Free Agency

You may have heard that the city approved plans to cover Tompkins with synthetic turf after a hearing this past May. There is very sparse information about this, outside of the Tompkins courts being outlined with a rectangle in a PDF. Several friends with, um, knowledge of how to navigate these things have begun to reach out for more info, as groundbreaking looks like it is set to begin this winter. Anyone with insight into how this could be debated and compromised with Parks, even after it has been approved, please feel free to share what you know. We’ll try our best to keep you updated as well.

“My project in Malmö felt unreal. Imagine that happening in New York. I wouldn’t even know where to start.” Hmm, on that note… MIT Masters degree holder, Alexis Sablone, has been heavy on the interview circuit lately, and everyone is happy about it. Alexis for president of skateboarding :)

Josh Kalis re-did the ender that capped a video part he filmed at age 23… at 43

Go Skate Day videos aren’t exactly the first things that get clicked on around here — unless they’re from the Sabotage dudes, who, rather than running the whole “this is the one day I refuse to skate” thing that contrarian “core” guys do, went out and got nine minutes worth of Philly footage in 24 hours. (Yo, where is that mini windowsill ledge? Figure it’s Center City somewhere and sucks IRL, but that thing looks super fun.)

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#PrettyChill

Lessons in snacks. Coming to a classroom near you.

In case you haven’t heard, Zered now rides for Expedition One. Transworld has a quick interview with him over on their site. They also uploaded R.B. Umali’s section from The Cinematographer Project last week, which has footage of Z, Kevin Tierney, Black Dave and Eli Reed.

Chris Nieratko recently did a video interview with Stevie Williams about the DGK video, “ends of eras,” etc. The DGK video is supposed to have a “director” and be “an actual movie.” Yeah, because movie skate videos always turn out well…(Still looking forward to it, but what ever happened making *just* a skate video?)

Iron Claw Skates re-did their site and added a web store.

There’s a new nighttime, downtown Manhattan-based “Off the Grid” segment with Enjoi am, Ryan Lay. He lipslides the Columbus Park nine rail at night, and that spot has absolutely no light. Do you think he tried to get into Le Baron right after?

Kalis and 1997 and art: Part 1, part 2. Safe to say that the person who made these spends a lot of time on Tumblr.

The Skate Sauce crew posted the new Tom Penny part from their video. Let this be a reminder that: 1) Penny was never in the conversation for “Phattest Outfits” contention, like many commenters had assumed. There’s way more to being “phat” than wearing oversized clothing. 2) Cal Tjader, despite being an American who made Latin music, goes great with Barcelona-set footage.

The bi-national Open Skateboards (based out of New York and Japan) has a new promo out. Are unnecessarily late kickturns before tricks going to be a part of #trendwatch2013?

Laguna Beach, California is awful.

Someone on the Slap boards posted scans of a new Skateboard Mag interview with everyone born pre-1990’s favorite skater, Mike Carroll. He says that the interview is his entire Pretty Sweet part, which would be unfortunate because it’s only four tricks.

Our homies in Bayonne bought out The Bridge Skatepark (formerly “Below the Bridge Skatepark”) from the original owners. New hours, now 100% skater-owned management, etc. Check their Facebook page for more info. They’re having a Halloween event on October 27th.

Quote of the Week: “Come on, bro. Represent.” — A L*ngb**rder pushing up the Williamsburg Bridge to a skateboarder walking up the Williamsburg Bridge


A week-and-a-half before the start of the NBA season, Knicks starters are already out with injuries. Too early to say “called it?” At least Trap God is decent…