Robert Brink - Writer

Festivus: Volcom's Damn Am '07

January 10, 2008 | Skip To The Comments (0)

Festivus: Volcom's Damn Am '07
By Rob Brink
The Skateboard Mag February 2008

Right behind Tampa Am and Phoenix Am, respectively, Volcom's Damn Am in Costa Mesa seems to be the other Am contest to attend every year. And rightfully so. Who doesn't love seeing all the up-and-comers going for the gusto and caveman bomb dropping off RVs into banks while "Party Tents" are being destroyed and classic heavy metal music is played and whatnot?

Yet, contrary to the others, Damn Am somehow manages a smaller, hometown contest feel and charm. It's never overly crowded or hyped or dramatic. There's no fighting for a spot to film or shoot or see from—in fact, there are actually folding chairs to sit in. Volcom even sets up a little street course for non-competitors to skate at and an inflatable jumping ring for the kiddies to play in. Not to mention free barbecues and giveaways from the sponsors. So accommodating! The scene is mellow and friendly and inviting.

Damn Am is always held on Halloween weekend, which means you get to see things like Brian Schaefer in an Elvis suit or the entire SPoT crew dressed up like gay homosexual cops. And gay Halloween stuff is usually pretty funny, ya know? One year, Terrell Robinson even won best trick decked out in Zombie makeup!

This particular Halloween weekend, most of Southern California was up in flames. The air was sketchy and reeked like extinguished campfires. There was a bit of looming somber-ness knowing that Mother Nature, and some jerk off arsonists robbed plenty of innocent people (and even wildlife if you care about that kind of thing) of their livelihoods. Perhaps people at the contest were even affected, or in fear of being affected, while they did their best to take advantage of skateboarding's ability to make things fun—even during gnarly times.

On a lighter and more perverted note, there's always an overzealous product-hungry skate mom or two in the mix at a contest. One in particular lurked behind the Adio van, flipped her tits out and invited a certain industry dude to squeeze her nipple, while her teenage son and friend just happened to be watching—all for a T-shirt.

Dysfunctional? You bet. Entertaining? Definitely. Who knew tees were such a commodity? Maybe I'm jaded. I thought it would at least take a set of wheels for a mom to scar her kids for life. How long 'till they are on a shrink's couch reminiscing of Damn Am '07 and their mom's nipple squeeze incident?

Speaking of moms. When you come to Orange County, you're gonna see a grip of skate MILFs. Shouts out to Cody Davis for having a totally hot mom. There were more skate MILFs around for sure. But I committed. I put all my eggs in one basket. I had a four-hour, totally monogamous crush on Mrs. Davis because I'm a one four-hour-crush-at-a-time kinda guy, ya know?

Thanks Volcom! Thanks SPoT! Thanks ripping ams! Thanks skateboard industry and supporters! And thanks Cody, for not having your license to drive yourself to contests yet.