Friday, November 21st, 2008
Thrasher SOTY 2008
Just announced —— Thrasher magazines’ Skater of the Year for 2008 is Silas Baxter-Neal.
CONGRATS SILAS!!!
photo: O’Meally
Saturday, November 1st, 2008
Start Shredding the News: New York City Rooftop Skate Contest
I didn’t attend, but a friend stopped by. Took place today in the Lower East Side. More photos here.
Thursday, October 23rd, 2008
Mark Gonzales Finally Got the Sneaker Thing Right
We’re unabashed Gonz fans here at the CHMP, but we’ve (or at least I’ve) been consistenly let down by the sneakers he’s designed for adidas. Simply put, it just looks like he’s trying too hard.
That is until I saw these Doleys.
I know I’m probably a few months behind the curve on this (I think they were released in August), but it looks like Gonz and “all day I …” finally got it right. These kicks are fabuloso.
Thursday, October 23rd, 2008
Some Random Thoughts on Pierre Luc-Gagnon and Chaz Ortiz Winning the 2008 Dew Tour Titles
This weekend, I caught NBC’s and USA’s coverage of the street and vert finals in the 2008 Dew Tour finals in Orlando, Fla. Here are a few scattered thoughts on the whole proceedings:
– The “play-by-play” guy was less than stellar. In fact, he sucked. Badly. He didn’t know much about skateboarding and only seemed to get in the way. They would’ve been better off just letting Chris Miller talk the whole time. The only time the announcing was decent was when Jason Lee and Chris Pastras popped by the booth. And at one point when Andy MacDonald (I think it was Andy Mac, at least … it might’ve been Bucky … it was definitely one of those old coots) bailed on a trick, P-B-P guy talked about Captain Ahab going down with the ship. I’m no Moby Dick expert, but I don’t think Ahab actually did go down with the ship. Sheesh, what a shite analogy.
– Chaz Ortiz might have deserved the title, but P-Rod did a ton more switch tricks than he did. Consistency trumps complexity, apparently.
– No doubt that PLG deserved the vert title, however. In fact, it wasn’t even close. He had the best three runs of the night, period. Any one of them should’ve earned him the title. At least justice was served in that sense.
– With street contests, would they ever think about having clusters of skaters “jam” on the same obstacle, as opposed to one dude on the course the whole time (stuff like “Slaughter at the Opera” was awesome to watch because it was non-stop action). There’s just a whole lot of down time when it’s just one guy on those huge “street” courses.
– Ryan Sheckler looked like he was going to cry. OK, that was an exaggeration, but as soon as that no-name am posted a decent score and bumped Sheckles from the top six, you knew he was going to press on his final run. And he tanked. Honestly, it was awkward. Sheckles just might want to quit skateboarding. It was tough to watch. And then he just stormed off afterwards like a beeyotch. To the shrieks of hundreds of adoring young ladies, naturally.
– Ultimately, I guess this is still skateboarding’s marquee contest series. And I guess I’m still kinda sorta thankful that it even exists. Any day you get to watch skateboarding on TV is a good day. But it can be improved upon. Tons.
Friday, October 17th, 2008
Flip Skateboards:::::Extremely Sorry
A whole slew of new material coming from the FLIP crew recently.
The ‘Flip Feast’ is soon to be visiting a town near you, if you live in the southwest of this here US of A. Coming this November Lance Mountain, Rune Glifberg, Mark Appleyard, David Gonzalez, Geoff Rowley and the rest of the team will be stoping in Arizona Mew Mexico and Texas.
Go over to the Flip site for some feast teasers.
Also, not to be left out - check the promo clip for Flip’s new video.
Friday, October 17th, 2008
Robbie Russo Just Might Save Skateboarding
About a year ago I posted a video of Robbie Russo skating the flip out of a pool (it originally ran on Thrasher). It’s gotten over 10,000 views and is filled with comments like: “how does a kid get so much style at such a young age” and “the future of skating”. I can’t disagree at all. I have no idea how old this young’un is, but to me, he’s the best young skater out there, period.
In fact, if there was one skater I would compare Robbie to, it’d be Tommy Guerrero. When he was a young up-and-comer in the 80’s, Tommy was hitting the streets while everyone else was skating vert. Now, with Robbie, he’s killing transitions at a time when street skating’s all the rage. Hopefully young RR, who skates for Anti-Hero, can topple the paradigm and bring some focus back to tranny skating. We could use it.
Anyway, here’s a video that ran on Guerrero’s DLXSF site recently of the Chili Bowl contest in San Francisco. Fittingly, Robbie has the last part.
Friday, October 17th, 2008
New York Times Pays Homage to Van Wastell
Michael Brick has a feature in today’s New York Times about the life, and death, of Van Wastell. It’s a solid read, maybe a tad overdone at times, that touches gingerly upon the issue of pro skateboarders’ party-hearty lifestyle and whether it puts them at risk.
In death, he has drawn unwelcome attention to a largely unspoken aspect of his sport. At the professional level, many skateboarders answer to the demands of elite athleticism while carrying on with wild abandon, to the approval of a mostly young male audience.
No one from Krooked or Van’s family is quoted in the article.
(Photo: TotallyTMing)
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008
Ryan Holloway Shreds the Forest in Zip Zinger Wheels Commercial
There’s something about skateboarding on natural surfaces that I’ve always found highly watchable. From Jeremy Wray’s part in “One Step Beyond” to Rick McCrank’s chilly steez in “Menikmati”, I’ve always been intrigued by the concept of piloting urethane on grass, dirt, snow, and what have you.
Well, Krooked upped the ante with this little commercial for their Zip Zinger wheels. The spot features a shirtless (somehow that’s important here) Ryan Holloway bombing the woods to a country score. Short, but pretty entertaining. Peep.
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008
Van’s Downtown Showdown - AKA look at Creature’s FIVE POINTS OF EVIL!!!!
Vans Downtown Showdown happened over the past weekend. I didn’t view it live so I’m settling for the great vids over at the Skateboard.com.
Four different team’s were asked to create and construct their representative obstacle. The teams that were asked were: Girl - ‘3 Pump Dump’, Foundation - ‘Lunar Eclipsey Hubba‘, Black Label - ‘Dive Bar’, and Creature’s - ‘Five Points of Pure Evil‘.!!! Peep the vid below for a look at the madness that is the ‘FIVE POINTS OF EVIL’. Just Fucking Awesome!!
Results after the jump: ————>
Thursday, October 9th, 2008
Skateboarding + Music
Way back in 1992, Spike Jonze made his music video debut as co-director of Sonic Youth’s 100% video. He and Tamra Davis interspersed shots of Jason Lee, Guy Mariano, and Spike skating around the streets of LA with shots of the band playing live. He would soon go on to found GIRL skateboards with Mike Carroll, Rick Howard and Megan Baltimore.
SONIC YOUTH - 100%
Directed by Tamra Davis with Spike Jonze
Music Produced by Butch Vig with Sonic Youth
Starring: Jason Lee and Guy Mariano
From the album Dirty (1992)
Thursday, October 9th, 2008
Lakai::::FINAL FLARE
Late on this one too….but i’m pretty excited about this HD reissue of a modern classic in Skate Cinema. 3 Disc Box set - 1 Blu-ray disc, 2 SD DVD discs + some extra stuff I’m sure.
I know we give a lot of love and coverage to Lakai here on tha Champ….but screw it! Look at that team, what do you expect?
And Lakai….if you’re reading, product reviews ARE part of our job description here at CHAMPEEN. Let us know what we can do to help you, be you! Me = size 12. Randy?
anyway, peep trailer #2 below:
Thursday, October 9th, 2008
Lance & Stecyk
Nike Skateboarding has put together a nice little promo site for the new collaboration (re: SHOE) between these two legends. I’m always stoked to see the name Lance Mountain, and to see that C.R. Stecyk is the other designer involved…it almost certainly guarantees some love from me.
Although they consider it a ‘disservice’ to call it a collab., i think that’s a good enough term for it, this meeting of the old school minds does produce a nice product - if you like orange.
Peak the new Blazers at a SB retailer near you soon ———- or a few screen grabs from the site after the jump.
(credits: photos-C.R.Stecyk III. product images-Nike SB)
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008
Alien Workshop::::MINDFIELD
Head over to Alien Workshops newish site AWS FILMWORKS to catch a few glimpses of what should be yet another interesting release from the minds in OHIO.
Riders to be included are: Heath Kirchart, Josh Kalis, Anthony Van Engelen, Mikey Taylor, Omar Salazar, Dylan Rieder, Jason Dill, Steve Berra, Rob Dyrdek, Arto Saari, Grant Taylor, Jake Johnson, and Tyler Bledsoe.
UPDATE: Embedded video below.
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008
Random Old-School Ad: Jeff Phillips (Tracker)
This classic full-pager ran in Transworld back in February of 1986. I’m sure it ran elsewhere as well.
You can say all you want about the relevance of there not being a board — or the act of skateboarding — in this ad, as well as what role the party-hard, pro-skater lifestyle played in Jeff’s untimely death (he killed himself seven years later in 1993). That’s all good and fine, but basically this post is just an excuse to run a full-bleed of, in my opinion, the greatest skater to ever set foot on a vert ramp. RIP, P-66.
(Related: Mertzworld on Jeff Phillips)
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008
Evan Hecox - Chinatown Numbers
Wanted to spread the word that -Chocolate Skateboards Art Director- Evan Hecox has just made available his most recent art print through Arkitip. “Chinatown Numbers” is a 16″ x 20″ screenprint, has an edition of 200, and is $125.
I’m always interested when I see Evan’s name attached to a project. I haven’t been too excited personally about the last few releases he’s done with Arkitip. But i must say I’m very into this particular image.
Let’s hope for some new Chocolate decks.
Visit Arkitip for more info.
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008
DVS Skate & Create
Another oldie but goodie…(didn’t see Randy post this one)…revealed a few weeks ago.
Transworld Skateboarding’s first ever Skate and Create video contest was won by the talented team over at DVS. Over the course of nine days Andrew Brophy, Zered Bassett, Keith Hufnagel, Daewon Song, and Torey Pudwill all made the most (and i do mean the most) of the various ride-able creations put in front of them by Director Colin Kennedy.
The results can be found here - www.dvsskate.com/indepth/skate_and_create
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008
Parra + Enjoi
Few weeks late but……..Dutch Artist PARRA has gotten together with everyone’s favorite ENJOI skateboards for this series of pro models.
Among the riders represented are: Louie Barletta, Cairo Foster, Jerry Hsu, Caswell Berry, & Wieger Van Wageningen. Particularly feeling the Wieger graphics myself (far right), maybe it’s the Smiths lyric. Any other favorites? Anyone?
For more check out parra here: www.rockwellclothing.com/parra/
and for even more see this Fecal Face Studio visit from last year
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008
INTRO-DUCTION
Hello, hello…First post here on the Champ. Just wanted to make myself known. Rdizzle and myself will be trying to bring our many years of on board experience and taste making to this here interweb.
We have some differences in focus, but it’s still all love for the stuntwood. I’ll do my best to add content and point peoples in the direction of some interesting finds. Stay tuned for skate and skate-related posts…from art to music to various vids I find pertinent. Thanks for reading and stay tuned!
Monday, July 21st, 2008
Plan B’s Coverage of Maloof Money Cup
I’d imagine these team reels are flooding the nets like mad, but here’s Plan B’s coverage of P-Rod, Sheckles and Sherm at the Maloof Money Cup …
And for posterity’s sake, here are the final results:
Street:
1 Paul Rodriguez
2 Nyjah Huston
3 Chris Cole
4 Ryan Sheckler
5 Darrell Stanton
6 Jereme Rogers
7 Terry Kennedy
8 Andrew Reynolds
9 Greg Lutzka
10 Dennis Busenitz
11 Adam Dyet
12 Tommy Sandoval
13 Billy Marks Corona
14 Kurtis Colamonico
15 Sean Malto
16 Bryan Herman
17 Eric Koston
18 Mike Carroll
19 Jake Duncombe
20 Sierra Fellers
21 Chris Mendes
22 Ronnie Creager
23 Erik Ellington
24 Peter Ramondetta
25 Alex Mizurov
26 Nick Dompierre
27 Corey Duffel
28 Marc Johnson
29 Stefan Janoski
30 Braydon Szafranski
31 Alex Olson
32 Zered Bassett
33 Brandon Biebel
34 Leo Romero
Vert:
1 Pierre-Luc Gagnon
2 Shaun White
3 Bucky Lasek
4 Danny Mayer
5 Sandro Dias
6 Andy Macdonald
7 Bob Burnquist
8 Lincoln Ueda
9 Rodrigo Menezes
10 Buster Halterman
11 Rune Glifberg
12 Rob Lorifice
13 Neal Hendrix
14 Alex Perelson
15 Jake Brown
16 Josh Stafford
17 Darren Navarrette
18 Jean Postec
19 Max Dufour
20 Adam Taylor
Wednesday, July 16th, 2008
Copenhagen Pro 2008
DVS posted a top-notch video recap of the 2008 Copenhagen Pro. (On a side note, it seems that just about every video DVS posts online is straight-up high-quality stuff.) Watch it here:
Spoiler note: Here are the final results. Looked like a fun contest.
1 Danny Cerezini
2 Diego Oliveira
3 Eero Antilla
4 Jereme Rogers
5 John Rattray
6 Eric Koston
7 Elton Melonio
8 Daniel Viera
9 Matt Beach
10 Rob Gonzalez
11 Pontus Alv
12 Willian Seco