New York Surf Film Festival

For all you east coast heads tired of surfing the rocky shores of the Atlantic, here is your chance to get away from some good surfing. The New York Surf Film Festival starts tomorrow and if you’re lucky, you can maybe get in. I heard it’s sold out.

The New York Surf Film Festival is the premier showcase for international independent surf film. The mission of the New York Surf Film Festival is to provide filmmakers who are exploring the diversity of surfing an opportunity to present their work to a larger audience. As surf culture becomes more popular, the notion of what it means to be a surfer expands. The New York Surf Film Festival’s aim is to build upon and shape the idea of what a surf movie is, while fostering the growth of this global community in NYC.

The New York Surf Film Festival is an event consisting of three days of screenings of independent short and feature films, cult classics, and world premieres from established surf filmmakers. In between screenings, they will be hosting a surf history lecture series, Q&A Sessions with filmmakers and notable surfers, Panel Discussions, and Meet & Greets. They will also be curating a Surf Art Gallery to be open to the public for the duration of the weekend. Go to the New York Surf Film Festival for more info.

The New York Times Sneaker Feature

It’s true; I think you can tell a lot about a person based on their footwear. I consider myself a good, no great judge of people especially from their shoes even without looking at who they are above the ankle. For instance, I was at the beach the other day and while staring at the ground because of my depression, I saw a pair of Birkenstocks walk past my frame of vision. Without even looking up, I figured because we’re by the beach, Hermosa Beach specifically, the dude must have been a 205 lb body builder from Austria. When I did look up, the guy must have weighed at least 255 lbs with a blond flat top and a muscle t-shirt. I knew it! Well I come across these situations all the time and I’m never surprised how correct I am 80% of the time.

Well it looks like I’m not the only shoe expert here. After reading this amazing article in the New York Times about skaters and their sneakers, it looks like I might have some competition. The article features the relationship between skaters and their sneakers and how unlike most sport related footwear; skaters seem to prefer style before function. I myself would have to agree. Although unrelated to skating, I prefer the color of my Soaps before I check the detail of the shoe’s buttery sole.

Anyway, check out the article in the New York Times. You might find out like I did from reading it that I may be a little shallower than I thought. I mean, I would never use a gray colored Soap. Are you kidding me!?

Tender Moments With The RVCA Team

There’s nothing like a good time for male bonding. Once in a while a man needs to be with his male companions where females aren’t around lurking. It’s a time when the guys and catch up with the machismo that comes with male bonding. With that much time around each other, I think it allows one’s true self to come out. You know what I mean. Like having a beer with the mates talking about futbol. Or how about having a cup of yogurt together. Possibly even taking a stroll down the street hand in hand. I think that’s the epiphany the RVCA team are feeling right now.

The RVCA team is on an epic tour around Spain, which is a nice change from just staying in one place like Barcelona (pronounced Barthelona). But best of all, the guys are blogging the entire trip on the RVCA website where you can see the spots they skated, the people they met, and the adventures they are experiencing. Not to mention the male bonding.

Check it out for yourself. The photos are so tender.

Have The Fallen Team Sign Your Belly At Active!

As if one Active location weren’t enough, the Fallen team decides to go out on an epic (kind of) tour around Southern California. You now have the opportunity to meet the dudes behind what is arguably the sickest video this year, “Ride The Sky”. Now for the selection for which Active location the Fallen team have decided to visit. I’m sure they simply threw a dart at a map with all the Active locations. So where did the dart land? Active Mission Valley and Active Escondido. Yay!

Both signings will go down on Sunday October 19th. The first signing will take place in Mission Valley at 1PM and the second will take place at Escondido at 4PM. Hopefully they don’t run into any traffic. That’s a pretty tight schedule. See you there.

Skateboarders Around The SLC Being Heard

What is a “board” skater to do around in the highly conservative and predominantly Mormon (possibly part of the FLDS) streets of Salt Lake City? It’s “trahsinly” absurd to see such treatment being regulated on the “bras” of SLC. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, it’s time for you to “kickflip” off your arse and get with the times man and stand behind our “totally radical” “bras” of Salt Lake City. They have just been ordered by the city to stop skating on mini ramps due to a noise ordinance, and that includes ramps in their back yards.

Look Salt Lake, what would you rather have? Skaters “gnarling” it up in their own back yards? Or throwing cream puffs at Mormons? You decide.

Well being such a preposterous law, most skaters told the city to “shuvit” and stood up to the old boys of Salt Lake City. I think Jennifer Braunersrither said it best.

“It’s so ridiculous,” said Jennifer, who is pushing West Valley City for a municipal skate park. “Ban swimming pools or trampolines. It seems like everyone who is against skate ramps are older people. They have their little golf tournaments. It’s just silly.”

Well put Jennifer. If you would like to read the rest of this ongoing battle and find out how I developed this new interest of “play on words” in my writing, go to The Salt Lake Tribute for more info. This is the kind of community organizing the grassroots level needs. Maybe they can get some inspiration from John McCain. Barf!

Adrian Buchan Wins The Quicksilver Pro

It was an exciting day today as Adrian Buchan delivered big to win his first ever ASP World Tour event edging out Kelly Slater denying him the title in Hossegor, France today. It was a very close final when it came down to it but with Buchan scoring a 15.73, it was just enough to beat Slater’s 15.16 out of 20. It was quite an amazing feat considering Buchan has never advanced past the quarterfinals in any event prior.

“I can’t believe it, to have Kelly in the final and to beat him, I am speechless,” Buchan said. “He is my hero. I have watched him win five events this year – he has just been phenomenal. He sets the bar so high for all of us guys, I am really thankful that surfing has got such a great custodian.”

Had Buchan lost the heat, Slater would have clinched his ninth ASP World Title. Buchan led the heat for most of the 35-minute affair with Slater needing a very attainable 7.51 to change the situation. The eight-time ASP World Champion caught a wave with seconds to go but came up short.

“I tried not to think about it paddling out for the final,” Buchan said. “I had visions of him winning the title but I just tried to focus on myself and what I had to do out there – get two really good waves. Luckily Kelly did not get that one at the end.”

ZJ's 20th Anniversary this Saturday!

Such Great Hights

"Volcom is proud to announce Elena Hight has joined the Volcom snow program. The young and accomplished rider has been with Volcom streetwear since October 2005. Starting immediately she will be rocking Volcom from her beanie to the board under her feet."

"We are really excited to have Elena on Volcom. She is everything we look for in a snowboarder. She is extremely talented and dedicated to progression. I still can't believe how much she has accomplished at such a young age. We look forward to see what she does next," says Billy Anderson, Volcom Snow Brand Manager.

"When you are out there on the road / for several weeks of snow / and when you scan the web / oh, I hope this blog will guide you home" ... C'mon now, I told you about this news as a footnote in last Friday's "Warm-Up To Winter" post.

Spacecraft: Zoned Out Of Sight!

Seattle's second-to-one beanie, apparel, and accessories brand, Spacecraft, puts up a new site with that head-spinning style uniquely theirs. Be watchful for the signature snowcat icon, throwback to the futuristic imagery, giant white rabbit (near ten feet tall), and artsy sticker sheets having first launched the enterprise ... then stand and stare in awe of an expansive collection of fresh, fashionable, and functional wear-with-all.

Did I make mention of topless toque models? Chest a minute! Both the lovely and, err, manly. It appears to be a good, bad, and hairy decision here to showcase product this way but definitely works to direct one's focus upward. (Don't get too excited. I've already tried to stand above my computer to selectively improve the line of sight.)

Sponsors of hometown pros Jesse Burtner and Patrick McCarthy, who are counted among other Spacecraft Astronauts, you only need take a small leap to join the program for yourself.

Blake ‘Bilko’ Williams Suffers Season-Ending Injury in Mexico

Blake ‘Bilko’ Williams doesn’t have good luck. A little over a year after suffering a devestating injury that knocked him out for almost all of the 2007 season, Bilko has suffered another season-ending injury On Sept. 20 at X Games Mexico Bilko crashed during the Moto X Best Trick final, apparently reinjuring his legs which were broken the year before.

Bilko did not seek medical attention in Mexico, opting instead to go to San Diego the following day where he was diagnosed with broken toes and a torn anterior cruciate ligament and damaged meniscus tissue in his knee. The injury will require surgery and a full knee reconstruction, followed by months of rehabiliation.

The season so far was a good one for Bilko, starting with a win at the AST Dew Tour’s Panasonic Open. He was la close second in the Dew Cup standings after two stops and was hoping to unseat Nate Adams as Dew Tour champ next month in Orlando. He was also scheduled to take part in this weekend’s LG FMX World Championships in Pomona. Bilko had been nursing a number of smaller injuries which hampered his performance at this month’s Toyota Challenge.

“I’ve had a busy schedule since December last year and have been run off my feet. Since relocating to the US I’ve injured my shoulder and knee, cracked my heal bone and now this.” Bilko said on Fullnoise.com.au.

“I’ve been nursing injury at almost every event and have not had the chance to practice mid-week which has hurt.”

Several FMX riders have suffered major injuries this season, including Greg Hartman, who suffered a head injury at a Dew Tour demo and Jim McNeil and Nixey Danielson, who crashed at this summer’s X Games.

Stephen Murray Custom Interbike

Don Pendleton in affiliation with Verde will be painting a custom bike during Interbike to help raise money for BMX legend, husband, and father Stephen Murray. The event takes place on Wednesday September 24th at the Greenhouse BMX Distribution booth 5357. Don Pendleton will be hand paint the Verde Frame and will be given away in a drawing. Check out the flyer for all the details and how you can be the lucky winner of the awesome Verde Frame. Most importantly, contributing to this competition will go to a very good cause.

The Z-Boy Show – Direct From The Source

Street wear fashionistas and skate artist will be coming together this October 4th at the Crewest Gallery in downtown Los Angeles. This will be the third showing of The Label Lab exhibition, which features “The Z-Boy Show – Direct from the Source. The show features some of skateboarding’s biggest artists, fashion designers, and installations all dedicated to street inspirations.

By teaming up with Crewest Gallery, THELABLELLAB exhibition “Z-Boy Show–Direct from the Source” comes with the necessary backdrop to showcase both vintage skate photography, artwork, and live installations in completely refreshing dimensions. “The Z-Boy Show” will feature not only the Z-Boy brand of apparel, limited-edition T-shirts, and sneakers, but most importantly, their legendary troupe of Dogtown skaters and artists including works by Craig Stecyk, Chris Cahill, Cris Dawson, Roger Doucette, Skip Engblom, Cesario “Block: Montano, Peggy Oki, Nathan Pratt, Allen Sarlo, as well as top Crewest Gallery artists with a highly anticipated opening reception October 4, 2008.

As a special feature, the show will run from October 4-November 2 with several events throughout the month, including a closed-off street party for the opening reception with an exhibition of the best vintage lowrider cars from the legendary Venice car culture scene, autograph signings with the artists including Craig Stecyk, top skateboarders from downtown doing live maneuvers in a pipe, plus of course live music! Other expected features include a unique display of the giant Stratocaster also known as the “Artocaster” painted by Craig Stecyk and only ever featured before in the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Other features include painted skateboard deck displays, retrospective photography, and other things that pay homage to the birth of skateboarding (circa 1975-85), the Z-Boys and Dogtown skaters, including one-of-kind merch such as posters, limited-edition T-shirts, and more.

The Details:
October 4th: Opening Reception from 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
October 9th: LA downtown Artwalk from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
November 1st: Closing Party from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
(A special invite-only pre-party will take place after set-up October 3rd, Friday, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.).

Location: Crewest Gallery, 110 Winston (between 4th and 5th), Los Angeles CA 90013; (213) 627-8272: info@crewest.com, or info@thelabellab.com.

Check out www.thelabellab.com.

A live DJ set will be provided throughout the evening, along with Roaring Lion energy drinks, and opportunities to buy on-site, one-of-a-kind creative pieces.

Ban On Residential Mini Ramps

Remember those punk rockers from that movie “SLC Punk”? It is a movie about bored punks in Salt Lake City who separated themselves from the highly religious and highly conservative establishment by listening to punk rock music, drinking loads of alcohol, and constantly partying. Oh yeah, and they are anarchist. Well if you haven’t seen it, don’t read on because I’m about to spoil the ending for you. If you have seen the movie, or you just don’t care then read on. Basically the main character realizes he must be part of the establishment in order to make change. So he ends up going to law school to create disorder within his government.

Well this is a call to all those kids inspired by “SLC Punk” or those kids who made something of themselves to fight the powers in the very conservative Salt Lake City. An ordinance has been passed to man mini ramps not just in public property, but on your own premises as well. That’s just crazy. Read the press release below to get more info and after you Salt Lake Citians read this, go out there and cause some trouble because this is crap. Also make sure you get to the bottom because you will see a link where you can sign a petition.

“Salt Lake City, UT – A new ordinance has been passed in Salt Lake City to ban mini-ramps, even in your own backyard!

Citing noise pollution as the basis, the Salt Lake Valley Health Department added a clause to its Regulation 21 that bans all “sporting ramps” (as they call them) from being constructed or used within 800 feet of any “dwelling”.

Apparently, the Salt Lake Valley Health Department hasn’t experienced the fun of a backyard mini-ramp session with friends. We’ve had so many good times with our mini ramp, especially when Celtek team rider Lizard King stopped by and showed us all how it’s done.

Skateboarding is already illegal in just about every public place other than a dedicated skate park, so the thought of it also being illegal on our own property sent us all into a bit of a tailspin. We at Celtek signed the petition to get public officials to take action against this ridiculous regulation, and urge you to do the same.

For more details and to sign the online petition, go to slcminiramp.com.”

Third Times the Charm: Yeomans Wins Oakley Newport Beach Pro. Again.

Many surfers are happy to win one event a year — but few can say they’ve won the same event three years in a row. Nate Yeomans did just that Sunday after winning the Oakley Newport Beach Pro for the third year in a row.

Yeomans had few problems in the four-man final, scoring an 8.50 in the opening minutes that helped him secure the top comined score of 15.37.

After the win at the 2-Star ASP WQS event Yeomans moved to No. 26 on the 2008 ASP WQS ratings, and he still hopes to qualify for the ASP World Tour in 2009.

“I’m a little bit speechless after all this,” Yeomans said. “Everyone is coming up to me and saying that no one has ever won a ‘QS three years in a row and that kind of spins me out. It’s great. I love this event and it’s a great confidence boost heading into the rest of the year. My goal is to qualify for the ASP World Tour and I’m planning to do that in the next few months.”

Get more info about the win at the official site and keep reading for a release from the day’s action.

Nathan Yeomans Wins Third Consecutive Oakley Newport Beach Pro

NEWPORT BEACH, California (Sunday, September 21, 2008) – Nathan Yeomans (San Clemente, CA), 27, has claimed his third consecutive event title with a big win at the 2008 Oakley Newport Beach Pro over fellow finalists Dillon Perillo (Malibu, CA), 18, Travis Mellem (San Clemente, CA), 23, and Micah Byrne (Huntington Beach, CA), 26, in clean two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at Newport Beach’s 56th Street.

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 2-Star event is the second of three stops on the 2008 Macy’s California Trifecta Surf Series (an ASP North America Specialty Series), and Yeomans’ emphatic victory vaults the phenomenal goofy-footer into the lead heading intp the third and final stop in Santa Cruz this October.

Yeomans, the two-time defending event champion and 2006 Macy’s California Trifecta Surf Series Champion, wasted no time in this afternoon’s Final, picking off an excellent 8.50 out of a possible 10 for detonating on a roping lefthander in the opening minutes.

“I knew that all the other guys were ripping so I wasn’t planning on leaving anything to chance out there,” Yeomans said. “I got that pretty good left at the start and that set me up for the rest of the heat. Dillon (Perillo) was ripping everything that came his way, but I got a solid righthander about midway through and was able to throw a little backhand air and that sealed it for me.”

Currently sitting No. 26 on the 2008 ASP WQS ratings, Yeomans will be looking to use the momentum from today’s win as he continues his campaign to qualify for the prestigious ASP World Tour in 2009.

“I’m a little bit speechless after all this,” Yeomans said. “Everyone is coming up to me and saying that no one has ever won a ’QS three years in a row and that kind of spins me out. It’s great. I love this event and it’s a great confidence boost heading into the rest of the year. My goal is to qualify for the ASP World Tour and I’m planning to do that in the next few months.”

Dillon Perillo (Malibu, CA), 18, former No. 8 on the 2008 ASP North America Pro Junior Series, claimed the ASP Grade-2 Oakley Pro Junior today over fellow finalists Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 20, Michael Dunphy (Virginia Beach, VA), 18, and Trevor Saunders (San Clemente, CA), 19. The stylish natural-footer comboed the field, netting a 9.33 and an 8.83 (throwing away a 7.33) with a blistering series of backhand blasts and forehand aerials to secure his first ASP Pro Junior victory.

“It feels great to get that first win out there,” Perillo said. “There were so many good guys in that Final and I’m stoked to come out on top. I came really close a couple of weeks ago at Ponto, but came up just short. I was in a really good rhythm for the junior Final and everything just went my way.”

Competing in both the Oakley Pro Junior and the ASP WQS 2-Star Oakley Newport Beach Pro, Perillo took honors for being the form surfer of the event, announcing himself as a legitimate threat on the 2008 ASP North America Tour.

“I was maybe a little bit tired for the men’s Final,” Perillo said. “It’s a whole new level of surfing in the men’s division and I felt like I had it in me, but Nate (Yeomans) was ripping and kind of unstoppable. Still, I’m stoked with 2nd and it’s been a pretty good day for me all in all.”

Highlights from the Oakley Newport Beach Pro and Oakley Pro Junior will be available via www.newportbeachpro.com

The next stop on the 2008 ASP North America Men’s Tour is the ASP WQS 4-Star O’Neill Cold Water Classic at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz from October 21 – 26, 2008. The ASP North America Pro Junior will be culminating alongside the O’Neill Cold Water Classic with the ASP Grade-3 Oakley Pro Junior.

The ASP WQS 4-Star O’Neill Cold Water Classic and ASP Grade-3 Oakley Pro Junior in Santa Cruz will also culminate the 2008 Macy’s California Trifecta Surf Series.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com and www.aspnorthamerica.org

RESULTS: Day 6

Oakley Newport Beach Pro – ASP WQS 2-Star Men’s

Final
1 – Nathan Yeomans (USA) 15.37
2 – Dillon Perillo (USA) 13.67
3 – Travis Mellem (USA) 12.40
4 – Micah Byrne (USA) 10.57

Semifinals: 8 surfers remaining (1st and 2nd advance)
SF 1: Dillon Perillo (USA) 12.40, Travis Mellem (USA) 10.90, Brett Barley (USA) 10.16, Darrell Goodrum (USA) 9.30
SF 2: Nathan Yeomans (USA) 15.83, Micah Byrne (USA) 14.60, Asher Nolan (USA) 11.90, Brad Ettinger (USA) 11.10

Oakley Pro Junior – ASP Grade-2 Pro Junior Men’s

Final:
1 – Dillon Perillo (USA) 18.16
2 – Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 14.16
3 – Michael Dunphy (USA) 11.93
4 – Trevor Saunders (USA) 9.86

Macy’s California Trifecta Surf Series (ASP North America Specialty Series) Ratings:

ASP WQS Men
1 – Nathan Yeomans (USA) 2,175 points
2 – Asher Nolan (USA) 1,800 points
3 – Joel Centeio (HAW) 1,650 points
3 – Kieran Horn (USA) 1,650 points

ASP Pro Junior
1 – Sebastian Zietz (USA) 778 points
2 – Dillon Perillo (USA) 725 points
3 – Jason Harris (USA) 630 points

Gretchen Bleiler Gets Her Own Oakleys

Olympic silver medalist and four-time X Games snowboard champ Gretchen Bleiler has a new collection from Oakley that’s hitting stores this fall. Not only will it include sunglasses, but also jackets and other clothing, including a beanie — a total of 17 pieces in all.

“I wanted to create clothing I would be excited to wear, something entirely new that could take me from daily riding to just chilling,” said Bleiler in the release pimping the new line.

While most of the gear is made for snowboarders like Bleiler, there are things like t-shirts that anyone in any environment can enjoy. As long as they are female, of course.

If you don’t live in an area where someone carries the line, you are still in luck. You can check the items out online at Oakley.com and buy from there, too. Just in time to watch Bleiler perform at this winter’s inaugural AST contests and at the Winter X Games.

Skatebook.tv Is Packed!

Remember when it was difficult to get some quality hi end skate videos online? And slowly but surely, one after another the sites started delivering on the good stuff. And not the crappy (but effective) quality that Youtube has presented us with, but rather sharp looking images that quite often distracts me from the television. Now Skatebook.tv has made itself a staple within the already growing online outlets for the cause of good entertainment. If there isn’t enough hype already surrounding Skatebook’s awesomeness, they have crammed together an incredible library and very organized section of skate videos on their site Skatebook.tv. I can still remember the days of Skate TV. It was tubulariffic, but nothing like what we have now. Now excuse me while I go watch a segment on the “Wussup Rockers” kids.

The Devil Returns

Saw something downright inspiring this weekend.

Dean Randazzo made the semifinals of the Fosters Belmar Pro, presented by Global Surf Industries.

"The Jersey Devil" has made the semis of this event before. Heck, he's even made the finals. For that matter, he was a WCT staple in the mid 90s. But now Randazzo is coming off his third major bout with cancer and his second stem cell transplant. After being in the hospital, having major chemotherapy treatment, getting his entire immune system broken down, and not being on a surfboard for six months, his first time back in the water is at the Belmar Pro.

I don't know about you, but if I don't surf for six days, I have to teach myself how to stand up all over again. This guy was out of the water for six months, comes back, and wins his first heat! He nailed a 7 in the closing minutes to whip some young bucks and advance to the main event.

Then he took second in the quarterfinals, sitting way down the beach, by himself, and getting off a few hard turns in the less-than-spectacular conditions. He then fell in the semis.

Pretty remarkable. Check out the Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation here.

O-Matic Rockets Forward

Yesterday's future is right now for O-Matic Snowboards, having launched a brand new website for a new season, exclusively on the World Wide Winternet. It's super duper.

Sure you caught the months' earlier post right here of "Omatic To Uranus: The 08|09 Probe", that previewed hard goods product with Todd Richards, himself, further telling about running his own company, and other nonsense. Today you can check out the rest of the line for yourself.

And what with the recent announcement of Mike Casanova to the team, well, then this news bundles it up nicely.

Exit Poll

Well, I didn't make the Surfer Poll Awards either. That's because they weren't held in Ship Bottom, NJ. And, as I believe I mentioned in an earlier post, I hate leaving home in September.

However, I did receive the following from one attendee, one Mr. Flip Flop McPinstripe. I can not reveal any more of his identity. But he surfs El Porto, knows more about the WCT than I do, and can't spell when he's drunk.

Here are his Surfer Poll Awards 2008 Notes

It happens once a year: A bunch of incredibly famous stars of the silver screen, lifestyle icons and heroes of popular culture gather on a long red carpet leading to a hall constructed solely for the purpose of celebrating the elite who have managed to snag an invite or, if they're incredibly talented, a nomination. And Surfer Mag holds their awards show every year, too. Last night's annual hooha was just about what you'd expect, if you've been to the Surfer's Poll and Video Awards before. Since I haven't, I didn't know what to expect. Here's what I learned:
-CJ Hobgood gets tenth a lot. He said as much when accepting the tenth place award for the Poll, the awards for which were scattered amongst a bunch of other video-related awards. I'm assuming he wasn't referring to his comp results, since you can't get tenth on tour, right? Just equal ninth? Did I mention I've never been to this thing before?

-Co-Host Sal Masekala is much funnier when he's not on TV. His best moment was probably when he tried to praise Bruce Irons for giving an acceptance speech for Bruce's Surfer's Poll Number Seven award that was actually comprehensible and then gave his impression of a pre-retired Bruce Irons acceptance speech. You kind of had to be there, though. Co-Host Benji Weatherly is funny whether or not he's on TV. His best moment was when he gave Sunny Garcia props for riding really thick boards.

-First legitimately touching moment: Clay Marzo accepting the Video Award for Best Male Performer. As most of surfing now knows, Marzo was recently diagnosed with Asperberg's Syndrome, which manifests itself in Clay by (among other things) making him extremely uncomfortable in crowds of strangers. Nevertheless, the Maui phenom strode to the podium before several thousand cheering fans and gave a brief, humble thank you.

-The evening's entertainment, Mickey Avalon, is a truly offensive musician. And that's not because his music is derivative and his lyrics are shoddy odes to nasty drugs and nastier women. It's because there are piss-poor karaoke performances happening all around the world as you read this that are more watchable than Avalon on stage. Also, dude's straight up uglier than an El Salvadorean stray.

-Old guys do, in fact, rule. The night's only standing ovation went to Bruce Brown, who presented the Video Award for Movie Of The Year. And he presented it to a bunch of other old guys: Shaun Thompson, Rabbit Bartholemew, Ian Cairns, and the rest of the crew behind "Bustin Down The Door." It was their second time on stage, having already won Best Documentary. This led to the night's second legitimately touching moment, when Thompson took time to thank the entire North Shore community. "You changed our lives," he said, which they undoubtedly did.

After nearly killing them.

-Dane Reynolds continues to develop his Forest Gump character. Upon receiving his Video Award for Best Air, he expressed amusement that he'd be given anything for landing something once out of a thousand tries, and then suggested that Pat Gudauskas's air was actually better. And when he received his Surfer's Poll Number Three award, he began his acceptance speech by explaining that there's nothing he dreads more than accepting awards. "I'm glad you guys think I'm rad," he said, and it wasn't immediately obvious he if was being sincere or not. "Number three is a good number."
-Dane Reynolds is going to have to get a little more used to accepting awards. So says Mr. Kelly Slater, who accepted his thirteenth Surfer's Poll Number One award and used the opportunity to let the crowd in on a little secret: "Dane Reynolds is the best surfer in the world right now. He's going to win for the next twenty years." There was probably more to be learned at this event, but you'll have to hear it from someone else, because as soon as Slater was done, I heard that Micky Avalon was coming on for a second set, and I got the hell out of there.

-Flip Flop McPinstripes

On Line

Extreme Journalist Brooke Geery of YoBeat, who was once banned from the Winter X Games (she's got street cred with me), gets the latest straight line on Peter. He's back. He never left. Forum video dropping this fall. Mack Dawg documentary in the early stages. Northwest lurker-creedler. Entrepreneur. Inventor (of the Misty Flip). Influencer.

Conceiving this blog entry, this evening, I found an old Peter Line bio I'd written for a snowboarding video game on Xbox. Probably written in 2002 or 2003. It follows, in case you missed it on the initial publishing, thereof. Whatevs.

Peter Line is practically the same kid you give wedgies to at school because he's "different." Guess what, now he's filthy rich, doesn't' have to do anything he doesn't want to, and always looks like he just woke up. Oh yeah, Peter straight kills everything on a snowboard: disorganized contests and halfpipe walls to backcountry kickers and video parts. Featured in countless Mack Dawg Productions, uh, productions, such as The Resistance, Technical Difficulties, and Simple Pleasures, his compact build is lethal for all-out attacks on any terrain, with signature moves like misty flips and off-axis spins. Seeded, fertilized, and sprouted up in Pennsylvania, he's firmly planted and flowering in Washington state.

SNOCON Bears Witness To DC Dudes

This Saturday ... Saturday ... Saturday, September 20th, Snowboard Connection's South Lake Union spot will host a DC Snow team signing with Devun Walsh, Iikka Backstrom, Aaron Bittner, and Lauri Heiskari. If you've peeped DC's "Enjoy The Ride!" campaign in print, and further followed it online, then you've checked the specs behind each of these pros adverts.

From 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. these guys will sign their names to almost anything you or your girlfriend opt to bring into the shop. (Just kidding. They're meeting up with your girlfriend after this deal for a personal autograph session. Players. Well, a couple of them. There's a supposed story about that ...)

Come one come all. Then get headed over to the Seattle premieres of Double Decade, Down With People, and These Days
over at Showbox: At The Market.

Hell Ta Delta

It's good to see surfers get angry every now and then. It's healthy to get some of that "fury of '66," kind of rage going on. This recent tirade is directed toward Delta Airlines.

And rightfully so.

As pretty much everything in the airline business is getting more difficult, annoying, and expensive, Delta recently announced on it will be raising the price of surfboard baggage fees to $175 for domestic travel, and $300 for outside the US.

Now, that's one way, which means that your Miami to San Jose round trip or LAX to Lima is going to be $600 for one board. That is likely more than you would spend on accommodations in one week in Central America. And there's no getting around it with charm like you used to do.

My buddy is a pilot of ten years, and has to pay to fly his boards. And he's even handsome!

Surfers have made note of this and have started a petition to "Stop Discriminatory Airline Surfboard Baggage fees" here.

According to the petition:

"We will use our collective voice through this petition and every other means necessary to let Delta and other airlines know that we will NOT fly Delta for ANY reason, business or pleasure, unless and until these discriminatory fees are changed."

Delta's baggage guidelines also state that any boardbags over 70 lbs will get an excess weight fee tacked on. I think that a bag that heavy is a little excessive anyway. Let's remember here, that a modern shortboard weighs less than 10 pounds. We just have to pack our wetsuits, towels, and pipe insulation around the things, as the same airline makes you sign a limited liability release that says, "We don't give a crap if we smash your new $600 Merrick." Even the LA Times has taken note.

So, I won't be flying Delta any time soon. And since the marketing geniuses over at Spirit decided to come out with an email promotion that said "We support offshore drilling," my options are getting limited.

American Airlines just jacked the fee from $25 to $100. Continental is right there too. The surfboard fee is an age-old battle, especially because there is no fee for golf bags (take note that Delta charges the same blood money for bicycles, kiteboards, sailboards, and scuba equipment.) And just so we're clear, you can travel with two shotguns, two shotgun cases and 11 lbs. of ammo, free of charge.

Yee Haw!

Check out Surfers Against Airline Fees for more information. And note their list of airlines who are surfer friendly.

Potter Fined $5000 For Flipping The Bird!

This just in via Chris Tedesco. Todd Potter has been fined $5000 and prohibited from riding the Orlando stop of the Dew Tour. For what you ask? For flipping off the camera. Ya, I don't know where I stand on this one. I can understand if it's live and all, but come on—are you serious? Five thousand dollars? I think this is absurd. It's freestyle motocross for goodness sakes. Only in America.

Oakley Frogskins & FICE Is Nice

Salt Lake scenesters (by invite only): peg your pants' cuff and hop that fixed gear for Laura Hadar's shop, Saturday, September 27th as Oakley drops their latest dope collab of Frogskins & FICE. These limited-release, custom-color shades, are made for the Hades.

The private launch event lights it up first at: 160 East 200 South, before switching over to an open-to-the-public after party promptly set for 9 p.m. at Club Sound where '80s electronic duo Ming & Ping will perform, possibly playing such songs as "Delete" and "Spacey March" as heard in Neoproto's Some Kinda Life and Mack Dawg Productions' People, respectively.

Besides running this new business of FICE, Laura's been rehabbing her left knee following surgery this spring (having missed much of last season, damn it). On the mend, she should be back on track, on that attack, when the snow flies in Utah and Colorado for real. Why ... she's just returned from a team trip to Argentina for boot sponsor, Nike Snowboarding. And though she didn't ride any of the resort spot they'd rolled up on like: Bariloche or Chapelco, Laura did surely still mug it for the cameras—who loves her by the way—as pointed by Andy Wright and Cole Barash. (The latter photog's images are unlikely to ever be viewed following the theft of his hard drive, which hadn't yet, I'm told, been backed up. Ugh.)

Dew You

Just because I'm a vegetarian, it doesn't mean that I'm one of those bastids who talks ill of delicious things like cupcakes, ice cream and undisputed king of all sugary goodness, soda. I'm down with all kinds of soda. I love me some Pepsi the most. I used to be a Coke man, but I switched over to the Pepsi. But I'll only do Pepsi out of the can, though. In a bottle it's not as good. And Mountain Dew. That sh*t's delicious! I've said it before and I'll say that sh*t again and again...you pair up a large ice-riddled cup of fresh MD with a meal at Taco Bell, and you got yourself a little slice of heaven. It's like coffee and a cigarette, a sneeze and a tissue, metal to a knee high ledge...you get my drift. This past weekend, my favorite dinner time soft drink sponsored The AST Dew Tour/Toyota Challenge Event in Salt Lake City.

Little Zoo York, Chi-Town ripper, fourteen-year old, Chaz Ortiz destroyed the course all weekend and walked away with first place, marking his first pro victory. Is a Ortiz pro model in the works? What's up Zoo?

Here's what little Chaz had to say about his win on the AST site...

"I landed all the tricks I wanted to," Ortiz said. "After my first run I was feeling pretty confidant. I just wanted to get top three and obviously the results were better than I thought. I'm feeling good. I'm super happy. I guess today was my day."

Here are the official AST Dew Tour-Toyota Challenge Street Results

1. Chaz Ortiz, Chicago, 93.05.
2. Ryan Sheckler, San Clemente, Calif., 90.00.
3. Rodolfo Ramos, Brazil, 85.90.
4. Greg Lutzka, Milwaukee, 84.75.
5. Carlos De Andrade, Brazil, 82.00.
6. Austen Seaholm, Anaheim, Calif., 81.60.
7. Danilo Do Rosario, Brazil, 79.75.
8. Paul Rodriguez, Tarzana, Calif., 79.50.
9. Tulio Oliveira, Brazil, 79.25.
10. Kurtis Colamonico, Long Beach, Calif., 78.75.

Check this footage of the Street Finals. It's accompanied by quite possibly the whackest song I've ever heard in my life. It views best with the volume shut completely off. Don't say I didn't warn you.

On the Vert side of things, Andy Macdonald skated strong all weekend and managed to come up on top with a well-deserved first place. Here's what Mr. MacDonald said over at the AST site about nabbing the victory...

"For me it's like the Boston Red Sox winning the championship. I broke the curse," says Macdonald, a Boston native. "It feels awesome. I'm so psyched, and I'm super psyched for Salt Lake City, the biggest crowd in four years of Dew Tour.'

Here's the official AST Dew Tour-Toyota Challenge Vert Results

1. Andy Macdonald, 90.5
2. Pierre-Luc Gagnon, 90.25
3. Bob Burnquist, 88.25
4. Adam Taylor, 87.75
5. Bucky Lasek, 87.0
6. Sandro Dias, 82.75
7. Marcelo Bastos, 77
8. Neal Hendrix, 75.5
9. Buster Halterman, 68.75
10. Alex Parelson, 51.5

Gabbing with Gabi

You may not have heard of Burton women's team rider Gabi Viteri, but you will soon enough. The inked up 20-year-old Breck loc will step to many-a-manly-rail, lay down the pow lines with finesse and bake up one hell of a chocolate chip cookie. We caught up with her and teammate Hannah Teter on their recent trip to NYC.

You moved from D-Town to Breck in middle school?
Yeah, I started snowboarding six years ago and realized I loved it. I probably missed three school days a week in fifth grade just to go snowboarding. My mom was like, "Let's move," and that was that. We moved up to the mountains from Highlands Ranch. My mom's always been super supportive.

You get down to D-Town much?
I-70 traffic is disastrous. They might start taxing city people to fix it. I want to buy my own plane. Usually when I'm in Denver, I'm at the airport, flying somewhere, but I did spent the majority of my time this summer with friends at Six Flags. I also like the aquarium, and I skateboard sometimes, but not that much anymore.


So just how into sweets are you?
I recently moved into a new house, and I have this cookbook that's 300 pages of just sweets. I'm on my way to making everything. Bonbons are my favorite, but if I had to live on one baked good, it would be chocolate chip cookies. I want to start a bakery in Breck and call it Gabi's Goodies.

Assuming you already had your cookies with you, describe your ideal day on the mountain.
Any day that I'm out having fun with friends. It can be the crappiest day, and we'll just be out goofing off. I like to ride pretty much everything. I'm not a huge fan of halfpipe, but park, powder, rails—all of it. Snowboarding is the best thing in the world. Because of snowboarding, I get to come to NYC and skateboard down the streets and go to parties. I get to go to Europe in a month. I was probably only in Breckenridge two weeks last season. We went everywhere: California (a lot), Montreal (funnest place ever), Portland, Minnesota, Vermont.

What are your plans for this season?
This season's going to be amazing. I'm getting a sled in a month or two and me and Natasza (Zurek) are going to film, ride powder and do fun stuff all winter.

What's up with you and Lucas Magoon?
He's the goofiest boy in the world and acts like a 3-year-old. It's getting pretty serious, though. We just moved into a house in Breck together. We just got a puppy, too, which is pretty much like having a kid.

What else are you stoked on right now?
On Hannah and I going to Africa to help kids. I think it's going to be a life-changing experience. You think you're grateful for the food in front of you, but I don't think anyone really knows until they see what kids are going through over there.

In True Canadian Style; Westbeach x Dano Heritage Project

Canada's original snowboarding brand, Westbeach, can quickly lay claim to three plus decades of operation come 2009. From humble starts in 1979 with their first retail shop selling skate and surf stuffs in Calgary to an outerwear line launch in '87 to the international contest of rider reckoning for years on end; the iconic brand made an undisputed impact on the shred scene as it evolved into a community at large; progressive at the instant, historical in retrospect. Drop names.

Commissioned to take on the telling of not only the Westbeach story, but that of the bigger picture: snowboarding Canadian style, legendary photographer Dano Pendygrasse digs deep into the company archives to uncover the ruling and ragged tales (of which he's very much a part) straight up or on the rocks. To know where you're going, you gotta know where you came from ... In this case, in the following, in his own words, Dano offers a little of the approach—along with a few select shots—of the process of putting such a cool, both introspective AND comprehensive, project.

"Here is the lowdown ... Westbeach is coming up on their 30 year anniversary, so to mark the occasion, they have hired me to put together a heritage project. The project is a suite of media: a book, some short "documentary" style movie pieces, and an interactive website. Luckily, Westbeach has given me free reign to tell the story "warts and all" and the book will be more about the history of Canadian snowboarding than just about the brand."

"We've been working on it for a couple months now, and it's been amazing getting in touch with so many of the people who were involved in the growth of the sport in Canada. From the mid '80s on, Westbeach was always a huge part of Canadian snowboarding and the team has been a who's who of stars: Devun [Walsh], Dionne [Delesalle], Sluggo [Rob Boyce], Kevin Young, [Jon] Boyer, the list goes on and on."

"In the late '90s & Westbeach got lost in the shuffle of corporate consolidation, and by early this decade, it was looking pretty bad. After several false starts with various buyers, Westbeach finally got traction with ownership that has a long-term relationship with the brand. So now, after almost 30 years, they are essentially running as a startup, stripped to the bare essentials and focusing on rebuilding the brand to where it belongs. It's always been really durable, even when it wasn't doing well, so it's interesting to watch them continue what Chip Wilson, Scott Sibley and Marco Polo started so long ago.