Browsing the warehouse was like seeing history forming it’s current counterpart before my own eyes. Experiencing the tour of Deluxe Distribution was a privilege and an honor, stumbling upon original Gonz artwork, meeting the dudes who essentially run the brands and noticing all of the easter eggs that lie in the fabric of a place with such history. Deluxe has created and housed some of the most revered skateboarding brands that are still around and will alway be remembered by skaters worldwide. Witnessing the rooms in which the art, marketing and product development departments all live was a unique pleasure, and the warehouse walk-through was the big fat cherry on top.
Walking the isles, picking up boards, getting juiced on new products and being a skate nerd through it all was a pleasure. I hate to use the cliché, but I felt like a kid in a candy store. But more like a kid who might be “too old for candy” in Willy Wonka’s factory. *I’ll never be too old for skating… ;)*
After the Deluxe meeting and facility tour, I had the rest of my day to spend in San Francisco. Just me and my skateboard. I dropped my bags and started pushing up 17th street to then turn left and cruise south to Potrero Del Sol Skatepark. It had been almost four years since I’d skated at that park - I usually skate at SOMA or just around the city - so I was especially amped to see it in person again. Most of the skate was uphill or through construction areas, so my non-local self took the difficult route. Once I arrived, I was surprised to find a completely empty skatepark.
Walking the isles, picking up boards, getting juiced on new products and being a skate nerd through it all was a pleasure. I hate to use the cliché, but I felt like a kid in a candy store. But more like a kid who might be “too old for candy” in Willy Wonka’s factory. *I’ll never be too old for skating… ;)*
After the Deluxe meeting and facility tour, I had the rest of my day to spend in San Francisco. Just me and my skateboard. I dropped my bags and started pushing up 17th street to then turn left and cruise south to Potrero Del Sol Skatepark. It had been almost four years since I’d skated at that park - I usually skate at SOMA or just around the city - so I was especially amped to see it in person again. Most of the skate was uphill or through construction areas, so my non-local self took the difficult route. Once I arrived, I was surprised to find a completely empty skatepark.
To clarify to non-skaters, Potrero Skatepark is more or less legendary. It’s widely known and warrants an exception in a world of legitimate skate video productions that don’t allow “skatepark footage.” Potrero is a local proving ground and an international destination that simply happens to be in the city of Sn Francisco, and it lies in an area that attracts every sort of character and social scene from the city, mostly skateboarders of course. I met a guy there. We didn’t exchange names, but for the first 45 minutes of my session, it was only the two of us at the park. He was riding a bicycle, and not even a BMX (stunt-worthy) bike. It was mountain bike, complete with springy back shocks and deep treads on its tires. Many would’ve called him a kook, but he was having a blast and stayed well out of my way, so I had no reason to dislike the guy. He obviously needed a new bicycle and went to the park often, because given the condition of the bicycle he had no fear whatsoever.
I loaned him my lighter, and we exchanged some conversation, all the while keeping our distance from each other, as city living had conditioned us to. Eventually, another two skaters showed up, but it was about time to head back to the offices to pick up my bags and get a ride further into the city by my friend, Travis.
Travis, who I’ve mentioned before on the blog, is an adventurous soul. One which had just gotten back from a solo road trip up to Whistler, and all throughout Oregon and Washington, chasing the good snow and concrete parks the whole way up and down. As a long-time skateboarder and the team manager of Satori Wheels, he’s a great dude to skate with, talk with and generally hang out around whenever in the city. Good vibes and a wandering disposition secure a great time skating with him. He was fresh back from his trip, and despite his being tired we headed to a skatepark immediately. The brand new Top of the Hill Skatepark near Hunter’s Point was a really cool park with smooth concrete and fun lines. Although the park was a fun one, we were both overdue for lunch, so we headed to his neighborhood in the Outer Sunset for tacos.
I loaned him my lighter, and we exchanged some conversation, all the while keeping our distance from each other, as city living had conditioned us to. Eventually, another two skaters showed up, but it was about time to head back to the offices to pick up my bags and get a ride further into the city by my friend, Travis.
Travis, who I’ve mentioned before on the blog, is an adventurous soul. One which had just gotten back from a solo road trip up to Whistler, and all throughout Oregon and Washington, chasing the good snow and concrete parks the whole way up and down. As a long-time skateboarder and the team manager of Satori Wheels, he’s a great dude to skate with, talk with and generally hang out around whenever in the city. Good vibes and a wandering disposition secure a great time skating with him. He was fresh back from his trip, and despite his being tired we headed to a skatepark immediately. The brand new Top of the Hill Skatepark near Hunter’s Point was a really cool park with smooth concrete and fun lines. Although the park was a fun one, we were both overdue for lunch, so we headed to his neighborhood in the Outer Sunset for tacos.
The rest of the day was long, in a good way. But still very long. We were each tired, so coffee at Travis’ apartment was a necessity. From there, the sunset spot led to hill bombs at dusk led to $5 pho and then IT’S-IT treats before heading back to the apartment. A long day made longer only by adding adventure, high speed skateboarding and authentic SF noodles. We were both happy men.
Getting ready for the next day’s flight then became my task, so a wind-down with a tall boy Tecate was the next move… The end of another visit to the bay area (and this post only referred to one of the three full days there) was a satisfied one. The trip wasn’t quite like any of the rest, but it was as great or even better than SF trips in the past. There’s a special energy in the city. Minus the people in the street yelling at empty parked cars, each person you encounter has a positive attitude, generally inspired to help and inspiring all at once. Each person has a story with deep roots in all directions, and the facilities reflect that. There’s a reason why the rent's so damn high - you’re paying for the magic that resides in the city. I feel like those that have never spent real time there don’t know, and the people that have been living there for quite some time don’t know anything different.
I’m not trying to get too woo-woo hippy on you fools, but there’s something to be said for the Fog City. I can’t wait for the next time I go back and ride those streets, gaze onto the water and cruise on the raw energy.
’Til next time.
- 7Ply Epic
Getting ready for the next day’s flight then became my task, so a wind-down with a tall boy Tecate was the next move… The end of another visit to the bay area (and this post only referred to one of the three full days there) was a satisfied one. The trip wasn’t quite like any of the rest, but it was as great or even better than SF trips in the past. There’s a special energy in the city. Minus the people in the street yelling at empty parked cars, each person you encounter has a positive attitude, generally inspired to help and inspiring all at once. Each person has a story with deep roots in all directions, and the facilities reflect that. There’s a reason why the rent's so damn high - you’re paying for the magic that resides in the city. I feel like those that have never spent real time there don’t know, and the people that have been living there for quite some time don’t know anything different.
I’m not trying to get too woo-woo hippy on you fools, but there’s something to be said for the Fog City. I can’t wait for the next time I go back and ride those streets, gaze onto the water and cruise on the raw energy.
’Til next time.
- 7Ply Epic