Wallenberg "Back to the Berg" 2009

As life sometimes does, time has been folding in on itself keeping me from the mentally therapeutic aspects of my life (such as this blog) . . . case in point Back to the Berg post I started two days after it happended, is now the better part of a year late! Nonetheless, I have finished it and as I am pretty happy with some of the action (and the amount of friends) I documented . . . here it is. Enjoy!

On Saturday May 30th 2009, Thrasher, Zero, Quiksilver and DVS threw what is most likely the last hurrah for the Historical skateboarding landmark known as "the Wallenberg four". I cannot say just how many people showed up for this event, but it was staggering . . . and I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Hopefully, if you weren't able to be in SF for this skateboard blowout, you got to see it on the live feeds that I understand were going during the event. If you didn't have at least that luck, here is what I was able to document for posterity (and insanity's) sake. Enjoy!


Pre Jam predictions on the landing strip.

With Chris Cole out front, the Chosen few ponder the possibilities.


Marissa Del Santo gave impressive and valiant efforts . . . I've seen people ride away as far as she did in a game of S.K.A.T.E. and count it - really cool. Girls in skateboarding . . . are here!
Jordan Hoffart . . . incredible and under rated Canadian. Frontside varial heelflip
Andrew Pott - perfect hardflip

Nick Merlino - Switch Heelflip
Chris Cole, MONSTER! Switch frontside flip.
Whoever this warrior is, he tried nollie 360s like 20 times and got close on about half.
Lizard King. I now understand why he is notable - he is amazing, creative and seemingly fearless. Backside 180 one foot in thong underwear (just kidding - shoe string belt).

Man of the day (month, year and decade) Chris Cole, me and some kid trying to explode me with his mind. By the end of the session Cole had bagged it with a backside 360 ollie (2nd try), and a switch frontside flip . . . FU$&!!
(WALLENBERG PART 2) Peeps in the house!
Darin Howard looks down into the sea of skaters
My best friend and skate destroyer Bart Fasano-Jones and fellow Marinite, James Norton
DLX crew.
The Hagar brothers . . . . inner circle nomads.
A packed crowd including Elements key . . . elements.

Toad and Salazar chat it up.
Legendary smooth operator, Rick Howard
The Maker
My Ace and yours, Steve "Shrewgy" Ruge.
Tony Vitello

Sunshine and skating . . . Aala park! (Hawaii part 3)

I finally fully understand why the Hawaiian Islands are such a tourist destination . . .
This being my first vacation to Hawaii, the rain and mild temperatures of the first few days sort of had me less than sold. However, for the last few days the sun has been out and the weather - hot! I can now agree it is a paradise!
Yesterday I skated the Aala Skate Park while Chels and Lynda hit China town for some shopping and culture. Chelsa agreed to take some pics after they returned and I have to say she has a knack for it . . .


Nollie 180 heelflip on the wave bank

This volcano was a fun!

Lynda hit the park as well (sort of)


Thomas Lee showed up after a bit and just ripped the park. My battery died or there would have been more of this guy - here he guides a clean noseblunt on the hubba

Hawaii part 2

Despite an overcast sky and drizzle throughout much of our first few days, we have been making the most of our vacation. On Friday we traveled to the North Shore and checked out some surfing. The waves were only around six to seven feet, but that's pretty much still awesome. We pulle off at one point near Waimea Bay and were excited to find a giant sea turtle grazing off red and green algae growing on the rocks. Shortly after witnessing what we assumed would be the turtle highlight, we almost stepped on Missy - a protected giant sea turtle basking in the . . . well, gloom. It's amazing to see such a large creature in person . . . especially something that truly appears to be a bridge to prehistoric times.


Missy


Aloha from the North Shore!

Hawaiian Vacation!

Yesterday Chelsa and I flew into Oahu to meet her Mom for ten days of rest, relaxation and fun after a long year of . . . well, mostly rest, relaxation and fun - but who needs an excuse!



Here is a view of Diamond Head as wel flew in . . . if you look really close, you can see Wilford Brimley shopping near Waikiki Beach (see him Bart and Iku)!



Lynda picked us up in a Burnt metallic orange Dodge Calibur (pretty cool for the cheapest choice). Here she is found responsibley switching lanes


Our Condo view is inviting. More adventure . . . after naptime.

After St. Valentines Day SKATE MASSACRE!

. . . . Actually it hasn't happened yet. But my friends Joey and Shrewgy from Ace trucks are throwing a skate day jam at the Berkeley skate park and had me do a flyer for the event. The skate jam got rained out on both attempts, but it will happen in the near future and it will be fun as hell! Here's the gig . . .