Recently, the team at Jenkem had the opportunity to collaborate with ASICS, and it all began with an exciting visit from two of their talented Japanese riders, the Ishizuka brothers, Takuya and Yuta. These two had never experienced New York City before, so we took on the challenge of showing them around, acting as their guides to the city’s unique landscape.
We weren’t alone in this endeavor. We gathered some local ASICS-affiliated skaters, including Evan Wasser, Kyota Umeki, and Joey Marrone, to create a crew ready to explore and introduce the city to our guests. The goal was to show the Ishizuka brothers the real New York, from its iconic landmarks to its gritty skate spots.
Our tour included marveling at the Statue of Liberty, navigating the intricacies of Google Translate, and even a visit with Gino Iannucci at his pastry shop. We were particularly excited to see how these skaters, accustomed to the smooth marble surfaces of overseas skate havens, would tackle the rugged streets of NYC. This mix of cultural backgrounds and skating styles made for a truly unique experience, showcasing the universal language of skateboarding.
The trip wasn’t just about seeing the sights; it was about experiencing the city through the lens of skateboarding. We wanted to highlight the contrasts, from the polished landmarks to the raw, skateable environment that New York offers. The Ishizuka brothers, known for their precision and style, brought a fresh perspective to the city’s streets, and our local crew was there to introduce them to the spots where NYC skateboarding culture lives.
Asics Milkshakes
We aimed to create an experience that mixed tourism with skateboarding, exploring the city’s culture, food, and skate scene all in one. We wanted the Ishizuka brothers to leave with a genuine understanding of what makes New York City such a pivotal place in skateboarding.
Ishizuka Brothers in NYC
This collaboration with ASICS was more than just a project; it was a meeting of minds from different corners of the world, all united by a shared love for skateboarding. The contrasts in the environment and cultural background of the skaters highlighted how skateboarding is a universal language, that brings people together from all over the globe.
The experience was captured on film by Greg Navarro, Wilson Lucas, and Harry Bergenfield, with Greg also handling the editing. Ian Michna took on the production duties along with Wilson Lucas and Ian Michna also managing the photography, ensuring that every moment was recorded. This trip was a reminder of the power of skateboarding to bridge cultural divides, create unique experiences, and demonstrate the global community that surrounds this sport.
Filmed by: Greg Navarro, Wilson Lucas and Harry Bergenfield
Edited by: Greg Navarro
Produced by: Ian Michna
Photos by: Wilson Lucas and Ian Michna
