From the blog

Brand of the Month: DC & Rob Dyrdek

Posted by Kacee ON August 26, 2010 • Skate • Video • 1 Comment

To fully understand DC as our Brand of the Month you need to take a look into the relationship between DC & Rob Dyrdek. Rob is one of those characters that is in a rare breed all of his own. His vibrant personality, professional skateboarding, and outlandish stunts are all well known as his mad skills on a board. As a skateboarder, Dyrdek has claimed his fair share of top worldwide contest finishes, legendary video parts, magazine covers and so much more.

Check out what DC has to say about Rob, “Rob’s larger-than-life persona is grounded in the fact that he’s passionate, driven and above all, a talented athlete who’s shaped modern street skateboarding. He’s played a major part in building DC Shoes and other influential skateboarding companies into what they are today.”

So sit back, and get to know a little bit more about DC’s boy Dyrdek…

Name: Rob Dyrdek

Birthplace: Ohio

Resides: Hollywood, CA

Years skating: 1000’s upon 1000’s of days

Music: Def Leppard

Last skate magazine looked at: Skateboard Mag

Favorite video: Blind Video Days

Favorite city to travel to: Venice Beach

Worst place to go in San Diego: the Convention Center

You will never catch me filming at: a spot on a busy road

You will never catch me entering: a manual contest

Favorite DC’s: The Metro. The shoe created memories… some good, some bad.

DC Breaks it down on Rob & DC:

“Born in Kettering, Ohio, in 1974, Rob started skating at age 12, and in less than a year was the youngest member of the popular G&S (Gordon & Smith) skateboard team. At 16, he turned pro for the newly formed, now legendary Alien Workshop Team. “Personality coupled with talent makes the ultimate celebrity, and Dyrdek had the ability to wrap it all into one incredible ball of energy,” says Alien Workshop founder Chris Carter. Soon after his first professional contest, Dyrdek became friends with Ken Block and Damon Way, then President and Executive Vice President of Droors Clothing. Seeing the endless potential in this young skater, Dyrdek was quickly asked to promote their Droors Clothing line. Droors Clothing later became DC Shoes, the first company to produce an athletic driven skate shoe made specifically for skateboarders. Dyrdek’s strong street skills inspired Block and Way to add Dyrdek as the first street member of their newly formed DC team.

Rob joined DC Shoes in 1995 and set out to design the first-ever skateboard shoe with an athletic shoe’s performance features and look. The result, the Dyrdek1, was the first skateboard shoe to feature protective nylon lace loops. Dyrdek’s signature shoe was met with unprecedented approval by the skateboarding community, sold out in record time, and marked the moment when DC became known as a skateboard shoe innovator. Rob’s passion for shoe design has only grown since then—he’s expanded his role at DC to include that of shoe designer, and in addition to several of his own signature models, has designed several other successful DC shoes, among them the Alias, the Modus and the Blend. Rob was also the first pro skateboarder to build a private indoor skate park when the TF, or Training Facility, was completed in San Diego in 1998.

Rob’s drive and passion has spilled over from the act of skateboarding itself to the entrepreneurial side, and Rob has used his keen business sense to start several companies, among them Silver trucks and Reflex bearings. Rob continued with his entrepreneurial skills to help skateboarding and create legal street skateboarding spots for the roughly 13-million street skateboarders in the US and give back to the sport that made him a star. To that end, he spearheaded the creation of the Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoes Skate Plaza Foundation, which actively seeks to build Skate Plazas throughout the US and beyond.

Currently, Rob resides in Los Angeles, California. When he’s not skateboarding, supporting his foundation or involved in the shoe design process at DC, he’s busy with one of his numerous side projects. Beginning November 2006, Rob began his MTV reality series, “Rob and Big”. This reality comedy stars Rob and his bodyguard and best friend, Christopher “Big Black” Boykin as the twosome live together in Rob’s Hollywood Hills home. The show is hotter than ever as it puts real street skateboarding in American’s faces weekly. In May 2006, Rob began filming for “Street Dreams,” a feature length film Rob co-wrote, executive produced and stars in for his acting debut. “Street Dreams” is more than just another movie about skateboarding. It is the first film written as an honest portrayal of the skateboarding culture instead of the Hollywood stereotypes that have infiltrated the media. “Street Dreams” follows the path it takes for a young skater to fulfill their dreams of becoming a sponsored street skater. It is due to hit screens everywhere later this year. In addition to DC Shoes, Rob rides for Alien Workshop, Reflex bearings, Silver trucks, Monster energy drinks, and also has signature sunglasses for Spy Optical.”

SHOP DC: KillerDana.com

Learn more: DCShoes.com

Street League: DC Pro Tour

Posted by Kacee ON August 17, 2010 • Skate • Video • Comment

DC our Brand of the Month for August is a proud presenting sponsor for one of the greatest street skateboarding competitions of all time, Street League! By assembling a roster of the world’s best professional street stakeboarders, constructing the most unbelievable courses, and creating high stake prize purse, Street League will give street skateboarding the credit and live spectator experience that it has always dreamed of.

August 28th, 2010: Jobing.com Arena – Glendale, Arizona.
September 11th, 2010: Citizen Business Bank Arena – Ontario, California.
September 25th, 2010: Thomas & Mack Arena – Las Vegas, Nevada.

Check out the video from the final training facility testing day before the first Street League Skateboarding event in Glendale, AZ on Aug 28th. This was the first time Ryan Sheckler, Chris Cole, and Paul Rodriguez all skated with eachother in a contest setting all year. In a glimpse of the skating to come on August 28th, these guys were all head-to-head until the very end. Filmed and edited by Nigel Alexander

About Street League Skateboarding: streetleague.com

“Skateboarding is limitless by design. Built on a foundation of progression, individuality and tremendous skill, street skateboarding is one of the most technically intricate and dynamic sports in the world. Every year, the best and most respected skateboarders in the world constantly push the boundaries of what people believe is possible. No other past time, art form, or sport evolves and progresses the way street skateboarding does.

However, the magical nature of street skateboarding has never been translated to a live spectator experience or professional contest series that truly showcases the skill and talent of the skateboarders involved.

Until now…

Street League Skateboarding™ has been created to reflect the power of true street skateboarding – arguably the most popular, evolved, and unique alternative to stick and ball sports. By assembling a roster of the world’s best professional street skateboarders, constructing courses that embody the characteristics of real skate spots, and creating real stakes through substantial prize money, Street League™ gives street skateboarding a proper forum for live competition for the first time ever.

The pros signed to Street League™ are undoubtedly the elite of professional street skateboarding: Mike Mo Capaldi, Chris Cole, Nick Dompierre, David Gonzalez, PJ Ladd, Terry Kennedy, Eric Koston, Greg Lutzka, Sean Malto, Billy Marks, Chaz Ortiz, Brandon Biebe, Luan Olivieira, ToreyPudwill, Peter Ramondetta, Dylan Rieder, Paul Rodriguez, Geoff Rowley, Tommy Sandoval, Ryan Sheckler, Mikey Taylor

These skaters are competing for a total purse of $1.2 MM– the most prize money in skateboarding history. The series also includes the largest first place prize of $150,000 at each event. The complete purse at each event is as follows:

1st: $150,000 2nd: $80,000 3rd: $25,000 4th: $10,000 5th : $7,500 6th : $6,250 7th : $5,750 8th : $5,500 9th – 24th Place (non-qualifiers): $5000 each.

Beyond the awards associated with the final ranking at each event, each Pro will have the ability to win $5,000 for each best trick in each individual section of the course as well as for the entire event. The pros that do not qualify into the Finals will be given the chance to compete on the big section prior to the main event for an additional $10,000.

Street League Skateboarding™ features the first-ever revenue-share program in skateboarding and Action Sports history. As a result, each pro is a direct participant in the success of Street League™. The pros will share in both Street League™ merchandise and media rights sales.

To assist their transition into the league, each pro has been given the option to compete in two non-sanctioned wildcard events until the end of 2010. Beginning in 2011, the pros will compete exclusively in the Street League™ series and other Street League™ sanctioned events worldwide.

Street League Skateboarding™ utilizes real-time scoring and a proprietary format that makes every trick count. These unique features, combined with street skateboarding from the world’s best, will make the inaugural year of Street League Skateboarding™ a historical break-through for skateboard fans worldwide.”

Brand of the Month: DC

Posted by Kacee ON August 6, 2010 • Skate • Style • 8 Comments

It’s official! DC Clothing is our Brand of the Month for August 2010! Some of you have known about DC since it was first founded in 1993, while others may have just been introduced to the brand through amazing TV shows like Rob & Big, and Fantasy Factory (starring Rob Dyrdek). How did you hear about DC Shoes/Clothing? (leave a comment in this blog and you will be entered to win your choice of a DC t-shirt! Winner announced at the end of the month).

We’re basically here to get you pumped up about this amazing company and give you the inside scoop. Look forward to DC sticker giveaways, chances to win DC Clothing, and much much more. For now just get to know a little bit of background on DC:

Founded by Ken Block and Damon Way in 1993, DC quickly grew to a leader in performance skateboarding shoes and renowned action sports brand. Today DC stands as a global brand whose product line has expanded to include men’s, women’s and kids’ skateboarding and lifestyle shoes, apparel, snowboards, snowboard boots, outerwear, and accessories.

Shop DC Now: KillerDana.com

Learn more: www.dcshoes.com

Maloof Money Cup 2010

Posted by Kacee ON August 4, 2010 • Skate • Comment

The Maloof Money Cup, presented by Vans, is the world’s premiere showcase for amateur and professional skateboarding, and it is happening today through Sunday at the Orange County Fair Grounds. With $450,000 up for grabs! Not only is this a great event for any skaters, but it’s also a great event for the whole family. Plus you are located smack dab in the middle of the OC Fair (filled with food galore, rides, entertainment etc).

Now in its third year, the Maloof Money Cup OC is the largest pursed event in the history of professional skateboarding. The 2010 MMC Orange County will feature LIVE television coverage on FUEL TV, one-hour highlight programs on FOX Sports, as well as a live webcast capturing every second of the action on fuel.tv/maloofmoneycup.

The course is designed by Pro Skater Geoff Rowley and Joe Ciaglia of California Skateparks, the 12,000-square-foot street course was inspired by iconic beach skate spots with features based on:

1. Big Surf Wave Pool/Tempe, AZ
2. Bump to Barriers/Long Beach, CA
3. Quarter Pipe Hip/Huntington Beach, CA
4. Santa Monica Pier/Santa Monica, CA
5. Sadlands Planter/Orange County, CA
6. Triple Set/Los Angeles, CA
7. Venice Ledges/Venice Beach, CA
8. Radical Ledge/Los Angeles, CA
9. Fountain Water Gap/Santa Monica, CA

The 2010 Maloof Money Cup Orange County contest includes the VOLCOM Street Pro, Carl’s Jr. Pro Vert Championships, Women’s Pro Street, World Industries Amateur Championships and the Tech Deck Best Trick contest. The event will also feature a special Masters of Street and Vert demo and a 50,000-square-foot Festival Village offering skateboarding activities for all ages, autograph signings and live music.

“Southern California is the birthplace of street skating, with Venice, Santa Monica and Orange County being the epicenter,” said Rowley. “This year’s Maloof course takes design influence from the diversity of the famous iconic spots within this zone; some that are still around (Santa Monica Pier) and a few that are not (Sadlands). This year’s Maloof Money Cup is going to be totally awesome, totally radical and totally off the wall.”

“I’m really excited about this year’s OC contest,” said MMC Creator Joe Maloof, whose family owns the NBA’s Sacramento Kings and Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. “Geoff Rowley’s design pays tribute to the rich heritage of skateboarding by incorporating iconic skate spots. I think what has made MMC stand out from other contests is that we give the skaters the freedom to design our courses and we only build real concrete street plazas. Combine that with the fact that you’re competing on close replicas of iconic skate spots, some that are no longer around, which makes it not only fun and exciting for the skaters, but also results in a high intensity level, which is incredible to watch. The energy and excitement in the stands is amazing and I think it really fuels the skaters and creates an atmosphere for truly remarkable skateboarding. I believe it’s that intensity that has helped MMC become the most attended skateboarding contest in the world.”

Go to www.maloofmoneycup.com

Brand of the Month: KR3W Tells All

Posted by Kacee ON July 30, 2010 • Skate • 2 Comments

As our Brand of the Month spotlight on KR3W comes to an end, we wanted to get some unanswered questions answered. Here are some of the questions that you guys asked KR3W (and they have responded to). Enjoy!

-Who is the founder of KR3W? When & why was it founded? (From DRC, Daniel, Jakernaut, Zara, & Jeremy)

KR3W was founded in 2003 by Angel Cabada. Angel started his first company, known as TSA, with some fellow skaters who were mainly into making clothes that they could wear when skating. That was 1991 and it lasted for around ten years until Angel decided to leave so he could do his own thing. The company he founded in 2003 was KR3W, his current apparel brand that he manages along with Supra under the distribution umbrella for the two projects known quite simply and aptly as One Distribution; initially built to cut out the middleman in the European distribution process.

Since 2002 Angel has been gradually building KR3W based on a solid formula of making simple, effective clothing for skaters, made by skaters; similar to the TSA (first company Angel started) philosophy yet with a more effective company infrastructure and an efficient, productive team of specialists running their particular areas of expertise. KR3W has gradually built a loyal following within the skate community due in part to its durable, stylish designs while the other part of its recipe for success is the development of a team of respected, charismatic, fashion forward and culture and marketing savvy professional skateboarders who are admired by this generation of young skater consumers. The up and coming crop of new boarders admire the pro riders they look up to and learn their skills from yet they themselves are actually the ones who wear the hoodies, jeans and skate shoes every day to really get a feel for their authenticity and how they stand up to daily wear and tear.

-Where did the name KR3w come from? Who’s idea was it? And why the number 3? (From Heather, Jordy, Will, Stevo, & Socha)

How the name came about was basically this, we put together the best skate team possible, and that was our “KR3W”. Angel, KR3W’s founder came up with this idea. The 3 is just different. No real reason, just for fun and to be different. Angel created the KR3W logo with bare hands and a brilliant mind. ”

-How long do you guys think up ideas for the brand? (From: Taylor H.)

It’s a constant flow of a thinking process. We are always on and being inspired by skateboarding. Cabada credits his inspiration to his continuous daydreaming, “I’m a thinker. I think a lot, I daydream a lot, think of ideas, constantly talking to my designers”

-What is the ultimate inspiration for your company? (From Zara, & Leah)

Skateboarding!

-What AM skaters do you sponsor? (From Brian)

Boo Johnson, Kevin Romar and more.

-Why doesn’t KR3W make women’s clothing? Do you think they ever will? (From: Leanne, & Lizzie)

KR3W hasn’t stepped into women’s fashion quite yet, but has focused more of our efforts towards our tarketed audience of male skateaboarders. However, this is not to say that we wouldn’t like to see women’s skateboarding become bigger and more popular. Until then, ladies keep in mind the ever so popular tends of “Boyfriend jeans, and Boyfriend Tees” that could work if you wanna try out our mens clothing line.

-Who creates the KR3W stickers? (From Miguel)

Our t-shirt designers.

Thanks for asking us all the questions!

-KR3W

Shop KR3W: KillerDana.com

Brand of the Month: KR3Ws Team

Posted by Kacee ON July 28, 2010 • Skate • Comment

Brand of the Month: KR3Ws main Skate Team Riders

KR3W is one of those brands that likes to keep a low key rap. They plan on world domination, yet you wouldn’t know that unless you did some extensive digging. They’re bad to the bone and represent what they do. Get to know some fun facts about their team riders.