Grinded to death, yep, that’s pretty much how I feel sometimes... But like my friend Oli (Bürgin) told me once: “If you tired and depressed, ask yourself: “What would Preston do?” And then you’ll instantly feel good again, with a beer in your hand!” Versus Skatezine & Plus #160 (01/2018) Cover: Samir Isis / Kickflip / Alicante / Photo: Jey Up here: Truck / Photo: Fabio Stoll
versus-skatezine.ca / jeremyversusdurand@hotmail.fr / 202 rue du Bourg 73870 Saint-Julien-Montdenis France
ALICANTE
G.I.JEY / “LET’S GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!” / PHOTO: SAMIR
Coming back from Barcelona to -10°C felt like a punch in the face. I didn’t have too many options: I could either accept that my life was fucked for the next two months or get the hell out of here again. Thank God (or Jameson) I found two idiots to go right back to Spain. No one knew shit about Alicante. We didn’t even know where it was. So we checked one or two spots before booking – all stairs – perfecto! The Versus team (Hahahaha sorry still can’t take that seriously) consists of Jey and me, two Jamesonfans/borderline alcoholics and one injured Charlie who didn’t even take his board with him. That sure looked like a promising trip. I can assure everybody that the expectations were met drinking-wise despite me being sick for almost half the trip and we even skated (sometimes). Jey rediscovered his passion for skating stairs and gaps! If I was able to shoot one acceptable picture of him you would be able to see it in this issue but I fucked up, sorry mec! Still there is no way any of us could complain about anything. Sunshine all day, skating in your t-shirt, bocadillos, making fun of each other, beer, whisky, more whisky, different kinds of whisky (ok, let’s not get carried away here haha), while it’s fucking snowing back home. That’s life guys! No instagram, no bullshit, just pure fun. It’s a good feeling returning home beaten and bruised knowing you didn’t jump down a doubleset the whole fucking afternoon for your five seconds of fame on the internet. Thanks for the good times guys. I’d do it again any goddamn day! Before I forget : “Sorry Jey if the bullying got too intense for you but locking yourself in a restaurant toilet is not gonna help, you’re not in school anymore haha nice try though” Samir
SAMIR / KICKFLIP / PHOTO: G.I.JEY
So you’re the reader? Sit down, the bar’s over there. Now I’ve got a story I want to tell you and in English too. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen, aesthetically pleasing to the eye this dump of concrete, sand and sea is quite frankly not all that special. As it is not uncommon for dedicated athletes like us we set our alarm-clocks at strictly… uhmm… now what was I about to tell you? Ohhh uhm yes Alicante, it was lovely weather we were having, we were lucky I tell you. Now let me tell you something pendejo! So shut the fuck up, ‘cause it’s not your fucking turn dude and just so you know OVER THE LINE. Pardon me while I have a strange interlude. Or did I just have one? Anyway we saw figures, strange figures. Strange how the wind blows tonight and ohhh how the wind did blow. But not to worry we had our little hats to put on and quite frankly it was a better world for it not having to face our hatless heads.
Drinking beer, eating food, breathing the funny stuff, ohhh and of course getting locked into a toilet, well some of us anyway. Remember how as a child you were always told not to lock the door in public toilets. Well as you get older you tend to ignore these dear advices you were given, thinking you’re all grown up now and don’t really need them any more. Well, you were wrong. Imagine this, confined by four wooden panels and the stinking odour of toilets not making your stay any better. Why is it called a rest room anyway? That’s bullshit. I’m starting to turn into a dehydrating maniac. Good thing Jey’s never been to prison, because breaking out would not be an option. So at that time the situation was that: I’m staying... Jep... enjoying my coffee. But hold on I don’t even have coffee and that’s probably when it hit him... It’s my life it’s now or never... I ain’t gonna live forever... It was then when he decided to call the guy carrying a beeper. ISIS always on lookout for bombs, got the signal first.. Dude you’re phone’s ringing. Life in toilet does have some philosophical value, but not long term that’s for sure. So the barkeeper got him out eventually he is the expert after all. And if they haven’t died they are probably still sitting on the beach of Alicante sipping on their cans of beers, ‘cause hell anything I can uncork, uncap or unscrew, I’ll drink it! Well that could have been an option but I’m afraid that way they would have all missed their flights. And how’s that for a happy end. It’s a fucking fake! Well, okay okay, they aren’t sitting on the beach of Alicante any more. They got to the airport in time, ranjid wasn’t flying the plane, so they got home just fine. You happy now you crazy fucks?! Vicky Moore
SAMIR / FS TAILSLIDE / PHOTO: G.I.JEY
SAMIR / OLLIE / PHOTO: G.I.JEY
How the fuck am I supposed to write down an article about a skatetrip I made over a year ago, when I don’t even remember what I did last week ? Alright I’ll give it a try anyway. One thing I remember for sure, is that if you wanna cruise and chill around some nice transitions, to do not ask Samir to choose the destination. Fuck, this fool got me jumping down stairs all day. You gonna have to trust me on that one, because he wasn’t able to shoot a single good picture of me throwing my body down some shit for no reason, but the hell of it. I think at one point I even ended up having fun doing it. Weird I thought street skating was over since years for me. Thank you for that kid. Watching this cunt killing himself everyday, kept me going until the very end of the trip, where I tried to jump down a stage during a few hours just before jumping on the plane back home. Another thing I’ll never forget, is that Charles joined us a bit later, even if he had a fucked up ankle and was barely able to walk. What a legend. Pure passion. Love you mate.
CHARLES / BEING HIMSELF / PHOTO: G.I.JEY
SAMIR / BS 5-0 / PHOTO: G.I.JEY
SAMIR / FS 50-50 / PHOTO: G.I.JEY
SAMIR / BS 50-50 / PHOTO: G.I.JEY
So yeah, here are another few random stuff that I remember from that trip with the Versus Army Pro Bro Team : - We first went to the wrong appartment with Samir... Don’t ask me why and how, I’m still not sure myself. Anyway, I’m glad the first one wasn’t the one Samir booked, damn that was sketchy... - Playing pool and drinking cheap whisky all night with the boys at the Hendrix bar. So fun. Good job kid finding that one out. - Samir’s kickflip on the cover : This double set is fucking huge. He stomped it many times, his bushings did exploded in the end. He did it anyway, but fuck that was painfull to watch. By the way, he had to look on google street view for days to find out where that double set was, after he saw it somewhere on a local skate video. Pure search and destroy dedication. - Samir’s downhill line : I never went so fast on a skateboard in my entire life... and I had to film this idiot jumping over stuff in the middle of the crowd... I’m still wondering to this day, how everybody survived that one. - 60 cents beer from the tap... What else ?! - Being locked in the toilet from that restaurant and having to call Charles to help me out... Whatever, I guess most part of you guys don’t care anyway. Skatemags are dead, DVDL rides for Nike now, Olympics are next, etc, and it seems everybody is fine with it. Fuck it, the Versus spirit is still alive thanks to guys like Samir and Charles. I love those freaks, and this zine is for them, live with it motherfuckers. Peace... Can’t wait for the next best skatetrip in my life with them !
VALENCIA
G.I.JEY / FS 5-0 / PHOTO: FLO
GERWACK / BS CARVE / PHOTO: G.I.JEY
Things to do in Valencia (by FLORIAN MUEHLEMANN)
1 get high and grind over the door at DISASTER CLUB 2 take the metro to The next skatepark (SPOTS ARE FAR FROM EACH OTHER) 3 eat as much Patatas Bravas as you can 4 don’t drink Jameson Coke with Jerweed 5 Be “Gefickt bei Leben” when / IF you feel like
Things to do in Valencia (by GERWACK)
1 get high and grind over the door at DISASTER CLUB (AND EVERYWHERE ELSE) 2 take the metro to The next skatepark (BECAUSE YOU FUCKED YOUR KNEE UP THE FIRST DAY OF THE TRIP) 3 eat as much Patatas Bravas AND BOCADILLOS as you can 4 don’t drink Jameson Coke (ONLY) with Jerweed ANYBODY. AND THIS, EVERY DAY 5 Be “Gefickt bei Leben” when / IF you feel like IS A FULL TIME JOB. DON’T BE AFRAID OF DOING OVERTIME 6 LOSE YOUR WALLET (THE SECOND DAY OF THE TRIP) 7 GET LOST (200M AWAY FROM THE HOSTEL) 8 BUY SOME MAGNETS
FLO / FS GRIND / PHOTO: G.I.JEY
CLAUDE / FS GRIND / PHOTO: G.I.JEY
SEVILLA
CLAUDE / FS FLIP (1ST TRY / PHOTO: G.I.JEY
Things to do in SEVILLA (by G.I.JEY)
1 gO TO THE ROOM SKATESHOP TO GET THE BEST ADDRESSES / ADVICES 2 DO NOT MISS THE PLAZA DE ARMAS SKATEPARK AND THE AMAZING PARASOL STREET SPOT 3 DO NOT EAT TOO MUCH RABO DE TORO 4 MEET RAFI FROM GUERRILLA SKATEZINE 5 ASK COLIN IF YOU WANT TO stay at THE BEST LOCATION 6 GET GRUFE TO NOSESLIDE DOWN EVERYTHING ON HIS WAY 7 DO NOT FOLLOW COLIN’S GPS 8 CHECK COLIN’S GPS FROM TIME TO TIME 9 BUY A NICE HAT 10 GOOD LUCK GETTING INTO THE REAL underground gypsy flamenco business 11 get some churros in bed for breakfast 12 take care wine is good and cheap
GRUFE / BS CARVE / PHOTO: G.I.JEY
GRUFE / NOSESLIDE / PHOTO: G.I.JEY
GRUFE / BS CARVE / PHOTO: G.I.JEY
CLAUDE / MELON / PHOTO: G.I.JEY
First of all, Nick knows it best, I’m really not the most open minded guy on earth. And I’m probably more well known for talking shit than really giving props to everybody... But this time, no other chance, I have to. His new project, “This VX is dead”, is one of my favorite video ever. I mean for sure I’m biased, because all the guys in there are homies, but fucking hell that was good. I loved everything about it. Even the format is great, not really a full-lengh video, but not just some Instagram clip kind of (shit) thing. This crazy guy was so quick, he already gave himself an interview on his blog (http://rollatorverein.blogspot.fr/) but in a weird language... So let’s do another one here. Hey Nick what’s up ?! I though you were lost forever mate, I mean having a wife, a job and 3 kids doesn’t allowed you much free time I guess. How did you managed to make this new video ? Yep, I thought I was lost forever too! In these last few years I think I have had an identity crises about every 3 months. When I don’t skate I go “fuck, I really want to get back into skating!” and when I do skate I go “fuck, it’s useless, I’m over it, it’s time to move on, no more skating”. Serviously, it’s a nonstop mind fuck. But back to your actuall question... As for the filming: my wife and kids were going on a 2 week holiday without me, so I figured I’d use that chance of 2 kid-free weeks to just skate and film like in the good old days and see what comes out. As for the editing: Basically, from the day those 2 weeks were over (mid October) till right before Christmas i literally spent every night editing or painting from 22:00 till about 02:00 or 03:00. Every night. Then get up for work and kids around 06:30 and start the whole routine over. By the end, I was so exhausted and such a zombie that I literally got sick the day after the mini-premiere and stayed sick for 2 weeks. I guess I overdid it a little... I already told you, I loved it, really. I mean, I was watching VHS and DVDs all the time, since 20 years or so, and now, with internet and all, I slowly got over it. I wasn’t excited anymore. I had the feeling I’ve already seen it all kind of.
I could watch 2,000 new crazy clips in a few minutes and forget all about it in a few seconds. But you, you managed to catch my attention, and keep me hyped all along the film. And you know what ? I even want to watch it again ! Thanks so much Jey! And I’ve thought that about that a lot too, the way Instagram has changed the way we see skating. But you know what it is? All the good skatefilms do more than just show good skating. They capture everything going on around it. The fun, the friendships, the random shit you experience when street skating, the personalities of the skaters, their battles with tricks, etc. And in order to capture all of that, you need a full length video. Instagram is a great plattform to show how good someone is, but nothing else. You can’t capture the magic of skating or what skating is all about in a fucking instagram clip. So that’s why good full length videos will always be around. Best recent examples are the Colin Read’s “Spirit Quest”, Palace’s “Palasonic” or that Japanese “Evisen” video. The Bernese skatescene seems to be doing well lately, with AJVT, Bernside, etc, I can feel a good positive / creative vibe from here. Are you already teaching your kids how to film and edit, to make sure the fire will stay alive ? Haha, you bet. They have to film 3 kickflips before lunch and if they don’t get the white balance and exposure right they have to go to bed without dinner! But yes, as I’ve written on the Rollatorverein Blog before: “so much love for the Bern scene right now!” There’s lots of different crews doing different things but all getting along, working together and helping each other out. I’m super proud to see how many people are wearing Bernside shirts and jumpers, or AJVT tshirts, decks and grip, or Versus decks, or Gruebähund grips. It’s really tight like that! Isn’t it crazy for you to see kids like Miro turning into “real man”, building spots and killing spots ?! Man feels like that fool was begging me to buy him some “Soft cakes” just a few weeks ago... For sure, I’m glad you brought him up! He was one of the dudes I was most stoked about being in the video!
I remember when we filmed and edited the Versus Video back in 2012, thinking he was so good! He just had his own way of skating, for example that no comply up a 4 stair when noone was doing them yet. And he was just naturally cool and fun to be around despite his young age. But then, as soon as that film came out it felt like him, Michi and Noah just vanished. Untill Bernside. All of a sudden Miro was back, all grown up and shit but still a super cool and fun dude. He told me he doesn’t really skate street anymore, just an occasional bowl session here and there, so when he kept coming to the filming sessions, with his good vibes and positive energy, and he even got some tricks down, I was super stoked! What about Samir’s new sponsor, Jameson ?! Haha, oh man, Sancho’s Versus Bro-Model is so fucking spot on! Props to that one Jey! Well done! And honestly, one of the biggest things I miss about skating is being around Sancho. Just the combination of watching him skate and his humour is the best entertainment you could wish for. Fuck Netflix, just go skate with Sancho! Fuck, this kid, Jan, he’s killing it, Switzerland might be gold medalist at the Olympics in 2020 thanks to him ! Yeah, filming him was unreal. I didn’t know him too well and definitly hadn’t ever filmed him before this project. But it wasn’t just his skating that impressed me. It was him as a person. Sure, he’s very different from the skaters I grew up with: We all idolised the guys that didn’t give a fuck. The less footage and more mysterious, the better. Tom Penny sw fs flipping Carlsbad gap all by himself without a filmer or photographer? LEGEND! Jan on the other hand is all over instagram. It seems like every little session is somehow filmed and uploaded. And at first I thought that shit is whack, but after getting to know him in this project I understood his side of it: He has goals in skating and wants to really go for it. And that’s fair enough, because he has the potential.
And he keeps his instagram legit - no lifestyle pics or unboxing bullshit. Just pure skating. And he isn’t arrogant, which isn’t often the case with really good skaters. Plus he helped at Bernside and got the city to add some now quarterpipes in the Platz, so he gives back to the scene too. So yes, the fact that he has goals in skating and uses Instagram to try to achieve them is different from what I’m used to. But it’s not bad I’m just an old fart who can’t seem to handle all this social media bullshit. Jan is a good dude and I wish him all the best and hope to create something with him again in the future! Can we dream about watching another video from you in a near future ? A few months ago I would have said “forget it”, but now that I see what we managed to get in just 2 weeks, the tables have turned. I definitly want to do more of these kind of smaller projects. If anyone has a good idea, hit me up! Nick, thanks a lot for what you’re doing for us, for skateboarding. Rather have 1 guy like you than a 1,000,000 different sporting goods shoes companies getting into the business. Wish you all the best to you and your family. I was getting old and and lazy since a few months, you kicked my ass so bad. Thanks again for that. Cheers mate ! Wanna add something ? Thank you Jey for this interview and your kind words! But you are very confused: you’re the one building a fucking skatepark! I just sit infront of the computer, so who’s the lazy one?!
Ola hombre !... Yeah that’s about it... Sorry Rafael, my spanish skills fucking suck... Alright mate, let’s do this ! How does it feel to the chief redactor of such an amazing zine like Guerrilla ? - Bonjour Jey, don’t worry about your spanish skills just gotta keep practicing hahaha First of all thanks for the words about Guerrilla Skatezine ! Of course I feel good being the editor in chief for things like this, how else could a guy like me get and interview with you ? By the way, how come you started a zine ? I mean you’re young, you should know it’s all about social media and shit ? - That was so strange... as a wannabe photographer I always dreamed with get my photos printed in a skateboard magazine and some friends told me to do something but I didnt get motivated until Elam Revuelta from The Room Skateshop told me clearly: “Rafa you got good photos its time to start you own zine !” It’s true that its rare to see someone reading skateboarding magazines in this days but I just see that as a challenge: I’m gonna make these people get interest on mags again ! Are you alone this all by yourself ? Who’s helping you out ? - All the contain of Guerrilla Skatezine is made on my own (thats maybe sounds egocentric can you delete that ? No ? Okay...) but I have the help of some friends with the costs of print, distribution and the webpage like Pier Distribution, BD Skateco, QKSS Skateshop but principally of Elam and Bibi of The Room Skateshop. How’s the skate scene in Sevilla ? Elam, at The Room Skateshop is a fucking legend, I guess he’s taking good care of you guys nah ? - The Sevilla skate scene is amazing because we have passion for skating, we know each other, good spots and epic weather (not in summer sadly)... and of course Elam is that kind of guy that loves skateboarding and being always doing anything he can to help the scene.
How come Parasol isn’t on every skatevideo ?! It’s one of the best spot I had the chance to skate, it’s amazing ! Can’t wait to see somebody carving over those huge doors ! - Hahahaha I think the same! We call it “Las Setas” and for me is one of the best fuckin spots of the world! Madars Apse did a huge ollie into bank but now its impossible to hit because they put fences... but its still has a lot of fun and I dont know why but I like that Las Setas isnt a wellknown of a spot. What’s better, your skatepark Plaza de Armas, or the rabo de toro ? - Rabo de Toro obviously! And if we add some beers I think there’s nothing better in this life ! Hahahaha You have some international contents in Guerrilla, are you planning on taking over Thrasher and co one day ?! - Oh thats my plan since day one hahaha I put international contents because I like that my spanish friends can see cool shits from out of our country. I’m done with the typical skateboard magazine with the same skaters doing tours with same brands that change their names every year but still stay the same... Do you have any advices, for idiots like me, that would love to hang out with some wild “Flamenco” girls ? - Sure! You need to be yourself and start to dance the best you can, trying to not look too much like a dizzy duck. If they dont get scared off its because they like you ! Hahahaha Are you planning on doing on online version of your zine ? - Im working on it! Hope to drop it before the interview. Check out www.guerrillaskatezine.com Is it ok for you if I keep on asking random questions like this ?! Should we switch to french or spanish now to make it even more chaotic ?! - Hahahaha sure ! I love this kind of question !
We can try in french but Je ne suis pas bon pour parler français ! Alright, alright, I should keep my shit together, you told me you’re a Versus fan, I don’t want to disappoint you ! Ok, a tricky one to answer now : ‘Till how far you could go with ads ? I mean, are you ready to say yes to anybody until they pay and help you out to print your zine ? - Congrats Jey because this is a really good ask ! The ads pages from Guerrilla Skatezine exist only to get the mag going and its only ads from friends brands or brands that I back. Lets imagine that a famous brand with a questionable business ethic offers me a serious amount of money... If I accept Guerrilla Skatezine would die and that will be another thing because Guerrilla Skatezine is by the streets for the streets ! Band, Beer, Skatemag and Food: - Band: Daft Punk, Bones (when I’m sad) and all those looong playlist with Lo-Fi Hip Hop that all sounds the same and have an anime gif where it’s raining as a cover. - Beer: 1906 Red Vintage, Paulaner and Estrella del Sur (when I have no money that it usually be always) Skatemag: Versus Skatezine (obviously), SOLO and Grey - Food: Queso frito, Chicharrones and beer... it’s food too right ?! Is the DIY movement something special for you ? I think you know some of those guys building the DIY spots in BCN right ? - I think that DIY movement is the key to everyone that doing skateboarding, is there anything better than skating a spot you turned from imagination into reality ? Surely YES. I have some friends like Danel from the Spotter Gang and Conovili from Sants... I’m loving what these guys are doing and I feel grateful for people like you lads! Thanks to all the DIY warriors around the world ! Alright don’t worry mate, we’re almost done ! - Shit, time flies I guess !
Wanna add something, any thank you ? Fuck you ? Last words ? - Hahahaha obviously thank you Jey for this interview and all those who have been able to read up there ! Also thanks to the people who support Guerrilla Skatezine ! Hope this goes strong and that someday we can be neighbors in one of those neighborhoods where trapstarts are living with big guns, luxury cars and some bitches. See you at internet @ guerrillaskatezine one hug !!! Man, was a pleasure to talk with you. We hopefully see each other soon again. Enjoy “winter� you lucky bastard ! Cheers !
JJ wants me to write something about Skateboarding in the Olympics... Very good and smart choice, cause I study Skateboarding since almost 15 years, earned a variety of achievements and a hand full of the following diploma, for example: “ How to lose your kickflip”, or “learning FS Rock N Roll after a 3/4 year jumping off the board cause I`m scared” or my favourite “How to be sore after skating without ripping”. You see, I`m a perfect fit for an objective observation of the matter that Skateboarding is an Olympic Sport. Well, not an easy task to write something actual useful and enlightening, but I try my best, but shit has already been said 100 times anyway. Let`s have a look at the two main opinions people have: One side says, that Skateboarding being an Olympic Sport is wrong, cause it`s a form of expression of the individual and that it doesn`t belong into the ordinary sports world, it`s not core anymore etc. While the opposite opinion is something like, that the Olympics will give the Skateboarding industry a boost, (pro-) skaters get the recognition they deserve, more new skateparks will pop up, it`s good for the sport and so on. So, I try to describe quickly why I skateboard and let you do the math where my postion is. I skate cause it`s basically an escape from the evaluation of other people. I don`t want to be judged by numbers and be compared to other people. In the best case, I define where what and why I wanna do a trick and not having to excuse myself for my actions (since I`m constantly judged in Skateboarding as well I guess Skateboarding can go fuck itself). Yeah you guessed it shithead, no, I don`t support Skateboarding in the Olympics at all, I think it`s a joke and not in the spirit of Skateboarding. Then again, the whole competition thing with it`s final destination being the Olympics can be a reason for another person to skate and become better; and how can I not acknowledge this opinion since I also say that Skateboarding is what you make it? But after all, there is certainly one fact that no one can deny, wheter you`re pro or contra the Olympics: The skatebaording industry, and, in the end, the skateboarder (YOU) is responsible for what it has become. It makes totally sense: We let softdrinks enter the game. We welcome multinational corporations with open arms to sponsor our event, we support their brand logos, dress like actual sports people as well. We want it to be corporate, squared down for easier access and nicer and cleaner appearence. We create bigger and bigger competitive events that are sponsored by said companies and brands, so Skateboarding being in the Olympics isn`t such a huge step as you`d think. As a whole, the skateboarding industry failed that day it welcomed businesses that are not related to skateboarding, instead of being critical and focusing on skater-owned businesses we wear clothes with energy drink logos. We fucked up, big time. Rafi
When I heard the news about skateboarding being one of the 5 new sportsdisciplines at the olympic games in 2020 I only thought: hell yeah! they got it! Because skateboarding is not at all about having a good time with your friends out in the streets, it’s not about travelling and exploring new cities and countries, making new friends, learning new tricks or simply having the best feeling ever just cruising around and of course it’s not about being a free individual, having different styles or wearing whatever the fuck you want. And listen carefully it’s definitively not about getting wasted at 5 p.m. in front of Denner after having the greatest skatesession in the La Chaux de fonds bowl. Much more skateboarding is all about the olympic spirit which includes having a coach barking at you the trick you have to do next, wearing a shittylooking uniform and being in a national team fighting for gold for your country. And of course it includes skating an extra olympic skatepark at your olympic training center only a few selected skaters (and I don’t mean your friends) have access to. And don’t forget the biggest thing the olympic spirit is about: you don’t cross your fingers for an athlete (even it’s your friend) from a foreign country! Hell yeah that’s great! For sure the IOC will make skateboarding great again! Btw: I would love to see Lizard King (my personal hero) giving an interview in the olympic television studio of our national tv broadcaster! Looking forward to 2020. Adi
To me it’s not what THEY make out of skateboarding, it’s what I make out of skateboarding. Maybe they can take a bit of money out of skateboarding, but they can never take what skateboarding means to me and how it makes me feel. So my opinon is, they can do what ever the fuck they want. And I will definitely do what the fuck I want. But no matter what so ever “fuck nike”. Charles
Was ich davon halte ob skaten olympisch werden soll? Brauch ma garnich darüber zu reden, auf garkeinen fall! Is ja auch sonnenklar. Skaten hat für mich nichts mit wettbewerbsgeist zu tun. Olympia = reines gift für skateboarden. Skateboarden braucht sowas nicht, falls es aber doch soweit kommen sollte, wird es mir nicht schwer fallen dies zu ignorieren. klar gibts skater die sowas toll finden, die sich gerne messen und präsentieren wollen oder einfach nur noch mehr entertainment brauchen. aber diese leute können meine eier lutschen. Max
Bon on me demande mon avis sur les J.O. je pense qu’il intéresse personne mais en même temps versus magazine n’intéresse pas grand monde non plus à part peut être les 8 skateboarder de maurienne, lisez thrasher au moins ya des photos avec de la vrai performance skateboardistique. Bref le skate au J.O. je ne vois pas l’intérêt, le boum des skateparks est en cour sur la planète entière depuis quelque temps déjà ce n’est pas les J.O. qui ont nous en faire avoir plus comme on entend souvent, pas grand-chose de plus à dire la dessus. Après ca feras découvrir le skate au grand public, certes dans un sens y aura du skate à la T.V. même si y en à déjà pas mal dans les pubs et autre fail army sur youtube, le skate à déjà une bonne visibilité au niveau du grand public, par la je veut dire que je pense que les gens savent que ca existe et si ca les intéressent avec les moyens d’informations actuel ce n’est pas difficile d’allé plus loin, alors pourquoi en remettre une couche avec les J.O. qui sont juste au final une compétition qui est une des facettes du skate la moins pratiqué par les skateurs en règles général, on veut faire découvrir le skate au grand public très bien diffusons plutôt la vidéo « beer helmet » en prime time sur TF1 ca seras plus réel qu’une compétition aseptisé sans jet de bières et autre groupe de rock live comme on les aime. Enfin le skate c’est aussi une industrie qui actuellement n’est pas à son meilleur car seules les grosses boites arrivent à s’en sortir, or les J.O. c’est pas ca qui va aider les petites marques à s’en sortir, on aura droit à une compét avec des athlètes en uniforme de skate des sponsors officiel des J.O. (et pour en être faut débourser un sacré paquet de thunes) dans un décor de skatepark entouré de banderoles mcdo, nike, adidas, coca cola, j’en passe et des meilleures du coup aucune pub pour les marques qui ont amené le skate ou il est aujourd’hui. En gros le skate est populaire, on à assez d’audience pour le mettre au J.O. grâce à vous merci c’est bien gentil mais crever on va manger le gâteau avec nos potes les multinationales, l’éternel lutte des classe a fini par atteindre le skateboard. Après le skate est à tout le monde si je veux organiser une compét à la con dans mon park local ou si le boss du C.I.O. veut le foutre au J.O. c’est notre droit le skate peut étre utiliser par qui veut et chacun en fait ce qu’il veut, ya pas de règles, le skate c’est ni dieu ni maitre, c’est la liberté et c’est ca qui est beau alors les J.O. y font ce qui veulent ca tueras certainement pas le skate et si on veut pas regarder on passe son chemin, on consomme pas et voila il y aura toujours des gens pour faire du skate dans la rue, dans des pools, construire des D.I.Y. et c’est certainement pas les J.O. qui font faire disparaitre ces aspects du skate c’est juste un produit supplémentaire qu’on nous propose comme les nouvelle nike dernier cri libre à chacun de le consommer ou pas. Bon c’est pas tout mais ya la street league en live et j’aimerais pas rater ca, salut bande de nazes. Cho7
Skateboarding wird/isch olympisch..?! I weiss no nid genau was i vo däm söu haute... Einersits chas si, dass das ganze Olympia Gliir o öpis guets cha mit sich bringe, wie z.B. dass Skateboarding no zuegänglecher wird für die grossi Masse wos villech (no) nid so kennt u durch das uf (no) meh Akzeptanz stosst. Angersits.. Bruchts das de würklech?! Skateboarding mues vo mir us gseh nid no meh Jünger finde aus äs i de letschte paar Jahr scho het. Dasses nid/nüm Underground isch we skatisch isch gloub meh oder weniger jedem klar wo nid gd blind dür d’Strasse louft. Jede Zwöit Teenie/Kiddy het entweder äs „Skate“ unger dä Füess oder treits mit sich ume, oder het haut zmingscht sone coole Thrasher Pulli an... U iz wieder zrüg zu dere Olympiade. Weni würd säge i boykottiere die Vrastautig komplett u luege sicher nid z’eint oder anger Mau dri, wär das zimlech sicher gloge. Aber äs wird sehr wahrschinlech nid viu angers si aus wed Street League luegsch. Die gliche paar Skater sueche sich ä Line i däm (wahrschinlech) temporär ufboute Olympia Skatepark u die gsesch när über die Zyt wo dr Contest louft immer u immer wieder. I ha o nid z‘Gfüeu dass Skate iz isch olympisch worde wüus d’Organisation super findet, sondern eher wüu sie gschnaut hei (dank Nike SB & Co.) dass dert ja doch rächt viu $$$ z’hole isch.. Oder villech bini ja nur niidisch wüu mini Skate Skills eifach nid für Olympia länge, oder irgend ä andere Contest.. äääääh, nei i gloub das isches nid! Eh ja, mir wärdes gseh wie ds louft i 4 Jahr. I wünsche dene wo nid dür d’Doping Tests gheie u ihres Land ar Olympia dörfe/müesse ga representiere trotzdäm viu Erfolg und dass nacheme allfällige Podestplatz ä fette Sponsorvrtrag ufse wartet... Tom
If you know the feeling of an endless skate sessions at your favorite spot with your friends ....you obviously don’t see why should compete some skaters against each other for a big event like the olymlcs. Obviously the olympics need a niche sport like skateboarding to satisfy the mob in front of the TV. It’s in human being that we wanna compete against each other to find who is the best. But we don’t need the best! We need just to find a nice spot out there, our friends and time to rip that shit. Maybe the positive thing about the olympics is that skateboarding will be more respected and the government will construct a lot of new skateparks. Flo
Skateboarding is not a sport. Leticia
J’n’aime plus le skate, et j’aime encore moins les JO. Nico
Rihanna et Justin Bieber aux couleurs de Thrasher, la prolifération du penny et l’image du skate utilisé à outrance à des fins marketing, il faut se rendre à l’évidence le skate est devenu le symbôle de la « coolitude » ces derniers temps. Tellement cool que même le CIO a mis le grappin dessus ! Je pense qu’il devient légèrement anachronique de qualifier le skate de contre culture désormais… Tout ce qui est authentique devient un jour la cible privilégiée d’une récupération à des fins commerciales. Ca avait commencé par l’arrivée sur le marché de marques « illégitimes », la création de fédérations, de contests grand public…etc. Grossomodo, tout ce qui contribue à faire d’un mouvement alternatif une activité mainstream. Les jeux olympiques ne furent que le coup de grâce qui fit prendre conscience à pas mal de monde que quelque chose s’était brisé, les valeurs changent, peut-être pas pour vous et moi mais une ou deux génération plus tard et le skate ne sera rien de plus qu’un énième sport entre lequel choisir à la rentrée au forum des associations pour son activité extra scolaire. Lorsque Pierre de Coubertin invente les Jeux olympiques modernes l’idée est de démocratiser le sport en l’internationalisant. Sauf que le skate a une identité et des attributs culturels qui vont à l’encontre de toute démocratisation. On en a tous payé le coût social, se traduisant le plus souvent par le rejet ou l’incompréhension. Comment quelque chose dont le mode de vie et les valeurs ont été à des années lumières des mouvements de masse peut se retrouver dans un événement si consensuel et de plus, aux enjeux politiques et économiques douteux… Un ami m’a confié qu’il était snowboarder et qu’il s’est mis au skate quand le snowboard est arrivé aux JO parce que ça avait tout changé, les obstacles devenaient plus gros, il fallait sauter plus loin, plus haut, être compétitif internationalement, les gens se faisaient mal, finissaient en fauteuil roulant et tombaient dans les oubliettes de ce monde où nous sommes tous des produits interchangeables. Il y en a qui disent que les jeux sont une bonne chose, que ce sera un argument de taille pour faire construire un skatepark par sa municipalité mais ceux dont le travail est de construire des parks vont diront justement que dans quatre ans ça ne sera certainement plus aussi drôle. Il faudra faire les mêmes modules partout aux dimensions conformes à l’idéal olympique afin que l’on puisse « s’entaîner » dans des conditions propices à la conquête du podium. Quinze ans, moi, que je me fatigue à faire comprendre le skate à mes parents. Déjà tout s’était effondré le jour où mon père a regardé le livestream de la streetleague et m’a dit « lui il n’est pas très bon il n’a fait que tomber »… Alors là je n’ose pas imaginer ce qu’il va me sortir dans quatre ans : « C’est pas avec un no comply qu’il va nous décrocher une médaille »… Ca ne me dérange pas de me sentir incomprise, je m’y étais habituée, mais là j’avoue que je commence à me sentir trahie et ça je ne sais pas si je m’y ferais un jour…
Je crois que c’est ça le pire, c’est que le monde entier va s’imaginer nous comprendre, comprendre ce qu’est le skate, se faire son idée sur la question à travers les diverses diffusions médiatiques qu’on lui assénera tous les quatre ans comme une vérité absolue. Comme quoi, faut pas croire tout ce qu’on raconte à la télé… Désormais sur les spots au lieu de nous jeter des œufs les gens vont venir nous parler de la performance nationale aux derniers jeux avec des élans de patriotisme. Au final c’est cool ça va nous rapprocher du reste de nos concitoyens ahah… Dommage que ce soit pour de mauvaises raisons… Lisa
The skatenerd I am I follow almost everthing about skateboarding, the changes, the trends, the pros, the SOTY but I try not to take skateboarding to serious to not lose the fun I got everytime I stand on this piece of wood. When it comes to the olympic games to be honest I am not totaly against the games and as big rugby fan I was happy to see this great sport making a comeback in the games after 100 years or so but that´s rugby it´s a competition sport, sure it´s about fun but you play (physicaly) against another team/player so you want to win. In skateboard you don´t need the competion to have fun, some need it, myself I never cared about it when I was skating so i will not whatch it or be a fan of the olympic skateboarding competion (I also never whatched the snowboarding comp.) but that´s me and that´s the point, skateboarding is what you make out of it and as long as there is room for the beerdrinking dudes, the punks, the rastas, the hiphop skaters, backyard bowlriders, the curb cilling kids, the wheely magicians, the straight guys, the weirdos, the freaks, the concrete pouring DIY craftsmen, the artists and the competion sports men skating will always be what it was, unpredictibal, wild, ahead of the avarage people when it comes to style and simply just fun for you. So every thought I wrote about this topic and every discussion you had about is actualy a waste of time you could spend skateboarding so fuck that go out and rip. Marc
I like Sushi! That’s the only reason why I would go to Tokyo. Claudia
Fuck the Olympics, I’m going skating... Rohan
Alors vaste sujet que celui-ci, au premier abord comme la plupart (enfin j’ai l’impression ) des vieux briscards de ma génération j’aurais tendance à penser que c’est plutôt une mauvaise idée, c’est vrai ce sont les mêmes types qui nous envoient les flics quand on skate dans la rue qui maintenant récupèrent le truc pour leur compète parce qu’ils y voient un intérêt financier, et rien d’autre! Ca c’est un fait, maintenant en étant beaucoup plus pragmatique, le fait est qu’on ne peut empêcher personne d’organiser un contest de skate s’il en a envie, alors quand il s’agit du rassemblement sportif le plus important au monde, vaut mieux ne pas les laisser faire n’importe quoi non plus, au risque que notre activité préférée soit complètement dénaturée et absolument pas représentative de ce qu’elle est en réalité, en tout cas au niveau du skate de compétition. Les contests existent dans le skateboard depuis sa naissance ou presque, donc le Cio ne va pas réinventer la roue, ils vont simplement intégrer un contest de skate dans leur programme comme il s’en déroule des centaines par an partout dans le monde. À la grande différence du snowboard en 98, l’organisation du contest de skate à été confié à des skaters, contre des skieurs pour le snow à l’époque et encore aujourd’hui, résultat, un 1er champion olympique de pipe inconnu au bataillon (même pour ceux qui s’intéressaient de près au snow), Gian Simmen, et des parks pas à la hauteur encore à Sotchi en 2014! Donc pour le skate, il semblerait que l’organisation soit entre de meilleures mains, la FIRS (fédé internationale de rollersports) a délégué la prise en charge des athlètes, du format de contest et des parks à l’ISF (international skateboarding federation), qui elle travaille déjà avec les principaux contests de skate pros...et donc à priori on se dirige vers du street version street league et du bowl version vans park series aux JO, soit des contests qui existent déjà. Après, la plupart des jeunes skaters que je vois autour de moi n’ont rien contre, c’est une sorte d’évolution naturelle, de mon côté j’avoue aussi que quelque part cette sorte de “reconnaissance” fait plaisir, ca fait presque 30 ans que je fais du skate et autant d’années que j’essaie de faire comprendre pourquoi à mon entourage, ca va peut-être faciliter un peu! Il est clair aussi que ca va aider au développement des parks, les municipalités ont une oreille beaucoup plus attentive depuis que le skate est olympique, donc de ce point de vue c’est une bonne chose. Tout ca en tout cas ne changera rien au skateboard, ce ne sera juste qu’un autre contest une fois tous les 4 ans, si t’aimes pas regarde ailleurs, pendant ce temps-là Magenta continuera de faire son truc, les mecs de Barrier Kult continueront de skater des jerseys cagoulés et Covo continuera de bétonner tout ce qu’il peut, quand à l’uniforme, pas d’inquiétude ca ne pourra pas être pire que la mode (immonde) actuelle du survêt! (Bon les goûts et les couleurs hein...). Greg
Le skate aux JO, c’est le signe que tout ce que je n’aime pas dans le sport a réussi à s’imposer dans cette pratique-là aussi : la compétition des uns contre les autres plutôt que contre soi-même avec les autres, l’argent que des grosses marques de chaussures veulent gagner à tout prix en détruisant les marques qui ont contribué à construire le skate et la culture qui s’y rattache, l’homogénéisation des infrastructures au détriment de la diversité et enfin, la focalisation sur un style de skate apte à attirer des téléspectateurs à la place de la créativité et de l’amusement. Pour un sport - puisque tout semble le désigner ainsi désormais – qui fonde sa légitimité dans le détournement d’éléments architecturaux prévu à d’autres effets, c’est étonnant de constater la direction qu’il prend actuellement. Un trot-rideur professionnel et bon skateur (nul n’est parfait) ne me confiait-il pas aujourd’hui même avoir renoncé à ses sponsors skate, ce milieu étant à ses yeux déjà trop pourri par le pognon, au contraire de la trottinette freestyle davantage underground ! Mais au lieu de cracher sur tous les compétiteurs nés, entraîneurs avides, parents frustrés, futurs responsables de fédérations corrompus et autres groupies télévisuelles, je préfère m’attarder rapidement sur deux impact potentiellement positifs de cette olympisation. Premièrement, l’inscription aux JO est un formidable moyen d’obtenir des collectivités publiques et des contributeurs financiers la considération nécessaire à la création de skateparks. S’il y a toujours le risque de se faire construire des répliques de streets league partout – certains seraient ravis – , les skateurs peuvent l’éviter en s’organisant correctement pour être entendus dans leurs attentes et en participant concrètement à la conception et/ou la réalisation des installations. Pour y arriver, les associations restent à mon avis la meilleure manière d’y parvenir. Deuxièmement, cette tendance à la compétition homogénéisée va, paradoxalement, pousser de nombreux skateurs à revendiquer davantage la singularité de leur pratique. Ne nous voilons pas la face : le skate a toujours eu ses modes et ses tabous (difficile de faire un grab dans le milieu des années 1990 sans te faire insulter par les techos). Comme nous pouvons le voir depuis quelques années, la compétitivité exacerbée de certains skateurs s’accompagne d’une acceptation grandissante de la créativité de nombreux autres. La longueur des gaps et des rails, définissant encore il y a peu la performance d’un skateur, est supplantée par la créativité et l’utilisation imaginatives des spots. Un retour aux fondamentaux pourrait-on dire. Plutôt que de se lamenter sur les changements à venir, mobilisons-nous pour maintenir ce qui me semble le plus important dans le skate : l’amusement et le plaisir. Jérôme
Privilégier le fond sur la forme (ou, les JO sont une ééénorme escroquerie) Je préfère de loin un contest bricolé avec trois bouts de ficelles, avec passion et pour le plaisir, qu’un méga-événement organisé pour l’appât du gain ou pour sa gloire personnelle. Partant de ce principe, les Jeux Olympiques sont - de mon point de vue - totalement à l’opposé de ce qu’est le skateboard. Si vous pensez que les JO sont juste un contest de plus mais dans un format plus grand, vous vous fourrez le doigt dans l’oeil jusqu’au scrotum. Quiconque pense le contraire est soit ignorant, soit stupide (mais probablement les deux à la fois). Pour quiconque a la moindre petite idée du fonctionnement des JO et du CIO et qui aime le skate, il est simplement impossible d’associer ces deux univers. En effet, la seule et unique chose qui régit les JO est l’argent. Alors qu’à son opposé (bien que - on est tous d’accord là-dessus - l’argent soit une partie non négligeable du monde du skateboard) ce qui le fait avancer et évoluer depuis des décennies est la passion. Les JO et le CIO sont de vieilles machines rouillées gérées par des dinosaures qui s’étouffent sous des montagnes de règles et de lois qu’ils ont eux-même créés et dont ils n’arrivent pas à s’extirper. Tout cela par peur de perdre le contrôle qu’ils ont sur la source de revenu colossale qu’est la vente des droits de diffusion des Jeux. Une fois encore, à l’inverse du skateboard, les JO ne sont que règles et contraintes. (Si vous en doutez, faites une petite recherche dans google avec “charte olympique”. Et croyez-moi, ce n’est que la partie visible de l’iceberg.) Si le skateboard n’a cessé d’évoluer et qu’il est devenu ce qu’il est, c’est justement parce qu’il n’y avait pas de règles ni de terrain prédéfini, pas d’uniforme, et qu’un trentenaire oldschool peut se frotter à un teenager super-tech lors d’un contest. Pour la faire court et pour conclure; si vous aimez la liberté et l’indépendance, vous ne pouvez pasadhérer au concept des JO. Par contre, si vous ne voyez aucun problème à sucer un vieux businessman pour une poignée de dollars et quelques minutes de notoriété, go for the olympics! Les JO (et autres méga-corporations sportives) expliqués aux jeunes. Tu te rappelles de cette fille à l’école? Depuis tes plus jeunes classes, tu la croises régulièrement. Elle est toujours soignée et très sophistiquée. Lorsqu’elle passe dans la cours de l’école, tous les regards des garcons se tournent vers elle. Niveau garcons, elle n’a que l’embarras du choix (et ne s’en prive pas). Mais quand elle passe devant toi, elle ne te voit pas. Tu es tellement insignifiant à ses yeux, que si tu te retrouvais par hasard sur son chemin, elle serait capable de te marcher dessus. En général, elle préfère les vrais athlètes; footballeurs, basketteurs, skieurs, tennisman, etc. Mais les petits skateurs, elle ne les calcule absolument pas. Les années passent… et à chaque rentrée scolaire à la fin de l’été, elle reste fidèle à son image. Certains vont même jusqu’à dire qu’elle est chaque année plus séduisante. Et autours d’elle se pressent toujours autant de prétendants, prêts à tous les sacrifices, toutes les bassesses pour attirer son attention, et - avec un peu de chance obtenir ses faveurs. Par contre, à ton égard, toujours rien… elle ne te fait même pas la grâce d’un petit regard du coin de l’oeil. Mais arrive un jour, en plein mois d’août, où tu apprends que ton oncle d’amérique vient de passer l’arme à gauche, et qu’il te lègue une somme d’argent plutôt séduisante. Plus que tu n’aurais jamais espéré en posséder… même après avoir économisé durant toute une vie de dur labeur. Et soudainement, à la rentrée suivante, cette fille qui t’a toujours ignorée jusqu’alors vient te parler. Elle s’intéresse à toi. Elle te trouve sympa, intelligent, athlétique, créatif, marrant... Rural