Caught in the Crossfire

An investigation into the death of a 22 year old skateboarder is underway in Los Angeles this week following an incident on the famous Sunset Boulevard where Carlos Arellano was stabbed on the pavement.

Locals believe that he was mugged for his skateboard and would not hand it over and have now hung a full set up on a lamp post with a message to his gutless killer that reads:

“Did they kill him for a skateboard? Or just for fun? Here’s your fucking skateboard. I looked at a dying man in the face last night. Is this the first time you’ve killed? Will you brag at school? Did you get a merit badge?”

Absolutely sickening story. Our thoughts go out to family and friends.

We received a press release recently that we have been asked to share with you:

SKATE COLLECTIVE OCCUPY OLD CAR WASH, BARDLSEY LANE

The Car Wash Collective, a group of Greenwich skaters, have created a DIY skate ramp. Having found the site open, they took over the premises to build a wooden half-pipe for local skaters in the covered garage. The collective have been living in the building for over a month, working everyday to clean up the premises, putting together the framework and finally skinning the ramp.

The mini-ramp will be open to its members from Saturday 9th August, opening 12noon-7pm most days. Unfortunately Bardsley Green was fenced off by property developers Family Mosaic and French construction multi-national Bouygeus on Monday 28th July. Bardsley Lane has been mostly closed to local residents. The Green is being dug up, but the trees planted there by Keep the Green have been saved and being cared for in the Car Wash.

Unfortunately Bardsley Green was fenced off by property developers Family Mosaic and French construction multi-national Bouygeus on Monday 28th July. Bardsley Lane has been mostly closed to local residents. The Green is being dug up, but the trees planted there by Keep the Green have been saved and being cared for in the Car Wash. The development site is controversial, with property title issues and the Car Wash is protected by a legal convenant dating back to 19th Century that requires the free passage of soil and water. Family Mosaic Home Ownership Ltd are seeking possession of the site at a court hearing at the Woolwich Magistrates Court on Wednesday 13th August at 10am, even though building work will only be starting in September. One of the occupiers, Billy Bob, stated: “We here to protect the convenant and the little public space we still have left from being bulldozed over to make way for more luxury flats.

This should be a community facility and green space, a creative place for DIY activities for as long as we can keep it. As well as mini-ramp sessions, the Car Wash Collective are planning workshops, art activities and performances and welcome people of goodwill to come down, get involved and help occupy the site. This is like a skate summer camp in the middle of London.

NOTES TO THE EDITOR Address: The Car Wash Collective, between the Lord Hood pub and the Bookshop, Creek Road. Entrance on Bardsley Lane. For press enquiries call: 07754427834

What a session. Andrew Wilson and Ishod Wair do not stop.

Watch Greg Poissonnier’s edit from the House of Vans opening featuring Christian Hosoi, Nicky Guerrero and Ross McGouran getting the first of many sessions in the new bowl.

Photos by Loic Benoit

Ph: Joseph Biais helps himself to the rail.

Nope, this is no mirage. Desert stormers Sam Partaix, Joseph Biais, Phil Zwijsen and Charles Collet headed right into the furnace of Merzouga in southern Morocco for a session where Loic Benoit took pics and footage was filmed by Ludo Azemar.

The results are amazing. Get some of this.

Charles Collet takes a kickflip.

Phil Zwijsen gets a boardslide.

and a kickflip…

Sam Partaix went for a tucknee.

Joe Moore gets tech at the Works in Leeds with a fakie 720 bigflip manual revert to fakie. Loving the intrusion of the fat kid on the scooter. Good work kid.