Revolt In Style Magazine

photo: Tim Davis

oakley ray ban raen smith spy sabre suncloud ntw olukai native rainbow reef sanuk patagonia pendleton schott rusty lost freshjive freestyle gshock vestal dakine destination herschel hex alva arbor blkhrt carver caster penny red ink katin jimmy’z birdwell black sheep blood is the new black chaser wildfox tavik heather heron bliss lau dafin viper churchill brownfish salty body glove excel futures fcs gary linden eaton joe baugess skullcandy sol gopro freaker felt kona linus brooks fizik

4320 mission blvd 92109

MARQUIS PRESTON FACEBOOK.COM/SPLITCLOTHING // IG: @SPLITCLOTHING

SPLITUSA.COM // PHOTO: ELY PHILLIPS

KIRON JABOUR WEARS THE HD3 FLUXUS BOARDIES FIND OUT MORE AT ALPINESTARS.COM/HD3

IN YOUR FACE!

Lee Stockwell captures FMX super star and X Games Gold medalist Ronnie Renner showing off his crossover athletic ability as he charges hard down the

mountain biking trails on the face of Snow Summit in Big Bear.

Pg. 19 this issue 11

publisher’s note

12

taste - what you want

14

brew

16

summer gear

19

‘bout the bike

21

7.0 pro am

24

big ben wilkinson

27

jeff lukasik

28

aaron goulding

32

sheckler foundation

36

wes agee

40

late day / night

42

aja lee

44

music reviews

46

mini movie reviews

the original

since 1985

EDITOR IN CHIEF

BRIAN TERHORST brian@revoltsd.com

MUSIC EDITOR

LESLIE TERHORST leslie@revoltsd.com

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

BETH ACCOMANDO beth@revoltsd.com

SURF EDITOR

AARON GOULDING aaron@revoltsd.com

SNOW EDITOR

currently accepting applications revolt@revoltsd.com

SKATE EDITOR

ERIC HENDRIKX eric@revoltsd.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

JOE FOSTER NICK JONES DONOVAN DRESTI

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

LESLIE TERHORST AARON GOULDING ERIC HENDRIKX SCOTT ALLISON JOE FOSTER John Tiffin BO CROSS

INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY

NICK JONES

Dedicated to

Shayla Rae Krouse

rest in peace, sweet daughter 1986 - 2013 CONTACT US PHONE: 858.488.8730 EMAIL: revolt@revoltsd.com SOCIAL NETWORKS: facebook/revoltinstylemag twitter@revoltinstylesd instagram: @revoltinstylemag SNAILMAIL: P.O. BOX 9771 SAN DIEGO CA 92169 Copyright 2013 by Revolt In Style Magazine. All rights reserved. ANY Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. That would be bad & we would have to sic our mongrel dog lawyers on your punk ass, so don’t do it. Revolt In Style Magazine and RSSS are registered trademarks. Made in the USA.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

I

SUMMER OF LOVE

t’s all about the love. The love of surfing, the love of competition, the love of giving back and the love of smiles & laughter. Leslie & I started the Revolt Summer Surf Series seven years ago. It started out innocently enough... We’d been hearing from local surfers, dissatisfied w/ the current state of surf comps in San Diego... & we simply decided to do something about it. Before we knew what we were getting into, we had bitten off way more than expected. Expenses surrounding the insurance, permits, staffing, setups & hundreds of other little moving parts that make up a surf series began adding up. We had no idea....

Fast forward seven years, many hundreds of talented surfers, many thousands of dollars awarded in cash & prizes and countless memories of classic surfing moments in San Diego. Leslie and I are loving every minute of it... wouldn’t change a thing... and look forward to each event.

Currently this unique event has grown into one of the largest Pro Am surf series in Southern California. With that comes more responsibility. We need to make sure the events are safe & professionally run for the competitors, more exciting for the spectators & more profitable for the sponsors & surrounding businesses & communities.

Bringing back Phil Antonopoulos (and his crew) was the first and most critical step. Last season he took a brief hiatus to spend time with his beautiful daughter & he was sorely missed. But he’s back this year and making sure the events are run like everyone expects them to be. The stoke factor is at an all time high and the mood at the events is back to... Awesome!

Stand Up Paddle surfing has grown in popularity over the past few years and the evolution of the sport and the equipment is unreal. The SUP surfer’s skill levels are advancing & the boards are getting smaller & lighter with each year. Carbon fiber, composites & custom shapes are the norm. Just check out any one of the events & your perception of ‘Sweepers’ will be changed forever.

The Pro Am division is still the most popular at the events and the larger cash prize purses are drawing record signups this season. Riders are coming from as far away as Japan, Australia & South America to compete against the talented field of our American surfers from the West coast, East coast & Hawaiian islands.

If you came to the 1st event June 22, you would have noticed a pack of paparazzi photographing & filming not one, but three world champions. Carissa Moore (Red Bull Athlete and the 2011 ASP Women’s World Tour Champion) Sean Poynter (#2 Ranked SUP Surf World champ) & Brett Swain (Seattle Seahawks Wide Receiver & NFL Superbowl Champion) How sick is that?

The second event will be held July 20 at the OB Pier in Ocean Beach. Do whatever you have to do to get the day off. Get there early and plan on staying the whole day and into the evening for the After Party (See pg. 40 for info) These events are a blast! We guarantee you’ll see some great surfing action, max out your tan, have fun, probably win a bunch of cool swag.... & you never know who will show up.

Peace, B&L Carissa Moore showing some power moves June 22 in P.B.

photo: Jagmediaproductions.com

DESTINATION

TASTE

WHAT YOU WANT

The REVOLTINSIDER reveals the latest nominee for ‘Best Of 2013’ Great location, exceptional food & bevs.... and a bumpin’ destination for late night activities, make The Duck Dive a new favorite at the beach, day or night.

PACIFIC BEACH The Duck Dive has wisely embraced the local crowd with a more than respectable Happy Hour, 4650 Mission Blvd cool surf flicks and major sporting events on the San Diego, CA. 92109 numerous flat screens, and a generally, unpreten(858) 273-DUCK (3825) tious attitude at the beach. That’s not to say that a visiting foodie or blogger won’t find the menu Located in the heart of Pacific Beach just a and environment something to rave about to their stones throw away from the Boardwalk and followers, this place has something for almost evocean, sits the Duck Dive.... where contempo- eryone. rary style meets surf culture. Done right.

The Duck Dive is also committed to offering a ‘next Gastropub inspired American Cuisine is served level’ drinking experience at the Beach. They have in a smart but casual beach lounge atmosphere. a great selection of local and micro-brewed beers Huge garage door style windows, roll up & let and an extensive cocktail menu with creative inthe ocean breeze flow thru. The menu is unique gredients & names. It’s nice to see a solid selecand eclectic with tasty items like Dragon Wings, tion of our favorite local breweries on the drink Prime Rib eye sliders, The Cubano Sandwich menu; like Saint Archer, Green Flash, Stone and or a Pan Seared Baja Sea Bass.

Ballast Point.

THE DUCK DIVE

The signature DD All Natural Certified Angus Half Pound Burger (pictured below) with pimento cheese, tomato relish, caramelized onion, with garlic aoili on a toasted brioche bun is nothing less than remarkable. Paired with Duck Fat Fries and a local craft brew? Oh....it’s on!

On any given night the huge windows roll down to dampen the sound of DJ’s for the neighbors. You can find an A-list of imported & local DJ’s spinning for the youthful & attractive crowd on weekend nights. Very hip, very cool. www.theduckdive.com

A HIPSTER’S GUIDE TO WHISKEY Words & Photos By Nick Jones

F

ew things inspire respect from your fellow peers like a sound knowledge of a given type of alcoholic beverage. However, many unsavoury stereotypes can be applied to those who know a lot about wine (boorish twats) and the same can be said about those that know their beers (sandlewearing barrel-bellied old men).

Whisky, on the other hand, is just cool. It’s arguably the coolest of all the liquors, if not all alcoholic beverages, and for that reason alone it’s worth your while to learn a few specifics so that you can amaze the dullards that you usually find yourself spending time with.

Firstly, you should strongly emphasise that only ‘single malts’ will grace your lips. Be sure to dismiss any and all blends, regardless of price, region, distiller, or whatever as an inferior and impure product. How can a bastardised melange of various substances tell a story as pure as that of a single malt?

The single malt, you should exclaim, is more than just a drink - pedigree and purity are to be valued above almost all else.

Secondly, the key to the appearance of knowledge all things whisky-related is to be able to talk about the various Scottish regions.

You should be aware of the major regions of whisky and be prepared to trot them off should your knowledge be challenged. It basically boils down to Islay (pronounced ‘Aye-la’, be sure to berate and rectify anyone who mispronounces this), Highland, Speyside, and Lowland. The other regions aren’t really worth mentioning - if anyone challenges you just riposte dismissively with anger-inducing comments such as “lack of variety” or “purity of process”.

The region that produces the most ‘challenging’ (i.e smelliest, most likely to induce repulsion) is Islay. Most of the really famous award-winning whiskies come from this region (Laphroig, Lagavulin, et al) and claiming that a particular vintage from one of these distilleries is bound to produce awe and incite respect from your drinking pals. “He must really be a conoisseur if he can stomach that shit!” they’ll cry, as you throw another sip down your neck of a liquid that brings to mind creosote, dead rat, cat piss, and a hint of lemon.

And this is the mark of a true whisky afficionado, one that’s been through the gamut from the approachable drinks from the likes of Auchenstoshan (Ock-en-tosh-an) to the questionably quaffable produce from obscure distilleries such as Caol Ila (cowl-eela) and Bunnahabhain (boon-a-harb-en). Oh, that and the ability to pronounce some of them.

“He must really be a connoisseur if he can stomach that shit!” they’ll cry, as you throw another sip down your neck of a liquid that brings to mind creosote, dead rat, cat piss, and a hint of lemon.

BREW

THE CRAFT

THIS GUY WANTS TO POUR YOU A BEER

SAINT ARCHER BREWERY HAS AN OUTSTANDING IDEA... and a pretty damn good IPA.

By Brian & Leslie Terhorst

T

he concept was simple, yet radical. Why not bring together the action sports community as a platform for branding a great craft beer? “It was one of those Ah-Ha moments that just ‘clicked’... and it changed my life.” shares Josh Landan, co-founder & president over at Saint Archer Brewery.

Second, it’s a California lifestyle brand. Saint Archer’s Art Director Libre Designs, (the folks from Rein Optics) and Saint Archer’s famous 21 limited partners with their 5 million social media followers, and that’s a lot of promotional power. ”We are trying to open up the eyes of some people who maybe aren’t your regular craft beer drinker.”

Josh sits comfortably in their new tasting room & shares some history with us, while a crew of workers dangled precariously above us on a ‘cherry picker’, installing two shiny new stainless steel fermenting tanks. Sales and Marketing representative, Paul Tralka sits across from us and interjects some ‘choice’ bits of information and knowledge to the interview as well.

When asked about the lack of print advertising, Josh jabs a thumb over his shoulder… “That’s our whole campaign.” he’s referring to a collection of photographs, blown up & arranged on the wall behind him.

Instagram portraits.

“This is our marketing strategy. Let the product and the fans of the product, speak for themselves. Social media is the future of marketing. Keep an eye out for posts on facebook & instagram. When we have something big to announce to our friends, fans & followers, that’s the avenue”

The new tanks being installed are the first of four being installed today. They stand two stories high and add to the already impressive collection of tanks and towers that make up the Saint Archer micro brew.

This is a sign business is good. Really good.

Budweiser, Corona & similar beers have been paying a fortune to ‘buy’ their way into the action sports industry for decades. Why not turn it around and work from the other direction?

I thought, ‘What if I could get all of my friends, who are the best skaters, snowboarders, surfers, artists, and musicians in the world, to come and own this brand and brewery with me?” Landan, an accomplished veteran of the action sports industry, has gathered Paul Rodriguez, Mikey Taylor, Josh Kerr, Taylor Knox and other large names in the action sports world as limited partners/ambassadors in the brewery.

“Are you ready for the St. Archer story? Josh asks, Here, lemme give you some background… I started in the action sports industry actually, as a movie director & producer. I grew up in Ventura & began filming surfing when I was about 18. I got to work with some of the greats of that time like Kelly Slater, The Malloy brothers, Timmy Curren, Benji Weatherly & Brad Gerlach, to name just a few.”

He goes on to describe how his knack for storytelling and cinematography earned him a Best Documentary & nomination for Best Director and Film of the year at the X Dance Film Festival. Landan was behind some great surf documentaries titles like ‘Flow, Yield and Medication’.

posts on social media advertise St. Archer products, upcoming events & even athletes lounging with product, etc.

Pro skateboarder Mikey Taylor is just one of the (multi) talented co-owners of this creative new San Diego based micro-brew.

“I won back to back, a couple of years at X Dance (It runs alongside the Sundance Film Festival) & that was pretty cool. “Taylor Knox and I were in Puerto Rico in 2010 filming ‘Medication’, when a tequila company approached us. The company wanted Taylor to sponsor their tequila, and we felt it was kind of a weird fit. While the tequila didn’t jive, I thought, ‘Why not craft beer?’ Beer’s healthier and it’s something that virtually everyone I know, actually drinks.

“I met Mike Taylor while we were prepping to shoot another movie a year later. I picked him up in L.A. the shoot location was down here in San Diego. We basically just hit it off right away. By the time we drove down here to San Diego, Mike was my best friend. We spoke the same language & the brewery idea we developed together was a no brainer, so we just ran with it.”

He continues, “There’s been a lot that’s changed with Saint Archer in the last two years. What hasn’t changed is that it’s a world class brewery first and foremost.”

It seems to be working. While the facility enjoys the new additions happening inside, we also took notice of an eighteen wheel, big rig purring away in the parking lot, waiting patiently to receive it’s latest shipment of Saint Archer’s Blonde Ale, Pale Ale & IPA. The Stone Brewery logos adorn the trailer.

When asked, Josh tells us he has a great working relationship with Steve, (the uber successful owner of Stone Brewery.) “They actually helped us get up and running. They were an invaluable resource of knowledge re: brewing, business & distribution. Sometimes he offers advice on what to do, sometimes, what not to do... and then we do it anyway! (laughs)” “Our Director of Brewery Operations is Yiga Miyashiro, our Lead Brewer is Kim Lutz , and our Assistant Brewer is Ivan Maldonando. Their backgrounds include stints with Pizza Port Brewery and Maui Brewing Company.” They’re starting off with the basics: a 4.8% blonde, 5.2% pale ale, and a 6.8% IPA, but have plans for a double IPA and Coffee Stout, to be released soon. continued on pg.20

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

JUST THE FACTS

5 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT THRUSTERS LOUNGE THRUSTERS LOUNGE 4633 Mission Blvd.

Pacific Beach, 92109

Fact 1: The Thruster three fin surfboard design is often credited to Australia’s Simon Anderson. Since then, this third fin has been helping surfers to absolutely kill it. Since 1999, Thrusters Cocktail Lounge has adopted the name for their intimate and classic cocktail lounge in Pacific Beach. Inside Thruster’s you’ll find a mixture of deep comfy booths and ample barstool seating. Dark wood columns and beams, merge with artistic and vintage skateboard and surf paraphernalia and street art. Thrusters Lounge is a full entertainment venue, offering DJ’s, bands, and dancing nightly. Thrusters Lounge also offers, all NFL, NCAA, College Football packages, and more, on 12 HD plasma screens. Thrusters offers a selection of 44 local, micro, and blue collar beers on draft, a large selection of Craft Bottled Beer, good old fashioned canned beer, as well as their own specialty drinks.

FACT 2: Thrusters is the only establishment listed under bars/pubs certified by the Green Restaurant Association, and has been since 1999, when they opened. Thrusters owner Nick Zanoni has stated that this was his personal preference, since most patrons have no knowledge of their certification. The process of being certified is involved and expensive: establishments cannot use styrofoam, and must agree to make four new environmentally conscious decisions each year. At this point, Thrusters has completed about sixteen steps including water and energy conservation, a recycling program, and using products that are non-toxic to the environment. The next step for the lounge is to replace their cleaning products with ones more environmentally friendly. In addition to the certification, Thrusters has been involved with other events to raise environmental awareness, including beach clean-ups and the Green Drinks program.

FACT 3: In 2005, Zanoni’s hospitality portfolio expanded when he began spending time in Athens, Georgia, the birthplace of his grandmother. That same year, he co-founded Settebello Restaurant Group, and opened Farm 255. Farm 255 is recognized as one of the first restaurants of its kind in the country to source its ingredients almost exclusively from its own farms and other small-scale sustainable farms in the area. Characterized by its alternative business model, Farm 255 has been honored with recognition by leading organizations such as Slow Food International, the Glynwood Institute, and Chefs Collaborative. Farm 255 has received national attention from outlets such as Food & Wine Magazine, The Atlanta Journal Constitution and Southern Living and is featured in the recently released documentary film “The Greenhorns.”

FACT 4: Investor in Noah Johnson’s The Progress Project. Noah’s the man.

Thrusters Owner and craft beer aficionado Nick Zanoni, Zen-like, contemplating his next big move. Check out the ad on page 11 - Photo Jon Tiffin

FACT 5: During 2007-2009 Nick owned the Pacific Bean Coffee shop on Garnet by the pier. Set up Pacific Beach’s first CSA out of the shop from Tierra Miguel farms in Escondido and dropped off extra food shares at the Lutheran and Methodist meal halls once a week. Unfortunately the Farm was sold. But now we have the farmer’s market in large part to boys over at ShoreClub! www.thrusterslounge.com

BREWS BROTHERS

ROUGH DRAFT BREWING CO.

8830 Rehco Rd. Suite D San Diego, CA 92121 This tasting room has style and substance.

We suggest starting with the Eraser IPA (owner Jeff Silver’s favorite) and their surprisingly full flavored Amber Ale. Move up to their barrel aged Emboozlement Trippel, and the the barrel aged “Freudian Slip” is a real treat. www.roughdraftbrew.com

GREEN FLASH BREWING CO.

6550 Mira Mesa Blvd.

San Diego, CA 92121 Their 4,000 square foot tasting room is home to 30 taps featuring favorite their front line beers, including the Imperial IPA & the award winning Le Freak Ale. Satiate your palate and keep your taste buds dancing.

Their moto: We take craft brewing very seriously. Believe it! www.greenflashbrew.com

SAINT ARCHER BREWING CO.

9550 Distribution Ave Mira Mar CA 92121 Josh Landan and Mikey Taylor had a dream. With a little help from their pro athlete friends, they are now living the dream.

Newly opened tasting room is home to three great brews with more on the way. Yiga Miyashiro as Director of Brewing Operations is a good sign these guys are here to stay. www.saintarcherbrewery.com

SOCIETE BREWING CO.

8262 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.

Kearny Mesa CA 92111 When Douglas Constantiner and Travis Smith decided to leave their brewing jobs in 2010 to create a brewery of their own.... it was pure genius. At the recent 2013 San Diego International Beer Festival: Butcher took Gold, Apprentice took Silver & the Harlot took Bronze. They favor India pale ales and Belgian-inspired concoctions www.societebrewing.com

ESSENTIAL

GEAR

HERO 3 Black Edition

World’s Most Versatile Camera.

Smaller, lighter, 2X more powerful.

TV-ready image quality that’s unmatched by the competition. 399. www.southcoast.com

SUMMER

ST. ARCHER Arrow Tee

Super soft light cotton tee shirt.

Don’t look now but your favorite beer is all over your favorite shirt. 20. www.saintarcherbrewery.com

LOYAL DEAN 42” Bomber

Each handmade deck looks, rides, and feels slightly different from its brothers and and sisters, ther efore. each has its own unique serial number stamped into it at the shop. So sic. 379. www.loyaldean.com

HURLEY Phantom Flips

Spacer mesh technology creates a washable/breathable footbed that molds to your foot. Groovy colors & mimics barefoot natural motion. 60. www.hurley.com

LOST F1 Carbon

Surfboard with Hydroflex 3D Carbon Technology. Textreme is a new high end carbon fiber - 20% lighter than other composites, superior surface finish, optimized reinforcements, outstanding performance and just looks BADASS! Available through online custom orders and at select shops www.hydroflex-surfboards.com

ASTARS HD3 Boardshort

Part of the HD boardshort series, this short is the ultimate in performance with a 20” 8-way stretch-ft 90. www.alpinestars.com

MATUSE Tumo 2/2

Summer means fun but not always warm water.

Maximum range of motion with just enough suit to keep you toasty during colder summer swells.

395. www.matuse.com

BOOMBOT Rex

The next evolution of ultraportable smart-speakers.

With revolutionary acoustic and industrial design, a noise-canceling microphone + Siri integration. REX allows you to stay connected to your friends and your music while keeping your phone safely in your pocket. 119. www.boombotix.com

SAMSUNG Galaxy 4S

TRUNQ Sports Utility Box The convenience of Trunq allows outdoor enthusiasts to focus on the search for great waves rather than wasting time searching for gear. Junk in the Trunq yo. Word. 60. www.trunq.com

The next evolution of ultraportable smart-phone.

Experience smarter ways to connect, create and share make the sleek and stylish line of the Galaxy.

Experience a whole new way to interact with your smartphone. Wave your hand at the screen to accept calls with Air Gesture, read content by tilting your head or phone with Smart Scroll. 13mp camera is da bomb. Seri, you may have met your match. 199. w/ 2 yr contract. www.att.com

ESSENTIALS Surf Gear

RVCA Beach Towel - 30.

South Coast Surf Shops Sticky Bumps Comb/Wax box - 4 Rail II Rail Surf Shops Zoggs Original Sex Wax - 3.

Mission Surf Shop 6’ Surf Leash - 24.

Surfindian Surf Shop

STRGHT Classic Cruiser

All handmade in the USA. The deep handcarved pattern on the deck replaces the need for grip tape (and they look cool as hell) Kiana Design shown here. 139. www.strght.com

DAKINE Laurel Pack

GOODRUM Rounded Pin

Local shaper Gary Goodrum creates epic boards like this 6’2” Rounded pin. A step-up summertime board for some pumpin south swells. Available at Rail II Rail in Mission Beach. www.rail2railsurfshop.com

COBIAN Eden

Durable enough to be worn at the beach, and stylish enough to be worn in the city. While remaining true to their surf roots, That’s what gives Cobian their unique “Surftique” 24. www. southcoast.com

The Lowdown & The Lyric

The Devil’s in the details. It’s their attention to details that improve your performance when things heat up. 119. www.smithoptics.com

The Pouch Pack is back!

The Dakine LAUREL combines a casual form with a cool retro-design and functionality. The top drawstring closure allows for quick packing and unpacking, several zipper- and organizer pockets store small items safely and proper. 57. www.missionsurf.com

SUP Accessories

Sweeper Hydration Pack - 80. SUP Calf leash - 28. SUP Paddle Cover - 20. Dakine products not only look great but are bulletproof & just work like they’re supposed to. www.dakine.com

THULE Wingbar & SUP Taxi

SUP Taxi Paddleboard Carrier is a premier locking SUP carrier. Telescoping design delivers a custom fit for board widths up to 34” Wingbar is the most safe and silent roof rack available for purchase at www.rack-it.com

er SidecewdiSnUdP surf” 4 ’ 7 S G KIN d for advan ows you to

ne r all Desig winde hit the e Side s and th rn , g tu in rd d con a n h a te ed rncomple mazing spe tu k ic ha ed qu lip wit combin , the King’s ith its rive g d trol. W d n a to brin peed tined ing, s is des a level you r e d in Sidew to 10’ rfing to UP su ossible. Up p your S t h g thou 70. hadn’t ble. 15 orts.com availa sp le d d length a ingsp .k w w w

RIVIERA 11’6” SUP

The perfect board for SUP Surfing, cruising and touring for beginners & intermediate levels.

Very stable cruiser that comes with a nice comfy traction pad.

The 11’6” has a slightly pulled in nose and pinched rails for better maneuverability in the surf. 850. www.riviera.com

RIVIERA ‘Bump’ Paddle a DE Kanah s the

A QUICfibKeBrgLlass blatrdoekaellocowme to

ART IN SURF Magic Board

The Terry Chung 8’11” “Magic Board” is built with the durable and volume efficient PVC technology. The shape is a classic nose rider outline with concave in the right spot! 8’11” X 28 1/4” X 4 3/4” Just a fun board to surf and able to take a push into some sizable surf.

This board is for surfing, hotdogging and getting rides on the nose. 1239.

Available only at authorized dealers like www.oexpointloma.com and via the store at www.Artinsurf.com

The of s Shaft hases Glass The four p rbon a t.

C h ig e e h lightw life. T more it ultra rip is makes ic molded g g it k ma in if om form, ergon en n v a n th And e functio the hands. le will d d a p n easy o t a pro, this . e. 289 no like on m you’re u feel les.co o d y d a e k p de ma ickbla u .q w ww

the newest to the Riviera Paddles Line. It comes in 2 blade widths 8” and 8.5” and is the most technical paddle we have made to date. It has an added carbon fiber weave around the shaft that gives it a bumpy feel, and added grip.

Other features include the Ergo Grip Handle that fits perfectly in your hand providing a secure grip, and a satin finish that gives it a stealth look, and adds a textured, gritty feel. 399. www.riviera.com

ADRENALINE JUNKIES Mountain Bike at Big Bear The Snow Summit Adventure Park is open with biking trails, and bike rentals for all levels and abilities.

New this season are expert rideronly mountain biking trails on the face of Snow Summit!

The first black trail to open is “Miracle Mile” with multiple features including: berms, rollers, jumps and bridges for downhill enthusiasts and designed by Gravity Logic.

Ronnie Renner at Snow Summit Photo by LeeStockwell

GEAR UP

Nuthin’ could be finer, than to rider yer 29’er, in the mooooorning.

SANTA CRUZ Tallboy LT

Tallboy was awarded “Bike of the Year” time after time, changing the perception of what a 29” wheel mountain bike was capable of. Plenty of beef where it counts, and the damn thing only weighs 5.18 pounds.

That’s obscenely light for this type of bike. In spite of the feathery weight, this is still an aggressive all-mountain contender, and as such is stiff enough and strong enough to devour anything you throw at it without so much as a twitch. 4929. www.bicyclewarehouse.com

Protect yourself, before you wreck yourself

FOX Striker Helmet

This lightweight lid gives you the airyness of an XC helmet with a bit more coverage like a trail helmet. 119. www.trekbicyclesuperstore.com

G FORM Safety Pads KONA Kahuna DL

Specifically purposed for cross-country riding and light duty XC racing, the Kahuna DL features all of the high-performance benefits of a Kona 7005 Aluminum Butted frameset—light, fast and marvelously responsive. Featuring the efficiency and confidence of 29” wheels, the Kahuna DL shares the same geometry as their race-ready Big Kahuna and carbon-fiber King Kahuna XC, only a bit less expensive. 1599. www. missionsurf.com

TREK Superfly 100 AL

Super-fast 29er with an aggressive disposition that absolutely begs to be raced but is still fun for ripping trails… Let’s cut to the chase: We loved this bike. Gary Fisher’s Superfly 100 had our RevoltInSider frothing at the mouth for a demo ride. It was worth the wait. Wicked Awesome. The Superfly 100 AL pro has everything you need at a price for the rider who is serious about riding, but not seriously rich. 5299. ww.trekbicyclesuperstore.com

G-Form Knee Pads are the first exterior flexible, molded, rate-dependent impact pad worn on the outside of your clothing. Useful for any dangerous activity: Skate, Snow, Bear wrestling 59. www.adrenalinastore.com

DAKINE Defender Gluv Composite knuckle armor, Drum dyed leather, breathable nylon mesh. Also great for Bear wrestling. 45. www. dakine.com

DAKINE Nomad

This lightweight hydration pack features: A 100 oz. hydration reservoir. Molded back panel with Air Channel Ventilation.

Full face or XC helmet carry. Armor carry straps. Fleece lined pockets. Removable waist belt. Integrated rescue whistle-sternum strap. All good 115. www.dakine.com

cont. pg. 14

These guys are ALL IN, meaning, they didn’t just throw me a handful of bills, saying, “See what you can do for me!” Never to be seen or heard from again.... just waiting around for a royalty check.

hurch

Newbreak C

Paul Rodriguez, Mikey Taylor, Dusty Payne, Josh Kerr and Taylor Knox are some of the big name athletes who are co-owners and investors in Saint Archer; all of them friends of Landan from his days in the action sports industry. Marquee athletes and artists like these investing their own money into a venture like this is unheard of, and proves how truly involved and dedicated they are to the budding business.

AMPUS

E ACH C B N A E C O

These guys are ALL IN, meaning, they didn’t just throw me a handful of bills, saying, “See what you can do for me!” Never to be seen or heard from again.... just waiting around for a royalty check. “

! n e p O w o N Y SATURDA

These guys are hands on in so many ways. In fact, drop by tomorrow night & see what I mean. We have a ‘Cask’ tasting happening here. A Scotch Ale will be introduced tomorrow night. Our ambassadors will be onsite helping pour some pints & hanging out. It might be kinda cool.

(It was kinda cool. Damn cool, in fact. A packed house, with some of the biggest names in the action sports world like Taylor Knox, Mikey Taylor, Brian “Slash” Hansen & Bryan Herman were there behind the bar, pouring and having a great time with all their friends & fans of the brewery. Their brewery!)

S AT 5PM

E MAY 46 9 4 C AP

AVE.

photo by Leslie Terhorst

now

then

Paul Tralka with a ‘Growler’ for Leslie on her birthday. (above) Good times & even the back of Paul’s SUV wind up on social media to relate the Saint Archer brand and lifestyle. (left)

95 MAKING YEARS IN THE

After a Saturday of antique shopping, strolling the pier or playing at the beach, head on over to Newbreak Church's newest campus. This building has an old soul, and the renovations give it a new heart for its community. We welcome you to become part of the next generation of this church Saturdays at 5:00pm.

There is a growing list of damn good Micro Breweries in San Diego. However, what makes Saint Archer unique is the fact that their owners/ambassadors have famous faces, and, in my opinion, these ambassadors will help define the Saint Archer signature lifestyle.

Moreover, and more importantly, Saint Archer is a brewery, producing some of the finest craft beers in this new ‘mecca of craft beers’, called San Diego, so they have a lot to live up to. But, with what I have seen, heard and tasted over these last few days, I am certain they will live up to the high expectations, and with the help of their talented roster of friends, will define who Saint Archer is, and stands for.

Saint Archer Brewing Co. 9550 Distribution Ave. San Diego, CA 92121

2012 RSSS Champ Brandon Roberts shows up & blows up his division. Photo: Ronald Hons

7th ANNUAL RSSS PRO/AM Kicks off 2013 with new Smith Optics ‘GRUDGE MATCH’ format

By Brian & Leslie Terhorst Photos By Aaron Goulding and Ronald Hons The first event of four took place June 22 at PB Drive and saw record competitor signups in Pro Am & SUP Surf divisions. The Grudge Match format used with this year’s Pro Am, allows for the athletes to call out their opponents and surf against them throughout the day. Surfing against your best friend or archrivals made for some exciting competition and interesting strategy in the small, but fun 3-4 foot surf.

108 competitors battled the entire day, with heats running continually from 8am until roughly 7pm. The event attracted many thousands of people to the large setup and displays from the official RSSS sponsors including Red Bull, Smith Optics, Split & Dedicated Ride Co. Top athletes from around the globe competed in seven different divisions.

Doug Van Mierlo takes home the 1000.00 & racks up points for the season opener (center) Top ranked SUP Surf Champion Sean Poynter shows the crowd some power moves (left) both photos; Aaron Goulding

Stand Up Paddle companies like Kings Paddlesports, Riviera Paddlesurf, OEX of Pt. Loma and Art In Surf attracted a large crowd supporting the SUP divisions. Other stand out attendees included Sean Poynter (#2 Ranked SUP Surf world champ) Brett Swain (Seattle Seahawks Wide Receiver & Superbowl Champ) Daniel Hughes and Ulises Thomas were among the SUP surfers competing.

World Champion Carissa Moore Spends The Day At RSSS Carissa Moore is a Red Bull Athlete and the 2011 ASP Women’s World Tour Champion. Currently ranked #2 Carissa has won 6 ASP Women’s World Tour events, 2 ASP WQS 6-Star events and an unprecedented 11 NSSA Titles. She attended the event & cheered on her little sister Cayla, competing in the Women’s Pro Am. She signed autographs, free surfed and gathered together some of the young ladies for an inspirational Q & A session in the afternoon. Something we’re sure the girls will remember for a long time.

Returning RSSS Champions Brandon Roberts and Michele Flores mixed it up with other surfers in Men’s Pro Am from countries including Brazil, Barbados, Japan & Australia. West Coast, East Coast and the Hawaiian Island surfers represented the U.S. well and took most of the trophies on Saturday. The diversity of countries, athletes, ages, disciplines & skillsets, competing together on a single day, is what make the RSSS so unique.

Photos by Aaron Goulding

Party Boy Pete gets an assist from Carissa Moore in the Announcer’s booth

Seattle Seahawk WR Brett Swain competes

Peter Shoemaker The finals were held in fun 3-4 foot waves and saw the spectators on their feet cheering throughout all divisions. The Groms & Juniors were on fire and spectators were left shaking their heads in wonder at the high level of competition from these young competitors. Standout performances from Grom winner Jackson Bunch & Junior winner Kei Kabayashi. Women’s Pro Am winner was Alexa Dilley and Maya Saulino won the Junior Women’s. Sean Poynter took home first in the Men’s Pro Am SUP Surf. Peter Shoemaker took home a first place in the Jr. Sup Surf Finals. All in all a fantastic event for the RSSS not only for the competitors but for the spectators as well.

Sean Poynter

6/22 RESULTS

Men’s Pro / Am

1st Doug Van Mierlo – $1000.

2nd Bruce Mackie – $500.

3rd Trevor Thorton – $350.

4th Taylor Dodge – $150.

5th Joel Peek – $100.

6th Colin Richardson – $100.

Junior’s

1st Kei Kabayashi 2nd Danny Edghill 3rd Matt Beres

Grom’s

1st Jackson Bunch 2nd Tanner Ford 3rd Zach McCormick

Men’s SUP Surf

1st Sean Poynter – $500.

2nd Chuck Glynn 3rd Daniel Hughes

Alexa Dilly

Junior SUP Surf

Doug Van Mierlo

1st Peter Shoemaker 2nd Ryan Maloney 3rd Graydon Church

Women’s

1st Alexa Dilly 2nd Avalon Johnson 3rd Dhelby Detmers

Junior Women’s

1st Maya Saulino 2nd Sidney Johnson 3rd Hannah Blevins

Kei Kabayashi

Maya Saulino

Beautiful custom trophies created by our good friends at STRGHT Skateboards were held high during the award ceremony.

A total of $2700.00 was awarded to top Pro riders and the sponsor swag overflowed the legendary RSSS swag bags presented to top competitors in all divisions.

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS: Red Bull, Smith Optics, Mission Surf, South Coast Surf Shops, Sun Diego, Alpinestars, Split USA, Dedicated Ride Co., Victory Kore Dry, STRGHT Skateboards, Sector 9 Skateboards, Gravity Skateboards, Clairemont YMCA Skatepark, Riviera Paddlesurf, Kings Paddlesports, Art In Surf SUP, OEX Point Loma, Wonderland Ocean Pub, The Wavehouse, The Duck Dive, Kicker Audio, The Progress Project, ECO Water, Surfrider Foundation, SD Coastkeepers, Wildcoast, Jag Media Productions, Aladdin Surf Mag

Jackson Bunch The 2nd event will take place at OB Pier in Ocean Beach, July 20th. Sign up online and guarantee your spot! (also avoid a beach entry fee) For more info go to www.revoltsurfseries.com and visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/revoltsurf

BIG

BEN WILKINSON Interview and photography by Aaron Goulding

B

orn and raised in south east Australia, about a half mile from the beach in North Narrabeen. Ben’s upbringing was nothing short of “good ole’ fashioned, raw, life lessons”. Ben has fond memories of his father who took him to the beach regularly as a child and would leave him on the beach while he surfed. His Dad, Mark would draw a square in the sand and tell Ben, not to leave the square. Over time Ben would eventually leave ‘the square’ & join his father on his surf sessions.

His dad, a hard working blue collar was diagnosed with motor neuron disease or Lou Gehrig’s disease. The disease limits muscle movement and eventually eats away at them. As Ben’s father’s condition got worse, the family took a memorable vacation together to Tahiti.

Afterwards, Ben took his dad up to live with his sister, Katrina, in Byron Bay, where they would both care for him until his passing.

After this tough time in his life, Ben, age 22, began to pick up the pieces and move forward. Ben went back to revisit Tahiti and would meet some very important people that would help him later.

Ben later moved on to Los Angeles, with $120 to his name. In Tahiti he had met a local surfside resident Richard Sherrats. Richard wound up taking him under his wing & put him to work at his construction company.

A few more influential people took notice of his surfing skills, and he eventually landed a spot as an alternate for the ‘Eddie’ contest on the North Shore of Oahu. Unfortunately, he was replaced by another competitor due to some (unidentified) internal politics.

Not one to spend time dwelling on the negative, Ben charged forward & went on to take second place in the Peruvian Big Wave Challenge ‘Pico Alto’, just behind Peter Mel. This put Ben back on track as being a contender for other Big Wave Challenges.

Ben is a humble guy and there’s no mistaking why he’s been nicknamed “Big Ben”. He’s a pretty big guy. He’s also super fun to hang out with. He’s paid his dues and is currently working hard to make a bigger name for himself in the big wave community as one of the world’s finest Hellmen. I had the opportunity to chat with Ben on a recent boat ride out to the Cortes Bank for a Big Wave sesh with his fellow Hellmen:

Revolt In Style: If you could turn back the clock to have one more session with your father, what year would it be and where would you guys go and why?

Ben Wilkinson: It would have to be a big session at my home break of North Narrabeen in 1999 on a big north east swell. He would just sit out in his spot ‘Mountains’, patiently waiting for the biggest, best waves. My sister, Undies, Brett Banno, Froggy, Dyl Pickle, Griffo, Jimmy Miller and his best mate Pete ‘the Potion Master’ Dregaer, would be there. Because he lead the way for me and the people I mentioned...and more. I would love to share another day with my old man & these special people in his life.

RIS: What was it that sparked your interest to ride really big waves?

BW: My interest was brought about by natural progression. Wanting to keep up and surf when and where my dad and his mates would surf. Also from the stories that I would hear down at the local NN boardriders comps. Stories from a far away Hawaii or Tahiti. But it really stems from wanting to prove to Dad that I could do it. I would ride his shortboard and he would pull out his big shiny red Farrelly gun. The energy and the process preparing for these rare big wave sessions intrigued me... and I wanted in.

ing my own custom furniture. Natural live edge, locally salvaged hardwoods from Hawaii. Being a big wave surfer who is unsponsored, is quite difficult and expensive. My clients love to brag about having a big wave surfer working for them but when it comes down to it, they don’t like it when I have to bail for a contest or a swell. So, I have found that my furniture is the perfect balance.

RIS: What is PITMOVE? BW: PITMOVE, is a concept and a figure of speech that me and my Mavs travel partner Matt Seigle came up with. We came up with it around a firepit at Half Moon Bay, home of Mavericks over a number of trips... over a number of years. We would do whatever we could to get up there to surf.

“Spend it at the bar, sleep in the car” was another one of our slogans After a combination of beer, firepits, being out in the pit at Mavericks, Matty moving on chicks and our favorite road album, ‘Bob Seger, Night Moves’, we came up with the word ‘Pitmove’. It applies to almost anything in life that you need to step outside of your comfort zone to do. It’s all about the Pitmove!

RIS: I hear you are quite the carpenter and have now turned your work into artistry? What sort of stuff are you making?

RIS: What was the first board you ever surfed and how did you feel when you got your first tube on it?

BW: Yes, I left school at 16 and was apprenticed

by Jimmy and Sam Miller a local enforcer at NN. I’m forever indebted to them, not only for giving me my trade and skill but for also being there as friends and mentors through my early adulthood.

Recently, I’ve shifted my focus from being a carpenter & building homes, to designing and build-

BW: My first board was a Jet surfboard. It was pink.... I didn’t get any real tubes on it that I can remember. But, what I can remember is... bodysurfing with my dad and standing up on his back and getting tubed. This I will never forget! I can still feel his back under my feet !

continued from pg. 25 RIS: Any major hold downs?

BW: Hold downs are part of the business. I’ve had some rippers and will always expect too!

RIS: You worked really hard to make it into the Big Wave Challenge. How were you received by the other seasoned competitors?

BW: Yes, I have worked, or should I say.... Pitmoved, really hard to get to where I am today. I have been received well. The majority of the big wave guys are humble gracious, respectful and positive towards my arrival on the scene. That being said, they are also competitors... I am a threat to them and they are as such.

We came up with the word Pitmove...

It applies to almost anything in life that you need to step outside of your comfort zone to do.

RIS: Besides giant surf, what else gets ‘Big Ben’ fired up?

BW: I love to paddle canoe with my boys down at Manu O Ke Kai, building and designing my woodwork & art, shaping surfboards, photography, friends, food and family.

RIS: Any legendary surfers that you had met growing up, that you sought advice from? And who was your biggest influence?

BW: Yeah, it is kind of surreal. I’m surfing alongside some of my heroes; Jeff Clark, Pete Mel, Grant Washburn... rubbing shoulders with Slater, Dorian. One of the best experiences has been with Titus Kinimaka, I was introduced to Titus through a good mate of mine from Tahiti, ‘Smitt’. I asked Titus for some advice on how I could get into the Eddie. He said to follow my dreams, and if they were meant to be... they would come true. Titus has been one of my heroes and inspirations since I was a boy. He has stepped aside and given up his spot in the Eddie for someone like me or say Aaron Gold. Titus has been one of my biggest influences because of his nature, his passion for big waves, his addiction to the bay and his dedication to the sport!

RIS: Is there anyone in particular that helped you along the way or that pushed you to get to where you are now?

BW: There are so many special people that have helped me on my journey!! You know who you are!!

Revolt In Style: What if you only had one board for the rest of your life?

Jeff Lukasik: 5’11x18.5x2.25 RIS: What if you were stranded on a island with perfect waves but no boards?

JL: Build a raft and get to an island with no waves RIS: What if you found out your girlfriend used to be a boy?

JL: Burn the sheets, send him packing, start banging my head against a wall till the past 2 year was just a blur.

RIS: What if the Kardashians never existed?

JL: The world would be a better place RIS: What if the ocean got too polluted to surf in?

JL: Slater would stop winning contests and finish his wave pool RIS: What if you were as fat as Chase Brady?

JL: Call jenny craig. Burry some rail while im still chunky RIS: What if you woke up a girl?

JL: Hit the bars and start cashing in on free drinks RIS: What if you look like Joe Foster in his day?

JL: Watch out Bieber I’m snagging Selina Gomez.

RIS: What If Instagram never existed?

JL: People would put there phones down and talk a little more RIS: What if you had one wish?

JL: Cure Cancer

JEFF

LUKASIK

Age: 23 Sponsors: Etnies, Nixon, Xcel Wetsuits, Kaysen Surfboards, FCS, Gorilla Grip, Tres Noir Optics, Republik of Kalifornia

GOULDING

AARON

AN AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHER OF SURF AND SHORE | Interview by Brian Terhorst

A

aron Goulding is a multi-talented photographer with a unique perspective on surf and sea. Based out of La Jolla Ca, Goulding spends countless hours in and around the water, capturing imagery of dramatic and color drenched ocean environments. His keen eye for talented surfers and his spot-on timing of their jaw dropping maneuvers, have garnered numerous accolades and mad respect from his fellow photographers. In addition to navigating the waves armed with a camera in an underwater housing, his side job exposes his digits to danger while he’s cleaning the teeth of ‘Man’s Best Friend’.

Encouraged by his good friend Scott Chandler, a seasoned big wave Hellman, Aaron has become somewhat of the official cameraman to ‘Chandy’ and his crew as they take on some of the largest surf on the planet. Some of his work has been published

by Surfer, Transworld Surf, The Surfer’s Journal and Aladdinsurf.com to name a few.

In 2010, Aaron became senior surf editor with Revolt In Style Magazine. His images have been in every issue since. Creating these unique images requires careful planning, hard work and more than a bit of luck. To be in the right place at the right time, Aaron is often up before dawn, on the road or bouncing around a rented boat or watercraft to capture that perfect light, that perfect swell, that perfect shot...

We catch up with Aaron just as he returns from one of the most anticipated shoots of the year thus far....

Revolt In Style: Name, rank, serial number, kids, pets, favorite food?

Aaron Goulding: Joseph “Aaron’ Goulding or “JAG”. Ranked among the best... haha.

Confidential, three kids, zero pets & anything my wife cooks!

RIS: Aaron, I already know the answer but let’s tell the readers about your busy schedule lately. Anything in particular you want to talk about?

AG: Ha ha...Yes, always super busy...If not work, then more work, when I’m not chasing fresh swells, shore-break and more work, I’m usually doing something with my family. Three kids keeps me pretty busy but thanks to my very understanding wife I get to live my life pretty spontaneously often leaving the country at a moments notice and coming in from work... Just to head straight back out to the ocean.

I spend my evenings processing images and posting to Instagram or facebook to keep people up to date with what I’m up to.

RIS: What kind of camera, gear are you using?

AG: I use a Nikon D700 from land and a Nikon D300s in an SPL Water Housing from the water.

RIS: What inspires you?

AG: I’m inspired by the past and present of photography and aspire to be the future of photography. I like lots of color and I see compositions naturally so certain terrain will catch my eye. I am also inspired by the works of so many other amazing talented photographers of today. But I like everything from fashion to intergalactic images and even if I see a good image often I am inspired to do it, not better, but differently.

RIS: What is your favorite thing to shoot these days?

AG: That’s a good question…I really love to shoot shorebreak. That’s my passion after all I have spent most of my life in shore-break so I know it well but I also love to shoot underwater portraits. I feel like I really understand light and composition under water so the results are usually very gratifying.

RIS: What is your favorite shoot of all time?

AG: My favorite shoot of all time was with Brooke Shields and her two daughters, Rowan and Grier. We shot at her home in L.A. and we sunk a table and two chairs in her pool and had an underwater tea party. Brooke poured the tea for her daughters.

It was amazing! Unfortunately the images were for her personal use, not mine so I cannot display them publicly.

RIS: Do you have a favorite image or is that like asking which of your children is your favorite?

AG: Funny! I have a few favorites not just one so yeah, I guess it would be like asking which of my children is my favorite. I really like Scripps Blue which is part of my 2013 Land Collection, The Eye from my 1022 Water Collection, Sandy Candy from my 2012 Water Collection and Windansea Falls from my 2013 Land Collection, just to name a few.

Aaron’s classic RIS cover from 2012 featuring North Shore royalty, big wave surfer and musician Macua Rothman.

Self portrait (right)

RIS: How is it working as the Surf Editor for Revolt In Style?

AG: Boring… just kidding! I love it! I get to meet new people all the time and I get to see my work in print regularly, so it’s super rewarding. I also get access to events that I normally might not have access to.

RIS: What was your favorite shoot for Revolt so far?

AG: I think shooting with Makua Rothman was one of my favorite shoots because I got to be creative and choose the location. I got really lucky with the lighting and he was very photogenic, so it made for a fun and memorable shoot. Plus it got the cover, so that was a nice reward.

RIS: How did your gallery go at Goldfish cafe´?

AG: Yeah, so I did my first exhibition of my photography ever!

I think it was very successful! I had Aja Lee there backing my work all night with her incredible voice and ukulele work. And the café offered such an amazing view! There were just over a couple hundred attendees throughout the night and I sold quite a bit more than I expected so I was very pleased. I have another exhibition coming up June 21 from 5pm to 7pm at The White Sands of La Jolla. Please come and see me. My work will be on display for the entire weekend!

RIS: Tell us about the new prints on aluminum... Those are strikingly beautiful!

AG: Thanks! Yes, I have been searching for this medium for a long time and finally found what I was looking for. Basically the image is transferred to a gel like substance which is mounted to the aluminum then coated. The process is called Dye Sublimation. The colors pop in good light and it gives the image a real watery look. It is a little pricey but well worth it.

RIS: I heard you received a big compliment from Aaron Chang, tell us how that went down.

AG: Yes. I have admired Aaron Chang’s work for a couple of decades now. Last year at the La Jolla Art and Wine Festival he approached my booth at the end of the day. I got a lump in my throat (I was chatting with my wife on the phone). I told her that I’d have to call her back & I stood up , shook his hand and introduced myself. “Aaron...Hi, my name is Aaron Goulding.” He said, “Yes, I know who you are. Your name supersedes you.” He mentioned that he really liked my underwater work. That was a moment I will never forget. He is legendary and that was a huge compliment. We chat now and again on facebook. He’s a very humble and genuine guy and his work is amazing. Thank you Aaron Chang!!

RIS: Are you more comfortable in or out of the water?

AG: When it’s giant, I’m way more comfortable out of the water. Don’t be fooled by my physique though…ha ha! I might not look it, but I can swim pretty well. I do have my limits and as I get older those are shrinking. Otherwise, I live to be in the water - mostly shorebreak. That’s where I feel comfortable because it’s what I know.

RIS: When you are shooting in the water, ever get the willies? Any good stories to share?

AG: Oh yeah, I have gotten spooked many times. Actually just about a week ago I was shooting flash just past dark when a school of bait fish came close in and some larger fish were dining... Basically causing the water to boil around me. I started shooting vigorously underwater to see if I could capture any of the action, then remembered that in the South Pacific, sharks are attracted to bright objects, just then I got spooked. I was cracking up, going through the images later that evening, thinking how funny it would be if one of the shots showed a large shark with its jaws open about to eat me. Thank God that was not the case!

Another time I was shooting one of the local point breaks and I felt something sharp on my groin. I was like…WTH? In the middle of winter in my full suit, a few hundred yards out and something is poking my leg? I reached down underwater and pulled a large crab off of me. That spooked me pretty good when I first got hold of it. Haha!

RIS: When you are shooting the kids underwater, do they ever pee?

AG: Ha ha! I am certain of it! But I really have no way of knowing. I just try not to taste the water…I have seen any snickers bars floating around either yet… Ha ha!

RIS: I hear you also work with animals when you are not behind the camera. How is that going?

AG: Oh man… It’s a tough business, but it’s going really well. I do non-anesthetic teeth cleaning on cats and dogs and have been doing so for 6 years under veterinarian supervision. I get bit a lot, mostly unintentionally, but I must say about 95% of the pets I work with are extremely cooperative. It’s so cool and so rewarding because some of these little guys really need this sort of care regularly because they’re genetically predisposed to having dental issues and they can’t go under anesthesia every month.

So I take care of them. I treat every pet like it’s mine... lots of love and compassion.

RIS: How can we check out your work online?

AG: I post daily on Instagram (Aaron Goulding) and facebook (JAG Media Productions) all of my surf and land stuff.

Website: www.jagmediaproductions.com. My portrait and underwater photography can be found on facebook – Aaron Goulding Photgraphy or www.aarongouldingphotography.com RIS: What if you see something you have to have? Can you purchase prints online?

AG: Yes, or if you see it on FB and not on my site just message me or email me: jagmediaproductions@hotmail.com Also, I have open slots for underwater portraits available so contact me!!

I never know when the next big adventure will be.

It just happens and it’s always nuts!

RIS: So, what’s your next big adventure?

AG: I just did it! Ha ha! I was down it Oaxaca, Mexico to shoot the Hellmen at Puerto Escondido in anticipation of the Swell of the decade.... that never hit. But honestly I never know when the next big adventure will be. It just happens and it’s always nuts!

RIS: Let’s give a shout to......

AG: Yeah, I really want to thank my wife first and foremost for all of her support. I could not do it all without her. I love you babe! Of course, I want to thank my children who have to go without their Papa more than several days a month... they handle it well.

I also really want to thank Fred Simpson and Viper Fins for supporting me for the last 25 years with more pairs of fins than I could ever ask for. Thanks to Pam Baldwin for bringing me some amazing clientele and helping to sell my work. Thanks to my close friends for always helping out and supporting me: Lynn Laumann, Vou Athens, Mark Bromley and Terry Upton. Thanks to Savannah Reidler for helping out. Also big thanks to JP for helping to expose my work in La Jolla through the café he works at, Goldfish Point Café.

Thanks to Corey Bailey for helping me put together my first exhibition!

I owe a big thanks to Scott Chandler for always pushing me to be in large surf. I have never been in waves larger than 20 feet until I met Chandler and the things we have done together in surf that large, always amazes me. Thanks to Sabrina Mills for allowing me to show my work at The White Sands of La Jolla. Thanks to the following retail stores; Mitch’s Surf Shop, Bird’s Surf Shed, The Cave Store, Surf Diva and John at Box Bros.

Thanks to the following publications for believing in me and showing the world my vision: Joe Foster-Alladin Surf Mag, Jeff Divine – The Surfer’s Journal, Clay Feeter – SUP Journal, Marcus Sanders – Surfline, Richard Pata and Evan Fa – Surge, Steve Sawitz – BBR Mag and last but not least Brian and Leslie Terhorst of Revolt In Style Magazine for all the years of support!

THE SHECKLER FOUNDATION

4TH ANNUAL SKATE FOR A CAUSE

Words & Photos by Eric Hendrikx

W

hat does the Ryan Sheckler Foundation and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe of Washington have in common? Simple. They are working together to build a better community for future generations. For the fourth year in a row, the philanthropic skateboarder and his foundation has delivered an incredibly fun event and achieved their annual $50,000 goal to help others – only this time they raised $100,000 for their Be The Change initiative.

“Be The Change” – a phrase bannered by the foundation – resonates with positive vibes when attending The Sheckler Foundation’s 4th Annual Skate For A Cause event in Lake Forest, California, benefitting Be The Change, a program instituted to educate, equip and ultimately, empower communities in need. The phrase, narrowed from Mahatma Gandhi’s message, “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change,” was employed by the foundation to convey their call for personal and social transformation, a philosophy by which they lead with many examples.

Contributions raised this year will fund a new skatepark to be constructed on the shores of Port Gamble Bay in the Kitsap Peninsula, Washington. The project was nominated from hundreds of submissions and the Native American Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe rallied to collect the most votes for their plans to build a skatepark. The Sheckler Foundation and the tribe have been working collectively over the past year to create a park that will enrich the lives of children on the reservation for years to come.

On May 4th, thousands of attendees were welcomed by a line-up of sponsored carnival style tents, prize-winning games for kids, awesome food, pro skate contests and a truckload of fun. Bounce castles swarmed with smiling tots hopping to beats of their own. From Ford Motors, UFC, Fred Water, and a number of other sponsors joined in to support and celebrate this years cause: to raise $50,000 toward the completion of a skatepark in the realm of the S’Klallam Indian Reservation in Washington. It’s no surprise, with the spirit of unity between the foundation, it’s sponsors, skaters and fans, that the final goal reached was double the anticipation: $100,000 was raised at this years event. Gretchen Sheckler, who promised she wouldn’t cry during her final announcement, held tears back behind her shades as she shared the incredible news, “We raised $100,000. Which means we will be able to finish our project in Washington and start the next Be The Change project.”

In spirit of the Skate For A Cause philosophy, Fred Water sponsored the Skater Cross Contest, where pro skaters raced in pairs through a whimsical obstacle course in the flow section of the park. The races was packed with laughs as skaters were disqualified for riding outside the cones, teasing their opponents, or simply falling behind in their push toward glory. “Skate for a Cause is an event everyone at Fred Water looks forward to all year,” said creative director, Ariel Broggi. “True to their mission, the Sheckler Foundation is making a difference and we love working with everyone there. And of course, we love hanging out in SoCal and watching the skateboarders rip too. We’re humbled to be a part of it and already can’t wait for next spring.”

Absolutely Alice, a company based upon imagination and wonder, through the creative use of Sharpie markers, invited guests to scribe their thoughts onto a whimsical wall. “This opportunity gave me a chance to display and express my passion for art. I was able to show people what unique and endless possibilities can be created from a simple sharpie marker,” riddled artist Laurie Liberatore.

Arriving in droves, pro skaters came to skate, support and enjoy a fun day with the Foundation. Neal Hendrix, long time friend of Ryan stated, “I’ve known Sheckler since he was a kid, so it’s amazing to see how far he’s come and be in the position he is to do amazing things for people who need help and support. Skateboarding is all about community and this event is a perfect example of how the skate world will rally around a good cause”.

Punk-rock authentic skater Duane Peters arrived to the event and shared that, “The Sheckler family has continually built this day for others, up from a session with the boys for toys benefit to the real deal, and everybody is getting hip and coming out to give time and fun for whatever the good cause ends up being about! We skateboarders love this stuff so we get a chance to have killer great sessions with all ages of the best in the game of skateboard riding”.

Alongside Ryan Sheckler, friends, peers and heroes arrived by the dozens, to share their loyalty and support for the Foundation and it’s goals. The GoPro Legends Bowl contest, a friendly competition of some of skateboarding’s greatest heroes included Christian Hosoi, Dave Hackett, Jay Adams, Dave Duncan, and more.

Dave ‘Hackman’ Hackett proudly participated in the event delivering, among a number of great runs, a killer Deathbox grind in the Legends Bowl. “You know, I get invited to a lot of events, but the one that I really look forward to every year is Ryan Sheckler’s Skate for a Cause because the vibe is so amazingly cool. Ryan, Gretchen and Angelique really know how to host a top-notch event and treat everyone with class, dignity and respect, and that just makes everyone want to be there to give of their time, energy, and talent knowing that we are all just one big happy skateboard family doing something good in the world!”

Legend skater Christian Hosoi stated, “The Sheckler foundation skate for a cause event is amazing! There was a great vibe in the air because everyone was there to donate their time, skills and profession for the cause! To see the dedication and desire to help is inspiring! The event is different than all other events because it gives back to help others as well as having a great contest with world-class professional skateboarders. It was an honor to support such a great event and cause. Thanks to the Sheckler family for the invitation to help with the cause. God bless you!”

The day lead up to a best trick contest, which encompassed a handful of obstacles in the park including the eleven stair set, bank to rails, and quarter pipe. Greg Lutzka, who has attended every year, took first place for the day, donating back his $3,000 winnings to the Foundation. “The Sheckler foundation is a great event for an awesome cause to get all the kids and skaters together to give back and have some fun,” said Lutzka.

Local Park pro Dylan Witkin rallied up two big wins for the day, stating, “I like the event because whether you win or lose, you’re helping to give back to skateboarding”.

“This seems to be one of our better turnouts. We’ve got a lot of skaters here, all the sponsors came out, and all the fans came out. It’s a blessing to have this day.” ~ Ryan Sheckler

Etnies is the primary sponsor of the event.

“Whether it’s building skateparks, creating events, sponsoring events or supporting riders, etnies is all about giving back to the skateboarding community, said Don Brown, senior vice president of marketing at Sole Tech. “The Sheckler Foundation’s 4th “Skate For a Cause” was another perfect event to be involved with – top riders and great support from the entire skate industry and all at the etnies skatepark – one of the biggest and best skateparks in the world! Great job to The Sheckler Foundation and all the sponsors, riders and volunteers for pulling off another of the best events of the year!”

Lifelong friend of the Sheckler family and pro skater, Neal Mims, has attended all four of the annual events said, “I love this event because of what it stands for. It’s all about giving back. The difference between this event and other skate events is that everyone one of us from each generation of skateboarding is there skating for the same purpose; which is to raise money for a good cause.”

Media attending the event showed up with grace and humility. Robert Brink, of Sole Tech and The Ride Channel’s Weekend Buzz attends the event every year. “I make it a point to attend Skate for a Cause every year, stated Brink. “Skateboarding has been a part of my life for over 25 years and to be able to attend events and sometimes be involved in them or help spread the message as a member of the media is a privilege. Any time I can put skateboarding or my resources towards a good cause I will do so. And I will support anyone in our industry trying to do the same, and help as much as I can, especially someone like Ryan Sheckler and etnies, both of whom I’ve been involved with since 2005 when I first got hired by Sole Technology.”

WES AGEE

TEMECULA BASED FMX STAR HEADS TO THE BIG SHOW INTERVIEW BY BRIAN TERHORST

T

emecula is probably known best for its beautiful wine country…

Majestic wineries with tens of thousands of picturesque acres of vineyards that dot the countryside with seemingly endless rows of grape vines… Blah, blah, blah

Did you know that Temecula is also the #1 choice for some of the best FMX riders in the WORLD? There are many reasons why: Wide open spaces, multiple courses & private compounds, near-perfect weather year round, not to mention a who’s who of these world class riders & sponsors.

Some of the best riders on the planet live in Temecula. Riders like Todd Potter, Nate Adams, Jeremy ‘Twitch’ Stenberg and Ronnie Faisst can be found on any given day, riding the “Moto Mecca of the world”.

Another at the top the list from Temecula and a new force to be reckoned with in FMX is Wes Agee. Wes has made quite a name for himself lately with contests, shows and a few viral videos on the ol’ Inter-web. Most recently a bronze metal at Foz do Iguacu X Games Brazil Not a native Temeculan, Wes actually moved there from Fallbrook at the young age of 15. Already an accomplished BMX rider, his family often went riding in the desert & it wasn’t long before he was full-blown infected with the FMX virus. Living directly in the hotbed of the sport he embraced FMX and was soon pulling off eye-catching tricks and garnering the attention of his peers and potential sponsors.

In 2012 he scored a Wild Card slot to enter the Red Bull X-Fighters. The event in Glen Helen fit his riding well and he placed an impressive 3rd.

The massive track with so many options was exactly the kind of circuit that a rider like Wes thrives on. His strong 3rd place finish proved what many experts anticipated ahead of the competition. This was his time to shine. Wes gained more then he expected with new sponsor deals, invitations to more events and becoming a Red Bull Athlete. Now, at age 24, he has ridden for Red Bull X-Fighters, the Metal Mulisha Mayhem Tour, Dew Tour, Journeys BBQ Tour. Wes is a Nuclear Cowboyz veteran, having ridden in the tour since its inception in 2010.

We caught up with Wes about mid way thru the Nuclear Cowboy Tour & as he prepared for another upcoming event. He was only slightly distracted with his crew during the interview. (They were shipping off one of his motorcycles to Brazil for the Foz do Iguacu X Games… Nothing too critical!)

Revolt In Style: Hi Wes. What are we up to today?

Wes Agee: Just dropping off a bike to ship out to X Games in Brazil. Getting ready for all that good stuff.

“No, I already took em both out! Nope, I’m gonna have to take out the battery anyway!” (He’s yelling to the guys loading the bike into a massive 18 wheeler) RIS: What kind of Bike is that?

WA: KTM 450 RIS: Sick! You need some time to deal with all this?

WA: Nah, All good. Let’s go.

RIS: Cool. So, let’s start with the essentials. Name, Rank, Serial number….

WA: Of course, I’m Wes Agee, I’m 24 years old. I’m out of Temecula California. I ride for Red Bull, KTM, Fox, Metal Mulisha, Osiris Shoes, Spy Goggles... Those are my biggest sponsors.

RIS: What is your most difficult trick?

WA: Probably Heart Attack Back Flip. That’s probably my biggest. Or just a Big Whip RIS: What trick are you working on now?

WA: I’m working on Double Grab Flips & just getting ready for X Fighters & contest season. Getting all my tricks dialed-in consistently, ya know?

RIS: Where are you training?

WA: A few different courses out in Temecula. The Metal Mulisha Compound & then a few other (un-named) buddies’ houses. So there three or four good courses to train at, & they’re all within twenty miles.

RIS: Who do you usually ride with?

WA: The Metal Mulisha guys mostly. But there’s been a bunch of out of towers around lately. So, whoever’s in town, really. Recently I’ve been really busy, traveling with the Nuclear Cowboys Tour. Eleven stops in the US. We’ve probably done about six or seven… Every weekend. So I’ve been pretty busy w/ that. I haven’t really had too much time to ride at home.

RIS: Tell me about your schedule with a tour like that. What does it entail?

WA: We usually fly out Friday. We get into whatever town the night before the show. There’s usually two different shows. So, get in, hang out, try to get some rest before the first show. They have the crew & mechanics there before, making sure our bikes are ready, so we don’t have to do too much or worry about that. We just wake up around noonish, usually. Get out & practice for awhile, then just wait around for the show in the afternoons.

Usually around seven thirty. Pump that out. Sign a few autographs after.

Usually like an hour long autograph session. Do it all again the next day & then come home. It’s a pretty fun tour. There’s a lot to see. Twelve dirt bikes, a few quads, a few trials. It’s a lot of us who ride on the tour. It’s a good time hangin’ out. The after parties are pretty fun (laughs). It’s a good time.

RIS: That sounds pretty cool. Are the shows 100% dialed in & choreographed or do you guys mix it up at each stop?

WA: Mostly choreographed - it’s been kinda the same for the last two years. They’re gonna change it up next year. For about half the show we stick to a routine, we have to do certain tricks. But the other half they give us a little freedom to just go out there & just do what we want to do. So, it’s pretty nice. But you definitely have to be on point. Me… I’m leading the Metal Mulisha side of the team. I’m pretty much leading the pack the whole time, so I gotta know what to do & when to do it. It took me a few shows to get it figured out. But… got it all handled & it’s a pretty good show.

RIS: How big are the crowds you perform for?

WA: Depends on the town. The biggest we’ve had was a show in New Orleans a few weeks ago was over 13,000. We usually play arenas (Wintertime tours). That’s pretty maxed out at 14,000 usually

Wes Agee performs during the Summer X-Games in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil on April 21st, 2013 Photo by Marcelo Maragni

RIS: How’s that, riding in front of a crowd that big? You guys feed off the energy of the crowds?

WA: Oh Yeah! It definitely gets us pumped up. You know it. But, even a smaller crowd gets you going if they’re loud. Still… big crowds are definitely better.

RIS: How do you prepare mentally for these events?

WA: Stay calm. It’s just a show. Keep it safe. There’s twelve dirt bikes in a row jumping, so you don’t want to crash & take out the whole pack. Possibly get run over by ten dudes… Tryin’ to save it, ya know? This is usually our down time anyway (Wintertime).

I’m kinda savin’ it for this competition season coming up here.

RIS: Let’s talk about the X-Fighters. That’s obviously the next big thing for you.

WA: The main thing, yeah. Exactly, that’s what I’m saving my body for. That’s why, like I said I try to keep it mellow on the Nuclear Cowboys. Stay fit… Glen Helen’s coming up!

RIS: Last year you took the bronze at Glen Helen WA: Yeah, that was my first major contest… worked out good!

Got signed to Red Bull.

You kinda know what’s gonna happen, right off the bat. As soon as you take off there’s not too much you can do about it. You hope to get a good pull right off the take off. It’s either ‘panic’ or ‘comfortable’ if you know you have a good rotation. There’s a lot that can go on.

RIS: Who do you think your biggest competition will be at XFighters?

WA: That’s a good question… (he thinks a bit) That’s a tough one. We’ll see. Probably Thomas Pagès though, he seems like he’s on fire right now.

RIS: Anything new we should expect at Glen Helen? You gonna unveil any new tricks?

WA: Ha! We’ll just have to see how the course looks. I hear they might not even be any ramps. Might not be able to do the traditional ramp flip tricks & stuff. That’s good for me. I’m more of a natural terrain, bigger dirt jump guy, so…. I’m looking forward to that. That’ll separate the men from the boys.

RIS: Final question: What is going thru your mind while you are upside down during a Heart Attack Back Flip?

WA: It depends. You kinda know what’s gonna happen, right off the bat. As soon as you take off there’s not too much you can do about it. You hope to get a good pull right off the take off. It’s either ‘panic’ or ‘comfortable’ if you know you have a good rotation.

There’s a lot that can go on. Just stay calm even if it doesn’t go completely right you can compensate & make up for it. Staying calm & making good conditions is key, I think.

RIS: Good answer. That’s great advice. So, Anyone you want to give a shout to?

WA: Yeah, especially Red Bull. Since my time with them, they’ve really been pumping’ it up. Really been helping me out & getting me bikes with KTM. Doin’ some big deals & big projects in 2014 when X-Fighters is over. sidenote: RedBull X-Fighters was cancelled in Glen Helen due to ungodly high winds & blowing dust....bummer.

WWW.SWAEWATCHES.COM THE SWAEVOLUTION HAS BEGUN!

NIGHTLIFE

LATE

DAY / NIGHT

NOW ON DECK

S’MORES... ANYTIME

Late night dining for revelers at the beach doesn’t neccesarily mean a sad burrito curbside anymore. Amazing burgers, sandwiches and even Tableside S’mores will curb those late night cravings & are served up til 1am at THE DUCK DIVE In Pacific Beach.

COCKTAIL

S

an Diego native DJ G-roy has pursued and perfected the art of rocking a club, and giving a musical education all at once. He has been DJing at the top San Diego clubs for over a decade. G-roy was the runner up in the 2013 San Diego Red Bull Three Style DJ competition. Past San Diego residencies include Ivy Nightclub at Andaz and the Hard Rock Hotel . G-roy was also featured weekly on San Diego’s only house music radio show “The Digital Groove” on Clear Channel’s Channel 933 from 2006-2008 on Saturday nights. A regular schedule of our of town gigs has brought G-roy all over the US including regular appearances at top clubs in Las Vegas and San Francisco.

Always favoring a love for electronic music and classics, G-roy began the record label Fortune Music to put out house and electronic music with funk and soul. Focusing on a roster that includes upcoming artists and industry veterans has helped young producers reach larger audiences and helped grow the house music scene. Fortune Music which has over 40 releases from such artists as WhiteNoize, Donald Glaude, Dani Deahl, Scotty Boy and Scooter & Lavelle.

CATCH HIM LIVE THIS SUMMER

G-roy is on a tear this summer with live performances all over southern California and Las Vegas. See him in July at Bootlegger and the Ivy in San Diego, The Racetrack in Del Mar and even a gig at Comic Con Heroes Brew Fest.

Tiajuana Slough Summer means time to cut loose & try something new. The Tiajuana Slough is a little concoction reminiscent of our friends south o’ the border. Prepared for you by the creative mixologists from SNAKE OIL COCKTAIL CO. Simple, but extremely well thought out, this creation and a variety of other ingenious intoxicants are available this summer at BAR WEST INGREDIENTS 1.5 oz House infused vanilla vodka, .5 oz fresh lime Fill with Mexican coke Garnish: Chili dusted Jicama

He plays in Vegas poolside at Planet Hollywood in August, but before that catch him laying down the tracks at one our newest, BARS THAT DON’T SUCK...

WONDERLAND OCEAN PUB

THE OFFICIAL RSSS Pro Am A F T E R PA R T Y Stop #2 JULY 20 - 9pm til Close For more on G-roy, visit www.fortune421.com twitter.com/djgroy facebook.com/djgroymusic www.soundcloud.com/djgroy

photo: Jon Tiffin

RSSS OFFICIAL AFTER PARTY THE DUCK DIVE PACIFIC BEACH

Revolt In Style, 42Below Vodka and Red Bull hosted an evening of music and celebration after the first stop of The Revolt Summer Surf Series June 22. DJ Chris Cutz (winner of Red Bull Three Style) was performing for the energized crowd that included athletes, sponsors & fans of the series.

Don’t miss the second RSSS after party at the new Wonderland Ocean Pub In O.B. - July 20th.

Photos By Diva Hammad

BARS THAT DON’T SUCK

SYCAMORE DEN

3391 Adams Ave. Normal Heights 92116 From the great minds behind Thrusters Lounge - In Normal Heights sits a new lounge reminiscent of the 70’s dens of dads long past, minus the shag carpet. The Sycamore Den aims to be a place where men (and women) can come and relax in front of the fire with an artisanal cocktail or two. www.sycamoreden.com

THE DUCK DIVE

4650 Mission Blvd Pacific Beach 92109 Dedicated to serving high quality faire, the Duck Dive offers Gastropub inspired / Contemporary American Cuisine in a casual Beach lounge atmosphere. Bartenders and servers are topflight and the product speaks for itself. Particularly good Happy Hour from 4 - 6 Location of the October 5 RSSS After Party! www.theduckdive.com

WONDERLAND OCEAN PUB

5083 Santa Monica Ave Ocean Beach 92107 Take the best view in Ocean Beach and make it better. That’s exactly what the creators of downtown’s ‘The Local’ did. A spectacular re-invention of oceanfront dining, drinking and entertainment, destined to be a classic in no time. Location of the July 20 RSSS After Party! www.wonderlandob.com

THE WAVEHOUSE

4150 Mission Blvd, #208 Mission Beach 92109 This iconic outdoor bar and entertainment venue has undergone a complete overhaul by the people behind Tower 23 & Moondoggies. Classy upgrades, new staffing and a change in attitude will make this ‘new’ Wave a favorite sunset destination. Location of the August 17 RSSS After Party! www.wavehouse.com

AJA AJA LEE – OF SOUND MIND

By Leslie Terhorst Photos By Aaron Goulding

S

oulful Ukulele Blues Pop Rock covered in creamy vocals, delightful tessituras, and meaningful lyrics like those in “These Are The Days” are delivered in a bright uplifting overcoat. Often referred to as Snow White, a Mermaid, and Billy Holiday rolled into one - “Listening to Aja is like going on a tropical vacation.” This beautiful description sums up the soulful beauty it is describing. Aja Lee may have been born in Michigan, but the essence of her being blossomed straight out of the most pure of places, and the music that has encapsulated her since before she was born; she now shares with the world.

I wanted to go deeper into what has made Aja what she is today. Here’s what I found out.

Revolt In Style: How long have you been in San Diego?

Aja: I have been in SD ever since Jan 2001, when I drove out here alone after finishing high school in Michigan. I had to come out and follow my dreams for music & art. I didn’t know anyone here, so I had to start from scratch.

RIS: What got you started in music?

Aja: I got started in music before I was even born. My dad would play Led Zeppelin in the headphones and hold it up to my moms belly; my parents also named me after the Steely Dan album and song. So you can say music is in my heart and soul.

RIS: When did start playing music, and what instruments do you play?

Aja: I first started playing on anything I could find. I learned to play and wrote piano compositions at the age of 7, guitar since I was 12, and ukulele for the past 6 years. I started writing vocals at about 14. All with no money for lessons. I taught myself until I was 23, and then I finally got to study formally, but along the way I have been blessed with amazing musicians who took me under their wing and kept my hands busy.

RIS: Describe your style of music?

Aja: My style of music is Soulful Blues Pop Rock, with a nice coating of vintage jazz, and a sprinkle of fun Hawaiian flavor. I like to cook so when people ask me about my music it tends to sound like the featured dish at my favorite restaurant. That’s just how I like to look at things. If you ate my music it would make you feel happy, satisfied and maybe hopeful - for more that is.

RIS: Who has inspired you through the years?

Aja: To name who inspires me, is a hard task, it’s like asking me who I listen too, there’s just to many to list! But, musically I love Allison Krauss, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, and Kimbra for their insane vocal abilities. Some massive influences I’ve had along the way have been, Zeppelin-MarleyLouis Armstrong-Nick Drake- and anything vintage 20-40’s. Also, any sound I hear in nature, even different birds I listen to. The most major influences are probably the people I’ve met, and experiences I’ve had that fuel my writing.

RIS: You have also been an inspiration to a lot of local children. Tell us about your experience teaching music at Bird Rock Elementary, and what did you take away from the experience yourself.

Aja: Kids man, they are the best, the coolest, and I’m honored everyday to be entrusted to work with their little minds. I was the Music Specialist teacher and curriculum writer at BRE for a year in 2006. It became hugely apparent to me in just two months that I was born not only to perform, but also to teach. I had so many ideas popping in my head, how to make music easy to understand, how to teach kids how to perform, how to practice, and most importantly of all, how to access what is the greatest human outlet, music, so healthy and needed for kids in this day and age.

I couldn’t even imagine what my life would have been like without music to crawl to and create within my mind, or just play. I truly believe we all have the capacity to have music in our lives, we crave to play or sing to it, or at least feel comfortable playing it when we want to.

So I created Aja lee studios in 2006 and never looked back. Today, I have taught over 800 kids, it could be more because I will teach any kid who comes over to me, or has question about music. I just played for the 2nd grade end of school year program at a local elementary to gave back. I definitely miss the super fun vibe kids have when they are all together like that laughing, dancing, and singing with me. It is just the best.

RIS: What are some of your goals for the future?

Aja: My goals for the future, is always to get my writing out onto the next album. I write so much I can’t even keep up in the studio. To do some touring in other countries where my fans are growing due to the Internet, and digital distributors. I want to get better at performing as always. I want to do a dance remix, I’m working on it already with choreographers and Dj’s, and I want to finish a yoga track or two since my yoga fans have been one of my biggest supporters. I am working on some super awesome Aja clothing that will be so cute you’ll want to wear it even if you don’t know who I am.

I have an eco friendly material designer and a well-known southern CA graphic artist working on the graphics. I want to take my students to even cooler places; in the past we’ve done Coachella, Taylor Studios, and had them open for me at different events in SD. I want to give back even more this year, and use my music to make the world a better place.

RIS: Where were some of your most favorite places to perform?

Aja: Ah! My favorite places to perform have been, well the other night I played at the La Valencia in La Jolla for an On Demand Event. I was like sipping tea in a garden by the ocean and dancing around with my ukulele.

I even wrote a song about it while I was there. I have fun playing in the streets, like the Haute La Jolla Nights, this year I am doing all 5 on Girard, its like a super fancy busking with state of the art sound in the street, and you get to meet people visiting from all over the world. I love singing for kids at schools and events is tops on my list for sure. I did an amazing fundraiser show for a double lung transplant with one of our greatest yoga teachers, every one in the room was there to support and practice, and it was just so cool to be in the room playing. Another fundraiser I did with a small children’s choir to raise money for building a school in the Haiti impact zone was so amazing. I was at the cliffs over looking blacks beach, on a stage set in the lush jungle atmosphere, and all the kids singing with me to some of the survivors in the audience. I don’t know I have been so blessed to play for the most unique and heartwarming crowds, it’s hard to pick even a few!

RIS: Anyone you’d like to give a shout out to or thank?

Aja: OOO shout out to my peeps!!! - The late and super great Frank Leong my ukulele guru from HI and closest friend, passed away this year in the islands. Michael Halloran at 91x, Keri Goldsmid and her family who have supported and helped me in ways that is rare to find in life! Ben Moore my producer, Ian O’Roarty who stepped up and did this insane music video just out of the blue! --- At 94.9 who was the first to play me on the radio, My yayas who keep me on track- every single one of my students who inspire me and make me laugh every day, the Francomb sisters who found me online and took me under their graphically stylish wings, to every neighbor I’ve ever had for loving me and letting me play music all day and night.

Thank you all..

SOUND ADVICE

MUSIC

TOP SOUNDTRACKS

EDITOR PICKS SIX FAVORITES (NEW & OLD)

By Leslie Terhorst

EDITORS CHOICE - Grosse Pointe Blank - 1997 Director George Armitage’s Grosse Pointe Blank (which probably should be called John Cusack’s Grosse Pointe Blank, since he not only starred in it, but also co-wrote and co-produced it) is set at a ten-year high-school reunion in Grosse Pointe, MI, in the present day, that being the spring of 1996. Thus, ex-Clash member Joe Strummer, credited with the original score, could call upon music dating back to the mid-’80s for songs the characters, now in their late twenties, would know. You might expect, then, that those 1986 graduates would be grooving to, say, Heart’s “These Dreams” or “Greatest Love of All” by Whitney Houston. But, of course, Cusack and Strummer are much too hip for such popular fare. Instead, they put together a collection of edgy, British-oriented new wave and alternative rock, mostly from the early and mid-’80s, tracks by the likes of the Clash, the English Beat, the Specials, and the Jam, plus Americans Violent Femmes and Faith No More. Then there are ringers like Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now,” which was a hit in 1972 when the main characters would have been about three years old, and Guns N’ Roses’ version of “Live and Let Die,” which wasn’t a hit until 1991. Okay, so this isn’t really the music that would have been popular with the 1986 graduating class in Grosse Pointe. Who cares? The soundtrack album works well, including a relaxed “remix” (actually a different version) of Pete Townshend’s “Let My Love Open the Door” as well as a new take on Violent Femmes’ “Blister in the Sun” called “Blister 2000.” Like the movie, which grossed 28 million dollars, the soundtrack album was a modest success, peaking at number 31, which inspired a follow-up collection, More Music From the Film Grosse Pointe Blank.

Trainspotting - 1996 This Scottish drug movie and its Cool Britannia soundtrack came out of nowhere to define a generation with his mid-’90s mix of Brit Pop (Blur, Pulp, Elastica) and electronica (Leftfield, Bedrock, Goldie). The producers later said the soundtrack’s popularity was “crucial” to the success of the film, which meshed music and imagery so well that they’re now inseparable.

Just try not picturing the movie when listening to, say, Iggy Pop’s “Lust For Life” or Underworld’s “Born Slippy .NUXX.” Aside from a few old tracks, including Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day,” the songs were largely recorded or remixed for the film or previously unreleased, a rarity in the soundtrack world which helped cement the album’s cultural status.

Pump Up The Volume - 1990 Perhaps it’s no surprise that a film about a pirate radio DJ would boast a stellar soundtrack. Christian Slater’s character defined himself in large part by his musical taste, which he then played for his audience, including Soundgarden, Sonic Youth, underrated N.W.A associates Above The Law and the brilliant “UK Surf” mix of the Pixies’ “Wave Of Mutilation.” It also features a number of cool covers, including Bad Brains and Henry Rollins doing MC5’s “Kick Out The Jams” and Cowboy Junkies tackling Robert Johnson’s “Me And The Devil Blues.” Alas, Concrete Blonde’s theme-song cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Everybody Knows” pales next to the original, which is the version that actually airs in the film. Several other great songs didn’t make the cut, either, so as a kid, I audiotaped the whole movie and cut together my own private soundtrack.

Garden State - 2004 “You gotta hear this one song. It’ll change your life, I swear,” Natalie Portman famously murmured to Zach Braff, and the song did in fact change your life if you were an indie-rock band in the early ‘00s. If “Smells Like Teen Spirit” announced alternative rock’s “Here we are now” moment like a ton of bricks, then those opening notes of the Shins’ “New Slang” cooing softly in Portman’s headphones declared indie rock’s arrival like a handful of feathers. Within months of the film’s festival-circuit premiere and art-house run in the late summer of 2004, the Garden State soundtrack was hovering high on the Billboard chart. Suddenly, the Shins, Iron & Wine, and scene forefather Nick Drake — all featured on the soundtrack — were a mere Nelly’s Suit away from being No. 1 in America. It’s amazing that the Garden State soundtrack, originally just a mixtape the dude from fucking Scrubs made for himself, was the catalyst for indie rock to officially enter the mainstream, but thanks to it, the door was kicked open for Arcade Fire and Bon Iver to win Grammys, for Vampire Weekend to score a gold record, and for Gotye and fun. to rule radio. Damn straight that song changed your life.

Drive - 2011 An aughties soundtrack so popular among music fanatics that multiple record companies thought it was a fine idea to drop it on vinyl? That’s that Gosling magic. Drive’s car film noir was scored into a dreamlike state by ex-Beefheart drummer Cliff Martinez, with a lot of help from Chromatics/Desire/Glass Candy impresario Johnny Jewel, who worked closely with director Nicholas Winding Refn to find the right aural patina. Jewel’s taste for the tactile, lush sounds of the ‘70s and ‘80s resides in the high end, simple and buzzy with wispy model-girl vocals. Drive and Jewel kickstarted the Italo disco/vintage synth hankerings of the woozy, post-witch house underground — a logical place to visit once everyone tired of dubstep’s irrepressible sub-bass, and one that only grows a bigger fanbase by the month.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World - 2010

NEW RELEASES

A peach of an Edgar Wright score that honoured the musical influences of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s comic book, created three authentic-sounding (and actually pretty darn ace) fictional bands, and fused it all with Wright’s own indie and glamrock sensibilities into a musical highpoint of 2010. Sure, it helped having Beck and Metric write the music, but there wasn’t a beat out of place on the soundtrack – or in the movie. Scott Pilgrim would love it, in that nervy, shy way of his.Jams” and Cowboy Junkies tackling Robert Johnson’s “Me And The Devil Blues.” Alas, Concrete Blonde’s theme-song cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Everybody Knows”

DAFT PUNK Random Access Memories

BECK Modern Guilt

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE Like Clockwork

DAVID BOWIE The Next Day

THE NATIONAL Trouble Will Find Me

SIGUR ROS Kveikur

MINI REVIEWS

FILM

MUST SEE

By Beth Accomando

IRON MAN 3

(Marvel) Robert Downey, Jr. is back for round 3 of Iron Man. This time out, Tony Stark is suffering from a kind of post-traumatic shock syndrome after having saved the earth from alien attack in The Avengers.

Iron Man 3 is slow to start but picks up in the second half as Guy Pearce’s villain uses up more screen time and Stark ends up needing the help of a young kid. Pearce’s villain lends the film some delicious fun. But film suffers from a little too much emphasis on technology and not enough on the characters. Overall, still fun because Downey is perfect for the role. Currently playing.

STAR TREK: Into Darkness

(Paramount) J.J. Abrams has a corner on the star franchises. Not only is he helming the Star Trek films but he’s now been tapped to direct a new set of Star Wars films. His latest Star Trek film looks a lot like The Dark Knight Rises in terms of the marketing approach. The first Abrams film was a great reboot. Let’s see where he takes it next. The stellar crew includes Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, and Zachary Quinto, and as the villain the wickedly talented Benedict Cumberbatch. Currently playing.

THE EAST

(Fox Searchlight) Brit Marling is that rare thing, an actress who writes, and writes well. In her latest outing she plays an operative for a private intelligence agency. When she goes undercover to infiltrate a group of anarchists targeting big corporations, her world view undergoes a seismic shift. The film avoids simplistic moral judgments and tidy resolutions to deliver something compelling and provocative.

It’s a film about choices and about the consequences of the choices we make. Currently playing.

DIRTY WARS

(IFC) Investigative reporter Jeremy Scahill is at the center of the documentary Dirty Wars, a look at the hidden world of America’s covert wars. Scahill’s journey to uncover the truth in what he feels is a underreported story proves riveting. Starting with a single night raid in a remote village in Afghanistan, the film expands into a global investigation of the secretive but powerful JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command). The film takes a very cinematic and narrative approach to the material so that we become engrossed in what is essentially a complex detective tale. What Scahill discovers is a “kill list” that can include anyone, anywhere, including U.S. citizens. Once on the list, JSOC teams will “find, fix, and finish” the targets. Chilling. Currently playing.

WORLD WAR Z

(Paramount) Max Brooks wrote a clever novel about how society puts itself back together after a global crisis. But the Brad Pitt-Marc Forster film adaptation seems to be more about a bunch of CGI zombies trying to overrun the planet and Brad Pitt stepping up to save it. Once again Hollywood misses the point. The book wasn’t really about zombies, zombies were just the catalyst in an end of the world scenario.

What was interesting was how the world reacts, falls apart, and rebuilds. Not looking forward to this one. Currently playing.

Read Beth’s blog www.kpbs.org/cinemajunkie

RRRRR-Revolutionary, the Revolt Seal of Approval RRRR- Recommended RRR-Routine RR-Reserving Judgment (not available for preview) R-Rejected

PHOTO: COREY WILSON