Mark “Monk” Hubbard, the mind and muscle behind Grindline Skateparks and the DIY skatepark movement in general died June 8, 2018 at his home in West Seattle, according to a story on Fox Q 13. His cause of death has not be announced. Hubbard was 47 years old.
For skateboarders across the world, Hubbard was a significant figure. In the early 90’s, he helped build Portland’s Burnside Skatepark, seen by many as the model for modern parks. “This guy invented DIY (Do it Yourself).” Thrasher Magazine Editor-in-Chief Jake Phelps said. “You see kids out there digging ditches for skateboarding, it’s because of Marty.” . . .Hubbard transformed his love of DIY skateboarding into a business. He and his Grindline crews built parks from Orcas Island to Israel with a passion that transcended a mere job.
We will think of him every time we roll the flowing lines of Mammoth’s Brother’s Skatepark. Hubbard is survived by his wife Jenny and three children Kaya, Leona, and Odin. Our thoughts are with them all. If you’d like to send a gift to support the family, please click the link for GoFundMe.
Darkstar Skateboards is bringing back the 80s with a little help from the formerly living, minimalist-sexy artist Patrick Nagel.
The Darkstar x Nagel Summer 2018 capsule showcases the late artist’s spirit and legacy, framed with blocks of breathable muted color and elegant reflective chrome details. Nagel’s signature is implemented throughout amid simple typography, a Nagel provenance found in Nagel exhibition posters and Nagel art books. The official Darkstar x Nagel capsule is now available worldwide, exclusively at core skate shops and select online retailers.
For the official word from Darkstar on this dead artist collab, please follow the jump.
The Patagonia Worn Wear Wagon is hitting the road again this summer, only this time, they’re bringing the gear to repair wetsuits as well (any brand of wetsuit).
Patagonia’s Worn Wear program was created in 2013 to encourage people to change their relationship with stuff. The program provides significant resources for responsible care, repair, reuse, resale and recycling at the end of a garment’s life. Known for building highly durable products, Patagonia strongly believes in the intangible value of things that accumulate meaning over time. The memories contained in patches, stitches and scars can’t be replaced with something new – and Worn Wear aims to help customers celebrate those stories.
If you wetsuit (or any of your Patagonia gear) is in need of a fix, bring it in. One item per person. For all the details, follow the jump.
Watching smart, talented people go all cutesy/sexy in their hunt for more views on the Youtubes can get annoying, but this short on the physics of skateboarding with (cough, cough) “Physics Girl” (a.k.a Dianna Cowern) also features Rodney Mullen. And since he can do no wrong, we endured the cute and exited the bit even more enlightened on why we still have trouble doing even the simplest flip trick and how amazing skateboarding is as a math problem (thanks, Dianna). The Linda Vista skatepark backdrop didn’t hurt either. Watch and learn.
Element Skateboards has added Jon Sinko to the company as VP, Global Merchandising and Design, overseeing the brand’s product function globally. If you don’t know Jon, here’s his background:
Jon comes to Element after a 20-year tenure with adidas where he was most recently global head of product for Skateboarding and Snowboarding. Having been with the brand since their entry into the skateboarding industry, Jon has had several roles and led various businesses that broadened his experiences in both product and Go-To-Market planning and execution. Along the way, he helped craft strategy, lead both the apparel and footwear merchandising teams, worked across the business with design, sales, marketing and skate and snow teams to help bring the right concepts to market.
Congrats all around. For the official word from Element and exactly how Johnny Schillereff feels about this new hire, please follow the jump.
Coming as a surprise to pretty much no one, Tom Schaar dominated stop one of the 2018 Vans Park Series in São Paulo, Brazil. Pedro Barros and Tristan Rennie finished in second and third.
“I’m just stoked I’m down here in Brazil, it’s amazing, this is the greatest crowd I’ve ever seen,” said VPS Brazil Men’s winner Tom Schaar. When asked about the race to world champion, Schaar responded, “I’m going to take this all in, contest by contest, and see where I land.”
Meanwhile, in the Women’s division, Japanese pro Sakura Yosozumi ended up on top ahead of Yndiara Asp, with Brighton Zeuner and Lizzie Armanto in third and fourth. For complete results and the official word from Vans, please follow the jump.
The Vail Resorts borg is apparently not satiated just yet as it “entered into a purchase agreement” with Triple Peaks, LLC the owners of Okemo Mountain, in Ludlow, Vt., Mount Sunapee, in Newbury, N.H., and Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.
The sale includes the three ski resort operations, as well as Okemo Valley Golf Club in Ludlow, Vt., and Tater Hill Golf Club in Windham, Vt. As part of the transaction, Vail Resorts will also own the leasehold assets presently owned by Och-Ziff Real Estate. . . “Diane and I are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished at the three resorts for the last 36 years,” remarked Tim Mueller, co-owner and president of Triple Peaks, LLC. “We have had the great privilege of working with a lot of smart, hardworking, dedicated team members, as well as many other people in the local communities and the states where the resorts are located.”
Yes, young slider, soon you’ll only need one pass to ride them all. For the official word from Triple Peaks, please follow the jump.
The 2018 Vans Park Series kicks off live online tomorrow morning (Saturday, June 2, 2018) at 8 AM PST from the brand new Vans-built park in São Paulo, Brazil.
Firing performances from Brazilian Tour Challengers such as Murilo Peres, Vinicius Kakinho and crowd favorite Luiz Francisco (above) ignited the course while an impressive showcase of women’s park terrain talent from Japan, United States, Australia and Brazil burst into the spotlight. Entering as the Brazil Wildcard and finishing in first place, Luiz Francisco stunned the field with clean, trick-heavy lines, proving his ranks once again since earning the 2017 VPS Nationals Brazil Champion title last year.
For all the official details, including the VPS Brazil Qualifier results, please follow the jump.
Volcom has named long-time V-Co designer Jeffery James “JJ” Gonzales as their new global men’s design director.
“JJ has been a core member of the design team for years, developing and growing our bottoms business to be the industry leader, by far,” says Volcom CEO Todd Hymel. “He is a living and breathing embodiment of Volcom’s passion and dedication and I am excited for him to drive and elevate all of our efforts to bring a new level of creativity to our brand and product.”
For the official word from V-Co, please follow the jump.
The Patagonia Worn Wear Wagon is hitting the road again this summer, only this time, they’re bringing the gear to repair wetsuits as well (any brand of wetsuit).
Element Skateboards has added Jon Sinko to the company as VP, Global Merchandising and Design, overseeing the brand’s product function globally. If you don’t know Jon, here’s his background:
The Vail Resorts borg is apparently not satiated just yet as it “entered into a purchase agreement” with Triple Peaks, LLC the owners of Okemo Mountain, in Ludlow, Vt., Mount Sunapee, in Newbury, N.H., and Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.
Volcom has named long-time V-Co designer Jeffery James “JJ” Gonzales as their new global men’s design director.
