By Kevin Dankman
By CHAMPS Magazine Staff
By Bernie Boulders
By Amear Moretall
ISSUE 67 | MARCH 2025
ISSUE 67 | MARCH 2025
Writing
Amear Moretall
Bernie Boulders
CHAMPS Show Magazine Staff
Kevin Dankman
Photography
CHAMPS Show Magazine Staff
Dabsel Adams
Corey Bueno Photography
Design & Layout
Sixxx
Publisher
CHAMPS Trade Shows
Editorial Director
Kevin Dankman
Kevin Dankman
By Kevin Dankman
The CHAMPS Winter Show 2025 was a dynamic and exciting event, drawing a diverse crowd of buyers from across the spectrum, including skate shops, cultivation centers, adult shops, smoke shops, and vape shops. The energy was palpable as attendees explored the expanded offerings and connected with industry leaders.
Two new sections proved particularly popular. Danny Danko's curated cultivation section provided a comprehensive showcase of products, from seeds and nutrients to processing and storage solutions. Buyers expressed enthusiasm for the convenience and variety this new area offered. Simultaneously, the Street Style section made a significant splash, attracting crossover shops like Lucky's Skate and Smoke from Tahoe. The section garnered strong support from the skateboarding community, with a mission to establish CHAMPS as a premier B2B destination for skate brands.
Continues On Page 16
The show also boasted a star-studded lineup of celebrity appearances. Snoop Dogg's Blunt Contest and music set were a highlight, alongside appearances from Berner, Iron Mike Tyson, Waka Flocka (who visited the halfpipe and met Pro Kater Danny Way), and Wiz Khalifa. Pro skater Stevie Williams, a Thrasher Magazine icon, connected with fans and amateurs. The Street Style section was further amplified by the presence of pro skaters like Braydon Szfranski, Cameo Wilson, Ragdoll, seven-time X-Games gold medalist Elliot Sloan, Reef Orlando, Paul-Luc Ronchetti, Dave Duncan, Collin Graham, and Edward Jeffries (fresh off his Adaptive Skateboarding victory at the Paris Olympics), among others. The buzz suggests even more pro athletes will be drawn to future CHAMPS events to compete on the street courses and vert ramp.
Continues On Page 20
The Winter Show also served as the thrilling finale of the 2024 CHAMPS Glass Games. The Masters competition was fierce, culminating in a memorable awards ceremony emceed by Dankman. CHAMPS Owner Jeff delivered an inspiring address, celebrating the incredible talent on display. Congratulations to the winners:
Artist's Choice: Phil Seigel
People's Choice: Shayla Windstar
1st Place: Zach P. (Ouch Kick)
2nd Place: Phil Siegel
3rd Place: Hoobs
4th Place: Shayla Windstar
5th Place: Rocko
6th Place: Takoda Madrona
7th Place: Ryno
8th Place: Carsten Carlisle
Continues On Page 31
For a detailed story about the CHAMPS Glass Games go to Pg. 63. A special thank you to all attendees, including those who presented challenges. Their presence served to highlight the positive and respectful atmosphere that characterized the event. We look forward to seeing you in May at the Atlantic City Convention Center for the next CHAMPS Trade Show!
Continues On Page 33
By CHAMPS Magazine Staff
Get ready to witness the birth of a legend! The CHAMPS Trade Show just unleashed a groundbreaking spectacle: the first-ever Street Style Section, and it exploded onto the scene like a shockwave! The buzz was electric, the energy palpable, as this revolutionary area, complete with a colossal 14-foot Vert ramp and a sprawling 40-foot street course, became the epicenter of cutting-edge fashion and style.
Day one was pure pandemonium! Over 75 amateur and pro skaters descended upon the OCB Skatepark @ CHAMPS, transforming it into a battleground of raw talent. The infamous HUBBA to HELL blazed under the spotlight, fueled by Cameo’s Tricks for Cash, igniting a frenzy of breathtaking maneuvers. Meanwhile, on Danny Way’s Element 115 Vert Ramp, legends Dave Duncan and Danny Way himself judged the Blackfly Sunglasses and Embassy Skateboards’ Cash for Tricks, while Elliot Sloan, Paul-Luc Ronchetti, Colin Graham, Shae Donovan, and Reef Orlando unleashed a torrent of awe-inspiring runs, stockpiling cash and setting the stage for the high-stakes $1000 events to come.
Day two cranked the intensity up another notch with more Cash for Tricks, this time featuring a surprise guest, the one and only Stevie Williams, stepped in alongside Dave Duncan on the mic, adding fuel to the fire. The ams were all out to impress, landing trick after trick in a dazzling display of skill.
Over on the vert ramp, Rap Superstar Waka Flocka Stopped by to watch as Danny and Dave judged the Best Lip Trick Contest, presented by GOO’D Extracts. The competition was fierce, and the stakes high, as riders battled for the coveted $1000 prize. In a historic moment, Colin Graham emerged victorious, etching his name into CHAMPS Trade Show history as the first-ever winner of their pro-am skate event! The energy radiating from this new activation was off the charts! Collin was able to gift The first CREATURE x GEAR PLUS prize package to a lucky buyer in the crowd to redeem at the West Coast Gifts Booth.
Continues On Page 54
Day three erupted with the Ragdolls Firecracker contest in the OCB Skatepark! The noise was deafening, the excitement contagious, as they unleashed a simultaneous three-pack of pyrotechnics as three skaters descended the steps. Beau Slauder seized the day, claiming both the Ragdoll Jacket and the Hubba Challenge title.
On the vert ramp, the Best Grind Trick contest, powered by a new comer to CHAMPS Trade Show I’m Not Not Down, saw seven-time X-Games gold medalist Elliot Sloan dominate the competition, pocketing a cool $1000.
Day four reached its climax with the ultimate showdown: the Best Trick. The tension was palpable as Jeff Dechesare unleashed a mind-blowing 540 Double Flip, securing his place in skateboarding history. The top three overall winners, each receiving custom Glass piece made by CREATURE Pro Rider J-Worth and cash prizes, were:
1st Place: Jeff Dechesare
($1000 + J-Worth Glass rig)
2nd Place: Maurice Jordan
($500 + J-Worth Glass piece)
3rd Place: Jonathan Henderson
($250 + J-Worth Glass piece)
On the vert ramp, the Best Overall Trick, presented by Leisure Pay, went to the unstoppable Paul-Luc Ronchetti, who took home the final $1000 check.
Continues On Page 60
A special shout-out to Ethik Brand for bringing out their pro BMX team and sponsoring some of the skaters. The BMX riders tore up the vert ramp each day, using it as a warm-up for the vert competition.
The Street Style Section team extends a massive thank you to all the sponsors, both big and small. Their contributions were invaluable, and their brands will be seen by countless potential buyers. This is just the beginning; the Street Style Section is poised to revolutionize the CHAMPS Trade Show for years to come!
By Bernie Boulders
The 2024 CHAMPS Glass Games showcased an incredible array of talent, from rising stars to established masters, making it a truly epic year. Competition was fierce, with underdogs like Takoda Madrona shaking up the rankings and landing a spot in the top 10, even surpassing some of the nation's most celebrated glass artists. The judges faced the monumental task of selecting the winners from what was arguably the most competitive field yet.
Continues On Page 72
Several pieces stood out, showcasing the artists' creativity and skill. While crowd favorite Guido Glass experienced a setback, his positive attitude and perseverance were commendable. Matt Z demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship, battling kiln malfunctions throughout the competition yet still managing to create one of his cleanest and most impressive pieces to date. His resilience and improvement deserve special recognition.
After hours of deliberation, the top 8 winners, along with the People's Choice and Artist's Choice awards, were finally determined. The awards ceremony, emceed by Dankman, was a memorable event, highlighted by inspiring words from Jeff.
And the Winners Are:
Artist's Choice: Phil Seigel
People's Choice: Shayla Windstar
1st Place: Zach P. (Ouch Kick)
2nd Place: Phil Siegel
3rd Place: Hoobs
4th Place: Shayla Windstar
5th Place: Rocko
6th Place: Takoda Madrona
7th Place: Ryno
8th Place: Carsten Carlisle
A huge thank you to the CHAMPS Glass Games sponsors and all the talented artists who participated. Their support and artistry made the 2024 event year and the 2025 Masters an unforgettable experience.
Continues On Page 80
By Amear Moretall
It's the greenest day of the year! 4/20 is Christmas, New Year's Eve, and your birthday all rolled into one for smoke shops. But with the right game plan, you can turn this cannabis celebration into a sales explosion. Forget going solo –collaboration is key. Here's how to ignite your 4/20 profits and create a buzz that lasts:
1. Join Forces: The Power of Local Partnerships
Think beyond your four walls! Team up with businesses that vibe with your customer base. Breweries, dispensaries (where applicable), food trucks, local artists, even that cool vintage clothing store down the street – the possibilities are endless.
Continues On Page 84
