Heath & the bungee ...
November 8, 2011
Trevor Colden
October 30, 2011
Trevor Colden
Words: Robert Brink
Thrasher, September 2011
Trevor Colden has been in your face lately. It’s his time to be. He’s 17, really good at skateboarding and under the wings of Jamie Thomas, Chris Cole and Heath Kirchart. You can try to deny him or make fun of his beanie or whatever you want. But the reality is, when dudes like those three step up and back a kid you never heard of, it’s inevitable—we, collectively, have been offered the opportunity to witness a next-generation ripper and his skateboarding come to fruition.
So how's the response been to your Emerica welcome clip?
Dude, people seem so psyched on it. I was super blown away. I didn't even know I was coming out with it until a few days before. I texted Miner asking if he needed footage because I’m filming for a legit Emerica part and he told me that my welcome thing was coming out and I was like, “Whaaaaat?”
How soon after did the shit talking follow?
I saw a couple comments on Hella Clips, but I don't give a shit. Sometimes it gets super harsh, but it definitely wasn't as much as I thought it would be. The only one I really heard about was after my Mystery part … that I'm a “Tom Asta clone.”
43 Magazine
September 23, 2011
43 Magazine
Word: Robert Brink. Photos: Allen Ying.
Already Been Done, September 2011
Allen Ying is a Brooklyn-based skateboarder and photographer who discovered skateboarding at age 11. At 15, he borrowed a friend’s camera to take some pictures …
“At the time I was looking at skate mags a lot and was really impressed with the quality of the photos in them,” Ying says. “This was probably ’98 or ’99, when Philly was in TransWorld all the time. Seeing that stuff in the magazines kind of sold me on the idea of shooting skate photos.”
Shortly after came a leg fracture. With his newfound free time, Allen’s began shooting more. Then, at age 18, came the move to Manhattan to attend F.I.T. for a degree in photography.
Fast-forward to July of 2011. The entire skate community was introduced to the concept of Allen’s new baby, 43 magazine. And for the next month, we watched and donated in suspense as he, with the help of Kickstarter.com, attempted to raise a minimum of $20,000 to get the mag up and running.
305 backers and $23,583 later, on August 29, 2011—the mission was accomplished.
First off, congratulations on getting 43 funded.
Thanks.
Already Been Done Presents: Ricky Webb
August 23, 2011
Already Been Done Presents: Ricky Webb
Words: Robert Brink
Already Been Done, August 2010
What are you up to, Ricky?
I’m at Starbucks. Just got some tea.
What kind of tea?
Orange chai something? I don’t know. I forgot.
I don’t drink coffee, only tea. So now I instantly like you.
I just wanted to come over here and get on the Internet because I don’t have it at my house.
Speaking of the Internet, your Facebook page lists your occupation as “private investor … ”
My homey’s trying to make some t-shirts and wheels and stuff so I’m gonna help him. It’s called “Take That.”
I saw the video part you did for them—pretty sick. So you loaned him some money?
Yeah.
You're a good friend. I noticed you’re way more popular on Facebook than Twitter.
I think I like Facebook more. I communicate more on Facebook. I don’t really communicate that much on Twitter.
Ryan Sheckler: Paying it Forward
August 1, 2011
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.
X Games 2011 Adaptive Skate clip
August 1, 2011
Just a quickie from my phone that I filmed during practice before I helped judge the event. Justin (handstand) won best trick and Greg (front blunt) won the contest. Rippers!
Hilliard Sulpher’s Pursuit of Happiness
July 26, 2011
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.
Adaptive Action Sports PSA
July 20, 2011
Yes, I can read ...
I love this crew. Support them if you can. ADACS.ORG
Festivus: Pro-Tec Pool Party 2011
July 19, 2011
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.
Carry On: Oscar Loreto
June 23, 2011
Carry On: Oscar Loreto
Words: Robert Brink
Photos: Ian Ruhter & Robert Brink
Already Been Done, June 2011
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.