Corey Duffel’s “Homeboy” – Happy Halloween!

Foundation have been killing it lately. King of the Road, Corey Glick turning pro, the new Souvenir video and of course there is Corey Duffel. Corey put out his Thrasher Not Alone part earlier this year which turned heads when it was released. He has has just released this little treat to put in your basket. And it’s really good. So here it is, Corey Duffel’s “Homeboy” part released just in time for Halloween.

Although there is some huge stuff us mere mortals would never try, a lot of this clip is just Corey out there having fun. Hitting a gap at full speed or threading the needle on a roll out and getting intimate with the concrete the hard way. He does it all with a smile on his face. Traveling the world and skating with your pals is what it’s all about.

 

Corey Duffel’s “Homeboy” Part – Halloween 2018

As Thrasher puts it “The Duffman sacrifices his body to the skate Gods every session, pouring heart and soul into the joy of riding the stuntwood. We couldn’t be more stoked to put out another Corey part”. Happy Halloween everyone!”. Enjoy!

Want more from the Duffman? Check out his recent interview on The Nine Club here and his classic That’s Life Part introduced by Dane Burman here.

Foundation Skateboards – Souvenir – Full Video!

 

Well after coming in third this year in Thrasher’s King of the Road the Foundation Skateboards team have been hard at work putting together their latest video offering ‘Souvenir’. Following up on their 2017 offering Oddity, Souvenir offers some killer footage from the true skaters favorite underdog team.

Foundation Skateboards – Souvenir

Click image to check out Foundation Skateboards – Souvenir Video

 

Clocking in at 15:58 minutes long, it’s hardly a quick clip, but well worth the watch. The video features the Foundation Skateboards team. Nick Merlino, Corey Glick, Cotie Robinson, Dakota Servold, Cole Wilson, Corey Duffel, Ryan Spencer, Aidan Campbell, Dylan Witkin & Joey Ragali

Digging the circle F? check out Corey Duffels ‘Not alone’ part here and more goodies right here

Meadowbank Park Skate Park, Ryde – Update 26 July 2018

I grew up in a part of Sydney that was fairly suburban, sprawling along the upper reaches of the lower North shore as one creative real estate agent once said. West Ryde, Melrose Park and Putney in the Ryde Municipality. It’s not really known for much blending into Sydney’s suburban sprawl. 

If you are history buff, then it is one of the earliest settled areas of Sydney, the location of the first brewery and home of the Granny Smith apple. If you were to ask any Taxi driver, Top Ryde is pretty much the center of Sydney geographically, being the place it takes the most average time to get to any other part of Sydney from.

How not to get a skate park built in your area?

As a young skateboard enthusiast in the late 1980’s I began to write to the local council to secure some skateboard facilities for the area. Since the demise of the famous North Ryde Pacific Skatepark, nothing had been built in the area. We had to travel out to Five Dock, Keirle Park in Manly and other remote locations to get our skate park fix. I kept writing to the council regardless of just getting political goobblygook responses from the mayor and local councilors. It never really resulted in anything happening. 

Writing to our to our local member, some bloke called John Howard, was the next step. I asked him to give the council a razz, but to no avail. I’m not really sure what ever happened to that guy, he didn’t seem capable of getting much done and I’m sure he never went onto bigger and better things? A couple of months later I did get a letter back from him and an apology phone call from a sheepish council employee. But still no skate park.

After I moved our of the area and years later a couple of small skate facilities were constructed in the area. One at Macquarie Park and joint venture with Hunters Hill council on Victoria Road at Gladesville. They were something, but fairly small and not of a scale or quality of may other parks being constructed around Australia. Nonetheless, they were something for the local skaters to ride and both are still frequently used and popular to this day.

A new push for a new Skate Park in Ryde!

A couple of years ago I noticed a Facebook page fire up called Skatepark for Ryde with a call to action to attend council meetings and give a push to have something bigger and better that a large municipal area like Ryde deserves to have constructed. So I got involved, after all it was unfinished business as far as I was concerned. 

The page was set up by Ben Drayton and a few other local skateboarders who were also part of Ryde’s Skatepark Working Party. 

After a meeting where Ben & Councillor Roy Maggio spoke enthusiastically I contacted them to see what I could do to get it over the line. I was invited to join the working group. The working group rallied the community and in July 2017 Ryde Council approved the design of the new skate park.

ORIGINAL CONCEPT DESIGN FROM 2017 © CONVIC & RYDE COUNCIL

Where are we up to now?

When it comes to getting skateboard parks built, the wheels of progress turn fairly slowly and delays in construction are common place. But some great news this week, it’s all happening and it looks like sod will be turned in August 2018 with the project completed in March 2019. Convic have designed the park and also won the tender to get it constructed. 

Below are two rednered drawing that represent pretty much what the final design will look like. As it’s a work in progress some change will be made due to construction and site conditions. I think it looks pretty good, let us know what you think?

Competition 6′ – 10′ Bowl  DESIGN FROM 2018 © CONVIC & RYDE COUNCIL

Better images and details here.

Park Overview  DESIGN FROM 2018 © CONVIC & RYDE COUNCIL

 

Below are details of the official community notification for the project.

Meadowbank Park Skate Park – NOTIFICATION OF WORKS

In June 2017 Council endorsed the construction of the Meadowbank Park Outdoor Youth and Family Recreation Space at Meadowbank Park, Meadowbank NSW.

 

This new space will provide an area for youth of all ages and the rest of the family to socialise and play within our community. Council is now ready for construction, with the tender and final design now complete. 

 

Starting from next week (week commencing Monday 30 July 2018) the area of works in Meadowbank Park will be fenced off as part of the setup process.

SCOPE OF WORKS

The scope of works includes:Skate and scooter play facilities to suit all ages and skill levels.6′ – 10′ Competition deep skate bowl, Picnic and shelter facilities, Landscape and lighting works.

TIMING OF WORKS

Construction is expected to start week commencing Monday 6 August 2018. Completion of construction. Construction is expected to be completed in late March 2019, weather permitting.

KEEP UPDATED – Meadowbank Park Skate Park

To receive updates on this project please subscribe to the online project page at www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/mpoyfrs 

 

This article was originally written by me for the Basement Blog . Keep an eye out for further updates on this new park over the coming months.

As life evolves many of us end up in strange places we never thought we would when we were younger. Parenthood is one of these unknown realms. When you’re young, who even has time to think about that stuff. When parenthood does happen, it’s nothing like you thought it would ever be like. Time gets away on you and it can get harder to make time to do a lot of things you once took for granted, like skateboarding and catching up with crew. That’s when small local crews of like minded individuals such as the Rad Dad’s Club can be a real life saver. And in some cases I mean that very literally. 

The Rad Dad’s club was formed by Glenn Scott a few years back. Here’s a Basement Skate interview with Glenn to let you know what it’s all about and get all the Dad’s out there motivated to keep rolling.

Rad Dad’s Club – Interview with Glenn Scott

AHA: Hey Glenn, it’s been a while, where are you living and what are you up to these days?

Glenn: Living in Melbourne with Wifey and Daughter. Managing Logistics for The Red Cross and doing RDC on the side…

AHA: The Rad Dads Club (RDC) started up a few years ago, tell us how that all came about?

Glenn: Started in 2010 when I became a Dad. The original concept was to have a “family day” at the skate park where Rad Dads would bring their kids and partners to the skate park and make a day of it. Instead of leaving the Wife and kid at home, we hit skate parks that had playgrounds next to them. Potty from skateboard.com.au provided a BBQ the first time we did it at Newport which added to the good times…
We did a few after that around Australia, low key, but then it just evolved into more of an International Skateboard Community with friends from all over the world wanting to get involved. 

And of course whenever you start something as a skateboarder you instantly want t-shirts, so that was the next stage… Now it’s sort of turning into a label and we’ve definitely changed the landscape from just skateboarding to just Rad Dads doing whatever they do to get involved with their kids etc and literally be a RAD DAD!

AHA: There are a few heavy hitters when it comes to Aussie RDC members, want to name a few?

Glenn: The Aussie Dads that first got involved were just friends who were down like Davo, Mapstones, Reesy (first person with a RDC tattoo), Anton, Andy Murphy (drew the logo), Simon from Convic, Hank my brother obviously, all the BAULKOS, Manly Crew, Nowra Boys, Canberra Lads and so on… Big crew, too many to name… And it’s good now that’s its growing to people I don’t personally know.

AHA: There are also some legendary pro skateboarders from overseas
involved, who are they?

Glenn: The first OS guys were ex-Pats like Al Boglio, Mike O’Meally, Andrew Brophy etc and just recently we’ve been getting some rad new followers/members like Tim Gavin, Mark Appleyard, Jeremy Wray, Pat Channita, Hosoi, Cab, Tony Hawk, and a few Musicians and Surfers too which is rad… Once again, without going through our followers the crew is building each week which is rad.

You have been producing quite a few videos for RDC, where did those skills come from?

Glenn: Ever since I first did my knee when I was 15 (5 surgeries later) I picked up a video camera, so I’ve been filming for 30 years now (shit!) and I love it… I do some corporate stuff sometimes too and I love making movies with my Daughter who’s actually won a couple of “Kids Film Festivals” with some of her movies, which is so good… Filming Skating and Music is easy to me because they’re the 2 things I’ve been passionate about my whole life. 

But the RDC Trick Tips just happened one day hangin’ out with all the Baulko’s at Cherrybrook Skatepark and I asked Davo to do a Chink Chink and it took off from there… It’s a challenge getting everything into 59seconds, but I enjoy it.

AHA: You’ve been making some T-Shirts and Schooner Glasses, what else is in the works for RDC?

Glenn: Yeah, Tees will always be a staple part of our range and Beer Glasses was a no brainer, but we’ll have some Caps & Hoodies coming out soon and I’m just gonna try and come up with more original stuff. You can get a T-Shirt anywhere, but really good Wallets, Key rings, Bags etc are sometimes hard to come by and trying to make them look a bit more “mature”, for lack of a better word… Stay tuned!

AHA: There’s not a time I can remember that you weren’t on the Sydney skate scene, when did you start skateboarding?
Glenn: Haha, yeah I’m an old dog for sure… I started skating by stealing my older brother’s board when I was 10. And I think I got my own board the following year. Some piece of shit from Kmart, but I remember my first pro Board was a SIMS Kevin Staab Pirate Face. So good… I loved that thing. But yeah, was around the skateboard scene for many years in Sydney. 

Started skating Street, like we all pretty much do, then someone built a Mini, so we skated that, then a Vert Ramp, so we skated that… I always wanted to be able to skate everything and my favorite skaters have always been people that can skate everything. 

Industry-wise I started Criminal Skateboards in the 90’s and also started working at SMP Clothing where I helped turn it into the best Team Australia had for quite some time… Dudes like Margaritis, Cuzza, Kaehne, Fowlie, Bonham, Duncombe, Corbin, Reesy and more. Team was tight! And a few Rad Dads came out of that group too.

AHA: The Baulko’s were a force to be reckoned with, who are some of the prominent skaters from that crew that are still having a roll?

Glenn: Well I think everyone is having a roll still, just depends how often. Pretty much everyone has kids now too, so it’s probably more about rolling with the kids than hitting the streets with the boys! Davo is still killing it! He was definitely our little prized possession from out West. OG Baulko’s were Me, Hank, Mullet, Russ, Wally, JohnBoy, Rocksy, Davo, Frex & Fish and then a younger crew came through like Jono, Beastman, Lachlan and the Cherrybrook Crew. You’ll always find a skateboard in the boot of everyone’s car that’s for sure.

AHA: What are some of your favorite skate spots from over the years?
Glenn: We had a couple of little gems around Baulko. KFC Wall, Medico, Castle Hill High, Quakers High, Westpac 3-flat-2 was one of my favs in The City. But I guess all our “frequent” spots were St Mary’s and Fairfield SkateParks and Keirle Park in Manly… That’s where people started to notice us. We always traveled in a pretty big group too.

AHA: Are you still skating much, are the knees holding up?

Glenn: Knee (left one) hasn’t held up very well for years, but I still have a roll with my daughter… Actually going through some rehab at the moment because the arthritis in my knee is getting pretty bad making it almost impossible to skate! But bike riding helps that too. I’m never gonna say that “I don’t skate anymore”! I’ll always roll no matter what. Tricks are pretty limited these days though.

AHA: The RDC can be a great way to highlight social issues for Dad’s, what are some of the issues you have been involved with promoting?

Glenn: We get involved with “R U OK Day” each year. I’m trying to do something a bit bigger this year… I have a couple of our Rad Dads who run a Non-For-Profit called “2 DADS” and we’re always involved with them and what they do for different Mens Charities and Social Clubs… Just trying to spread the word that being a Rad Dad is about being there for your kids! 

It’s not necessarily about whether you skate or not. I have Footy Players and Musicians that don’t do any board sports that are RDC members, but they know at the end of the day it’s about being a “good” Dad.

AHA: If you could give one piece of advice to any skateboarders out there about to become a Dad, what would it be?

Glenn: Skateboarders, Non-Skateboarders, whoever… My biggest piece of advice is PARENTING IS A TEAM EFFORT! Dads don’t babysit, it’s called parenting!
When RDC was just for people I know I actually denied some Dads that wanted to buy tees off me because I knew them and they were NOT good Dads! I don’t want someone representing the brand that is shit to their kids…

That’s the opposite of what we promote. I’ve met “Dads” that just don’t have time for their kids and I always think to myself “why did you have kids in the first place”. You gotta treasure the little bastards and mold them into the adults you want them to be…

AHA: Thanks so much for taking the time to have a chat, anyone you want to give a shout out to?

Glenn: Cheers man, it’s been good… I wanna shout out The Baulkos of course, My brother Hank and Davo who have gone through some serious shit in their personal lives and have proven what amazing Dads they are. 

My Dad, Frank Scott Snr for being an absolute inspiration and teaching me how to be a Rad Dad and anyone that takes the time to read to their kids, take them where they want to go and who is fine to sit there and suffer through some terrible Movie or TV show just to keep your kid happy… You’re doing a great job! Follow us on Insta and FB.
Cheers AHA…



Are you a rad Dad? Want to know more? Check out the RDC Facebook Page, trick tips and clips on the Tilt Channel TV YouTube page or pick yourself up a T-Shirt or Schooner Glass here.

This article was written by me for Basement Skate's blog you can check out the original story and other skate posts here.

Where can you buy skateboard gear in Tokyo?

With Tokyo hosting the very first Olympic Games to have skateboarding included in 2020 many skateboarders may be interested to know exactly what the scene is like in one of the largest cities in the world. After my most recent trip there in July 2018 I visited a few shops and have compiled a list of where to go to at least get your skateboard gear sorted if you are planning a trip there.

I travel over to Tokyo once a year. If you have never been, go! It’s one of the worlds most unique and iconic cities that has a huge influence on the rest of the world. If you visited a thousand times, you would still never see everything. Every time you visit you are guaranteed to find something fresh and amazing you have never seen or heard of before.

 
Tokyo itself has a population of well over 9 million people and the the greater surrounding area has over 30 million people. Think about that, Australia’s total population is just about to hit 25 million, and that’s for the entire country! With so much to see and do finding something specific can be a challenge. So, where to start?

MURASAKI SPORTS & ABC MART IN UENO © 📷 AHA

There are the chain stores like Murasaki Sports which are similar to big surf chains like Surf Dive ‘n’ Ski and Zumiez where you can get the standard skate fare. For kicks there is ABC Mart that has more Vans shoes that you can poke a stick at. They are easy to find, but the smaller core skate shops are a little more tricky, they are often tucked away upstairs in side streets and small back lanes.

Half the fun of a big city like Tokyo is trying to find stuff, getting lost and discovering a whole bunch of unique local stuff on your way. But if you visit and need a new set of bearings, a replacement for a busted deck or just want to find a unique ‘Japan exclusive’ skate item, here are 5 of the best skate shops I visited in Tokyo on my last trip.

The 5 Best Skateboard Shops in Tokyo

Stormy Skateshop – Shibuya

 

Stormy Skateshop – Shibuya © 📷 AHA

Located just a few blocks from Shibuya’s famous scramble intersection is Stormy Skateboards. They have a huge range of gear and you can find cool exclusive Stormy collaboration items from brands like Toy Machine, Anti Hero and Spitfire.



This is one of the larger skate shops in Tokyo and stocks all the major brands as well as a good selection of smaller labels. They have one of the largest ranges of Thrasher T-Shirts I have ever seen in one place. This store is on street level and pretty easy to spot.

Arktz Skateshop – Jingumae

  

Arktz Skateshop – Jingumae © 📷 AHA 

If you head under the rail bridge from Stormy and head towards Harajuku you will find ARKTZ Skateshop tucked away just off the main drag.





These guys stock a big range of all the main brands. You’ll also find harder to get brands like Lurkville and Premium skateboards (spotted a Blake Harris Premium Pro model on the shelf here).




Apart from skate gear this store also caters to the core end of the 20″ BMX market with a good range of spares to keep our friends from Shelbyville rolling.



Oh, for the BMXicans – check out W-Base just around the corner who have an amazing collection of vintage BMX and track gear. If you are a serious BMX retro freak head out to Screamin’ Wheels in Meguro-ku – it will blow your mind!

High-Sox Skateshop – Ikebukuro

HIGH-SOX IKEBUKERO © 📷 AHA

This ones a little more tricky to find. There is a Ramen joint that always has a line around the block, head there from the station and turn right. Go a couple of blocks past that shop with the facade covered in sunglasses and High-Sox Skateshop is tucked away in one of the back streets to the left.

Spectacles Museum IKEBUKURO © 📷 AHA

When you go to Japan and ask directions, this is typical of the response you will get, in Japan you tend to navigate by landmarks rather than addresses. You’ll get used to it.
 

It’s upstairs and there is a little sock sign on the side of the building, so look up when trying to locate this place. These guys focus on the smaller brands like Polar, Traffic, Doomsayers and have a line of their own decks and apparel. Nice to see some bearings and accessories from Australian hardware force Modus on the shelf here.

Fat Bros Skateshop – Nakano

  

FAT BROS – NAKANO © 📷 AHA

I always make a trip out to Nakano to visit Nakano Broadway to scour the 3 floors of toy shops for rare and the latest Godzilla figures I collect. Just off the arcade to the right if you are heading there from the station in the back streets is Fat Bros Skateshop.


It’s on street level and kind of almost easy to find. A really cool little store that has all the basics covered and you will find brands like Northern Co., The Killing Floor and colloquial classics like Japan’s Evisen Skateboards and Australia’s Pass-Port Skateboards.



They stock some of their own branded gear and local apparel brand Libe Brand Univs.

FESN Skateshop – Nakano

FESN Skateshop – Nakano © 📷 AHA

If you head over the tracks on the other side of Nakano station you will find FESN or the Far East Skate Network store. It’s on the main drag, look out for a A-Frame sign as it’s located up on the first floor. This was my favorite shop on my most recent visit.
It is run by a skateboarder and artist called Takahiro Morita. 

 Takahiro is a sponsored rider for Fat Bros who wanted to offer the skate community something different and not step on the toes of his neighbor & sponsor. So he created the FESN Laboratory. It’s a unique space where he creates amazing bespoke cruiser skateboards and other artwork.



It’s one of the few shops in the world where you can go in and customize a unique ride with real vintage components. He carries a few basic trucks and wheels but you will also find rare vintage pieces like these original Gullwing Pro Trucks from the early 1980’s.

NEW ARRIVAL AT FESN – VINTAGE GULLWING PRO TRUCKS! © 📷 AHA 

You can even personalize your ride with and undercarriage made from cut up roller-skate base-plates hangars and wheels!



Takahiro also designs & produces a cool local clothing label called Libe Brand Univs. if your looking for some fashion forward Tokyo street fashion to bring home as a souvenir.

No doubt if you travel to Tokyo you’ll discover tonnes more than what I have shown you here. Hit us up and share your Tokyo experience on our Facebook Page.

This article was written by me for Basement Skate's blog you can check out the original story and other skate posts here.

POCKET PISTOLS - New 2018 Decks

It's been a while between drinks but it looks like another round of Pocket Pistols decks is headed to Oz. Still screen printed by Screaming Squeegees the decks have switched from being pressed by Madrid and PS Stix to Prime Wood in Huntington Beach. 

These are top quality decks made with master-crafted traditional techniques. 

The 2018 pocket Pistols pro team consists of Pedro Barros, Lee Ralph, Ben Schroder, Jake Phelps, Josh Mattson, Hemina Reynolds & Ron Chatman. We have 2 decks with designs from Mark Gonzales the Chatman Bad Will and a never before released graphic collaboration with Jeremy Henderson.

ABOUT SCREAMING SQUEEGEES

Screamin Inc. was originally founded by Chicken Deck, and Kelly Bellmar in 1988 as Screaming Squeegees, Inc. In 2006 Kelly left to pursue his wood-shop and skate co. Factory Mfg., and Chicken restructured Screaming Squeegees as Screamin Inc. We have printed decks for just about every company at one time or another. Screamin Inc. specializes in skateboard screen printing and is world renown for having the highest quality printing in the biz!

Screamin Inc Screen Prints by Hand in the U.S.A. Most all other companies use the HEAT Transfer Process to apply their graphics. In order to apply a HEAT Transfer Your Skateboard is run between two rollers under immense hydraulic pressure. One of the rollers is Heated to 300 Degrees Fahrenheit! Your board is subject to this Tortures process three to four times in order to get the transfer to stick.Basically it’s like throwing your New Skateboard in the Oven at 300 Degrees Fahrenheit, and then running it over with your Car three times! Your Skateboard is Beat Down before you ever snap your first Ollie!

ABOUT PRIME WOOD USA

By 1964 the company had began curving plywood for some of its furniture projects. The presses the Tuccinardi family hand built for this process would eventually produce some of the earliest “kick tail” skateboards. With the new presses in place, Prime began pressing wood for early skateboard brands like Madrid and Z Products (Z Boys). The first skateboards were pressed by Prime Wood in 1968, making Prime one of the earliest mass producers of skateboards.

By 1988, Professional skateboarders Steve Rocco and Rodney Mullen felt the industry shifting, and left Sims and Powell respectively to found World Industries.  The two walked through the Prime doors shortly after, and worked closely with Phil Tuccinardi to perfect the modern day skateboard. To this day Phil speaks of the countless hours Rodney spent shaping and perfecting things at the Prime factory to make top notch, quality skateboards. It was during this time Prime began making skateboards for Prime Wood was founded in 1930 by a young, dedicated Italian-American business man named Ceasare Tuccinardi. Ceasare started out primarily handcrafting quality furniture, and was very successful in making custom breakfast nooks. Shortly after launching his business, Ceasare had his three boys Phil, Louie and Lorrie, and it wasn’t long before Prime became a family affair. 

We at Prime firmly root ourselves in our love for skateboarding, and believe our dedication bleeds into every skateboard product produced at Prime Wood. We proudly produce a full range of products, including 100% handcrafted quality skateboards, proudly made by skateboarders right here in Los Angeles. 

LISTEN TO COREY DUFFEL... Not Alone Video now up at Thrasher Magazine

CLICK TO CHECK OUT COREY'S NOT ALONE VIDEO PART

 

Corey Duffel has been laying low for a while now but has just released a new 7 minute video part over at THRASHER MAGAZINE, click the image above to check it out. Fast as hell and tough as nails, it's a pretty good effort for a pro skater well into his 30's now.

To back it up, and I really suggest you read it, is his follow up interview. Corey tells a pretty positive tale about sticking to what you love and never losing sight of why you started skateboarding in the first place.

"I love that you and I will always be outsiders and romanticize about skateboarding in suburban parking lots and offending people that don’t understand why two adults are having so much fun skating a garbage can or a wooden pallete." Corey Duffel

CLICK TO CHECK OUT COREY'S FOLLOW UP INTERVIEW

It's not all pretty, and when I say tough as nails, here's a slam that most of us wouldn't walk away from. It's the sort of thing Corey has been shaking off for years, and to still be going this hard at 33 years old is amazing.

CLICK TO CHECK OUT COREY'S HALL OF MEAT SLAM

Getting you to put FOUNDATION decks up on your wall hasn't been easy lately, grab a few decks to show a bit of support for Corey, he is one long term pro skater that deserves a bit of love. We have 10 killer Duffel decks in stock. GO!

 Oh! Don't forget to grab some 55mm Corey Duffel 'Vice' Pro line wheels too! Good stuff!