In the beginning, skateboarding was born as a complement to surfing. Surfers, most commonly in Southern California, took to the streets with makeshift skateboards to emulate the feeling of surfing when the waves were flat or blowing out. Times have gradually, yet drastically, changed.

Skateboarding grew to become an act of rebellion and a stronger component of the surf/skate lifestyle. The subculture that eventually became iconic was the surfer/skater that played punk rock music and was sexually active among his peers. The surfer/skater/punker. Later on in the timeline of skateboarding, it became a more separate activity with its own personalities, communities, and unspoken “rules of cool." Throughout the late eighties into the early nineties, skateboarding devolved into a sport for derelicts. Popularity declined quickly and without much warning. Only those with the most loyal interest in skating were doing it. It was not popular, skateparks had closed down en masse, and skateboarding only existed on backyard ramps amongst other purists of skateboarding.

As the mid-nineties came into the picture, so did street skating, which offered a fresh take on skateboarding and a new view on what could be done on that piece of wood. A new culture within skating started to emerge. One that differed from that of the former ramp skaters. For the first time, there was a major schism within skateboarding, separating some skaters from others and ultimately taking power away from skateboarding as a whole and as one complete family.

As skateboarding approached the new millennium, real money was coming back into the “sport,” attracting and growing brands, new and old, to the world of skateboarding. This brought an unspoken “status” to certain skaters that were in the limelight of that time and therein brought new “rules of cool” to skateboarding. This trend continued through the 00’s, and skateboarders became actually cool. The cool was back in the “sport.” The public started to observe skaters that were making good money as professionals, and the perception of what it meant to be a pro skater changed dramatically.

Now, more than ever, there is a purist attitude that creates a separation between those that wish they were in the early nineties, when skateboarding wasn’t done to be cool, and those that are in skateboarding because others are too and it’s a “cool” thing to do. The list of unspoken rules has become longer and longer, and to be cool within the “core” community of skateboarders, it's become a requirement to act a certain way, wear a certain type of clothing, do certain types of tricks, etc.

Of course, to truly shine as a professional, you could and should do something totally different from what anyone else is. But to fit in within the local communities, there is usually a pressure to act as skaters think they should act. Over decades, skateboarding now has withstood multiple generations and has changed astoundingly. What was once so inclusive is now so exclusive amongst so many cliques in the growing global network of skateboarders.

Skateboarders originally rooted from the surfers whom naturally rebelled against the “jocks” and “squares” of our society as we see it. But now, we are just as exclusive and overly proud of our own culture as the football players and alpha males that we grew up disliking. This is a generalization and may seem pessimistic, but many skaters are now obsessed with fashion trends, unaccepting of females in the community of actual skateboarders, and overly focused on personal (or crews’) successes amid the progression of skateboarding at large.

All groups of people practice ignorance to a certain level. Skaters have changed in their thoughts and habits, because the industry has made available the thoughts of promising careers, worldwide travel, and a possible career after skating talent eventually fades away. None of those things were fleeting thoughts in the minds of skaters of the 80’s or 90’s. They may have been dreams, but not rational ideas. This is not to say that a lucrative pro career as a skateboarder is impossible. There are some. But only some - the most elite of the elite.

Because of these new opportunities in skateboarding, the mass appeal has brought in the fair-weather fans and part-time enthusiasts. There’s nothing wrong with a part-time hobby; however, those that act as chameleons to the lifetime lovers of skating tend to be frowned upon. Everyone can skate, but not everyone does. That’s why it was so inclusive in the beginning. But when everyone skates, it’s hard to tell the troopers from the party poopers.

This is not to mention the scooters at the skatepark and other various byproducts of skateboarding’s footprint on our world’s culture. There are several other side-effects of skateboarding taking the world stage, for better and for worse.

At the end of the day, skaters, skate companies, and top influencers need to remember that skateboarding as a whole can influence our culture however we want to. We just need to come together.

As as a series of smaller groups with different opinions, we express our individuality as skateboarders. That is something we must never let go of. But when we come together to find common opinions and interests as skateboarders, the army of “skateboarding” can influence others in the best way possible. 

Next time you see a skater knocking that guy’s style, don’t encourage it. Everyone has their own flavor, and that’s why skateboarding is rad. Manual technicians, downhill sliders, rail chompers, and park rats alike. We all ride the wooden toy. We’re all skateboarders.

It’s cool to be cool, but it’s cooler to be homies.

 - 7Ply Epic

It was the morning of the big day - Miniramp Mania at FreeRide Surf & Skate Shop in Gainesville, FL! As excited as I was, I felt more focused than anything. The morning of Collegiate Skate Tour contests are familiar enough now that the stoke doesn’t overpower the awareness of responsibility. First thing’s first, so three eggs and two cups of coffee get me going strong. Clay and I packed the car(s) and headed to FreeRide to meet up with our other helpers and the Insta Ramp guys that would be fresh off the highway from JAX.

It was a nice, cool morning, so the drive past the large willow trees to the empty parking lot at FreeRide was a brief time for appreciation. When we arrived, it was straight to the details. Backing the portable ramp up to the building. Setting up the ramp, tables, tents, audio, banners, registration, etc. Lots to do, limited time, we know the drill. The parking lot started to fill up around 12:30 pm. Five-year-old kids and retirees alike brought out their lawn chairs to watch the “show.” Usually, our events cater to the more core skate and surrounding college communities. Since University of Florida had just begun its spring break, most of the publicity had hit the locals of Gainesville. The crowd was varied and pretty large.

At one point George, the owner of Insta Ramp, climbed up to the top of the roof of FreeRide, ready to pressure drop into the ramp. I saw his first attempt and then heard a large reaction from the crowd when answering some questions for the local news reporter. I knew something was wrong but had to keep on going with the interview. Only thirty minutes later, a friend of ours, Matt, fell on his FIRST RUN of the day and had to take a trip to the hospital. It was a pretty heavy way start to the day. The contest hadn’t actually started yet. George is still in a knee brace, unable to skate for a while… Matt dislocated his ankle and broke his fibula.

Aside from the day’s injuries, the contest was a hit! Everything went right, people came out to rip, and the public enjoyed free Rockstar Energy and Dominoes Pizza. If you want to hear more on the contest, check out this LINK.

Wrapping up the event was great. We were all tired, lurching from task to task, but with that sense of accomplishment. Another event well done, and the night ahead to celebrate, after a double shot of espresso maybe. That night, Clay and I (and a friend who shall not be named) went to a bar. He-who-shall-not-be-named was not yet 21-years-old, so we went to a bar where he-who-shall-not-be-named’s girlfriend worked. There was no one in the bar, so we pretty much had a few drinks, shot the shit with all the bartenders, played whatever music we wanted on the speakers, and also played whatever we wanted on the TV(s).

It wasn’t a rager, but I appreciated that. Oftentimes, on the road, people want to celebrate with you on your visit by getting absolutely shit-house wasted. But what’s the good in that if it’s happening all the time? Although the majority of the college crowd was absent from Gainesville during my visit there and we didn’t "go HARD,” I was stoked on the entire night life experience of Gainesville, FL. It’s a cool town to chill in. A cool town to skate in too. Sunday morning, waking up after beers at the bar, we were planning to go skate this pre-fab skatepark on the other side of town, just to skate something new and have at the three-foot miniramp they have there.

Following the usual couple cups of coffee, I pack the car, ready to be solo again. Then Clay and I convoy over to the park. He-who-shall-not-be-named joined us later, and the session was actually really fun on multiple levels. It was a warm, sunny day in Florida, the contest had been settled, and it was just the three of us skating for fun in a shitty skatepark that was so much fun. It doesn’t get better than that. Good times.. And then we get hungry and head to the Lunch Special at a local Chinese Restaurant. It was obnoxiously filling yet delicious, so we sat there for a while just hanging out before heading our three separate ways. Clay and he-who-shall-not-be-named were on their routes to Spring Break destinations. Meanwhile, I had another appointment in Gainesville before heading up the 301 to Jacksonville. I'm sorry I'm robbing you of your internet fame, he-who-shall-not-be-named. Just looking out.

I’d been in touch with Donny Barley somewhat recently, and we happened to both be in Gainesville that weekend. He was doing an Element Skateboards cruiser board deal day at The Boardr - Gainesville. That’s when you buy an Element Skateboard deck from the shop that day, and Donny will personally take your old deck, shape it, cut it into a smaller cruiser deck (like new), and add grip, trucks, wheels, and bearings to it. It’s a really rad initiative that Element Skateboards does that echoes their brand by recycling and respecting the Earth. After lunch with the boys, I headed toward downtown Gainesville. I stopped by FreeRide one last time to say “Hi,” picked up a local paper (that Collegiate Skate Tour was in!), and went to get a coffee and kill some time.

I got up with the guys at The Boardr, met a few new people, gave a few things away (leftover product from Miniramp Mania), and then we headed out to dinner. I’m so grateful that I’m in the position to be going out to dinner with Donny Barley and others. Also there were employees from The Boardr and The Block Skate Supply in JAX. Solid bunch of people. Don’t wanna share too much here, but I’ll just say thank Element for the meal and thanks Donny for the support always!

On the road again… To Jacksonville, FL. One of the most annoying drives in America, up the 301-N from Orlando to Jacksonville. This road changes speed limits faster than I thought legally possible. 35… 45… 65…55…35…70…45… Damn… 

But eventually I made it to Jacksonville, FL, where my cousin welcomed me with a beer and a smile. The next four days were a mix of time with family and time with the skateboarding family. Every other day, I worked from the laptop and spent time with my cousin’s kids. And the other days, I worked a bit, hung with the kids a bit, and went skating to new places, DIY spots, and skateparks in Jacksonville. I had the opportunity to meet up with Geoff, who won the first contest Collegiate Skate Tour did with Insta Ramp, back in 2014. George was out of commission from his knee injury in Gainesville, but I went skating with Geoff and others to Monument Skatepark, the Insta Ramp HQ (small indoor park), The Block Skate Supply (miniramp), and Kooktown (the new DIY build in JAX). I can’t explain how stoked and grateful I am for meeting all the rad people I did and skating all the rad places I did in Jacksonville. I even got to meet up with Donny again, as he was making Element cruiser boards at The Block when I was there. All of Florida has a pretty strong skate scene, and I can say Jacksonville doesn’t lack much. It’s a great city for skating, surfing, and good vibes.

For the other half of my time in JAX, I was playing “uncle.” I’m not technically an uncle to those kids, but I do enjoy spending time and having a presence with them. Silas goes to kindergarten next year, and Olivia is almost nine years old! I’m not saying this because I’m biased: those kids are gonna grow up to be great. Nice kids with good heads on their shoulders. And cute as can be. Much love to Kristi for being a great Mom to them. And my best to Robert, my cousin who has a heart of gold. The Jacksonville stop on this trip reminded me how special family really is yet how some can take it for granted. It’s difficult to make an impact with people, but it is rewarding. And it is important, especially with family - those you share blood and heritage with. Love you all in JAX!

Getting ready to hit the road to Tampa was exciting yet sad, because I knew my trip was already more than halfway over. I guess it has to end somewhere. But Tampa Pro weekend was the next stop.

About to get crazy,

 - 7Ply Epic

It was just a few minutes until midnight when the tires touched down. The tarmac offered a rough reaction to its passengers, but the plane smoothly rolled to a stop in Orlando. Following the usual lurching movement of the crowd exiting the plane, we all loaded on to a tram to get to the main terminal. When I wrapped my fingers around those rental car keys, I knew it was on. The next two weeks were going to be an adventure, and those are probably my favorite things in the world, aside from a well-designed skatepark or an extraordinary sunset.

Oliver, who heads up the Skateboarding Club at UCF, was my host for the next two nights. He goes by “Ollie,” not to be confused with Ollie from the homefront sunset hilltop spot, and he’s one of the best dudes out. We spent a bt of time hanging out that night, to get to know each other a bit (we’d only been acquainted online previous to that), and then proceeded to catch some sleep. The following morning, we woke up to catch up on some everyday work, make a great breakfast (eggs, apple, veggies, hummus, and black coffee), and get out of the apartment to promote the upcoming event. 

It was only three days until Collegiate Skate Tour’s “Miniramp Mania” college contest in Gainesville. Ollie went to undergrad at UF in Gainesville, knew the guys there, was going to be there that weekend, and was a huge help in bringing flyers to all the local shops in Orlando. It’s always rewarding to visit shops in new places. It’s cool to hear people’s stories and learn (or learn more) about the local skate scene. And naturally, they ask about you, when you show them a flyer & explain what “I do with Collegiate Skate Tour.” Later that day, as the evening came, we met up with a very passionate and opinionated Miami local, Manny, who joined us for burritos, pre-session at Riverside Skatepark in Oviedo, just north of Orlando. Work was done for the day, and it was time to skate!

Riverside was a fun park with a really random layout that encourages creativity, and the session was a really great way to meet with all the dudes with the club (the session was also the UCF Skate Club meeting). All the guys were really easy-going and down for what the Tour is doing. They also all loved skating. The session was fun and different, shared amongst skill levels, styles, temperaments, and personalities. The park was super fun, with wallies, benches, and curved pieces everywhere you turned. The bowls varied a lot in size and shape and rounded out the park well (no pun intended). A cigarette in the parking lot, good byes all around, and a couple reminders of Miniramp Mania, and we were on our way.

We dropped off a couple friends and headed back to Ollie’s place. Him and I were both stoked on the UCF Skateboarding movement, the event upcoming, and my visit, so we got a case on the way home and toasted to the whole damn thing. The next day, I was scheduled to leave for Gainesville, so we made a night of it. Drank a few adult sodas, talked about skateboarding, college skateboarding, professional skateboarding, skateboarding videos…. I feel like Forrest Gump saying it like that, but hey, we’re both fucking stoked on that skate life. The next morning, we had breakfast and a bit of time on the laptops. Afterward, I got on the road, headed through the dreaded toll roads of the greater Orlando area and further north to Gator Country.

The drive was mellow; full-tank-of-gas, A/C, “This American Life,” etc. You feel me? Two hours on the road was easy, but enough. Eager to get out of the car, I pull into a skateshop parking lot, at FreeRide Surf & Skate, where the event was to be held. It was really cool to see, because I’d obviously researched this location but was checking it out for the first time, two days before the event. There’s a huge mural on the side of the building, entailing a bright green grass field with a grey halfpipe in it, with the beautiful shore on the other half and ocean waves, very artistically done. The shop was very much a surf/skate cross-over shop. The kind of shop that sells skateboards but also sells bikinis. But that’s cool. The only other skateshop in town did not have a parking lot, and Collegiate Skate Tour was bringing in a portable miniramp for the college contest. So… It got me wanting to skate and move my legs a bit. I hit up the local contact. 

I was greeted by the next homie host and skate club leader, Clay. Not only is Clay a good student and pillar for the skateboarding community at the University of Florida (Gator Skateboarding Club); he’s also a silent ripper. A special breed: miniramp champ, better flip tricks than you, and able to shred a vert ramp. Clay was a great host, and he started that duty by taking me skating to a couple of street spots in Gainesville. Following the skating and exploring the Gainesville city scape (in which I was a skate virgin), we headed to a local pizza spot that we’d spoken with about potential sponsorship. And it was actually dope! Dough Religion is the name of the spot. We didn’t go through with that sponsorship, but there’s some free marketing for them. Boom, how ‘bout that?

On to the grocery store… I knew that I needed coffee, eggs, and beer for the next three days. Staples, baby. If you know me well, this is no surprise to you. We departed the store for “home,” where Clay lives, where I met his roommate, we checked out the prize product stash, and all of us enjoyed a couple of cold beers. When Clay headed to sleep, I stayed up for a bit to get a few solid hours of work in. We’d been watching skate videos on Youtube via the TV, and “Street Dreamz” (feat. P-Rod) full-length began on auto-play. So it was kinda funny that I was low-key watching Street Dreamz in the background of my email inbox and event graphics. Actually, it was quite ironic, since I’m hustling on that Collegiate Skate Tour, showing kids that the don’t have to drop out of school to pursue a career in skateboarding. But here’s Paul Rodriguez, skipping school to go to contests and get clips… Oh how times have changed. And Rob Dyrdek’s acting: LOLZ

The next morning, a beautiful Florida Friday, I sleep in a bit after a late night of working and beers. Clay has early afternoon class (before his Spring Break begins!), and I have a short list of last-day prep for the contest. I get my OCD time to myself while he’s out at class before we link up and knock out those last tasks. Honestly, I felt like it was my spring break, waking up to a new place (vacation-esque) with nice warm weather (Spring in Florida is perfect), and plans to skate some new concrete! Yeewww!! Which brings me to the next part of the story...

Post-errands, Clay and I make our way through Friday traffic to Possum Creek Skatepark. I’d been seeing footage of the Gator Skateboarding Club at that park for three or four years, and I’d heard great things about it from people all over Florida. So yes, I was Stoked. The park had a bit of a circular flow throughout, with stairset/hubbas/rail in the center and large euro gaps on each side. There’s also a really awesome, but mellow, bowl off to the side behind a banked hip with A-Frame hubba. Translation for non-skaters (it was a really well-constructed skatepark with much variety and professional finish). Bow! Had so much fun there.

Upon leaving the skatepark, we headed to the gas station to refuel (Gatorade, etc.) and then to Clay’s place to have a few beers and organize prize packages for the next day’s event. It’s always a lot of fun to sort through product and hook up packages for the future winners. I met Derek and his girlfriend, Daniela, that night when they came over to help with that process. We ended up going to a friend of theirs’ place to participate in a little jam session. I was the guy on the drums, filling in for Derek’s roommate, but the roommate did indeed come home and filled in (much better) for me. They were really churning out some solid shit from the makeshift practice spot they had to work with. Rock, real riffy stuff. Really skate-influenced punk-influenced rock of their own kind. After a little bit, we decide to head downtown to meet up with a mutual friend of ours, Matt, and his roommates. 

I had not eaten all day long, so I grabbed a burrito at this place, Flaco’s, before joining a small group of the dudes at the bar. Matt and Clay are two of the first guys from UF that ever came out to a Collegiate Skate Tour contest in Florida. Great dudes to have a cold beer with, and that night was a mellow good time with them and the rest of the homies. We kept it chill, since the next morning was big. Lots of stuff to do in the morning and throughout the day. It felt good to be settled into Gainesville for the weekend yet amped for the fun event the next day.

The story continues, starting the next morning….

 - 7Ply Epic

There's a sudden rap on the rain fly of that two-person tent. The Park Ranger was as polite as possible, careful to not completely startle the slumber of the person inside. That person was me, and I slowly lurched into a sitting position, rubbing my eyes out of sleepy habit. Letting him know that I’d heard him, I made my way into clothing and out the zipper door of the tent. 

I had arrived at the campground near closing time on the previous night, after the employees had retired for the night. So it was my time to pay up for my time camping there. Dennison Park was the campground of choice, and its views down into and across the Ojai Valley were probably worthy of a postcard home. The previous day, I had met with students of CSU Channel Islands, members of the skate club there, on behalf of Collegiate Skate Tour. The Ojai Skatepark is especially fun, well-designed, and full of good vibes. I strongly recommend it to anyone that enjoys skateboarding.

The plan moving forward that Saturday was to head home to Eagle Rock, LA and then south to Compton. I’d planned on attending a skateboarding contest at the Compton Skatepark, being put on by Bridge to Skate, a nonprofit that provides mentoring opportunities to local youths of LA and donates skateboarding hardgoods to those in need in Nicaragua. I’d wanted to go home to grab a board and some Collegiate Skate Tour stickers to distribute as prizes or toss-outs. But on the road trip home, I started to experience a rumbling from the back axle of my car. It felt as though there were a lump on my wheels propelling a section of my car up and down, in an unsettling way. To make a long story short, there was a deformity in my back left tire, was lucky to have made it home safely, and had to put the spare tire on. By the time I had the new tire on, it was later in the day. With a long(ish) drive ahead of me, my skateboard in my hand, and my child-like tendencies starting to take control, I drove to the local skatepark for a quick fix session before the sun set.

At the hill top, Victor nor Ollie were there. Only myself and Skylar, the good homie with the good good and a real positive vibe. We zoned out on some beautiful sky and great conversation before I headed down to the house. A friend from North Carolina was visiting town for a conference in Pasadena and so I had plans to meet up with her for a drink. We met at a very typical tiki-themed bar for one beer before calling it a night. Both of us were really tired from our respective weekends thus far. It was great to catch up with Kirsten! Living a rad life in rad cities and around rad people. That said, I was ready for bed.

I woke up late. My friend, Matt, and I had made plans to head down south to Huntington Beach for a bowl jam birthday barbecue. It was noon when his phone call woke me up. I was glad for the sleep and stoked for the day ahead! I called a couple of friends, packed the car for the hour drive to Orange County, and started making tracks. With the doughnut of a spare on my back left wheel, I had to cruise it, granny-style, running 55 mph on the freeway the whole damn way. Was NOT stoked on that. But I eventually got there. I arrived to the backyard. The party started in a separate backyard from the ramp yard. Jake’s place. He had a shared backyard with a few other people, but he took over that yard, having built a full treehouse with electricity, insulated windows, the whole nine yards… I met a few dudes, mostly older, and a few girls, mostly younger. Everyone was slowly enjoying their first few beers before turning it up at the bowl down the street. There were three girls there, visiting from Vegas, and they all happened to be gorgeous and cool. That’s provided some extra good points to the party.

When we arrived at the bowl, everyone slowly filtered through the gate and up the stairs to the deck of the bowl. The ramp was shaped like a rectangle, with great coping all around, at four feet tall, with one of the shorters sides taller, at a seven-foot-tall extension with elevators leading up on each edge. The bowl was concrete, and the beer was cold. The dudes were punk, and the chicks were hot. The session started to heat up, and everyone was skating well. There were only about four of us under the age of 30, so those of us were really pushing it. And the bowl was so perfect that you could really get away with going bigger and learning tricks in the heat of the session. I hadn’t had that much fun skating in weeks.

As many of us were too buzzed to skate and the ramp was starting to get moist from the damp ground below it, the fireside party began. There were less people at that point, but the majority of the crowd was hammered. The conversation flowed constantly, and with mostly good content. Only a smattering of incomprehensible or unrelated statements. Cool guys in a cool place, HB Locals that grew up surfing, skating, and playing punk music. The hilarity and good times ensued accordingly until I found myself watching the birthday boy getting a face tattoo at 48-years-old. In the garage next to the other drunk guys. It was epic. I hadn’t been drinking as much as the boys, because I knew I had to drive all the way to north LA, on a spare tire.

So it was my time to leave the garage full of motorcycles and weed smoke. It was time to hit the road to start a busy week. I was looking forward to flying to Florida two days later yet aware of the workload required to make it a success. I went home to start doing laundry and packing. And the rest will hit the blog soon enough.

Tales from Orlando, Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Tampa are just ahead.

 - 7Ply Epic