BOUTIQUEROLLIN.COM
[o]
Sam Fidlin
Pif / Frontside Noseslide
@furnsupplyco
furnsupply.co
Editorial
Issue number three, Summer 2018
Cover boy: Mason Cluett at his top, frontside 360, Saint Lambert. Photo: Babas. Lurker Lou (page 8): Big mouth, big heart.
Kyle Walsh & Austin Leleu (page 16): America do Quebec. Colin Read (page 32): Its a good Read.
How to be an asshole? (page 38): Seriously? you still don’t know? Bail gun (page 40): The spring effect.
Night Shreder (page 52): Scooters will keep it tight. Static Tales (page 54): Another Skate fairy tale. Young G (page56): Cedric Kick it! Love Skate Mag
One man band: Babas Levrai Illustration: @larrys_mood Proof reading: Jensen Fisker Contributions: Jeff Delong,Josh Stewart, Cole Giordano, Chase Doerflinger,Alex Blais, Shonn Oquendo, Maxime Aubert. Edition: Mtl Media Group Love Skate Mag is a Independent DIY magazine based in Montreal, and proudly printed in Canada all inquiries at babas@mtlmediagroup.com This third issue of Love Skate mag would not have been possible without the precious help of: Clara Zapatilla, Kyle Walsh, Austin Leleu, Lurker Lou, Colin Read, Jeff Delong, Max Aubert, Josh Stewart, Jensen Fisker Vincent at Big Bill, Julien and JF at Rollin, Kevin at Outlaw, Jessy Jean-bart,Jai Ball,Cole Giordano, Chase Doerflinger,Laurent-Xavier «Larry’s Mood» Marcoux, Alex Blais, Jeremy at Frosted,Gab Belanger, Jai Ball, Oli at Palm Isle and Gab Belanger.
www.loveskatemag.com @loveskatemag
Left: Jessy Jean Bart,From the thin run up, Boneless to Fakie.Montreal - Photo: Babas
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[o] Babas Le vrai
o u tla w ska teshop @btq_o u tlaw
Solli Rojas
STUDIO
JOEY LAROCK
Photography : Cole Giordano (except mentionned)
Interview by Babas Levrai / Introduction: Cole Giordano
r e k r Lu
u o L
I first became acquainted with «Lurker» Lou Sawrosky through his part in Vicious Cycle, 2005’s classic NY skate video that also featured the likes of Harold Hunter, Zered Bassett, Eli Reed, and Brian Brown just to name a few. Since then, Lou has developed a multi-faceted reputation as a constantly motivated skater, merciless ballbuster, keeper of some of the best hidden spots in New York (as well as a few that are not not spots), and extremely creative and talented artist. As I’ve grown to know Lou better over the last year an a half or so since showing some work with him in a group exhibition, I can say that all of these are true. That’s what so great about skating and hanging out with him at all times he’s bringing these things to the table, whether it’s spending hours lurking for spots in his car, or talking his about his sculptures at a gallery in midtown, he’s never not Lou.
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Hey Lou, how old are you and where do you live? 34 y/o living in Bushwick, Brooklyn. What is your first skateboard memory? Watching someone try to ollie a parking block over and over. Then my mom telling my grandmother, “my children don’t have the patience for that”. I was set out to prove her wrong. Where did the nickname come from? I overstayed my welcome at a few different apartments in Boston when I was a teenager. One night, Doug Brown and Brian Brown put me on the spot and said, «are you gonna just stay here or you gonna ask to stay here, lurker» and then it stuck. How did things change for you after the SLAP – One in a million?
Internet trolls talking shit and then in person no one says anything. No one could make eye contact and just put their head down anytime they would see me. If I got to know the person they would just ask me 1 million questions. Were you bummed that they portrayed you as a devil judge? It’s all good now, but Alex Klein was just trying to be a producer fuckboi looking out for his best interest. It was annoying that no one knew my past before I went on that show but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Have you ever seen or talked to Alex Klein after it? One time. He was just apologetic. I got paid 300 bucks and a thrasher sweatshirt out of that whole thing so Inever sold out like everyone said I did and I didn’t really receive shit out of it
for d e e w e k mo s oI o s t , e d v e i t r n D a r ou «I w H nd 4 a e n h i t k f s o e t r s the re ed under my fo stuck we smuggled it.»
Switch 50-50, NYC
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Noseblunt slide, NYC
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Chase Doerflinger
other than 11-16 year-olds hating me. Now that they’re 23 and they finally meet me they tell me I’m a nice guy. Oh yeah Tony Vitello promised me one of those canvases in Thrasher to feature my art that never happened. Good looks Tony. You’re known to be quite opinionated, do you think millennials are too sensitive these days? Everyone hates behind closed doors, I like to keep the doors open and the filter turned off. What is Iron Claw Skates? It’s a brand that my friend Tyler conceived in 2011. He asked me if I wanted to skate for it, I said I want to be a partner, and from there on our ideas collaborated into what we wanted. A simple company based off American imagery. How came the need to create this brand? In 2010, I skated for a company called Coda. After I quit, I felt I was pretty rinsed from skating and just needed to
do something on my own, not try and have someone give me skateboards. This is right before everything went downhill when people said «I want to brand too». How is it to have an indie skateboard brand nowadays? Don’t do it unless you really want to just sell your friends skateboards or you have good distribution. Do your teammates learn to not be too sensitive? They all know my true personality. I love them, but will give them shit over little things when I knew that they can perform better. You came to Montreal few times, how would you describe the city to somebody who has never been here? I was into Montreal the last couple years, but I feel like it’s a hotspot to go to in the summer now. I like going to the cities on the East Coast that aren’t as frequently skated. My best story probably is when I went with the orchard skate team and we are going back into
the states through New Hampshire. I wanted to smoke weed for the rest of the 4 Hour Drive, so I stuck weed under my foreskin and smuggled it through my dick. Everyone was mad at me that I did it and then after we got into New Hampshire 4 guys smoked the weed that was stuffed in my foreskin.
I contribute getting into art to Forest Kirby which is very strange now to think.
Skating with Billy Rohan & Zered in NYC is probably quite an experience, do you have good stories about them? Zered and I have spent more than half our lives as friends, there is just ridiculous amounts of stories between the two of us. But Billy Rohan
The VX series is dope! Thanks I just want to see that camera live on in some shape or form.
What is your process to get an idea done? Work quick and don’t tell people your ideas.
Tell us about the full coloured Lou. I had no idea what I was going to be for Halloween in 2007.
en p o s r o o ed h t p e e k f.» «I like tohe filter turned of My birthday is the day before and t
I love that dude and don’t want to put them on the spot with the stories from his crazy times. Of the last times I saw Billy, he knocked out my friend Ray that does prizefighter wheels. Months went by, he was back on his medication trying to apologize to me. I couldn’t really accept his apology but lightweight forgave the man.
so I usually like to go in pretty hard for Halloween and I had the idea to be the silver lurker, like the silver surfer but skating. People tripped out super hard so I knew it was gonna work every year with a different color I’ve been 11 colors I think now.
What’s up for 2018? Keep working on the sculptures for my trip to Japan in September I will be showing them out there. Keep filming Are you still building sets for movies? this purple shoe Lou part for Adidas Yeah I primarily do it for fashion without their consent. Hopefully the photography and commercials, only part will get a cease and desist or I’ll worked on a few different movies. get a colorway on Adidas through iron claw. Either or, I’m praying that the What were the movies you worked cease-and-desist happens for the video on, that you were proud of? part I like stirring up the pot. Not proud of being in sex in the city two. Anything you want to add? Know your history within skateboarHow did art come into the picture? ding and art. Try not to repeat the past I was always creative as a child but as much things were in the past. Don’t art in class my teachers never saw my take anything for granted. And if you’re work as anything impressive. All their a talented skateboarder and you want focus went on the kids that could draw to play that too cool route and not be well. When I truly started painting and sponsored and travel the world, you’re creating, a lot was through a winter a fucking idiot. Thanks Lou! spent with Forest Kirby in Miami at his house. 15
The best thing ever is when you meet someone that is willing to do the exact same stupid shit as you.
It means limitless fun with your buddy. You can travel the world together, party, skate spots, your friend will be next to you to do the exact same thing. That’s exactly what Austin and Kyle are doing, having fun on four wheels, and travelling the world together. Interview & Photos by Babas Levrai except mentionned. Illustration: @Larrys_mood
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Hey guys, could you please introduce yourselves. Austin: Austin Leleu, 25, originally from Doylestown Pennsylvania, now living in Long Beach.
me out was how old all of the building structures looked. Especially in Quebec City. So many spots too, everything was skatable lots of concrete.
Kyle: Kyle Walsh, 21, from Chalfon, Pensylvania.
Austin: I grew up visiting my Dad’s family in France as a kid. I love Quebec because it is the perfect blend of american culture and the french culture. I thought I’d be able to understand the french in Montreal but quebecois is much harder for me to understand. The food in Quebec isn,t really like the food in France nor is it like the food in America. You pretty much just eat putine the whole time or pizza from the boys at Aldos or BBQ with p45 fam.
When was the first time you came to Quebec? And what brought you here? Austin: Well I was 17 and visited concordia in the winter the first time I came to Quebec. It was cold as shit. The fire alarm went off in the middle of the night and we had to all go outside at 3am. shit was brut. The following summer my brothers Ben and Nick took our first skate trip to Montreal. I’ve been going every summer since then. What year was it? Austin: Summer 2013 was my first time skating Montreal. I knew there was a lot of untapped potential and I fell in love with the city. Kyle: First time I ever been to Quebec was on my very first skate trip in the summer of 2014. It was my first time ever leaving the country, and my hometown for that matter. It was awsome, I had just turned 18 so I was eager to party in Canada. We skated a ton, my favorite stop was p45. For somebody who never came to Quebec, how would you describe it? Kyle: What really tripped Austin, Ollie, Montreal
What are your spots here? Austin: Ludo’s Crib is our spot. Haha, his place is a skateboarding museum with old vhs’s, mags, and boards. Ludo is the chief, always looking after his friends. P45 would have to be my favorite DIY ever. I like FDR too but I’d rather be at P45. Kyle: Shout out Ludo and his hospitality, he always held us down when we would visit... his spot is the sickest. Always starting our days with some strong french press coffee then go skate a bunch of differnt spots. The best stop of the trip was always p45, the skate community there is like no other. 19
How did you guys meet? Austin: I think I was 13 when I first met Kyle but he was only a little kid skating with my friend’s little brother. It wasn’t until I was 20 and he was 16 when I remet Kyle at our hometown skatepark one day after work. He said he was bored and put together a skateboard with a bunch of random parts at his house. I was stoked ‘cause I didn’t have many people to skate with at the time and he was killing it! Kyle has progressed so fast and I love watching him skate, he doesn’t seem to stop raising the bar. How is the skate scene in Pensylvania? Kyle: It’s okay, I definitely like to get out of there sometimes, gotta make the most out of what we have. I think it
what the brands are supposed to do, find the new killers in town. Austin: Rich Vanhorn is the sickest. He keeps a real friendly welcoming vibe at the shop and he is always out skating with the homies. Big thanks to Rich for looking after the skateboard community. Did you ever google yourself? Kyle: Never have googled myself haha Austin: Imma creep on myself right now. When you type Austin’s name on google, you have some gnarly skate pics, skate videos, hot chicks, and even the face of Kyle. Austin: Well the fact that Kyle’s face comes up makes sense. Not seeing
«I like FDR too but I’d rather be at P45.»
helps make our skating more creative because where we live, spots are few and between. Austin: It depends where you’re skating. I grew up outside of Philadelphia in a small town and skateboarding is illegal so got in a lot of trouble with the police for skating. Kyle, you said that it was painful to get a sponsor here, because the level is really high. Are you guys still without sponsors? Kyle: Rich Vanhorn, the owner of our shop we ride for (Dogwood) hooks us up when he can, he holds us down! But besides that no sponsors. Austin: I am skating for Dogwood skate shop out of Langhorne, PA. I’ve never had a shoe or board sponsor. Thank god the skateshop exists, it seems they are doing the hard job of
those chicks... I’m surprised you didn’t mention the rollerblading videos that pop up. Those Anthony Machione videos are the best. I didn’t see the rollerblading, I was too distracted by the hot chicks. But when you type Kyle’s name on google, there is just dudes faces, nerds and douchebags, but not even your own face! Austin: I looked it up online but I am the only Austin Leleu in the USA. Theres 103 Kyle Walsh’s. You guys have travelled a lot these last years, where have you been? Kyle: We came out to Montreal for our annual stay! Made two cross-country trips. The best trip so far was Shanghai and Tokyo, it was epic, 13 of the homies sent it! Skated so many dream spots I never thought I’d see. Kyle, Bean Plant Bluntslide, Montreal
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Austin, From sidewalk, Gap to Backtail, kinky roll out, Quebec
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Kyle, Gap to Smithgrind to gap, Quebec
Austin: I was all over the place last year. I started off my year driving from Philly to Long Beach with my friend Nick Benton. We spent 3 weeks on the road and skated all over. I did a lot of travelling in the US for this video I am making for a race car driver named Matthew Fassnacht. I did a fair amount of travelling in northern California and Oregon. But the best trip was going to Tokyo and Shanghai with the Phathouse crew. That was a real treat, those are some priceless times. What is the best place for you guys? Kyle: I don’t like to be in any given place for too long I like being on the move. Many Long Beach visits though.
keep it for now as long as I make under $15,000 a year. If you had the best health insurance in the world would that make your skating get gnarlier? That is the thing! People with a good health insurance are often too soft to gaps and rails! You guys hang out with Tyson Peterson, how it is to see him go from unknown to famous, on the edge to turn pro? Kyle: He’s the best man, that kid is an Animal! He deserves it, just one of those dudes that’s meant to be on a skateboard. Austin: It’s crazy watching homies fly into their skate career. The whole state of
«The whole state of Florida is gonna be pro by the end of the year I’m calling it.»
So many good homies there. Austin: That’s too easy, Montreal. I’d be skating and drinking a beer in Saint-Henri if I lived in Montreal. I’ve always wondered why the gnarliest skaters often come from the U.S. where there is no free medical insurance. When other countries who have it, the skaters are mellow, and skate curb and flatground. How do you deal with that? Kyle: Never looked at it that way, I’ve definitely made my fair share of hospital visits though, everyone does! Gotta pay to play. Austin: If you’re skating a big handrail, the last thing you want to think is I wish I had better medical insurance in case I fuck myself up. But yeah its tough out here, I’m on uncle sam’s medical insurance plan right now. I can
Florida is gonna be pro by the end of the year I’m calling it. But there’re so many sick fucks out here that people don’t really have under their radar but are starting to get some light. Myles Willard is one you should google. I guess it’s an example to follow for you guys? Kyle: For sure, Tyson gets me stoked to skate. Austin: No doubt. You guys are gnarly! And on the edge to be recognized soon! Austin: Real recognize real. When are you coming back to Montreal? Austin you have an unfinished job to do... Kyle: We will definitely be back for the next Dime glory challenge. That contest is insane. 25
Shonn Oquendo
Austin, Boardslide, Pasadena
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Kyle, 50-50 Rollercoaster, Quebec
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Austin: Planning my trip now. Some time in July, I’ve gotta make some calls. What are your secrets to be so stoked on life? Austin: Kyle probably has the right answer to this one. Kyle: Not taking life so serious, staying in the moment with the good homies! Ludo Charbonneau is your AirBnb in Montreal, what you could tell me about him? Kyle: He’s the best dude on earth he’d do anything for you.. and he rips! Ludo is a full on legend.
in the skate industry? Or you just escape the east coast winter? Austin: Yeah it’s been over two years and it’s getting harder to move back to Philly. It wasn’t a plan to get into the industry just fulfilling a childhood dream. Kyle, I guess you are stoked to have your friend in Long beach during the winter! Ahaha. Tell me what is going on with Transworld? Kyle: My good friend Alex Papke helped me get an opportunity to put out a ‘check out’ in Transworld. I’m super stoked on it, it’s coming together!
«I grew up outside of Philadelphia in a small town and skateboarding is illegal, so got in a lot of trouble with the police for skating.»
We owe that man big time.
Austin: Hard on the outside, soft on the inside. Love him like a brotha. Got the face licked by Denis (Ludo’s dog) on the morning? Kyle: Ahh Denis yes, he woke us every day it was quite nice. Austin: Love that Montreal hospitality. Ludo told me, that you were the perfect guys to host, you always cleaned your shit behind you. I just write this here in case you need a bed in another city one day, and have the proof that you are good guys to help! Austin: Always. I have tons of visitors come stay at my crib and it’s made me realize this. Austin, you are living between Philly and Long beach, is it a plan to get
How did you met them?
Kyle: I met Alex through some mutual homies, found myself at his house a lot. That’s sick! Put some Austin footy in your part, help a brother out! What are your plans for 2018? Kyle: Try and stay healthy and make it out of the country for a month or two. Austin: Hit the east coast in July. I’m going to France for my cousin’s wedding in September so I am planning on staying out there to skate for a bit. The future is bright. Any last words? Kyle: Thank you for the opportunity Babas! Montreal and Quebec has the sickest skate scene hands down!! Check you guys soon. Austin: It’s all for the love!!! Merci Babas.
Don’t just read Read Grey Skate mag. Read Confusion. Read À Propos. Read Medium Skate mag. Read Lowcard. Browse Jenkem Mag. Browse Quartersnacks. Read Thrasher Magazine. Read Solo Skate mag. Read Deja Vu Skate mag. Read North Skate mag. Read Push. Watch The Nine Club. Read Anomaly magazine. Read Skate Jawn. Read The Quiet Life Magazine. Buy at your local Skateshop. Buy Local brands. Buy Skaters owned Brands.
Read more. Listen more. Buy local. Understand more. It’s all start with Skateboarders. Honoring 68 years of Skateboarding.
Interview by Babas Levrai / Photos by Cole Giordano
Colin Read There is roughly a population of 8 millions in New York City, there is probably a 100,000 skateboarders at least, and a 1,000 of filmers in the city. But there one and only Colin Read, He’s the only one to invent the VX kickflip or been asked to do a Radiohead video clip. There is no surprises here that he’s has been choose by Spike Jonze himself to win the last Crailtap video contest. Colin is a creative genius. 33
Hey Colin, how old are you and where do you live? I’m 29 years old. I live in New York City. How is retirement from filming? A lot more boring. Unfortunately, I have severe back problems that prevent me from filming skating now. What is your first skateboard memory? My very first memory of skating is of my uncle Barry doing tic tacs around his cul de sac on a twenty-year-old board. He had made it in the seventies, with a piece of wood and roller skate trucks. Your first skate video? I don’t honestly remember what the very first video I watched was, but the first video that I remember buying and watching over and over was Real to Reel, in 2001. How did you started to do skatevideos? I would just take out my dad’s handicam, and my friends and I would film each other. What was your influences in your videos? I think the skate filmmaker that influenced me the most was Joe Perrin. His videos had a flow to them that nobody else really came close to. Otherwise, I was influenced by Josh Stewart of course, Takahiro Morita, TBPR… Outside of skating, I drew from a lot films, music, art, and nature. How did you end up to work for Slap? I made a homie video called “561 to NYC” that got seen a lot, and after that the editor of Slap reached out to me about working for them. It was a lot of fun. Been in that Slap – One in a million awkward season- changed your perspective in the skate industry? I think that was a special case, and wasn’t very indicative of the skate industry as a whole. However, it was quite an insight into what could happen to skating if we let outsiders interfere. By that time, I was already friends with all the guys who served at the “Judges” and hosts—Billy Rohan, Rodney Torres, Lurker Lou, Steve Rodriguez, etc—so it was
immediately apparent how awkward and strange it was for everyone. The guy in charge, Alex, was trying to push the show in a certain direction so that it could be marketed and sold to a non-skating crowd. At first, everyone played along, play-acting as reality show judges, but pretty soon it got old and the façade dropped away. Obviously it all fell apart by the end, but we still had a great time. One of the main problems was that Alex hired a bunch of non-skaters as the video crew. They were mostly pretty arrogant, and didn’t really care about the kids.We ended up having to wait for them all the time as they walked form spot to spot, since they didn’t have boards. Is that right that you were the first dude to say « it’s bullshit » to this challenges? Well, everyone was bummed, not just me. The kids most of all. Someone had to try to salvage the fun. The kids were all there to skate, and despite constant threats of rain and bad weather, everyone was kept quarantined inside the indoor skate park all day until the pointless interviews and reality-show challenges were completed. The kids were all disappointed, and the life and the energy of the situation was turning sour. I ended up leading a mutiny of sorts; after one kid left the interview room and Alex and the video crew were waiting for the next one to go in, I snuck away with all the skaters to go street skate. We skated all day and all night, and filmed a ton of amazing footage. The challenges and ill-timed interviews fell apart after that, as from that day on Alex gave up as we just hit the streets. Sadly, they edited the original version of the show so that it seemed like the kids just didn’t want to skate and were lazy, and that’s why the show failed. They left out all footage from the final few days of skating,
Colin, Smith grind, NYC
when most of the heaviest skating went down, because it didn’t fit their narrative. That’s why I ended up making my own re-edits, “One in a Mandible,” to show all of the amazing skating the kids did in that week. Where come from the « Mandible Claw » ? Just one of those nonsense names that stuck. I grew up in Florida; in the summers it rains almost every day in the afternoon for a couple hours. My friends and I would skate all day until it rained, then go inside and mess around or play video games until the rain stopped and it dried up, then we’d go skate again. Whenever we would play video games, for some reason my friend Fogt and I would always be on a team that we called “Mandible Claw”, after the wrestling move. The other team was always Team “Kill Mandible Claw”. Who knows. Just a random joke. And here we are.
All your videos are filmed with a VX, do you planning to switch to HD at one point? I haven’t touched a VX in a year and a half. What are the pros and cons to film with a VX for you? The pros are that it feels fun. The cons are that filming fisheye with it destroyed my back. Your « Tengu » video is amazing, how did you came with the concept of it? I took many trips to Japan and was inspired by the legends of Tengu, a mythical creature. Did you come with the idea to skate the roof? One night we climbed onto a roof to chill and found an amazing skate spot. We skated it, and the idea was born there. Sometimes it involved riding around on subways to find cool-looking roofs. Then we’d get off and try to find the building and get on top of it somehow. Other times we’d just randomly get up on any roofs we thought we could get access to. It was a process over several years. 35
And the ollie over the train station, how sketchy was that? No one died or was injured so it was all good. Koki is the man. How came the concept of the « Spirit Quest » with the mixmatch of wild animal and skaters? It was an idea I’d had for a very long time, that each person has some reflections of animal styles in their skating. Finally, I was ready to make the video. How many try and broken camera for the VX kickflip? None broken. It took ten minutes or so to get the line right. How came the idea of the double VX filming? Honestly these are hard questions for me to answer. It’s like asking a clock how it works. I’m not always sure where ideas come from, I don’t have some formula or specific process for coming up with ideas or concepts, they just arise naturally
it’s up to the viewer to make sure he doesn’t get sucked into just watched Instagram loops all day. The cool independent projects are out there, you just have to look for them. How did you end up directing the video clip of Radiohead? I segued into directing more commercial and music video stuff after Spirit Quest came out. Somehow, non-skater people in the film industry saw it, and contacted me to pitch ideas on various projects. It grew from there. You weren’t holding the camera this time, did you find that difficult to tell to people what to do? It’s helpful to be able to use your full attention to direct the action, without also having to think about moving the camera. But you do lose that specific, hands-on control. So generally, when I’m working with a DoP, I let them do their job, but if there’s something really specific I know I want,
«I don’t have some formula or specific process for coming up with ideas or concepts, they just arise naturally while thinking about things.»
while thinking about things. But to try to answer… Ultimately I wanted to try to do several things with the split-screen sections: I wanted to explore how it might feel to have independent control of your eyes like a chameleon; and I wanted to explore how skate lines have different possibilities, and find a way to inspect multiple options at the same time. You are one of the last one to still doing full length on DVDs, how do you approach the skateboarding noise on Instagram, and people selling online digital video? Just speaking for myself, I think that my days of making full-length videos are over. But I think it’s important to try to filter out the noise and seek out work that people have put love and sweat into. It’s easy to miss a lot, so
I’ll operate the camera myself for a shot (if I know I can do it more easily myself). What are your plans for 2018? Skate-wise, I’m planning a small project with State Footwear, another small project with my friend Taylor, and who knows what else. Otherwise, I have a fun little project coming out soon with Falcon Bowse. I have a few more music video and commercial projects on the horizon, and am working on a feature film as well. Thanks Colin, wanna give some thanks, and give some information to order your dvds? DVDs have been sold out for a long time, but you can find a link to buy or rent a digital version at mandibleclaw. com. Thanks!
Colin filming Leo Valls No complying in NYC 37
How to be an asshole at the SKATESHOP
The amazon
You need a new pair of shoes. What a great moment to go try on a dozen pairs on a saturday at the skateshop, when the seller is alone with 10 clients. Whatever, its too expensive, I’ll buy it on Amazon.
The G
You are too lazy to get a job, you have just enough to pay for your weed. It’s ok if you steal a t-shirt or a pair of trucks when the guys aren’t looking. Anyway, they are full of gear in their store.
The Mall Grabber
I prefer the mall skateshop, it’s always cheaper and there is always the top brand sellers in it. I’ll buy at a core skateshop only when it’ll be cheaper and have the Element collection.
Me, Myself and I
Damn that trick was so hot yesterday! You’ll DM it to all the shops around on Instagram, asking for a repost. They’re just posting stupid clothing photos anyway, for once they will have good skateboarding
Text: Babas / Illustration: @larrys_mood
The broke dealer
Always asking for price reductions. Cause hey, I’m buying shit in your shop! You owe me something. on their timeline.
Sponsor Me
Sending your sponsor video to a skateshop, but never bought anything, nor even put a foot in it, because you deserve to receive free shit.
I just skate quality spots
It’s winter and the only place to skate is that miniramp at the skateshop. 5 bucks is way too expensive to skate it, and anyway the coping is rusty and there is holes in the ramp. I’ll pay for it when it will be fixed.
The dollar hunter
The best moment of the year, it’s when the local shop is having it’s jam contest. Free BBQ, free gear, and you can also make some dollars. Why I would buy anything in a shop after that? Are they dumb or what?
Pascal Tremblay, texas plant / photo : Maxime Lampron
@boutiquehomies
Saguenay, QC
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Babas
Pepper, Boneless, Montreal
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Frank Nadon-Jaouen, No-Comply, Montreal
43 Babas
Babas
Troy Courtney, Frontside Flip, Montreal
Alex Blais
JF Lessard, Half cab Heelflip, Sherbrooke
45
Jeff Delong
Mark Winchester, Kickflip, Saint John
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JT Chagnon Roll in 50-50, Victoriaville
49 Max Aubert
Babas
Alex Noel, Backside 180 Fakie nosegrind revert, Montreal
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Static Tales By Josh Stewart
was scrambling around like a rookie, rushing to switch the batteries out of my flashes while also trying to set the white balance in my VX-1000. It was a familiar scene, basically the same routine I always perform when a skater is starting to try something crazy and I’m unsure of how to film it, or if I should shoot a photo first and THEN film it. Or if I should ask someone ELSE to film it while I shoot 16mm and also pull the trigger of my photo camera at the same time...... It was 1998 and my camera bag was strewn out across a blisteringly hot Las Vegas sidewalk as Jake Rupp was starting to tap his nose on the top bar of a spot I had only minutes earlier claimed was unskateable. Although I had been filming for about 7-8 years at this point, it wouldn’t appear that way to any observer as I fumbled around knocking over tripods trying to hurriedly set up flashes to shoot a photo before Jake landed a seemingly impossible trick that would blatantly be his ender should he ride away from it. Although it is pretty easy to become pretty jaded as a filmer or photographer, as you go through the routine of setting your gear up and choosing your angle while the skater starts getting close to their trick. There are those rare moments when something magical is happening before your eyes and you’re truly excited to be capturing the moment. The only difference for me is my excitement is usually soon replaced by anxiety about blowing the photo or not filming it right.
today’s standards, but at the time is was just par for the course. Snap your shutter and hope that you had read the light correctly, that your flashes had all gone off at the right time and that on the one try that the skater locked in right you didn’t move the camera a fraction of an inch and crop out an essential part of the spot. And to put the video clip at risk by letting a skater film it while I shot the photo, everything about the scenario was a purely anxiety inducing nightmare. In this digital age it is hard to relate to such a situation. A new era where skaters can barely resist immediately posting a new clip or photo on their Instagram stories minutes after their friend lands the trick, and where everyone can dig through their clips with a fine-toothed comb and over-analyze every last frame of their footage right there at the spot. While this slew of modern conveniences has made everything easier & quicker has it improved the experience or brought about better work? Surprisingly, many of us find ourselves looking back at older photos and video clips with a sense of longing for the past and hold these moments with greater esteem and respect. Is it the technology that’s really the issue in this conversation or is it that instant gratification has somehow stolen some of the more meaningful parts of the experience from the process? Would I have been stoked to have a digital screen on the back of my camera at that moment to be sure I had captured Jake’s front nose properly? Of course I would have.
« I sat there in a panic while watching him roll away knowing I had only gotten to shoot about 4 tries and most likely had blow it.»
Jake Rupp was one of those rare skaters where the majority of tricks he tried induced that feeling of excitement in me that pushed me to do all I could to not fall apart while trying to properly capture the clip. Today was one of those rare moments, however, where the trick was so incredible that I knew I was only going to get one shot at a make. So I set up the VX and had Ed Selego start filming with the plan that i could take over filming as soon as I felt confident that I got a good photo. But Jake had other plans and after only a few close calls he was riding away from something I really didn’t think was possible. I sat there in a panic while watching him roll away knowing I had only gotten to shoot about 4 tries and most likely had blow it. And since we were on a road trip about 2,000 miles from home, I would have to wait another full month until I got back to Florida, got this roll developed, and discovered if it turned out or not. An unbelievable exercise in patience by
But would the satisfaction have been nearly as great as when I finally got that film back a month later and saw that frame looking back at me on the light table? I highly doubt it. In our quest for bigger, better and faster we have robbed ourselves and those who follow of some of the most rewarding aspects of the process. The same thing goes for video projects going straight to the Thrasher website and never making it to dvd or to a theater screen. We would all be wise to take a moment to slow things down and consider the options on our next project, photo or edit that we’re pouring our souls into. Because in the ever-shrinking duration of our patience, we are sacrificing some of the most valuable lessons and most enjoyable moments of our craft. And if you treat your work with patience and respect, it will most likely influence others to see it that way as well. 55
Young
G ’s
CEDRIC cedric VIGNeault vigneault Text / Photo: Max Aubert
Age: 18 / Town: Sherbrooke / Sponsors: Le Cabal, DSC, Still Hardware
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope, it’s Ced popping a late shove! Victoriaville’s very own «Late shove kid» skates every damn day, rain or shine. You can find him couch surfing around Quebec, always motivated to stack more clips. With how fast he’s been progressing, it’s safe to say you should keep an eye out for this young G!
Kickflip - Victoriaville
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