NEW PRODUCTS

Thinking outside the classic 7-ply maple make-up, BambooSk8 manufactures decks completely out of…you guessed it, bamboo! Besides the eco-friendly aspect, bamboo boards are lighter, stronger, and have more pop than the classic set-up, not to mention all-natural style points. Visit BambooSk8 for a list of retailers and try one out for yourself. Better yet, sign up for their ‘Win Free Decks for a Year‘ Contest - all you have to do is enter! And don’t be fooled by the phonies, BambooSk8’s decks are made from %100 bamboo.

Don’t hog it all for yourself, share some of the cool with your little one. Hook up your baby with some Crib Shoes by Vans. These slip-ons are available for both girls and boys. Available at both In4mation locations. Phone orders are welcomed.

You can hate, but you can’t argue. Nike SB truly knows. HUF just got this fresh cotton in stock. But don’t fret if you can’t make it out to Cali, these tees should be available at other select SB retailers now.

Skaters, bikers, and sneaker lovers, listen up. Introducing the Vans Syndicate Max Schaaf pack. Representing vert skater, vintage motorcycle enthusiast and longtime Vans rider Max Schaaf, this pack is a classic representation of Vans styles. The pack consists of two colors of the the Mountain Edition - red is lookin’ fresh - and Era Shoes, made of superb high quality leather and fire resistant suede and canvas so your foot doesn’t melt while you’re riding your motorcyle. Each shoe will be released in black/white and red/white colorways and will come with matching handle bar grips. The shoe box is modeled after vintage motorcycle parts packaging and is something special in itself. Vans Syndicate is s premium collection and online hub Robust Flavor has the shoes for phone orders right now at (866) 9-Robust. What you waiting for?

With all the benefits the digital world brings us - light speed information sharing being the cornerstone - it still has its drawbacks. The toll of the ‘net and the struggling economy brings another magazine to its knees, longtime skate mag Slap has released its final issue: December 2008. But the good news is Emerica pros Heath Kirchart gets the cover and Leo Romero gets a 14-page interview. Slap went down with a fight, and hey, it’s not completely over because their website is now the new place to catch up on all the news. And word on the street is their forum is the best out.

Just a reminder that the Mighty Healthy Skateboard decks are available at your local Mighty Healthy retailer. There are three differnt sizes and themes to choose from, act fact though, because there were only limited amounts of decks produced!

LRG and G Shock have teamed up before in the past for the “Time Is Money” witch quickly sold out as soon as shops received the piece. Now they are teaming up again for LRG’s 10 Year Anniversary, this time using the G Shock Frogman Watch. These watches will be limited to 1,000 and will only be available at select LRG Retailers.

What good are your $200 kicks when you’re wearing some dirty $2 socks? Exactly. Look good shoeless with this batch of socks from KR3W. Apart from low, mid, and hi white and black logo socks, KR3W changes it up a bit with the narrow-striped Eva and broad-striped Willy models - each come in two colorways. Check out the full lineup below and hit up Factory 413’s newly opened online store to purchase. $8-$12

For the wall or the wallride, you decide. Skate fashion icon Diamond Supply Co. linked up with veteran skate label Chocolate Skateboards for this muppet flaunting “Lil’ Diamond D” Deck, Chocolate pro Daniel Castillo’s pro model board. Chocolate brings the deck quality while Diamond brings the style steez. Stunts, Blunts, and Skateboards, ya dig? “7.75 x 31.13″ $45.99

For years now, Tech Deck has given skaters and non-skaters something to do in the classroom. Now Tech Deck introduces their Collector Series - same miniature decks you love, but with old school style, or as Cab says, “Toys for lil old school boys”. Pictured above is skate legend (and rising artist) Steve Caballero’s retro Powell dragon graphic. Like all Tech Deck fingerboards, it also comes with metal trucks, graphics wheels and grip tape. As a bonus, the collector series comes with a cool retro sticker and display-ready pack. Check out a larger image below and stop by your local skate shop to purchase.

Coinciding with these P-Rod II’s, the Gucci-flavored Nike SB Varsity Jacket is finally available. And if you’re looking for the an easy stocking stuffer or just a hat/glove/scarf combo, check out the new Knit Gift Pack. Also available are the Lance Mountain Crewnecks and Tees the new SB Knows Tee. Hit the link below to see it all.

Deluxe Distribution (Real, Spitfire, Thunder, Anti-Hero, Krooked) released their Holiday 2008 Catalog. Clcik the link below to catch up on all the new product from these highly notable skate brands. Word is there’s a tight video clip on the Anti-Hero page. Check your local skate shop for the goods.

The Nike SB “Mosquito” Dunk Low Premium made a buzz a few weeks ago as word leaked that it was a limited edition Quickstrike that would only be available at select accounts. Well, apparently someone got their hands on it and has it up on eBay, a size 11 for $200 to be exact. Incredibly detailed, the shoe is made of suede, patent leather, and nubuck and features a half translucent red/half speckled green sole, a cartoon mosquito printed on the insole, a Band-aid resemblant perforated skin-toned/lime green/blood red color-up and areas of 3M reflective material. There’s also hints of gray and baby blue. Click “Read more” below to view detailed photos. If you’re a size 11, make your move, if not, keep an eye out for these to drop at select accounts over the next few weeks. We’ll keep you posted if we hear anything.

Those weenie quarter socks ain’t cool kid, hack ‘em back up with these Fourstar Pirate Hi Socks - classic skate logo. Choose from black or white. Don’t forget to stuff those stockings! $7.99

SKATE NEWS

The infamous Sick Boys re-release premiere will be showing at Thee Parkside in San Francisco on December 11th, the day before Thrasher announces the skater of the year (perplex on that one, for a while and try to figure out who it could be). It's seven dollars to enter and all proceeds go to our dearly departed ripper in the sky Johnny Romano's Foundation. Come out to listen to Hot Lunch and the Nowheres and relive history for a good cause. Here are the directions.

A little innocent joy is a long-awaited treat to every one of us who has suffered through the blissless ignorance of the last eight years. Maybe it's just a coincidence or pure circumstance, but memories from my youth have been popping up all around me. The Cosby Show seems to be on the air more often than I remember, I just saw Picture Pages the other day and I caught Muppets one morning with my Goddaughter. So it just seems fitting, for me at least, that Matix is making advertisements that could fit into an episode of Sesame Street.—Joshua Brooksf

Cliche

If you couldn't tell by now, I like the Frenchies over at Cliche. I don't really subscribe to the blatant nationalism that most Americans have against Frenchmen, unless of course that Frenchman is a waiter in Paris. I hate those guys. Otherwise, there's tons of stuff to like about France and Frenchmen—like all the dudes on Cliche and their most recent teaser for the Live and Unplugged Video—Joshua Brooks

SKATE NEWS

We’ve got more team signing news for you today: Eric Koston, Rick Howard, Jeff Lenoce, Guy Mariano, Mike Mo Capaldi, Mike Carroll, Vincent Alvarez, and Marc Johnson will be putting their siggies on anything you put in front of ‘em at Utility Board Supply. Well most anything, anyway. Check the flyer…

SKATE NEWS

Ryan Sheckler. He's a pro Skater, teen heartthrob, reality TV star, actor and a young man with more money than I will ever have. Now, Ryan has himself a brand new Training Facility. It's indoors and it's burly as hell.

While most "street skaters" have constructed their own private parks in a traditional skatepark fashion, Ryan has ordered his builders to take a largely different route. This park looks to be a place of serious business, meaning that anyone looking to embark on a mellow sesh will have no such luck. Massive roll-ins, euro-gaps, giant steps, huge rails, towering hubbas and more...the set-up is something out of the exaggerated "street" set-ups of Tony Hawk: Pro Skater. Have a look at Sheckler's park over here at the Etnies site or watch down below. Supposedly there's a ton of more stuff that isn't visible in these clips. Word is that a whole level full of ledges and manuals, alongside an entertainment room exist somewhere in this enormous mix. Whatever the case may be, it must be good to be Sheckler. That's right, I'm not one to hate on a young chap.

DC Generates Awareness & Money For Men's Health

DC Shoes
When it comes to the topic of facial hair, no razor carved shape screams sexual attraction like a well-groomed Moustache can. DC Shoes has not only noted this indisputable fact, they've gone ahead and incorporated it into their newest fundraising cause dubbed, Movember.

Movember is an annual charity 'mo'-vement committed to changing the way men think about, discuss and treat their own health issues through generating awareness and raising money for men's health. Movember challenges men (Mo Bros) to grow a Mo (Aussie slang for a moustache) for the month of November as a symbol of supporting men's health issues and celebrating the Mo. Last year, 81 DC employees raised $48,497 by growing themselves out some buttery-ass moustaches. This year, DC's Movember and its gang of 'Mo Bros' are back and now includes the participation of some DC team riders.

Right now you can sponsor (while donating to the Prostate Cancer Foundation) a DC Team Rider's Mo, who are currently documenting the growth through photo and video updates.

Also, be sure to stop by the DC Movember eBay auction. Running through Nov. 21, a variety of items will be available for bid including, an original Signed, Mike Blabac Danny Way photo and a Dyrdek Complete, and autographed Dyrdek deck and a years supply of DC Shoes.

And if you're into growing that lip-piece out, send a photo of your Mo and you could win a $250 DC shopping spree. Snap a photo of your moustache and send it in to movembercontest@dcshoes.com.

INTERSTATE BOARD SHOP (SINGAPORE) LIMITED EDITION BOARDS

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SKATE NEWS

If you were to take the brain of a skateboarding, paraphernalia-hoarding, art-collecting wild man and packed it into a building and a couple of warehouses, you would pretty much get what High Speed Inc. is. This place is a fifteen-year-old skateboarder's wet dream. In fact, it is a skateboarding twenty-seven-year-old's wet dream.

At the entrance, you're greeted by an Obama cutout, two pinball machines and some welded shell for street luging. It's so covered in history and awesome clutter that you don't know where to turn, what to take a picture of, or what not to touch. It's like a museum of skate history, with stacks and stacks of back issues of Thrashers, Slaps and Juxtapoz. Rumor has it, there was a brief period of porno publishing, which quickly dwindled.

Slap, the stellar publication that just released the last paper issue before going web, operates from the downstairs, which connects to the garage where the famous Argentinian Fausto Vitello (RIP) still houses a couple of his hot rods. In the back, the magic happens. The sexy young ladies of Hubba Wheels have a mall-style photo room in the back.

High Speed Hijinx

This rail looks familiar from somewhere. Click below to find out where.
High Speed spans a whole section of the warehouse district in San Francisco. The warehouse of Thrasher gear and mags is chaulk full of just as much skate history and hilarious clutter.—Joshua Brooks

High Speed Part III

The Dojo

Original Gonz Art oversees the Dojo.
Skated the dojo and found all the fodder just lying around from all the skaters coming in and out.

Catalog Country

Rasa Libre & Deluxe Go Live With New Online Catalogs

Rasa Libre
It seems like it's that time of the year. Companies are gearing up for the holidays and in the process, dropping their freshest product for skate consumption. Rasa Libre, the brand headed by Matt Field, was killed by Deluxe a few years back and has since experienced a second coming. They've just dropped their newest online book of goods and from the looks of things, they haven't lost a step, or yoga move...har har! Lame. Anyway, they've coined this one, their "Cosmic Catalog" and the visually pleasant layout features all kinds of goodies, including pro boards from Mr. Field, Kenny Reed, Mike Daher, Joel Meinholz and of course, Bigfoot.

Also, Deluxe the distribution brand that once housed the Rasa name, has also gone live with their newest goods in the "Deluxe Holiday 08 Online Catalog." Inside you'll find video, interviews and brand new product from Spitfire, Thunder, Real, Anti-Hero and Krooked. E-mail Santa these links alongside a list of your demands. And if the fat bastard doesn't come through with what you wanted, well then, you should punch yourself in the nuts, because fairy tales are for suckas!

30 Years Of Independence

Indy Drops Their 30th Anniversary Tour Video, Free Of Charge

Courtesy Independent Truck Co.
This is a rad one. Every Tuesday and Thursday, 2 parts of Indy's 30th Anniversary Tour video will be released for free, on the Independent 30th Anniversary microsite. So far parts 1-4 have been posted and it looks real good. As you know, the Indy 30th Anniversary Tour popped off this past May through July and featured a heavy hitting list of classic riders, old and new.

If you're feeling antsy and don't think you can wait for the upcoming installments of this thing, stop by your local skateshop and pick up the December issue of Thrasher. Not only does the mag come shrink-wrapped with the Full-Length tour video, it features a giant 24-page article on the tour. Get on it, fools.

THAT’S RIGHT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE ILLUSTRIOUS FLIP TEAM IS HEADING TO THE DESERT SOUTHWEST AND MOUNTAIN COUNTRY, THE PERFECT WAY TO START THE HOLIDAYS, FORGET YOUR TURKEYS AND FAMILY FEASTS GET YOURSELF OFF TO THE NEAREST SKATEPARK LOCATION ON THE SCHEDULE AND FEAST ON THE FINE SKATEBOARDING OF GEOFF ROWLEY, MARK APPLEYARD, DAVID GONZALEZ, RUNE GLIFBERG, LANCE MOUNTAIN, LUAN DE OLIVEIRA, CURREN CAPLES AND THE GANGSTA STYLE OF LOUIE LOPEZ. WE ALL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE. HAPPY TRAVELS.

CHECK OUT THE FEAST TOUR TEASER HERE.

DAILY NEWS UPDATES WILL BE UPLOADED ONTO THE FLIP SKATEBOARDS BLOG

SATURDAY NOV 15 – 8PM
DEMO AT RIO VISTA / PEORIA SKATEPARK WITH COWTOWN
8866 W THUNDERBIRD RD, PEORIA, AZ, 85381

MONDAY NOV 17 – 6PM
SIGNING AT STARR SKATESHOP
1927 E GRANT RD, TUCSON, AZ, 85719

WEDNESDAY NOV 19TH – 6PM
DEMO AT CAROLINA SKATEPARK WITH CROOKS SKATESHOP
563 N CAROLINA, EL PASO, TX, 79915

FRIDAY NOV 21ST – 5PM
DEMO AT LOS ALTOS SKATEPARK WITH BEACH ZONE
10140 LOMAS BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87112

SATURDAY NOV 22ND – 3PM
SIGNING AT ZUMIEZ – FLAGSTAFF MALL
4650 NORTH HWY 89 #F-36, AZ, 86004

SKATE NEWS

Vietnam day! What a coincidence. I was just writing about Clint's new blog addition on Stereo, comparing my experience in New York to a booze-soaked Vietnam and here the Epicly Later'd Lakai edition episode three is out.

When you watch these explosions in real time, it makes you understand just how much of a skater's job is similar to being a stuntman. Luckily it's not like 'Nam everyday, but if it were, Mike Mo would have to skate over stairs and gaps that were constantly blowing up. That would be impressive. Is this the new direction of skateboarding's future—street skating's way to match the gnarliness of the Mega ramp? Are you impressed? No? Oh, you are? Well, then, you may be impressed by Mike Mo's tre flip world record. Now go watch his part in Fully Flared and imagine everything's blowing up after he lands. The Fully Flared Deluxe edition drops soon.

In Clint's experience, this was probably just Williamsburg Bridge. In my experience, it felt like a long beam with nothing but a bar at either side. This bridge is hot now.
Last time I went to New York, I came back with a case of that pheasant flu you get from Chinese food and a disorder that made me feel like my liver had dissolved, slowly seeped through my internal organs and exited my backside. Perhaps that description is a little drastic but when I left, it felt like I was leaving 'Nam—a debaucherous and booze-soaked 'Nam (which, I suppose, is just like 'Nam was, but without the killing people and losing it in pre-'Nam boot camp…I get worried sometimes that too much of my world view has been shaped by movies).

Anyway, so it was four days of 24 hour drinking. We didn't have a set place to stay, so we were at the whims of wherever we were crashing, and everyone knew someone who worked at a bar.

"We should go skating," we would say. Then, somehow, our friends there would redirect us to the bar. Soon, we were "skating" to the bar, "skating" to my friend's house, "skating" around the bar stools at Max Fish.

It's true what Clint Peterson wrote on his blog: If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. I've since been back to NY with less booze and I love it. But, if that trip's any indication, it appears as though my friends and I are bound to "make it" as alcoholic vagabonds with SARS and a severe case of the gut rot. Check out Clint, Benny Fairfax and Danny Supa's trip to the Big Apple here and their Halloween Havoc over at Stereo.

Tony Hawk Gets Probed On The Red Carpet By A Bizarro Adam Dyet
This Was One Of The Items I Bid On For The Silent Auction.
Just tonight, Stoked Mentoring, the action sports non-profit organization hosted their 2nd Annual Awards Ceremony at the Red Bull space in NYC. If you're not familiar with Stoked Mentoring, it's actually a really amazing program. Basically, Stoked provides "at risk youth" with mentors who teach kids how to either surf, snowboard and/or skate. There was a nervousness felt all around, as the event was to bring out a very special guest, Tony Hawk. That's right, THE Tony Hawk. We're talking a skateboarder who has his own signature gummy multivitamin, folks. The legendary Hawk was being honored at the event for his helping to distribute over 2.3 million dollars to 390 Skate Park Projects all over the damn place. And for his beyond solid contribution, the legendary Hawk would be presented with the Stoked Achievement Award.

The event was what one might expect from any guest list party in Soho. There were free flowing drinks, a mini buffet table that featured an exceptionally delicious couscous, pretty ladies in backless gowns, paparazzi, plenty of teched-out line beards and tons of beats, courtesy of the obligatory DJ.

In addition to the already over stimulated atmosphere, there was a decent-sized section of items to be auctioned off. There were signed decks, diamond encrusted watches, vintage prints of Tony Alva & Christian Hosoi and what I considered to be the illest number of the night; a framed glossy-as-hell photo of Ryan Sheckler's tattooed back. Holla! I'd be lying if I told you I didn't put in my silent bid with the quickness of a gazelle. I actually tried to put in a second and a third bid but was immediately stopped by the moderator.

Things Got Really Weird At The Guitar Hero Station. I Had Dibs On Winner, But Got Snaked By The Dude In The Background.
As I waited for the festivities to commence, I watched as some serious shredding went down at the Guitar Hero station. I tried to step in for an impromptu ripping, but was snaked by a perpetrator. It was fine, because it was around that moment when Stoked co-founder, Steve Larosiliere, took the stage. Steve went on to congratulate a few of the more exceptional Stoked volunteers, and award them for their achievements. It wasn't long before X-Games announcer, E! Host, co-founder of Stoked and a man whose last name I have yet to properly pronounce, Sal Masekela took the stage. Sal did his thing and presented a video that gave a brief overview of Tony Hawk's contribution to skateboarding, as well as his commitment to building parks through the Tony Hawk Foundation.

Tony snagged the mic and the crowd went buck. Tony said many things, including an amazing story about why he decided to start The Tony Hawk Foundation (which through grants and other charitable donations supports programs focusing on the creation of public skateboard parks). It went something like this...A public park had been built somewhere in the U.S. (I can't remember where because I was crushing Red Bull & Vodka's from the get go). The powers that be, invested a ton of money in the project and were so proud and self congratulatory, they invited Tony Hawk to come out and help christen the park for its unveiling. When Tony arrived, he was shocked at just how bad the park sucked. It's an all-too common occurance and a complete waste of a chance to have a neighborhood skatepark. From that point Tony knew what he had to do and rest was history. At the end of his speech, Tony announced that he would be donating $5 G's to Stoked Mentoring. This impromptu declaration sparked an almost reckless chain reaction as audience members began shouting out even more donations towards the stage. Sal M. grabbed the mic and took on the role of a cinematic auctioneer. It was amazing. At the end of it all, the impromptu giving spree raised something around $12 G's for Stoked. That's not bad. Big ups Tony Hawk, Big ups Stoked Mentoring and Big Ups Red Bull and Vodka. In my eyes you are all equally as delicious. And as far as that Sheckler print goes, I'm still waiting to find out if I won. Yo, Stoked people, if you're reading this, I had to cut out early...so hit me up if my number was called! Thanks guys. Toodles.

The Berrics
With age, dwindling skill and all encompassing apathy, I often seek out the skate sessions which snuggly fit into the "low-impact category." And for theses reason alone, I've found myself skating more and more flatground in the recent years. And for chubby old dudes like myself, it's the simple games of S.K.A.T.E. that allow us to relive our glory. For us, it's a way to relearn the tricks we'd long since lost and pull some new ones out our ass when it's our turn to throw down.

One of the coolest things to happen to skateboarding in the last few years is the pro level game of S.K.A.T.E. I've always loved seeing just how good a pro is. And for the most part, they're that g'damned good. I'm not sure when the next eS' Game of S.K.A.T.E. is scheduled to pop off, but at the moment DVS and The Berrics have joined forces to present, "The Battle At The Berrics." While there's an impressive list of matches to come, so far the only battles that have happened were between Joey Brezinski and Chad Tim Tim and Danny Montoya and Erik Ellington. Take a look here to see who will be battling who. Holy sh*t, there's some gnarly ones. Arto Saari vs. Chico Brenes, Mike Mo vs. Furby, PJ Ladd vs. Tyler Bledsoe and the one that I'm about to put some money on, Koston vs. Dyrdek. I'm claiming Dyrdek on that one. Be sure to stop by daily to get your fix of these pro's and others facing off on the buttery smooth Berrics asphalt.

Whatever stance Birdo might take about bigger brands being in skating, I, under no umbrella but my own, will say that Consolidated is one of the most infamous companies of past and present eras. It's spawned greats like Steve Nesser, Clint Peterson, and was the controversial home to Jason Jessee for some time.

With Kyle Berard, Mike Peterson, Alan Peterson, Karma Tsocheff, Steve Bailey and Roberto Aleman still on the pro squad and a whole slew of ams, they have an eclectic team. They're up with a new blog now, where you can watch the Support Your Local Skate Shop Tour vid. Also, out of my own preference, I suggest watching Roberto Aleman (or Robert the German as I like to call him in the anglicized form). He's got his own "only in Spain" pro model and rides for Fallen on the sly. Dude rips.