After 8 hours of driving we finally arrive to Arizona for the first ever Street League competition, an event that was designed to eliminate any other Skateboarding contests made by non Skateboarders.
Set in a massive stadium with a huge screen set on top of the course just like a basketball game made us think we were inside of a time machine that send us back to the 80’s when Skateboarders were more like rocks stars, I had images from my first Skate videos flashing inside my skull like “Savannah Slamma”.
When the competition finally started the “real-time Scoring” format designed to make every trick count rapidly separated the consistent Skateboarders from the others, the massive concentration of some of the Skateboarders was Clearly visible and when the time for the finals started the last guys standing were without a doubt the 7 best Skateboarders out there. An incredible determination from Nyjah Huston and Tory Pudwill along with the precise style of Shane O’Neill quickly put them onto the verge of the winning line finally crowning Nyjah Huston as the winner of the first Street League 2010 Arizona style. We had a lot of fun and here are some pictures and a little video of the contest, the second stop will be Ontario CA., so see you guys there !!
It was just yesterday when I found myself driving north to Los Angeles for the Emerica video premiere “Stay Gold” taking place at a really nice theater in Hollywood ” Ford Theater blah bla” a very spacious and comfortable building perfect for a memorable night of friends, skate and hammers…..and free beer. Got there 2 hours before the show and right into the VIP room with my Homie Eddie G. to slay some cold ones for the thirst.
STAY GOLD on the big screen.
After god knows how many hipster beers (PBR) we were finally ready to go up to the third floor to watch the video that on my opinion had created as much hype as the Lakai Fully Flared video premier…hmmm… well, almost. Little did I know, my mind will not be prepared for the visual massacre about to happen for the next hour or so.
Started with Brandon Westgate, His style reminds me one of my old time favorites “Cards” not only for the speed apply to every trick but also for the consistency when doing “make it or die” kind of tricks definitely my third favorite part of the video. When the time for Leo Romero finally came I was not on my right frame of mind specially when the tricks “UP” the hand rail started; Seriously man? shit, the k-gring up the rail was fucking amazing. I was just trying to recover from the craziness of all this shit when Andrew Reynolds part started and what can I say, just a different type of skating, the proper way to pop and float every trick; He just demolished every single spot he skated and definitely deserved the last part of the video.
Im not going to say anymore cause you need to go get the video when it comes out September 1st on Itunes, it is worth it plus you’ll be supporting the people that makes amazing videos like this one happen, so go get it !!
Here are some pics of the premiere.
Theatre entrance 2 hours before the premiere.
Eddie and lots of PBR
A little Sun Valley reunion with our old friends Jens Peterson and Bethany Conner Bagley.
Mario Rubalcaba's band "Earthless" before the Premiere. Iphones take trippy pictures...
It was Friday afternoon and a drive that usually takes me 1 1/2 hours to San Diego took me 3 HOURS! and I was rolling down with American psycho’s girlfriend! Jesssssus! but that’s a different story (Thanks Eddie). Anyways I finally got in one piece to the southern edge of gringolandia to check out the 2010 Crossroads and ASR events.
Gunther and Daniel found a nice Peruvian flag inside ASR. Hell yeah !!!
ASR had to reduce its facility even more than last years event! what? who cares? oh yeah who cares, now we have Crossroads around the corner where all of the Skate brands have a legit portal to the retail side of the industry (Skateboarding only) that way they can feel like they are doing business with somebody that actually cares ya know?. The business as usual was followed by a best trick contest on 3 different stages and a whole bunch of tricks were done on all of the 3 sections. We had a great time with our friend Daniel Falla “Legañita” that honored us with a visit once again and this time “Finally” introduced me to a chick!… Amy Gunther, yep we already share something :) (She actually has a boyfriend so back off piranhas!). The beautiful lady owner of KCDC Skateshop in NYC came to the other side of the continent to hang out with dirty, drunk, hairy immature dudes on skateboards and also to do some business deals.
go check out Her website….or die!
Overall really good times, free beer, cheap Hotel Honda room, and… thats it.
Amy Gunther and Gunther Estrada.
The amazing Sean Sheffey, Switch Crooked Grind.
Jeff Garza and Daniel Falla.
5BORO's Willy Akers, nose blunt slide.
Skateboarding Legends Kareem Campbell and Sean Sheffey.
It was a Sunny California day when we showed up at Gate 5 of the OC Fair to witness the Maloof Money Cup for the third consecutive year. This year the Street course had way more transition but the nice Street obstacles made up for it. After getting some drinks we went to watch the practice and take some pictures.
Torey Pudwill, Adelmo Jr., Ishod Wair and Matt Miller were killing it at practice; Adelmo broke his elbow later that day but not before landing perfect Nollie Heelflips on the bump over the gap. Torey was doing perfect backside 360 full body Kickflips and later that day Corey Kennedy was landing every trick he tried. We got the chance to meet Fabian Alomar on the second day. He is back in the game after many years, and if you don’t know who is Fabian you better check out “20 Shot Sequence”, one of the best videos of the 90’s.
Alvaro Santillana, Fabian Alomar and Hali Estrada.
The Girls were better than last year and it was very refreshing to watch Alexis Sablone, Marisa del Santo, Lacey baker and specially the winner Leticia Bufoni landing a perfect Backside Smith on the big rail. The Amateurs were incredible as always; Theotis Beasley was landing every trick with a perfect style, Kechaud Johnson and Tom Asta didn’t disappoint and little Loui Lopez was landing perfect Switch Frontside Bigspin Heelflips on the bump.
Tom Asta, Nose Blunt.
Steve Caballero and Christian Hosoi were there for the Masters demo along with Sal barbier who landed a perfect Backside Nose Blunt on the Volcano area of the course. We also had the chance to meet young Skateboarder Youness Amrani from Belgium, a super talented down to earth kid who was at the Maloof contest for the frist time; we are sure you’ll be hearing more about him in the near future.( Good luck in New York man !!!) .
The Finals were unbelievable, Chris Cole and Nyjha Houston had an amazing performance. Bastien Salabanzi was super solid and Torey landed a Backside Smith to backside Kickflip out on the curved ledge….That was fucking insane. At the end the $100,000 went to Chris Cole once again and it was very sad to watch Nyjha crying; I imagine it was a tough decision for the judges, but politics always seem to get in the way.
Chris Cole , Back 180 Nose Grind.
Overall the event was amazing; the best Skateboarders in the world and surprise performances by Nelly, Ludacris and Lil John made the past weekend one to remember. We like to thank Brendi, Maya, Devin, Thea and Jennifer for all their help. You girls are the best :) also Tanya of security and Kish at the fair entrance for the laughs. It was a fun weekend around friends and great Skateboarding. We can’t wait for the next event ;).
RESULTS:
1. Chris Cole 286.33 points $100,000
2. Nyjah Huston 281.67 points $40,000
3. Sean Malto 281.33 points $25,000
4. Torey Pudwill 274.67 points $15,000
5. Tommy Sandoval 260.67 points $6,000
6. Bastien Salabanzi 258.67 points $5,000
7. Ryan Decenzo 255.33 points $4,000
8. Justin Brock 250.33 points $3,000
9. David Gonzalez 246.67 points $2,500
10. Billy Marks 239.67 points $2,000
Here are some more pics and a small video of the contest; Enjoy :). CFL.
Torey, Backside 5.0 to back Tail.
Hali working hard :/....
Ludacris performance; can you be closer???
Taylor Bonin, Brittany Donahue and Sophie Molinari right before Nellys performance.
Alvaro wishing Nelly wasn't there, he was waiting for "BRUJERIA"
Ishod Wair, Backside Nose Blunt.
Gunther was working hard too while Steve Caballero and Corey Kennedy were watching the finals.
Adam Dyet, 540 Melon Grab.
Torey Pudwill and Gunther Estrada after the finals.
Johnny Layton, Switch 360 Kickflip.
David with his Best Trick $10.000 check after landing a 50-50 Kickflip out on the rainbow rail.
And last a very nice pic of the big wheel on the OC Fair....good times.
