Category: Skateboarding News

Fausto Vitello passed away on April 22nd 2006 of a heart attack, but he will always be remembered within the skateboard community as ‘The Don’ and part founder of the legendary Independent Truck Company and Thrasher magazine.

Fausto was an Argentinean immigrant who moved to the Bay Area, San Fransisco, at a young age with the drive to make it no matter what. Teamed up with Rich Novak, Jim Shuirman and Eric Swenson, Fausto used his skills to mould one of the world’s greatest skate trucks ever- the Independent.

But he didn’t stop there; Fausto was also busy setting up Thrasher magazine – a core life line for the scene he loved, promoting skateboarding through the first street contests and backyard jams, and always scouting out new talent. Since then, the man with the moustache has received respect the world over and rightly so!

Crossfire and our passion to start it and keep it going is fuelled very much by Fausto’s outlook and drive for keeping things real. Thrasher Magazine and Independent Trucks are 2 huge influences on our involvement in skateboarding for many years now and this is a huge loss to skateboarding world wide, but what he has left behind is a scene that stretches from country to country that is built on the sheer fun of it.

It’s hard to believe such a strong character of skateboarding has passed… I’ll let Fausto explain himself in his own words, courtesy of ‘Built to Grind‘ (High Speed Productions):

“Throughout the history of Independent, I have always tried to maintain the “fuck off” attitude of the company founders. I’ve never had my partners tell me who to have on the team or how to do the ads; it’s always been easy, and it’s always been about skateboarding.”

Fausto Vitello – Rest In Peace

Those nice chaps at Birdhouse gave us a bell and told us all about the new video they are working on. Apparently Willy Santos is going to shake things up a bit with a hot new part- for appetizers check the latest issue of Transworld Skateboarding.

Meanwhile, Tony Hawk hasn’t got to prove himself anymore, but obviously he does because he has teamed up with Shaun White a.k.a. The flying Tomato (The Americans have really got to quit those stupid nicknames!) for some heavy vert sessions.

Finally, the rest of the team are busy getting to know oneanother’s bodily odours as they trek across the States, passing through Pheonix Am so Brandon Westgate could place 7th. Expect words with the East Coast grappler soon!

Oh, and Steve Nesser is doing his own thing with a trip to Tel Aviv and the opening of his skateshop, Familia in his hometown of St.Paul, Minnesota.

Girlie Surf Camps are back after the big success of the previous years. Over 300 girls from all over the world attended the Girlie Surf Camps last summer for an unforgettable surfing holiday!

This year they are back with new spots and also camps for 3 different age categories:

Girlie Surf Camps for girls over 16
Girlie Teenie Surf Camps for girls between 11-15
Girlie Ladies’ Surf Camp for women over 30

A typical week of Girlie Surf Camp consists of 1-2 surf sessions per day depending of the weather conditions, yoga lessons, sightseeing, BBQs etc. In Morocco you also get the chance to discover the tasty food culture, go dolphin & whale watching and enjoy the famous Essaouira International Music Festival.

In Hossegor, France, you’ll find some of the best beaches in the whole of Europe; you’ll get the chance to go and visit the Pukas boardshaper, do shopping in the famous surf outlets and just live the world famous surf town! New for this summer is also the opening of the Girlie House in Hossegor, where also the Girlie Camps will be based.

So what are the Girlie Teenie Surf Camps then? Girlie Teenie Camps work in the same program as the “normal” Girlie Surf Camps but the Girlie Teenie Camps are open for girls between 11 to 15 years-old! The Teenies are also well taken care of 24h/day!

If you are over 30 and want to learn surfing in a nice relaxed atmosphere, enjoy yoga lessons, go wine tasting and have an unforgettable holiday with same minded women your choice is the Girlie Ladies’ Surf Camp. Last year the first Ladies’ week was organized, and women from all over Europe joined for a week of surfing together!

The Girlie Surf Camps(16+):
Oualidia, Morocco
17 June – 1 July (2 week camp)

Hossegor, France
17 June – 24 June
24 June – 1 July
1 July – 8 July

Hossegor, France
2 Sept – 9 September
9 Sept – 16 September
16 Sept – 23 September

Girlie Teenie Surf Camps (11-15):
Sopelana, Spain
15 July – 22 July
22 July – 29 July

Girlie Ladies Surf Camp (30+):
Hossegor, France
23 Sept – 30 September

For more info on the Girlie Surf Camps go to www.girliecamps.com or contact info@girlieltd.com

Ramp City near to Blackpool in the UK will host another Seaside Vert Jam this weekend sponsored by Snickers, Blind Skateboards, Globe Shoes and of course Big Woody’s Skate Shop.

Last years event was a major success with skaters turning up from all over the UK. Come and see the new breed of under 16 rippers (540’s galore!) as well as some of the more well known vert faces such as Andy Scott, Sean Goff and more all on the biggest ramp in the UK.

Click the image to go through to the skate parks website which has all the details you need to know about the forthcoming session that kicks off from 1pm onwards.

History will be made as skateboarders from UK and Europe descend upon London to celebrate skateboarding.

WHAT IS IT?

Wild in the Streets is an unconventional event that is happening globally to mark Go Skateboardig Day 21st June.

Facilitated by Emerica, Wild in the Streets is this year taking over London on the 25th June 2006. The event will bring skaters together from all over London, UK and Europe for what will turn out to be the largest, unrestrained, kick-ass street session ever.

Featuring best trick contests, free product, and plenty more at a series of secret real street locations throughout London the skaters are reclaiming the streets for one day as they travel from spot to spot.

WHEN?

25 Jun 2006 @ 12:00 pm

WHERE?

Start at Slam City Skates, Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden, London, UK

WHO WILL BE THERE?

UK and Euro Emerica team riders… plus any skater who wants to make a statement for skateboarding

HOW DOES THIS WORK?

Skaters from all over England are invited to meet up at Slam City Skates, Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden, London. From there, they will receive the official Wild in the Streets skate itinerary. This itinerary will disclose the times and secret skate locations for the Wild in the Streets route. The itinerary will also have skating directions from each spot to the next, and will be available only at Slam City Skates on 25 Jun 2006 at 12:00 pm.

Visit Emericawildinthestreets.com for more information or for direct link to the London event try clicking here.

Snickers are launching their UK Friday event in accordance with the Snickers Bowl comp at the Download Festival this year. Basically Friday June 9th will be the day UK heads get to rep to their best abilities on the mammoth bowl with a chance to qualify for the weekend comp alongside international legends like Rune Glifberg, Omar Hassan or Jeurgen Horwarth.

It’s only right that is such an event is going down in your backyard, you should get to ride it! Plus, when you see the Olympic swimming pool sized (yet twice the depth!) ramp, you’ll know why UK Friday is such a great opportunity.

Practice will start on Thursday 8th June, and if riders are lucky enough to place in the top 3 on Friday, they go through to the main World Cup Event.

Other related news just in is that Crossfire DJ’s Zac Slack and James Sherry are now confirmed to play tunes all weekend at the Snickers Bowl.

Visit www.downloadfestival.co.uk/snickers for trick tips, full line up news and tickets.

Confirmed UK heads at the moment, stand as follows:

Mike Edwards
Sean Goff
Sam Beckitt
Paul-Luc
Mark Lawyer
Jon Nixon
Dave Allen
Mark Munson
Paul Atkins
Andy Scott
Pete Dossett
Nicky Cornell
Ben Raemers
Carl Wilson
Lee Blackwell

Tickets are available from www.downloadfestival.co.uk or the credit card hotline 0870 400 0822. As the official website, www.downloadfestival.co.uk will contain all information about camping, accommodation and all the packages, as well as information on the transport facilities available.

Camp-sites will open at midday on Wednesday 7 June through to Monday 12 June.

UK Vert monster Dave Allen celebrated his birthday in style 2 weeks back with a bunch of UK heads on the guest list to boogie in a secret location in London, but it wasn’t his dancing feet that has left him unable to ride.

Dickie popped his knee out this week after doing the splits on a mini ramp session and has torn his medial collateral ligament needing swift surgery.

Get well soon mate, the summer vert events will not be the same without ya.

Come and celebrate yet another great concrete park that is ready for business on Saturday April 22nd from noon. The more the merrier, but all the less chance some scallie bikers doing wheelies will get in the way!

Directions:
From the A1M at the Bignells Corner Roundabout head towards Services, bearing left into Swanland Road. Bear left at the roundabout onto St Albans Road, at the end of the road turn right at the roundabout onto Cecil Road, which leads into Mutton Lane. Furzefield Centre on the left, just past the speed cameras.

Alternatively, if you are coming off the M25 at Junction 24 then head straight on past two sets of traffic lights and The Furzefield Centre is on your right hand side.

Parking Arrangements:
There is a large car park, which can accommodate over 120 cars. We also have disabled parking & spaces for Mother & baby.

By Public Transport:
There is regular public transport from the Potters Bar Train Station, located in Darkes Lane. The Furzefield Centre is a 10 – 15 minute walk from the train station. The 84 bus stops just outside the Centre.

If it isn’t in your calendar already, make sure your pets are round the neighbours, your other half is out with their mates and the kids are at their Gran’s because Bowlriders is hitting Interact Skatepark, Burnley on April 22nd.

Especially for the event at hand, Interact have built a unique cradle, extensions and other wild oddities for the best bowl riders to grapple with. Good news also for those who make the trek- The park will be open till 2 am awaiting your arrival with cold beer on tap! Hooray!

www.interactpark.com

When you have the rep as being the World’s greatest skate trucks ever, you know that virtually anything they touch will be golden.

Well, Independent Trucks have just launched a new website with everything you could ever ask of the moulded metal masters- Product, history, gear, and some banging team rider profiles with exclusive footage to boot.

Indy make great trucks, and now they’ve made a great site too.