Andrew Sayer's Column

Tim O'Connor Didn't Pole Jam A Fake Leg

asayer — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:37:00 GMT

The pub table was packed - beer and wings on top, Adidas Canadian skateboarders squished around, and Tim O'Connor at the helm. A private Adidas demo would begin at Toronto's Shred Central after this meal and the skaters were boisterous, but when Tim spoke everyone listened. The server - cute in a ‘she brings us beer' sort of way - made bedroom eyes at Tim after just one of his comedic lines. He has that effect on people; surely his personal space would have been violated if she only knew about his board control.

Tim O'Connor possesses a tongue so venomous and a wit so cunning that he could make fun of you straight to your face and you'd be laughing too hard to get mad. It is this infectious personality that makes the East Coast skate legend a wanted man by MTV, but Tim turns down script after script. He has nothing against making money, but he values his ability to stare at his own reflection without looking away in shame.

There is no doubt that in a few years time you will see Tim O'Connor on the small screen in a reality based show. Only his show won't make you fear for the future of humanity like Jersey Shore or worry about the direction of skateboarding like Life of Sheckypoo. No, Tim's show will put you in stitches. Watching his feet caress the nine-ply will leave you wishing you could in such a way. But you can't - your feet are stone cold compared to Tim's and you weren't that funny to begin with.

Tim and I talked on his recent trip through Toronto. We discussed his impending fame, pole jamming prosthetic legs, and Jersey Shore. He made fun of me and I laughed.

So Tim O'Connor, it's the middle of January and you're in Canada. How's that feel?
You know what, it's actually not much different for me. I live in New Jersey, right by New York City, a 15-minute drive for me. You have the same weather as us, so I'm pretty used to it.

You live in New Jersey, how do you feel about Jersey Shore?
Jersey Shore, ahh I haven't, actually...no, wait, I did see one episode of it. Yeah it's funny, I mean there are those type of people in New Jersey in certain spots. But of course they're going to get the worst possible, stereotypical New Jersey heads. Actually, where I grew up there aren't really any guido guys like that around, but there are towns like that. I think somebody told me for that show that there's only one of the people is actually from New Jersey. But they are out there for sure; the stereotype holds true to a degree.

I heard somewhere that MTV has been pitching you ideas about a reality show. How is that going?
Yeah, they've hit me up a bunch of times ever since I did stuff with Bam Margera. There's this lady that's the head of series development over there, and sometimes they have a new show and they'll call me up and have me come in and do a read through or something. But all the ideas that they've come up with for me haven't been anything I've wanted to do. It'd be great to have the money but I wouldn't be able to look at myself at the end of the day in the mirror. I've pitched stuff to them and they were saying some of it they liked, but it was too edgy for them or whatever. I'm actually doing some stuff for TV with Bam Margera right when I leave here. Three days after I'm outta here I go to England for his show and then there's this one producer guy that I talk to a bit, he isn't tied down with MTV anymore, so he can actually shop it to another network now. We'll see...could be something in the future that I do.

You spent a lot of time skating with Dan Wolfe back in the day. What's the strangest obstacle you've ever pole-jammed off of?
You know what? It's funny because all those guys in Philadelphia were super into that, you know, doing the pole wallies, pole jam things, and I was like "whatever, it's an easy thing to do or whatever." I think the day I learned it I filmed a trick in Eastern Exposure where I did a wallie late shuv-it off one. I was actually trying to do a front pop shuv-it off it, but then after I did it I was like "wait did I do a late shuv-it?" Whatever, I don't know...the weirdest one that I ever skated? Jon Comor's fake leg. Naw, I never did that, nothing weird or anything like that, just regular ones. Don't have any good stories on that tip.

You're in Toronto now with the rest of the Canadian Adidas team. How is the talent looking?
Super good...a bunch of rad guys and everything. Dudes are definitely really good, you know. We've only been skating [at Shred Central], the first time I've skated with them was today just for a little bit. And some of us are a little bit hung-over as well (they hit up numerous Queen West bars the previous night). But that dude Des[mond Hoostie], I don't think he drank too much last night because he was killing it. Saw him do a fakie-flip manual fakie-flip out first or second try or something like that, like ‘alright, he's looking good.'

Any last words for Canada?
I don't know how you deal with the cold, man. I have the great option of being able to travel out of the cold weather and stuff like that. Last words... Good luck with the rest of the winter guys, it's trife out there.

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Related:
Adidas Takes Over Shred Central
Rise Up: Desmond Hoostie

Jeff Comber: Sharp Haircut, Sharper Eye

asayer — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:22:00 GMT

Jeff Comber has been developing a new brand of photographic imagery since 2002. He conceives photographs that accurately depict the Canadian skateboard scene but his skills aren't limited to just that.

Based out of Toronto, the following photo gallery showcases the downtown scene, as well as Jeff's interest in exploring the neighboring cities by car, and Barcelona by plane. In addition, a short interview and a play-by-play for each unique photograph give a view behind the Comber's lens. Style vs. NBD's, the road vs. home, Spain vs. Toronto...it's all here.

Blessed with a sharp haircut and a razor blade eye for documenting a good visual. Jeff doesn't just steal souls when his trigger finger hits, he ‘steals from the rich and gives to the poor.'

Where is your favorite place to shoot photos?
There is a special feeling when you get a photo at a spot that shouldn't be skate-able or is only there for a very short time. It's what I would imagine 'stealing from the rich and giving to the poor' would feel like.

Are there still many new spots to be found in places like Toronto? Or do you find yourself often visiting the same locations?
Like any big North American city, downtown Toronto has it's share of blown out spots and rarely touched gems that don't get skated because of tight security or the gnar factor. The surrounding cities of the GTA also have some great spots if you can steal a car and hit the scenic route.

"Here's a Jay Brown portrait from a DVS portrait series. I know it was just the boredom of the photo shoot, but Jay looks uncharacteristically melancholy in this frame and that's probably why they decided to use the other, happier frames. Sadness doesn't sell shoes."

What makes a good photo for you? Unique spot, trick selection, rider's style, color, etc?
In my opinion, all of these things culminate into a superior photograph. I do find myself basing ideas for my photos on the spots I find, so I suppose the spot has a lot to do with whether I end up shooting there or not.

What is more important to you, NBD's or a classic style?
A photo of a skater with truly great style is timeless.

Is Barcelona really as good as everyone makes it out to be, from a photography point of view?
Barcelona is a photographer's dream. It has got to be the most productive city for a skate photographer to be in; the architecture lends itself to skateboarding and creative photography.

Would you rather travel to shoot photos, or stay put where you are familiar and have less hassles getting work done?
I really dig a healthy balance of both. I crave the excitement of starting off on a brand new skate-trip, meeting new friends, and after that, the relaxing feeling of just getting back to Toronto and getting to skate and shoot with the homies.

Thanks...?
I really want to thank some people who helped me and my photography out early on: Harry Gils, Ryan Allan, Jesse Landen, Sandro Grison, Brian Caissie, Darrell Smith, and Dylan Doubt. Also thanks to every skater I have ever shot photos with and to the magazines I contribute to: Color, Kingshit, Concrete, and SBC. Keep on pushin'.

Click here for Jeff's gallery of photos, complete with commentary.

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Related:
Shooting Tips from Jeff Comber
Shoot to Thrill: Team Toronto
Sequences Gallery

Hooked On The Baitshop

asayer — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:12:00 GMT

Go back - you're 14 years old and like every other teenager, when you grow up you want to be a professional skateboarder.

Now you're 18 years old. There are little groms that are twice as good as you will ever be. It just sunk in that you will never be a pro skateboarder, but that doesn't mean you don't love and respect skateboarding any less. What are you going to do? A few respectable paths come to mind, any one of which would fulfill your wildest dreams. Graphic designer, skate shop owner, tee shirt screener, gallery owner, party thrower, or just work anywhere that holds a mini-ramp within its walls.

While most strive for just one of these accomplishments, modern day renaissance men like Greg Rodriguez and Ken Chong decided to combine all of the above and fill several holes in the Toronto skateboard scene at once by creating The Baitshop. Over the last two years they have supported Toronto skateboarding and art scenes 100%. Located down a beaten path off of Dufferin/Queen St. West, people haven't had a hard time finding it, whether it's to check out the latest skateboard video premiere, celebrate Halloween or Christmas with a dress-up miniramp jam, or browse the work of a talented emerging artist. The Baitshop does it all with style.

We caught up with The Baitshop founders, Greg Rodriguez and Ken Chong, to get the latest happenings.

Greg and Ken doing what they do.

Who is behind The Baitshop? What are your backgrounds?
There are a lot of people who have helped make the Baitshop what it is, but the concept was Greg and Ken. Greg owned Lakeshore's original skate shop/print shop, Sumo; and Ken comes in from graphic design and screen printing.

Can you briefly explain The Baitshop for those not in the know. Skate hub, retail, printshop, gallery, showroom, events, miniramp...it can get a little confusing.
What's confusing about that?

Where did the name "The Baitshop" come from?
Our shop used to be an old worm farm. We removed the insulating foam, refrigeration units and dirt, but we decided to keep the history in the name.

Who are some of the companies you work with?
We've done work for a great number of companies in our two years but our favorites have been:
MTV, IPath, Zero, Blind, Globe, Zoo York, Volcom, LRG, Cons, S4C, Manifesto, Element, Nitro, L1, Step Child, Blue Tile Lounge, Hammer, Flat Spot, Flavour, Five and Dime, The Market Garden, Pop, and King Shit.

Is there a favorite moment since opening?
Battle of the Hands, Boneyard, Baitshop Family Christmas... there are too many.

Packed house for The Boneyard.

Favorite project so far?
Five and Dime is probably our favorite. It allows us the most creativity and it's always fun to do work outside of our everyday routine.

How is The Baitshop involved with Five & Dime?
We started working together in Fall 2008, and since then we've been family.

What type of design jobs does The Baitshop enjoy most?
We like the unusual requests; we're not the type to say that we can't do something. The challenge of figuring out how to make things work is what we enjoy most.

Thoughts on the Toronto skate scene?
Certainly getting stronger with the addition of Ashbridges, the upcoming 8^th Street Parkette, and the city's promise to add new parks every year. We can only expect the scene to grow.

A year ago The Baitshop was voted one of the "Galleries of the Year" on BlogTO. Among all of the positive comments one of the posters felt that "All smoke & mirrors folks." "It's more of a hangout with a vibe than a serious gallery." How would you respond to this?
We don't ever recall claiming to be that serious...clearly they don't know us.

What do you look for in an artist before deciding to give them a show?
We want the space to reflect the community, and support the artists who are creating for our community. But we're open to artists of all styles; the most important thing is that people continue to create.

How many shows/events do you try to schedule annually?
We try to keep the shows to around one a month, but with new videos releasing all the time, we are constantly finding the space in demand. Best way to keep up is by checking the site.

What is happening with moving the retail shop from Lakeshore to the Queen/Dufferin?
We were spending too much time trying to keep the two locations. Moving the retail to home base offered us a unique opportunity to expand here and gives us more time to focus on what really matters.

Becoming a graphic designer, opening a skate shop, and starting a gallery are three dream jobs for many. The Baitshop has managed to do all three. Any advice to those who are thinking of getting into one of these careers?
Create your idea, get grinding and don't give up. No else is going to do it for you.

What are the future plans for The Baitshop?
Poutine and beers.

Any last words?
Go fish.

You can find The Baitshop at 358 Dufferin St. in Toronto, and online at www.thebaitshop.ca.

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Related:
Halloween at The Baitshop
The Push Payout: Two Days Later

Skating on Caffeine: The Sam James Coffee Bar

asayer — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:19:00 GMT

I'm flipping through the new magazine offering from TWS: Transworld Coffee Making. The highlight spread is a sequence of Toronto-based celebrity barista Sam James performing a switch traditional cappuccino. His style is flawless: Clean but espresso-stained fingers working quick and smooth. Subtle movements that come not only from experience but from a true passion for the craft. There is a homemade looking tattoo on his middle finger that says "open".

Examining the background of this mythical sequence, it's the two things that aren't visible that make the biggest impact: a boss and a corporate logo. Sam James, a lifelong skater, is exploring the close correlation between skateboarding and coffee brewing with the opening of his shop, Sam James Coffee Bar.

Skateboarders work the machines, games of SKATE are played post-morning rush, the SJCB (Sam James Coffee Bar) skate team drinks coffee for free, and brands like Alena and Anti-Hero will soon be available for purchase behind the bar. Sam's coffee bar shares similarities with a skateboarder-owned shop. The store buildout was completed by friends and family, and the menu pays tribute to the eras of skateboarding with two varieties of drink selection: Old School and New School.

Sam James Coffee Bar, located on Harbord St. in Toronto, is proof that the determination and creativity of skateboarders knows no boundaries. He took a few minutes out of his hectic schedule to break down the business for us.

Sam James Coffee Bar is now open for business. I can only imagine it was a long road creating your own business. Give us a quick breakdown of the chain of events.
I started my path towards opening a business by working in retail, mostly skate shops, but some other stuff, with the intent of one day opening a skate shop of my own. I slowly started gravitating towards a passion for food, and the food industry, which landed me in a cafe where I started messing around with an espresso machine. After getting the hang of the machine, and having an interest in strictly making coffee, I took a job at a dedicated espresso bar where I was overwhelmed with how in depth the process, and craft of making espresso actually was. I've always liked skills and trades that demand attention to details, and espresso instantly became my passion.

I worked at the first espresso bar until I realized that I wanted to do more with it than I was limited to at that job, so I started looking at what other shops were doing differently, or better, and was soon connected with some of the barista competitions, which I entered and met some other like-minded baristas. One of the guys I met there was opening a shop with a completely new concept that didn't yet exist in Toronto, and so we partnered our ideas and passion for coffee together, and I became the manager of his store, Manic Coffee, which set a trend for how cafes would soon operate in Toronto.

After a year long term at Manic, I needed to learn more about the management of a finer establishment, so I took a job at celebrity chef Jamie Kennedy's restaurant, assisting in the launch of his cafe Hank's, next door to his well known JK Wine Bar, where I saw how a larger, more involved establishment could operate and still make money, until I started craving the fast paced atmosphere of a purely coffee-focused bar again, so I took a job as co-manager of the new Darkhorse Espresso until I found the location I wanted for my own place.

I was looking all along and trying to build up the experience I knew I would need do to my own shop until I felt I was ready, and the right location became available. I took a small spot that would allow me to focus strictly on coffee, so I wouldn't have to do anything else in order to pay my rent. It took my dad and I three months to build the store from scratch, and I finally have a bar that feels exactly the way I think a coffee shop should work in a perfect world.

Lets talk about your past briefly. How does one go from skateboarding to becoming an award-winning barista? Non-coffee drinkers may not have any idea there is a difference between someone like you, and from someone that makes their frappachino's at Starbucks.
I skated since I was 11, and what I can appreciate about both skateboarding and making coffee are the parallels of attention to detail: It's the accumulation of micro details that make both so enjoyable for me, and the fact that neither can be learned quickly... if you want to do it well. I remember looking at skate photos in the 90's to see if the skater was legit by whether they had orange Indy bushings, or trademark facial expressions, and the natural actions of their arms and fingers; those are the little things that make skateboarding unique to each person. Same with coffee: when I watch baristas and pay attention to how they make coffee, you see the micro actions in how they do it that make it their style, by how they pour latte art, to how they dose espresso from the grinder, everybody has their own way of doing it and series of putting it together.

Why did you name the Coffee Bar after yourself?
I saw how much power in building a brand around a person there was when I worked for chef Jamie Kennedy, who markets himself as the brand -- Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar -- which people can really relate to, instead of just some stupid coffee reference or a random name. People like people, not stupid words for stuff.

Lets talk about the menu itself, which is also quite minimal. Why no frappachinos or Wi-Fi?
I wanted to have my store represent the product and focus we are about. A coffee shop that sells legit coffee that doesn't need to hide behind sugar, and blended ice, or whipcream and all the sissy frills that dilute what good coffee should be. We don't really have the space to be a sitdown second office/home/study for customers, so we stay away from being a wi-fi hangout. Nothing personal, it's just more about making it a comfortable place for people to come, enjoy a coffee, talk with friends, and continue on after a fuel up.

Lets talk about skateboarding. You are starting up a shop skate team as well as selling decks. What is the reasoning behind this?
I used to work at a couple of skate shops, and I'll always be tied in some way or another to skating, so now that I have my own shop, and most of the people who work there skate, I think it would be rad to continue my tie to skating by having a skate team for the shop. Its pretty low-key; the team guys get free coffee, and shop shirts, but while I was working at other cafes, they always sponsored a cycling team. A SJCB skate team just seemed more appropriate.

Who is on the team?
Tomas Morrison, Mike McCourt, Nick Genova, and Paul Liliani. They all skate the way skateboarding should be done, and for the right reasons, and all can drink coffee like champs.

What brands will you be carrying and why?
When we start pushing more skate product, I'd prefer to work with smaller independent brands, as well as some of the more recognizable brands that are doing it right. I'm psyched on Alena Skateboards out of Montreal; they make a good product, put out good graphics, and have good focus behind why they are in skateboarding. I'm of course forever indebted to Anti-Hero for staying rad in what seems to be an ever growing pool of shit in skating. They just do it their way, and don't sell out to how fashionable skateboarding has become.

Is running your own business cutting into your personal skate time?
Oh man, is it ever! Standing on my feet 12 hours a day is enough to make skating torture, but I still find time to have games of skate out front with Tomas and Mike. Running a business is also super stressful, and when I find myself totally wound up, going for a skate is one thing I can always count on for relief.

Skateboarders in general are a creative bunch. Any advice for fellow skaters who have dreams of doing their own thing?
Skateboarding gives you the initiative to leave your house and achieve something that people doubt you can do, socially or physically. If you really feel strongly about something, you just have to learn as much about it as possible, find a market for it, save up some cash, and you can do it. Even if you fail at first, or fail eventually, you at least tried something you love, and that's more than a lot of people can say they ever had the balls to attempt. You'll die a happy person knowing you did something you were good at, and were proud of.

Last Words?
Drink coffee or die.

-------------------------
Related:
Who Likes Coffee? Manic Does.
Welcome To The Skate Oasis

Welcome to the Skate Oasis

asayer — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:03:00 GMT

Tired of getting to class at 9 AM? Teacher won't let you take a smoke break? Can't cook your own grilled cheese during English class? There isn't a skatepark outside your classroom? These are just some of the complaints that students of the Oasis Alternative Skateboard School are not bringing up.

Started by the stencil graffiti teacher, Craig Morrison, Toronto's first "Skateboard School" is now in full effect and offers classes that are taught through the lens of skateboarding and street art. Although located steps from the Dun-Bat skate park, Oasis isn't a school for X-Games wannabe skateboarders; rather it builds a community around skating and art to re-engage students with education using real-world experience. The positive influence this has had on many students has literally been life-changing, from students now interacting with local entrepreneurs, designing and building their own skateboards, creating and publishing skate ‘zines, and even making money off some of their own projects.

Craig Morrison (that's Craig to you, not "Mr. Morrison") gave us the back story about this life-altering project, the introduction of the "slo-skate movement," and using D.I.Y. principles to rid skateboarding of its negative public image. Read below, get inspired and get involved.

Craig Morrison shaping minds.

Lets start from the beginning here. How did your past contribute to creating Toronto's first alternative skateboard school?
I have a background and interest in all forms of street art and how these can promote positive social change, which is what I studied at university at the now defunct New College of California that was an "alternative" university in San Francisco's Mission neighborhood. When I started teaching in the Toronto District School Board 13 years ago, I naturally sought out the alternative school system for both myself and daughter... she has been attending alternative schools since kindergarten and now she is in an alternative high school. We are really lucky that in Toronto, alternatives are part of public education and are free and accessible and put an emphasis on engaging youth with the interests they bring. In all my teaching work with so called "at-risk youth", I have wanted to find ways to re-engage them in learning and the best ways I have found is through the arts and connecting them into the community. Many students I have worked with over the years have fallen through the cracks in the mainstream educational system, feel alienated and disengaged, but in a different setting with an art focus they are stars!

All the work my students did in the Arts and Social Change Program -- which I helped start at Oasis Alternative School -- was meant to be put out there into the community; I really don't like the idea of students working on all this stuff in school and it just gets put away in some file and forgotten. When I first thought of making skateboards in school after meeting Norah and Ted of Roarockit Skateboard Company -- who innovated a method to build boards by hand without the traditional woodshop machinery that small schools don't have -- I was only thinking of skateboards as a vehicle for art and graphics. After running a skateboard design class as part of the Oasis school program for three years, I realized that these skateboards could be a vehicle for so much more; not only the student's art but a way to build community and give the students a real-world experience that they value.

The classroom.

That is how I came to the point of expanding into what I am doing now as the first school site in the Toronto district fully dedicated to offering all subjects with a skateboard and street art focus. The Oasis Skateboard Factory helps students earn compulsory & elective high-school credits over one or two semesters by running a social justice and community-focused entrepreneurial business where they learn hands-on to build skateboards, design original custom graphics, work with local artists and community partners, market and display their work and receive an honorarium for their work.

Students love getting credits for all this, and also getting some money, and it really motivates them to attend school... they tell me it is also fun and brag to their friend in other schools! Every time I tell people what I do, I start to laugh...

Work in progress.

When a parent asks you, "But is this real school?" How do you respond?
Students are earning four high school credits each semester, which is the same as a regular school, and I am still teaching the stuff you have to learn in say, business class, except I am trying to expose the students to other young entrepreneurs to inspire their own future career plans. Many of my students aren't going to be happy being an employee of someone else and would be better off working with their strengths... I get them to dream big and show them examples of people who have made their own dreams reality, from building a skatepark, to running a café or small independent business, to screenprinting or other art related businesses.

Another example is in English class, where we still build the skills students need, but our culminating project is a skateboard magazine that the students are totally hyped about. In terms of the schedule, half of our time is art focused, and in Toronto the culture industry is a major sector in our economy. Basically, this program is supporting at-risk youth to stay in school, earn credits and develop transferable creative, employment and entrepreneurial skills. I am sure some of my students would say Oasis is more real than school.

Homework on display.

The program has a unique schedule, from a later start to lunches in class... how does this tie in with the program?
Well, you know there is all this research into the "teenage brain", but another reality is that my students travel for up to an hour on TTC from all over Toronto to get here. Most of my students were constant skippers or "non-attenders" in their previous school, and felt hassled about being late, but I am happy that they choose to come every day. Oasis is sort of like the old one-room school house, in that students all have diverse backgrounds and academic levels. For the time they are with me each day, we focus intensely on our projects and I try to promote a safe space with high expectations of hard work and professionalism... there's not a lot of space or time to get into trouble! Graffiti and skateboarding are both youth activities that have been criminalized, and I see my job in a school setting to redirect these interests in a positive safe way that give the students the opportunity for adults and other members of the community to be impressed and proud of them.

Student screen work.

Do students call you Craig or Mr. Morrison?
Definitely "Craig". I never let students get away with calling me "sir". Some people think this shows respect, but I think this is a way to distance themselves... I have a name, and alternative schools have always promoted non-authoritarian relationships.

Developing this program must have taken years of effort. Personally, what is the most rewarding aspect to this program you created? Any real success stories so far?
Well, testimonials on our blog will give you a sense of what students like about working with me in skateboard design class, but now that we've expanded into a whole focus school program, I am getting students handing in a lot of work in all subject areas. This really surprises them compared to what they have done in the past. It is mid-terms right now and a lot of my students are on track with getting their credits, which is an incredible success so far. A thing I am super proud of, and something I want to promote, is the involvement of young women. Graffiti and skateboarding can be so male dominated, but so far I have six young women in my program and they rock!

Some mocked up Manic Coffee decks.

How involved has the local skateboard community been with Oasis?
The students got a hands-on demo grinding beans, brewing siphon coffee and a tasting with award-winning barista Sam James the other day. Sam talked about his experiences skateboarding, starting an entrepreneurial business -- Sam James Coffee Bar-- latte art and compared the science of the vacuum pot to our vacuum bags that we use in the skateboard shaping process. We are really excited to build him a custom-designed skateboard as one of our first sponsors of the school year. Other guest entrepreneurs so far this year have included CJ Skatepark, local artists and comic book illustrators, and we have visited Josh at Sleeping Giant Gallery a couple of times. A student told me he learned more relevant stuff from Josh in those visits about working towards your personal goals, and the experience of running a small business/skateboard art gallery, than anything he learned in all his years of school before coming to Oasis.

Did you have one of these by the copier in your school?

Anything else you would like to get out to the Canadian skateboarding public?
It's great to be part of a moment when skateboards aren't immediately thought of as a negative thing... there is more public support for skateparks, etcetera. A big thing we are promoting is the idea of a "slow-skate movement" -- picking up on ideas from the slow food movement -- focusing on building community through skateboards. If you share these values, get involved! I am only one person and my students really benefit from connecting to a range of experienced people who can be guests in our classroom, mentor them in the community or sponsor a skateboard. You can reach us through info on our website.

http://oasisskateboardfactory.blogspot.com.

Check out more info on Oasis in this recent write-up on the National Post.

Derek Swaim Has Style

enamintor — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:17:00 GMT

There are many words that could be used to describe the skateboarding artistry of Derek Swaim, but for now let's just go with pop, flick and flow, and let the man himself fill in the rest. The last few years have been massive for Derek - his skating is become known far beyond his home zone in the BC Interior. A stand-out part in Sophomore Jinx last year within a stacked roster, as well as consistent mag and on-line coverage, helped prove his worth as one of Canada's most skilled up-and-comers.

With the heavy hand of Element Skateboards pushing him along, it should only be a matter of time before he's living on a beach in California, reminiscing about those snowy winters in Kamloops...or will it? Known for his smooth style on his skate, Derek broke down what gets him through his days for us. Ever wanted to know what he listens to? What Scientology-practicing movie star he worships? How he fights? Or even how he gets romantic? If you don't know, now you know.

"Have you ever seen one of Derek's video parts? Good lord! I had the pleasure of going on a tour to Texas with him a while ago and was blown away by his talent... I remember watching him skate flat in the blistering heat for hours, landing trick after trick like it was a joke. [He's a] real mellow dude and down-to-earth with the 360 pop shove of a god! No lie: Best three-pops in the business!" -Dave Nolan, Element team rider

Sponsor style: Fresh, some day's hesh.
Nickname style: Rock.
Hometown style: Wax to the max.
Board shape style: Love the way it curves.
Music style: 2Pac. T.I., Biggie, Eminem.
Social networking style: Creepin' Facebook.
Grooming style: Freshly shaved.
Romance style: What's that?
Communication style: Body language, hand gestures... maybe verbal.
Website style: Youtube.
Phone style: Speaker phone.
Hair care style: Hand brush.
Transportation style: Bike that goes vroom.
Movie style: Action, comedy, anything with Tom Cruise... [laughs]
TV show style: Seinfeld, Fresh Prince.
Confrontation style: Step on toes.
Training style: Push-ups.
Fun style: Cruise the bowl, or the river on sunny days.
Post-skate food style: Senior Froggy.
Binge drinking style: Puking.
Payment style: Cash. Or favours...
Computer style: Crawl speed.
Indulgence style: Kitties.
Riding style: Asian. Wait... what kind of ride we talkin' about? [laughs] Doggy-style.
Contraception style: Hmm...
Holiday style: Sure.
Pet style: Meow before oven pre-heats.
Education style: Buck wild.
Enemy style: Hater steez.
Terrain style: Flat-ground.

FS crook, flip out. Caissie sequence.

What's the best part about living in Kamloops? Why haven't you moved to Van-california yet?
Well, the skatepark is a three-minute drive from my house, or a 10-minute skate away, and it's amazing... That's def' one of the best things. And also, the river is real close to the park, so when it gets too hot to skate or you need a break, you can hit that up. I guess I haven't moved yet cause I've been stuck here. [laughs] But I do plan on getting there, though.

I hear the Interior is pretty big for the puck bunny scene. Do hockey players still get all the girls in Kamloops? Or are skaters getting their fair share now that skateboarding is "cool"?
[laughs] Oh, god... I don't know. Hockey probably has many more fans.

How do you deal with the snowy winters?
For the past winters -- all except for last one -- we've had the Calvary Temple, this church that let us skate in their gym and keep all our skate boxes and rails there, but they found out some insurance issues where they can't cover us, which is insane ‘cause they have been letting people skate there for 14 years or something. So last winter was lots of shovels, scrapers, and chronic.

You just came off a banging part in the Sophomore Jinx movie not too long ago... Any filming projects you are working on right now?
I'm getting tricks in Benny Stoddard's new vid called Tens and I'm filming for an Element Canada video.

What can be learned from reading The Game?
You'll have to read it to find out.

The best part about skateboarding is?
When you can't ollie, quarter pipes and spines, pumpin' bowls...

Any closing words?
Go, Matt Berger, go! Thanks to Judah, Chad Albert, and everyone who films and shoots and waits for me to land shit.

45 Tricks at The Sweatshop with Stacey Gabriel and Derek Swaim
(Please visit the site to view this media)

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Related:
Derek Swaim in The Sophmore Jinx
Count 'Em: TENS
Young Folk Online

Building A Mini-Ramp TF

asayer — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:17:00 GMT

Admit it: you wake up in the morning and before brushing your teeth, making coffee, or pissing, you check The Berrics. Nothing to be ashamed of and surely it makes you a better skateboarder (*sarcasm*), but imagine instead of sitting at your computer watching pro's skate a private training facility (TF) that you had one of your own. I know actually going skateboarding instead of watching it on the Internet or posting on Skatersinc is a crazy concept but bear with me. With the harsh winter around the corner, right now is the perfect time to start construction on your own indoor facility and cure that snow-induced boredom. Now you probably don't have an empty warehouse collecting dust in your backyard, but perhaps you have a garage that can be cleaned out? a basement with high ceilings? Get creative and winter skating can be all yours.

Over the course of a weekend, Emil Barclay, a ramp building ripper, turned my garage from a dirty car park into a place of wonder and enjoyment. So call up the homies, buy a case or two, and put them to work.

Follow these steps and you too can be ripping a mini throughout the cold months. Introducing the new "Queen of Bathurst": The Serrics.

Step 1: Location and size
This ramp was built in a garage with 10ft ceilings (not a bad height for a 2.5ft ramp). A width of 8 feet is as narrow as you want to go, keeping it wide enough for short grinds, but also cuts material costs because most lumber comes stock in 8ft lengths. The higher the ceiling the bigger you can make the height of your walls. Obviously the bigger the better, but remember it is better to skate a 2.5ft mini cleanly rather than hitting your head while attempting any trick on a 3.5ft. Location determines size. Minimum deck width should be 2 ft, but 3ft works better if you have the length to spare. The higher the walls the longer the flat bottom should be. Something to keep in mind is the tighter and quicker your ramp is, the better skater it will make you. Even if it is real tricky at first at least you won't get bored and every other ramp will feel like a joke after you spend months getting yours dialed.

What we had to work with.

Work in progress.

Step 2: Materials and Dimensions
Materials will vary for every ramp. The Serrics was built with the following dimensions: 2.5ft high, 8ft wide, 6ft flat bottom, a 3ft deck on one side and a 2ft deck on the other, taking into account different ceiling heights.

There are ways to skimp on material costs, but this is what is recommended:

2 pieces of ½" plywood (deck)
6 pieces of ¾" ply (sides)
8 pieces of 3/8" ply (base)
8 pieces of ¼" masonite
2 pieces of 8ft 2.5" steel pipe (coping)
40 pieces of 8ft 2x4's (framing)

Add to this a box of 3-inch wood screws, a couple boxes of 1 ¼ " flooring screws, a few saws and preferably 2-3 cordless drills and you are money. Total costs for something like this will be around $600 depending on how much wood you can get donated or "borrow" from a construction site while nobody is looking.

A good place to start when deciding on building a ramp is www.rampplans.org. They have a solid database of different sized ramps and plans.

Got wood?

Everything here is done strictly to code.

Step 3: Draw out your Transitions
Picking your transition is an important step. Do you want something super quick and poppy or real mellow and cruisy? Remember that with hours dedicated you will progress quickly, so going a little on the steeper side is advised. Draw out a bunch of different options, then grab a board and run it up and down to see what looks comfortable for you. For this 2.5ft we went with 5'9" transitions. This proved to be steep enough to pop blunts and whatnot but still mellow enough to learn new shit on. The bigger the wall height the larger you can make the transitions. You're going to need 4 equal transition walls cut out of the thickest ply you have.

Rule of thumb: measure twice, cut once.

Take some tips from the boss.

Decision made.

Step 4: Build out the skeleton
Now it's time to put all those 2x4's to use. Cut them all down by an inch or so, as you want the entire width of the ramp to hit 8ft (2x4s plus the added plywood on each side). Three separate pieces of ramp should be constructed here: two walls and the flat bottom. Use two 3-inch wood screws for each end of wood. It definitely helps to have a couple hands at work here.

Framing the transition.

More hands the better.

Looks good, but we're not done yet.

Step 5: Setting the coping
Everyone likes their coping a little different. Do you want it nice and chunky or real sunk in? Or get crazy and put some pool coping on that mini. A little overhang will help with many of the tricks that will be getting tossed on completion. First you will want to measure out and cut notches in the tranny plywood sections where the coping will sit, taking into account that two sheets of ply and the masonite top layer will still need to be added. The last thing you want is for your coping to disappear once these are laid. Same goes for up on the decks, so make sure you take the three layers into account now because it is a hassle to recut the notches once layers of ply have already been added. A good trick for making sure you're coping will sit right when all is said and done is to get a small sample size of each layer. Hold them all in place and run your trucks over top of the coping to see if you like that height.

Next, when drilling the coping put two holes in the back (with a drill) so you can angle it before screwing it in, leaving no visible holes where you are grinding once the decks have been secured and the ramp is complete.

Coping in place.

Step 6: Layer down that Ply
Now it's time to put down the first layer of ply. Start at one end, butting the ply up to the coping, and carry on right to the other end, measuring out the final piece to fit tight up to the far coping.

Now put another layer of 3/8" ply down. Make sure that the seams from each layer do not line up or you will be more likely to feel it when skating later. Remember this is the layer that the masonite will sit on, so make sure everything is real smooth and professional. If there are large knots in the wood, get out the bondo for a smoother ride down the line. Your new lover will now take shape before your very eyes. Get stoked.

Things are coming together nicely.

Rule: if they want to skate it, make them help built it.

If it looks like a mini ramp...you've done something right.

Step 7: The Final Layer
This is the most important part so take your time. Counter-sink each screw hole in every piece of masonite so the flooring screws don't bubble the material as much. You want the screws to sit flush to the masonite so your board doesn't hit them. Again, make sure the seams don't match the last layer of ply and put the sheets down with the least amount of seams possible when riding back and forth.

Last step.

Mark it, cut it, and skate it. It's that easy.

Step 8: The Finishing Touches
This is what separates a janky set-up with a true gentlemen's clubhouse: lighting, painting, insulation, heating, speakers, beer fridge, dvd player and sound-proofing are all things that should be thought out for future enjoyment of the space. Do it up real nice and you'll be more hyped to get out there on the daily and skate.

Step 9: Skate or Die
Invite over the posse (in this case Element rider Dave Nolan, Jimmy Decaire and ramp builder Emil Barclay), throw on the mini-ramp classic "Cheese and Crackers," crack some drinks, and skate. Surely you will be learning tricks for days so no need to leave your garage for the next 4 months.

Good luck with it.

Dave Nolan inspects the finished product.

Builder Emil Barclay takes his payment in sessions.

(note: this is by no means a complete guide to building a mini ramp. visit rampplans.org for a lot more information)

------------------------------
Related:
Mini Ramp To Go
The Shitake Ramp: Far From Fungal
Sex Panther Mini Ramp Jam Video

Comune: Some Thing Better Change

asayer — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:36:00 GMT

"Comune was formed from the idea that there will always be people out there who not only embrace the rawness and imperfections of everyday life, but use it to creatively push the boundaries of what's possible in skateboarding, fashion, art, and music their own way, with complete disregard of the consequences."

True, true, and true. While the emergence of another "lifestyle" clothing brand may bring back memories of all those flash-in-the-pan t-shirts you have sitting in your closet gathering dust, Comune is making waves right out of the gate and is far from your average soul-less brand.

One glance at their garment offerings, their eclectic skate team and supporters, and the crazy minds behind Comune, and you know they mean business. Already succeeding with their goal of providing clothing and support to those living a lifestyle of carefree idealism, they've already proven they have nothing to prove: Comune looks to be changing shit up and you'd better be ready.

With artist Corey Smith at the helm of art and team direction, and Jesse Fox adding support across Canada, I'm sure you'll be skating, partying, and art'ing in Comune gear before you know it. Just don't get it the name tattooed on your neck just yet. Why not, you ask? Read the following interview below with Corey Smith to find out:

Don Nguyen.

How did Comune get kicked off?
Frank Delgadio, the founder of Comune has been toying around with the name and idea for years. We had a good crew of creative young minds and we decided the time was right to do our own thing. You only live once right?

What separates Comune from other skate clothing brands?
I think the main thing is that while we do sponsor skaters and snowboarders and many of us who work here have roots in these activities it doesn't define us. We're definitely on the other end of the spectrum from say your extreme sports wild and zany skate/snow reality show clothing brand. We glean inspiration from contemporary fashion, art and music, friends and family. We have a very eclectic group of people making this brand unique. Everyone has a say in what we develop from the marketing intern to our pro skaters.

Braydon Szafranski.

As an ex-pro and artist, what role do you play in the brand?
I'm the art director, and I also help out with marketing and the team.

The skate team has some pretty eclectic riders: Braydon Szfranski, Don Nguyen, Matt Ball, Gareth Stehr... just to name a few. What does it take to get on the skate team?
I think the biggest thing with our team is we want individuals. I'm not necessarily looking for a contest winner or who's the raddest. I'm inspired by style and creativity more than anything. Like [Charles] Bukowski said, "Style is the answer to everything. A fresh way to approach a dull or dangerous thing. To do a dull thing with style is preferable to doing a dangerous thing without it". I also want people who are easy to work with and want to be involved in shaping the brand as if it was their own, because it is!

Jeff Lenoce.

Do new riders get on without the backing of the rest of the OG's?
Yeah. I mean you gotta hang out and everyone's gotta be down with you. We are not just going to put some dude on because he's Johnny Rad.

How involved is the team in regards to product, ads, etcetera. Or are they just there to collect a pay cheque and sell a product?
They're as involved as they want to be. I mean, they bring us stuff they like and we make it. We all have a say. I don't really think any of our guys are good poster boys to sell product it's just who we are and what we're down with. If you like it perfect, please buy it ha-ha!

Keelan Dadd.

Is there a single rider that doesn't have a tattoo?
I'd say it's half and half. Some fools probably want tattoos but they can't afford it. That's where the ultra-shitty home tattoos come from.

Who is your money on to drop into a Comune neck tattoo first?
Hopefully no one! [laughs] I mean, I guess I couldn't really fire someone for that, but it would definitely be frowned upon.

Matt Ball.

Do you think having a snow program gives Comune less credibility with skateboarders than if it was a 100% skate brand?
Yeah, probably, but we make clothes not skateboards. And most of our snowboarders skate too or grew up skating. I mean if you don't skate, you shouldn't snowboard or else it'll look weird.

Some pieces from the Holiday '09 catalogue.

What inspires the design elements of the clothing?
There are so many elements that go into the design process. I'd say overall when you look at out line there's a feeling of minimalism, efficiency, class, and individuality.

Any plans laid out for the brand over the winter and next year?
Just continue to create unique clothing and live every day to the fullest.

Gareth Stehr.

Comune skate team:
BRAYDON SZAFRANSKI
GARETH STEHR
MATT BALL
DON NGUYEN
JEFF LENOCE
PETER WATKINS
KEELAN DADD

24 Hours in N.Y.C.

asayer — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:38:00 GMT

New York, New York: One of the most inspirational cities in the world and definitely the coolest place in the world to skate through traffic with a coffee in your hand, blasting ollies over manholes and garbage cans, on your way to a skate spot. But where are these coffee spots? Where are these skate spots? Most importantly, where are you gonna eat to fuel up for these missions? And where are you going to celebrate that N.B.D. post-skate?

While NYC is far too large and constantly evolving to ever truly have on lock, since last weeks' hot club can become this weeks bridge-and-tunnel special with just a mention in the wrong media, this list will help you get your bearings and hopefully introduce you to some like-minded people that can guide you to your next destination.

Brunch
Start the day out right; it's going to be a long one.

Brown's: Lower East Side; a Spike Jonze favorite.

Prune: Also in Lower East Side, one street north of Houston.

La Esquina: South of Supreme. Come back for tacos later.

Coffee
Cruising the streets just ain't the same without a strong coffee in your hand.

Grumpy: Go for the clover. W 20^th in Chelsea.

9^th Street Espresso: Locations near Tompkins, perfect for pre-skate.

Saturdays Surf NYC: On Crosby in SoHo. Espresso, surf flicks, huge backyard garden patio.

Stumptown: The Portland favorite just opened up their first shop outside of their hometown, in the lobby of The Ace Hotel no less. Check it on W29^th street at Broadway.

Skate Spots
Some well-known ones for you, here. Check the message boards on www.officialnewyork.com for more or meet some chill locals.

Tompkins Square Park: Basketball court-style flat-ground park located in the East Village.

1st and A.

Open Road Park:12^th and A, the Dunbat of NYC, created by Billy Rohan. (video)

1st and A.

Supreme Mini: Good luck locating or given access to skate this one.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Brooklyn Banks: You've seen this spot a million times. Guess where it's located? Under the Brooklyn Bridge, on the Manhattan side.

KCDC Mini: Owned by the fabulous ex-model and WESC Activist Amy Gunther. Located in Billyburg. Support it.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Flushing Meadow: You've seen the footage, now get out to Queens and get some for yourself.

Lunch
Most of these spots are amazing for dinner as well. Off-hours usually have smaller crowds.

Café Habana: Don't miss the grilled corn! Seriously so good. 17 Prince St in NoLiTa.

Westville: Olsen twin-approved and super fresh. There's both a West Village and East Village location, one block from Open Road Park.

Shake Shack: A modern day "roadside" burger stand. It'll have a 30 minute wait, but it's worth it. Madison Square Park and Upper Westside locations.

Chelsea Market: Pick and choose. In Chelsea, duh.

Dumpling Man: Perfect after a Tompkins session. Cheap and delicious. 100 St. Marks.

Café Mogador: Mediterranean-style in the East Village.

Taco trucks and other street food: NYC is king of the food truck. No sketchy street meats, just real, authentic cuisine on the cheap.

China Town: Wanna eat for under $5? Go here and explore.

Skate Shops
Small but well stoked, these are definitely not your typical Southern California big-box skate shops and they like it like that.

Autumn: Just a few pushes away from Tompkins on E 9th St.

Autumn Skate Shop

Supreme: NYC's finest. Not just a reseller's paradise, but also a full service skate shop. The staff might actually not mean-mug you if they know you skate. 274 Lafayette near SoHo.

KCDC: The Brooklyn go-to in Williamsburg.

Shut Skates: The first NYC skateboard company, started back in ‘86 by Rodney Jones. Go check them out in the Lower East Side (on Orchard) and grab a deck.

Dave's Quality Meats: Better known for its kicks and gear, but also has a full skate offering. Cop your HUF gear here. 7 E 3^rd street.

Rival: Founded by Vinnie Ponte, it's perfect if you are skating on the West Side. 225 Hudson St.

Surf Shops
Hell, yeah you can surf when you're in New York. Rockaway even has a skatepark, so you can get two sessions in one.

Saturdays Surf NYC: Coffee, boards, wetties, clothing. One-stop shop and right in SoHo, on 31 Crosby St.

Saturdays Surf Shop

Mollusk:The O.G. Brooklyn surf shop on 210 Kent Ave.

Good Shops
Not skate shops, but just good spots to check out if you're looking to shop and for clothes and other stuff.

Nom de Guerre: Located downstairs in an old Black Panthers meeting area, at Bleeker and Broadway. This is for when you've graduated out of that skate logo tee.

Flight Club: Consignment sneakers and clothing. If you're ready to drop duckets, you;ll find all the rare kicks and retro gear you've always wanted. Various locations.

WESC: The flagship store is on Layfayette beside Supreme.

Stussy Store: Just took over the old Union store in SoHo.

Opening Ceremony: Not cheap, but real dope, also in SoHo.

Odin: Some kickass men's wear. Not cheap but it'll make you look proper. Located on Lafayette.

Inventory: Skate-type brands at a discount. Yes, please. Don't miss this one. Also on Lafayette.

Uniqlo: The Japanese H&M. Perfect for blanks, socks, whatev's.

Reed Space: Super dope store started by Jeff Staple, located in the Lower East Side off Rivington.

Barbershops
Get faded out and cleaned up before a night on the town.

Freemans Sporting Club: Traditional men's grooming services with no appointment necessary. On Rivington St in the Lower East Side.

Franks Chopshop: Cuts, shaves, and caps for the modern gentlemen of leisure. By appointment only on19 Essex Street.

Dinner
You've gotta eat, don't you? Might as well do it right.

SEA: A trendy Thai place with cheap prices, on 2^nd Ave outside the East Village.

Spotted Pig: A famous NYC "gastropub" dinner spot. Possibly the only restaurant with a skate shoe collaboration; check for the Spotted Pig/DC kicks on the kitchen staff. Located on West 11^th/Greenwich St.

Pizza Spots: It may have been invented in Italy, but NYC definitely has the world's best pizza. Whether you want to line up for two hours to get into somewhere famous, or just grab a quick slice, you can guarantee it won't taste anything else like it at home.

La Esquina: Come for tacos or the hidden dining room. Lafayette St.

Bars
You'll probably find yourself primarily drinking in the Lower East Side. These places in particular are skater-friendly, but don't be afraid to bar hop.

Max Fish: The institution of NYC skate hangouts, currently featuring artwork from Spanky. You are also guaranteed to see at least a few big name east coast skaters, and possibly have Neck Face pass out on your lap. Tino Razo, local ripper behind the company Verte, works behind the bar. At least swing in for a cheap PBR. At 178 Ludlow St.

LIT: It's a basement bar that looks like an actual dungeon. Some night's are DJ'd by Ryan McGinley and Kid America. It used to be the spot to get your photo taken by Patrick O'Dell. On 2^nd Ave

Sway: Show up early and don't be a kook if you want to get in on Morrissey night. An industry favorite. 305 Spring St. West of SoHo.

Epsteins: A great mid-day spot and Dave from DQM's favorite go-to. Located in the Lower East Side

Mars Bar: I think the term "dive bar" exists because of Mars Bar. Be careful what you touch and don't drink the draft. E.1^st St. East Village.

Events
If you are going on a skate trip, you might as well plan it around this.

Back to the Banks: Now heading into its sixth year, Back to the Banks is typically held in the beginning of June and is an amazing excuse to hit NYC. Just check out this video:

(Please visit the site to view this media)

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Related:
Harold Hunter Day II, 2008

The Evolution of Matt Berger

asayer — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:17:00 GMT

In Hollywood there are two types of child actors: Those that hone their craft early and go on to great careers, like Leonardo DiCaprio, and then those that enjoy the easy access to an excessive lifestyle a little too much, like Macaulay Culkin or Gary Coleman.

The unforgiving skateboard industry often mirrors its Hollywood cousin and can sometimes burn out its hottest prospects before they're even legal drinking age.

It's good to know that 15 year-old Matt Berger is not only one of the most ridiculous young talents to come out of Canada in the last few years, but that he also has a great head on his shoulders - not to mention a solid foundation of family members and skateboard veterans pushing him in the right direction. If you were a gambler, it would be wise to put your money on Matt becoming the next big Hollywood leading man and not a broke-ass "don't you know who I am" straight-to-DVD actor.

After traveling on his own for the first time to compete in the Maloof Money Cup, Matt gave PUSH.ca the low-down on "kid style", why he isn't like Sheckler, and why the helmet with flames on the sides is no longer sitting on his head. Say hello to Canada's future, say hello to Matt Berger:

In the not so distant past you seem to have magically changed from a ripping grom to a grown-up skateboarder with amazing style. How does it feel watching your video part from when you were 8 compared to watching footage of yourself now?
Damn... it's rad. It reminds me of the days when I didn't give a shit, you know? Everything was just eat, sleep, skate.

What about when you were 13?
13 was a bit of a transformation. I started to grow like crazy, it was a bit of an adjustment skating.

When you were smaller did you ever worry about having "kid style?"
Nah, not one bit... I was always just down to skate; I don't even think I understood what style was back then. I felt no pressure; it was just skating, man.

Did you have to make an effort to get rid of "kid style" or does it just come naturally with growth?
No, not at all, it was just skating everyday as you grow, I guess. You can't really try to change your style; it's just a natural thing that comes with the progression of your skateboarding.

Big spin flip to back tail to fakie. Odam sequence.

When and why did you stop skating in a helmet?
I stopped wearing my helmet when I was around 12. I told my parents that everyone else in the skateboard world wasn't wearing a helmet. My parents also knew there was going to be a time when I wasn't going to be wearing a helmet anymore. I made that choice when I felt I had skated long enough to know how to fall.

Are your favorite skaters still Ryan Sheckler, Mike V, and Daewon? If not who are they now?
[laughs] They are all rippers, but I'd say Daewon [Song] and Heath Kirchart are the kings in my world.

You and Sheckler were both skate prodigies. What are some differences between you and him?
Well first off, I'm nothing close to a skate prodigy. Sheckler rips, but I don't necessarily agree with the choices he's made in his career.

Looks like you grew up with a little backyard set-up. Have your parents always been supportive of skating?
Yeah, that's where I originally started skating. When I was 5 years-old my parents noticed that I really enjoy skateboarding. They built some rails and ramps for my backyard. They've always been super supportive... My dad used to sit and watch me skate for hours at the skatepark.

Did you ever feel like they pressured you into anything like hockey parents? Or have you always wanted this?
Actually, when I was five I played hockey. I wasn't really into it, so I quit and started skating. My parents have been supportive in whatever I enjoyed doing. Never have they forced me into a sport, as far as I can remember.

What skaters did you look up to while growing up in Kamloops?
I always looked up to Daewon and [Rodney] Mullen growing up. I would always watch the Daewon versus Mullen videos and go skate for hours on end in my backyard. I also looked up to the local rippers, and I still do to this day.

What are your local skate spots?
Kamloops has a lot of skate spots for how small it really is; its a golden nugget in the BC Interior. There used to be a warehouse with ledges we would skate, but it burned down.

What was it like competing as an am in the Maloof Money Cup against some of the world's best?
It was rad. It felt great skating with everyone. I previously met at other contests a lot of the skaters in the contest. I've become good friends with a lot of them, so it's just like a reunion.

Backside 180 fakie 5-0. Caissie sequence.

You just started traveling alone. How has that been? Where have you gone?
It's been stressful, but really fun. The traveling to the destination is the only stressful part. This summer I started traveling alone when I went down to California for Maloof Money Cup. I ended up going to San Diego and staying down there for a couple weeks filming. I then flew from San Diego to New York. With a solid 20 hours of flying and delays, I got there and jumped in the van. We went all over the East Coast down to Virginia. [It was] definitely one of the best trips I've been on.

What are your plans over the winter? Any spots you've always wanted to hit?
I'm actually back in school now. I have been doing home schooling since grade eight. I'm definitely going to get some snowboarding done, and I'm going to make some trips down to Vancouver. My next big trip is Tampa... super psyched to go.

Last words?
I want to thank my sponsors: Almost Skateboards, B and B Boardshop, Tensor Trucks, Bones Wheels, Es Footwear, Timebomb and Nomis Clothing; Denise and Rich Odam for always giving me a place to stay on the coast. Brian Cassie and Rich Odam for taking the time to shoot me! My parents for making it all happen. And all the Kamloops homies!

Endnote: These three YouTube videos show the evolution of Matt Berger from 8 year-old super grom, to 13 year-old "damn this kid is getting scary good", to a smooth 15 year-old with a mature style that has skaters in their 20's enrolling back into school and looking for full-time jobs.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

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Related:
Matt Berger Bones Video
Billabong Damn Am 2009
Billabong Damn Am Day 2 Video

The Darkstar Tour: Behind The Scenes

asayer — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:06:00 GMT

When the Darkstar team hit Toronto, we enlisted tour photographer Rich Odam to get his personal take on a few of his favourite shots from the trip. And with a crew consisting of Paul Machnau, Ryan Decenzo, Paul Trep and John Hanlon -- plus Toronto local and ATM pro Jesse Landen showing them around -- we knew there'd be plenty of good ones.

Here's Rich's perspective on several images that he felt defined the trip. Enjoy.

Flat tire. Rich Odam photo.

The Flat Tire
Just like any trips, there's always a story or two to tell (or not tell). I think the craziest story of the trip was how we ended up with the rental van. Upon arrival in Toronto, Machnau was instructed to call a local number in order to get delivery of the rental van for the trip. After several calls and messages left, he gets a call back and is picked up by a fellow in a red Dodge Caravan. They then drive to the back of a questionable hotel where Paul follows the driver in through the side-door and into his "office", I guess. A little bit of paperwork and a couple of signatures later, Paul drives away in the same Caravan he got picked up in. I think he thought this was all a tad bit suspicious, but nonetheless he just went with it.

I think it was on the first or second day into the trip when we drove to this spot where we had to parallel park. With ample room, Paul went in head-first and slightly scraped the curb with the right front wheel. This miniscule scrape caused the tire to completely blow out; thank god we weren't driving down the 401 in this red death machine. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that every tire on this thing resembled that of a Nascar racing car: no tread and so smooth. It took several hours to get a hold of the car rental guy and get a tow truck to haul this thing to the nearest dump. The next day Paul had to go down to the "rental office" and have a word with the rental guy about getting a replacement vehicle; I didn't want Paul to deal with all this BS on his own so I told Hanlon I was going to accompany Machnau. He quickly objected and said, "You don't want to do that Rich, Paul is going to go down and do a lot of yelling, it's probably safer if you stay here." So I did.

Ryan Decenzo, kickflip to backtail. Rich Odam sequence.

[Odam had this captioned as John Hanlon, but it's clearly Ryan Decenzo. We'll let the caption stand because it's still a good story. O-dam!!! - ed.]

John's Height: Pro or Con?
John's definitely a tall dude; I think it's a pro for him. His long legs give him the ability to go faster at any spot and unlike most people his size, he can make tricks look good. This hubba is freakin' tall; for sure it's chest-high for most normal people. The best thing about this trick is that John had already done it a few months before, without a photographer. I told him a still would look really good and all he had to do is lock on it, not worry much about riding away since he already had a good clip on his previous attempt. After shooting a couple rolls and assuring him we had the shot, he said he wanted to land it again. So I went into my bag and pulled my digi cam and started shooting sequences. When's the last time you heard someone A.B.D. themselves?

Check out the rest of Odam's photos, along with tales from the tour in the gallery.

Are You A Contributor?

asayer — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:36:00 GMT

Remember your first skateboard? Think back to what that very first board meant to you. Where would you be today if you were never given access to it? Maybe working a crappy nine-to-five and putting on a suit every morning? Or much worse, maybe living on the street, surviving off leftover rocks of crack, and eating out of garbage cans? Seriously: Skateboarding has a way of changing one's life from the minute that first skateboard is given to you. This is where the concept behind Contributor comes into play.

Contributor's motto is simple: "skateboards for all." And according to the people behind Contributor, they believe it to be possible. Contributor deals with various non-profit organizations across Canada dedicated to working with at-risk youth and kids from lower-income neighborhoods. And with an estimated 1.6 million kids living in poverty across Canada, Contributor aspires to change their lives through skateboarding.

"Right now, we're just building out the program in five cities, which are among the highest in terms of child poverty," explains Contributor co-founder Annie Lam. "The idea, however, is to continue to expand and help youth who want to skate gain access to the proper goods. We'll be working with different community groups throughout Canada to help get the skateboards to youth. Outside of just benefiting the youth in that community, it's also a great opportunity to work with the city here to continue to build support and funding for skateboarding overall."

Since any new venture -- be it for charity or profit -- requires marketing and promotions to build awareness (and to raise donations), Mike Giles and Annie Lam, along with co-curator Bob Kronbauer, launched the Smile On Your Brother art show. With a massive list of more than 60 participating artists, including the likes of Andrew Pommier, Chris Pastras, Don Pendleton, Randy Laybourne and Thomas Campbell, the canvas of choice was (of course) a ‘70s-style skateboard deck.

"The idea behind not only the show, but also the overall project is to hopefully inspire people to think about their first skateboard and what it meant to them," says Annie. "For many skaters, this still represents a pivotal moment in their lives, with every last little detail fresh in their minds. Bringing together contemporary artists both in, and affected by the skateboard industry, to help raise funds to go towards the first goal of Contributor which is to donate 100 skateboards to disadvantaged youth across Canada in 2009/2010"

The painted skateboards are up for auction until October 25^th on the Contributor website. But before you click over there to spend money on an amazing cause, take a few minutes to read this interview Push.ca conducted with Annie, Mike and Bob about Smile On Your Brother and the overall Contributor initiative.

How are the Smile On Your Brother shows going so far?
Bob: The show went from Vancouver to Calgary and Saskatchewan, and is gaining speed as it heads east to Toronto. Super positive vibes so far and it's getting a lot of exposure, which has been a blessing. We did an interview on CBC radio preceding the Vancouver exhibition, and with the help of magazines and radio and web sites -- thanks Push.ca -- we hope to get the auction in front of enough people who want to bid on these so we can get skateboards into the hands of a lot of kids.

Mike: All three have been a great success. We've been adding images to the site as they come in, and it's been so cool to see the show hung in different locations.

What can you tell me about the strange shape of the artist boards?
Bob: The shape of the template is based on the very first skateboard that was ever available as a mass-produced item for sale. Mike and the guys at Furni in Montreal handcrafted them in their workshop.

Mike: Yeah, the boards were modeled after a template I found in a 1977 book called Anybody's Skateboard Book. It's like a cheesy "how to" book. In one of the chapters it outlines how to make your own board, and we figured it would be the perfect choice for this project. You can see photos of how we made them here.

Do you hope these boards actually get skated since they have trucks and wheels, or should they be hung on a wall?
Bob: There's been a bit of confusion here and there; some people have asked me why we're giving underprivileged kids old wooden banana boards... [laughs] I explain that they're for auction and that once they're sold then we're using that money to buy "actual" skateboards for kids to skate.

Mike: The best part is that we don't have to decide; we purposely made them as completes so that the auction winner has the choice. Some people believe that skateboards are meant to be ridden; others that they are meant to be put in a museum... personally we think riding one around your office to the water cooler and back is a pretty cool non-destructive way to have the best of both worlds.

The line-up of artists is nothing short of all-star. How was all the talent brought on board?
Bob: I dipped into my Rolodex of contacts I've made over the years; a lot of folks I have involved in ClubMumble.com too, and I think that for the most part people just saw that it was for a super good cause and were happy to get involved. There were only a handful of people we asked who said they couldn't do it, and those were mostly due to time constraints.

Mike: Between the two of us, we have over 30 years of skateboard contacts. That helped.

Were artists given free reign on the board?
Mike: The only thing we asked was that artists didn't "decorate" the tops of the boards, the idea was that the final shows would be hung with the boards sideways - the profile view - so that from one side of the gallery the tops only would be seen, and then the other angle would reveal all the artwork. The top graphic unite all the artists and the bottoms show individual creativity.

The project operates on many different levels. What is the main message?
Bob: I personally see the shapes of the boards referencing a point of discovery. Like I mentioned, the shape of the board template is based on the first ever skateboards that were sold in stores... that was the first time kids could ever go somewhere and buy one.

Mike: To quote Mr.T, "You can't get where you're going if you don't know where you're from." The main goal of the show was to make people think what their first skateboard meant to them -- hence the choice of old-school canvases -- and then to think where they might have been today without that opportunity.

What has been the biggest surprise working on the project so far?
Annie: There's been pretty much an awesome surprise every day with this project. But, I think to sum it up, the biggest one is the incredible amount of support we have received. Sometimes when you think of an idea, you never really expect it to come together fully, let alone actually be really amazing. Thanks to the support of many people, from Bob and Mike jumping on board right at the beginning, then to the artists who donated their time and work without question, and now to all the individuals from all over the world who are either bidding on the art or even just offering to send skateboards that we can give to kids. It's a really good feeling to see everyone pull together. I think that attests to another point that project is about -- the idea of building a community and friendships through something as simple as skating. [laughs] It's kind of cheesy but really rad.

Any closing thanks?
Annie: Thank you to all of the incredible artists involved and all the sponsors who are helping to make the show and project possible including: Livestock, Know?Show, Club Mumble, Furni Creations and Devin Barrette and Judy Lawrence, Momentum Wheels, S & J Sales, SBC Skateboard, Color Magazine, Concrete Skateboarding, Pop Montreal, Momentum in Saskatoon, Push.ca, BTL and everyone who has supported this project from the start. And, of course big high fives to Bob Kronbauer and Mike Giles who have really made this possible... it's another Club Mumble miracle! I'd also like to thank all of the artists, Malania Dela Cruz, Garry and Chris at Livestock, all of the people who have placed bids on the artwork and everybody else who has put any energy towards helping make this show a success.

View the Smile On Your Brother skateboards and place a bid here.

Remaining Smile On Your Brother show dates:
Sept 25^th to 27^th: Livestock, Toronto
October 1^st to 4^th: Off The Hook, Montreal
October 16^th to 19^th: Morgan Bridge Gallery, Quebec City

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Related:
Club Mumble Blog
Bob Kronbauer's Little Giants

The Skateboarding Guide to Motorcycles

asayer — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:33:00 GMT

It's hard to think back to a time when skateboards and motorcycles didn't go hand in hand. Looking closer, it's easy to see the appeal with all the similarities the two lifestyles share: an individualistic pursuit pulled off either solo or with a crew that allows the riders' sense of style to shine through with a looming risk of injury at all times. Check. Check. Check.

Emerica's Wild Ride may be the first skate/bike combo that comes to mind, but the relationship was formed way before that, with early day renegades like Jason Jessee, America's original skateboarding/motorcycle riding renegade. Canadian's have been getting in on the action as well, with the photography of Scott Pommier, Vancouver's cruising Creepy Friendlies, and the two-wheeled nomadic ways of Keegan Sauder (you can't forget his Jessee-esque Zero ad, surfing his cruiser).

Keegan's Zero ad.

By no means a definitive guide, let's look at some of the major players and events that crossover the skate scene and grease monkey lifestyle.

Jason Jessee: American Anti-hero
Perhaps the most controversial skateboarder of all-time, Jason needs no introduction for anyone that has ever flipped through Thrasher. This gun-toting, custom bike building wild man lived larger than life and went even higher above transitions. Famously quoted as saying "I want to die -- especially on my bike." Gnarly.

Pray for Me: The Jason Jessee Movie was released in 2006 and showcased both the legendary skate and metal working skills of this American anti-hero. Want to know who your favorite pro's favorite badass is? It's Jason Jessee.

Pray For Me: The Jason Jessee Movie trailer
(Please visit the site to view this media)

Vans got into the greasy side of things by designing two pro-model shoes with Jason. Both of these chopper-inspired shoes aimed to "define versatility, bridging the gap between skate functionality and the rugged demands of riding motorcycles."

The latest Sk8-hi's feature a slit in the shoe below the achilles for easier kick starts on your chopper, while the shoes from a few years ago came with a second pair of insoles that had a metal plate beneath them for added stability on the pegs.

Max Schaaf: Skateboarder/ Owner of 4Q Custom Conditioning
Bay Area skateboard legend Max Schaaf has had the support of skate brand DLX since back in the day, but after catching the chopper bug years back he now has a fall back plan involving his second love. 4Q Custom Conditioning not only builds and paints custom bikes, but also sells merchandise. You can see Canadian ruler and fellow two-wheel enthusiast Ryan Smith sporting it up top in his latest Skateboard Mag interview.

Getting into motorcycles for some of these guys can be just as addictive as when they first discovered skateboarding. Max was interviewed for streetchopperweb.com, where he described his chopper beginnings as an unknown lurking through Bay Area bike swaps, labeled the "skinny skater kid", but in a short amount of time became known as "Max with the really cool Shovelhead."

Vans once again showed their support for the chopper scene by letting Max design two Oakland-style Vans shoes that came with handle bar grips, fireproof suede, and a custom shoe box that looks like it houses vintage tools.

When he isn't cruising on his 1947 Harley Knucklehead, Max keeps his 4Q blog updated frequently so check it out. Max also has a "Day In The Life" on the Fourstar site that's worth a few minutes of your day.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Emerica's Wild Ride
Since the mid-millennium, Emerica has been sending their team out on the road Easy Rider-style in the first-ever fully interactive professional skateboarding tour. Not only does their top tier team strap their decks to their Harleys but they invite the general public to take part in their outlaw ways by joining the caravan to camp and skate with the team, wisely tagging it with a parental advisory: "As with any real professional skateboarding tour, some materials and situations may not be suitable for persons under 18 years old." Got that right.

The tour usually culminates with a bang, on June 21, Go Skateboard Day, for Emerica's Wild in the Streets. Genius. They even enlisted the help of skate media darling Patrick O'Dell to come along and document the action for his Epicly Later'd featured series on VBS.tv. Heath Kirchart might have been one of the first to get the Harley sickness but others like Spanky, Braydon Szafranski, Leo Romero, and Bryan Herman followed quickly behind. Apparently, Andrew ‘The Boss' Reynolds is quite content chilling in the van and sleeping in hotel rooms while the others rough it on two-wheels and in grimy campsites every night.

RVCA's Mild Ride
RVCA's Mild Ride was a mini-tour in which the RVCA team rode Vespa scooters from Costa Mesa to San Francisco, California, with several stops in between to skate and visit retail accounts. While very much a thinly veiled, two-wheeled, lower CC* spoof of the Emerica's popular Wild Ride, who's to say riders such as Ethan Fowler, Leo Romero and Keegan Sauder didn't have just as much fun? Ironically, the Mild Ride was also a feature episode on Epicly Later'd. Check the video to see how Vespa's become the perfect tow vehicle to get extra speed for big gaps.

Keegan Sauder: The Canadian Contingent
West Coast-based but nomad by nature, Keegan Sauder is one of Canada's best-known motorcycle fanatics. The two-wheel lifestyle is perfectly suited for Keegan to fill a backpack and take off. Whether it be down Main St. to set up a deck at Antisocial or across the Mongolian countryside on a two-month tour.

Back in ‘06 he was featured in a Zero ad surfing his cycle down the street doing his best Jason Jessee impression (standing on his seat, no hands) by fellow Canadian gearhead Scott Pommier. Keegan knows the inherent risk of such actions, though, as he says, "There are two kinds of riders, those who have gone down and those who are going to."

Keegan's garage reads like a gearhead's Christmas list:
- 1973 Honda cb350
- 1971 Triumph Tiger650
- 1978 Yamaha sr500
- 1967 Harley D. Troublehead.

The Downside: Ryan Smith's Near Fatal Motorcycle Crash
Ryan Smith has taken some pretty gnarly slams in his day, but no skate fall can compare to a bad motorcycle crash. In fall of 2007, Ryan woke up in the hospital hooked up to a catheter, a breathing tube, a feeding tube, and wearing a neck brace. With no recollection of what had happened, the doctors told him he crashed his motorcycle.

His injuries were as follows:

-       crushed right hand (reconstructed),
-       compound leg fracture (rebuilt with a titanium rod),
-       pelvis fractured in 3 spots
-       fractured skull (brain bleeding in 2 spots),
-       caved in cheekbone (plastic surgery fixed that one)

While coming back stronger than ever (check out his interview in The Skateboard Mag for further proof), the accident kept him off his board for over 6 months and health care costs took a massive financial toll. The passion can't be stopped for these guys; he's already back on his motorcycle.

Just like skateboarding, riding a motorcycle is a perfect way to view and interact with your surroundings, whether just riding down the street or using it as a vehicle to see different countries and cultures. No doubt you will meet a variety of characters and hit some unique terrain, adding that necessary added element of risk that will make something special happen. Live to ride...ride to live. Or something like that.

All photos: Scott Pommier

* CC="cubic centimetres", referring to the size of an engine, for those who had no idea

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Related:
Scott Pommier: Start With A Healthy Breakfast

The CONStest in Toronto: Out from the Alley

asayer — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:54:00 GMT

In spite of a last minute location change, the CONStest still came through as the feel-good skate event of the summer thus far in Toronto. In fact, most would argue that moving from the back of Adrift, like last year's contest, to Dunbat skatepark created an even bigger and better space for spectators and skaters alike to relax with a cold one and watch some amazing skateboarding. The back alley griminess was maintained by creating a custom CONS obstacle the morning of the event, replicating the ramp-to-loading dock from Adrift's back alley (minus the sketchy in-run and screws poking out of the wall, obviously). The movable ramp also allowed the feature to be sessioned both frontside and backside, allowing more hammers to be tossed.

Ryan Bonnell, heelflip 50-50. Hutton sequence.

All the usual Toronto suspects were in attendance at the event, held this past Saturday, August 22nd, as well as some hot prospects making their way to Dunbat from the ‘burbs just for the big show. On top of the strong local contingent, there were also some guest skaters in attendance from CONS: Raymond Molinar and Eli Reed, and even Luke Tanner got back to his Ontario roots, flying in from Vancouver just to chill at the event.

TJ Rogers, nollie nosegrind, 180 out. Hutton sequence.

With beats being provided by Big Jube and Spade -- on actual vinyl no less -- the CONStest took on a real old-school session vibe. Police seemed to turn a blind eye (for the first time?) to the relaxed hoard of skaters and spectators drinking cans in the park, enjoying pizza, music, old friends, and of course insane skating with the jam format of the event pushing the riders to perform with no stress.

At 6:00 PM the first session started with 30 minutes on the main box/ledge. I'll save the boring "who was doing what" commentary and just say that every single combo of every single trick was done. Well maybe not... but the skating was damn impressive.

Unknown. Hutton photo.

The second session was the custom CONS loading dock ledge that Dunbat mastermind Rob Poyner created just hours before, so no one had home field advantage. Skaters went at it from both sides for the better part of an hour before the sky got angry and made the smooth ground a little slick. After a brief rain delay, the mini-ramp session got underway and destruction ensued. (Of both the pizza eating and mini- ramp ripping variety.)

The celebrity panel of judges certainly had their work cut out for them, as the CONStest jam format brought out the best in all of the skaters. In the end though, just one winner was chosen for each of the three obstacles and the $1500 was split evenly between them. If a list of honorable mentions for superior riding was made, it would stretch right off your computer screen, so I will just say that those that came and tricked hard, you know who you are, and if you missed it in person check the photos.

Unknown. FS lipslide to bigspin out. Hutton sequence.

Everything wrapped up on schedule and by 10:00 PM the large crowd reconvened down the street at Adrift skate shop. As with most post-session skate crowds, they were thirsty for the brew... real thirsty. The large supply of beer from Amsterdam Brewery went fast. The CONS headphones in the window display were also a hot-commodity on this night. So much so that they were growing legs and walking right out of the front door. Once Adrift had dried up, the place to be became 751, as it generally is, where the good times rolled until early in the morning.

Results

Regular box: Paul Liliani, with Converse's Wes Loates. Sayer photo.

Ramp-to-loading dock: Will Baigent (Gothica), with Converse's Wes Loates. Sayer photo.

Mini-ramp Session: Chris Vacca, with Converse's Wes Loates. Sayer photo.

Let's check in with the Ontario CONS hype-man Wes Loates and get the behind-the-scenes dirt on the event:

What up, Wes? So the contest venue had to change from the loading dock behind Adrift up to Dunbat. What happened there?
The landlord of Adrift caught wind of the event and wasn't stoked on us skating in the lane way so he kyboshed it. Luckily Rob Poyner made it happen at Dunbat. Thanks, homey.

CONS was represented pretty hard. Who was all in attendance?
Raymond Molinar, Eli Reed, Luke Tanner, Jean-Mathieu Vincent, Adam Mancini, the brand manager Jeff Gantz, the marketing and promotion director Darren Parker and myself.

How many pizzas were consumed by the hungry masses? And how long did the beer last.
We crushed 30 large pizzas. Dominoes, son! The beer lasted for about two hours... 10 cases don't last to long when it's free. Thanks to Amsterdam for hookin' it up!

Wes Loates feeds a hungry Will Marhsall. Sayer photo.

Who else needs some props?
The judges: Bradley Hainschwang, Robert Fowler, Mark Bernal of TLG. Thanks so much for holdin' it down duders! Mike Frost at Adrift, Rob Poyner for building the new obstacle and getting everything worked out so we could have the event at Dunbat, John Omazic and everyone else at CONS for making this happen! Next year will be even bigger.

Fowler, Burnal and Hainschwang judging Ryan Bonell. Sayer photo.

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Related:
Cons Come Back: A Look At Converse Skateboarding

The Undeniable Influence of Skate Punk and SNFU

asayer — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:17:00 GMT

Prairie Coast Films is an independent production company based out of Vancouver. And fittingly, for the company's first release, they applied their punk/skateboard/DIY background to creating a documentary on none other than Chi Pig, the legendary front man of the Edmonton punk band SNFU. Anyone that skated, read Thrasher, or watched one of the Whiskey videos in the ‘80s or early ‘90s needs no introduction to the music of SNFU, as they provided the soundtrack to this generation.

SNFU made Canada proud by signing with Southern California's Epitaph Records, beating out Fugazi and the Red Hot Chili Peppers as Flipside fanzine's "Best Live Band," and being ranked fifth on Thrasher's "Best Skate Bands" list. And while they've gone through tough times battling addiction, numerous break-ups, a rotating line-up, and other evils, Chi never lost his love for skate-punk.

Craig Laviolette, one half of Prairie Coast Films.

We caught up with one-half of Prairie Coast Films, Craig Laviolette, to get the scoop on both his and Chi's skate-and-punk background. Look for the documentary, entitled Open Your Mouth and Say... Mr. Chi Pig, of course, to hit film festivals and local theaters this fall.

Let's start with some skate history... Does this documentary go into much detail on Chi's skate roots?
Much of Chi's youth and teen years revolved around skateboarding. It was and is still an important part of his character. We definitely highlight this aspect of his life and his influence on the skateboarding scene in the film, like meeting other founding members of the band at skate competitions.

Who are some of the big names that were inspired by Chi Pig and put themselves in front of the camera for the movie?
Chi and SNFU's music influenced so many genres that we thought it was important to highlight some of the big names outside the punk genre who took some inspiration from the band. We spoke with many talented bands from all over the world in different genres, and some unexpected names you'll see in the film include artists like Luke Pabich from Good Riddance and Brendan Canning from Broken Social Scene. Of course you'll see some classic punk figures that drew inspiration from Chi as well. Some of notable mention includes Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys, Joey Shithead of DOA, and Sean Stern of Youth Brigade.

Chi Pig, far left, c.1979.

Let's talk about the actual process of getting this movie made. How did the opportunity come about?
I had done a bit of work within the industry, mostly just commercials and some short films, when I became anxious to want to create something of my own. I had worked with Sean Shaul [the other director and producer] a few times before and we decided to collaborate and create Prairiecoast Films to enable us to pursue our filmmaking dream.

The idea for the film didn't come until we had a few casual encounters with Chi. We got to know him by chance, just hanging around at a local Vancouver punk bar called the Cobalt where Chi was working and hosting a karaoke night. After hearing his stories and getting to know him better, it was a no-brainer that this should be our first project under the Prairiecoast banner. We dove in head-first, bought a high quality camera, and just went to work with about a week's notice. We both grew up listening to punk and the DIY attitude that went along with it, so we just adopted this philosophy into our film.

Was Thrasher or any other skate media instrumental in helping break the band into larger markets?
It's amazing to think about how easy it is for bands in this era to reach broader markets by simply promoting themselves on the internet. Back in 1983, bands had to rely on word of mouth and any media exposure they could get. Thrasher presented a huge break for SNFU to gain some exposure when they were featured on one of Thrasher vinyl compilations in the early ‘80s. This record served as SNFU's intro to the huge Southern California scene.

What's your own history within skateboarding?
Growing up in a small suburban city in Alberta, there wasn't much to do. I played soccer, basketball, hockey... but nothing really clicked ‘till I got my first skateboard. From there it became a huge part of my life for a long time. I worked at skate shops, getting boards through them, which eventually led to a move to California to chase that skateboarding dream. It was an amazing opportunity. 1984 put me up while I was there, and I had the chance to skate every day with no threat of winter; it really was a dream come true. When you get there though, you realize there's about 1,000 kids who are just as good as you, if not better, and the competition is stiff. I started to get more involved with the film and photography aspect of skateboarding, and that was one of the starting points of what led to my film career today.

Chi Pig, c.2009.

So in a round-about way, skateboarding led to you making this film?
Skateboarding is where my love of filmmaking really grew. When I saw what I was able to accomplish with just my crappy camcorder and plastic camera, it made me want to experiment and learn more about the craft. Because Chi came from a skateboarding background as well, we instantly could connect over that, and had a lot to talk about. We knew this part of his life was going to be an important aspect of the movie, because we both had such a passion for skating early in our lives.

Why should your average 16-year old skateboarder, who is maybe too young to have even heard of SNFU, watch this documentary?
I think they would want to watch this film to discover the roots of the punk and skateboard scenes. It always appealed to me to discover what all my favorite skateboarders were listening to when they were young. A lot of these people are now legends in the industry, like Mike Vallely, Jason Adams, Matt Hensley and others. Punk seems to be making a resurgence, and what better way to learn about it then to see this film?

What are the release plans for the movie?
We're showing the film on the 25th of August in Edmonton, both mine and SNFU's hometown, and then on the 1st of September in Vancouver. From there just keep your eyes open at all the local film festivals and independent theaters for the release.

You can follow the movie on Facebook.

Trailer for Open Your Mouth And Say... Mr. Chi Pig:
(Please visit the site to view this media)

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Related:
SNFU (Myspace)
Skate Music Blog