Here is a an exerpt from Crashin In Skate: “Has anyone watched the sk8 video Powell & Perelta “The Search For Animal Chin”. In that sk8 movie they skate a legendary spot called the Chinatown Banks in San Francisco. Well since it was my first time visiting SF, I was hoping I would see some cool skaters and some legendary spots (Embarcado and The Chinatown Banks). I walked around for hours and couldn’t find the Chinatown Banks anywhere. Then I got tired and headed up to my hotel room. While I was bored waiting for the elevator I looked out the window. Low and behold what do I see. Right before my eyes, the legendary banks are actually part of my hotel. They are on a bridge that joins a park with the hotel. I was so excited that I ran up to get my camera and took some pictures of the banks. Unfortunately I didn’t bring my board on this trip or didn’t see any skaters. But at least I got to hang with a bum at the banks and help him open his bottle of Chinese wine. He claimed that his hand was broken from the war so he needed help. Anyhow, I soon learned that California is truly the best place in the world for skate spots, hands down. Be on the lookout for a review of a bunch of a new sk8 dvds coming out soon. ”

Ahh look at how steep those transitions are! You have to hit them pretty hard and fast and if you happen to go over the edge its quite a drop!

Man it takes all kinds. Our little hero here is going for a high speed carve on a 10 Speed Bike!. Gotta give him props for that.

Technorati Profile

Etnies has been making skateboard shoes for a long time and they are one of the most popular brands out their on the market today.

Is it really that complicated? Well yes it is. STI has done extensive research into what it takes to make a skateboarding shoe last. Introduced just a few years ago, System G2™ was the first technology ever developed by STI. Today, it is recognized as simply being the best shock-absorbing device for action sports shoes and snowboard boots. Inserted into the heel and combined with EVA or PU, System G2™ provides dual-cushioning comfort and protection that helps absorb a wide range of impacts–from the very soft to the most extreme–that riders put on their feet, to help reduce injuries and prevent heel bruises. The result is the ultimate skateboarding cushioning technology that absorbs up to 75% more force than conventional skate shoes and snowboard boots. It’s no wonder then that System G2™ is found in almost every pro model endorsed shoe Sole Technology manufactures.

STI is constantly doing research on skateboarding shoes and they have a development team working on just that, making a better skate shoe for you.

Here is a list of some of the new features that have been designed to help you shoes last longer and for your feet to last longer as well:-)
Vulcanized rubber soles
Air pockets in the heels
Shoelace protectors
DGT (DC Shoes)
Super Suede (DC Shoes)
System G2 Cushioning (etnies, Emerica, Es Footwear)
STI foam (etnies, Emerica, Es Footwear)
Lace Loops that “hide” shoelaces
Action Leather
Thermoplastic Toe Box Reinforcement(Vox)
EVA Mid Sole
Fusion Grip Rubber Outsole
Asymmetric stabilizer
Silicon Rubber makes shoes last longer(SiRC)

Classic Skateboard Deck Collection #1

Alva Chris Cook “clown” from around ‘88 to 89. For some of these boards it’s very difficult to determine the exact release year cause most of these models were manufactured and sold for few years in their time. Found the Chris Cook “clown” at local 2nd hand sporting goods store. The shop keeper had obviously bought bunch of dead stock/factory seconds from some skate shop/store. Paid about $15 for the Cook.

Next up, amazingly well preserved Alva Bill Danforth “nomad” with splatter paint, guessing around ‘88, can’t remember. Has very deep concave that’s very close to uncomfortable. Has been built up since with Thunder 9″ trucks with Santa Cruz “war paint” (some call them “church glass/window” too i guess) graphics. An aquintance scored this board for me roughly a year ago. It has slight water damage on top but nothing serious. Overall in great condition, with original blue & black griptape. The graphics & tail are very well preserved even though there has never been any rails or tailbone mounted.

Next, somewhat beat up ‘88 Jim “Murf” Murphy and a mistreated second generation Alva Eddie Reategui “warrior” from around same time. The Murf was bought as a complete with beat up Indys.

The ‘87-88-ish Eddie Reategui “Warrior” was salvaged from a fleamarket. It seems someone has been practising ollie skill on it etc. without any trucks. Dumbass. Still has lots of life in it regardless the half-ruined graphics.

Classic Skateboard Deck Collection #2

Lucero “Street thing” by Lucero Skateboards (manufactured by Santa Cruz) from ‘88 to ‘89 traded from a friend. Came originally with silver Gullwing Super Pro’s with flyweight baseplates. Somewhat beat up yet fully rideable and the graphics aren’t too bad either despite the battle scars. Has 8,5″ 2nd gen Ventures and late 80’s OJII Teamriders 92A. I like how the background graphics (the white swirls) subliminally remind me of his Madrid model (aka “Jester” later also known as “X-Teamrider”).

‘88 Vision Boneyard built with not-so-popular Rannalli trucks with Rannalli bushings along with used Madrid Fire Fly wheels 97A in neon yellow. I got this board in a trade in very nice condition, just a few marks on the tail and from the rail mounting screws. Even added the “Don’t die wondering - Vision” sticker (pun intended) to tail to make it complete. Classic shape with cool tiny stacked skeletons allover the graphics. Solid board, classic shape. Same as Punk Skulls.

Late 80’s (guessing ‘87 to ‘88) Maui & Sons “Shark Man” complete with X-Caliber trucks, X-Caliber wheels and full X-Caliber plastics gear. One of the cheaper yet OK quality completes you could purchase from many sporting good shops or even department stores. Classic Maui & Sons graphics and logo and standard yet functional (and campy) Variflex shape. The odd thing about this board is that the base coat is red. The two Action Factory stickers on the tail have been added later. It was a local surf/ski shop back in the day.

Last, but not least a ‘89 Gordon & Smith Bod Boyle “yin-yang”. Came originally with turquoise Gullwing Phoenix trucks and green 95A OJII Combos and yellow Schmitt Stix rails. Later it has been rebuilt with more era/manufacturer correct parts like G&S famous Chro-Moly trucks and my old set of yellow G&S Bam Bam wheels 97A. The Roskopp eye sticker was applied by previous owner and i though it looked pretty cool so i left it there. Has quite a bit of concave and steep tail and all four wheels wells which was pretty rare in late 80’s.

Classic Skateboard Deck Collection #3

Team Losi “Ooze” using two slightly different shades of regular black grip tape which i think, looks interesting.
Team Losi “Witch Doctor” with new wave/geometric three-colour whatever design to match the top logo.
Team Losi “Pool Dreams” has solid turquoise grip with die-cut hole aroud the top logo. From this image you get a good view of the concave aswell.
Variflex Allen Losi mkIII with “classic” shattered grip tape around the top graphics.

Classic Skateboard Deck Collection #4

‘84-85 Variflex Vectra Flat mkII streetstyle/freestyle, (flat as in no-concave). New old stock from the UK. Built with slightly used Variflex trucks and copers from a first gen Pool Fool and blue Variflex C3 wheels.

‘84-85 Variflex Vectra Flat mkII pool/ramp. New old stock from th UK with Variflex Vertex trucks (excellent quality btw, before those cheap looking light aluminum versions found on all ‘87-89 dept store Variflexes). Red Variflex C3 wheels and generic copers.

‘85-86 Variflex Vectra Concave mkII pool/ramp. New old stock from the UK aswell with Vertex trucks and NOS Powell Peralta Street Cubic wheels 90A. It’s funny looking back at these, cause the concave or no concave seemed to be an issue in way as they would boldly print “concave” on to the graphics. In late 80’s let alone these days it’s taken granted.

‘86-’87-ish Variflex Vectra Concave mkIII pool/ramp.Used from ebay for $20. The board arrived after painful 3 month wait cause the seller had no idea how to ship overseas. The deck itself was in somewhat poor condition with delamination pretty much all around the deck but the graphics, both top and bottom, were well preserved. Overall condition (except the serious delam) was pretty nice, i’d say 7/10. All original parts and accessories were there, they were just very dirty. It looked as if it was digged out from a mud hole. Has Variflex plastics, Variflex trucks and Variflex wheels. I really dig the graphics on this one!

Classic Skateboard Deck Collection #5

‘86 Madrid Beau Brown model “collage” NOS. Got to love the “artistic” approach in these graphics. Built for display with used turquoise Gullwing Phoenix trucks and vintage NOS blue 85A Powell Peralta Rat-Bones.

‘86 Madrid X-Teamrider “jester” (a.k.a. John Lucero model after he left Madrid) NOS. Built for display with Madrid/Underground trucks, unknown copers and NOS Kryptonics Slammer wheels 88A.

‘85 Madrid Gary Sanderson “punk” NOS signed by the man himself. Built for display with 9″ 2nd gen Ventures and NOS Kryptonics CSI wheels 85A.

‘86 Madrid Claus Grabke “time” NOS. The beginning of the Grabke clock graphics series from 1986. On of the best Madrid/Grabke graphics actually. Built for display with Tracker Sixtracks Ultralights (w/ Tracker copers) and NOS 85A Santa Cruz “Road Rider” wheels with light blue core from late 80’s (from the looks & feel of these they appear to be manufactured by Kryptonics).