Focus Skateboarding Magazine #58 - November/December '14

a rticles

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forewords Sideswiped by life

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guest editor Tim Gavin

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insta-faves Instagram pulls

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hammertime TRICK OF THE MONTH

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fresh find Billy Drowne

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fresh find Brian Reid

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fresh find Matt Bullinger

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photographer’s eye 4th Dimension

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behind the lens Brad Rosado

b. b angers

Table//Contents

Table of Contents a.

November/December 2014 VOLUME Ten ISSUE Six

36 Grind WTF

humble bragging

40 Swimmin’ with fishes

humble bragging

44 Brandon Westgate

small talk

46 Cole Wilson

small talk

48 Dave Willis

small talk

52 Incentives

photo section

ON THE COVER: Brandon Westgate [front 50-50] photography :: Sean Cronan CONTENTS: Kass Plummer [kickflip] photography :: Stephen Oliveira

Š2014 Vans, Inc.

;) 2))( 83 1%/) 6331 *36 2); +)%6 p.o. Box 31628 phILaDELphIa, pa 19147 215.310.9677

www.focusSkatemag.com

CO-Owner / miKe mazur ediTOrial direCTOr mazur@focusskatemag.com CO-Owner / JuSTin HeiSTer arT direCTOr justin@focusskatemag.com ediTOrial aSSiSTanT / zander TaKeTOmO SeniOr pHOTOGrapHer zandert@focusskatemag.com web / Online STepHen Oliveira COnTenT manaGer stephen@focusskatemag.com web SuppOrT maTT KOSOy gonzo@focusskatemag.com COpy ediTOr JameS william COnTribuTinG pHOTOGrapHerS MIKE BELLEME, DaNIEL BLECKLEy, roB CoLLINS, SEaN CroNaN, LUKE DarIgaN, aNDy ENoS, ryaN gEE, NICK ghoBaShI, KarIM ghoNEM, MIKE hEIKKILa, JaSoN hENry, BrIaN KELLEy, BEN KILpatrICK, StEphEN KNIght, SCott KraMEr, rIChIE McCorKLE, ChrIS McDoNaLD, StEphEN oLIVEIra, aLEx papKE, DaVID StUCK, xENo tSarNaS, aLLEN yINg, DaN ZaSLaVSKy

COnTribuTinG wriTerS BUDDy BLECKLEy, aNDrEW CaNNoN, LUKE DarIgaN, ryaN gEE, CLaIrE LaVEr, ChrIS NIEratKo, StEphEN oLIVEIra, aLEx papKE, ZaNDEr taKEtoMo, xENo tSarNaS Interested in advertising and Supporting your Local Scene?

Call 215.310.9677 for more info Want to submit photos, editorial, or hate mail?

Send submissions to info@focusskatemag.com or via snail mail to the address above Join us on Facebook at facebook.com/focusSkatemag Join us on twitter at @focusSkatemag Join us on youtube at youtube.com/focusSkatemag Join us on Instagram at @focusSkatemag read full issues online at issuu.com/focusSkatemag

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Focus Skateboarding Magazine is published bi-monthly, six times a year

by Focus Skateboarding Magazine Inc. all contents are copyrighted by Focus Skateboarding Magazine Inc. 2014. reproduction of any material requires the written consent from the publishers. all letters, photos, editorial contributions, and advertisements are accepted upon the representation that they are original materials by the author and/or advertiser. the author and/or advertiser accept full responsibility for the entire content and subject matter of their ads and/or editorial contributions. opinions expressed in the articles are those of the author and may not reflect the views and opinions of the editor, staff, or advertisers of Focus Skateboarding Magazine. any similarities between persons or places mentioned or alluded to in the fiction and real places or persons living or dead are purely coincidental. advertisers assume full responsibility for the entire content and subject matter of their advertisements. the author and/or advertisers also will indemnify and save Focus Skateboarding Magazine harmless from any legal claims. Now either read this magazine, or go skate!

Kyle Ford

Fore//Words

Ty Brown [switch 5-0]

Sideswiped by life WORDS :: Mazur

I still consider myself a pretty young person at the ripe age of 31. And with that being said, I’ve accepted the fact that I’ll always be learning and growing… Which is funny for me ‘cause years ago I just thought I knew everything and had it all figured out. Which admit it or not, everyone in their twenties thinks that.

But in reality, right when you think you have it all figured out, you’re sideswiped in another direction.

Life branches off in different directions and you really have no clue where you’ll end up. When I was younger I wanted to be an animal doctor, also known as a Vet… Then I found skateboarding and it totally consumed my life. I wanted to be a professional skateboarder. That was going to be my job. Well, that didn’t really work out and I picked up a camera. Now I was determined to be head photographer at Transworld or Thrasher or some magazine like that. Well, one thing lead to another and here I am, running the very best East Coast skateboarding magazine.

It just amazes me sometimes to think back about it all, and how it all unfolded as I went about my journey in life. I think I came about the magazine mostly ‘cause I wanted to do things my way. I didn’t like how certain things looked or were featured.

Skateboarding is definitely one of those things where the saying, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” holds to be true. While some tricks are amazing to people, they are disgusting to others. Same is true with photos in magazines or online. Every issue we get bombarded with photos from all over. All different photographers displaying all sorts of different styles. What is funny about this is sometimes we get photos of the same riders doing the same tricks at the same spot, but shot by two different people.

focusskatemag.com

I’ve often run into photos that I just totally bypass and don’t put much thought into using. Then, a few days later, we’ll get almost the same photo but just shot a little different and it’s just perfect. It just blows my mind. This same concept happens sometimes with the design of the magazine. Justin will make it a couple different ways and it’s just interesting to see how such little tweaks can make a huge difference.

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The same can be said about life and how it just branches off in different ways because of little tweaks and how we all view things differently. While I may not like something though, and go about it or view it a little different, I can now appreciate it. If we all thought the same and did things the same…

Well, everything would just be dull I suppose.

I guess what I am rambling and getting at is to never feel you know everything. You are always learning.

Just like in skateboarding, you are always progressing and leaning new tricks. And while your nollie inward heels might look stupid to one person, it might look amazing to another, and all of a sudden you find yourself on a career path as a professional skater. Or, maybe no one notices you and it fades away and you become a doctor that finds a cure for cancer.

PURA PURA SKATEPARK BUILD — LA PAZ, BOLIVIA

EXCLUSIVE TO SKATESHOPS WORLDWIDE

LEVI.COM/SKATEBOARDING

guesT//edITor

CoasTal peRCepTion WorDS :: Tim Gavin

If you are one of the fortunate ones like myself, who found skateboarding, you’re grateful for a lot of different things. Skateboarding has given me my personality, my sense of style, my friends, my creativity, but one of the most cherished things that skateboarding has given me has been the opportunity to travel the world.

I remember my first trip to the East Coast back in 1992. It was on a Blind tour with guy Mariano, rudy Johnson and a few others. It was all of our first times on the East Coast, and to experience it together on a skateboard tour made it that much more special.

focusskatemag.com

We got to NyC and went to Washington Square park. Not knowing where we were going, we were just cruising the city. the first person we ran into was harold hunter. I remember these random kids in the park were sizing us up wanting to jack us for our boards, and harold knew who we were, so he stepped in to save us from having to deal with a confrontation from these dudes.

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that was my first experience with East Coast kids. they were rugged, from the streets, and definitely not spoiled. I remember the spots the streets, everything about the East Coast especially NyC just being so rugged.

I’ve been inspired by the East Coast a lot throughout my involvement with skateboarding.

Shut skateboards were a huge inspiration for me back in the late 80’s. I remember seeing the ads with guys like Sean Sheffey, and the vibe had such raw style to them. I also remember guys like Steven Cales and Brooklyn rick and those

dudes coming out to La and everyone wanted to talk like them, dress like them and act like them. the East Coast just has that flavor with everything about them… the style of skating with beanies (which serve a purpose) and wife beaters just went against the West Coast traditional mentality.

Some of my favorite skaters come from the East Coast; like gino Iannucci, Keenan Milton, and pepe Martinez. What’s great about having two coasts are the two distinct styles and their differences. When you try to perpetrate one or the other you water down what’s so special about having style. the East Coast has had a huge impact on skateboarding in so many different ways, especially the way you ride a skateboard and what you wear doing it. the East Coast presents the best backdrop in skateboarding and the culture and environment produces some of the rawest skateboarding to date. Both coasts have their issues, which on the West Coast you spend more time in the car than you do on a board. But when you get to that schoolyard, or to that plaza you are given the best conditions to produce great skateboarding.

East Coast, you’re on your board constantly, skating, cruising, which is to me the most fun.

But the curbs, the ground, the weather, its just gnarly.

Whether it’s new East Coast music, fashion, or brands coming out, East Coast skateboarding will always inspire me and have an influential impact on the culture of skateboarding. I will always be inspired by some element of it.

From galaxy to galaxy, or coast to coast, there’s no telling what kind of strange or interesting new people you might run into.

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facebook/theevetrucks

GAVIN NOLAN

FRONT TAIL

WATCH GAVIN’S “WELCOME” VIDEO AT ZOOYORK.COM

“BLACK FRIDAY ” STARRING BLACK DAVE DROPPING BLACK FRIDAY ON ZOOYORK.COM

DAVE WILLIS

BACK TAIL

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InsTa//FaVes

1.

insTa-faves #fOCuSSKaTemaG #eaSTCOaSTexCellenCe

1. @tonyhawk photo: @shootbt 2. photo: @orlandosk8 3. photo: @greentrousters

focusskatemag.com

4. photo: @michael_breitmaier

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the mission is simple, if you’d like to see your handy work featured in Focus as part of our, “Insta-Faves,” you better start following us (@focusSkatemag) and use the hashtags: #focusSkatemag and #eastCoastexcellence on your rad photos.

We’re always browsing and reposting finds from our hashtags, and in addition to that, we’re also picking 9 each issue to put in the mag. here’s your chance for 15 minutes of internet fame to be solidified in print for a lifetime.

5. @maurcoy photo: @r_kochel 6. @brandon_skates photo: @k80_e 7. _dannyfuenzalida photo: @matt_roy 8. photo: @mymansandthem 9. @chizzy216 photo: @realmikeford

Evolution of the wallet.

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Available soon.

Machined to precision from a solid block of aluminum, this wallet is as thin as your smart phone, features a quick-slide thumb slot for fast, easy, swiping, and expands to hold up to 8 cards, plus cash.

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Rob Collins

HAMMER//TIME focusskatemag.com

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Richard Stickney

[Fakie Smith Kickflip out] WORDS :: MAZUR

Let me first start off this Hammertime with a quote from Mr. Richard Stickney, “MJ has always been one of my favorites, so when I saw him do this trick in an extras video, it made me want to give it a try.”

To me, its funny he said this, ‘cause when I first saw this flick, that’s almost exactly what I thought. I can remember seeing this trick and wanting to learn it too… Although I never learned how to kickflip out of it, I just always had a thing for fakie smith grinds. Sort of like I have a thing for blondes. Just something about them that I am attracted to. Sorry, off topic.

Anyway, this would be why we choose this as the hammertime this month. Just so much finesse, style, and I‘m not going to lie, nostalgia to me, that I wanted to showcase it.

4%!- 2)$%2 #(2)3 3#!20).!4/ 0(/4/ 37)&49 !.)3+)

Billy Drowne focusskatemag.com

[frontside wallride]

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Hometown: Taunton, MA Sponsors: All I Need Skateboards, Solstice Skateshop, Vox (flow), OJ Wheels (flow) Spot you’re sick of seeing in videos: I don’t really get sick of skateboarding.

Trick that always gets you a letter in S.K.A.T.E.: 360 Flips Guilty Pleasures: No Problemo [Taqueria] Worst injury: Torn Meniscus/Knee Surgery One word to describe the future of skateboarding: Interesting

Liam Annis

FRESH//FIND

“Billy is a beast on his skateboard, he is also one of the nicest people I know. He loves fishing and corny jokes.

I’ve watched him grow from a little skate park rat to a fullblown East Coast powerhouse. What I like most about Billy is that he knows to take his time and really learn a trick. I think that’s why he has such a rad style. I’m hyped Billy is part of the #AINcrüe, and in my opinion, he is the fucking man.” ~Anthony Shetler AIN Owner/Friend

FRESH//FIND

“Not since Tommy Wisdom has there been a kid with this much potential rolling around the great city of Boston on a skateboard. That’s all I really have to say about Brian Reid.” ~Steve Castello Co-Owner, Ready Amongst Willing

Brian Reid

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Hometown: Hyannis, MA Sponsors: Boarding House, DC (flow), Cod Town, Ready Amongst Willing Spot you’re sick of seeing in videos: None Trick that always gets you a letter in S.K.A.T.E.: Switch Front Shuvs Guilty Pleasures: Spending all my money on food.

Worst injury: Ankle rolls One word to describe the future of skateboarding: Fun

Liam Annis

focusskatemag.com

[frontside 50-50]

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World-Wide Shipping at com ChutingStar.

FRESH//FIND

“Matt is very talented. He’s that kid at the park that you watch while you’re trying to skate. He’s also the nice kid.

Even when he was little, he walked right up to me and started talking. Matt was one of the original Ridge kids.

Ridge cultivated many good skateboarders, and he is one of them. While filming for our new video he had enough footage for three parts. He’s an animal. But a friendly animal… Like Rambo the dog. He’s a pit bull, but will only lick your face.” ~John Mos Owner, Skatology Boardshop

Matt Bullinger

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Hometown: Baltimore, MD Sponsors: Skatology Boardshop, Sk8Mafia (flow), Supra (flow) Spot you’re sick of seeing in videos: J-Kwon Trick that always gets you a letter in S.K.A.T.E.: Switch Hardflip Guilty Pleasures: New board, new shoes, fun parks, fat burritos.

Worst injury: Just a few rolled ankles, nothing too serious.

One word to describe the future of skateboarding: Kinks

Bryan O’Neill

focusskatemag.com

[front feeble]

Photographer’s//Eye focusskatemag.com

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Olympic Stadium The 4th Dimension WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY :: Karim Ghonem

Can bedbugs fly? If they can, I’m claiming they helped Pat McGon get that loftiness you see right here. Boneless one, Olympic Stadium, Montreal.

I think anyone who has ever set out on any sort of creative endeavor would agree that sometimes the best ideas never pan out. Which works out good, ‘cause I was pretty much clueless as we drove up to Olympic Stadium, I was just rolling with it. Actually, I remember having a banging headache that day too. What’s weird though is I feel like I’m being even more productive, no matter what I’m doing, when there’s some sort of misery factor or discomfort or inconvenience or something…. Does that make sense? In my mind (pretty great place most of the time) it’s like the more reason you have not to do something, the more committed you are if you stick to it. Not that I ever had any interest in joining the military, but I kinda feel like a marine on a mission or something. A soldier on a mission. A skateboard mission. This does not apply to household chores or yard work. That shit sucks. Anyway…

Before we left for Montreal, I did a little online research (I do a lot of online ‘research’) on local spots, checked out photos, etc… Standard procedure.

What I found was countless images of amazing looking spots and skaters.

But if you google the words “Montreal” and “skateboarding” right now, you’re not going to find more photos of any spot than at Olympic Stadium. Not only that, but they don’t even look like skate photos. I mean, they do, because there’s a skateboarder doing a skateboard trick, but holy crap! Half of them looked like National Geographic photos… Ever check those magazines out?

Apparently I have a lot more to learn. Amazing sunsets, silhouettes, and abstract looking shots that confused me but looked amazing at the same time… Awe inspiring. After an hour or so of ‘research’, I closed up shop and went to bed pretty hyped for our short excursion the next day.

Got to Montreal at 3am with no place to sleep. I had jumped on the trip last minute, and was kind of enjoying my “just along for the ride” status. I had no responsibilities, and no cell service ‘cause I’m way too cheap to pay for cell service when I’m fifty miles over the border and I can basically still see the towers on the U.S. side but still have to pay the same roaming charges I’d pay if we drove to South America for the weekend. I’m guessing. Never been to South America, yet.

Apparently we were all “just along for the ride.” But beds or not, if you’re on a skate trip, life is good and your killing it... I couldn’t complain. There are few things better nowadays than just headin’ for shreddin’ with a bunch of friends and nothing else. Maybe your kids if you’ve got ‘em, or winning the lottery would be pretty tight too, I imagine. Bet your ass there’d be a place to stay on the next trip if I won the lottery too.

Oh yeah, no place to sleep… After the six of us trying to get comfortable and stay warm in the Chevy for about an hour, we gave in and found a nice filthy motel with a vacancy. So much for soldiers on a mission huh? Turns out, there’s a reason there was a vacancy and the clerk didn’t care how many of us were packing into the room. Ever been bitten by a bed bug? We woke up the next morning and got the fuck outta dodge.

At this point I should probably get to the part about Olympic Stadium and this photo. We finally got to Olympic Stadium on the last day, it was the last spot. Did a bit of window shopping and then came across this bank. At this point, wind was blowing kinda hard, a few sprinkles, head was banging…

Then I noticed the windows behind us. And that’s where it happened. I found the fourth dimension. You can see where I stepped into it right in this photo.

See the two windows all the way to the left? See the seam where they meet? Immediately, the rain stopped, the wind calmed down, my headache was gone and I disappeared! I mean I was there in the fourth dimension, but everyone else couldn’t see me. Including myself… It got kind of weird for a second. But you know that feeling you get when something good is about to go down and you know it? You just know, you know? Well that’s how it felt in there. Couldn’t tell you what lens I had or how many lights (not true, I could), but damn it felt right. Pat never even saw me shoot this… Little does he know, he did it just for fun. Thanks Pat.

A MO D E R N C L A SS I C B U I LT F O R G R A N T TAY LO R NIKE .COM/SK ATEBOARDING

Frankie Martinez

Behind/the/Lens

Brad Rosado WORDS :: MAZUR

Where are you from, where are you going, and how long has it taken you to get to this point?

I’m from the East Coast. I’ve lived all over the coast, but spent most of my time in Washington DC. I’m just going wherever my skateboard and camera takes me.

I’m currently living in Los Angeles, CA. It has been a long 15-year mission to get where I’m at today.

When and how did skateboarding begin for you?

Skateboarding started for me back in Winston Salem, NC when I was 10. My Uncle John hooked me up with an old school Shut board. He’s the one that showed me how to ollie and educated me on skating. I pretty much started from there and haven’t stopped since.

focusskatemag.com

Was it a dream to be a pro skateboarder or did you always want to just do photo and video stuff instead?

I didn’t have my heart set on being pro, but I did know I wanted to skateboard forever. I made that decision the second I started skating. Just like the rest of the real skaters out there, it took over my life. I started to get into photos and filming when I when I was 14.

My parents had a random camera at the house and I started filming my homies for fun. I remember that it didn’t have a battery pack and would only work if it was plugged into a wall. The struggle was real trying to power that thing up on a session, ha-ha. Through the years, I got a job and started to upgrade my cameras.

I enjoyed filming so I just kept doing it.

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What are some projects you’ve worked on in the past, and have planned for the future?

I’ve worked on a bunch of projects and video parts.

I made a few videos in DC called Way Of Life, Liberal Arts, & Palace 5ive’s ‘Mumbo Sauce.’ I Also helped Chris Hall a bunch with ‘Get Familiar.’ I’ve worked on some parts with Bobby Worrest for Krooked Chronicles, 411, eSpecial, and Transworld ‘Right Foot Forward.’ There are all sorts other projects I contributed footage to, like Black Label, Dekline, Stereo, 10 Deep, Static, and others. After I left DC I’ve been doing projects with Kayo ever since. I did the Zach Lyons part for Organika’s ‘Concrete Jungle’

and done countless amounts of commercials, tour videos, & web edits for DGK. The most recent full video projects I did were ‘Parental Advisory’ & ‘Blood Money.’ Right now I’m working on the new Gold video, ‘Gold Goons,’ dropping soon!

What are your top three favorite clips you ever filmed and why?

Man, that’s a hard one… One clip for sure, that’s one of my favorites, is a line of Stevie Williams’ in ‘Parental Advisory’ with the frontside flip gap to manual in ATL. That was my first time filming with Stevie and didn’t want to fuck it up. He was just going with the flow doing flat ground tricks. Each try was a different trick he would throw out there. The original line ended with a fronstside flip over the bench gap, but on that one try he landed into a switch manual and just held it and landed perfect… The line was insane, and to witness Stevie get that clip like he did was dope!

Another clip that I really liked was Bobby Worrest’s switch back lip at Flushings in New York. He had one more day to film for his ‘eSpecial’ part, and he had to get one more banger. I called in sick to work real quick and we bounced. We went and tried but it didn’t work out. So we went back to DC and I sent some attempts to Scuba and he gave us one more day.

I said fuck it and called off work again and went on the mission to NY with Bobby. Right before it got dark, we got the trick and headed back to DC to send the clip.

Mission complete.

I’ve been on countless Gold Rail sessions with a lot of DC heads but one that really sticks out to me is when Jack Curtin did a switch front blunt and switch front feeble. He was in town for a couple weeks and had a deadline coming up for the Kayo ‘It’s Official’ video. We set up a session for sometime during the week and hit it up at around 11pm. He amazingly did both tricks within 15-20 minutes and did the switch front blunt twice for 2 angles. I went to a premiere for the video at Pitcrew and almost thought they didn’t use the footage but then it ended up the last trick in his part. I was super hyped on that and it was actually

the first check I ever received for filming. I always tripped on how my first filming check ended up being the same company I work for now. Shout out to Jack for opening that door!

How do you feel about the progression of skateboarding and video production?

The progression of skating has been insane. I feel like it jumps up a bar every few months. That goes hand in hand with the video production. People want to see new stuff all the time. The internet and Instagram has really stepped up the game for the speed of how fast things need to get posted. We were just on the Blood Money tour and we made videos directly after each session. All the videos were posted 2-3 hours after we left the demo or spot. I would go straight to logging the footage, picking a song, editing and then getting it Internet/Instagram ready while riding in the van. Typically you would wait ‘til you get back from the trip, but people want to see it immediately, so we give it to them.

What would you say is the most frustrating part of your craft?

I don’t think there is that many frustrating parts of the filming. The one thing that comes to mind is that the skater can get a 1,000 tries if they want, but the filmer has only one chance to get it documented properly.

If you got to ask a skater to do a trick again because you messed up, that’s the worst thing ever. You got to expect every try to be the make.

Thanks and shout outs?

Shout out to the whole DGK team, Pulaski and DC heads. Thanks to Troy Morgan, Stevie Williams and Matt Daughters for giving me a chance! Lastly shout out to Nick Lockman, Eli Soto, Daniel Kim, Mom & Dad, Amber Ng and everybody that helped me get to where I am now.

Lasting words of wisdom?

Work hard, stay humble, and don’t get caught up with the bullshit. If you do that, you can’t lose.

HuMble//braggIng

gRind

wTf?

focusskatemag.com

WorDS & photography :: STepHen Oliveira

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Mat Call [front 50-50]

Coquina. That’s the stuff they made the old forts in St. Augustine out of. AKA it’s not supposed to grind.

Even if you’ve never met Mat Call, you’ve probably found yourself pointing out a “Mat Call spot” or two, solely based on the degree of gnarliness he’s shown you within our mag alone. Just when you thought he had reached his peak by backflipping some dirt jumps, he pulls something like this... Mat very well may be the reason why the phrase, “Crazy-ass white people,” exists. Either that, or he’s the man behind the phrases, “It’s not recommended,” and, “Lock up your daughters.” One of those...

He’s like a fine, lunatic wine of a skateboarder, only getting that much better and that much gnarlier as he ages. Watching this 50-50 go down in person and seeing chunks of rock fall to the ground as he’d grind through was one of the most mind-blowing things I’ve seen in quite some time. Mat, I don’t know how you do it, but don’t stop!

Humble//Bragging

Swimmin’ with the fishes WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY :: Liam Annis

Let’s take a second to travel back in time to Boston on December 16th 1773. The Sons of Liberty transformed their modernized appearance into American Indians, and courageously invaded British cargo ships. They threw shipment after shipment into the Boston Harbor, destroying precious tea cargo, and crushing any chance of profit. The event was a huge part in what led to the American Revolution. The Boston Tea Party occurred just 4,000 feet from the Aquarium, over a few hundred years ago. Today you can still feel the history as your board travels over every crack at AQ. You can still see the old south meetinghouse up the street, where the Tea Party planned ambitiously. Now, tall metal rectangles make up the modernized city towering over it, and the harbor surrounds the other side in which the tea was thrown. You feel a sense of American history as you skate, it’s crazy to think about what came before you and allowed you to be here doing what you’re doing.

History is something you’re taught in school, while skatistry is inherited or learned from the videos and people around you. Growing up an hour away from the city, I always admired this spot for its flexibility in what it offers, and the style of skating. My first year living in the city I learned it’s a difficult spot to skate. You got big ol’ cracks between every tile, and big ol’ tourists constantly getting in the way.

While writing this article I discovered a lot of the original history about how it all started. Zeb Weisman, AQ local let me in on some information people may or may not know. For instance, who was the first to get this spot going? Who waxed it? The answer to my understanding is Steve Nardone, Zered Basset and Will Harmon were the first to wax it. People skated the manny pad for some time, but they were first to start breaking in the ledges.

The first wave of people to skate the spot come from videos such as EST, Black Out, Vicious Cycle, and Pj Ladd’s Wonderful Horrible Life. People like Andrew McGraw, Eli Reed, Ariel Pearl, Pete Gardini, Jereme Rogers, Ryan Gallant, Joey Pepper, Jerry Fowler and many more. The Second wave comes from City People 1 and 2 filmed by Zander Taketomo, and “The Aquarium,” by Ray Echevers. Skaters like John and Tommy Wisdom, Gavin Nolan, Devin Woelfel, Brett Star, Kevin Coakley, Nate Keegan, Lee Berman and many more Boston locals. Many of them now under the professional level, have the opportunity skate all around the world. While a lot of them are still doing their thing here in Boston, just as good if not better every time they set foot on a skateboard. But I ask, what does it take to skate a spot like AQ in such a city during that time?

“The AQ cracks will kill you,” Lee Berman said.

The cracks will, unless you know the secrets to one of the best flatgrounds in the city. It has been rumored that some pros have come to this spot checked out the cracks, and then sat down. The term “AQ after 5” was an unspoken rule between the early generation of skaters and a woman who worked in the law firm over looking the Old Fisherman’s Wharf Park (AQ).

“I don’t really care if you guys skate here, just not while I’m working.” True East (an old shop that use to be on Province Street in Downtown) actually printed T-shirts that read AQ after 5.

Still common lingo today, “AQ after 5,” can be heard in the afternoons at Eggs. Later on down the line the Boston Waterfront Development Authority hired security, “The Samurai,” with a thick Massachusetts accent he rolled up daily. His territory included the Navy Yard, roaming from there to AQ looking to behead the dreams of those skating. It became a game of cat and mouse between samurai and the local skate rats.

“He would come to Aquarium, we’d hop on the ferry to Navy Yard. He’d eventually show up, you’d get back on the ferry and hopefully beat him to AQ,” said Zeb.

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AQ now is a little more laid back in a sense. You aren’t necessarily ducking and dodging the swipes of a samurai sword, but you definitely need to be on your toes for that occasional BPD visit.

40

Now that I live in the city; skating and chilling at AQ has become a regular routine. If you roll up to AQ on a nice day you will probably see a few Boston locals. AQ is just one of those spots that you need to cross off your bucket list, Boston in general. In fact, the amount of skate history and people that have skated and destroyed this spot before is a reason in itself to come check it out. Just remember, respect goes a long way, and you’re either on the red or you’re dead. AQ has been somewhat a breeding ground for many, it’s a skate spot, a historical one.

Ed Hall & Zeb Weisman [double nose manny]

Zeb Wiesman [switch front noseslide]

Devin Woelfel [360 flip]

Brian Delaney [front noseblunt pop-out]

Brian Reid [kickflip backtail]

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Small//Talk

Brandon Westgate WORDS :: Ben oleykin PHOTOGRAPHY :: Sean Cronan

So, earlier this year you broke three discs in your back. What exactly happened?

It was actually these things called transverse processes. I think it was March. I was trying to 5-0 this rail across a garage door in NYC and slipped out straight to my back. So gnarly.

focusskatemag.com

“2014 has been a crazy year for Brandon.

The year started with Brandon winning best video part of the year from Transworld.

Followed shortly after with Brandon breaking his back in multiple places while filming for an ESPN real street part. Two months after breaking his back Brandon was back on his board and has managed to film one of the raddest video parts of the year.”

44

~Sean Cronan Photographer

Didn’t you drive home for 4 hours after it happen?

Yup, it sucked. I was taking a shower and the pain was really bad. I’ve never fallen that hard, so I decided to get it checked out.

How long where you out for? What did you do to heal?

I was out for a little over two months. There’s nothing they can do for it. It was cold out too, so there was nothing I could really do to pass the time. It definitely sucked for a while.

When were you able to start skating again?

I was able to skate two and half months after the injury. It really took about two months after that to feel normal. It wasn’t ‘til I pushed myself to skate this thing I was scared to skate and made it, to feel good again.

You launched your own Cranberry company recently. Tell us about that.

Yeah, I bought a farm and grew some cranberries. I love it. It’s really free out here and a different way of life. I’ve always wanted to learn because I grew up around it and have always been interested in it.

Brandon Westgate [backside 180] Do you have plans to grow the cranberry business bigger? Like a drink company?

I’m not really sure, I don’t know enough about making juice yet.

Besides bump to bars, what would you say is your favorite thing to skate?

Flatground. Really anything. Skaters Edge when it’s too cold out.

I’m assuming everyone is counting on you for a mass amount of cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving?

Ha-ha, for sure.

Why film an all East Coast part?

I’m from the East Coast. I love it here.

You still have chickens?

Yup, I have nine. I don’t farm them though, they are more like pets.

What other home projects have you been working on?

I’ve been cutting a lot of wood. I really like building things. I have a small saw mill and can pretty much cut trees into any size piece of lumber I need.

What are some of your favorite wood building projects you’ve completed?

My favorite is our chicken coop. Just stoked on how it came out.

So, you’re currently working on a ZOO YORK X Thrasher video. How long have you been filming for that?

Ever since I got back from breaking my back.

When does the video drop?

December 6th!

What types of spots have you been skating for the part? What cities have you been filming in?

I’ve been sticking close to Boston and NYC. Lots of New England spots. I skate whatever I come across that I like. So, I guess bump to bars (laughs).

Are you hyped on any new videos you’ve seen lately?

Yes, Jeremy Leabres’ Thrasher part. It’s really sick.

What music are you listening to lately?

The Avett Brothers. That’s pretty much my go to.

You’re judging a contest that Shetler put together soon, right?

Yeah, it’s called the New England AM. Donny (Barley), Nick (Dompierre) and I are the judges. Shelter put it together. It’s going down at Skaters Edge.

Where and/or what do you think you’d be doing if you were never introduced to skateboarding?

I’m not sure, but I went to high school for marine mechanics, so probably something to do with that.

Do you have any shout outs?

My wife and family, Zoo crew, Emerica crew, Skaters Edge and Anthony Shetler for putting it all together.

Lasting words of wisdom?

Live your life.

Small//Talk

“I first heard about Cole Wilson through a longtime friend and total ATV shredder Paul Zitzer. Paul told me Cole was the best! We both laughed since I hear that everyday.

I had seen a few clips of Cole and thought he ripped for sure. I started flowing him and Cole would never ask me for anything. I thought Cole was not into the stuff I sent, then nine moths later I would get a email from one of his filmers with a few clips and telling me that Cole is out of stuff and if I could help him out he would be hyped.

Once again I sent stuff and never heard from Cole.

I randomly got a text from Paul Zitzer’s wife telling me how I was blowing it and that Cole Wilson is the best skateboarder in the world and not to mention the coolest kid she had ever met. I have never received a heads up from a Pro’s wife about an up-and-comer, but I was down to look into Cole Wilson a little more after Renee told me I was blowing it. All of the rumors about Cole Wilson were true. Cole is the best! Cole is the coolest, Cole is better than everyone on our team, Cole does not like to ask for help, handouts or anything much at all. Cole just kills it on a skateboard and gets along with everyone he comes in contact with. Cole Wilson is beyond impressive; Cole Wilson is straight up amazing! Thanks Paul and Renee for not letting me blow it.”

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~Mike Sinclair Tum Yeto, TM

46

Cole Wilson WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY :: Ben Clemens

Cole Wilson [feeble]

So, where do you live Cole?

I live in Louisville, Kentucky.

We found two boards. One was a banana board, the other was a tank with a fishtail. I grabbed the tank.

What’s the Louisville scene like?

The scene in Louisville is great. There’s a lot of diversity in people’s skating and plenty of spots with just the right amount of crust.

Who/what gets you motivated?

Not knowing what’s going to happen anytime you go skate is motivating in itself. There’s that thrill you get when you see a new spot or you’re on a trip with your friends. Nothing can beat it.

Who do you skate with for the most part?

Everyone skates together.

Can you tell us a good Louisville park story?

Yeah. There were about seven of us up there on a cold Friday night when these three dudes wearing bandanas over their faces tried to rob us. Most of us were younger with no money. Our older friend Mike fought this guy who had a baseball bat and ended up getting head-butted in the nose. Just destroyed him, and got his cash. This all happened within 10 minutes of getting there.

What got you started skating?

I was about 10 living in Seoul, South Korea. After a baseball game one day, my brother and I decided to check out this tunnel that was finished being built.

Can you skate vert?

I wouldn’t call it skating vert, but I can do a few lip tricks.

How was filming for the Kinship Video?

Kinship was awesome to be a part of. I destroyed my heel half way through so filming for it was cut short. Regardless, sharing a part with Al Krohn was kick-ass.

Are you filming for any videos now?

My friend Dave Kappa has been working on a video that’ll be coming out in December. It’s mostly Louisville and Cincinnati spots.

Tell us about Home Skate Shop.

Home is rad for a number of reasons. They’re currently

on their 19th year being open and helping the scene.

They’ll host these fun, random contests as well as their annual take on KOTR. We have another local shop with an indoor park called Riot/Tiny Skateshop.

So what do you think is the worst trend in skateboarding right now?

Corporate greed.

I heard you’re making the move to California?

Yes! The plan is to make it out to the LBC in January.

My lady and I are making the move together.

Who is hooking you up these days?

Foundation Super Co., Dekline Footwear, Pig wheels, RVCA, and Home Skate Shop.

Shout outs?

My folks, Nicole Seitz, Dave Kappa, Ben Clemens, Drew Holnagel, Paul and Rene Zitzer, Mike Sinclair, Derek Metten, Thom Hornung, Gary Collins, Austin Stevens, Matt Ballard, Andy Collins, Andy Licardi, Don Luong, Joe Hammeke, the Yeto dudes and to all my friends far and near. You all rule!

Small//Talk

Dave Willis

“It often takes the overcoming of adversity to see an individual’s greatness. What would Ali have been without Foreman or Frazier?

Earlier this year, Dave set out to film his upcoming video part, Black Friday. It’s been a crazy ten months for him with serious obstacles; foot surgery and a broken jaw being two of the biggest. Despite these setbacks, Dave remained determined, got healthy and filmed a part you will soon have on repeat. Black Dave on Black Friday.

Greatness in the making.” ~Ben Oleynik Zoo York, Brand Manager

focusskatemag.com

WORDS :: Mazur PHOTOGRAPHY :: Sean Cronan

48

Let’s start this off with something that will catch people’s attention. Tell me about your jaw getting broke at some show in NYC. Yeah, that shit was pretty unfortunate and whack. It wasn’t a fight or nothing.

A security guard approached me when I wasn’t near any of my homies and got real disrespectful with me. I cursed back, we had some words, and he popped on me.

I can’t say too much more for legal reasons. Long story short, fuck any security guard who is clearly taking his petty job way too seriously. Skaters deal with them all the time at spots. Fuck ‘em.

Now for the boring stuff, but probably something some people want to know.

How old are you, what’s your hometown and favorite stripper stage-name?

Word! I’m twenty-two, from Bronx, NY, and Amber Rose.

How did skateboarding begin for you?

I was really hyped on the show Rocket Power. Dead-ass, I would watch it everyday.

I wanted to be the Black Otto.

How was it when you first started riding for Zoo and meeting some of the skaters you may have idolized?

I first got on Zoo almost 6 years ago as a flow rider. I immediately began going out

Dave Willis [backside flip]

with RB Umali. Knowing that he has been such an influence on NYC and skateboarding around the world, it was crazy to think that he was now filming me. At that time, I had the opportunity to skate with Zered, Eli, Westgate, people who I really looked up to.

It was crazy going on sessions. I had to come correct.

Do you get a little star struck still when you meet some of the other top pros?

Even just a little?

Nah. Skating ain’t like that for me, everyone is a homie. I saw David Bowie in SoHo pretty recently that was sick.

I heard you had foot surgery this year. What happened?

I had a wart on my foot for like five years and it was nasty as hell. Chicks would always stare at it. I was over it… It was like the size of a penny on the ball of my foot. I got it removed. It just sucked. I had to use crutches.

Has the surgery made anything tougher for you? Like, have you lost any tricks ‘cause of it?

Nah. It was just a wart.

How was your first-ever trip to Australia?

It was amazing. Going out there with my childhood homie, Kevin Tierney, and the rest of the Zoo York squad was great. Pretty much the first day we got there, Chaz got broke off at a street spot and couldn’t skate the whole trip. Kevin and I had to turn up, and that we did. I wanna go back! Shout out OZ! You gotta be pumped up for your first-ever full length Zoo part! How did that come about and how have you pushed yourself in filming for it?

Yeah man, I’m definitely hyped for this. It’s been about a year filming for it. It’s always a blessing skating with the O.G. RB Umali, he makes sure I always push myself.

I’m looking forward to keeping things in motion and not to slow down. Keep putting out parts, keep putting out ads, keep turning up.

Speaking of filming, do you have any quirky things you do before you attempt a trick? Like tap your board three times, tighten your belt, etc?

Nah, none of that, but if it’s a trick that’s getting me shook up I’ll throw some music on to hype me up. Bobby Shmurda, Lil B, Or Chief Keef will always do the trick.

What’s this I hear about you and hip-hop and punk?

I look at music as something limitless. I’m already doing something different by being a skater who makes music. I grew up only listening to punk rock and hip-hop because they were in all my favorite skate videos. So even the rap songs I’ve put out had a punk influence. I have some songs released where I’m merging both together.

Do you rock headphones and listen to music while skating? How do you feel about the people that hate on it?

Sometimes. People hate on that? I had no idea. I wear black headphones anyway, so you can’t really see it because I’m dark skinned. Ha-ha.

Do you ever plan on trying to turn music into a career or would you rather give full-time skateboarding a shot?

Everything I do is a part of a career. I’ve been full-time skateboarding since I was 11.

No stopping or slowing down. Making music videos and merch costs money… I would never put money into something I didn’t believe in.

Speaking of a job, do you work anywhere right now?

Zoo York.

Do you have aspirations for furthering your education?

I went to college for two years. I’m not going back. College is a waste of time.

Spend money to just owe it back. Unless your going to med school or law school, that shit is a time trap. If you are in high school and reading this, if you don’t want to be a doctor or lawyer focus all of your time on learning everything about what you really want to do. Gain knowledge and build ties to your craft. By the time you hit 19 or 20 you will have a better job and be more qualified in that field than someone who just got out of college. That’s real talk.

Shout out and thanks?

Big shouts out to Ben, RB & Cronan at Zoo, all the Supreme homies, Scuba Steve, Spencer at El’ Señor, Venture, Gold Wheels, Daniel at Rastaclat, D Stunna, Kevin Tierney, T Gloves, Shy Guy, Ellington at Shake Junt, all my supporters.

Lasting words of wisdom?

Stay Black.

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PHOTO

52

INCENTIVES

Billy Cox

Conor McCue [backside boardslide]

Sean Cronan

Manny Santiago [smith grind pop-over]

Luke Darigan

Brian Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Malley [wallride nollie]

Stephen Knight

Kanaan Dern [back 50-50]

Ricardo Napoli

Jay Klotz [switch ollie]

Sean Cronan

Gavin Nolan [180 switch crook]

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