Vancouver’s scene video Civic Affair has been posted online in full overnight. Get stuck into sections from Ben Blundell, Tyler Warren, Dustin Henry, Tyler Gaucher, Ryan Witt, Will Blakely, Magnus Hanson, Mike Campbell and Jed Anderson.
Death lifers Mark Nicolson and Dan Cates join Rob Smith, Mark Radden, Moggins, Mikey Patrick, Boots, Adam Moss and many more in this new montage shot throughout June this year in Essex and London.
The documentary on New Zealand skateboarding legend Lee Ralph‘s life has gone from web documentary to full blown release says Alex Dyer behind the lens and organisation of the project. Words with Dyer published here discuss the filming that is going down with various pro’s:
“Pretty much every story is funny and entertaining, as Lee has a way of spinning a classic almost Chopper-esque style yarn for every story. The only hard part is trying to get him to keep on a subject, or conversely to actually get to the point that he was aiming for before the memory cards run out. It’s fantastic though, most of the best stories have come from the informal nature of the questioning and the rambles that come from Lee’s encyclopaedic mind.”
We are patiently waiting but inside we are screaming to see it right now!
Keep up to speed with plans of ‘Barefoot – The Lee Ralph Story’ release here.
There was never any question that Ben Raemers would not go on to travel the world on a deck following the day he turned up aged 15 at one of our jams. He has repped every event, always left with dough, and also left most people’s jaws on the floor with his amazing skateboarding and his ability to see things differently to others.
Thrown in the back of the van and taught the hard way by his Essex buddies Mark Munson and Carl Wilson, the then miniature Raemers was taken to every jam, comp, bowl, vert ramp, bank, curb and pool that the trio could find – and flourished fast. Backed by the grit and determination of Munson’s take-no-prisoner’s personality, Ben grew into one of the finest skateboarders in the UK and graced the front cover of Thrasher in March 2011 (the first of his generation from the UK to do so), but his stupendous bag of tricks on all terrain has also been featured in many others, including that incredible Kingpin cover from Victoria Park. (Footage at the end of this)
Aside from his ability to skate everything like a fucking champ, his character is one of a kind. Kind being the operative word here too, as he is certainly one of the most caring, thoughtful and intrigueing skateboarders you are ever likely to meet – one who lives somewhat in his own world. This unique approach to life has made his whizzplanking skills something of a luxury to watch, and has gained him friends worldwide, so we are proud after all of these years, to finally catch up with him to chat about his life in what could possibly be his most memorable skateboarding year yet. – Zac
You living back in the UK now?
I’m not living anywhere really. I have just been injured so I was chilling in the UK whilst I healed up and now i’m back in the USA!
I guess it can be tempting to party when you have downtime right?
I stopped myself from partying a lot. If you drink on an injury it doesn’t heal good. I was taking it easy just hanging with my Mum and family. Getting surgery back then was so scary!
Did you see much of Mark Munson back in Essex?
Not as much as I would like to as he is very busy at the moment! I see home every now and then so it’s all good!
What was the most valuable piece of advice he gave you?
Have a good time and travel as much as possible!
Before we go any further, is there a particular song that defines the moment for you right now?
Probably ‘Gold’ by Spandau Ballet. Classic stuff right there!
Ha! Good choice mate. Hold on, let’s ask the viewers to listen to that song whilst they read the rest of this.
What countries did you see last year on the road then?
I visited America, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Paris, Poland, Spain and Germany! Good times!!
Does your Mum get postcards or emails?
I try to send postcards, she doesn’t have the internet so I just email my sister and she shows my Mum!
Any particular country that inspires you the most?
China is my favourite place! Just has the best time there and I can’t wait to go back! I went on a trip to Taiwan at the beginning of the year with enjoi which was the best trip of last year. Was amazing. Taiwan is just such a crazy place was such a great experience! And every trip with the enjoi geezers is a laugh!
Which country (outside the UK) has the tightest scene from your experiences so far?
Got to say America. San Jose is a really fun city. I’m happy I have a lot of friends there so I spend a lot of time there!
With so much traveling going on, you must get tired and confused. Tell us about the shark you saw from the plane on the way to Marseille?!
I was looking out of the plane window and the reflection literally looked like a shark! When I found out it was the shadow of the plane I felt like a right fool!! Hahahah!
That’s next levs Ben. What about skate flicks, do you watch much skating? Any that stood out for you recently?
I really liked the emerica ‘Made’ video! Brandon Westgate is beast! He is literally the definition of next level!!! I’m a massive fan!
Photo: Backside wallride anytime, shot by Dave Chami.
Any particular trick or a line that you saw that blew you away the most last year?
Cairo Foster did a trick in Taiwan that was insane, but you’ll have to wait for the enjoi video to see it!
What was the most satisfying battle you personally won lately?
It was in Taiwan again. It took ages and I broke my board! Then me and filmer and photographer went back there at 6am a few days later and it worked out!
Is there a trick that got away?
A lipslide down this rail! I slammed like a sack of potatoes on the ground that ended up wrecking my ankle for ages!! That was the worst slam from last year.
What was the best time hanging with Barney Page of late?
Probably the time we both got drunk and then got tattoos in San Jose! Was a funny time.
Photo: Stylin’ a sweet sugarcane shot by Seu Trinh.
And the best part of being on enjoi?
The team are literally like my family!
Are you living with Jerry again now you are back in the US?
I am staying at Jerry’s apartment, but he lives in LA now. Me and my mate Carson rented his room.
Now Jerry has left enjoi, does this mean the brand will go through big changes?
I’m not too sure, we will have to wait and see! I’m gutted that Jerry left as he’s one of the funniest people in the world and one of the world’s most talented skateboarders, but I’m super excited to see his new footage as he is the best!
Is there a new enjoi video in the works to follow ‘Tweak The Beef’?
We are working on a full length video now! I’m super-stoked as it’s my first major project I have been involved in! The deadline is late August so until then I am just going to be traveling around and skating every day! I am super motivated and want to make it as good as I can. I feel so privileged to be in the same video as my favourite skaters!!
How is your part looking so far?
I am quite happy with how it’s looking but it still needs a lot of work!
Have you seen footage of other team riders for this so far?
I know a lot of the guys have some mind blowing footage!
Who do you think will blow everyone away?
Zack Wallin!
Who do you think should have the last part?
Hard to say, but I know Wieger has some ridiculous footage, so probably him!!
When is it likely to drop?
Not 100% sure, but at the earliest it will be at the end of this year.
If you had to pick one person, who would be your MVP of last year?
Caswell Berry should get it every year! He’s the best!
Did you conquer any new tricks for the bag lately?
Back in December I finally figured out the technique for straight no-complys on flat! They are so hard! After watching Pontus Alv skate it inspired me to learn them!
Photo: Louie Barletta & Ben Raemers Doubles (Backside Crailslide & Frontside Melongrab) by Dave Chami.
What skaters should we look out for, any upcomers on your radar?
Blue Turner is a beast! He’s been rolling with the enjoi crew recently! And in the England I’m going to have to say Tom Tanner from Liverpool and Sam heelflip from Mile End.
Are you looking forward to having a pro deck in the future?
That would be crazy!! I haven’t really thought about that to be honest as it doesn’t seem real! If that happened I would be the happiest geezer in the world!!!
Any ideas on what you would choose for your ideal first graphic if it happened?
Not really! I would love to have a bird of some sort! A penguin perhaps?!
Lastly, we hear you have a new video part filmed in the UK coming out soon, spill the beans.
Yeah, I have a shared part with Horsey that is going to be in a new video made by Ryan Gray and Kevin Parrott! Stoked! Always fun skating with Horsey. It will be out soon!
Thanks Ben, enjoi life geezer.
Ben rides for Indy, Ricta, Enjoi, Converse, Volcom and Lost Art skate shop.
Photo: Boneless of death! Shot by Dave Chami.
80s skate legend Steve Schneer unfortunately passed away yesterday. Schneer was a unique entertainer who loved a crowd and had an urge to seek fun. He often stole the show skating barefoot on vert and was famed for the invention of the Ho Ho Plant where his ridiculous gymnastic skills would bring a perfect handstand to the coping that he would stall for as long as he could. He also claimed in a TV interview to invent the frontside handplant in 1978 as seen below, and invented the ‘Beave Air’, but his one-foot rock and rolls, again, one of his own tricks, were class.
I remember seeing him skate at Southsea here in the United Kingdom back in 1990 at a comp where he took the honours all day long. (Footage below) The guy was a machine, a unique ripper whose gnarly skateboarding made that day memorable for so many reasons. He was unstoppable as he ripped that classic blue vert ramp and went out of his way to steal the show. I met him on the day and to be honest he scared the crap out of me, but in a very excitable way. I was a skate rat, eager to get in the middle of a jam to get the most out of the energy they created and his presence was absolutely massive.
Here’s a few words from various friends looking back at Steve’s amazing life:
NEIL DANNS: “The one thing that stood out was his high energy. He was always pushing himself to do better and he did some of the best inverts I have ever seen. He will be missed by many.”
STEVE DOUGLAS: “I’m not sure when I met Steve for the first time- probably 1986, but it’s safe to say I probably heard him before I saw him. Steve was loud and was one of those guys that you would want to skate with he would make the session better, louder, more intense and more fun. What I remember about him was that he was always smiling always stoked and always ready for good times, all the time. He loved his partying and was also a tough bastard, a lad you want on your side and of course he was, he was a skateboarder. I feel proud that I met him and I could call him a friend.
Steve will be missed, but for the people that did not know him he lived his life at 100mph and he made his days count. He will not be forgotten. The last time I saw Steve was May 2012, he came over to see me at the IASC conference. He had been over at Vans and he heard I was there and came over to see me before he left for home, as we had not seen each other for years. He really made my day and I appreciated that he made the effort. It was so good to see him, he looked great and his passion and smiles were as I remembered.
You will be missed Steve. Skateboarding has had many truly colorful characters and he was one of the best. Gutted, but he will never be forgotten, and I’ll never forget that last meeting and all the fun times, and for those – THANKS.”
RODGA HARVEY remembers: “Steve drinking very heavy on Stella (beer) the night before the Southsea comp. He skated butt-naked next day. Classic.”
SHANE O’BRIEN: “I remember many occasions with Steve Schneer state-side. One time at the Arizona “88” NSA comp weekend, Steve was in competition with his other team mates to live on as little amount of money $ as possible per day. He won and got it down to 31 cents per 24 hrs and won a bonus payment from his team captain! For pure shock value he would run and jump off the hotel roof into the swimming pool making sure normal hotel guests were present pool-side. “SPLASH” – you know ha ha! Just to top it off for the weekend, Steve would do bare-foot frontside ollie handrails into the pool whilst it was full of hotel guests. Did he care? Answers on a post card please!!! Steve was always a character who did his own thing and that’s what he will be remembered for. It’s a SAD loss but he made his mark in World Skateboarding History.”
DON BROWN: “I didn’t know Steve super well but got to hang with him around the contests in the 80’s. It was guaranteed that when Steve was around good times were right there with him!! I always remember stumbling drunk into the hotel lobby at a Munster contest. As I walked through the door it was pure mayhem. Steve and Gator were both naked and wrestling the hotel manager! (who was 6’5″ and built like a train!) To most, this would seem weird to me but it seemed like a normal occurrence when those two got together! RIP Steve. I know for a fact that wherever you are now you are pushing the limits of yourself and everyone around you!”
Our thoughts go out to all his family, his friends and everyone who shared the good times skating sessions with him or watching him skate all over the world. RIP Steve Schneer
Coping Mechanism DVD by Phil Evans
Phil Evans is somebody who has built himself a reputation as filming skateboarding differently from everyone else. The obvious definition of a skate video is a film that features skateboarders doing tricks on spots with a musical soundtrack. The purpose of a skate video is to get you hyped to go skate and hopefully incite you to support the skaters you’ve seen on film. Coping Mechanism goes beyond the conventions of a typical skate video because it introduces the viewer to a group of skateboarders who rip great spots but also drive their scene forward through positive actions. As a result the viewer wants to go skate, act in a responsible and positive manner for their local scene and support the guys featured in this film. Coping Mechanism is a documentary film that focuses on the efforts of the Malmö (Sweden) skateboarders who have learnt to work with or without their local authorities to build one of the strongest and most influential skate scenes in the last decade.
Skate-Malmo and Brygerriet are two incredibly competent bodies that act as the link between the skateboarders and the politicians to get concrete poured, contests run, local entrepreneurs promoted and good times had by all involved. Phil turns his camera and mic towards a handful of individuals that each plays a part in strengthening the Malmö skate scene. Will Taylor and Dave Toms are both foreign construction workers who have settled in Sweden and helped pour a vast majority of the concrete everybody shreds on a daily basis. Then you have Emma Lindgren who acts as a figurehead for female skateboarders breaking down the barriers of convention and paving the way for Swedish ladies to get radical.
A trip to Malmö is also a pilgrimage to the DIY spots of TBS or Steppeside molded and mastered by local rippers like Pontus Alv and Matthias Hallén. These guys knew that their city was limited in what it could offer terrain-wise, so they decided to grab a couple of bags of concrete and build their own spots. This do-it-yourself mentality has spread like wild fire around the globe, but for the Malmö skaters it was never a question of setting a trend. It was a simple necessity if they wanted to skate. All of this creativity and elbow grease has had a strong influence on the younger generations who lend a helping hand in building their scene, but also polishing off their abilities to rip all sorts of spots. Fernando Bramsmark and Oskar Rozenberg Hallberg skate all day and all night and are the poster children of this next generation.
Finally, one man embodies the Malmö skate scene and is held in the highest regard by his peers for going above and beyond the duties of a local skateboarder for his scene. That man is John Magnusson also known as J-Mag. Described as a calm and humble person by his peers, John took it upon himself to create a dialogue between the skateboarders and the local authorities to guarantee a constructive collaboration that has seen the old industrial town of Southern Sweden become a premier location for national and international skaters seeking great spots to visit. These visitors breathe new life and esteem into a community that previously had very little to offer in return. The key to the success of the Malmö skate scene is probably due to the level of trust between all parties. The skateboarders have the responsibility to develop and build their skateparks with the direct experience and knowledge of using them afterwards. The street scene thrives too as locals share their old and new spots with one another and newcomers in a bid to push the scene and be proactive in promoting local brands.
Evans has been careful to embed himself within a scene and listen to what the key players have to say without neglecting anyone or anything. The Malmö skate scene didn’t just appear overnight. Spots had to be built and sometimes re-built, lines had to be found, films were made and dialogues were established to serve as a testament to the City and the skateboarders who seem to have cracked the code of positive collaboration. If you were wondering how to push your scene forward, the first step would be to get a copy of Coping Mechanism and watch it with your friends, family and local authorities. As a documentary, a single viewing of Coping Mechanism should spark the fire in viewers to contemplate their own scenes and communities and figure out what needs to be done to compensate older generations and invest in future generations.
You can pick this DVD up from the Skate Malmo site where Oskar Rozenberg Hallberg’s photo featured in this review on this page and other shots by Nils Svensson are available to buy as prints.
Ralph Lloyd-Davis
Take in this frontside bigspin triple heelflip from Dave Sledge(hammer) as he nails a beast. Stunned by this one. Can’t wait for the haters to say his hand went down LOL.
In an age where mainstream brands outside of skateboarding have come in and flexed muscles with large wads of cash with no scene history whatsoever, you have to admire the loyalty that Ryan Sheckler has shown to etnies. Fifteen years has gone by since he joined the brand and he is still one of the most consistent performers on a skateboard out there.
That loyalty is a rare sight in this corporately challenged landscape, especially in a recession, but I guess when you are dealing with a company that is 25 years young, and run by skaters who get out of bed for the right reasons everyday, it’s worth pledging your allegiance for. Take note.
So here it is, UK skate videographer Mike Manzoori and etnies have rolled out a tribute video looking back at those 15 years of service with Oliver Barton, Ricki Bedenbaugh, Atiba Jefferson, Manzoori himself and Arto Saari. Enjoy.
etnies Presents: Ryan Sheckler’s Fifteen Years Strong from etnies on Vimeo.
The X-Games is currently going on in Brazil right now with mega ramp comps setting new monstrous records as ever. This time round Jake Brown is back in the news, not for falling onto the flat bottom though, instead he is the first person to pull a 720′ ollie as captured on film here.
If you think we have had it bad with snow, ice and freezing cold weather this winter, we are not alone. Equinox brings you 15 minutes of skating from Benjamin Deberdt’s Live Skateboard Media and celebrates the first day of Spring with various skaters that include Dom Henry, Pat O’Rourke, Rob Mentov, Lee Yankou, Scott Varney and many more filmed in Toronto, Canada, Detroit and of course, the epicentre of world skateboarding right now, Reading.
Press play for cold street footage with a dose of jazz, rap, Charles Bukowski and much more.
Street Feet – Equinox from Street Feet on Vimeo.