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Ambush Skateboarding and ABV Gallery Present: Decked Out

Video and Edit by Cole Vanthof

Skateboarding and art have always had a symbiotic relationship. Ever since the first graphics were screen printed on the bottoms of skate decks, art has been used to communicate ideals, encrypt messages, and differentiate between sub sections of skate culture. Art and skateboarding both draw inspiration from the streets. Both feed off of angst. And, are both the result of channeling something super personal into a creative outlet.

  • ABV Gallery x Ambush Skateboarding - Decked Out
  • ABV Gallery x Ambush Skateboarding - Decked Out
  • ABV Gallery x Ambush Skateboarding - Decked Out

In keeping with the art/skateboarding love affair, Ambush Skateboarding partnered with ABV Gallery to create a night-cap art show opening on Go Skateboarding Day titled Decked Out. The goal was to gather 30 artists from Atlanta, as well as nationally and internationally recognized creators, to produce one-of-a-kind, hand-painted decks to commemorate the relationship between art and skateboarding on skateboarding’s international day of observance. Read More >

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The Story Behind the Series

Skateboard graphics have reached a really good spot at the moment. Gone are the ho hum days where every graphic is a parody or revolves around some sort of skull, weapon, flames, or some generic attempt at badassery. Contemporary skateboard brands have developed their own distinct art directions that are clearly identifiable and evoke cranial innervation. Modern skateboard graphics tell a story and give skaters something to enjoy and react to that is fresh and new.

Brands are experimenting with multi-stained top sheets, employing vintage screen-printing techniques, adding textures to their graphics (check the new decks from Madness), collaborating with accomplished artists (like Isle’s series with Jack Brindley), or incorporating culturally iconic elements from their respective locations (a la Evisen and Pass~Port). Read More >

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Skateboarding and the Olympic$

Thoughts on the subject by two dudes with sometimes varying opinions.

Figgy getting in the spirit for the Olympics! LOL

Perhaps foretold by Neal Hendrix a suspended USA Skateboarding executive committee member who is not to be named, et al., in Atlanta in 1996, skateboarding is now an Olympic sport.  Skateboarders are a seriously opinionated lot…and there is, of course, a dearth of opinions on the topic all over the place.  Most of these opinions are predictably negative.  We’re not that interested in calling people kooks or offering up vapid generalities.  Instead, we’d like to talk about a few specifics.  Paradoxically, though, we’ll start with the most elemental question:

Should skateboarding be in the Olympics?

Eric E.:
Yes.  I feel that there are three reasons that this is even a question: Read More >

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Sesame: The Contest #5 Photos & Video Recap is Live!

As told by Matthew Goodison-Orr

The morning of March 23rd was clear, with a promise to be sunny.  The temperatures promised a beautiful Spring day.  At Brook Run Skate Park, tables and chairs were being set up, pens and clipboards put out, signs erected.  The music started to fill the air.  Sesame: The Contest was being held.  This would be the 5th contest in the series hosted by Christian “Drizzy” Hanna.  Soon, the skaters would roll up to the tables to sign up for the beginner or advanced divisions.  Drizzy is busy filming a few of the skaters for the highlight video shown here.  The skaters are warming up and practicing their tricks while sizing up their competition. And then Drizzy slowly skates out, megaphone in hand, and announces the start of the contest. Immediately the park clears out, he thanks everyone for coming and calls out the first 3 names. Read More >

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Top Nine guest I’d like to see on the Nine Club.

Nine Club Guests Wish List.
The Nine Club Wishlist…

If you are anything like me by the time Sunday afternoon rolls around you are already planning out your week. While the thought of grabbing your lunch pail and heading out the door Monday morning is a drag, you’ve at least got a grip on reality and you are readying yourself for the workweek. Part of my Sunday ritual is checking out The Nine Club’s Instagram account in the late afternoon to see what guest they’ll be hosting Monday morning. Chris Roberts and the gang have been bringing us these amazing episodes every Monday morning without fail since January of 2016. I certainly don’t speak for every desk jockey but their show definitely brightens every working skateboarder’s morning. Read More >

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Is Skateboarding Lacking a Code of Ethics?

Seemingly the popularity of skateboarding has started to grow again and it’s now reaching newer participants and groups that it never did before. Overall this is a great thing. However, with newcomers reaching a critical mass, it is becoming apparent that many are not aware of the “unwritten rules” of skateboarding. While it may not seem like a big deal to some, some of these infractions can ruin what we’ve been doing for years. These “unwritten rules” use to help regulate a pretty esoteric activity, but now that skateboarding is more or less mainstream it may be time to consider codifying and enforcing the rules. Or, at least have a mature discussion about them. Read More >

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OuterSpace Project Mission 4 – Video Recap

We had such a great time at the 2018 OuterSpace Project and block party! Really cool to see the recap video that just dropped. We hope to see you all again at Mission 5!

OSP Mission 4 landed safely in ATL, Sept. ‘18. Catch the full mission report video feat. larger-than-life artwork and performances from artists across the planet. 

Featured Muralists: Michael Reeder, Hola Lou, Insane 51, It’s a living, Teddy Kelly, Enjoy Denial, Joram Roukes, Arlin Graff, Nick Napoletano, Adam Fu, Thomas Turner, Brandon Sadler , Niki Zarrabi, Erin Nicole Henry, ILL.DES, Sanithna Phansavanh , DR. DAX

Big Bang Musical Talent: Spafford, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Wick-it the Instigator, Hedonistas, Prisca

Big Bang Live Artists: Enjoy Denial, Jeks, All City Murals, BIG TEEFF, Chris Veal, Michael Mauldin, Nick Benson, Catlanta, Chris Makes Art, Phil Harris

Secret Walls Artists: Amy Ashbaugh, Ashton Anderson, Quake Solo, Liz Webb, Brooke Powell, FRKO , Amanda Todd Illustration, Jesse Jaeger

Project Produced by ABV Agency + Zero Mile Presents

Video by Evolved Cinema

Supported by: Heineken, Georgia Aquarium, Local Toyota Dealers, The Home Depot, Montana Cans (official), Bulleit, RedBull, OUTFRONT Media USA, Prints on Wood, Ticketfly, United Rentals, Secret Walls, StreetArtMap.org, Gusto!, Ambush Board Co. Read More >

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Independent Trucks | Best of 2018 | DVD Collection

This is MENTAL. Indy just dropped 78 minutes of footage. Ride The Best 👊 .

Wes Kremer, Leo Romero, Lizzie Armanto, CJ Collins, Erick Winkowski, Tiago Lemos, Kader Sylla, Ray Barber, the list goes on… 2018 was a heavy year for the Independent Trucks team. From Detroit to Australia, follow Milton Martinez, Pedro Delfino, Tristan Funkhouser, Kevin Baekkel, Blake Carpenter, Ryan Townely, Lacey Baker, Nicole Hause, Brighton Zeuner, Tristan Rennie, Cole Wilson, Wilson Kimbel, Lance Mountain, Peter Hewitt, Taylor Kirby, Ben Raybourn and more on their 2018 skateboarding journey. Here’s the best of the best in 2018 from Independent Trucks. Enjoy! Filmed and edited by TJ Gaskill, Dan Stolling, Cody Long, Joe Perrin, Tylre Wilcox, Gavin Denike, DAF Noah, Peacock, Rhino and more!
Tiago Lemos Indy Part 0:00 – 2:16
Tristan Rennie RAW Ams 2:17 – 5:39
Ray Barbee Indy Collection 5:40 – 10:09
Erick Winkowski Indy Part 10:10 – 13:54
Mud Sweatin Beers 13:55 – 21:22
Pedal To The Metal 21:23 – 44:30
Gotta Pray To Play 44:31– 53:38
Kader Sylla My Indy’s 53:39 – 55:08
CJ Collins RAW Ams 55:09 – 58:35
The Kids Are Alright 58:36 – 1:00:47
Please Don’t Grab My Boob 1:00:48 – 1:09:08
No Meat Pies, No Glory 1:09:09 – 1:18:39 Read More >

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Neighbors: Keeping Us Inspired

It’s now early 2019 and like everyone we have a lot to look forward to in the coming year.   Everyone is busy making plans and attempting to execute them. Generally, the first step in every year should be to take down your holiday decorations because you don’t want to be that neighbor. Good neighbors are there to lend a helping hand and help keep you in check.  Neighbors build up communities and we should all strive to be good neighbors. While thinking about community I started thinking about the Southeast and our skateboard neighborhood, not necessarily Georgia, but the surrounding scenes. What videos or shops inspired me to want to be better, or at least got me excited to go skate. Here’s what I came up with: Read More >

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Greyson Beal – Chasing a Dream

Greyson Beal Ambush Skateboarding

“Do not underestimate the ‘power of underestimation’. They can’t stop you, if they don’t see you coming.” 

Izey Victoria Odiase

Greyson Beal has always been on the outside looking in. People question his street cred, doubt his “core” bona fides, and generally dismiss his skateboarding as “too contesty”. Greyson is an undeniably talented skateboarder, but why is he always looked at with a sort of side-eyed suspicion? Why are people so quick to write him off?  Well, maybe that’s right where he wants to be? Maybe that’s his plan? Maybe we’re all playing checkers while he’s playing chess?

Greyson Beal Ambush Skateboarding

“Only a fool would underestimate a man with nothing to lose.” 
Read More >