A.S.R. Trade Show '08

[Sumdumsurfer]

Once again, it's that time of the year... where the skateboard and surf industries flock to downtown Sandy Eggo for the September trade show at the convention center. This year, it was held on 9-4,5, & 6.

I've been going to these things since 1996, and what I've seen each year is split down the middle. More precisely, I have a love/hate towards the entire event. On one hand, we get to see all of our friends that surf and skate under one roof and in one city, if you're lucky enough to arrange for a surf and/or skate session, while down there for the weekend. On the other uglier hand... there are just too many bizarre and useless things that pose as potential skate or surf shop items. I don't know what else to label them as. YOU decide. In fact... let us move on and just plain get it out of the way.

File the next six images in the What The Hell Went Wrong? Dept. These stilts or whatever they are belong, more, in a department or toy store. The guy was jumping really high and nearly killed himself a few times. High ollies are much more funtional and impressive.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08Stilts.jpg

Okay... someone please explain these to me. A surf shop is supposed to seriously stock these hollowed out painted watermelons and pawn them off as bodysurfing aids? Yeah, but only on April Fool's Day.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08Manta.jpg

Speaking of water stuff... it's already bad enough that us surfers have to deal with stand-up paddlers getting in the way. But now for SKATEBOARDS? Yes, that's what that stick with inline skate wheels is. I'll pass. Unless there's a knee injury so bad that one can't push their board down the street any longer... I just don't see this catching on at skate shops anytime soon.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08DontKnow3.jpg

In the lobby, we ran across this. Stared at it. Took a picture of it. Shook our heads. Walked away. Art? Something concocted during a drug frenzied weekend? Don't know. Don't care.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08DontKnow2.jpg

Oookay... for sure, this one was part of someone's drunken nightmare or daydream. See, kids? DON'T DO DRUGS or GET DRUNK. If you're caught on these, you'll be written off as having an altered state of mental being.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08DontKnow.jpg

I first saw a few of these being peddled off at the recent Maloof Cup event. I still don't get it. Guess I'm just an old fossil that still believes in plain and simple skateboard components. These will be a big hit at novelty stores, no doubt.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08BlingBoards.jpg

Now... moving on to the good parts of A.S.R. Skyler got to sky above the Jim Bell ramp during a heated session.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08Skyler2.jpg

I walked around a corner, and Waldo was there in orange shirt and shorts. Who, in their right mind, would even bother with that color? Weird.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08Waldo.jpg

Thankfully, there were more booths that made sense and were actually related to skateboarding. Their significance far outweighed the the novelty toys and other assorted feckless gadgetry.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08Stereo.jpg

Steve Reeves skates at blinding speeds. But his style still shows through.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08SteveReeves.jpg

I snuck up... or rather tried to, on Roger Hickey and attempted to scare him. To no avail. Oh well. At least Madrid's first team rider (since 1976) is still doing well.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08RogerHickey.jpg

On display, were two photos of Ray Underhill that were taken by Grant Brittain. They were to be auctioned off and the proceeds went to Ray's family. Rest in peace, Ray... you will always be a big inspiration and will forever be missed.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost//data//639/medium/ASR08RayUnderhill.jpg

Always good to see Moose skating. As to be expected, he was tearin' it up.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08Moose.jpg

Even though Lucero wasn't present when this photo was taken, the booth had more of a belonging than some of the others.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08Label.jpg

Ray Flores showed us what's being done to some otherwise broken/worn out surfboards. Recycled and reshaped into mini surfboards that can be used bodysurfing. Actually, a pretty cool idea. Beats seeing 'em end up in landfills. He says they work great, too. If you're in the Venice area, make it a point to go visit his shop, The Board Gallery. He's got it lookin' really good.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08RayFlores.jpg

More rippin' and stuff that matters regarding skateboarding went down.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08Ramp10.jpg

http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08Ramp4.jpg

The Captain & Casey emceed the heated ramp session.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08CaptCasey.jpg

I first met John Turgesen about three years ago. I never get sick of watching him skate. Style for miles.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08JohnT3.jpg

Local, Josh Nelson, skated like he fully owned the place. Good to see him still killin' it.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08JoshNelson3.jpg

Paul Schmitt had a great booth with provisions to make/shape skateboard decks. Another display that makes perfect sense.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08PS.jpg

As usual, Powell-Peralta had a kickass display, upstairs.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08PowellPeralta.jpg

Thank God that the A.S.R. allows skateboarding to take place, there. Makes the associated mayhem much more tolerable.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08Ramp9.jpg

Something that reminded me of the trade shows from the '90s in Long Beach... they had free beer just about everywhere! Even out on the mezzanine, during the High Ollie contest.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08Beer.jpg

Speaking of which... a random shot from that event. It was too hot on the patio. So we retreated back into the frigid a/c of the main floor, indoors.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08Ollie.jpg

The later ramp session had a few more groms that were just killin' it.
http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/639/ASR08Ramp5.jpg

For more pics, click here. (http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=639&ppuser=)

We could only make it on the second day, Friday. At dawn, we had to be in the opposite end of Cali, up north, the next morning. Because of that, missed the Washington St. bbq and session. Those are usually a blast to witness. Hopefully, someone has some pics that they can post up in the Photo forum.

[Shawn 'Circa' Rossmiler]

sick coverage... thanks a lot mark, i really appreciate it... wish i could have been down there

[joshman]

thx for pics and story bro! good work:up:

[Sumdumsurfer]

Thanks, Shawn & Josh.

[MHIRSCH]

Rad Mark.. I don't know how I missed you out there you are like a top secret sniper.. I actually had fun this year at ASR.. The Santa Cruz Party was a good time and saw some cool stuff that will be heading our way soon.. Also some real whack jobs as usual. Feel sorry for some of these startups. You can walk by some of the booths and just shake your head - now that was a bad idea!!

[Sumdumsurfer]

Not a sniper... more like a spycam operator.

:D

My girl had never been to one... so that was the main reason I wanted to go, this year. I didn't go, last year. First two that missed since 1996. I miss the Long Beach ones. Those were a blast.

Really wished that we could've seen the Santa Cruz thing. Looked great. You're right about some of the booths. Trippy stuff. But overall, was stoked to see a lotta friends that I haven't seen in ages.

Hey, did anyone attend that photograph auction/display thing on Friday night? It featured Ray Zimmerman's stuff. I REALLY wanted to go to that. But we had to get on the road for Nor Cal that night.

[bknockazz]

Great stuff Mark! weird we didn't run into each other.

I found some video from the weekend
Day 1 http://tackyworld.com/skateboard/video/?id=104127

Day 2 http://tackyworld.com/skateboard/video/?id=104188

Day 3 http://tackyworld.com/skateboard/video/?id=104214

Grind for Life http://tackyworld.com/skateboard/video/?id=104493

[FARTBUCKET]

My favorite A>S>R> momment of all time was 1997 San Diego.
Sean "Shitfaced" Sheffey drunk out near the beertanical garden
doing a balance beam act on the 45 ft. high raling. He then proceeded to pick a fight with me cause he said I was bringing sand to the beach. I think Mike Carrol saved me from a beating. But, it would have been cool to get my ass kicked by a skateboarding legend for absolutely no apparent reason. Good Times, Good friends, and stale ass beer. Gotta love ASR>
________
VOLCANO CLASSIC VAPORIZER (http://vaporizers.net/volcano-vaporizer)

[B-Ray]

It apears as though Greg Fountain was giving the Jim Bell ramp a whirl as well.

http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/photopost/data/500/Greg_asr.jpg

Photo Mark Fountain.

[Sumdumsurfer]

Yeah, Greg was killin' it, like he typically does. None of my pics that I took of him came out decent. He and his brother rip.

[FARTBUCKET]

Wow, now that is what I call a blaster. That dude should change his name to GreghugeairblastinFslimrockafellar . Or dowtownfunkystufffountain would be cool to.
________
Website Host (http://hostndesign.com)

[Sumdumsurfer]

Yeah, Greg was killin' it, as usual. None of my pics that I took of him came out to my liking. I was bummed, 'cause I thought that I grabbed a couple of good ones.

Thanks for showing how high he was blasting. Good stuff! He and his brother RIP.

[Eddie]

Sick article Mark...well done! I just now reviewed and really enjoyed it. Better late than never.

[Sumdumsurfer]

Thanks, Eddie... long time, no see. Hope that you've been surfing and skating.