Ryan Sheckler: Paying it forward
Words: Robert Brink
Originally intended for 944 magazine this month, this piece never saw the light of day because the mag folded. Enjoy.
Sponsored at 6-years old and pro by age 13, it didn’t take long for San Clemente native, Ryan Sheckler (now 21) to reach the top of the game in skateboarding—and subsequently cross over to a mainstream success that 99.9% of his industry cannot fathom and most certainly won’t ever experience.
Sheckler was the youngest professional skateboarder to have a signature model shoe. He’s won multiple X Games gold medals, had his own reality show on MTV, achieved teen heartthrob status, sealed endorsement deals from Got Milk, Axe, Proactiv and more, scored roles in movies with the likes of The Rock and appeared on stage at a ‘Lil Wayne concert.
Hilliard Sulpher’s Pursuit of Happiness
By Robert Brink SBC, Fall 2011
Prior to speaking with Hilliard Sulpher, his friends told me all sorts of quirky things about him to help make this article entertaining.
Things like how he’s nicknamed “The Hobbit” because he has hairy feet. About how he barfs a lot and how he’s into motorcycles. That he lived in the infamous Windsor Hut with his crew in Toronto. That he has a back tat of his last name (a-la Sheckler and TJ Rogers) that his parents bought for him as a Christmas present when he was 13. That his sister is a world-record holding professional jump roper and his mom makes the best nachos in Ontario and even parties with Hill and his homies.
But all that’s just fluff—the fodder you include when there’s nothing better to talk about—or when you’re filibustering—avoiding the large elephant in the center of the room.
Festivus: Pro-Tec Pool Party 2011
Words: Robert Brink The Skateboard Mag, September 2011
There are two reasons I religiously attend the Pro-Tec Pool Party every year.
The first is for the free hot dogs. The second is to see Chris Miller win.
Although it’s difficult to comprehend why, while eating hot dogs, so many people feel compelled to tell you how gross and unhealthy they are.
It seems these individuals somehow believe they’ve obtained a vast catalog of exclusive knowledge (most likely through Google) about hot dogs that you, the feeble-minded swine and mustard eater, are too stupid and meager to discover or comprehend.
The first few times I saw Oscar Loreto skate was at the Adaptive Action Sports X Games event in 2009 and 2010. Obviously, like most people would, I noticed he has no hands. But what I also noticed, was that he didn’t seem to care that it was an actual contest. He wasn’t gunning for a gold medal or anything, he was simply skating the course and having a good time.
As I got to know Oscar and we skated together more, I learned he was also missing half a leg, which blew my mind because he jumps down sets of stairs like it’s no big thing.
But you get over all that leg and hand stuff pretty quick and discover Oscar is down-to-earth and legit. He’s super mellow. He loves skateboarding and beer and film making. He’s not only an incredible ambassador for Adaptive Action Sports and amputees across the globe, but also an inspiration as a human being.
Skateboarding doesn’t need gold medals. But then again, if there are going to be gold medals in skateboarding, then Oscar deserves a few.
So what’s the word, Oscar?
Not much. I just left Element. They had a package waiting for me so I was driving back from Irvine.
Patinando con los Muertos:
Converse's Day of the Dead Tour
Words: Rob Brink The Skateboard Mag, June 2011
Steve Luther is a proud Mexican man and the Brand Manager of Converse Skateboarding.
He had a simple idea: Plan a skateboarding trip around the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos.
But when the worlds of skateboarding, foreign culture and the deceased collide, “simple” quickly becomes “complex” and a myriad of events occur. Some expected, some fun, some frightening—but all worth telling stories about.
Paul Stanley, Banderas shots, a magical business card, parades, place settings for the dead, machine guns, Paco and a golden pistol—different tales and perspectives from different skateboarders—all on the same tour.
Learn the language and don’t forget to wash your face, gringo.
TJ Rogers has already blown it. At 19, he’s already got a reputation for having a shitty, cocky attitude. He films with his iPod headphones on while listening to crappy music that isn’t The Smiths or ‘Lil Wayne. His clothes are still too big. In his defense, they used to be Grant Patterson big, but have since reduced in size.
TJ allegedly has long-running beefs with a couple other up-and-coming Canadian skateboarders. One of the first Google search results for his name is a clip of TJ face planting into a pile of mulch. He has a Sheckler-esque “Rogers” back tatt between his shoulders. He has initials for a first name and the same last name as the infamous Jereme; aaaaaaand, are you ready for this ... he’s from Whitby, Ontario.
Stop right now. Just close the mag and log on to your favorite forum or twerpy little blog and get your jollies by talking shit on TJ.
