State of Skate

Next to Extreme, adrenaline is probably the second most tiring word used to describe skateboarding and other Action Sports: “Up next, this Nor-Cal shredder gets ready to hit our adrenaline-pumping Monster-sponsored Skate PlazZa, the world’s first ever ALL GREEN Skate Plaza designed by Rob Dyrdrek and Bob Costas!”

The word adrenaline sucks. It’s played out, a cliche. Funny then, that the first skateboard company to use it was pretty much the complete opposite of the 00′s mentality of big sponsors, big money, and big contests. Adrenalin, the oft-forgotten wood company formed sometime in the mid-90′s, was broke and gritty, and never spectacular.

I don’t mean it wasn’t good- it was. I don’t remember much about the art direction, but the overall vibe definitely had a Stereo Visual Sound influence. Check the clip below to see what I mean.

The team was talented, and one that a northern Californian like myself can’t help but be attached too with riders like Hanzy Driscoll, Justin Strubing and Toad. I don’t know where Hanzy or Strubing come from originally, but I think most associate them with the Bay Area. Maybe Hanzy lived in Santa Rosa?

Englishman Mike Manzoori as an answer to Stero’s Carl Shipman, a promising Mike Chin, and Jaya Bonderov, who eventually took his skills from board to camera, all have good footage in addition to the aforementioned dudes. From the beginning, with Hanzy’s wallride nose manual, until the end, with Jaya’s 50-50 on the Golden Gate Bridge, this 411 Adrenaline Industry section is full of memorable skating and editing.

Behold, the longed-for opposite of Extreme:

Even though it was released over six months ago, Gift Skateboards and Nike SB’s video “It’s a Wrap” has remained under the radar, at least as far as mainstream coverage is concerned. I think a better name for the video might have been “Under Wraps”, because China’s local skate scenes, like so many things in the country, remain outside of the world spotlight. Actually, that’s a pretty lame name, but take a minute to compare Shenzhen to Barcelona, Spain. I think it’s a valid comparison because both cities were ‘put on the map’ by footage from visiting American pros rather than locals. But when you think of Barca, there are some local dudes like Daniel Lebron and Raul Navarro who come to mind. Shanghai? Unless you are connected to the scene in some way, you are probably drawing a blank.

As a friend of several of the SB crew, I can vouch for the fact that they are keeping a very close watch on skateboarding in China. This video is a good start. I’m really just posting it because I have an 800 word piece about Rob Dyrdrek and the Wu Tang Clan that I need to rewrite after an unfortunate incident with Starbucks Wifi. That will come soon. Until then, I will post outdated clips as long as I can peripherally connect them to China, skateboarding, or beef jerky. Enjoi It’s a Wrap.

In the form of lovely flowers.

Above is a photo of Shenzhen Museum, one of the first spots to be skated by visiting pros earlier this decade. You can check out Dan Murphy in Nike’s Nothing But The Truth or Sean Malto in Transworld’s And Now for a visual. Continue reading