Anyone who survives a long contest weekend deserves mad props; whether skater, parent, judge, or announcer, 3 days is long! And if you were one of the KTR skaters who left on Wednesday for the SkateLab in Simi Valley, that means twice as many pre-contest slams trying to get a feel for a brand new course! But it paid off, as virtually every skater made it to the final. Congrats to Jett Eaton who won Best Trick of the whole weekend at King of Groms. Jett could barely walk due to an injury, but skated anyway, and pulled a McTwist in the verted bowl pocket!! Heck Yeah Jett! Congrats to everyone who made it to the Championships in 3rd Lair Minnesota.
This weekend, locals: Jagger and Jett Eaton, Augie and Armando Lerma, Trey Wood, and Tyson Joseph-Stevens, and Alana Smith will be throwin' down their best tricks at the 8th Annual King of the Groms. The Simi Valley Skatelab in Simi Valley, California will be hosting qualifier #4 Dec. 11-13th.
THE BEST PART IS,you can catch the pictures, stories, and standings right here on the Kids That Rip Blog. Take bets, cheer on our locals, have a party, what-evs!
Kids That Rip is always trying to stay on the cutting edge for all; wether a dedicated athlete, inquiring guest, or regular spectator. Over the weekend, a new skateboard course will be added. Geoff has brought out the CA Ramp Works crew to erect 13 feet, 6 inches of vertical skatelite and another 42 feet in width for smooth riding.
By the way, Geoff took one for the team today.. shooting a nail through his hand! He calmly walked out saying, "I think I need a tetanus shot", and proceeded to the ER. Oouuch!
Oh yes, a new flow course and pole jam is being added for all you street addicts.
Moms, there is something for you too! For those of you who have been eagerly watching your sons and daughters skateboard or tumble on mats, now you can join in the fun.
Nicole Harper, owner of Mesa Adventure Boot Camp, is now offering her morning Indoor Boot Camp here at KTR (note: no spectators are here to watch you climb monkey bars, duck under balance beams, or climb ropes this early...;)
Kids That Rip Skateboard School will soon be the departure and arrival location of License to Skate, Skatepark Tours! The first trip is on Saturday, Novemeber 28th. Spaces are limited. Go to licensetoskate.com to register.
'I just say, "It’s the same thing as the last trick I learned before," and just do it.'
Alana is the oldest of 3 sisters, with one more on the way this September.Oddly enough, all of her family members were born on an even day of the month… so she hopes her younger sister will be born on an even day as well…. I found this interesting.
Anyway, Alana has been skateboarding for less than a year, and has no reservations when it comes to showing up the boys. Just recently she has had the opportunity to participate in the full-time Skateboard School at KTR. If you haven't heard, this is where kids can take their skateboarding to the top: Alana 'home-schools' at KTR skateboard park and has private training the rest of the day.
Interview with Alana Smith: "All Skateboarding"
contributing PG_ Lucas Murphy
KTR: Name, DOB and Hometown: AS: Alana Smith, 10/20/2000, Mesa, AZ
KTR: Local Spot: AS: Apache Junction Skatepark and Kids That Rip Skateboard School
KTR: How did you get into Skateboarding? AS:I saw it on the X-Games- people doing 360 shuvs and going upside down. I got interested in it, and then my parents surprised me with a board.
KTR: Best thing about skateboarding is:
AS: Getting to skate with my friends.
KTR: How often do you skateboard? AS: Mon- Sat: 2 days at skateparks and as much as I can during the week.Sometimes I am here (KTR) 8 hrs a day. (Since the interview, Alana has had the opportunity to participate in the full-time skateboard school at KTR).
KTR: What is your favoritie shoe to skate in?
AS: The Osiris high-tops
KTR: Future goals in skateboarding?
AS: Growing up to be a pro skateboarder and having fun.I want to learn to 360 gap the mini mega here.I’d like to visit California.
KTR: Describe Camp Woodward East this summer?
AS: A lot of parks, way bigger than the ones here.13ft, 10ft, and 8fts.My favorite part was Cloud 9- The 13ft.
KTR: What gets you pumped to go skateboarding?
AS: I just wake up and want to skate; I’ll skip breakfast. Once I start I don’t want to stop.
KTR: Are there any skateboarders you look up to – to get better?
AS: Bucky and Ryan Scheckler
KTR:Favorite Trick:
AS: 360 airs on the mini mega and sometimes onto the top of the mini ramp.
KTR:Worst injury:
AS: Breaking my finger (laughs- it was stupid)- I was walking up the stairs and tripped.
KTR: How do you get yourself to try a new trick and overcome fear?
AS: I just say it’s the same thins as the last trick I learned before and just do it.
KTR: I hear you might being getting some backyard ramps- what would be your dream set-up?
AS: I want it to look like the 13ft one at Woodward, except an 11 and 12ft quarter-pipe.Also, I want a mini ramp and a mega ramp.
KTR:What’s one of the best moments you’ve had since you started skateboarding?
AS: When I got first place in the competition in Tuscan.All my family was there just yelling… for some reason.
In my book, Jett Eaton has one of the most positive attitudes about life I've ever seen, and if you're wondering where that gets you in life, well, just watch the video and read the interview below. And on that note, no skateboarder is without injury, but not many have taken an elbow to the spleen like Jett Eaton. Rebounding in just 7 weeks seems miraculous to me, but to Jett 7 weeks off of his skateboard feels more like an eon. The following interview with Jett gives us some tips on dealing with injury and recuperation... because you've got to be tough to stay in this game:)
Jett and Tony Hawk take some runs at Woodward East Camp, 2009.
Interview with Jett Eaton: Injuries, Recuperation, and Attitude.
KTR: Jett, you recently just had a birthday, how old are you now?
Jett Eaton: "Eleven"
KTR: Tell us about your last injury: how it happened, and what happened.
Jett: "I was at Woodward East skating the Outdoor Street. A guy (man size) hit me from the side, and his elbow landed on my belly and fractured my spleen."
KTR: How do you handle hard falls?
Jett: "I let my dad know I'm okay, stay tight in my head, and don't cry."
KTR:What's your advice for dealing with slams when they happen?
Jett: "You'll be okay, take deep breaths, and you've got to stay calm."
KTR:What does Jett do when he's off his board for almost 2 months?
"Sit home, play video games, swim... I went to Utah and the X-Games."
KTR: So, after being out for seven weeks, what did it feel like getting back on your board?
Jett: "Better. I am learning tricks faster. I am pumped to be back on my board."
KTR: Anything exciting coming up on your agenda?
Jett: "I'm going to Woodward East again to skate with the Red Bull Ams for one whole week! But, I don't have to be in the classes or follow the camp schedule..... I just have to be in bed by midnight."
Kids That Rip Skateboard School is doing reconstructive surgery to the swimming pool area over the next week. Just wait until you see what is going in its place!! As a result, there are no skate classes August 10-15th. Please schedule make-ups at the front desk. See you soon.
Summer camp has come to an end, but more time for our mini rippers, rippers, shredders, and ktr to skate is in! See below for the updated Saturday schedule.
Photo by_ local talent, Mr. Lucas Murphy
SATURDAYS
9:00-10:00 AM - MINI RIPPERS AND RIPPERS 10:00-11:00 AM - MINI RIPPERS AND RIPPERS 11:00-12:00 PM - SHREDDERS AND KTR 12:00-1:00 PM - SHREDDERS AND KTR 1:00-3:00 PM - OPEN SKATE $15.00(Members Only)
Among skateboarding, bmx, and moto-x; fingerboarding, a mini version of a skateboard where tricks are performed using fingers instead of feet, is providing full entertainment at this year's X Games 15. X Games Fingerboards, manufactured by Mattel, are based on the real X Games brand skateboard models. They feature a vast array of legit, quality graphics.
Story and photos sent by Mary Friberg of mmlpr.
WHAT: X-Games Fingerboarding and The Giant Hand The X Games Fingerboards Booth at X Fest will feature: • Pro Fingerboarders Eddy Vargas, Joe Climan and Colton Cleveland showing tricks on a pro skate park • Announcements by veteran X Games Emcees Bonton Flores & Dave Duncan • Demo course & tagging station for kids • Giveaways of more than 10,000 fingerboards - just text for a chance to win.
WHEN: The booth will be open Thursday, July 30 and Friday, July 31 from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, Saturday, August 1 from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm and Sunday, August 2 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm.
THE HAND’S SKATE TIMES: The Hand will be skating the Skateboarding Street Course on: • Saturday, August 1 from 1:50 pm to 1:53 pm The Hand will be skating the interactive courses on: • Friday, July 30 from 1:00-1:15 pm • Saturday, August 1 from 3:00-3:15 pm • Sunday, August 2 from 1:00-1:15 pm
WHERE: X Fest at the Home Depot Center, 18400 Avalon Blvd. in Carson, CA ... but you can always get a dose of X Games Fingerboards at www.xgamesfingersports.com
ABOUT the PRO FINGERBOARDERS: Joe Climan Joe Climan is a 16 year old phenomenal fingerboarder based out of Brentwood, CA. He began fingerboarding over 11 years ago after sustaining a back injury while skateboarding and hasn’t stopped since. Joe has been part of numerous Fingerboard “meet-ups” and hosted many demonstrations as well.
Edgar “Eddy” Vargas Eddy Vargas has been fingerboarding for 11 years and he is one of the best fingerboarders in Southern California. Vargas has won several prominent fingerboarding contests on the West Coast such as RISE Best Trick 2008/2009. He has also helped judge events like the East Coast Homewood/NoComply Huck Jam.
Colton Cleveland Colton Cleveland is 12 years old and this is his first time coming to X Games. He has been fingerboarding for 2 years and recently competed and won the X Games Fingerboards contest at Skate Lab!
"There's like so many ways you can take a picture of the same thing, and its all up to whoever is taking the picture to decide that."~ Diego Meek
There is no doubt Diego has an eye for shooting both photography and videography. His video and pics speak for themselves, so check them out below. His interview follows.
Name, Age, Hometown: Diego Meek, 14, Mesa, AZ!! Local Sk8 Spot: My favorite spot would be Beardsley banks. Who or what are usually your subjects when filming or taking photographs? Friends skateboarding most of the time. What came first, your video camera or still camera? I used to film with my digicam but i wouldn't really care how it was filmed, but just that it was on film. Which do you prefer? I'd rather film, but I want to get a lot better at taking stills. Do you have future goals to either be a videographer, photographer, or both? Yes, but right now its really more for the fun of it and to get better at what I do. I want to go to school for some kind of art and photography classes. What do you like about these two medias? Ok, so about filming, I like it because I'll just try to film it as good as I can. Then, I'll try to edit it to fit the music the best I can. I like photography because there's like so many ways you can take a picture of the same thing, and its all up to whoever is taking the picture to decide that. Give your readers a tip for filming good skateboarding. Uuhhh...... don't use all auto settings. Where can people go to view more of Diego's works? vimeo.com/diegomeek; flickr.com/diegomeek What's your favorite thing about skateboarding. Fun Fun Fun Favorite skate video? ahm (a happy medium) Favorite magazine? I have a monthly subscription of gnarcore in the mail, no not really, maybe The Skateboardmag
Last weekend was the second annual Maloof Money Cup in Orange County, CA. The CA Ramp Works and CA Skateparks' crews lived up to their reputations by creating amazing courses for both the vert and street pros! This was the first year in which the mini-mega ramp actually flowed into the vert ramp via an archway, and had a return ramp for the skaters to get back to the top. The archway and vert was custom made by CA Ramp Works. The street course replicated famous street spots, with marble benches and ledges, brick banks, gnar handrails. Though my favorite piece was just a simple piece of metal screwed to the wall... thrown in by Joe Ciaglia (owner of CA Skateparks).
Every skater was killing the course. Dave Duncan (the announcer) kept saying, "This is a super final", for like every heat that went out. My favorite was when someone left him speechless, and all he got out was, "that was gnarly gnar". The roof gap to bank was just that, and more than one skater including: Appleyard, Sheckler, Huston, Sandoval, and Busenitz all threw something down on it; Peter Ramondetta skidded out of a huge gap to blunt side down a handrail; Torry Pudwill was popping huge nollies over the handrail. The skaters truly came out of every heat packed full of energy, going for everything they thought of.
In the end, Chris Cole took home $100,000 in street. Tommy Sandoval was second and Nyjah Huston 3rd. Alex Perelson, after landing the 900, took home $75,000. PLG came in 2nd and Bob Burnquist came in third. Leticia Bufoni took away $25,000 for the girls.
To top it all off, Snoop Dog made an appearance, telling the skaters, "get your roll on". I know the white folks secretly be thuggin out in their vehicles to rap lyrics, but when it comes to standing in public, they are as stiff as a board. Snoop could barely get us to "put our hands in the air", yo.
Throughout the weekend, Dug and I had to get "our roll on", so we stoppoed by the Hurley facility, Ocean Beach Park, and Volcom Park. All fun:) Pictures below.
"I'd probably have to say my favorite subject to shoot is skating by far. To get a picture of them flying through the air, or an awesome stall is just something you can keep forever." ~ Lucas Murphy
Lucas Murphy,one of KTR's local skate rats, is only 13 years old and proving himself as a photographer already. Check out his photos below... you might be in there! An interview follows.
Interview with Up and Coming Photographer- Lucas Murphy
KidsThatRip: Age and Hometown. Lucas Murphy: 13 years old, Phoenix, AZ. KTR: What got you into photography? LM: Um I think it was my first Thrasher Magazine when I saw Beagle's shots of Baker, and they looked so amazing that I wanted to get into it.
KTR: What is your dream career in photography? LM: My dream career would probably be to be a photographer/filmer for a pro team, and I'm tryin' to get there right now.
KTR: What's subject(s) do you like to shoot? LM: I'd probably have to say my favorite subject to shoot is skating by far. To get a picture of them flying through the air, or an awesome stall is just something you can keep forever. Like Jett and Jagger when they become pro ill say, "Wow! I have pictures of Jett and Jagger Eaton when they were kids and training."
KTR: Where can people view your photos? LM: Well, they can come to me to see them. Or, when I'm finished with my website- gnarbeanies.com - they can look there or ... by a beanie... or try and get sponsored by me if they want.
KTR: Are you looking into a college for photography? LM: Sort of, my dream is to live in Chicago, so I really want to go to college somewhere in Chicago or near.
KTR: Give us one tip for shooting skateboarding. LM: Ummm you always have to get the right angle and make the picture look its best.
* We always encourage creative talent here at KTR! If you want to share a video, pics, or story with the blog, e-mail: mmcdole3@aol.com
School's out for Summer! May 21st was Johnson Elementary's big field day for their students before summer vacation. There was tug-o-war, slip and slide, sno-cones, watermelon, skateboarding; and the kids were soaking it all up in their bathing suits.
KTR provided the skateboard demo. Jeff Jewett brought out the ramps. Rad, Scott, Tyson, Armando, Augie, Jett, Jagger, and Alana all came with a bag o tricks... especially Scott.
I forgot how school crushes spread like wild fire. One girl says, "ooh- he's cute" and the rest at that moment awake to his good looks. This is how the demo went. Scott became a teen idol.
Top: Scott getting mobbed. Above Right: Jagger sneaks in a kickflip off the box. Above Left: Jewett reminisces days of school. Left: Scott finds refuge in the air. Right: Rad makes a proper entrance.
Left: Not made for the sidelines- Alana ollies the gap.
On that note, I was standing on the sidelines, and the little girls from Johnson Elementary thought for sure I knew Scott's address. I told them I was sure I didn't have his address or phone number, but if they wait at the end of the quarter-pipe (where the KTR kids were airing out), Scott might fall and they could nab him then....
... fortunately they realized that was more of a hazard than it was worth.
Right: Jett and Augie find refuge Left: Jett blasts over for the Penske gap.
Below: Geoff Eaton and Devaughnn Smith help put the day to rest.
First of all let me say that the KTR kids know how to win a contest! May 14th was the Sedona stop for Concrete Rodeo's contest series. In the end KTR took 5 first places! The Sedona Park location is hard to beat, as it is surrounded by gorgeous red rock mountains.
Above: Augie taking a break from the heat. Above left: With eagle wings, Jagger 180s off the ledge Left: Aaron Goure buttering up the rail in practice
We took off around 9am from the KTR compound in Mesa, AZ. Aaron Gore's dad, Kurt, was kind enough to drive the kids up in style. When we pulled up in the fancy RV, faces went down, and 11 competitors piled out... obviuosly lowering the odds of winning just a bit for the rest. We arrived around noon. Despite the fact that the contest started at 4pm on a Thursday, school day, close to 40 kids registered for the contest.
Highlights of the day: Alana's manual across the volcano; Erma brothers- Augie and Armando- going head to head; Jett's McTwist at the buzzer, Aaron's flawless first run; Daniel tieing for 1st in the joust, but coming up short in the best trick to bump him to second for the joust (apparently this was the same song second verse as last year)- next year Daniel! Oh, and the boy who randomly ended up doing a roof gap- ollieing off the roof, over a fence, onto the street.
Results (age group is just your age, the joust is everyone together, and overall are these two scores combined)
right below: Alana Smith (1st, age 3-8; 1st overall) left below: Tyson Joseph-Stevens rolls up for the drop off.
below: Augie Lerma boardslides(don't get comfortable, you're younger brother is taking notes:) Jagger Eaton- (1st, age 3-8; 3rd in joust; 3rd overall!) Trey Wood (2nd, age 3-8; 19th overall)
Tyson Joseph-Stevens (4th, age 3-8; 21st overall) Armando Lerma (5th, age 3-8; 26th overall)
Jett Eaton (1st, age 9-10; 18th overall) Augie Lerma (2nd, age 9-10; 11th overall)
Daniel Kasitch (2nd, age 11-12; 2nd in joust; and 1st overall!) Scott Foster (4th age 11-12; 14th overall)
Aaron Goure- (1st, age 13-14; 10th overall) Zach Saager- (3rd, age 11-12; 20th overall)
left: Zach Saager finds some over vert
For more details on the concrete rodeo schedule, click here
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