By Gunther Estrada.Once again we packed our little belongings and drove south for the ASR Trade Show in San Diego Califas, we were taking this weekend as a relaxing time after having a very busy August. When we finally got there we notice there was some new faces at the show, that were actually replacing the empty spaces for some of the usual brands that decided not to attend this year (for different reasons). The first new faces we saw were "Blueprint Skateboards" out of The UK with a long trajectory starting over 15 years ago; they were displaying their latest designs of Boards, Wheels, Hardware and Accessories with it’s unique and eclectic style that represents their legacy and status in the Skate Industry in Europe, we had the chance to meet the BP head guy Joe Burlo and their newest addition to their sales force Chris Peck (old friend) who were more then welcoming to show us their product and give us a warm Coors Light (my favorite). After a little dance dance to the Yeyo (inside joke/nothing bad really) we came across this creative “Stonehenge” replica that was no other than the anticipated Bummer High Skateboards booth lead by the commander Ethan Fowler. After looking at their catalog and boards we had no doubt that Bummer High will be a strong player in the game.
Teddy Kelly, Ethan Fowler and Gunther Estrada.
After walking about a mile in circles (with a gigantic back Pack) I got to see a familiar face at a live art show that was one of the happenings at the Trade Show, my doubts were diluted with a great surprise when i got near one of my Old School heroes “Steve Caballero” himself, drawing on a plywood canvas (fucking crazy).
The "Master" Steve Caballero.
We got a couple of photos of a few of the regular companies like World Industries and Blitz Distribution, also Capix Helmets with their super strong team Danny Way, Colin McKay, Chet Thomas, Gailea Momolu and Paul Machnau; we also had the chance to see the usual double mega booth for Volcom that happened to be unusually quiet, maybe I was there late or maybe their investors are not “investing” so much in trivial noise concerts, free drinks, hot models….hold on, that is what we like! (fuck the inversionistas).
I was so tired of walking around that I finally said to myself : “fuck it! lets go home!” and Teddy from Bummer High invited us to the official launch party for the Company, we were easily convinced, so off we go.
Here are some photos of the place (Beauty Bar) at a night with free drinks great music and good friends, of course I need one too many Vodka Tonics and I pull out of my wallet the powerful “gringo magic plastic” to get more drinks after they were out of freebies and shit…I forgot to take it before I left, so there is that…. no drivers license and no credit card. (I am already use to this shit).Gunther Estrada, Raymond Molinar, Tony Silva and Teddy Kelly; Bummer High after party.
The morning after and feeling like a million Rupees (like 10 cents) with a headache and knowing that I was going to have a horrible day, we took off to the Skateboarding event “The Battle of The Shops” it started a little slow but soon enough the kids were throwing Martillos left and right!!.
Jimmy Carlin pulling a double Kick Flip over the double set 4 space 4. Switch Front bigspin for Lamonzo Coleman. Big flip by the already well knowed Andrew Pot and many more.
Pacific Drive Skate Shop was the winner and with that we wrap it up.
Late!
SEP 03 : HOPE .
By Hali Estrada.
Today on my way to the Skatepark I was listening to Bill Clinton SPEECH at the Democratic National Convention. He said something that I think is very true:
“People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.”
Im not really into politics but I think we really need a 180 degree change in the way things are going here, I can’t understand why somebody would vote for the Republican candidate John McCain after he said he wants to be in Iraq for a HUNDRED years, that’s just Stupid and lame. There’s obviously only one way out and is not with 4 more years of war based on lies spending millions of dollars and hundreds of lives. The Democrat candidate Barack Obama is the only choice for HOPE as Shepard Fairey drew it in his unique style; plus the Republican V.P. Sarah Palin is not DOWN WITH SKATEBOARDING as I read in Skatedaily and Crailtap so that makes the choice even easier.
HOPE. Barack Obama. By Shepard Fairey.
AUG 03: X-GAMES.
By Gunther Estrada.
It will sound a little weird for me to say this because I am still the same boy that used to get excited seeing random Sk8 footage on TV; while in my home city Lima Limon. Since we didn’t have (Back in the 80’s) Fuel TV or ESPN to feed us the latest events and upcoming Sk8 contest and/or parties, we had to get hyped with recording on our VHS little parts of commercials or movies that had some skating in it. That might sound corny for some of you, but that is how much we love Skateboarding. I remember my brother Hali getting excited with the Police Academy #4 movie where they had this part with Guerrero, Caballero, McGill, Mountain and Hawk skating, grinding and ollieing Shit…that was sick!!!
Anyways, what I am trying to say is that all that excitement was gone at the X-Games. The magic of something unpredictable and the same tricks from the same people, made me think that we are getting “Not Possessed by Skateboarding” anymore but by a Corporate Monster instead, that will bring you the same fucking massive “Feria” with cotton candy and mutant hot dogs on a stick, for people that are not really into Skateboarding but that are looking forward to see somebody fucking himself up trying a crazy trick or to get their 20 dollar chinese board signed by a pro they dont even know.
First- Ryan Sheckler
Second- P-Rod
Third- Lutzka
Is my "X" to Radical ?????????
JUL 23: STORE.
We had some technical problems with the store and the site but everything is working right now, thanks so much for all your emails regarding the issue, we appreciate all your help. Tomorrow we’ll be posting new color way Hoodies for guys and girls and as always they will be limited in production, also the new tshirt line will be available at the store in August so make sure to check back !! Thanks so much.
JUL 15: The Maloof Money Cup.
By Gunther Estrada.
The Skateboarding competittion that matches up the awards/prices with the risks that Pro-Skateboarders confront everytime they are out there doing their thing. Created by the owners of The Palms in Las Vegas and the Sacramento Kings (who have no link to the Skateboarding industry whatsoever), this event managed to congregate the most important names in the industry in an event that was created to fit the real needs of a street skater. These spots/replica of some of the raddest skated places in US street ground were made exclusively for the three days of competition and subject to be demolished soon after. (?)
The day of the semi finals we showed up with a little bit of doubt of what this competition was all about, completely unprepared me, my brother Hali, Jeff (SABRE) and his best friend from high school walked into this concrete, metal and marvel paradise.
We sat down to appreciate the composition of this perfect construction when all of the sudden in the middle of the course we sight our friend Guillermo “BATMAN” Vascones that had arrived a couple of days before to represent in the E’S game of S-K-A-T-E, which was one of the many happenings in this crazy event. After getting a couple of words with him we got to see him shredding the spots with his unique style and clean tricks.
Guillermo Vascones. Nollie bigspin Backside. Maloof Money Cup. Costa Mesa Ca.
Soon after, the AM competition started and the new names had the chance to destroy the Maloof Brothers new toy. Dustin Blauvelt throwing hammers on the 16 stair rail as well as Scott Decenzo and Timmy Knuth showed their skills and left us thinking that it will be no longer until they turn PRO.
Right after, at the Zumiez best trick contest the heavy weight were annihilating the 4 different sections of the course. One of the favorites, Greg Lutzka pushed the limits with unbelievable tricks like frontside back lip slide and the craziest trick of the night, frontside 270 kick flip nose-blunt. Jake Duncombe bluntslide to back nose blunt, Leo Romero Frontside Nose-Blunt up the ledge and of course the 13 year old prodigy Nyjah Houston bigspin flip to frontside boardslide down the 16 stair hand rail.
We were getting ready for the final event on the course and I had the chance to go inside the pit with everybody, I brought my camera to get some footage and everybody was going crazy. Chris Cole and Nyjah Houston were killing it, Paul Rodriguez and Ryan Sheckler showed why they are making the big bucks and revelation Darrell Stanton and Terry Kennedy “representing Chincha” were landing solid tricks with a lot of pop. Dennis Busenitz showing control skating at high speed like a Thrasher and Andrew Reynolds “The Boss” demostrate that experience and style are a solid combination.
When the contest was ready to finish with the last section hit (the 16 stair hand rail) the whole coliseum was getting anxious and after a couple of fights the huge hand rail got assaulted by gnarly tricks. We thought Nyjah had it with the big spin flip board slide. Also, Chris Cole had many tricks and the crowd was expecting a final with these 2 contenders figting for the first and second place but for everybody’s surprise Paul Rodriguez took the medal and the money and this way the Maloof Money cup wrap it up until next year for a next weekend of skate, fun and crazy prizes.
Here are more pics from the event.
NO SHIT !!!
Guillermo Vascones was killing the street course all morning. Kickflip Shifty in sunny California.
Hali Estrada, Christian Hosoi and Gunther Estrada enjoying the contest.
Nyjah Houston, the CUP and Guillermo Vascones after the ceremony.
Hali Estrada and Guy Mariano talking about "Video Days" and "Ban this".
Lacey Baker and her 25 grands check.
Pierre Luc Gagnon and the 75,000 reasons to fly to Costa Mesa.
- The Winner Paul Rodriguez and everybody in the back, it was an amazing weekend.
May 02: NEW BOXERS !!! .
Today we added new BOXERS to the Store, made of 85% Cotton 15% Lycra poplin they come in 5 different graphics and you can get them in packs of 3 or individually . The new Choncordia BOXERS are super comfortable unless you like to wear stuff like THIS and look like a roller blader :/, otherwise they are ready to ship, just click on the image to go to the store.
