Photo dumps, are they a lazy way to create content? Maybe. But let’s try to make this one worthwhile. I’ll provide some details in the captions, and if you have any questions, drop them in the comments – let’s have a kind of AMA session.
For every video we release, I always try to snap at least one photo. Sometimes, it becomes the YouTube thumbnail; other times, it’s just to preserve the memories. These moments fly by, and it’s easy to forget all the work we’ve been lucky enough to do. It might sound cheesy, but it’s the truth.
These photos were taken in various locations, and I’ll explain more below as we head into November, where pumpkin spice seems to have taken over every supermarket.
Madars and friends
Our trip to Latvia was a major highlight of the summer. We were treated to numerous homemade feasts by Madars’ family. A fun fact: upon our arrival, his brother, sporting a crocodile hunter hat and Harley Davidson gear, offered me a shot of moonshine that was made in their garden. He was absolutely hilarious, a true man’s man who was really into American classic culture. I couldn’t help but imagine him holding a Monster Energy drink – it would have perfectly completed the look.
Latvian skate teens
Channeling our inner Ed Templeton with this shot of two random Latvian teens. We asked these girls about their favorite skater, and they said Tony Hawk. This clearly means one thing: not a lot of skate content makes its way to Latvia. If only they knew about the younger talents like Ville Wester and Kevin Rodriguez. This highlights the importance of global skate visibility and the impact of iconic figures on different generations.
Lil Dre signing autographs
Back in the US, here’s Lil Dre signing autographs on an Adidas tour in upstate New York. I didn’t realize how popular Lil Dre was until I saw him signing the most autographs on the tour, second only to Daewon (Nora was also up there). I think it’s because, besides being a skilled skater, Dre also promotes his TikTok and rap career, which attracts a wider audience. What do you think? I’m getting old. It’s interesting to see how skaters are using different platforms to expand their reach and influence.
Fancy Lad boys with tires
After watching this year’s New York Fashion Week highlights, I learned something: anything can be a handbag. Here are the Fancy Lad boys perfectly demonstrating this idea on the recent Upstate Adidas Tour. Tires might be a little heavy, but tote bags are so 2022. I’m curious about what the next Fancy Lad fashion choice will be. It’s always entertaining to see how skate culture blends with fashion and creative expression.
Monica Torres at work
This is Monica Torres, one of Asics’ newest riders. Before earning a living from skating, she worked as a janitor. That deserves major props. Here’s a teaser: we filmed a “Secret Hobbies” episode about her love of “herping.” You can guess what that is in the comments, or wait for the video later this week. Monica’s story highlights the dedication and hard work that often lies behind a skater’s success.
Skaters hanging out
From an outside perspective, it may seem like skaters mostly hang out with their teams and sponsors. However, inside the California skate scene, that’s not always the case. I constantly see the most unexpected groups of people hanging out, similar to how WWF wrestlers might hang out backstage after an event. One night, I saw P-Rod, Atiba, Aiden Mackey, and Nuge run into Manchild and several Lakai/Girl crew members. Instead of it turning into an awkward situation, everyone bought beers and played foosball together. It showcases the sense of community within the skateboarding world.
Eli Reed dancing
We filmed the second installment of our “Secret Hobbies” series with Eli Reed. While it’s no secret that Eli is a huge fan of dancehall, we can’t get enough of this guy dancing without a care in the world. We could all use a little of his courage. I haven’t been able to move my hips like Eli since high school. While he uses that mobility to dance with girls, I’d use it to fix my leaky faucet. I know, I’m daydreaming. Eli’s passion for dance highlights the diversity of interests within the skate community.
Devil's Playground skate spot
There’s nothing like following a lead all the way, and what better reason to do so than with Satan? Yes, the big fiery beast. It’s a shame we didn’t find “hard” proof from the Devil’s Playground, but we had to check out such a ridiculous concept. We want to do more investigations like this, so if you have anything you’d like us to look into, such as a near-death experience or the ability to solve a Rubik’s cube using mind control, please let us know in the comments. Exploring unusual and humorous themes adds an interesting dynamic to skate-related content.
Nic Mosher filming
We’ve been shooting with Nic Mosher recently, one of the original guys behind Channel 5, also known as All Gas No Breaks. Nic is a very good skater and has an interest in gonzo/doc style shooting, reminiscent of Harmony Korine’s work. We came up with the idea for “Metal Ramp Kids” late one night at a bar, and he shot the pilot alone. It kind of flew under the radar because Youtube put an age restriction (18+) on it, but I think the next episode should be unrestricted. Nic’s approach brings a unique perspective to skateboarding cinematography.
Metal Ramp Kids
In the first episode of “Metal Ramp Kids,” we learned that there are few things scarier than a group of trash-talking teenagers. They have this knack for making jokes that can send a person into a spiral. How did they know I have a troubled relationship with my father? Why am I crying? No, I don’t want to try your OD spliff, even if it’s mostly tobacco. This observation highlights the intense and sometimes harsh social dynamics present in youth culture.
Derick Glancy at Girl HQ
We went to Girl HQ to shoot this intro for Derick Glancy’s part. The idea was to present him as a regular 9-to-5 guy, but he works at Girl Skateboards, so the content was a bit more interesting than if he sold refrigerators or something. We wanted his part to stand out, and given the amount of content on Instagram, we thought that a bit of backstory and storytelling would help people care. Showing the behind-the-scenes aspect of a skater’s life adds a personal touch to their online presence.
Rick Howard with the first Girl shirt
It will always be funny to me that a group of guys left their former company, Plan B, and ended up creating Girl. It’s a very obvious joke, one that has likely been made a million times, but who cares? Here’s Rick Howard showcasing the very first Girl shirt, infamously worn to announce their departure at the Back to the City Contest in ‘93. This illustrates the importance of history and context in understanding the evolution of skateboarding brands.
These photos capture a variety of moments, from trips abroad to local skate scenes, fashion choices to personal hobbies. It’s a glimpse into the diverse and interesting world of skateboarding, the people, and the places that make it unique. These images also highlight the importance of documenting and preserving the fleeting moments that make up the skate culture. It reminds us of the stories behind the tricks and the personalities that shape the world of skateboarding.
