And a fantastic video reprise of 2013, from our stateside skate friend Doug Brown...
Doug currently has a Facebook competition - check it out:
"CONTEST!!! I'm giving away a FREE signed complete skateboard. This is for someone that really needs it, are you worthy? If so, why? Share your story. Winner to be chosen this Wednesday. Contest is in conjunction with Danny Badertscher with Wooster Skateland. The winner will be contacted via Facebook directly and must be able to pick up board in person at Acres of Fun"
We're delighted to have received an update from our friend Doug Brown, US pro skater, author & speaker...
"
Aug.28th, 2013
Today I was invited to speak to a very special group of athletes. Coach Felton of the nationally ranked soccer team, the Lady Mustangs has used my books and philosophies for his team this year as a theme. "Capture the moment" is my motto they have been using. I was so moved that they knew my story and that I've been inspiring them for weeks without even knowing this till a few days ago.
They were very receptive to my speech, I felt the reciprocation of energy and my purpose for being there. There were two simple chairs placed in a room for me and the coach, we were surrounded by the team, this was an intimate unplugged version of my program. It all felt very "Inside the actors studio with James Lipton." The intimacy and the topics tackled became a marriage of my life on and off the skateboard and their life on and off the field. Optimism, hope, believing in yourself and surviving adversity where at the forefront. In a couple months I will be joining the team on the bench as a guest for a pivotal game ahead. I'm beyond thankful and flattered by the events today. Many thanks to Coach Felton and the Lady Mustangs."
We were delighted to get an update from USA born & bred pro skater Doug Brown today! Here's what he had to tell us:
"It's been an amazing year. Countless events with schools, libraries and a handful of visits to hospitals with Athletes for Hope. My latest book Looking Glass Self found itself on shelves in book chains mainly Barnes and Nobles throughout the nation. I had my 20 year class reunion. Outbreak Skateboards released my 11th pro model, the Medallion deck which to date is by far my favorite deck ever produced.
So many highlights from visiting Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang camp to being a judge for the Quota International. TV and radio appearances to having my Beyond the Board exhibit touring libraries... all in 2012.
This is my 10th year as a pro skateboarder. My paying sponsors have been faithful and I continue to ride that skateboard to my fullest. I figured this ride would last maybe a couple years but with tenacity and staying productive I've always kept moving forward, if one door would shut another would open.
My relationship with my skateboard is an important one but nothing is more important than reaching people in a meaningful way and creating positive relationships both professional and personal. Lots planned for 2013 so stay tuned. Thanks truly for the support throughout the years. Best regards, Doug".
Check out Doug's best bits from 2012 here:
Keep up to date with Doug's latest skate news here
Thanks Doug! We're proud to have supported you in 2012 & look forward to continuing on into 2013!
This photo is awesome! It features our friend & pro skateboarder Doug Brown (pictured with his board). Doug is "at the Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford CT. Paul was notorious for playing pranks on his actor friends so for his birthday one year they got him back placing this large gorilla on his lawn. After Paul's death the gorilla now resides at the camp and is brought out for special events for the kids". Not sure which would be more epic to have on your lawn, Doug or the gorilla - these guys get both!
We've had the pleasure of sponsoring Doug Brown, the pro US skater, for some months now & are excited to have received an update from this truly hectically busy man!
Doug says "I have an exhibit that is touring libraries nationally to promote my book. Its called "Beyond the Board - the Doug Brown Exhibit" I've enclosed some pics..."
We added a poster to Doug's collection recently, which he's been handing out on his tour - it features himself & our other fab stateside skater Tony Leard (who designed the poster for us). If you should be visiting Doug on his event tour - see dates here - you can probably pick up a signed copy.
Doug has sent us some new pics "from my recent travels"
Doug recently featured in a magazine article - the piece in September's Variance magazine is a lovely affirmation of a geniunely nice man who's doing his best to put a bit back into the community - you can see it here or visit the website:
Doug has also been kind enough to add his support to the "See My Helmet?" rider safety campaign that we talked about in yesterday's post - he wears his helmet with pride :0)
Aaron Skippings has just updated his own blog & has been keeping us entertained with his downhill skating antics & general Facebook musings on life's important issues, like whether a Sherbert Dip Dab explosion, the aftermath of which was witnessed by his unsuspecting parents, could lead to an accidental drugs charge...
Maria (aka Spoky Woky) of 'Team for Ride' fame has just sent us the designs for her new downhill skating leathers & we are proud as punch to be displayed on her thigh... :0)
And here are some amazing images from her year so far...
Tony Leard & Doug Brown have been working on some publicity materials for us:
We are hoping to get some posters made up for the guys to use, especially as Doug tours extensively for his Skate Straight programme.
Shannon Francis has been busy too,
the Bristol stunt scooter rider has picked up a heap of new sponsors & still finds time to practise her second passion - video edits of her adventures...
I am sure that there's lots more to tell you, but that's all I can think of right now!
Aaron tells us about his season:
"The season for me has been an awesome one , travelling countries and skating with friends is what its all about ,theres always that time in the year for us who cant skate because of the dreadful winter ,in that time saving money ,getting hyped up for the next year of skating just becomes natural as you know every bit of money you earn is another awesome day etc away shredding it up.
For me starting the first euro race in kozakov was brilliant as i had never had the chance to skate it before ,so many stories of how gnarly it was made me crave for it even more but there was always that butterfly waking up now and again in my stomach.
I can tell you now kozakov was one of the best tracks i have skated since almabtrieb,so fast and tech at the same time just completed it for me . shame about the weather but qualifying was in the rain which resulted in some fast people crashing out and not making the cut as there was only 1 qualifying run because of the time wasted in previous wet weather days. I managed to qualify and was prepped for racing .OMG! Racing was amazing, first heat was a proper tough one going up against some proper fast guys but i held them off and managed to get in there into 2nd place and get through to the second round.
2nd round was here ,all top professionals at the start line and then me ;), was a crazy race and have never been so fast in a heat but i didnt make the cut which wasnt a bad thing as i finished in the top 30! Proper stoke right there! ,apart from the weather ,great event ,great people,great skating ,i will be back in 2012!
favourite videos/pics - our bandito video ofcourse!
Thanks Aaron! So great to hear all of your news & so many congratulations on a fine season.
Doug Brown
We've recently welcomed pro-skater Doug Brown to our crew...
Doug does a great deal of motivational speaking & tours to promote the Skate Straight programme for youngsters, but still manages to fit some skating action inbetween! Doug updated us this morning, "Today I'm off on a skate adventure with a crew for fun and filming. I'm proud to announce my new sponsor is SMB Bearings out of England. This will be a great partnership as they are fully behind my efforts and they are good people. These bearings are great quality and the best I've ever had." Thanks Doug! We really appreciate your feedback on the bearings & are so pleased that you like them.
John Griffiths
No updates from John as yet, but he's heading off to Wales with Aaron to attend the Ride the Dragon event & has had a busy European IGSA season with some great results. Schaeffer Mclean
The youngest member of the SMB Skate Crew, 7 year old Schaeffer has just return from a European skate trip & his new video is a corker!
"This video is part of a European skate adventure which was filmed across 6 countries. Sadly the Camera and footage was lost just before leaving the 4th country at Krakow Bus Station. This is the footage from a secondary camera of mainly the last 2 countries we visited. See if you can figure out which countries they were! Thank you to everyone who showed us skate spots - we discovered some amazing places. It has to be said that the Security Guard at the beginning kindly let us skate in the end. This is the story of Schaeffer's Skate Travels...."
Shannon Francis
The only stunt scooter rider on the team, Shannon's been busy honing her skills, hanging out with friends & putting together some great video edits of their escapades!
Team For Ride - the gravity sports gang!
Another succesful season for the French gravity sports team, getting good results consitently throughtout the IGSA competitions. We look forward to a full season update from them soon.
Tony Leard
Lately i havent been doing as much skating due to an injury im dealing with from a recent fall. But i should be on board soon. I'm mainly busy with graphic design lately, and busy filming trick tip videos for one of my sponsors. But everything lately is picking up good, and i designed a shirt for a company as well.
SMB Bearings are delighted to announce that we are the proud new sponsors of skate legend Doug Brown. Doug started skating in 1986, aged 12 years old, won his first competition one year later & since then has notched up a frankly dazzling array of accolades.
Here, Doug lists his most memorable skate moments:
Winning my first skateboarding competition in 1987
Skating the 2002 - 2004 Summer Gravity Games
Eastern Supply Open House Demo NC 2004
Progressive Skatepark Appearance Atlanta 2004
Doing MC at Fuel Channel's Get Hook-T Up Tour 04
Texas Fort Bliss Military Base Demos March 2005
Canada Newfoundland tour July 2006
Skate Straight Hometown visit Jan. 2008
TV appearance on Good Co. Today Show on NBC May 2010
Through his many sponsors Doug has a range of decks, wheels, books, videos & is also a motivational speaker. His Skate Straight programme tries to teach youngsters key life skills, dealing with a broad range of issues, from bullying, drugs, education & self belief.
Doug's bio:
Chances are you've seen Doug Brown on NBC's Good Co.Today show, at the Gravity Games, AST Dew Tour, or even on a stick of X-Air Deodorant, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Doug is a motivational speaker, published author of his autobiography Doug Brown: Beyond the Board, and founder of his highly acclaimed Skate Straight Program. From touring arenas with the band The Newsboys to visiting patients in hospitals with Athletes for Hope, Doug has proven to be more than just a skateboarder. Hidden behind his contagious smile and charisma is a wide range of talents and a strong sense of determination. Doug's love for the world of skateboarding began in 1986 after seeing Back to the Future for the first time. While the skateboarding trend has waxed and waned in popularity, Doug's commitment to the sport remained constant. Doug’s professional skating career began by chance at the 2002 Gravity Games, when he caught the eye of his first paying sponsors. He quickly realized his hobby became his living after a whirlwind of extensive traveling, industry events, demos, contests, and personal appearances. While he maintains a strong commitment to his skateboarding Brown has shifted his primary focus and energies towards his Skate Straight program entering schools, libraries, detention centers and being a keynote speaker for conferences. Doug Brown: Beyond the Board was published in 2010, and has added a new dimension to Doug's career. He writes of his life experiences and how it has been defined by a piece of wood and four spinning wheels. Brown wholeheartedly believes in positive change and the importance of hope and optimism. Notable causes and philanthropy include involvement with Athletes For Hope, American Red Cross, St.Baldrick's Foundation, SADD, and his own Skate Straight Program. Television appearances on NBC's Good Co.Today Show, Much Music Television, 54321, Fuel TV, ABC Sports, ESPN, Fox Sports, Planet X, Xcorps TV, and Sports Talk.
