February 19th might seem like an ordinary day, but thanks to the initiative of some dedicated individuals, it’s become a day to celebrate and support local skate shops: Skate Shop Day. This annual event serves as a crucial reminder to back the backbone of the skateboarding community, especially during the post-holiday retail slump, with February often being the slowest month for sales.
This year, Chris Nieratko, Atiba Jefferson, and Adaku organized a trip to Nashville, Tennessee, to not only bring attention to Skate Shop Day but also to give back to kids who might not have access to quality skateboard gear. The trip, naturally, included a hefty dose of Southern soul food and drinks, which, to be honest, may have slightly detracted from the actual skateboarding.
The accommodations for the trip were in newly renovated Airbnbs, and if there’s one thing that skaters are known for, it’s their complete disregard for other people’s property. Within the first day, the crew had managed to put three holes in the wall, crumble a granite table, and leave shoe marks on every white surface. Luckily, Jaime Reyes stepped in, took the culprits to Home Depot, and gave them a crash course in drywall repair, saving the day and, arguably, the security deposit.
Adding to the trip’s eccentricities, Jimmy Fallon made an appearance at the dinner spot, performing Grateful Dead covers, and was later seen taking shots with the crew. During the same night, he was seen playfully punching Keith’s back. Maybe it was a new kind of Shiatsu massage.
Chase, Jenkem’s first advertiser, was also part of the crew. He was not just another industry guy; he was the one who started throwing Jenkem $300 a month for website banners two years after its founding, which was a big deal for them. His tough approach, demanding a return on his investment, was a catalyst that introduced Jenkem to DLX and Lakai, leading to 2013 becoming their first real year in business. This led the author to prematurely quit his barbacking gig, but he soon found that they had to go back to the job for income and he was rehired.
The crew, with their limited knowledge of Tennessee, turned to Jenkem’s Instagram stories for local recommendations on their first night. The result was an invitation to a 27th birthday party at a nearby house. They popped in, took a photo, had a beer, and then headed out. It might not have been a life-changing moment, but it was a fun, spontaneous experience.
The main reason for the trip was to celebrate Skate Shop Day at Sixth Ave’s shop and park. There was a discussion about skaters’ physiques, particularly their “nice big butts,” which some attribute to the constant squats involved in performing tricks. According to this theory, Tiago might just have one of the most well-developed glutes around.
Jaime Reyes also weighed in on the “mongo pushing” debate, explaining that while it’s okay, you will eventually get made fun of and will have to decide whether you’re in it for the long haul or will hang up your board to pursue other activities, such as smoking weed.
As the crew gets older, they find themselves more inclined to watch the younger generation learn to skate. This includes snaking them when necessary, because, as they put it, “It’s for their own good.”
Reda, the professional shit-talker and lensman, was also there, sporting a utility belt packed with expensive photography gear. There was even a contest to guess the value of his equipment, with a reward of a $1 Venmo and a NSFW GIF of choice.
The article then points out that skateboarding could benefit from more hubris. The old-school mentality that celebrated delinquency is fading, and the majority of sponsored skaters today are like Ned Flanders. The article makes a plea for more rash decisions and questionable rashes.
Jim Thiebaud and Ashley, Deluxe’s new brand director, were also present. According to the article, the secret to running a successful skate brand is to keep one or two employees under the radar. For example, Fucking Awesome has a Chief Digital Officer named Todd Moffett who no one has ever heard of but is probably doing an amazing job.
The article concludes by thanking everyone for having them along for the ride and promising more sketchy content from the trip once it’s edited.
Photography by Ian Michna
