Skateboarding

HØURS IS YOURS Announces Limited-Edition Lizard King B1 Slip-On

Blair Alley — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:53:53 GMT

HØURS IS YOURS is proud to announce the release of the Lizard King B1 Slip-On, a limited-edition collaboration celebrating one of skateboarding's most distinctive personalities and a longtime friend of the brand.

Lizard's Slip-On.

The project is built on years of shared experiences between Lizard King, Bryan Herman, and Dennis Martin. From countless tours across the globe with Baker and Deathwish Skateboards to years spent pushing skateboarding forward together, the collaboration reflects an authentic connection that extends far beyond product.

The Lizard King B1 Slip-On combines the timeless silhouette of the B1 with premium materials selected specifically for skateboarding performance and everyday wear. The upper features high-abrasion suede paired with custom embossed iguana-pattern detailing, creating a unique texture inspired by King's unmistakable identity and style.

Additional custom touches include original Lizard King artwork featured on the footbed and an embroidered LK logo placed on the heel, giving the shoe personal details that honor his legacy and contribution to skateboarding culture.

"This project is about friendship, history, and the experiences we've shared skateboarding over the years," said Dennis Martin, Founder of HØURS IS YOURS

Built with the same commitment to quality that defines every HØURS IS YOURS release, the Lizard King B1 Slip-On is produced in limited quantities and designed to bridge skateboarding heritage with elevated craftsmanship.

The Lizard King B1 Slip-On will be available beginning 6.6.26 exclusively through HØURS IS YOURS and select retailers.

For more information, visit www.hoursisyours.com. About HØURS IS YOURS

💻🛹 Don't miss another headline from TransWorld SKATEboarding! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more quality skate content. 🛹💻

Introducing Vans WafflecupTM Classics for Fall 2026

Blair Alley — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 18:14:02 GMT

Vans Skateboarding builds on the momentum of WafflecupTM with the introduction of WafflecupTM Classics, a new platform that brings Vans’ best-of-both-worlds outsole to its most iconic skate silhouettes.

Stacked lineup.

Team riders Una Farrar, Dick Rizzo, and Willow Voges Fernandes each reinterpreted a Vans classic through their own lens, blending personal style with technical innovation. Expanding beyond the Era WafflecupTM, the Fall 2026 collection highlights the Half Cab and Old Skool—two of Vans’ most enduring icons—updated with Vans’ most advanced outsole technology to date.

Rizzo's insole.

Each style features WafflecupTM construction for balanced support and boardfeel, PopCushTM insoles for impact protection without sacrificing feel, SickStickTM gum rubber for next-level grip, and DuraCapTM reinforcement for durability where it matters most. The Fall 2026 lineup features Una Farrar (Half Cab WafflecupTM), Dick Rizzo (Half Cab WafflecupTM), and Willow Voges Fernandes (Old Skool WafflecupTM), each reimagining their favorite skate classic with the Wafflecup. Every design incorporates unique details and personal touches, bringing added personality and athlete-driven authenticity to the
collection.

Peep a clip of Rizzo:

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Great minds...

Dead Air Radio: Remembering Marc Johnson

Blair Alley — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:48:36 GMT

Nearing two weeks since the shattering news hit that MJ is no longer with us. The outpouring of love on the internet has been comforting in a way—can't really remember when a passing of this magnitude has pretty much brought everyone in our world together. Marc's impact on skateboarding was really monumental.

Steve Fletch and Mitch Hartman always upload quality pod, so we were really looking forward to this episode.

And if you've noticed on our IG, Fletch does video commentary over TWS videos via the original VHS tapes. He did one for Marc's Modus Operandi part last week, and had recently done one for MJ's part in our very first official video, Uno.

NikeSB Air Force 1: Flax Black Break Down

Blair Alley — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:32:33 GMT

Over here we're always big upping skateshops, always. And Dave from Bluetile in South Carolina has a good rhythm going. He's always got well-produced first look videos of shoes, and he know a little something about designing shoes himself, if you've been living under a rock.

Peep his latest upload, all about the Nike SB Air Force Ones that are hitting shops now. Support you local if you're so inclined to rock a pair. And if you haven't seen the Creased video they put out...dude.

Related: Nike SB "Creased" Video

Day One in Seoul: Behind the Scenes of Our South Korea Adventure

Blair Alley — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:12:47 GMT

Hopefully you've already seen the video and read Josh Zickert's story, now scroll through the gallery below for a look behind the scenes of our first day exploring and skateboarding in Seoul.

Photos by Blair Alley

Brandon Bonner, noseslide.

Our filmer, tourguide and ripping skater: Salmon!

Don't know who this fella is, but he's got a nice statue over Seoul's little river.

JZ exploring the back alleys.

Dalton wants YOU to drop in on the bank.

Josh Zickert dusting off the jetlagged legs.

Brandon Bonner, roll in.

Brandon Bonner, backside five-O.

Caroline Duerr, layback five-O.

JJ Colon, backside tailslide.

Brandon Bonner, heelflip.

Brandon Bonner, 360 flip under the watchful gaze of Moon Sook-gong.

JJ Colon, frontside 50-50.

Salmon on the tools.

JJ Colon, noseslide before a serious Korean Karen got heated.

Leo Heinert rides the kinks on this tailslide.

Ain't no fun if the homies can't have none! Brandon Bonner joins the kinky hubba session.

Brandon Bonner eyeing the gap.

Brandon Bonner, quick roll in to Ollie.

Help Tommy Sandoval After A Brutal Slam

Blair Alley — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:02:40 GMT

GOFUNDME HERE

Tommy Sandoval recently took what must have been a hellacious slam. You won't want to hear about this next part, but he tore his urethra and then some, "This wasn’t your everyday slam, I ended up severing my urethra and severely damaging my whole lower area (testicles, perineum, and anus). I have a catheter in my abdomen for the next 3 months until my urethra can be surgically repaired. After surgery I will still have another month or two of recovery before I’m even close to enjoying riding my board again, " said Tommy on his IG.

The mother of all sacks! Jeez!

Here's a note from Tommy's wife Bri: "Our family is going through an incredibly difficult time after my husband, Tommy was involved in a serious skateboarding accident. He tore his urethra in half and has severe damage to his testicles that require ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, surgery and a long recovery period. Unfortunately, his doctors have advised that he will be unable to return to work for most of the rest of this year if not the whole year.

This sudden loss of income has created a tremendous financial strain. Between medical expenses, rehab costs, household bills, and daily living expenses, we are facing challenges we never expected.

We are asking for help from our friends, family, and community during this time. Any donation, no matter the amount, will go directly toward supporting his recovery and helping our family cover essential expenses while he is unable to work.

If you're unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser would mean so much to us and help us reach others who may be able to support our family. If you have already donated in another form thank you so much!!! We appreciate your kindness, generosity, and prayers as we focus on Tommy’s healing and getting through this difficult chapter together.

With gratitude,

Bri"

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Godspeed Tommy!

Bruh!

Fred Gall Vs. the Phantom of the Opera

Blair Alley — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 18:09:18 GMT

There's no one in our sphere like Fred Gall, and there likely never will be again. The dude is a 100-percent skate rat and will find and skate any terrain—no matter how crusty. He's especially adept at this skill in his home state of New Jersey. Stories abound about all the non-disclosed crusty locales that Freddy has found, made skateable and gotten clips and photos on.

Enter this new chapter—Freddy and Wheeler Antabanez get deep in an old, abandoned theater. Find out what they found in the video above and the longform story.

Seoul Searching: The First Stop on Our South Korea Tour

Josh Zickert — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:17:36 GMT

The blossoms were in full bloom as the AriZona skate team touched down in South Korea. Salmon, our local tour guide, ripping skater and filmer took us out for a midnight cruise to get a feel for the city of Seoul.

After a good night's rest Leo Heinert, JJ Colõn, Caroline Duerr, Bonestalone, Dalt One, Blair Alley & I were ready to explore the gems of this massive capital city. Richie Löffler’s flight through Abu Dhabi was cancelled, so our travel agents were busy sorting out other options for our Hamburg legend. Yiyo & Olman Torres would arrive later in the day because of a delay in Istanbul.

We kicked off the morning with a few quick hits on a perfect bank near Doplikum Castle. It was buzzin’ with tourists so security was tight, but the crew scored. Next we skated over to “Cult Park” which features a beautiful statue of the historic figure Moon Sook-gong. This was an ideal warm up plaza with flower petals falling from the trees like snowflakes. The footage & photos are truly magical.

Moon Sook-gong

Josh Zickert

Caroline threw down a few layback variations on the granite bank, JJ backed her up with stylish back tails and a lengthy blunt to fakie, Leo got the tre flip tail slide on the ledge & Bonestalone stomped a tre flip down the set.

Another highlight of the day included a session inside a playground with a perfect outledge. The locals were super enthusiastic watching JJ, Leo & B$ throw down.

Our last spot of the day was in the bustling district of Itaewon. The squad chilled out for a bit & ate lunch at a proper Korean BBQ joint. We stopped by Tussa Skate Shop to say what’s up and finally made our way to the famed subway spot where Bonestalone ollied & 180’d the head high electric box off the glass runway of the subway entrance.

Later that night we returned to Itaewon to visit FA’s Bar Seoul and attend a party with Salmon at his friends club. Caroline kicked off the dance party & B-Boy Salmon capp’d the night in style takin’ the crown in a killer dance battle.

Day one of the The K-Pop & Kimchi Korea Tour was sizzlin’ hot!

This crew hit Japan last year, peep the full tour video below:

Andrew x Spitfire "Spitfye" Video

Blair Alley — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:18:23 GMT

Here's how the locals get down in Miami. This edit will have you booking flights to Florida ASAP—well maybe wait for next winter...

Support your local skateshops y'all, always!

"Classic Miami spots, a quick trip to Puerto Rico, and cameos from Nikolai, Cromer, Zion, and more; Andrew Skateshop puts it down for their scene and new limited Spitfire collection.

Filmed and edited by Justin Stout. Additional filming by Dan Lundy

Featuring: Josh Wolff, Rezza Honarvar, Anay Lopez, Chris Bussout Morgan, Nikolai Piombo, Henry Barco, Arthur Smith, Danny Dippalo, Grady Smith, Riley Pavey, Zion Wright, Brad Cromer, Gregory Pierre-Louis, Dan Lundy, Joel Meinholz"

FORMER Welcomes Elijah Berle

Blair Alley — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:58:46 GMT

From online shots fired to solid teammates—two of the rippingest pro out right now, Austyn Gillette and Elijah Berle, are now teammates on Austyn's clothing brand FORMER. Peep the into video with some heavy moves, then peep the threads.

"Elijah Berle needs no introduction. He’s one of the hardest working skaters of this generation. He called founder Austyn Gillette and made it clear FORMER was where he wanted to be. His welcome marks the beginning of a new chapter at FORMER where he will join Austyn Gillette, Jake Anderson and Myles Strampello."

“Ring ring, I look down and I see Elijah’s name on my phone. Within the first thirty seconds he dropped the small talk and asked if there was any room at Former. It wasn’t the call I was expecting and didn’t really have to give it much thought. I asked him what his goals were and what he wanted to do at the brand. All he said was the he wanted to skate his ass off and continue making video parts. He also said that he couldn’t imagine riding for anyone else, which was just the sentiment we wanted to hear. Everyone on the team up until this point clearly understands where we are at as a brand. We simply want to support our friends, support their visions, make films, travel the world and do whatever we want. I told him I would chat amongst the team and everyone else before getting back to him. Here we are two months later with a welcome section, a full Elijah collection in development for 2027 and a new member of the team that we are extremely proud to have along for the ride. Welcome to the team Elijah!” — FORMER Founder : Austyn Gillette

Late Nite Stars in Japan and Korea

Blair Alley — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:16:03 GMT

The Late Nite Stars crew is always on the move, stacking clips wherever they go—and the posse is growing! No better places in the world right now to skate than Japan and Korea, take it from us.

We also hit that up/down skatestopped-yet-very-skateable spot under the bridge in Tokyo last year. The Late Nite Stars actually built a repilica of it a Tompkins Square Park in New York recently. Life imitates are we suppose.

That metal quarterpipe on the street in Seoul is a wild spot is a fun one.

We hit that same skatestopped gem in Episode 2 of our Sakura Sake tour of Japan. Peep it at 1:10 in the video below:

Video Qualifier Series Returns For 2026 PDX Rockstar Energy Open

TWS — Fri, 29 May 2026 00:27:56 GMT

Film it, then submit it. On June 8, the online-entry Video Qualifier Series (VQS) officially reopens for six weeks as part of the 2026 Rockstar Energy Open (RSEO). For the third consecutive year, skateboarders from around the world can submit videos between :30-1 minute in length for a chance to win cash prizes and official contest invitations to compete in Portland, Oregon at the RSEO August 14-16.

Each week one woman and one man will be awarded $1,000 for the best video shared on Instagram with #RSOPENVQS26. Entries will be judged by professional JUDGES, skateboarders, and fans on ThePlatfrm.com. After the VQS submissions end on Sunday, July 19, the Best Trick and Viewer's Choice prizes of $2,500 will also be awarded to women and men.

Once all of the submissions have been reviewed, 10 women and 10 men will receive invitations to skate at the Rockstar Energy Open on August 14 in the VQS On-Site Qualifier. From there, the best men and women will advance to skate in the main events. For more details on how to submit and how to vote, CLICK HERE.

Last year’s VQS received more than 100 video submissions from around the world. And of the 20 skaters invited to compete on-site, 5 went all the way to compete in the RSEO finals. On the men’s side, Ivan Monteiro skated to a 3rd place podium result while Kristion Jordan finished 7th. For the women, Aoi Fukuda finished 4th, Niko Sugimoto 6th, and Yuri Ashizawa in 7th.

Who will it be this year?

Marc Johnson 1977-2026

Blair Alley — Wed, 27 May 2026 15:47:44 GMT

This one came as a major shock yesterday. And as you've likely seen, Marc Johnson's influence on skateboarding and the people around it is absolutely monumental. Where do you begin the conversation? An ungodly talented kid from North Carolina arrives in California and starts blowing minds in San Diego in Maple Skateboards' videos. He eventually settles in San Jose, films mind-blowing parts for 20 years straight, while also showing how much fun you can have with your crew via the Tiltmode Army.

The combination of ability, style and intellect—there will never be another Marc Johnson. We'll post a few things below that we worked on with Marc, but it no way scratches the surface of his contribution to skateboarding, his art, his wit, his humor. We'll miss you Marc. Thank you for everything.

No official cause of death has been made public at this time.

MJ, 2004. Photo: Mike O'Meally

Mike O'Meally

First part in our first official video:

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Marc Johnson from our Feb 2008 cover. Photo: Oliver Barton

In 2004, Marc won the TWS Award for Best Street, mostly due to his part in Yeah Right! the previous year.

September 2004. Photo: Jai Tanju

Jai Tanju

February 2010, Photo: Skin Phillips

Skin Phillips

One of the best frontside noseslides ever. Cover of Modus.

Jacob Rosenberg's EPICENTER Hits France

Blair Alley — Tue, 26 May 2026 23:46:46 GMT

adidas Skateboarding and GCS Agency are honored to announce the Paris exhibition ÉPICENTRE by filmmaker & photographer Jacob Rosenberg. Co-curated by Ted Barrow, PhD., accompanied by Mike Carroll, James Kelch, Chico Brenes, Rick Ibaseta, Lee Smith & Sam Smyth. This exclusive show runs during Men’s Fashion Week, June 24-28, 2026.

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Experience the energy of the famed EMB plaza through photos, videos, listening stations, panel discussions and the highly anticipated release of the Second Edition of Rosenberg’s eponymous book, EPICENTER.

Opening Reception June 24, 2026, 18h - 22h
13bis rue Arquebusiers, 75003 Paris, France
Métro: Arts et Métiers (Lines 3, 11)
Gallery hours 11h - 18h daily

RSVP: gcsagency.com/epicentre-paris

More with Jacob below!

Treveon Wade's "We got this on the Stove" Video Part

Blair Alley — Tue, 26 May 2026 21:09:26 GMT

You ought to recognize Treveon from several Today Was Chill episodes and The Squad video from Calvin Millar. Well, he hasn't slowed down and this new part is proof. Check out We got this on the stove to see what he's been cooking up in Texas with Max Taylor. Well done boys.

"Treveon Wade ‪@yertndirt‬ filmed intermittently between 2024-2026 Trey words: hyped to get thiS Off the stove filmed in Austin Texas , Los Angeles, CPH, and Oswego New York. lol shoutout all the fucking homies max take it away"

Vans x Metagirl

Blair Alley — Tue, 26 May 2026 16:21:12 GMT

For the first collaboration, Metagirl puts a diva twist on the iconic Old Skool silhouette designed through a Y2K feminine lens to produce the first ever Premium Old Skool 36 Diva.

Vans x Metagirl Old Skool 36 Diva.

The collaboration will be available to shop for $160 USD on May 28th at Vans.com and metagirlstudio.com.

"Vans partners with Metagirl to introduce the Premium Old Skool 36 Diva. A reimagining
of Vans’ most iconic silhouette through a lens of radical femininity and multidimensional
design. Building on a shared spirit of transformation and experimentation, the
collaboration reshapes skate heritage into a statement where grit meets glamour and function gives way to fantasy."

"Metagirl is about embracing the feminine that lies within all of us, and ‘Diva’ is the
ultimate embodiment of that energy."

The Old Skool features a canvas upper, disrupted by snakeskin detailing and studs
embedded in foxing tape around the vamp. A deliberately frayed white Sidestripe cuts
through the upper with raw edged contrast, creating visual tension against the high shine hardware and embellishment.

Roadkill Episode 5

Blair Alley — Fri, 22 May 2026 20:44:20 GMT

Roadkill Episode 5 from the mind and lens of Naquan Rollings.

Filmed in Marseille, Paris, Amsterdam Featuring….. Marcello Campanello, Carlisle Aikens, Jaïr Gravenberch.

Heavy Euro FOMO vibes here, reminding us to plan our summer jaunt over to the Olde Country. Marseille is looking a beautiful as ever. We wonder, did this crew have a roll at the famous beachside skatepark?

Marcello is still the Caballerial king. What up Sagan. Jeez, those lofty three sixty flips (peep the screengrab). Big ups Naquan, Roadkill is one of our most looked-forward to video series out right now.

Is Marcello the new Peter Bici?

Skateboarding Hall of Fame: TransWorld Magazine—Icon Award

Blair Alley — Fri, 22 May 2026 20:25:39 GMT

Last Friday night in Costa Mesa, California, TransWorld was inducted to the Skateboarding Hall of Fame as the biggest and best mag to ever exist. Here's Video Director Coan "Buddy" Nichols mini-doc on the first issue back in 1983.

Well done, and congrats to all TransWorld staffers past, present and future. Skate and Create forever.

And if you want to watch a stream of the entire three-plus hour ceremony, here you go:

Jermaine Whittaker "More For Nate" Pt. 2

Blair Alley — Fri, 22 May 2026 19:26:11 GMT

"A tribute to Nate Stout, Jermaine Whittaker’s More for Nate Pt. 2 comes from the Charlotte-based 5301 crew in association with Black Sheep Skate Shop. Filmed across Charlotte, New York, Atlanta, and other East Coast spots, the part carries Nate’s memory through Jermaine’s powerful street skating. Filmed and edited by Joey Dennis."

Support you local skateshop. Always. Black Sheep has been holding down North Cacka for days, and it's one of our favorite shops in the country.

Neil Macdonald Interview / ELSEWHERE Book

Blair Alley — Fri, 22 May 2026 14:13:51 GMT

You should know by now that Neil Macdonald's triumph of a book, ELSEWHERE: The Story of UK Skateboarding, 1987-2002, will be out on May 28, and it's the most complete story of skateboarding in the UK to date. The book is massive, the amount of photos and interviews within are staggering. Neil spent five years of his life and auctioned off many personal belongings to make this beast. Important to note: The book specifically covers 1987 to 2002, because after that media became digital. In this book however, these are the stories that have never been told.

So I wanted to have a conversation with him—it's an incredible story, from starting the @scienceversuslife IG account, to collecting every issue of the UK's skate magazines (many global mags too), to putting out this book and now working with Sidewalk Distribution in their heritage division. So we sat down and had a chat—it was difficult to keep it short—I had a million more questions, I can talk to fellow skate nerds like Neil for hours.

So check out this latest installment to our Podus Operandi podcast series, and get the book! It's truly a must-have. Follow Neil on IG and give him a big thank you for his service to preserving and recording skateboarding's history.

Full Length Japan Sakura Sake Tour Video

Josh Zickert — Thu, 21 May 2026 15:40:02 GMT

Tokyo 東京

Leo Heinert, Brandon “Bonestalone” Bonner, Caroline Duerr, Eugenia Ginepro, JJ Colõn, Jefferson “Yiyo” Obando, Blair Alley, Richie Löffler, Rodrigo Cabrejas & our Taiwanese filmer FIVE would spend a full week in the Far East on a treasure hunt to skate the most elite natural wonders in existence. Of course without getting locked up by the fuzz. We arrived in Tokyo early in the spring & the Cherry Blossoms or Sakuras were beginning to bloom.

Yiyo & Blair landed at Narita Airport while the rest of the crew flew into Haneda. Luckily everyone arrived at the Sakura Hotel with one plan: Drop our bags off, take a quick shower & jump on the train to Shibuya, the epicenter of modern Japanese culture. I really wanted to film a slow shutter speed intro at the famed Shibuya Crossing in honor of Sofia Coppola’s film Lost In Translation.

Months prior to this tour, Sennichiro Ozawa, the editor of Japan’s elite fashion and skate publication, The Skateboard Journal, linked us up with Toshi to be our official tour guide. Toshi grew up in Tokyo, but spent his high school years living in Vancouver. Since returning to Edo he founded the vibrant jewelry brand NumbskullJapan & spends his time skating the streets & cruising the hot spots of this illustrious city. Turns out Leo Heinert met Toshi at Tampa Pro a few years back. Needless to say Toshi was the man for the job & deserves a gold medal for his role on this tour.

Brandon Bonner, Ollie. Japan.

Blair Alley

Bright and early the next day everyone was stretching out & ready for a jam packed day of exploration and street skateboarding. Luck was on our side as our guest skater & Chocolate Skateboards phenom, Leo Takayama, was scheduled for an Asics filming trip later in the week so he arrived in Tokyo a couple days early to roll with the AZ Crew.

It actually snowed just days before our arrival, however the sunshine was blazing and we could practically see the sakuras blooming in front of our eyes as we walked by rows of Japanese Flowering Cherry trees.

Jimbocho 神保町

Nestled in the heart of Tokyo, this charming neighborhood is a sanctuary for book lovers known for it’s visual arts, theater, antiques & literary tradition. The Sakura Hotel was located in this ward & each morning the squad would make its way through tranquil winding streets filled with galleries, arts & craft boutiques, cafe’s, film memorabilia, magazine shops & of course lots of book stores.

Asakusa 浅草

The famed Aka Banks along the Sumidagawa River was the precise location for a team session. A few solid ledges and a lengthy white embankment varying in height runs along the entire bike path. It’s also a bust free zone, so it was game on!

Leo Heinert & JJ Colõn diced up a few epic combos. Eugenia locked into a golden noseblunt, Caroline kept it steezy with layback grinds & Yiyo popped into a crooks on the waist high ledge. FIVE took a break from filming to kick out a bean plant & Leo Takayama finessed a proper switch blunt. The session lasted for hours & friends of Toshi rolled through to get in on the action. Not far from the Aka Banks we enjoyed our first Japanese 7-ELEVEN experience. Mindblowing to say the least!

JJ with a picturesque back tail.

We trekked across the bridge to Setagaya on a mission to scope a 14-stair rail located at the grand entrance of a glassy skyscraper. In true fashion, at the golden hour Bonestalone snuck by 3 security guards as Blair, FIVE & our media crew got into postion. Moments later, Stalone took one strong push and floated a stunner of an Ollie over the rail knocking out the first NBD of the trip!

On the way to the train with the vibes hitting an all-time high, Toshi took us to a 12 flat 12 double set with a 10” paved bike ramp down the middle. Yiyo & Bonestalone both hit it from the top which was insane.

That evening we kicked it hard in the streets of Shibuya, filmin’ tricks in the crossing & capp’d the night off with a top tier hip hop performance at Hanchika Bar.

We woke up to another lovely spring morning in Tokyo. The Sakura Hotel offered delicious homeade vegetable soup, smoothies, eggs & toast for breakfast. After a yoga sesh led by Blair & a jump rope battle the crew skated through the Jinbōchō ward to the first spot of the day located along the river in Kanda. Jet ski’s were zippin’ by as the crew got creative on an embankment with ridges separating the entrance point. Yiyo took the cake with a kickflip to fakie nose grind down & out.

Tokyo Central Station aka “Red Brick Station” was a truly a mesmerizing experience. Built in 1914 the grand architecture with elegant carves and a striking clock tower represents a true marvel of modern engineering. It’s the heart of Tokyo’s transit system with 4,000 trains arriving and departing daily. After a team photo in front of the Marunouchi entrance with the Japanese flag waving in the background we ate lunch at one of the markets inside. Sushi & seaweed wrap assortments were the obvious choice. Yiyo filmed a statuesque time lapse of Richie standing in the very center as still as can be for nearly 10 minutes. The curios & puzzling looks on peoples as they walked by was hilarious.

Riding the Yurikamome line to Ariake was incredible. Sitting front row we zipped through Tokyo Bay, Tokyo Rinkai Satellite City Center & witnessed a massive street car exhibition at Tokyo Big Site. It was an epic ride! Toshi controlled the traffic as Bonestalone, Leo, JJ & Yiyo all stomped tricks out of the gate on a perfectly sculpted hip. After an express ride on the JR East we reached our final destination; the famed brick cornered hip along the river. The sky was filled with red and gold tones as the sun was about to set. It was time to sizzle!

Yiyo hit top speed before lofting the heaviest tre flip of the trip. Moments later Stalone caught a monstrous fs flip. FIVE got the perfect angle as he was perched up high on the walkway railing of the bridge. A big celebration followed with high five’s all around. After scoping the flicks shot by Blair and Rodrigo the squad was even more hyped. Moments like this really enhance the comaradarie among the team.

Jefferson "Yiyo" Obando stretches out a 360 flip to clear the corner gap.

Blair Alley

The Sakura Sake Tour was still in the early stages and a ton of footy was already locked down! Later that evening right near the Tokyo Tower Eugenia snuck into a plaza and blasted a big heelflip off a picture perfect bump. The crew was kickin’ back outside the 7-ELEVEN when JJ spotted a black widow spider crawling up my hoody!

Tokyo was beginning to feel like home. Our crew had located their favorite coffee shops, restaurants, the closest Family Mart & more. Thanks to Hideya Kojima and the Fabric Skate Shop Crew an official skate demo was lined up in Yokyohama. The park was amazing, lots of young rippers showed up & our posse lit up the joint. Skateboards, grip, sunglasses, hats, t-shirts, wheels & stickers were given out to all the little shredders in a best trick contest. A memorable session for sure.

After a team hill bomb Toshi directed us to the perfect set of flat rails bordered by a range of white & pink Sakuras. The sun was setting as Yiyo, Leo & Bonestalone stomped lines on the flat bars. The footage & photos were simply exquisite. Unfortunately the fuzz didn’t see it that way. We quickly shared an instagram flyer from the AriZona skate event. They apologized and told us to enjoy Yokohama. Social media saved the day!

What happend next was surreal. Toshi knew of a private skateopia with a sushi restaurant on the property. We couldn’t believe our eyes as we approached the Sherl Shin Yokohama bowl. Hideya Kojima arrived along with the owners & their son Koh, a young ripper with killer steeze. The team skated the enchanted clover til midnight using the force of “EL FUA.” Yokohama delivered! On the way home Leo Heinert nicknamed Yokohama the “Philly of Japan.”

Shinjuku 新宿

Stories were going around about a gigantic GodZilla located on top of a 50-story building in Shinjuku that breathes fire every hour. Naturally everyone was interested to check out Shinjuku’s historical district laced with niche anime culture shops. Sure enough at 11am sharp GodZilla took center stage and let out a monstrous roar that was truly frightening. Leo skated as fast as he could through the tourists screamin’ with fear as Bonestalone was yelling out “Oh no, it’s GodZilla.” It was comical seeing tourists’ reactions. Perhaps a few of them actually thought this Ecuadorian kid was running for his life!

After souvenir shopping & a bite to eat we jumped back on the train to the Setagaya district to hit up the famed sculpture wallride & a gap to flat rail with the Tokyo Tower in the background. The mission was a success.

On our fifth and final day in Tokyo Toshi took us on the Yamanote metro line to the University of Tokyo in Meguro City. It was an impressive bank spot tucked along the river covered with Sakuras. Two skater kids with their parents were excited to see the team light up the spot. Fortunately Eugenia, Caroline, JJ & Five all copp’d clips in the first few minutes before the boys in blue shut it down.

The crew ventured to Shibuya Skate Park for a proper warm up and a grassroots demo for the local rippers. Toshi and the team slayed the mini ramp & the kids were hyped! Bonestalone closed the sesh in style by launching off a small kicker over a tall fence into a bank ramp.

Our bullet train to Osaka was scheduled to leave in a few hours so the crew split up to grab last minute momentos, etc. Bonetalone had two high profile spots left on the hit list so Five, Toshi, Blair, JJ, Rodrigo & I headed to Komazawa to scope a massive rail Ollie with a very challenging run up. Within a couple of tries Bonestalone rolled away from this NBD. It was madness!

We jumped back on the metro to Nihonbashi which is the central business district of Chūō, Tokyo. Obviously security was tight, but they couldn’t stop the sizzle. Stalone was in true jedi mode & full cabbed the crispy marble 11 first try! Toshi dabbed him up and everyone linked back up underground.

Osaka 大阪

We arrived at Tokyo Station & hopped on the bullet train for a quick ride to Osaka. Leo Takayama knew a choice sushi spot so we enjoyed an essential team dinner. We were staying in a hotel close to Teradacho Station on the O (Osaka Loop Line). The area is called Tennōji-ku which is just a few blocks from Shitennō-ji, 四天王寺, the very first buddist temple of Japen which translates to Four Heavenly Kings.

The next morning the squad met up at 7-ELEVEN after getting breakfast at neighborhood cafe’s. The stunning city of Osaka would treat us to an incredible day of epic spots! Leo took us to Japan’s super secret polka dotted playground bowl tucked deep inside a residential neighborhood 80km away. We walked along a gorgeous path lined with rose bushes and finally approached the gem in pure silence. After taking a few deep breaths we prepared for a quick, yet dreamy session.

Caroline Duerr, layback grind as seen in our latest Photo Annual.

Blair, Rodrigo & Five took their positions as Yiyo, Caroline, Bonestalone, Leo, JJ, Richie & I enjoyed the magestic colorful trannies. The pure rhythmic sounds of skateboarding were the only thing you could hear during this 10 minute heist. It was magical. That is until the police were giving us the boot. We quickly obliged and walked back to the train knowing we got to skate one of the illest natural wonders of the world.

Herbis Plaza ハービスプラザ

Bonestalone Ollied the gap over the block and down the stairs first go. Leo Takayama was trippin.’ Clips were being knocked off left and right. Caroline hit a heavy frontside wallride off the bank between the flat bars. Leo brought out the salsa dance to get amped for the front tail 270 out on the curved marble hubba. JJ steezed out a front blunt transfer on the mosaic snake. Yiyo & Bonestalone hardflipped and tre flipped the gap over the bar into the gutter landing. Blair took a break from shooting to hit a wall ride tre flip line. The team was excited to be in a new city skatin’ next level spots. There was so much creative energy in this plaza: kung fu, juggling, football, baseball, break dancing & more.

Leo Takayama had one more zone for us to hit. It was rush hour which made it challenging, however JJ conquered an NBD thread the needle nose bonk to set it off. The chaos stirred up excitement on the street. Business men and women were lined up to witness Caroline launch a boneless from the stair set all the way to the street. Hugs and high fives all around!

Shinsekai 新世界

After a tasty dinner Caroline & Brandon earned Samuri certificates knockin’ multiples arrows in the bullseye. Leo broke the bow while Yiyo wizzed one right through the wall! Everyone lined up at the rifle zone shooting corks at boxes of candy and stuffies. Shinsekai rocks! Such a stellar way to end a phenominal day of skating in Japan’s third largest city.

Spending time in Kyoto at Iwatayama Monkey Park was a real treat & a much needed break from skateboarding. As we hiked up Mount Arashiyama snow monkeys were hangin’ from the trees, playing with each other and running free in the wild. Some of the friendlier monkeys came right up to us to say what’s up. I saw one monkey give Richie a fist bump. Crazy. Yiyo styled out some of the young monkeys with AZ bandanas & sunglasses. We walked across the bridge to the Oi River street vendors offering takoyaki, okonomiyaki, yakitori & tōmorokoshi. Surrounded by Sakuras it was easy to feel the calmness among our crew. Richie, Eugenia, Caroline & Bonestalone even caught a quick session on a slanted bolder near Kyoto Station. Five left early in the morning to Taiwan, so Leo Takayama’s close friend and elite filmer, Momijiman captured all the footy on this adventure.

Time was of the essence. Momijiman had a premiere list of spots we could skate starting with Kema Sakuranomija Park along the Ogawa River, which is a cherry blossom extravaganza! The park is lined with Sakuras and was a truly surreal setting to witness Yiyo front 50 the kinked silver 12. It’s no surprise Osaka’s Cheese Koozies annual hanami (Sakura picnics) are held at Kema. Besides the pure beauty of the park it offers a wide variety of manual obstacles. Eugenia, Caroline, JJ, Yiyo & I committed to the task at hand and came away with clips. A very high energy dinner followed with Momijiman & Leo Takayama ordering a wide range of dishes for the crew. Sushi, sashimi, kushikatsu, gyoza, oden, salads & even raw chicken! Wowzers! Too craze for me, that’s fa sho! Our adventure in Japan felt like one of the most fascinating trips of a lifetime.

Besides appreciating the serene beauty Japan offers including the Zen gardens, ancient temples & neon lights you could feel the respect, kindness and interest from each person we crossed paths with throughout our journey. A simple exchange of a pure smile and a slight bow is a thing of beauty.

One inspirational takeaway from this expedition is the admiration & understanding of Japan’s iconic Sakura. This precious flower burst into bloom once a year for just 14 days. The short lived beauty mirrors mono no aware which embraces the gentle sadness of lifes impermanence. It capturess the bittersweet feeling when something beautiful passes. A little reminder to cherish the moment.

Blossoms are meant to fall.

花は散りぬべし

Skateboarding and Music Collide in Portland for Third Rockstar Energy Open

Blair Alley — Wed, 20 May 2026 21:10:29 GMT

Rockstar Energy today announced the return of the Rockstar Energy Open, set to electrify downtown Portland, Oregon at Tom McCall Waterfront Park from August 14–16, 2026. Now in its third year, the three-day spectacle open to the public unites the next generation of skateboarding phenoms with world-class legends —bringing fans a high-impact weekend built to bring the Rockstar Energy Live Loud™ identity to life, where skateboarding, music and culture collide at full volume.

The 2026 event, which will feature Men’s and Women’s Park and Street competitions, builds on Rockstar Energy’s deep-rooted connection to skateboarding culture, transforming downtown Portland into a high-energy destination where progression, creativity and community take center stage.

A defining element of the Rockstar Energy Open is its Video Qualifying Series (VQS), a groundbreaking pathway that invites skateboarders from around the world to submit their best video parts for a chance to earn a coveted spot in Portland. By opening the door to global talent, the VQS creates a rare opportunity for rising stars to have the chance to compete alongside some of the sports most established names.

“The VQS gives up-and-coming skaters a real shot,” said Lazer Crawford, Rockstar athlete and the first-ever Men’s Street champion of the Rockstar Energy Open. “It’s not just another contest—you can come from anywhere, put your part out there, and suddenly you’re skating against the best in the world. That’s pretty epic.”

“From the skaters to the music to the city itself, this weekend is about going big, pushing limits and creating something that is truly outside the norm,” said Steve Mateus, Senior Director of Sports and Music at Rockstar Energy. “Portland has embraced this event in an incredible way, and we’re excited to come back for year three with an even bigger vision.”

Beyond the competition, fans can explore the festival village, a dynamic hub designed to extend the energy of the event beyond the course. From interactive installations and sponsor activations to local food vendors, beverage experiences, and live artist performances, the village offers an all-day extension that captures the spirit of skate culture and music in one place.

With its seamless blend of elite competition and live music, the Rockstar Energy Open continues to bring together a global community, both onsite and online. Additional details, including competition schedules, athlete lineup, music programming, and VQS submission deadlines, will be announced in the coming months.

New Skate Parks Coming to Waco, Texas' Wave Pool

Blair Alley — Wed, 20 May 2026 16:37:33 GMT

You've probably seen the two trips out to Waco, Texas we've taken over the last two years: Greyson Fletcher, Andy Anderson, Clay Kreiner and more have repeatedly given their input to the skateable build designs and done some insane stunts on them. Now, Swatch Nines is investing in skateboarding long-term in Waco with permanent skateparks going in starting this year. Read on:

Swatch Nines Surf & Skate will return to Waco Surf October 8-10, 2026, kicking off a new three-year partnership that will bring the most fun sessions of the year back to the Lone Star State through 2028. A Texas-based inaugural event in 2024 and a second edition featuring viral world’s firsts in 2025, set the tone. Now the rider-driven event is committing to Waco as its long-term home for surf innovation, creativity, and countless moments that will have the surf world buzzing for years.

"Skateboarding continues to play a huge part at the Nines, as reflected in the new event title. Skaters Greyson Fletcher, Andy Anderson, and Clay Kreiner, and BMXers including Kevin Peraza have collected dozens of mind-blowing clips at the Nines. They have been dreaming up new, big ideas since last June for where to go next with the builds, and now the crew is working on how to bring those to life.

The Nines and Zenga Bros. will again turn those dreams into reality ahead of the next Swatch Nines Surf & Skate. But this time, they’ll leave some of the features for Waco Surf visitors to enjoy year-round.

Waco Surf will be home to two skateparks by 2027. Both parks will have Swatch Nines input and inspiration from the riders and builders who are behind the Nines innovative features. The park by the Dive Bar will be a surf/skate environment with a uniquely Nines feel, unlike any other park in the world. The “main” skatepark near the lake will be a more traditional skatepark with features for all levels of skaters. Former skateboarding Olympian Heimana Reynolds is the lead creative for the design and flow of the main skate park."

Stay tuned to see what they came up with during the next Swatch Nines Surf & Skate this October 8–10, 2026 from Waco Surf, Texas by following @thenines.cc on Instagram and YouTube.com/@SwatchNines on YouTube.

Osmar Cárdenas' Beat Skateboards Video Part

Blair Alley — Tue, 19 May 2026 18:21:21 GMT

We're always keen to peep skateboarding coming out of Mexico. The skaters there have heart, and consistently put together interesting and inspiring videos—often full of cutty spots and creative crust.

Truth be told, we didn't know much about Beat Skateboards before this one slid across our digital desk. The closing part, two songs Osmar Cardenas, had us replying to the filmmakers with more info. Here's what they had to say:

"Being a skater in Mexico is fucking hard. It's not just the lack of financial and cultural support for skateboarding, it's the whole reality of this country. Just like the ever-present violence of cartels, and the meager chances of a decent job force people out of our borders (or into an early grave), the harsh reality drives most skaters to abandon skating. Pushing through that every day is much of what unites the Mexican skating community—we endured a lot of shit to get where we are, and now we endure together.

So Osmar Cardenas is not just an exceptional skater in the technical sense; he's exceptional because he skates in spite of it all—and he's fucking rolled over it all! He's worked since he could go fetch the caguamas, but has never put down the board. He gradually turned it into a vehicle, not just for a spiritual escape of sorts from a tough reality, but a vehicle to actually move forward, grow, make a buck, travel the world, and live doing what he loves.

This part is from the video JÓDETE by Beat Skateboards, premiered early this year, though not yet released to the public. JÓDETE took about five years to see the light of day. We're a small team who do a little bit of everything to keep rolling free like cockroaches—Beat's motto. So this video stands atop a pile of achievements from a group of skaters, filmers, editors, shops, and artists who, much like Osmar himself, have kept Mexican skateboarding alive against all odds. Projects like this one are becoming harder to make in general, and in Mexico there is no big industry and no big money behind them—it's just us, but we're damn stubborn. So, JÓDETE means giving the finger to that current of crude hopeless normalcy that constantly tries to wipe us out, that world that would love to see us drop the board—and we fucking won't, so jódete!"—Beat Skateboards Team

"Dead Stock" New Segment On Dead Air Radio

Blair Alley — Mon, 18 May 2026 17:02:38 GMT

Skater-owned skateshops, skater-owned podcasts—it's what we need this Monday morning. Any new Dead Air Radio episode gets an immediate listen—real dudes, skaters, honesty, veterans in the industry... They ask real questions and aren't afraid to tell the truth.

In this new episode, "This episode is the first for new segment "Dead Stock", which has a guest come on and bring some items they have that they can talk about, like a show and tell type scenario. This episode has Nick of Minus Skateshop showing us his sacred belongings....."

That Sorry vinyl!

Digby Luxton's "Fakename" Video Part

Blair Alley — Tue, 12 May 2026 21:00:58 GMT

Australia—it's a skateboarders' utopia. Go for the summer and feel the carefree vibes and endless skatespots. The video transmissions that come up from out of there always give us that Down Under FOMO.

This new Digby Luxton part, set nicely to Stevie Nicks, checks all the boxes: Beautiful spots, Aussie smiles, elder mates happy to split a slab—the feel-good video part of the week (thus far).

"Digby Luxton Gary Almeida Hootie Andrews Reef Condon Corey Young Jarrad Carlin Simon Zuzic Filmed by Orion"

That bluntslide to 360 flip at 2:57 is exquisite.

Nike SB Talking Shop with Bluetile Skateshop

Blair Alley — Mon, 11 May 2026 19:48:14 GMT

Don't buy from the big box/online retailers. C'mon people. Do the right thing, get in your car, drive down to the local skateshop, and get all your gear there. Who knows, you might see something cool you never knew existed, get to thumb through the newest Closer mag or our Photo Annual, or a rad foreign mag like Stand-By Project or North Mag.

Case in point, Nike SB is going hard on the promotion for its latest quickstrike Dunk with Bluetile Skateshop out of South Carolina. Peep the video, then you know what to do.

"Talking Shop with Bluetile Skateshop featuring @irv_ing, @davidbluetile and the Columbia, SC fam."

Irving Juarez breaks down his family's immigration from Mexico, finding skateboarding and a dope community based around a skateshop, and the design cues for this new SB Dunk. Beautiful.

You will make all of your best friends, and lifelong friends through skateboarding. And that may never happen if you don't walk through the doors of a skateshop.

OTW by Vans x Julian Klincewicz

Blair Alley — Mon, 11 May 2026 16:19:36 GMT

OTW by Vans today launched its collaboration with multi-hyphenate creative, Julian Klincewicz. The collection reimagines two archival silhouettes, the Old Skool 36 and Style 31, and is inspired by Julian’s “Joyous Chorus” practice, his world of everyday sketches, textures, and personal symbols.

Peep the carousel of videos filmed at some of our favorite locations in San Diego:

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OTW by Vans x Julian Klincewicz

"Rooted in his Southern California influences, the lineup brings a deeply personal, worn-in approach to design that celebrates spontaneity, storytelling, and the joy of everyday life."

OTW by Vans x Julian Klincewicz

Pass~Port Presents Matthieu Lucas-D'Souza

Blair Alley — Wed, 06 May 2026 16:44:58 GMT

"Filmed & Edited by Majick Templeton

Animations & Titles by Samuel Thornton & Trent Evans

Music by "Kairo" - Asa Nisi Masa & "I Remember" By Eleventeen Eston"

From that opening crooked grind, this dude means business. The flight at 0:43 is gnar. Pass~Port is always nailing it, whether it's with their gear, videos, or teamriders. It's no surprise they've added another Down Under ripper to its roster.

Run back their epic section from our Cinematographer Project: World View video back in xxxx:

Bluetile X Nike SB Friends and Family Special Boxes

Blair Alley — Wed, 06 May 2026 16:27:25 GMT

The DIY crew at Bluetile Skateshop in South Carolina made their own limited-edition butterfly boxes for their collab Dunk with Nike SB. Shop owner Dave breaks it down and shows how it all came together.

Used skateboards were recycled into the joints from pro Irving Juarez. Shout out to this whole crew and their 25-year journey of supporting skateboarding!

Peep the Bluetile team putting the Dunks to the test in the streets!

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And shout out to Dom from Brooklyn Projects for unknowingly getting this project off the ground. Another reason to support your local skateshop!

Dave goes through and shouts out a bunch of OG shops in America. Take note and support the real ones!

Spezzatura’s “PANORAMA 4” Video

Blair Alley — Wed, 06 May 2026 16:17:20 GMT

The talent out in Italy right now is real. These gusy put a hurting on Milano Centrale with all kinds of new spot and trick ideas. The catch and technique on the hardflip at 22:22 is worth a watch or ten.

"yea this took some time.

Featuring: Massimo Cristofoletti, Cionve, Starsky, Sengo Prevost, Luca Barattiero, Olli Lilja, Leonardo Bodelazzi, Ismael Bianca, Cheick Arcudi, Biagio Celentano, Andrea Carugo, Philly, Dan Fisher, Eustance, Davide Holzknecht.

Guests: Tiago Lemos Jack Ajani Ted"

"What Did You Expect?" Video by JP Blair

Blair Alley — Tue, 05 May 2026 16:56:49 GMT

From Fred Gall to Jersey Dave to Josh Wilson—some heavy Jersey representin' in this video. Speaking of, Ron Deily is in here lookin' good! JP Blair always delivers. Adrian Vega and John Shanahan crush it with standout parts. Dick Rizzo still had bangers in the tank after his recent curtains part for Quasi. Perennial staff fav Mark Humienik is always easy on the eyes.

Dillon Constantine! Evidently he's been stacking heat in Jersey! This might be the most hard-hitting Jersey video ever made. And just when you think you've see it all, Fred Gall comes in skating to Body Count. JP can do no wrong. A full Fred Gall part!

Can't help but think IPath really got their money's worth with this video.

One of the best indie videos of 2026 for sure.

Related: 420 VID, A JP Blair Joint

Dead Air Radio Go Over Their Skateboarding Collectables

Blair Alley — Mon, 04 May 2026 16:01:07 GMT

It's been a minute, but our favorite skate podcasters are back. Steve Fletch (who's been doing some epic commentaries on our IG) and Mitch Hartman (who's been busy ripping up the new Muni plaza) are back with a new episode of Dead Air Radio.

After the two wrap up a short recap of what's been going on in their lives, they get into a short but sweet collection show-off. Think of it as a mini Skatehoarders ep. Speaking of...

These two are the only honest pod in skating, that's why we tapped them to do a run of our own podcast, Podus Operandi. Run back some episodes below. We had some good guests!

:58 with Bluetile Skateboards

Blair Alley — Fri, 01 May 2026 23:22:31 GMT

Love when Nike SB does these. We gotta protect the shops. 58 seconds with Bluetile Skateshop in South Carolina, who, if you've been living under a rock, are about to drop the most anticipated Nike SB Dunk of 2026 (thus far). Okay, enough typing and reading, find out all you need to know about this Hootie-affiliated shop via John Rattray's soothing voice.

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Shout out to Dave from Bluetile. Holding it down for South Cacka and blessing us all with great unboxing videos.

Sexhippies Take Atlanta

Blair Alley — Fri, 01 May 2026 23:08:58 GMT

The Sexhippies crew are always spreading good vibes and coming home with proper footage. This latest video follows the gang down south to the ATL before it gets too hotlanta in the summer. We tapped SH honcho Benjamin Baptiste for the 411. Here's what he had to say, "Back in January, once the hopelessness of Winter really set in it was time for a much needed escape from New England. So a small crew of Sexhippies affiliates ( Eddie Vargas Jr, Eamon Durkan, Carlos Kanter) headed to Atlanta for a week. We really had a lovely time as we found it to be quite a bit more skate friendly than we are used to back home. That coupled with whatever that delicious powder is they put on everything at JJ Fish and Chicken and we decided to make it an annual trip. Major thanks to Shane and Jourdy for the hospitality. "

That Goodie Mob joint really ties the room together.

Tiago Lemos SKF Bearings Video Part

Blair Alley — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:20:39 GMT

Any Tiago Lemos part is a stop-what-you're-doing-and-watch moment, but what about a video part for a bearing sponsor? Well, Tiago goes in no matter what. The guy can't half-ass anything. Every clip is a banger. Crazy in this day and age people are sponsored for doing like roll-on grinds and hippie jumps to manuals... Tiago's footage is always a much appreciated palette cleanse. Okay, enough writing, if you've even read this far, just go watch this new part and get hyped to go out and skate. That's what this constant flow of video content should be all about.

Dylan Jaeb's "Debut" Video Part for Quasi Skateboards

Blair Alley — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:52:38 GMT

Much anticipation for this one. Dylan Jaeb puts out the part we've all been waiting for. His debut onto the Quasi team and into the pro ranks—and he didn't disappoint. Heavy tricks all over San Diego and beyond. Congrats Dylan, this one is well-deserved. Front runner for best rookie pro and best video part of 2026.

Magenta 'Headquarters' Video Chapter 3/3

Blair Alley — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:27:39 GMT

Here it is: Check the final Chapter of Magenta's HEADQUARTERS video featuring Flo Maillet, Jimmy Lannon, Jesse Narvaez, Ben Gore, Shogo Zama and introducing Lili Werner and Wisse de Weerd.

"HEADQUARTERS blends skating from our entire team and behind the scenes of our 103% skater owned and operated company."—Magenta Skateboards

Catch up with the previous two chapters if you missed them:

"HEADQUARTERS was filmed by Stephane "Feugs" Feugas with the VX1000.

The DVD is available on our webstore and at skateshops worldwide."

TWS x Eli Morgan Gesner Apparel Capsule

Blair Alley — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:26:31 GMT

Beyond hyped and honored to have the classic graffiti handstyle of New York OG Eli Morgan Gesner on this new apparel collection. Eli wanted to do some longsleeve T-shirts with "TransWorld SKATEboarding" going down the sleeves. We did a collection of pieces in heather gray with green and yellow colorblocks giving a nod to vintage tennis apparel. Then Eli capped it off with a chunky red, white, and blue TWS logo for a bucket hat for this summer's 250th birthday of the United States.

Heather gray longsleeve hitter.

Big shout out to Eli for blessing us with design inspiration from Shut to Zoo York to present day. Cop 'em all here!

Eli in his Manhattan studio. Photo: Blair.

White hoodie.

Eli's workspace where he worked out the tag. Photo: Blair.

Gonna be a hot summer! Happy Birthday America!

Eli loves the cheap markers.

The T in white.

Every marker gives a different result.

The "tennis look." Green and yellow on heather gray.

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For a sample of Eli's incredible storytelling, check out his tour of the Brooklyn Banks he gave us last year:

And Eli might have been the first in New York City to strap on a snowboard and hit handrails in Central Park:

Swim Skateboards Co. Part 2: Life in the Van

Blair Alley — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:29:14 GMT

Continuing on from part one, Kevin Terpening and his loyal Swim Skateboard Co crew venture north to the home of Burnside and bums.

"The Swim Skateboard Co. squad hops back in the van to complete their trek north, leaving California behind en route to Oregon for greener pastures and more terrain. Led by Kevin Terpening, with Dan Plunkett managing the vibes, Ethan Loy, Justin Drysen, Ryan Connors, Keenan Lewis and Marley Humphrey pack in for the journey. Their first major stop is in Eugene, Oregon, where they slam a meal at pro skateboarder Josh Mathews’ restaurant before being blessed with a session by the man himself. Then they skate a few crusty spots in true Pacific Northwest style, and Ethan explains how he scored a quick come-up on some cash in the gambling-friendly state while en route to drop a different deuce. They continue on to Portland, where they have a plethora of pins provided by local legend Silas Baxter-Neal. After hitting a ton more spots, linking with plenty of homies, and stacking more Life in the Van moments, the Swim team wraps things up in high spirits after stomping their first road trip together."

Classic Janoski spots in Sactown, linking up with Habitat OG Josh Mathews (still ripping!) in Eugene, Oregon, hella old HUF homies and former team riders. Even though Portland has declined, this edit still had us wanting to hit the road. Well done bros!

Peep Plunkytown's backside flip over that asphalt hip! Yeah buddy! "Everybody plays shitty music, drinks a bunch of beer and then does awesome tricks.

Star Maps: The Beverly Center

Mackenzie Eisenhour — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

I recently found myself in the Beverly Center for the first time in over a decade. Before I took my son up to his friend’s 11th birthday party at the “Glow or Go” escape rooms on the 5th floor I walked through the underground parking structure to check on the old gap and manny pads made famous in Video Days (1991 by Blind/Spike Jonze/Gonz). To my surprise, and to the disappointment of my son who was in a hurry to get to Liam’s party—I found the spot is more or less unchanged, barring a new lane through the JLee manny pad. Other than that, it felt like taking a time machine back to the early ‘90s. I decided to stop and take it in.

Guy 180s in Video Days as JLee looks on. Video: Spike Jonze

My friend Jake (Gebbe)* had brought me to the spot back in the winter of ’94, not long after I moved to LA to attend UCLA. Immediately, I recognized it from Video Days where Guy 180s the gap timed perfectly to the opening piano keys of Jackson 5’s I Want You Back before he unveils one of the first noseblunt slides skateboarding had ever seen (popping in and out in the middle of a curb no less). That curb is still there.

The curb still stands.

I could also almost see Jason Lee sailing his back 180, half Cab, and slow motion kickflip over the gap before his barrage of ‘91 manny tech. The gap and manny combo alone made for somewhat of an interesting and rare spot. You don’t generally prepare for manual tricks after jumping a gap. But JLee made it look like the most natural thing in the world. To the right of the gap, on the two manny pads Jason also does a fakie manny, then the line with pop-shove manny and back 180 fakie manny. That back 180 fakie manny lives permanently in my head as the default execution of that trick.

Meanwhile, you can see Spike’s white Honda Civic parked in the background—doors and trunk wide open with nary a care for cops, security or anything else. My experience at the Beverly Center was very similar in ‘94. We parked right by the gap and never got kicked out. The late ‘80s through mid ‘90s were a golden age for LA skatespots. Street skating had shifted from launch ramps and handstands to curbs, benches, and gaps almost overnight. It took the powers that be a few years to catch on. For a short window, you could roll up to almost any spot you wanted and skate freely, especially after hours.

There were clusters of spots around West Hollywood and Beverly Hills that today you might never even dream of trying to skate. The Wells Fargo brick banks on Rodeo Drive, The marble stairs and ledges at Robinsons May on Wilshire, the Pacific Design Center stairs (the set of three that JLee, Rudy, and Guy all skate in Video Days too), the Beverly Center garage, the stairs, rail, and marble ledges across from the Beverly Wilshire Hotel (of Beverly Hills Cop fame), the bump inside the Linden parking garage near Santa Monica Blvd and Wilshire. You could head out at night and hit them all.

In 1993, Adam McNatt appeared in a 101 Skateboards ad with then playmate Anna Nicole Smith (1967-2007) shot at the Beverly Center. The ad ran on the back cover of Big Brother Issue 6 and a small blurb in the news column described Natas, Sean Cliver, Adam and a few others meeting her at a Guess ‘Mall Tour’.

Opened in ‘83, The Beverly Center was initially unpopular as the mall had been built on what was Beverly Park—a small but beloved amusement park featuring a Ferris Wheel, roller coaster, merry-go-round and a pony ride called Ponyland. Walt Disney reportedly got his idea for Disneyland from visiting Beverly Park. It also was home to the original Tail o’ the Pup hot dog stand.

The gap in 2026.

Digging in further, the land was actually owned by the Beverly Oil Company and had an active oil well dating back to the ‘30s. After the land was leased for the amusement park, the oil well was hidden inside a giant dragon. There are still active oil wells hidden inside the mall today. During the late ‘70s between the time Beverly Park closed and construction began on the Beverly Center, David Lynch famously filmed the exterior shots of Eraserhead (’77) there.

The Mall in its prime.

As far as the mall itself—designed by Lou Nardorf of Welton Becket and Associates, The Beverly Center was Becket's version of Le Centre Pompidou in Paris. By 1985, Angelino’s dismay over the loss of Ponyland had subsided and the mall’s aesthetic was embraced as peak ‘80s LA. A chapter of Bret Easton Ellis’ novel Less Than Zero is set in the Beverly Center.

Having a sizable portion (and some of the most memorable clips) of Jason Lee’s part filmed there seems fitting. Video Days helped both he and Spike Jonze launch their Hollywood careers after Gonz handed a copy on VHS to Kim Gordon in a Hollywood parking lot. Kim then hired Spike for his first directing job on Sonic Youth’s video 100% featuring none other than JLee, Spike and Guy. Cue Mall Rats, Shannon Doherty, Being John Malkovich and the rest.

A few months after Jake brought me to the Beverly Center we went to an advance screening of Mall Rats in Century City and cheered for Jason on the big screen. I saw the gap and manual pads again in the inaugural Stereo video, A Visual Sound (’95). Jason switch back 180s the gap (some rare JLee switch stance action) before redoing his patented back 180 manny again. I love the switch in direction on these two tricks. Dune also back heels the gap in his part. That was pretty much the last I ever heard of the spot. I honestly forgot it was still in there. We would go eat at California Pizza Kitchen on the ground floor of the Beverly Center from our offices at Skateboarder Magazine circa 2001 and for some reason I never thought to go look at it.

Sean Cliver and Anna Nicole Smith at the Beverly Center.

The only skate deterrent in sight.

One reason the spot may have abruptly become a bust is that the security office for the entire mall is now located directly adjacent to the old gap. I noticed two guards entering the office as I walked around shooting photos. The mall also seems far more upscale than it used to be. Whatever the math, part of me prefers when spots as mythical as this one get preserved, even if it means they never get skated again. That said, the curb at the top of the gap is slightly slanted and now I want to go back and try and wallie the gap. I’ll save that for when my son isn’t waiting to get to a birthday party. Be sure to go pay your respects to this spot if you find yourself in the Beverly Center.

With this article pretty much ready to go, I checked in with the Gonz to see if he might have some random memories of the spot or mall. He kind of did; “I’m sorry, I don’t have any stories about the Beverley Center other than once while there I saw Faye Dunaway the actress.” Now, I kind of just want to hear that story.

Beverly Center Walk Through (0:17)

* Jake (aka Geoffrey) Gebbe is today a senior scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts. The Star Maps project began when Jake and I made a loose pact in ‘96 to try to visit every single spot in Video Days. I’m closing in on that goal. Thanks for showing me so many skatespots when I moved to LA and introducing me to pretty much everyone I know here Jake.

David Lynch’s ’77 cult classic film Eraserhead’s external shots were filmed on the land where the Beverly Center would be built after Beverly Park closed while a chapter of Brett Easton Ellis’ Less Than Zero (’87) is set in the finished mall.

Previous Star Maps & Origins Features:
Courthouse Saved (Again)
World Savings Rails
Westwood Federal Building Video
Mar Vista Elementary
San Pasqual High aka School Q
John Cardiel on the Cardiollie 1993
Origins of the FS Half Cab
Origins of the Switch 360 Flip
Origins of the FS Pop Shove
Origins of the Stalefish
Origins of the BS Noseblunt
Origins of the Noseslide
Origins of the Nollie Flip

Origins of the Sad Plant

CONNECT Returns for its Third Edition in Bordeaux, France

Blair Alley — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 18:08:50 GMT

After two editions that laid the foundation for a unique skate gathering in Europe, CONNECT continues to evolve and further strengthen its identity: A space for encounters, reflection, and experimentation around the city, skateboarding, and art.

This new edition promises to be even more ambitious, with a refreshed program, new formats, and plenty of surprises to come.

Exhibitions, talks, workshops, screenings, performances, skateable sculptures, and sessions will once again bring Bordeaux to life over four days.

Get all the info.

SeoulCityIllegal's '4.20 NIGHT WITH FRIENDZ' Video

Blair Alley — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:32:33 GMT

You ought to know by now that we just spent some quality time in South Korea—video and photographic proof coming very soon... Right here, our local filmer and ripper in his own right, Salmon, just put out a hot video of the Seoul streets after dark. Leo Heinert was on our trip and stayed a few days after to keep soaking in the K-Pop vibes. It's unbelievable how few skaters there are in the country of South Korea, and how many incredible spots we saw on the daily that had never been skated... But don't everyone start booking tickets to Seoul all at once.

As we always do, we wanted to shed a light on the local scene in another corner of the planet, truly TransWorld. Major shout out the Salmon and the Labros Skateshop crew for being so accomodating on our recent visit. Big things poppin' in 2026!

This video was filmed on every fried dude's favorite holiday, however, if you're in Korea, you won't be passing the dutchie pon de lefthand side anytime soon.

Swim Skateboards Co. Part 1: LA to Sac

Blair Alley — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:12:16 GMT

We're always down to shine a light on skater-owned, small brands. We've always been big fans of K-Terp and his new brand Swim Skateboards is rad. Also, our bros over at the PLATFRM are mostly all former TWS staffers and we think they're doing a great job. No corporate BS—support real skaters.

"Meet Swim Skateboard Co. and jump in for a two-part series of Life in the Van. The crew comes together for their first official team road trip, covering ground from Los Angeles to Sacramento, California, before ultimately reaching Eugene and Portland, Oregon, for a true West Coast classic. After 15 years of living in L.A., professional skateboarder Kevin Terpening moved back to his home state of Ohio and started Swim Skateboards in 2023. Soon thereafter, Dan Plunkett joined the effort, and everything else has since come naturally for the brand. Today, they have a full team (all of whom—besides Kevin—live in L.A.), featuring pros Justin Drysen, Ryan Connors, Ethan Loy, and Keenan Lewis (no longer on Swim Skateboards) and Marley Humphrey. They start things off with a dream backyard skatepark session before taking their first pit stop under a bridge to stack manuals. After that, they squad up at a junk jam for the parking lot party vibes, then continue north, ripping their way up the coast and bringing us along for the ride."

Introducing the Bluetile Skateboards x Nike SB DunkLow Pro

TWS — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:33:12 GMT

A shoe-in for Dunk of the year. We just got blessed with some new flicks of the Bluetile Skateshop Dunk and all the drop details: Read below for the inspiration behind the colorway and more.

View this post on Instagram

"A shoe inspired by the Monarch butterfly and the
journey it embarks on to find its way home. The Monarch is a symbol of resiliency adopted by Mexican
immigrants who have found their home in faraway
places. These themes are made even more powerful
as we get to celebrate our very own @irv_ing, who
immigrated here from Veracruz, Mexico 💙 Like the
Monarch, Irving and the many immigrants like him
bring color to our lives and continue to uplift the
communities they serve.

Taking design cues from our pollinator friends, we
added wings, fuzzy laces, and hexagonal swoosh
eyes. This collaboration also highlights South Carolina
and the vibrant sunsets painted across our skies. A
place Bluetile has called home for 25 years…
Columbia, this one is for you. #lovebluetile

Priced at $135 and available in Men’s 4 through 15 on
Saturday May 2nd in Columbia, SC and on Sunday
May 3rd in Charleston, SC.
Both days doors will open at 11am, shoes will be sold
on a “First Come First Served” basis.
There will be an online release at 10am on Monday,
May 4th on bluetilesc.com"

Pull up to the block party and pump up the Hootie.

Nike SB Air Force 1 | Behind the Design

Blair Alley — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 02:50:20 GMT

The Uptowns, made to skate by Nike SB. If you haven't seen Creased, stop everything and do that. Then get into this mini-doc on the shoe. Support your local skateshop when it's time to cop!

Related: Nike SB "Creased" Video

In New York, where it all started, where the shoes became a staple, where God forbid you crease 'em! With Nike SB doing the Jordan 4 and the Air Max 95, what classic silhouette will they make skateable next?

No word on when the brown and blue colors will drop, but stay tuned—we'll let you know.

Magenta HEADQUARTERS Video Chapter 2/3

Blair Alley — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 02:39:54 GMT

Check the release of the second Chapter of Magenta's HEADQUARTERS video online. HEADQUARTERS blends skating from our entire team and behind the scenes of our 103-percent skater owned and operated company.

HEADQUARTERS was filmed by Stephane "Feugs" Feugas with the VX1000.

The DVD is available on our webstore and at skateshops worldwide.

Check Chapter 1 below if you missed it:

Soy Panday has been the Prince of Paris for over two decades now. So sick to see him still ripping. Hitting that classic L'embacle Fountain that he made famous so many years ago with a 360 flip photo shot by Benjamin Deberdt.

Tasteful music and editing as always from this crew.

The Continuing Story of Life on Earth - 25 Years of Hamburger Eyes

Blair Alley — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:58:41 GMT

SF is the place. Celebrate 25 years of Ray Potes' incredible shot-on-film documentary zine and book project: Hamburger Eyes.

5:00pm – 7:30pm
Thursday, April 23rd 2026
San Francisco Civic Center
San Francisco Public Library
Lower Level – Jewett Gallery
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

"Food, drinks, music, photo booth, friends, and family. We will have zine and poster giveaways. We will have new book, “Hamburger Eyes – The First 25 Years,” for sale, which comes with a commemorative pen, alongside various merchandise such as limited edition San Francisco Public Library + Hamburger Eyes collaboration full zip hoodie and the unveiling of long awaited Hamburger Eyes Cinch Backpack Mark II.

Life is a trip!"

Official press release.

(Pre-ordered books are now shipping! And the book will be listed for sale on HE's website later this week, thanks!)

Nike SB "Creased" Video

Blair Alley — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:01:00 GMT

You ought to know by now that Nike SB is rolling out some highly anticipated SB'd AF-1s for the first time in the brand's history. Well, they took a red-hot team up and down the East Coast, and to Puerto Rico, with Johnny Wilson on the tools to make one hell of a promo video. Soak it in, you're going to need a rewatch or ten.

Support your local skateshop when and where these shoes drop!

Magenta HEADQUARTERS - Chapter 1/3 - Vivien Feil, Jereme Jones, Ruben Spelta & Leo Valls

Blair Alley — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:57:19 GMT

HEADQUARTERS blends skating from the entire Magenta team and behind the scenes of its 100-percent skater owned and operated company. The video is releasing in three chapters, one chapter per week starting today. Chapter 1 features the intro, Vivien Feil, Jereme Jones, Ruben Spelta & Leo Valls.

HEADQUARTERS was filmed by Stephane "Feugs" Feugas with the VX1000.

The DVD is available on Magenta's webstore and at skateshops worldwide.