Big Lots!

Although no mission with the regulars, our new group managed a session out of a new bank ledge behind Big Lots!. Mikey began with a series of 5-0 tricks; 5-0, 5-0 tail, and 5-0 revert. Juan landed feeble pop-out but ate shit on a blunt to back 5-0.

Westchester Recreation Center

*Our apologies for the lag, but we haven't had many blog-worthy sessions since San Francisco.* With directions to another newly discovered spot, we ventured to Los Angeles to a nice rundown park called Westchester Recreation Center. These spots are always the best to hit up seeing as how no one with authority ever lurks the premise. This center holds the famous bank/slope to bench seen in nearly every skate video, including Transworld's 'A Time to Shine' (Paul Rodriguez switch heelflip crook). Although haggard and harder to skate than expected, like most spots, some were able to handle. The session was as follows: Cody - 5-0, nosegrind, lipslide, and tailslide, Tyler - front board, Garrett - back 50-50 and attempted back 5-0, Derek - crook and attempted kickflip back 50-50, Mikey - smith, and Joe - 50-50, tailslide (fakie), and nearly landed 270 shuv out. During the time Joe was attempting his tailslide 270 shuv out, Cody & Mikey hopped the nearby fence and sessioned an empty pool. There on an embankment dividing the shallow and deep end Mikey filmed no comply tailslide (fakie). After the secret pool session, they went to the famous V ledge (Paul Rodriguez switch back tail in Nike's 'Nothing But the Truth') around the corner from the bank/slope ledge at the rec center. Here they finished off the day with a boardslide fakie and a bail straight to the dome for Cody.

San Francisco - Return to 3rd & Army

With nowhere new to go and much time on our hands, 3rd & Army seemed to be the best contender. Before getting burned on the spot (we spent another 2 1/2 hours here), we at least managed some footy out of the sesh. Kevin and I were the only ones down for lines, seeing as how Joe was still battered from the hubba and Pork just wanted to chill. I landed a semi-sketchy switch flip - fakie front nose line followed by a close but never landed back smith - noseslide bigspin out line from Kevin. Afterwards, I had Joe nosebonk this little ledge for whatever footy, which Kevin and Pork became interested in. So instead we filmed a nice little triples nosebonk for the entry. After the bonking, Pork landed manual kickflip on the entire stretch of the manual pads first try, which was very impressive. Lastly, Kevin finished the tired session with a back smith stall on the man made quarter pipe for a picture. And that concludes the San Francisco trip! The remaining footage not seen in these blog entries will be shown in the video, so please remain patient. Otherwise, enjoy the last San Francisco entry!

San Francisco - Fort Miley

After trekking up a lengthy forest-condensed road, we arrived at the abandoned military base, Fort Miley. This is one of the best spots in San Francisco that we visited. It was basically a small tranny skatepark, like Huntington Park, with a banks, rails on top of the banks, and two different rectangular pyramids. The sesh was chill and we got some tranny footy while we were there. On the pyramid: Kevin landed nollie inward heel, Pork 360 flip, and I switch bigspin. Joe was drained from Hubba Hideout and didn't skate. On the other side of the pyramid, Kevin did switch frontside 360 and I switch backside flip. Kevin also 5-0ed and tailslid the bank (the waxed side). Since the pyramids on each side formed a large rectangular top, it was able to be skated as a manual pad. On this manual pad kevin landed nollie heel manual and later nollie flip manual just before we had to leave. The Fort Miley session concludes the end of the second and last full day of the San Francisco trip (but there's still one more entry). Enjoy the mini video!

San Francisco - Hubba Hideout

Expecting to see the famous original hubba knobbed (prior to this I was told they were knobbed for the second time), a picture text from Joe told me otherwise. At the time Pork and I were leaving Walgreens after purchasing batteries for the digital camera. We only expected to visit this historical landmark and take pictures of it, but fate had intended something more. It was truly a sight to see that even after the epic battles between the local skaters and the San Francisco City Council, Hubba Hideout had still managed to flourish; but at a cost. After the dust wafted from the battle scene, the city council decided to serve one last blow in attempt to shut down Hubba Hideout for good; they ordered the tiled landing to be removed entirely. All but for a walkway to the stairs perished. However, in our everlasting luck there happened to lie a large sheet of wood (probably from the locals) set perfectly on the landing, enabling the Hubba session to continue. Joe had a thing or two up his sleeve so he began rolling up to it. Typically for Joe, a noseslide was imminent. After completing his signature feat, Joe realized that the circumstances of San Francisco were very temporary, and decided to step it up a notch. So after a long nail-biting 45 minutes, Joe finally managed to bust a fat crook on the nipple-high ledge (we could see a smug smile forming from his cheeks on the ride-away). We gave our congratulations then hastily packed up for Wallenberg High, the famous 4 block we had no intention of skating, but definitely seeing. With crook being one of Joe's prized pieces of footage, I'm afraid you must wait for the video to see it! In the meantime you're stuck with a noseslide. Enjoy!

San Francisco - Mission & 15th St.

Since everyone was tuckered out from 3rd & Army, Mission & 15th St was a small session that only Kevin participated in. Although the end of the day, Kevin was still down clock some footy. After turning up no results with manual 180 out, I persuaded him to do a chill line for the blog. After landing the 180 up and switch flip off, he gave manny 180 out a few more chances and landed it! Enjoy the footy!

San Francisco - 3rd & Army

Being one of San Francisco's most original and well-known spot, 3rd & Army was presumably our first destination. 3rd & Army ledge. The session was started off with a line from Pork and Kevin: the former doing hardflip-kickflip nose manual and the latter landing nollie noseslide fakie-switch tailslide. Pork skating 3rd & Army. Only a warm-up kickflip nose manual of Pork's and a sketchier version of Kevin's line will be shown. Joe was then eager to add a new manual trick (nose manual nollie 180 out) into a line, but due to a couple of hardy primo bails, he was over it. So Joe just stuck to his trusted kickflip manual and went on to nosesliding a huge ledge afterward. Utterly high 3rd & Army ledge. After a 2-3 hour session at the ledges, we booked it to the Mission & 15th St 3 stair ledge/manual pad. Enjoy the media!

San Francisco - Intro/Day of Arrival

**And we're back! Sorry for the lag but capturing and labeling tapes took up much blog time last week. The synopsis for the trip would be best explained as a fruitful yet challenging skate adventure through the bowels of one of skateboarding's finest cities, San Francisco. With limited knowledge of the city, a skimpy spot itinerary, and only two full days to skate, we were fortunate enough to have never have found ourselves at a dead end. Overall, we ended up with a decent amount of video-worthy lines and tricks as well as more lower-scale tricks, which will be the ones shown in the blog. On the day of arrival we did the typical unpacking of the car (suburban in our case), Pork 'yo dog' at the suburban, and setting up of the hotel room (which was a dope one by the way). The bros. in the hotel hallway. With this entry being the introduction as well as the day of arrival, there will be no audio/video media. Sorry! So enough of this entry and let's take a gander at our first spot of the trip, 3rd & army!

**Note: I know it doesn't fit, but I included this picture of Pier 7 as a memorial of the once great manual pads; rest in peace.

Torrance & Garden Grove

**In this mission came two new skaters who we don't normally go with. Luke Perine and Derek Spear were kind enough to offer their talents for the day. With a mutual desire to skate ledges, we tried out the famous Bell Intermediate in Garden Grove. Bell Intermediate ledges. These ledges can be seen in Circa's very own "It's Time" video. Dennis Durrant does bluntslide on the first ledge and kickflip nosegrind to fakie on the second as his beginning line. During the warm-up game of skate, Luke managed to push his board into a classroom door, setting off an alarm. Our hasty departure thereafter was fueled by the fear of additional tickets (we were recently ticketed at the Torrance ledges a few weeks ago). With no footage and a set of unfinished games of skate, Bell Intermediate became an instant failure. Only more problems arose when in search of a 9 rail. Fortunately, my 'Torrance local' friend gave us directions to the rainbow ledge. Joe & Pork @ Torrance ledge. Cody had a very successful session on the rainbow ledge, as well as Luke. Luke 50-50, Torrance. Joe and Derek however did not land their attempted noseslide and tailslide. Tricks landed by Cody in the session include: boardslide, back 50-50, and crook fakie to just the top of the ledge. Realizing that the ledge was much steeper and chunkier than we had earlier thought, Cody amazed us all with holding down a very determined crooked grind all the way to the end of the ledge. Cody crooked grind, Torrance.

**Note: In a stroke of luck, my three brothers and I have recieved a chance to skate the legendary city of San Francisco. However because of this there will be no skate mission on Saturday. I apologize for the inconvenience. Anyway, this will probably be our only chance to film in San Francisco, so I hope we get something decent. The blog entries for the trip will be put up 2 weeks from Friday (November 16th), showing 1 blog entry each day until all 6 are shown.

Torrance & Redondo Beach 02

The last session of the day ended up with a $35 ticket for each of us, excluding Pork and Joe who were sleeping in the car. Cody getting a ticket (difficult to see). Although the authorities prevailed in the end, we did not leave empty-handed; lines and single tricks were in fact clocked. The first line of the session was a laid back trio of tricks done by Cody. This 'trio' was made up of a frontside tailslide to wallie to wallie 50-50. On a pyramid shaped flagpole base along with one of the ledges, JJ also landed a tight little line consisting of wallie with a smith grind pop out on one of the ledges. Sean filming JJ's line. In between tries of this line, JJ also did a steezy frontside wallie and frontside wallie 180 on the flagpole base. As the last trick of the session, Mikey landed a cliche yet considerably difficult wallie front blunt fakie. Mikey front blunt fakie, Torrance. This entry's Youtube contribution contains a 56 second clip of tricks that were actually landed this time, along with the regular behind-the-scenes footage. Enjoy!

Torrance & Redondo Beach 01

With a Torrance local at our disposal, we were fortunate enough to get hooked up with a few spots including the famous Mira Costa 10. Bliss at Mira Costa. Tricks contributing to the slaughter of this set would include a nollie backside 360 and a nollie frontside bigspin by Scott Kane. Also from the same school is the 13 stair hubba that Erik Ellington noseslides in Baker 3, which is now knobbed unfortunately. The Mira Costa 10 session is marked mostly by near landings. Joe stuck back 180, Kevin stuck switch frontside bigspin, Cody stuck heelflip, and Tyler stuck 'swollie' (switch ollie). On the brighter side, Tyler did manage to not only stick but land a kickflip. Next stop was another famous set; the Redondo Beach 13. Although not difficult to clear, yet high, no one was down for it except Tyler. He tried ollie but was prevented from rolling away due to his bad foot. Tyler ollie attempt, Redondo Beach. Tyler rubbing his injured foot. Sean & Mikey playing with the equipment. All I have for this entry are the near landings, but please enjoy nonetheless.

Chiro - First Generator Session

Our first night of using the generator was a hit! Hitting up our most prized local spot, Chiro 10 was all but a bust and failure. JJ chilling on the bed of Nick's truck hours before the session. Rolling up with over $6000 worth of equipment, we were lookin' pretty legit. After some generator difficulties, we finally got it started and were ready to clock footy and photos. Lookin' legit! Chiro 10 skaters were Matt, Kevin, & Juan. Warm-up tricks consisted of ollies by all, a frontside 180 first try by Kevin, and a cute Ragdoll jump to board by Matt. Tricks followed by this were a pop shuvit attempt that annihilated Juan's urge to skate for the night, a failed kickflip attempt from Matt, and a super steezy and clean nollie backside 180 (otherwise known as a nollie half-cab) by Kevin. Kevin nollie backside 180, Whittier. After Kevin's flawless landing, Matt wanted to try a more advanced trick than his previous kickflip. Landing rather perfectly on his board but slipping out, Matt stuck a sweet looking nollie bigspin. However, that was as far as he got. Nevertheless, we left the Chiro with a dope night session and some footy in the bag. Enjoy!

Santa Monica Shores & Santa Monica High School 02

Next stop was the high school, with the infamous drake pool gap and 14 stair. JoJo was the most eager to skate, beginning a series of nollie flip attempts. But to his disappointment, failure was the only outcome. Contrary to this situation, Cody busted a nice half-cab bringing the drake pool session to a half success (don't sweat it, JoJo). We had little time after drake pool due to a concert Joe was going to, starting at 5:00pm (it was roughly 3:30pm). JoJo had been thinking about the 14 for some time, so he and the rest of us skated over there. With 12 people watching, two of them filming and one taking photos, JoJo was undoubtedly 'pumped'. Although nervous, back 180 was at the top of his 'to do' list, so his first try went down only after a few run-ups. He ate shit pretty hard, but he was still down for more. I had a feeling that he would stick it the next try, since he's got them on lock, and that he did! Popping such a powerful back 180 he landed practically bolts, but sadly enough, the landing was too much. Knowing he can land it for sure, JoJo gave it another try, which became his last. Again, JoJo was bereft of success as he slid for the third time on his hip. Beaten, scarred, and bruised, JoJo decided he was done for the day and walked home empty handed. What a shame... Enjoy the bails by the way!

Santa Monica Shores & Santa Monica High School 01

As our first attempt for Santa Monica was thwarted due to undesirable weather conditions, the second was a sunny success. To warm up for the day, we hit the most relaxed spot there is in Santa Monica; its shores. Group chill session. With ledges, sand gaps, and passersby getting in your way, one can never go wrong here with a skateboard. However, most of the group was sulking on the ledges waiting to go to a massive pool gap and 14 they had no intention of skating(but let's not mind them!). After a good ledge/flatground session, Pork, Joe, and I began filming on the sand gaps. Pork killed it right away, with a hardflip first try and a 360 flip minutes later. Pork 360 flip, Santa Monica Shores. In succession, Pork landed two pressure flips, one being advanced in cleanliness to the first. In the midst of this, Joe landed a backside heelflip, which was a new trick for him (bravo!). Joe drinking victory water. Since this took Joe a while, everybody saw the landing as a signal to leave and started getting up. With an urge to clock one more trick, Pork landed a double flip third try, ending the sand gap session. Congrats! Enjoy the media!

Frost Middle School & Sylmar High School 04

As we were quickly losing sunlight, we booked it from Frost Middle School. In a hurry to get to Sylmar, yet hungry, we got Jack in the Box and ate that shit on the way. Lurking at Jack in the Box. To our surprise, the rumors about Sylmar 11's unskatable landing were false, so we began the sesh pronto. JoJo and Matt hopping the fence into Sylmar 11. JoJo and Matt began throwing themselves down the 11 as fast as possible. But to their dismay, they encountered back to back failed attempts on heelflip and back 180. Matt, especially, was robbed by the 11 as he stuck countless back 180s, which only ended in a dome check from the landing. There was a measure of success, however, when JJ came out of nowhere and landed a high altitude kickflip with considerable steez. To wrap up the day, JoJo thought it would be cute to have Cody ollie over him and Tre as they are chillin' on the 11. Although I won't show the footage of the ollie, I will post a great picture I took of it! Cody ollie, Sylmar. Everyone waiting at the burban. Also included is the footage of Matt's rejection by the Sylmar God! Enjoy!