The Bionic Man aka Danny Way

The Bionic Man aka Danny Way just doesn’t stop. We recently showed you his vertebrae breakin’ fall in Brazil, but 38 year old pro skater is up again and still pushing strong, strong enough to land an interview at the Wall Street Journal - yeah, skateboarding’s come a long way.where Danny discusses his influence in the skate world, the evolution of The Mega-Ramp and the future of skateboarding.

Reese Forbes High Ollie Challenge is officially back.

After a long decade, the Reese Forbes High Ollie Challenge is officially back.
It’ll take place at ASR on January 23-24th in San Diego. Who’s got that pop to break the record of 43 inches? Listen to what Reese says about the current record:
“…Were here in 2009 and its time to bring it back! I care for the interest in this competition and for the sport and commodory of skateboarding. It’s what has always interested me. Surrounding yourself with people you respect and pushing each other beyond you’re expectations. This year my hope and guarantee is that the record WILL be broken!!! There will be an elimination day and a pre-qualifier for the main event.”

NEW PRODUCTS

SKATE NEWS

(Huntington Beach, CA), December 11, 2008— In the loudest and most outrageous fashion, Quiksilver skateboarder Tony Hawk along with 20 of the most iconic vert skateboarders of all-time rolled into Quiksilver Headquarters Saturday, December 6, for a single-day skate challenge presented by Quiksilver and ShredOrDie.com. The "All '80s All Day Vert Challenge" was Tony's first competition in more than eight years.

ShredOrDie.com filmed the entire event and, starting today, will be issuing new daily clips over the next week. All video can all be embedded into blogs, social networking pages and other online sites.

"Quiksilver has been sponsoring skaters, throwing cool parties and putting on contests since I was a kid. Our skate team today spans from legends like Tony, Christian and Omar as well as growing young talent like Alex Olsen and Danny Garcia," said Reese Forbes, Quiksilver Skate Program Manager. "The All '80s All Day event blended the old and the new and brought it back to what we are all about, remembering a cool era, hanging with friends and going after the prize."



Dressed head-to-toe in neon brights and rockin' '80s skate setups, the 21 skate legends threw down on a monstrous '80s-inspired Vert Ramp built by bowlmaster and competitor Eddie Reatequi. Skaters competed in three challenges including the Vert Challenge, Big Air Contest and the Signature Trick Jam Session.

Cash prizes were awarded to first through 11th place in the Vert Challenge; first place receiving $1980 cash and a custom Gibson Epiphone guitar. Gibson threw in two other exclusive Epiphones for the Big Air winner and the Overall Best '80s winner.

As a muse for all skaters in attendance, the competitors stepped out in pure '80s inspired style, sporting '80s tees, flip hats, wigs and boards. With fresh highlights and a wave-like hairdo, Tony Hawk rocked the original shirt he wore back in the classic skate film "The Search for Animal Chin." Christian Hosoi donned a pair of his infamous spandex shorts and a signature cut-off tee along with jet black long-hair extensions while Andy Macdonald went for the cool comb-over, sporting a hot pink shirt and dropped down suspenders. The crew clearly showed how they led the way for the industry fashion that followed.

On the equipment front, all skaters were required to ride on original equipment. Tony showed up with a pink noseless board that he rode in the '80s. Many of the other skaters came with their own signature boards that have since become collectible museum pieces.

"We gotta ride the real deal here," he said. Skating the real deal landed Tony first place prize of $1980 and the Gibson guitar (Tony forfeited his cash prize and gave $200 each to the other skaters who did not place).

Quiksilver and ShredorDie.com would like to thank event sponsors, Gibson, for the rad '80s Epiphone guitar trophies, Antics powered by Toyota Matrix for the on-site entertainment, Wahoos and Jones Soda for the food and drinks.

RESULTS
Vert Challenge
1st Tony Hawk
2nd Andy Macdonald
3rd Bucky Lasek
4th Kevin Staab
5th Jeff Grosso
6th Christian Hosoi
7th Steve Caballero
8th Eric Nash
9th Eddie Reategui
10th Henry Gutierrez

Overall Best '80s - Christian Hosoi
Big Air Contest - Bucky Lasek
Gnarliest Skater - Jeff Grosso
Dagger Award - Eddie Reategui
Dead Last Award - Adrian Demain

Signature Trick Jam Session
Hawk Award (biggest/best 540) -Henry Gutierrez Hosoi Award (biggest/best Christ Air) - Bucky Lasek Micke Alba Award (best judo air) - Adrian Demain Lester Kasai Award (best Beni-hana) - Tony Hawk Ray Underhill Award (best Pop Tart) - Cara Beth Burnside Mike Smith Award (best Smith Grind) - Christian Hosoi Craig Johnson Award (scariest skater) - Ben Schroeder

SKATE NEWS

Carlsbad, CA — (December 10, 2008) — Bob Burnquist secures the title of WCS #1 Vert Skater after an amazing performance and three wins at the Oi! Megarampa competition in Brazil. The event was held at Sao Paulo's Sambadrome of Abhembi on November 23rd and over one million viewers tuned-in to TV Global's to watch event coverage.

Over 10,000 loyal fans waited over three hours in a downpour for the semi-finals to commence. Oi! Megarampa set a record in Brazil's skateboarding history by offering the largest contest cash prize of $85,500. Burnquist, co-creator of the event and native of Brazil, placed 1st in the quarter pipe and jump best trick contests after landing a switch backside 360 stalefish and indie 540 over the gap. He also took home the overall win with a three point lead. This is Burnquist's third mega ramp win in a row. His past mega ramp wins include X Games 13 and reigning X Games Big Air champion, proving why WCS ranks him #1.

"It was a lot of work to get this event off the ground and even harder to skate the mega ramp in front of all the cheering Brazilian fans. I want to thank Mega Ramp Events, all the skaters that flew down to Brazil to be a part of the event, and a special thanks to Danny Way for taking yet another slam for the cause. The pressure was almost unbearable with all the craziness going on, but with the support of the riders and the fans, we put on yet another mega show," said Burnquist. As World Cup Skateboarding's point leader, with a margin of 200 points after dominating the competition in Brazil and competing in all four WCS vert contests, Burnquist starts 2009 as a force to be reckoned with.

Bob Burnquist would like to thank the following sponsors: Flip Skateboards, Hurley, Toyota, Oakley, Ipath Shoes, Nixon, Pro-Tec Helmets, Ogio and Sambazan Amazon Energy.

Anybody ever heard of this War Co. business? It looks like War Co. is a new board brand featuring the headlining talents of ex-Element pro, Tosh Townend and Steve Godoy offspring and ex-Baker wise ass, Knox Godoy. Also on the team are Paul Flores and The Sinner. Not much else is known about War Co. Skateboards. However, according to their Myspace page, their Body Type is "5' 9 with some Extra Baggage," they're "Capricorn's," "Proud Parents," "Single," and make "$250,000 and higher." Do we really need to know anymore? I'll keep you posted.

Protect Ya Neck

Skateboarder Sues Baltimore Cop For Throwing Craze

WBAL TV

Eric Bush & His Momma, Ms. Bush.
A while back, the video of a young kid being taken down by a police officer made its way across the web. Apparently the kids name is Eric Bush and the officer in question is Salvatore Rivieri. It appears now, that a judge has given Bush, age 14, the right to sue the officer. Officer Salvatore Rivieri was removed from street duty shortly after the incident made headlines and hasn't yet to return. Hopefully this kid wins, makes an example of this d*ckbag and opens some eyes to the po po's reoccurring abuse of power. Then I hope Eric cuts me a check for a few of his winnings. Not much, just a few G's.

Lutzka's Bangin'

We're Both From Wisconsin…Get Me on Monster Already

Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuutzka! Yeah! I don't care what anyone says (and some people say a lot), but Lutzka is epic. I hate to sound like I'm begging, but I think he should help me out and get me on Monster…maybe even get me one of those hats. Maybe a house, too?

I just wish that people cared about writing as much as they did about skateboarding, but that's just too much to ask. I totally understand. Reading's for idiots…Wait, no, that's not right.

I guess I just need to get people interested, maybe get a gimmick. Maybe I could be like Kerouac and become a beatnik. I'll write all my books one time. Then, I'll re-write them just from memory, so that it flows…You know what, maybe that's why I can't get sponsored. Nothing about writing a book and then re-writing a book is flashy like Lutzkas Bangin' over at the Berrics. I think the most I'll ever get out of this dream to be the first sponsored writer on Monster is one of those hats.

Power To The Planet

Element Helps Raise Social Awareness

Element

A Preview of Element's Spring '09 footwear
So as you might already know, Element has a program going on called, Power To The Planet. No stranger to assisting in positive social causes, Element's Power To The Planet initiative features a full line of sustainable and organic products which hope to aid in the preservation of the environment. In order to spread the word of the program, 60 Element "family members" got together to explain individually, what Power To The Planet means to them. There's a diverse group of heads in the mix like Mike V., Brian Gaberman and even Rodney Smith of Shutl. Go to the official Power To The Planet mini-site and have a yourself a looksy.

The Carroll Calamity Continues

Epicly Carrolled Part 3

Carroll can laugh it all off now.

He's still good and EMB blows up. This one's got some risque stuff so I'm not gonna embed it but you can watch the episode here. I'm up in SF, so I might swing by Embarcadero tomorrow, even though it's not the same. We'll see.

SKATE NEWS

Beatnik
Many of today's young skaters are approaching this style of dress, but none has quite gotten it right in the way that I can laugh out loud at it. Jack Kerouac's "On the Road," by default, is a book sold to the youth as something that is cool, so we're on the right track. Either your parents, brother or a friend has this book, has most likely not read it, but talks about it as though they have. Now, carry a copy around with you when you skate. Next, go to the thrift store and find black high water pants, a black turtle neck and (here's the most important part) a black beret. If you can grow a goatie, grow it. If not, just let your stray dirt 'stache hairs grow out as much as you can. Last but not least, get some bongos and backtail that ledge, sucker.

After all, skating in Minnesota and Wisconsin, the upper East Coast, the Southwest or down South is just as awesome (sometimes more awesome) than the heavy coverage of Cali. With pics coming out of ATL through Ryan Flynn's site and even more rippers flowing their way into the industry (Grant Taylor, David Clark, Brad Cromer, Dan Murphy, Justin Brock and a whole host of others), they're hard to ignore. Now, Post 22 is documenting much of the sessions coming out of North Cackalacka. It's not that the South wasn't there, it's just that now they're making sure we're looking at the bottom of the map again.

For Ray
Momentum Wheel's Release Limited Edition Ray Underhill Wheel

Momentum Wheel Co.
After battling a Chordoma brain tumor for the past couple of years with radiation and surgery, legendary pro skater, Ray Underhill passed away on August 1, 2008. I was lucky enough to see Ray skate in person years ago, when he, Tony Hawk, Steve Saiz and Eric Sanderson did a demo on the infamous Powell Peralta unfolding mini-ramp at a local shop. The guy straight up, ripped.

To celebrate the life and skate influence that Ray left behind, Momentum Wheels has released a limited edition Ray Underhill wheel featuring Ray's original Powell cross graphic. The 55mm wheel is currently shipping. with all sales proceeds going to the Underhill family. Pick up a pair, pay homage to a legend and help support a worthy cause.

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SKATE NEWS

The EXIT skateboard team turned Windells into a winter wonderland and we have the video to prove it. Check out Exit team riders Sebo Walker, Erik Billups, Kyle Billups, Elliot Murphy, Steven Farmer, Gene McCann, Bryan Brown, Kyle Hannon, Eden Powers, Brian Dickinson, and Oscar Navarro at Windells Camp in Sandy, Oregon.