Element Skate Camp Part II

So we left you hanging after Element Skate Camp Part I. No big deal, here's the follow up!

I only imagine if I kept on walking that I'd eventually find the Ewok Village...

...Back to reality...Element Skate Camp!

There was just so much to take in during drop off that I had to snap some shots! Just a small taste of the art at camp...

The "Art Shed" itself was in the midst of some TLC.

Paint party!

Details...

Things you don't do at other camps.... learn how to make skateboard decks!

The sanding/shaping station...

Resident artist...spank

Not just skateboarding, canoeing, campfires, skits, elemental awareness etc... Ping Pong!

The mega mini alone was a a good reason to beg to stay the week!

Of course, that never happened. We left and came back six days later very, very early in the morning!

All packed up!

We had to leave L.A. at 5:15am to make it to camp in time for the 9:30am viewing of the week's video. These guys just simply rolled out of bed!

Good morning dreadlocks...

Taylor Morgan takes a well deserved high-five before introducing the video he stayed up all night editing!

Too early for popcorn!

Jealous? Don't worry...you can view the entire week's footage here!

After the screening, I took one last look around. More art...

More mini ramp!

Probably one of the most loved ramps. The launch ramp in to the lake!

The bowl!

Number One Son was loving the mini-mega "El Diablo". I couldn't be more jealous!

Time to hit the road...

Enough said...Always Shred!

Get your freak on!

While in Los Angeles, I did the unthinkable and that was to leave my camera behind almost 50% of the time. Why? Aside from not always wanting to lug around heavy gear while walking for most of each day, sometimes you just need to live and let the documenting of said living take a back seat.

Regardless of the amount of time the cameras spent idle, I can assure you that lots of photos were taken and will be posted over the next short while! Including, but not limited to: skateboarding, people, cars, bikes, more skateboarding, food and "freaks"...

...So stay tuned!

Austin Hufnagel

When we landed in Los Angeles, the first order of business was to settle in to where we were staying in Venice Beach. The second order of business was obviously to head to the Venice Skatepark. Due to an obvious young age, combined with a great deal of talent; the first skater that caught my eye was Austin Hufnagel. On our third day at the park, I finally got to meet him and his father. On the fourth day at the park, we shot some photos!

Meet 11 year old, Austin...

Austin was introduced to skateboarding at an early age while growing up in Puerto Rico. Currently calling New York home, he is fortunate enough to be vacationing on the west coast. What better to do while on the west coast that to hone those skills at the local park!?

Backside over the hip...

After shooting a few photos... he asks if I'd like to shoot "the backflip". Obviously yes, but I was still shocked at the question. My own question was "are you ready?" His answer...

It goes without saying, super kid... superman!

I could tell right off the hop that this kid just loved skateboarding. Being great at it is a perk. Being dedicated to it, is what helps makes him great at it. Being fearless also helps a little I'm sure!

Check out Austin's facebook page here.

Don't be jealous!

Just like Mary's shirt says...DON'T BE JEALOUS. Of all the portraits that were shot yesterday of the people we met, this one gets our vote for portrait of the day.

Visiting Venice Beach from South Central...Mary

The Postcard

We're still on the west coast and no we're not sending you a postcard, so this will have to do. Enjoy!

Angel "Seck" Martinez

We don't care too much for "sponsor me" videos and requests from kids who don't seem to get what we're all about at Pancakes and Skateboards. Sometimes I wonder if they'd even viewed our blog period. What we do care about is every once in awhile meeting new friends near and far that we just "click" with. Once example of this would be when we met "Seck" in Mexico City (Distrito Federal).

Seck has never asked for anything, but what he has done is keep in touch since we met back in 2011. He represents just about everything we love about skateboarding in general. In case you missed it in a recent post, here's his latest clips... (note the P&S love)

That video prompted us to do something we should have done a long time ago... We welcomed Angel "Seck" Martinez to the P&S family!

That that!

Element Skate Camp Part I

What's more than 5,000' above sea level...

Surrounded by all sorts of nature, just like this gigantic Pinus lambertina a.k.a. sugar pine cone...

...and has a skate park and other various (and awesome) ramps and a bowl planted right in the middle of the Sequoia National Forest?

Element Skate Camp!

To be continued...

Hanging out with Beckham

Air mattress hijinks to start off the day!

Get your Superman on!

Finish the day with L.A. Galaxy vs. Vancouver White Caps! All in all, a good day!

L.A. wins!

 

David Beckham was in attendance as well. That's that!

A Penny for your thoughts

The soft, urethane wheels of the Penny board + the smooth concrete of the boardwalk = Number One Son falling in love with skateboarding all over again.

This is not a Public Service Announcement

Snapped this one the other day and saved it in my back pocket until now...

...so there you have it!

The Birdman Cometh

If you follow this blog, you'll know that from time to time we give credit, where credit is due with regards to Tony Hawk. There should be no doubt that we hold him in high regard. When I say we, I do refer to my son and I. I have a great memory of letting my son stay up late to watch the live feed of the Pro-Tec Pool Party when Tony Hawk showed up after 10 years of staying out of competitive skateboarding to shred with his old buddies in the Masters Division of the contest. That great memory was replaced with the brand new memory of us both having the opportunity to witness Tony Hawk perform a live demo with his crew at the local mall earlier today, thanks to the Quicksilver/Sportchek partnership.

Number one son and some of the other fans eagerly waits in anticipation.

This dude Nathan drove in from out of province! Arriving early enough to get in on some autographed set ups.

When I say early, I mean early. Mark and Tyler reportedly showed up close to 7:00am to earn a face to face with the man himself. Why? Hardcore fans recognizing a great opportunity, that's why!

Another hardcore fan...or just a little hardcore period? I say two thumbs up!

The wonderful promo crew!

The lovely P.R. crew!

Kevin from the set up/tear down crew (and associates)!

The Edge Skatepark crew (well Cliff anyway-one man crew) and Darnell

Pancakes and Skateboards crew (a.k.a. Will Power the trouble maker-barge at will!)

Hang the bloody D.J.!? Not really...he kept the entire place bumping!

...and here we go! Tony Hawk!

16 year old, Mitche Brusco!

Don't judge this book by the cover!

Lizzie Armanto kills it!

End result? Increased fan base in a heartbeat!

Another personal hero/childhood influence of mine... Kevin Staab with a huge backside ollie.

Kevin Staab invert!

They advertised the demo as "all ages" and I was personally stoked to see both ends of the spectrum!

Instagram, DSLR, Instagram, DLSR? Decisions, decisions! It's always a struggle to watch, enjoy, document and upload for social media purposes all at the same time. Sensory overload!

Brett "The Blind Kid" Devloo was at ramp side to take in all the action.

Lincoln Ueda was a force to be reckoned with. Seriously insane (in a good way)!

Elliot Sloan!

Elliot Sloan fans!

One or two photos each of these über talented skaters just don't do them or the demo any justice, but one is unfortunately all you get.

Tony Hawk!

Thank you! Birdman, over and out!

That's that!