Stereo Skateboards co-founder, WESC WEactivist, and all around good guy Chris Pastras is the newest skateboarding brand ambassador for iPath footwear.
Ipath VP of Marketing, Kristin Cusic, says, “Ipath is in a great spot as a footwear brand and we have an opportunity to re-build our initiatives from the ground up. Bringing Chris on to help with that process was a strategic move that relies on his history and 20 plus years of experience in the skateboarding industry.”
Pastras says he’s “happy to be a part of [iPath’s] mission.” For the official word from iPath follow the jump. [click to continue…]
We’re pretty sure this isn’t the first time a skateboarder has been hit from behind by a cougar and then run for his life, but it may be the first time a skater has used his board in an real mountain lion attack.
According to a story on the CBC, that’s exactly what happened to a skater in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Parks Canada officials are out with tracking dogs to collect droppings and try to find the cougar. They say they have spoken with a man who says he fought off a cougar attack with his skateboard. . . “They say they have confirmed that a man was knocked down by a cougar in that area Thursday but he swung his skateboard at the animal, causing it to back off,” said Bill Hunt, a resource conservation specialist with Banff National Park.
The man didn’t originally report the attack because he thought it might have been illegal to hit the animal with his skateboard. Which is odd, because all the guys we know who’ve hit cougars weren’t usually worried about the law, they were scared someone would see them with the beast the next morning.
[Editors’ Note: Thank you to everyone who sent us a link to this story. It has been the number one most contributed story in our history. Which isn’t saying a lot, but it’s definitely saying something.]
Tony Hawk is back at it again. As he does every year he’s asking (yes, asking) people to hit up the Tony Hawk Foundation for free money (up to $25,000) to be used for building skateboard parks. There is a catch: eligible parks must serve at-risk youth in low-income communities. And he’s done a lot of this.
Having awarded more than 500 grants since 2002 to skatepark projects in all 50 states, the Tony Hawk Foundation has seen 80% of the skateparks it’s helped fund open and begin serving almost 13,000 youth daily. In addition to its domestic Grant Program, the Tony Hawk Foundation has also provided critical Technical Assistance to thousands of skatepark projects around the world. In many instances, the foundation’s Technical Assistance has helped communities avoid costly mistakes and delays. Tony Hawk Foundation staff assisted over 1,000 communities in 2012 alone.
The Tony Hawk Foundation is doing great things in this world. To find out how you can help support, or apply for some funding for a skateboard park in your neighborhood follow the jump. One more thing: applications must be turned in by July 1, 2013 to be considered.
World Industries has just dropped a new line of Plyagra decks that feature North American maple veneers with a carbon fiber inlay in the top layer to help the boards say stiffer and stronger for longer.
If you’re facing embarrassing performance anxiety the Plyagra just might be the right board for you. They apparently work for Andrew Cannon. Plyagra decks are currently available in fine independent skateboarding shops for $59.95, but we don’t know how long they’ll last.
On Saturday, June 1, 2013, big, famous skate action returns to San Diego’s Mission Valley YMCA Krause Family Skatepark with the Clash At Clairemont 7 as Tony Hawk, Andy MacDonald, Bucky Lasek, Pierre Luc Gagnon, Mike McGill, Kevin Staab, Sergie Ventura and many more get together to raise money for Grind For Life and to compete in the Sega Sonic Generations of Skate contest.
“The Sonic Generations of Skate format, representing several generations of skateboarding, is really fun and gives everyone something to cheer for,” said Andy Macdonald, veteran skater and 23-time X Games medalist who is one of just four skaters who have competed at every X Games. “It’s a great addition to the Clash and should really help generate incremental awareness and financial support for Grind for Life.”
There will also be musical performances by Three Wheels Out, P.O.D. and Mix Master Mike. Tickets for the six hours of skate and music mayhem are just a $10 donation at the door. For all the official details, follow the jump.
Brandon Brubaker, the former Cons Skateboarding and Vans designer has accepted a new position at Supra Footwearas the vice president of design and merchandising.
“SUPRA has always been a design driven brand,” said Scott Bailey, ONE Distribution’s CEO, “and Brandon’s commitment to pushing design make him uniquely suited to lead our young team. Bringing Brandon back home to Southern California after years of experience with some major footwear brands is something we’re really proud of.”
Sure, it’s Monday morning and we’re still trying to recover from a white hot action sporting weekend, but still, we haven’t laughed this hard watching a skate edit since, well, since 1969. And we owe it all to The Amazing Richie Jackson Skateboard Show.
The Extension Gallery in Allston, Massachusetts is hosting a collection of all of Dennis Mcnett’s artwork for Antihero Skateboards Saturday evening, May 18, 2013. The event is a celebration of the Antihero + Orchard Capsule Project release.
The show will feature the entire collection of skateboard graphics that Dennis Mcnett has created for Antihero, including the original wood relief cutouts and insight to this amazing artist’s process. . . That evening we will also be releasing the Orchard X Antihero “Off Campus Housing” capsule including a board designed by Dennis and a limited edition “Care Package from Mom” collection of co-branded goodies.
The opening begins at 8 PM. Extension Gallery is located at 156 Harvard Ave. in Allston, Massachusetts.
Skateboarding doesn’t go much deeper, kinder, or funnier than with Jason Lee and Chris Pastras. Just watch this edit and you’ll understand what we’re talking about.
“It’s a true collaboration with Green Day,” Thiebaud told the Daily News. “I’ve been friends with Billie Joe for more than 15 years. I grew up in Berkeley and Oakland. When you were a punk rocker or a skateboarder, you stuck out, so you got to know everyone in the scene.” . . Mimicking the graphics for Green Day’s latest, multi-album release, “Uno!,” “Dos!,” and “Tré!,” Real is issuing custom skateboards that the company will sell in skate shops and online. Proceeds will go to Children’s Hospital.
For the rest of the great story behind a group of really good guys, click the link.
