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!