen Horrwarth (GER) - 81.00
Lee Ji Hun (KOR) - 68.67

Created on 2010-05-27

Tetsuhari leads out in Skateboard Street Qualifier

Japan's Tetsuharu Sai was the best qualifier in the 2010 X Games Asia Skateboard Street qualifier.
He hit a final score of 83.33 to lead five other skaters into the Finals which will be held on Friday 28 May 2010 at 1400HKT.
Brazil's Tulio Oliveira, Chinese Taipei's Lu Hung Chen, Korea's Lee Ji Hun and Malaysia duo, Kieron Brodie and Padin Musa also went through.
This year's qualifier saw 20 skaters from 12 countries taking to the course.
Skateboard Street QualifierTetsuharu Sai (JPN) - 83.33
Tuilio Oliveira (BRA) - 82.33
Padin Musa (MAS) - 79.67
Kieron Brodie (MAS) - 77.67
Lu Hung Chen (TPE) - 77.00
Lee Ji Hun (KOR) - 76.67

Created on 2010-05-30

Explosive final day at KIA X Games Asia

The 12th edition of the KIA X Games Asia left Shanghai fans with plenty of memories of after top international skateboarder Pierre-Luc Gagnon of Canada clinched the first ever double-gold victory when he won the BMX mini-MegaRamp^TM in front of 24,800 fans on the final day of competition - the best spectator attendance in the event's history.
Skateboard Vert
After winning yesterday's Skateboard mini-MegaRamp competition with a perfect score of 100, Canada 's Gagnon returned to claim top honors again with a score of 85.00 in the Skateboard Vert final with his consistent skating and technical tricks on full display. Gagnon completed his brace of two gold medals in as many days, over a top-class field that included silver-medallist Sandro Dias of Brazil and defending champion Andy MacDonald from the USA , who had to settle for bronze with a final score of 78.00.
Said Gagnon: "I was feeling very sore this morning and wondered if I was able to come out and skate today. But luckily, I was able to turn it on when I needed to and it just feels great to walk away with the gold medal. I was going to throw it (720), but I didn't manage to get much practice on this vert ramp and I was more comfortable doing it on the mini-MegaRamp^TM yesterday. So luckily the scores kept me in it and I didn't have to do it and I stuck to more technical tricks instead.
"To have won gold, ahead of Andy Macdonald, who has dominated this event for the last few years, is amazing, especially with the brand new vert wall. There weren't many chances for me to skate on a mini-MegaRamp^TM so I'm going to be back for sure, especially if they have the mini-MegaRamp^TM contest. This was a great preparation for the Summer X Games, and competing in a pressured environment will help me for the rest of the season."

Created on 2010-05-30

Two in a row for the man they call PLG

Pierre-Luc Gagnon soared above everyone else and grabbed his second gold medal at the 2010 KIA X Games Asia.
Gagnon who went into the Skateboard Vert contest as the hot favourite along with Andy Macdonald and Sandro Dias, and he added another gold medal to his impressive collection, having won the Skateboard mini-MegaRamp^TM contest a day earlier.
The smooth cruiser glided through the air like a flying fish and nailed a final score of 85.00 to stop Andy Mac from making it four-peat in Shanghai, China.
Macdonald had to settle for third as he could only manage a 78.00 on a windy day out on the vert ramp at the KIC Jiangwan Sports Center.
Brazilian legend, Dias was also up to the task as he rallied the huge crowd behind him and scored a 80.00 to finish in silver-medal position.
The powerful and aggressive style of Marcelo Bastos landed him in fourth spot, but it was his young compatriot, Pedro Barros from Brazil, who thrilled the crowd with his energetic display.
Touted as a future star of the sport, Barros attempted some big tricks but could not put it together to oust the more experienced skaters.
Speaking after collecting his second gold medal of the weekend, PLG exclaimed: "I was feeling very sore this morning when I woke up and I was wondering if I was going to be able to come out and skate, but luckily, I was able to turn it on when I needed to and it just feels great to walk away with the gold medal.
"I couldn't have asked for more. I was hoping that I could pull it off this weekend. I was skating well coming into this event and I got to skate this amazing ramp, when I went up to Beijing two weeks ag0, so I felt confident the whole time and thankfully, it all turned out well."
As for his thoughts on coming back to defend his throne and also the upcoming Summer X, the affable skater was pleased to announce that he will be back.
"I'll definitely be back next year, especially if they have the mini-mega ramp contest. I had a great time doing that. There are not too many chances for me to skate on a mini-mega ramp so I'm going to be back for sure."
"This is great preparation for the Summer X. Skating this vert ramp, which is very similar to the X Games ramp, and having to be in a pressured environment at this event really helps me in the long run for the rest of the season." he concluded.
All in all, another great showcase of the best skateboarding talents from across the world at the KIC Jiangwan Sports Center in Shanghai, China.
The fans will definitely be anticipating the return of PLG when the 2011 X Games Asia kicks off next year.
Skateboard VertPierre-Luc Gagnon (CAN) - 85.00
Sandro Dias (BRA) - 80.00
Andy Macdonald (USA) - 78.00
Marcelo Bastos (BRA) - 73.00
Pedro Barros (BRA) - 72.00

ASIA X GAMES 2010

Created on 2010-05-27

Tetsuhari leads out in Skateboard Street Qualifier

Japan's Tetsuharu Sai was the best qualifier in the 2010 X Games Asia Skateboard Street qualifier.
He hit a final score of 83.33 to lead five other skaters into the Finals which will be held on Friday 28 May 2010 at 1400HKT.
Brazil's Tulio Oliveira, Chinese Taipei's Lu Hung Chen, Korea's Lee Ji Hun and Malaysia duo, Kieron Brodie and Padin Musa also went through.
This year's qualifier saw 20 skaters from 12 countries taking to the course.
Skateboard Street QualifierTetsuharu Sai (JPN) - 83.33
Tuilio Oliveira (BRA) - 82.33
Padin Musa (MAS) - 79.67
Kieron Brodie (MAS) - 77.67
Lu Hung Chen (TPE) - 77.00
Lee Ji Hun (KOR) - 76.67

Created on 2010-05-27

Andy Mac: It’s one of my favourites

One of X Games' most decorated action sports star, Andy Macdonald is back in Shanghai, China. A city which houses one of his favourite skateparks.
The SMP Skate Park has always been one of Macdonald's favourite spots to skate, and he wasted little time the moment he arrived in Shanghai as the veteran skater headed straight to the SMP to get started.
"I've won the Asian X Games every year for the past three times it's been held in Shanghai. Before that, I'd never been to China. Being in a new city, I try to capture some of the excitement of the people that are seeing my sport for the first time. It also helps that I'm always looking forward to riding the SMP skatepark while I'm in Shanghai. It's one of my favorites." said the man who has a massive following in Shanghai.
"I love seeing Shanghai grow every year when I visit. The whole town seems so alive and always changing and progressing by the minute. It seems that China, and Shanghai in particular are in the middle of a social revolution and transformation and you can feel it when you spend time there."

A year on from the 2009 Asian X, Macdonald has gone on to boost his X Games medal haul with a silver in Vert and a bronze in Park at last season's Summer X, to bring his total to 17 medals, with only Dave Mirra ahead of him on 21.
The man who has dominated the vert ramp for three years running, starting from 2007, is back in town for another assault on the title, but is refusing to take anything for granted.
He said: "I try to just take each event as it comes and concentrate on my skating. I will say that the X Games has more media hype around it than any other event, so there is usually a lot more going on trying to keep up with all the media and PR."
The San Diego native went on to heap praise on the Asian X event which has seen significant growth every year.
"Seems to me that the crowd doubles every year. The event is better run, the ramps are better and the field of athletes keeps improving as well. It's kind of right on point with what's happening all over the rest of the city. It just keeps getting bigger and better." according to the man himself.
As for the Mini-mega contest that will be held at the Jiangwan Sports Center for the first time, Andy reckons the fans will love it, "I did the first big jump in 1999 and it's always awesome to see this new discipline in our sport keep expanding. I always have a lot of fun with the straight jump and I think it will be something exciting and new for people to watch as well."
Finally, can a skater like Andy Mac who has won it all have a chink in his armour?
"It has taken me about ten years to get my 720's down to where I should be able to make it if I have to. Consistency is an elusive thing in our sport. Some days you're on and some you're not." Andy revealed.
So for the local fans in Shanghai who are itching to catch Andy Mac and his fellow contestants in the Skateboard Vert and Mini-mega contests, hurry down to the Jiangwan Sports Center where some of the best action sports athletes will be throwing up some big airs.
Skateboard Vert Final - Sunday 30 May 2010 1230HKT
Skateboard Mini-Mega Final - Saturday 29 May 2010 1345HKT

SKBSG NEWS UPDATES

Dennis’ dog Gary joined us on our Skate & Create odyssey and like so many notable dogs of the past (Spuds MacKenzie, the “Yo Quiero Taco Bell!” dog, etc.), it was shocking to find out that Gary is, in fact, a girl. In the same way a young kid may have wondered how, exactly, Spuds was supposed to be getting down with all the babes clinging off his Hawaiian shirt, I was baffled by yet another case of K-9 gender confusion. So, I had Dennis explain how the name came about and what Frank Gerwer had to do with it…

Your dog’s name is Gary. Could you tell me about how that name came about?
Well, I was pretty green behind the ears on the first skate trip I ever went on with Deluxe, so everyone would kind of f—k with me. They’d make up shit and I’d believe them, because I was so naïve. So, Frank Gerwer was telling me about this incredible skater named Gary Headlock that was doing the craziest shit that nobody had ever heard of and he had a sidekick named Ducky Gonzworth, I think. And, they’d tell me Gary was doing stuff like switch 360 flip frontside crooked grinds down an eight-stair handrail and it was the opener in the newest 411VM. I just hadn’t seen it yet, so the dumb kid that I was, I was like, “What the f—k? No way! That’s so gnarly.” I don’t believe anything Frank tells me now, but Gary Headlock has remained this infamous, fictitious ripper joke now.

So, how did you choose that as the name for your dog?
I just thought the name was always funny, so when I wanted to get a dog that was the name I wanted. I went in there and saw the litter and Gary was the coolest one.

But, Gary is in fact a girl, right?
Yeah, we didn’t quite realize that she was a girl, but we wanted her, so we just said f—k it and went with the name Gary. It didn’t really matter.

It’s interesting, because in some ways, both Garys are deceptions. Gary Headlock didn’t exist and Gary is actually Gary the Girl. They’re both an illusion in one way or another.
I get what you’re saying. Gary the Girl is definitely more real though [laughs]. The skater is completely make-believe. In some ways, Gary Headlock exists to some extent. He’s just the new hot-shit ripper that everybody’s yappin’ about that nobody really knows that well. Some new person comes along and fills Gary’s spot. Like, it seems like Cory Kennedy is so good, he’s like a Gary Headlock. Now it’s that dude Nugget, I guess. Everyone’s blown away by him. It’s always been like that, even before the Internet—just some kid doing retarded shit that’s almost unbelievable. So, in some ways, both Garys are kind of illusions, but they’re also very real. There’s always some sort of Gary Headlock and, even though Gary the Girl’s a girl, he’s still Gary.

For last week’s adidas Skate & Create post on Dan Wolfe and Eastern Exposure 3, click here.

When you don’t have a go to spot you need to make one happen. Dennis abides.

Tags: c1rca, Dennis Durrant

There may have been nearly three decades of sweat smell wafting from the pads of all the legends  in the Masters division of the Pro-Tec Pool Party last weekend but, from the looks of it, no one seemed to be hindered by age. Everyone ripped—Grosso, Hosoi, Duane Peters and the rest. When it was all done, Steve Caballero was finally able to take the top spot from Chris Miller (Miller has finished first for the past five years). As always, Lance Mountain skated with style and got himself a spot in third place.
Masters
1. Steve Caballero $13,000
2. Chris Miller $7,000
3. Lance Mountain $4,000
For more info on the 2010 Pro-Tec Pool Party go to the Vans Pool Party page. Look for the one hour television special August 6 at 8:00pm on Fuel TV.



Tags: Chris Miller, Christian Hosoi, Combi pool, Duane Peters, Eric Nash, Jeff Grosso, Lance Mountain, lester kasai, Masters contest, Nicky Guererro, ProTec Pool Party, Steve Caballero, tony mag, Vans

 

Spice up your desktop with a new photo each week—from one of our Hallelujah stars. This week it’s Ryan Decenzo with a monsterous frontside feeble. Click the photo for a larger version, then drag it to your desktop or right click and save it. More Wednesday Wallpapers here.
Photo: Skin Phillips

Tags: full page, hallelujah, Ryan Decenzo, Wednesday Wallpaper

We caught up with Black Label skateboards own Chris Troy at the Bishop Skatepark in Oceanside and asked him what hes rolling with and why.
Tags: adio, Bishop Skatepark, Black Label, Chris Troy, Independent, Innes, My Ride, spitfire

Check out some footage of PLG on the DC/Monster vert ramp, and peep out Darkstar’s Summer product.

If you’re in Malto land this Friday make sure you stop by Escapist for the One Way Or Another art show. Check the flyer.

SKBSG NEWS UPDATES

Tags: Chris Cole, Fantasy Factory, Pharell, Rob Dyrdek, Sean Malto, street league, The Cool Kids, The Game, Torey Pudwill, Travis Barker, Yelawolf


This past Saturday Rob Dyrdek hosted a benefit fundraiser for his Foundation in support of the Variety Boys & Girl’s Club, the Boys & Girls Club of the L.A. Harbor. Catch footage of Rob and The Game in the foam pit, Travis Barker, Yelawolf, and The Cool Kids performing. There was a demo from Street League pros Chris Cole, Sean Malto, and Torey Pudwill. Rob sums up the day in his own words and Chanel the rapping receptionist closes it all out. Check out the photos here.
Filmed & edited by Blair Alley




STREET LEAGUE SKATEBOARDING™ ANNOUNCES THE 2010 DC PRO TOUR FUELED BY MONSTER ENERGY

DC and Monster Energy To Co-Present Groundbreaking Professional Street Skateboarding Series

Street League Skateboarding™ announced today that DC and Monster Energy will present the highly anticipated 2010 series.  The DC Pro Tour fueled by Monster Energy is a prestigious, invite-only three-event series featuring 24 of the best skateboarders in the world. Founded by twenty-year professional skateboarder and entrepreneur, Rob Dyrdek, Street League™ is truly the future of competitive street skateboarding.

“I am very honored to have my two closest sponsors, DC and Monster participate in the launch of Street League™,” says Rob Dyrdek.  “DC and Monster have always supported my vision for street skateboarding, from building skate plazas throughout the world to now creating the first-ever professional skateboarding league.  Their support is a testament to their belief in the need to create a professional street skateboarding series that skate fans across the world embrace.”

Street League Skateboarding™ features the exclusive participation of twenty-four of the best street skateboarders in the world. To assist their transition into the league, each pro has been given the option to compete in two non-sanctioned wildcard events until the end of 2010.  Beginning in 2011, the pros will compete exclusively in the Street League™ series and other Street League™ sanctioned events worldwide. Using real time scoring and an exciting proprietary competition format, Street League™ will tell a compelling story about each skateboarder’s performance and will have fans on the edge of their seats from the first trick to the very last.  The inaugural year of Street League™ features a 3-stop arena tour beginning at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona on August 28th, Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California on September 11th, and the final stop in Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center on September 25th.  The skaters will be competing at each event for a total purse of $1.2 million.

About Street League Skateboarding ™

Street League Skateboarding™ is the first sports entertainment property that gives professional street skateboarding its very own league for individual competition.  Street League™ features the exclusive participation of the world’s best professionals, over $1MM in prize money, and real skate plaza course design inside world-class arenas.  Driven by the need to enhance the experience of live professional street skateboarding, Street League™ utilizes real-time scoring and a proprietary format that makes every trick count. Street League™ is the brainchild of twenty-year professional skateboarder and entrepreneur, Rob Dyrdek.  More information is available at streetleague.com.

Pool skating has long hinged on abandoned houses and perfect timing, but few times have been as good as now, in the wake of a credit crunch and housing foreclosures that pried Californian homes from would-be owners’ hands and left them deserted for skaters to come and go. Watch as Chet Childress and Fresno locals make the best of a bad situation.
Cannonball is part of the website California is a Place, a site featuring unique stories from California’s border, car dealerships, Oakland Scraper scene and much more.

Steve Nesser Now Rides For The HIGH 5 Skateboards. Check it out below.

Real’s Summer Catalog 1st strike release is now live featuring part 1 of Chima’s Lost days and Throwaways video log, plus the new Femmereal fatal girls, and the new Reazy-C mellow deck construction. Check it out.

SKBSG NEWS UPDATES

Pool skating has long hinged on abandoned houses and perfect timing, but few times have been as good as now, in the wake of a credit crunch and housing foreclosures that pried Californian homes from would-be owners’ hands and left them deserted for skaters to come and go. Watch as Chet Childress and Fresno locals make the best of a bad situation.
Cannonball is part of the website California is a Place, a site featuring unique stories from California’s border, car dealerships, Oakland Scraper scene and much more.

Marc Falkenstien

The lackadaisical young wizard Gandalf. No, wait, that's Levi Brown.

Today Element pro Levi Brown unveiled his first video part as a pro in the web exclusive release of "Trio" You can view the video below. But first, let me just say this: It's awesome. Sure, I'm biased; Levi is a friend and it's been really cool to see his career take off. But I don't think it's biased to write about how good this video part is when it oozes style with every single trick. I know Levi worked hard to get this part right and he should be damn proud of the result. And that result is truly excellent and inspired skateboarding. I caught up with Levi to get his take on the part and what's next for him.



Today Element pro Levi Brown unveiled his first video part as a pro in the web exclusive release of "Trio" You can view the video below. But first, let me just say this: It's awesome. Sure, I'm biased; Levi is a friend and it's been really cool to see his career take off. But I don't think it's biased to write about how good this video part is when it oozes style with every single trick. I know Levi worked hard to get this part right and he should be damn proud of the result. And that result is truly excellent and inspired skateboarding. I caught up with Levi to get his take on the part and what's next for him.

So you've been working on this part for a little over two years right?
Yeah, about two years. Chad [Tim Tim] was like, "Hey, you want to make a video?" And then that just evolved into the Element shoe team video ['Sole"], which was cool. I was really bummed when it got shelved. It was sorta unknown what would happen with all that stuff and all that footage. But that turned into "Trio" and Chad's part came out amazing and he set the bar too freakin' high. I'm like, "Dang it! That's why I wanted the middle part." In a regular video the middle part doesn't have a lot of weight on it. But yeah, Chad did such a great job and "Trio" is turning out to be really cool. I'm happy that "Trio is coming out and everyone can see it.
One thing about a web video is that everyone that wants to can see it, no problem.
Definitely. I know it was different when I was growing up and only a few videos came out each year. So it's a weird adjustment with so many videos and the instant gratification. But after Chad's part came out, and hearing everyone's positive feedback about it, I've been really psyched on it.
I know you've been working away at this video and it's been your main focus. Your "Trio" part just dropped and you you've been making appearances at The Berrics this week as well. Does this mean we'll be seeing a lot more of Levi Brown in the coming months?
Oh, I hope so. I want to keep it going for sure. You're going to see more of me. I'm living in California and even with just that you're automatically in the mix more.
With this project in the can and on the Internets for everyone to see, what's the next thing you're working on?
I don't have anything going right now. I've been going to shoot photos. I just want to keep shooting photos and be in the mix. Something's going to pop up. I can't plan things because something always naturally pops up and I'm always like, "alright, that sounds good. I'll do that." It's hard to go searching for a project. It'll just reveal itself. It'll work out.
I know that what is now the "Trio" video was originally slated to be the "Sole" video for the Element shoe team. Since the shoe team was disbanded what have you been slipping your feet into?
Adidas. I've been loving Adidas. They've been sending me shoes and that's where we're at right now. I'd be more than excited if it went somewhere.
Filming for "Trio," what was the most fun trick you did for the part?
Something came easy the other day, it was nice. It's a frontside flip in my part and it's basically in someone's front yard. The guy who owned the house we were skating in front of was actually really cool with us skating there. But then he left and a cop showed up to kick us out and told us it was illegal to even push on the sidewalk in this city. And we were like, "Okay, but the guy told us we could skate." But then the owner of the house came back and was being super cool, talking to the cop and explaining that it was cool with him that we skate there. And the trick came pretty quick so I was happy.

Brian Gaberman courtesy of Element

Levi Brown lofts one of his patented stylish kickflips.

What about the most difficult?
Yeah, the last trick. It's in Arizona. I tried it a long time before but then Arizona heat kicked in so I just thought I'd get back to it. But then I was gone all last summer. But I was thinking about it for so long. Then I finally went back to try it again and the ditch was flooded. And then we went back again and got kicked out. Then we went back again and it was flooded again. And I was just thinking, "Oh man, I just have to do this." So I'm excited how that worked out. But it was hard in the sense that it took so many times of going back to that spot to get the trick. But it worked out and I'm happy.
What's your favorite memory from filming this part?
It seems like we've been going on so many trips and every one is just blended together into a good time. It's hard to break apart individual sessions and stuff. We have such a good homie crew on the team and so, even our filming missions, it just works out. It really feels like you're just going skating with your friends. The China trip was one of my favorites because it was such an interesting place for one. And the skate spots were amazing. So much fun. I'm spoiled. I love my life. It's hard not to be happy.

Mike Barker makes his pro debut in Aleks Lewandowski's "Feel Free" video premiering tomorrow in Los Angeles. Nate Brousaard, Garrett Hill, Gantry Hill and Mark Gutterman also have full parts in the film.

FourstarWelcome Shane!

Hot on the heels of his stellar digital video part release and subsequent pro status upgrade, Shane O'Neill has been added to the roster of the elite Fourstar squad. O'Neill joins Sean Malto, Mike Carroll, Max Schaaf, Rick Howard, Tony Trujillo, Brian Anderson, Andrew Brophy, Lucas Puig, Guy Mariano, Tyler Bledsoe, Eric Koston and Mark Gonzales on the team.



(Everett, WA)-- Zumiez, a leading specialty action sports retailer, is setting sail this summer for the 10th Annual Zumiez Couch Tour. The Zumiez Couch Tour 2010 features skateboarding demos by pros Chris Cole, Jake Duncombe, Erik Ellington, Cairo Foster, David Gonzalez, Jerry Hsu, Terry Kennedy, Kevin Spanky Long, Billy Marks, Mike Mo Capaldi, Chad Muska, Leo Romero, Daewon Song, Ed Templeton, Jamie Thomas, Nick Trapasso, Stevie Williams, and many more. The Zumiez Couch Tour also offers free live music performances by bands including Bayside, The Bled, Dance Gavin Dance, Hawthorne Heights, Hit The Lights, In Fear & Faith, Just Surrender, Jamie Lynn's Kandi Coded, and The Maine on the Skullcandy stage.

SKBSG NEWS UPDATES

 Original Skateboards in stock now !! Only 3pcs per deisgn available

MANHATTAN 27 $299




DERRINGER 28 $309



TERRAPIN 34 $329



TORPEDO 40 $339



MALAKAI 40 $339



CUSTOM 35 $439



CUSTOM 44 $469


ALL PRICES STATED ARE STANDARD SET UP ONLY

TRANSWORLD SKATEBOARDING ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR THE 12th ANNUAL TRANSWORLD SKATEBOARDING AWARDS
Hosted by Brian Schaefer and Pat Duffy
Winners To Be Announced On June 15, 2010 In Hollywood, CA

TransWorld SKATEboarding, the world’s largest and most respected skateboard magazine for over 25 years, announces the nominees for the 12th Annual TransWorld SKATEboarding Awards. The winners will be named during a live event on June 15, 2010 at Avalon in Hollywood, California.
The TransWorld SKATEboarding Awards honor skateboarding’s top riders, presenting eight awards to professional skateboarders in the categories of Best Rookie, Best Street Skater, Best Transition Skater, Best Team, Best Video, Best Video Part, TWS Readers’ Choice, and the TWS Legend Award. The award winners are determined by polling more than 150 professional skateboarders worldwide, with thousands of TransWorld SKATEboarding’s readers voting for the winner of the TWS Readers’ Choice Award. This year’s TWS Legend Award will be presented to one of skateboarding’s most widely influential skaters, Matt Hensley. Previous winners of this prestigious award include Christian Hosoi, Tony Hawk, Lance Mountain, and Mark Gonzales.
Directly following the awards, TransWorld SKATEboarding is pleased to host the world premiere of its 22nd video, Hallelujah, the newest film by Jon Holland and Chris Ray, featuring Ryan Decenzo, Pete Eldridge, Taylor Bingaman, Tyler Bledsoe, and Torey Pudwill.
The official nominees for the 12th Annual TransWorld SKATEboarding Awards are:
BEST ROOKIE
Grant Taylor
Brandon Westgate
Luan Oliveira
BEST VIDEO PART
Zered Bassett – State Of Mind
Grant Taylor - Debacle
Bob Burnquist – Extremely Sorry
BEST TEAM
Sk8mafia
Zoo York
Flip
BEST STREET
Chris Cole
Dennis Busenitz
Zered Bassett
BEST TRANSITION
Bob Burnquist
Grant Taylor
Jake Brown
BEST VIDEO
Extremely Sorry
State Of Mind
Sk8mafia Am Video
TWS READERS’ CHOICE
Chris Cole
Lizard King
Sean Malto
TWS LEGEND
Matt Hensley
“Once again the pros have spoken, the votes have been tallied, and on June 15 the very best of the past year in skateboarding will finally be revealed; not to mention we’ll be honoring Matt Hensley with the Legend Award and premiering our 22nd video, Hallelujah. It’s another memorable year for TWS.” —Ben Kelly, Editor, TransWorld SKATEboarding.
The 12th Annual TransWorld SKATEboarding Awards is proud to be associated with the following sponsors: Ball Park, New Era, and Red Bull.  For more information on TransWorld SKATEboarding and the TransWorld SKATEboarding Awards, please visit skateboarding.com.
About TransWorld SKATEboarding
Transworld SKATEboarding has been the largest, most respected skateboarding magazine in the world for over 25 years. Delivering the most innovative photography and cutting-edge editorial, TransWorld SKATEboarding offers its audience an inside look at skate culture through news, product reviews, and in-depth profiles of the world’s top skateboarders, in print, Web, video, and events. You can find TransWorld SKATEboarding online at skateboarding.com.  TransWorld SKATEboarding is published by TransWorld Media, the world’s leading action-sports media company.



Pro-tec Pool Party Heat Lists Announced
“The Combi has always had the best design and with renovation everyone is going to find out tomorrow that this is the best pool in the world.  If you thought the skating was good last year, you’re going to be blown away.” - Steve Caballero
The 6th Annual Pro-tec Pool Party presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is TOMORROW at the Vans Skatepark in Orange. Catch a live HD webcast of the entire event powered by FUEL TV at vans.com/poolparty from 3:00 pm to 9:30 pm.  The event is also streaming live through the Fuel TV iPhone App for the first time.  Tune in for a chance to score a custom Pro-tec Pool Party Epiphone Coronet Guitar, an iPod loaded with John Cardiel’s playlist and gift packs from Vans and Rockstar.
Check the stacked heat lists below.  For more, visitvans.com/poolparty
MASTERS HEAT #1:               MASTERS HEAT #2:
Chris Miller                       Lance Mountain
Steve Steadham                      Mike McGill
Christian Hosoi                      Jeff Grosso
Tony Mag                       Lester Kasai
Mike Smith                       Dave Reul
Mike Barnes                       Lonnie Hiramoto
Mark Partain
MASTERS HEAT #3:               MASTERS HEAT #4:
Steve Alba                       Pat Ngoho
Josh Nelson                       Duane Peters
Nicky Guerrero                      Ben Schroeder
Ken Fillion                       Mark Red Scott
Mike Rogers                       Brian Pennington
Eric Nash                       Eddie Reategui
Dave Duncan                       Cara-Beth Burnside
PRO HEAT #1:                      PRO HEAT #2:
Bruno Passos                      Jimmy the Greek
Tim Johnson                       Rob Lorifice
Lincoln Ueda                      Matt Boyster
Josh Rodriguez                      Evandro Menezes
Pedro Barros                      Ben Raybourne
Zack Miller                       Nolan Munroe
Bob Burnquist                      Grant Taylor
PRO HEAT #3:                      PRO HEAT #4:
Nathan Beck                       Darren Navarette
Tyler Mumma                       Darin Jenkins
Bucky Lasek                       Alex Perelson
Rune Glifberg                      Sky Siljeg
Jackson Pilz                      Josh Borden
Bennett Harada                      Sergie Ventura
Omar Hassan                       Michael Brookman




Expedition & Organika present part 2 of their trip across the East. This chapter documents our travels from Woodward to Nocturnal, Pitcrew & Vu!




on June 5, check out a bunch of art from our good friend Matt Irving. “It’s a bunch of screenprints but it’s mostly for a board graphic, T-shirt and hat collection that I made using a bunch of the photos I’ve been taking over the past three years with a Widelux.”—Matt Irving
Atlas
Saturday June 5th 2010
8pm to 11pm
209 2nd Ave. San Mateo, CA 94401

 

Elwood is doing a tour from June 1st-June 12th. Catch them at the following stops.





Come see Bryan Herman get buck in his G-Code custom Pharmacy Demolition Derby Oldsmobile this Sunday, May 23 at the Victorville County Fair’s Derby Madness.

SKBSG NEWS UPDATES

INTERSTATE BOARD SHOP NEW PRODUCTS.

 Original Skateboards in stock now !! Only 3pcs per deisgn available

MANHATTAN 27 $299




DERRINGER 28 $309



TERRAPIN 34 $329



TORPEDO 40 $339



MALAKAI 40 $339



CUSTOM 35 $439



CUSTOM 44 $469









ALL PRICES STATED ARE STANDARD SET UP ONLY

at 6:08 PM

Another Thursday and another clip. Stereo flow up-and-comer Steven Webb will make you want to skate in Pasadena more. The miniramp on the tennis courts is super wide and inviting for riders of all caliber. Steven puts down a session at a notch higher than most of us might manage. All to some pleasant Jacques Dutronc. Dans la vie. Il faut pas surfer. Man, that looks fun.





Tampa, Montreal, London and Madrid; The World Goes Wild in the Streets
On June 20 & 21, 2010 Emerica’s Wild In The Streets is Going Global!
Taking its cues from a diverse history of “organized coincidences” and happenings such as motorcycle rallies, Reclaim the Streets festivals and Critical Mass bicycle rides, Emerica’s Wild in the Streets is an unconventional skateboarding event born in the streets.  Often held on June 21st (Go Skateboarding Day), Emerica’s Wild in the Streets event is about much more than just getting the skate community together to have fun. After all, everyday is Go Skateboarding Day to Emerica. Wild In The Streets is different. A large-scale, decentralized grassroots movement for the benefit of skateboarders, the goal of Emerica’s Wild in the Streets is to forge community, while raising awareness of skateboarding and the needs of skaters. In years past, Emerica’s Wild in the Streets has benefited various causes, included fundraising for injured skaters, raising funds and awareness for skatepark projects, and socio-political issues affecting skateboarders and their communities.
This year the Emerica team will be splitting up and traveling to four locations around the world to bring cause-awareness and raise money for local skaters and their needs in those regions. The locations were decided by skaters, for skaters, on the Emerica Web site.
This is where the Emerica Team is headed for 2010:
Monday, June 21
Wild In The Streets Tampa
In benefit of Boards For Bros
Boards for Bros helps with the collection of skateboarding equipment, refurbishes it, and then distributes it back into the community for children who cannot afford their own. By helping the skateboard community give skateboards to those that might not have had the opportunity to ride one otherwise, Boards for Bro’s hopes that skateboarding can help children learn additional discipline, respect, and self-perseverance that will assist them throughout their entire lives. Wild in the Streets Tampa aims to raise money and awareness for Boards for Bros to create skateboarding lifers out of unordinary circumstances.
For more information: boardsforbros.com
Sunday, June 20
Wild In The Streets Montréal
In benefit of Québec Skate Plaza
The Québec Skate Plaza Foundation’s goal is to promote a healthy skateboard industry in the province of Québec. The foundation will support financing of future Skate Plaza construction and assuring that each skatepark project is built to skateboarder’s high standards. Wild In The Streets Montréal aims to raise money and awareness for the project and begin a new skateboarding legacy in the province of Québec.
For more information: fondationquebecskateplaza.blogspot.com
Sunday, June 20
Wild In The Streets London
In benefit of Southbank
London’s Southbank remains one of the world’s oldest and most iconic legitimate street skate spots, with a rich legacy in skateboard culture. Through the years large parts of the area have succumbed to corporate redevelopment, leaving the skateable public area greatly reduced in size, though the skaters of the UK have actively and consistently lobbied for some official recognition and protection for the area that remains. Wild In The Streets London aims to raise money and awareness for the project to help maintain the rich history of skateboarding at Southbank and support real street skating.
For more information: skate-southbank.blogspot.com/
Sunday, June 20
Wild In The Streets Madrid
In benefit of Plaza De Hortaleza
The well known Hortaleza Plaza, officially known as “Plaza Santos de la Humosa”, has been an OG Skate spot in Madrid since the mid ’90’s. It’s an integral part of Madrid’s skate history, and over the last few years the local skaters have been making improvements to the existent square themselves. With this DIY approach they added metal ledges, rails and refurbished some parts with concrete. Wild in the Streets Madrid aims to raise money and awareness for the local skaters to maintain and improve the existing plaza.
For more information: facebook.com/emerica.europe





Head on over to the Silver Trucks site to get a breakdown of its new tool with Brandon Biebel.






Stop by Primitive in Encino, California and get rookie pro Shane O’Neill’s autograph this Sunday May 23.






June 18-20, if you’re near Lafayette, Louisiana, be sure to check out the King Of The Park contest happening at Skate Spot. More info here.





Girl just posted part 3 of its major Outbackwards Tour down under. In this segment, check the entire Girl team gettin’ busy in Melbourne and Tasmania.