etnies

Mikey's Commercial!

Maloof Money Cup Teaser

The Maloof Money Cup is just weeks away and we'll be there because it'll be awesome. How do I know that? Because 1) etnies is a proud sponsor, 2) it's a huge contest designed for skateboarders and 3) because Ryan Sheckler said so. See for yourself.

Leanne's Daily Habit

Don't miss Leanne's segment on tomorrow's Daily Habit! Check Fuel TV for local showtimes.

New Custom Shoe Builder!

We've got something for ya... it's a better way to build your kicks! Check out the NEW and IMPROVED My etnies Custom Shoe Builder with real shoe photography and two new styles: The Fader and The Digit! Because life's just better when you add your own flavor...

Kachinsky Checks In

Ketchup with Kachinsky:

Hi etnies!

Just wanted to say hi and share a few pics from the past couple of weeks! A couple of weeks ago I did a show with DK bikes and friends in Daley Plaza downtown Chicago to help promote "ride your bike to work week". It was a pretty cool event/idea. At one moment I put my bike down to take a break only to get showed up by the Chicago Bull's mascot.

Fun was had, backflips were done and the weather cooperated. It's not everyday you actually get "asked" to ride Daley Plaza, typically its us being "asked to leave".

The following week was Dew tour in Baltimore, "The greatest city in America".

Shortly after this photo was taken we rode through one of the worst neighborhoods I've ever ridden through. The best part of Baltimore and Dew tour was being able to ride street both in B-more and our nation's capital.

Washington DC has some amazing stuff to ride, with the help of Jon Saunders and friends we had a blast and rode all around the city which also happened to be Go Skateboarding Day. Freedom Plaza in DC was completely packed with skaters. It was very impressive how many people there were skating and watching. I dream of a Go BMX day... someday it will happen.

Back in Chicago things have been adventurous as well. For example, I was riding a local school just blocks from my house and out of nowhere a van pulled up with tons of cameras, boom mics, a director, sound crew and these three lovely ladies.

It turns out they were filming for a music video of some sort. I actually can't even remember the name of their band/group but I had never heard of them. Needless to say they were the last people I thought would ever come film at the spot I always ride. Wow.

Thats all for now, more soon about my new venture "spot doctors" check back for details.

Off to Cologne, Germany this week as well for the Suzuki BMX Masters... I'm rooming with Osato so this is going to be a good one!

later!
Brian

Hannu Had A Baby!

Hannu's a new dad and congratulations are in order! He writes:

To make a long story short, it took a long and painful way to make this infant's eyes see the daylight, but the magical look in his eyes, his health and the mother being perfectly fit the second after giving birth, put a smile on our faces ever since.

We proudly present our little one, Flint.
greetz hannuman

Tarah Gieger Giveaway: Last Day!

Today's the last day to enter the etnies Tarah Gieger Giveaway! And here's what Von Zipper's kicking down for the prize pack... Tarah’s favorite goggle, the “Sizzle” in Beirut by night pink! Check out the other prizes and ENTER NOW!

Rune Takes 2nd @ CHP!

Yes, Rune's still on fire, kiddies. Makin' the Danish proud in his homeland of Denmark, he took second place at Copenhagen Pro over the weekend!

Twitch Special On Fuel TV

Airing Monday, June 30, 2008 at 8:00 pm Eastern Time (5:00 pm Pacific Time), and re-airing four more times over the next month, FUEL TV will showcase the Blue Carpet Special – Twitch Hood Rich.

This documentary on freestyle motocross pro Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg offers an in-depth look at how he lives, rides, and what he could possibly die from. It’s all about big cash, women, and the rush of riding FMX for a living. For those who can’t, “Twitch” does.

Make sure to tune into FUEL TV to catch all the action at Blue Carpet Special – Twitch: Hood Rich.

2008 Blue Carpet Special – Twitch: Hood Rich Air Dates:
Monday 6/30/2008 8:00pm ET (5:00pm PT)
Wednesday 7/2/2008 1:00pm ET (10:00am PT)
Tuesday 7/15/2008 1:00pm ET (10:00am PT)
Wednesday 7/16/2008 4:00pm ET (1:00pm PT)
Wednesday 7/23/2008 8:30pm ET (5:30pm PT)

Pier Pandemonium!

Here's a little video of our Huntington Beach Go Skateboarding Day fundraiser fun for Johnny Romano!

Tarah in FLMX

Our girl Tarah's got her latest interview and cover in the current issue of Florida Motocross. Check it out, and don't forget to enter the Tarah Gieger Giveaway! Prizes, so far, include a head-to-toe etnies outfit, pair of etnies Rhea, a case of Red Bull and Tarah's signed MX jersey! Stay tuned for more updates...

Mary's New Blog

Mary just started a new blog and she's already got video, pics and contest results up! Check it out at MaryOsborneSurf.blogspot.com.

Grounded Remix Contest!

Wanna edit footage and win stuff? Now's your chance, courtesy of the etnies Grounded DVD Remix Contest. You know all that unedited bonus footage included in the DVD extras? That's your content and the world is your oyster. Put it to music, or not. Add a voiceover, or not. Make it funny, or not. The big winner will enjoy a year's supply of etnies shoes (a new pair every month!) plus loads of apparel! Get the details and enter here!

More Throwaway Thursdays!

Thanks Berrics!

Aaron Ross Says Hi

First time for everything... Aaron checks in:

Yo to everyone that's going to read this,

I thought I would do my first update in a long time... or maybe the first one ever. I have no idea. Anyway, the past few weeks I have been all over the place... went to Mexico on a Sunday trip, then from there to family vacation for the 21st year straight, did some swimming and hanging out on the river, came home for a few days, then went to Corpus Christi for a week and a half, had a blast, rode and skated everyday and saw all my old high school buddies, had some fun. Hungout with the family, which is always nice, then on the way home from Corpus, I stopped in San Antonio to race bmx and that was super fun. It was a good night. There were a bunch of people out there; it was not a race night but it was a good time. Then I got home and slept in my bed which was sweet...

I woke up the next morning and my new phone came in the mail!!!! Hungout at Empire all day then the day kinda went south that night. I have never had anything stolen or broken into in my life—well, that i know of—and last night I talked to Povah and he said, "do a little update for the site," and all that. And I was all, "I have no idea what to type, I suck at this." Well, if I had known that 5 hours later I would have something to talk about, I would have been all for it. But anyway, it was about 11:30 and my roommate wanted to go to the store, and its, like, 3 blocks away and I did not want to walk. I was tired and wanted to drive. Well we walked and in the 20 min we were gone, my car was broken into and the only thing that was taken was a purse... and my bike was in the back and 2 ipods in the cup holders and the keys to my car in the cup holder too! I have always left my keys in the car and just carried the little clicker thing and yea well they did not steal the bike or the ipods and I still have a car but there's glass everywhere and I don't wanna deal with it... but it will be fixed and all better tomorrow.

Anyway, sorry you had to read my horrible typing and grammar but hope you liked it somewhat and if not oh well, here's some pictures to go with it all.

Enjoy and have a good day,

Aaron

Another Cover For BK!

Another day, another cover for Brian Kachinsky!

Chris del Moro In Chile

Chris del Moro sent this little update from Chile:

To all my amigos who have helped me along this enchanted path,

Chile has been a wonderful experience thus far. Cold, colorful and littered with amazing left hand point breaks. Rasta's mission to form solidarity between surfers and the protection of whales and dolphins has been received with open arms from the Chilean community at large. We have been involved in amazing art projects, public gatherings, events, music and some great surf sessions. Parko was a last minute addition to the team and is an absolute classic character and unreal surfista.

Ramon Navarro has been our local guide and we all believe that he is quite possibly one of the best and craziest big wave surfers ever...

Besides that, big thanks for supporting me on my path and allowing me to be involved with unreal missions like this one; giving back has never felt so rewarding.

I'll be back on the 25th.

Many blessings, Chris 111

Save Trestles

The fight to save Trestles is still in full force and there is new and updated information. As a heads up, Surfrider is rallying the troops for the TCA’s appeal of the Coastal Commission decision to be held July 24th and/or July 25th. Please see the important email from Surfrider below for more information.

Mark Your Calendars!

The Department of Commerce announced today the hearing for the TCA's appeal of the Coastal Commission decision will be held July 24th and/or 25th. As always, it takes some time for government agencies to nail down the exact date, but at least we know it will be July 24th and/or 25th. The hearing will more than likely be at the Bren Event Center of the University of California, Irvine.

We'll get more details as they come in, including the exact date, meeting format, agenda, etc... so stay tuned!

Also, we'll be renting buses again (more than likely leaving from LA and San Diego). So if you are interested in riding the bus, please send an email to: savetrestles@surfrider.org with the subject line: buses to hearing.

WE NEED YOU AT THIS HEARING! Please make sure our Federal Government upholds California laws and decisions.

Remember, in February 2008 the California Coastal Commission voted to deny the toll road through San Onofre State Beach. Following a 14 hour hearing, attended by thousands, the Commission listened to reason and law by rejecting the toll road application.

The people in D.C. need to hear from people who care about San Onofre and Trestles! Your voice is needed!

Don't let the TCA's lobbyists be the only influence on this important decision! (remember a few weeks ago when we told you the TCA is spending nearly $50,000 a month on lobbying...?).

We must counter their money with our voices!

Mary, Mary!

Buggin'? Not our Mary. Our Mary Osborne took 1st Place at last weekend's Ventura Pro Longboard event. Mary, Mary, I need ya huggin'...

Pier Pandemonium Wrapup!

Three local Huntington Beach shops participated and raised money for Johnny Romano. Thanks to Jack's, Joker's and New Wave!

The fastest kid, Peter Morris, that skated from the Boardwalk to the Beach and won $50!

Great times were had by all for a great cause. Skateboarding rules!

Arizona Clip #2!

Here's more from the kickoff to the Recognition Tour in Arizona:

Sergio's Back

Sergio's back from Oz and back to work:

Since I got back from Australia, I have been at home working a lot on the trails and riding as much as I can. It was raining the whole time I was gone and that was too bad for the jumps, so now we have been working a lot to get them going again and we already had some good sessions there. I don't have much to tell because that is all I've been doing and now I'm planing a trip up north with Ruben and another friend to do some surfing and some riding around there!

Bestwick Bike Auction

Carlsbad, CA – June 18, 2008 – King of Vert Jamie Bestwick, who is a five time X Games Gold Medalist, three time Dew Tour Champion and Athlete of the Year (Nora Cup), has joined forces with his sponsors, etnies, Levi’s, Monster Energy, Boost Mobile, Bell Helmets and The Athlete Recovery Fund to help raise awareness as well as monetary donations for the Stephen Murray Family Fund. The fund was established on behalf of injured BMX athlete Stephen Murray, who suffered a severe spinal cord injury while competing in 2007’s Panasonic Open. The Athlete Recovery Fund was created to assist injured action sports athletes, such as Murray, with charitable medical and educational assistance.

Bestwick, along with System Bicycle Supply and his sponsors, will be auctioning seven one-of–a-kind bikes each signed by Bestwick. Each BMX bike will be ridden by Bestwick at various competitions throughout the summer beginning with the Panasonic Open June 19-22 in Baltimore, Maryland. The other competitions include all five stops of the AST Dew Tour, X Games 14 and the LG World Championships.

After each competition one bike will become available for auction at this EBAY link. The auction ends June 29, 2008. Please stay tuned to www.ast.com for more details and updates.

Sally's Makin' History!

Sally Fitzgibbons has made surf history.... and it ain't just on the women's side. With last weekend's second place finish at the ASP WQS 5-Star Billabong Surf ECO Festival in Brazil, Sally qualified for the 2009 ASP World Tour. This is the earliest in the season that anyone—ANYONE—male or female, has ever qualified. More details at ASPWorldTour.com.

Not bad Fitzy... and not just "for a girl". Congratulations on being awesome.

New Fall '08 Products!

All our new Fall '08 gear is freshly stocked in stores and online. Head on over, pull up a chair and plan to stay a while; you're gonna like what you see. New footwear styles and colorways, plenty of apparel and accessories... who loves ya, baby? That's right, come get some etnies lovin'.

X Fighters Video!

Check this video that the Mulisha put together from Red Bull X Fighters...pretty damn sick!

Mikey's bangin' @ The Berrics!

etnies Deegan Giveaway: Last Call!

This Friday, June 27 is your last day to enter the etnies Deegan Giveaway! There are some sick prizes up for grabs from etnies, Von Zipper and Metal Mulisha so don't be scared!

McNeil & Danielson Top 10 at Dew!

etnies' Jim McNeil and Nixey Danielson cracked the top 10 over the weekend in Baltimore at the opening round of Dew Tour. The two made it through a week of open qualifiers and prelims into the 10 man final. McNeil placed 5th while Danielson got 9th.

Also congrats to Robbie Maddison on qualifying 1st and pulling off 8th in the finals. Maddo is the man and has been rocking etnies around the pits for a little while.

As for Twitch, he had a rough weekend. Going in he was really expecting a win to start off the Dew Tour season. Unfortunately he overshot a jump in practice and dislocated his thumb. He didn't compete in the finals, but you can bet Twitch will be back next round hunting for a win!

Ronnie Destroys Manny Mania '07

Flippin' Creager!

Ronnie Creager hit me up today...

"Hello! I just got back from Woodward West for the week. Wow is that place the best. Here's a funny photo of me learning flips. I think I got them on lock."

Wade Up High

You know the competition at Dew Tour must have been tough if this only got Morgan Wade an 8th place finish...

Fletch & the Flood!

Click the bigspin for a little story...

Bestwick Wins Baltimore!

Jamie Bestwick just won the first stop of the 2008 Dew Action Sports Tour in Baltimore this weekend. Congrats Jamie! Will he win the entire series... yet again? We think so.

Here we go again!

Like you doubted him? Congrats to Ryan Sheckler for winning the first stop of the Dew Tour in Baltimore this weekend! Can you say "fourpeat"?

Some Lunatic Skated the Freeway Today!

Look what happened in Orange County on Go Skateboarding Day! Oh, and he happens to be rockin' an etnies shirt. Much respect due... Hope you day was equally irreverent and eventful.

And today is...

Happy Go Skateboarding Day from your friends at etnies!

Tarah's Signed MX Jersey!

So Tarah just added her signed MX jersey to the prize package... and a full case of Red Bull because you'll need some energy to rock #68. Enter to win!

Mike Vincent Benefit Raffle

Benefit raffle for Mike Vincent at tomorrow's York Jam!

Mary Interview

Our girl Mary's got a new interview up on CoolerMag.com!

Go Skateboarding Day @ etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest!

In addition to the Huntington and Utah events etnies is throwing down this Saturday for Go Skateboarding Day, we are having a third event at the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest, featuring a fundraiser and BBQ during the day. The first 200 kids to show up eat for free!

This will be followed by a Teen battle of the bands. Free admission with a skateboard. If you come to watch the bands and don’t have a skateboard admission is $5 and all proceeds benefit the "Keepin' It Free" campaign. See you there!

11:00 a.m. – Tile Fundraiser
12:00 p.m. – BBQ
6:00 p.m. – Battle of the Bands

A New BK Trick Tip!

Brian Kachinsky's got a new one for you to practice over the weekend!

Mikey's cake: before...

We showed you the mayhem that went on during Mikey's shoe release party last week, and even a picture of his massacred cake... but these never-before-seen exclusive photos of the pre-destroyed cake have just recently surfaced!

etnies / ShredorDie GSD Contest!

etnies, Shred or Die and IASC are hosting a little contest. All you gotta do is show the world how you celebrated Go Skateboarding Day with that little video camera of yours and you can win tons of free stuff. But that video better be pretty flippin' sweet. Know what I'm sayin'? While you're over there, don't forget the etnies ShredorDie video page! Get skating. Get filming. Get winning!

etnies X FuckingAwesome X Jason Dill!

We showed you a sneak peek of this one a while back:

More Malloys

Dan sent in these little gems...

Keith with a board my dad found in the trash.

This is what happens when you go out to sea and forget the bread.

Boat stuff in Iceland.

Dan "Mole" Jole

etnies UK surfer Mole is recognized as one of the country’s best free surfers who is pushing the UK’s fledgling tow surf scene. Regular trips to Ireland to surf spots like Aileens have won him a prestigious nomination for the XXL Biggest Wave Award.

The caption of the photo reads:
Cover: A long way from Warrington: Dan ‘Mole’ Jole is probably glad he can now spend his time selling shoes for éS and emerica, instead of worrying about keeping his breakfast down in the pit at Aileens, Western Ireland. Photographer Mickey Smith, meanwhile, was happy enough to get the shot and head to the bar for a drop or three of some more traditional Irish hospitality.

CROOKERS

Crookers is embarking on their first North American Tour and we'll be there at Club 1234 as they take Montreal by electro-storm. If you're lucky enough to be in town, come say hello!

Identity Boardshop signing tomorrow!

The etnies Recognition Tour continues! Don't miss the team signing in Garden Grove tomorrow!

Thursday June 19
Identity Boardshop
Garden Grove, CA
3 pm

a Rolling Perspective, Montreal

a Rolling Perspective, Montreal QC showing through July...

opening reception Saturday, June 28.
8pm GOODFOOT (3830 St. Laurent Blvd.)
10pm UNDERWORLD (289 Ste Catherine E.)
12am OFF THE HOOK (1021 Ste Catherine O.)
After Party @ BLUE DOG MOTEL (3958 St. Laurent Blvd.) dj TRUSPIN + guests

etnies and Color Magazine asked skaters to shoot a photo of themselves from their own perspective, skateboarding. Over 200 portraits have been collected from skaters across Canada, the United States and as far as Japan. With the help of Fourstar Clothing, a selection of these self portraits of pro skateboarders, artists, and other talented individuals have been composed into an exhibition in celebration of skateboarding.

The show has been broken into a three-part art crawl (or roll) traveling across the country during the next six months from Vancouver (BC) to Montreal (QC) with stops in Winnipeg (MB), Calgary (AB) and Toronto (ON). Opening receptions in each of these cities take place in separate spaces at different times. Attendees are encouraged to take their cruiser boards out and celebrate the freedom of skateboarding and embrace the roll from spot to spot.

Expect photos from such pros as mikey taylor, ryan smith, mark appleyard, john rattray, colt cannon. Photographer's dan mathieu, geoff clifford, gordon ball, judah oakes, dylan doubt, richard hart, jeff delong, ryan allan, and other sweet dudes: eric lebeau, devin barrete, mike giles, jeremy elkin, raj mehra, tyler maher, gab ekoe, pierre yves gauthier, william cristofaro, bob kronbauer, campbell milligan, dave carnie, paul urich, erik brunetti, jessie van roechoudt, tomonori ‘rip’ tanaka, + many more!

18 Pages of Malto!

Oh what?! Wait till you see the new Slap! Sean Malto cover, interview and curtains! That's just how he does it...

Simon's Daily Habit

Simon's episode of the Daily Habit airs tonight, Wednesday the 18th at 6pm PST. Too busy to tune in then? Check FuelTV.com for additional air times.

Ryan Carlson Photo Sequence

Ryan Carlson got some serious hang time and it was all captured in a sick photo sequence, up now on Surfline.com.

Sheckler On The Dew Tour

Don't miss Ryan Sheckler at this weekend's Dew Tour, as he attempts to take home the Dew Cup for the FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW. The tour opens this Friday in Baltimore but you can catch all the action from the comfort of your couch. Head to AST.com for the full TV schedule.

Queen Andrea

Introducing etnies Fall '08 Starving Artist Collection featuring artwork by NY graffiti artist & badmamajama, Queen Andrea.

Queen Andrea Footwear
Digit
Rhea
Chula II

Queen Andrea Apparel
Hoodie
QA T-shirt
Super Fresh T-shirt
Tote

Vintage BMX Show & Reunion

Old bikes and old friends... check out these photos from a recent Vintage BMX Bike Show and Reunion.

New Fall '08 Products!

All our Fall '08 products are up on the site and ready to be adored. Have fun perusing all the new shoes and apparel and keep an eye out for our Bubblegum Punk Collection:

The Myra, Dasit, Fader, Digit, Zanza and Bernie are now available in new colorways inspired by hard rocking heroines like Blondie, Joan Jett and Karen O. Metal stud details, classic punk prints, hot pink accents... it's punk rock, only flirtier.

GSD, Romano & etnies!

Come skate with etnies on Go Skateboarding Day and help raise money for Johnny Romano!

The dirt:

June 21st, 6pm. Meet at Huntington Beach Boardwalk. Participants are encouraged to meet at their local skate shops, skate to the Pier and then down to the jetties.

Four local shops are supporting the event. etnies is giving each of the shop a backpack for the raffle. Tickets will be sold at $1 a piece to support one of our favorite and most inspirational pros, Johnny Romano. All donations will go to Johnnykickscancer.com. etnies will be creating their own backpack full of goodies, accepting donations and raffling their backpack as well.

At the Jetties – tents will be setup with food and drinks. Donations will be tallied and the raffle for each backpack will be pulled. Come join us for skateboarding, fun and a great cause!

Twitch Gets 2nd!

Twitch took second place at the Red Bull X Fighter in Texas this past weekend. Killing it as usual, Twitch stands in second place overall!

Pretty Much Unstoppable!

Oh what?! Rune Glifberg won another contest? Yeah brah! This time it was the Quiksilver Bowlriders over the weekend. Thrasher's got some coverage and Tacky has heaps of photos and video!

Sheckler: "Kicks Of The Day"

Today's choice sneaks, as declared by the folks at Complex.com, are the etnies Riviera by Ryan Sheckler.

Arizona Recognition Tour!

Back before we hit the South for the Recognition Tour, we kicked it off in Arizona at Cowtown and the Tempe skatepark. Here's clip one of about four or five. Featuring Leeper, Mikey, Malto, Fletch and Bledsoe. Oh yeah, don't worry, there's still plenty of South tour clips, as well as Barcelona tour clips from back in March to come. Why are they all out of order? Who cares? Order is boring. There's beauty in chaos...

Andy Martinez Drops In

Yo!

Whats up, dude... just dropping in to let you know what I've been up to. First, Randy Taylor is in town so we've been riding and filming a bunch. And we also have some shows to do this weekend so that's cool, but it's crazy hot out right now so I hope we don't die. Also, I might be taking a trip with Catfish and BK soon so that should be lots of fun too. Here's a few photos my friend Rick Crossman took the other day at the trails and on the streets.

Well, that's it for now. Take care, dude. Later.

-Andy Martinez-

Rune in Bliss!

If you live in SoCal or can get your hands on it, check out the latest issue of Bliss for coverage of Rune Glifberg in last month's ProTec Pool Party!

Curtains @ the TWS Awards!

Scuba Steve, Mikey, Active Erica & Malto!

The TransWorld awards were a blast. And Now is sick! And guess who got last part... Sean Malto! And boy is it a doozy. But you didn't hear that from me, okay?

Firsthand With Ruben

Don't miss etnies BMX legend Ruben Alcantara's "Firsthand" on FUEL TV this Sunday (6/15/08) at 5pm and 8pm (check local listings)!

Colorado With Joe Rich

A little insight into the wanderlusting road warrior that is Joe Rich...

Every September, the Interbike Trade Show goes down in Las Vegas, Nevada. Each year I make the trek out there for the benefit of Terrible One. The benefit of T1's presence there is something I have to keep reminding myself of the entire time I'm there. Mainly because if I am going to take a week of my life to go somewhere, Vegas would most likely be the last place I would choose to spend any money to get to and stay at. The other driving force behind my Vegas journey, is the trip out there and home. From the very start of that drive out of Austin, I feel more and more excited about being on the road. I have to admit that the way home always is more appealing to me, because I choose a route that takes me through the southern part of Colorado. Each year after I get back home, I have a huge smile on my face. Memories of bright lights and the sound of slot machines are long gone . . . they have been replaced with sights, sounds, and smells of the Rocky Mountains and all that they have to offer. Then I think to myself, " I have to get back up here sometime soon ! " But it never seems to happen . . . and another year passes before its time for next year's trip to Interbike.

Something that I have learned in my life, is that certain "situations" come together when needed. Many times, these situations are more commonly thought of as something happening "by chance" . . . but like I said, I've come to learn that there is no such thing as "by chance". You just have to be open to see things and their purpose in our lives.

I had been itching to get back to Colorado for some time now. Visions of flowing rivers to swim in, thick woods to camp in, and plenty of cement transitions to flow around in. Yes, I was in need of Colorado, and for a lot of different reasons.

Ruben had come to visit the states in the early part of April. He came to Austin first and then headed out west. Before leaving, he told me that if I was interested in doing a trip somewhere, he would come back to Austin and join me on it. That was about all the motivation I needed to start setting dates aside whether I had time to or not! Ruben and Garrett are the two people I have traveled with the most in my life. And any time another opportunity presents itself to do it all again, I'm more than ready. Unfortunately, Mr. Byrnes wouldn't be able to make this trip due to a filming trip for a new video for Van Homan's shop, 2x4. So Ruben and myself were the only ones on this trip's roster. Or so I thought at least . . .

I had a good friend show up at my door the week prior to leaving, on a bike he had bought in Mexico for $30. He had been riding around Mexico on it for the past month and a half, and had eventually made his way up to Austin. When I heard the knock on the door that day, I didn't think he'd be the one standing on the other side of it. Matty is quite the amazing person. He would call Australia home, but he is a "vagabond extraordinaire" to say the least ! A happy and smiling gypsy if you will. He has a lot to offer to anyone that he crosses paths with and is open to his ways. Once again, it wasn't by chance he showed up and we were leaving a few days later. It was right for him to be here now.

Logan was the other passenger. I met Logan for the first time on our world trip which began in Hawaii back in December of 02. A lot has happened between then and now. These days Logan calls Austin home for the time being. He moved here about a year and a half ago after realizing he needed some change in his life. Logan is one of the best dudes ever and I can't thank him enough for being an amazing friend. Having the right people with you on a trip like this can make all the difference in the world. They are what made this trip for sure!

Sometimes its easy to get overwhelmed and caught up in day do day life. As time goes on it seems as though we get busier and busier. Most of the time its easy to make an excuse as to why we are not doing things, when in fact we need to just make time and do them. This trip was a crystal clear example of that for me. Taking a break from life at home works like a reset button for me. When I'm traveling, I tend to forget things that I am worrying about and see my life and what I want to do much more clearly. It helps me remember what really is important to me and what makes me the happiest. Hanging with good friends, riding my bike and skating, taking in new experiences each day, and enjoying just what's in front of me the entire time. . . . And seeing how nature works so perfectly each day with out any add ins for it to worry about. It really makes you stop and ponder . . . . And I DO understand that as of right now I'm in a fortunate situation with my life. We all need to have a means to provide for such things in our lives. But knowing what really makes me happy, and what is excess, is something that goes a long way. As long as we don't get to caught up in owning "things", a little money can go a long way.

Everyone would probably take away something different from a trip like this. It could mean something completely different to you. But to me, this is what I look forward to. This is what never gets old. This is living . . . .

Lowers Shred Sesh!

California has been pumping all week with surf! Aaron Checkwood from TWSurf snagged some shots of Eric Geiselman shralping Lowers. Check it!

Mikey's Party!

It was a blast. So good in fact, that even The Berrics has a gallery up! And so does TransWorld! As for tonight. It's Malto's turn. Here's where we're headed:

Now check out the Taylor Release party photos!

a Rolling Perspective, Montreal

a Rolling Perspective, Montreal QC showing through July...

opening reception Saturday, June 28.
8pm GOODFOOT (3830 St. Laurent Blvd.)
10pm UNDERWORLD (289 Ste Catherine E.)
12am OFF THE HOOK (1021 Ste Catherine O.)
After Party @ BLUE DOG MOTEL (3958 St. Laurent Blvd.) dj TRUSPIN + guests

etnies and Color Magazine asked skaters to shoot a photo of themselves from their own perspective, skateboarding. Over 200 portraits have been collected from skaters across Canada, the United States and as far as Japan. With the help of Fourstar Clothing, a selection of these self portraits of pro skateboarders, artists, and other talented individuals have been composed into an exhibition in celebration of skateboarding.

The show has been broken into a three-part art crawl (or roll) traveling across the country during the next six months from Vancouver (BC) to Montreal (QC) with stops in Winnipeg (MB), Calgary (AB) and Toronto (ON). Opening receptions in each of these cities take place in separate spaces at different times. Attendees are encouraged to take their cruiser boards out and celebrate the freedom of skateboarding and embrace the roll from spot to spot.

Expect photos from such pros as mikey taylor, ryan smith, mark appleyard, john rattray, colt cannon. Photographer's dan mathieu, geoff clifford, gordon ball, judah oakes, dylan doubt, richard hart, jeff delong, ryan allan, and other sweet dudes: eric lebeau, devin barrete, mike giles, jeremy elkin, raj mehra, tyler maher, gab ekoe, pierre yves gauthier, william cristofaro, bob kronbauer, campbell milligan, dave carnie, paul urich, erik brunetti, jessie van roechoudt, tomonori ‘rip’ tanaka, + many more!

Aamion Goodwin's Take

Aamion Goodwin's latest update...

Small story:

Vanuatu is one of the most remote places i have ever been. If you ever get a chance to go, don't hesitate. With amazing blue lagoons to the most active volcano in the world Vanuatu is the true south pacific paradise. Here are a few photos of real culture.

-Oma G

Thunder From Heaven!

etnies Surfer/Musician Cam Powell has been tearing it up at Cinespace in LA.. Cam’s band, THUNDER FROM HEAVEN, holds down a weekly residency on Sunday nights called “CAMERATA” with live art, music, and good times! Thunder From Heaven’s first single is available now on iTunes and their album is due out later this Summer. Check them out on MySpace and sneak a peek at the weirdness right here...

Chris At Cobblestones

Just a cool little surfshot of Chris surfing with Gene HACK!man at Cobblestones...

Mikey's Shoe Release Party!

Evelien In The Skateboard Mag

Evelien's got a message for all the haters, and it's coming at you straight from the pages of The Skateboard Mag.

Impossibles = Meltdowns!