Skate Rags is FINISHED SALE!!!
That's right, you heard it from me first!!! Skate Rags is FINISHED! It was a great ride, filled with many learning experiences and zero regrets. Skate Rags never fully became what I had envisioned for it in the beginning. I wanted Skate Rags to be a brand and also a hub where it could function as destination point to sell not only Skate Rags t-shirts, but other companies as well. Well that never panned out. The Sales were not as I had hoped for; whereas most $ales being done from longboarding is from the "hard goods" category, and not "soft goods".
Is there a future for soft goods when talking longboarding? Yes. But it is criminally disproportionate to hard goods and must be realized and understood in a manner that will foster growth.
I have some ideas I am entertaining right now for an adaptation or "rebranding" of what Skate Rags tried to accomplish.
Thank You to everyone for all the support, kind words, ideas, input, one-too-many sponsor my event letters lol, and overall good vibes I received from my designs.
All the best and to a brighter future!
-AD
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ALL T-SHIRTS ARE AT A BELOW COST PRICE OF $5.00 PLUS SHIPPING, UNTIL EVERY LAST T-SHIRT IS SOLD. GO GET EM' NOW!!!
The Davenport Bros. and Push Culture
I got to be honest with you, when I first heard of Push Culture, I was a bit taken back. What is it? What does it mean? I mean... how can you sensationalize the most primal element of skateboarding which is the "kick"? Turning that basic thing and trying to market it seemed almost offensive. And by that I mean, just because I breathe, doesn't mean I subscribe to "Air Culture" right? It's really that simple... or is it?
Enter Travis and Brian Davenport, two twin brothers from Texas now living in the Big Apple - NYC and also the spark behind Push Culture. The fact of the matter here is more about what Travis and Brian Davenport are not only producing but contributing to longboarding. In New York City, there are some really involved individuals who, for the love of, simply live, eat, sleep, and breathe longboarding. The Davenport brothers are two guys who exemplify this. I have met tons of people through longboarding and its about time these guys get some recognition. The Davenport brothers are some of the nicest gents you'll ever meet, and will jump at the opportunity to show you their longboard and even let you try it out, on any given day. They have been skating for a really long time and have quietly been to more events than most people have. They might not be winning top podiums, but they enjoy the sport and go at their own pace. I have seen their skating develop over the years from one of the first Jersey Jumpoff events when Travis fell with no gloves and cut his hand... and up until today and their skating has improved so much... Adding to that, Travis also recently graced the cover of Concrete Wave Magazine, its a photo of him participating in last year's Broadway Bomb. SEE MAGAZINE COVER CLICK HERE.
Now these guys are going to events, spreading their wings getting into sliding and attending downhill events in USA and Canada. They travel often to Europe for work and when they are not busy working in Milan and France... they are skating! Push Culture is a multi-faceted company that features a clothing line of quality garments, Push Culture Apparel and Push Culture News, informative video segments they produce that basically talk shop on all things longboarding.
The Davenport brothers are two amazing guys that everyone should meet. Push Culture is a product of their excitement for the present and future of longboarding. Push Culture was developed from the NYC influence on longboarding; commuting, weaving through traffic, pushing a skateboard and getting around NYC as a viable means of transportation and usually faster than a cab or subway. They are involved in what they love to do and it shows. They help grow longboarding in a positive way, and this needs immediate recognition.
Check out the video segment... I mean watch and think for a second ... Who else in longboarding is doing this kind of thing? How many people are just home sitting down and doing nothing? These guys are getting out there and making it happen!
I end this blog entry by proudly saying I support Push Culture! I can't wait to get my hands on a Push Culture hoodie!
http://www.pushcultureapparel.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/thisispushculture
***BIG SALE FOR 1ST WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2011***
So, its been a while and this Winter has been harsh here in New Jersey. Mucho snow which means not much skating lately... and as I speak there is an ice storm going on. So, why not kick-start my lazy ass with a nice sale! ALL SHIRTS WILL BE $15.00 AND SHIPPING IS ONLY 1 PENNY, THAT'S RIGHT .01 CENT FOR SHIPPING!!!! Sale runs Wed 2/2 - 2/9 2011. Get it poppin!!
Also, I'd like to announce the first person taking part of the "Ride With" program, Alwin Narvaez AKA "Soy1". Soy1 is a great guy and has been a friend and fine supporter of Skate Rags since the start. Soy1 longboards whenever he can get a chance, getting his skills up by usually skating with the Concrete Kings in NYC on Sundays. Not only that, he looks damn good wearing his Buddha t-shirt! Soy1 definitely knows style! Thanks for riding with us Soy1!! You can see Soy1 modeling his shirt HERE.
Introducing the “Ride With” program; The anti-sponsorship.
I got to be honest with you, I have a real burning disdain for the word "FOR". Growing up as a kid street skating in the 80's, it was everyone's dream to be sponsored and ride FOR a company. Vision, Powell-Peralta, Vans, Independent were the big players then, and I'd do anything to RIDE FOR them.
Nowadays at races and events I hear skaters saying "I ride for this and that company" and when a rider wins - companies tout that THEY won and not the rider.
Call it the rebel in me, but flat out - I ride for no one. It's not the 80's and I don't have the same desire to be a sponsored rider. I skate for the independent free-ride soul that I am. I step on a skateboard by my own accord and not FOR any company.
This same mentality applies to the idea I had for a "Ride With..." program. Here's the idea, I'm not your boss and I tell no one what to do, where or how to do things with their life, or at races/events. This is the anti-sponsorship! I can not pay you, but I can ride with you. I can not tell you what to do, but I can ride with you. I can not tell you where to go, but I can ride with you. As a matter of fact, I WANT to ride with you! Personally, I'd much rather ride with some one, than ride for them. So... EVERYBODY JUST RIDE WITH US!
The idea is simple, if you like our designs (I know, I know, the few that are available as of now lol) and you want to RIDE WITH US, send me an email with a message why. It can contain a picture, video link or just plain text with worthy content and we'll get back to you in no time.
You don't have to rep us at races, but we do expect and hope that you genuinely like our designs and if anyone asks where did you get that t-shirt, hopefully you'll direct them to this website!
So... check out the video I just made you will see below with the music featuring my buddies in Go-Illa from Hudson County, N.J., I invite you to... "RIDE WITH US!!"
Hello November!
Damn this year flew by..... I must admit, I'm not sure if anyone ever really reads this blog. I kinda feel like this song below. I usually just get hidden-agenda spam comments, which is really a feeble attempt at promoting another website. hmmm.... keep skating rebelious youth league!
Soldiers of Downhill!!!
For a long time I was on the fence between going to The Broadway Bomb 10th anniversary, or Soldiers of Downhill in Bainbridge, Ohio. Both fell on the same day... and my budget was really favoring The Bomb. I got a call from Comet Skateboards rider, Keith Rebhorn saying that he had room for one more in his minivan for the 11 hour trip out to Ohio. So off I went with a few t-shirts in hand, leathers, and all my gear. 12 hours later and a few stops along the way we arrived at Bainbridge, OH.
DEEP in the heart of Ohio, this little town is in every sense of the word, a "small town". We arrived to a lonely road with a school on it with a big lawn and cars parked everywhere and a bonfire going. I had intended to sleep in the car, but after a worthy attempt... it was not to be so. It was bad-ass cold! So after a few beers and some bonfire chat, I slept in an abandoned school with a big crew of other temporary squatters, which still had electricity and working heat.
Saturday was the free-ride and Sunday was race day. I had purchased a cheap pair of sneakers at Wallmart the day before in order to get trashy with on the race course. I took the U-haul up to the top of the road for my 1st practice run of the day. The road was lined with hay-bails and was prepped for some good crashes. The road was really fast, scary, intimidating and required a huge set of balls to charge the hill - EVERYTHING a real Downhill race SHOULD be! Being the type of skater I am, I usually take it easy and really acclimate myself to the road before going all out on the hill. My first two runs were scary.... after foot-braking some, my new shoes were completely wasted out! Those Walmart sneakers really didn't do the job. I didn't feel comfortable on the road and between the fast course, random pavement conditions changing on a dime, and wasted sneakers... my future in the race wasn't looking good.
After some lunch, some downtime at the local Fall Festival, corn-dog, and cheese-on-a-stick, I re-evaluated my approach. I put on my $80 sneakers that I didn't want to mess up, and took the course little by little. I slowly built my confidence on the road and by the end of the day was taking on the course as best as I could.
After a rowdy night at the local Kareoke bar, Louie Pilloni and I teamed up for a game of Corn-hole with some locals. Louie even dropped a $20 bet on one game and we took them out!
Race Day. 3-man heats with the top 2 advancing. My first heat was with George Mackenzie and Chip Wood. It was a stacked 1st heat to say the least. My fate was sealed. I was a goner in the 1st heat. My spirits' not broken knowing that I was at least, taken out by top-tier skaters and not some Joe Schmoes. Racing was intense and as always is just as fun to watch as it is to actually skate. Stand-up speeds were in the mid-50's. Street Lugers were there charging the hill topping out around mid 60's.
Winners:
1. George Mackenzie (G-Mack - Sector 9)
2. Louis Pilloni (Sector 9)
3. Joel Putrah
4. Keith Rebhorn (Comet)
5. Chip Wood
6. Dan Oliver
*It was a great time indeed... and will hopefully be back next year! Thanks to organizers; Sean Graves, Dan Oliver, and Jamie Reis.
Here's some video.
Sightings….
Here's the new video by Orangatang Wheels. In the video, James Kelly is wearing his Blue Longboard Buddha t-shirt! Not for nothing, but that guy has a major sense of style if I do say so for myself haha 
Make sure you pick up a t-shirt for yourself too. CLICK HERE!
Toronto Board Meeting Video
Check out the video made by Bustin Boards from the trip we took last week. 31st/8th Avenue (NYC) to Toronto on the Megabus in roughly 11 hours. Long trip, but so worth it!
Toronto Board Meeting
Skate Rags will be at the Toronto Board Meeting this weekend with a few t-shirts for sale. Save on International shipping rates and pick up a shirt while I'm there! I will only have a few shirts available because honestly I don't feel like being a Salesman at such a great event and I want to have a great time. So let me know if you would like a shirt and I will def bring one just for you! Thank You -AD.