etnies

Um, Ya...Prizes!

Check out this pile! And that doesn't even include all the etnies shoes I am gonna give away. Want some? Stay tuned...

Go skateboarding this weekend.

March Team Report!

The etnies Team!

Yup, the Mallorca trip finally came to a conclusion earlier this month, after 19 days of joy, pain, carnage, and rain (there was a bunch of other sh*t that went down, but that rhymed, which is fun). The entire team was on this trip: Arto Saari, Rune Glifberg, Ryan Sheckler, Bastien Salabanzi, Elissa Steamer, Ronnie Creager, Ali Boulala, Kyle Leeper, Eric Fletcher, and Conhuir Lynn. etnies European team homies Javier Mendizabel and Charles Collet also came over for a while as well.

There are tons of words that sum up the trip, but the ones that stand out the most are: rain, motorbikes, fires, amazing spots, villa, guitars, Ali, and more rain. The trip was 19 days long, but that includes travel days; so basically there were 16 days for skating, with no planes involved. Sounds like a lot right? Well, not when it is raining for seven of them! The local we hooked up with for spots, etc. said that it never rains like that in Mallorca. Maybe over a 16-day period at that time of year it would rain two times, and never three days in a row, or whatever the worst stretch was. The only thing positive that can be said about poor weather is the fact that when the sun does come out, everyone is amped to skate. And that is exactly what happened. The first day of skating (four days into the trip) was a beast. The first spot we went to we skated for three-plus hours, and everyone got a trick on film—that is one of the rarest things in skateboarding. Now that I think about it, I could go on and on about everything that went down on the trip, but that would probably be long enough to fill up the pages of a short novel. You got the basics, so let’s throw out some key things about the trip:

Elissa is happy!

• As was mentioned above, rain…too much of it!
• Ali’s antics: he rented two motorbikes within a span of four days, and had to ride them in the rain with freezing temperatures. We weren’t sure he was going to make it one night.
• The villa: Wow! A massive piece of land, with two houses, that will accommodate sixteen-plus skateboarders. You can figure the rest out.
• The spots: Wow times two! You wouldn’t think a small island like that has as much stuff as it does, but let me just say, there are a lot…and they aren’t a bust (for the most part).
• The rulers: Eric Fletcher and Ryan Sheckler. Straight off flights from the good ‘ol US of A, each of them got tricks that first day, and it continued on the duration of the trip. Ahhh, to be young again…
• The rental cars: at one point, we had four cars total. Rental cars are a blast no matter how many or what kind, just make sure you get full insurance ‘cuz reverse donuts are fun!
• Injured list: nobody came down with injuries on the trip, which is fabulous.
• Scenery: Spain is beautiful no matter if you are on the mainland or on one of its few islands. We went to some pretty scenic places…beautiful! Felt like you could fall off the side of the Earth.
• Nightlife: none thank God. The island is basically a ghost town during off-season, so we just kicked it at the villa at night when we weren’t skating or it was raining. Note to reader: you don’t want to go in the summer.

Ali, just chillin'

That’s enough of that. If you want more Mallorca vibes, check some of the photos here and in the Gallery, and keep your eyes peeled for a massive article within the pages of TransWorld Skateboarding in a few months.

Aside from Mallorca, here is what everyone’s been up to and has coming up:

Arto is currently driving from Phoenix to Huntington Beach (driving while this is being typed anyway). After Mallorca he went to Barcelona for a week or so to skate, before heading back to his homeland of Finland to get his new work documents (or business papers if you are a Lebowski fan) for the USA. Once he got those, straight to Arizona to shoot photos and film with the Flip crew…as you may or not know, Flip is working on a new video, and Arto is just getting started filming for it. Next week, he’s headed to New York City for the first celebration of etnies’ 20th anniversary (Ryan, Ronnie, Kyle, Elissa, and Fletcher are also heading out to New York), and then he’ll be headed to Barcelona for a Flip trip until the end of April.

Fun!

Ali left Mallorca headed straight for Australia. His good friend Dustin Dollin was got married earlier this month, and Ali wouldn’t miss that for the world. Ali is still in Australia, skating and probably renting motorbikes, but is headed back to Europe in early April for the Flip Barcelona trip.

Sheckler came back from Mallorca and flew to Tampa, Florida within a couple days for the Tampa Pro contest. Not sure if you saw some of the footage (there was a story here on the etnies site), but basically he killed it. He ended up with a concussion and a 5th place finish. Ryan is currently in Dubai, comes home this weekend, heads to New York next week, and then flies from New York to China…holy crap! That is some heavy traveling, but how about those destinations? Dubai, NYC, China…wow!

A moment with Ronnie Creager

Bastien, who is still trying to get his ultra bruised heel healed, came back from Mallorca and continued the path to foot recovery. A strict diet of doctor visits and guitar sessions had him on the right path, but then he hurt it again on a recent Flip trip to Arizona. He ended up coming back early since he couldn’t skate. Not to fear though, as Bastien is headed back to Paris to see a specialist, to get him fixed up in time for the Flip Barcelona trip. Let’s cross our fingers!

Rune came back from Mallorca and pretty much started his filming for the Flip video straight away. He has been at home in the San Diego area ever since, skating every day. Rune is headed to China (with Sheckler) on the 7th of April for a week, to mainly skate the new massive (world’s biggest) skatepark in Shanghai.

Sheck on a cliff

Mr. Creager has been busy stock-piling as many photos as he possibly can. He has been on daily AZ missions since returning from Mallorca. He has also been finding time to play a round of golf every now and then. He’s headed to New York next week to meet up with the rest of the crew.

Kyle, like Bastien, is trying to nurse a foot injury back to 100 percent healthiness. He basically started skating just before the Mallorca trip, and since then has been skating everyday trying to get the strength in his foot back. After Mallorca (actually about 12 hours after he landed in LA), he flew to China on a weeklong Quiksilver trip. What next? Yup, you guessed it, New York next week.

Ali likes burning stuff...

Elissa has been up in San Francisco ever since the Mallorca trip. When the weather has been good, she’s been bombing hills and skating local SF spots. She’s headed to New York with the rest of the crew on Monday.

Fletcher is in Arizona with the Flip crew shooting photos and filming for the Flip video. A week after getting home from Mallorca, he flew out to SoCal, and when straight to AZ. He’ll be skating in the Phoenix AM contest this weekend, before coming back to SoCal for a night, and then flying out to New York. From New York, he flies directly to Barcelona for that trip you keep reading about.

Rental car...oops

Conhuir is at home in Belfast, Ireland at the moment. After Mallorca, he went to London to shoot an interview for UK-based Sidewalk Skateboarding Magazine. That went well, but he still needs a couple photos to finish it off. Coming up for Conhuir is a Quiksilver- Europe trip that gets started in a couple weeks.

Wow, is that it? It was a lengthy one, but lots of pack in these days. Once the New York trip is over, you’ll get another team update, which will be full of photos, stories, and more. Grip It and Rip It.

Mallorca Photo Gallery!

Fletch's feeding frenzy!

Check out the Mallorca Spain Skate Tour Gallery!

Pads Suck!

Head on over to IASC to read about how you can make your voice heard in the battle to get rid of California's lame skatepark pad laws.

Elissa Steamer Team Page!

Super stoked to let you know we have just put Elissa Steamer's Team Page up! Lots of stuff for you to go check out about the most legendary female skater on the planet we call Earth. For now, I had to hijack an interview from Elissa's etnies Girl page, but don't fret, a new, more updated one is in the works!

Skatepark Sundays!

Skatepark kids!

I hit up the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest on Sunday and decided to share some pix with y'all. Drop by sometime...better yet, try to guess who I am when you are there and I'm skating around and I'll hook you up with free etnies stickers or something.

Skatepark dog!

More skatepark dogs!

Ever try to photograph yourself while ollieing up a euro gap? This is what it looks like. Crap.

This is the Carlos Santana lookalike guitar guy who was playing on the hill all day.

Ali Ali Ali!

We know its been a while since Ali Boulala joined etnies. But seriously, if you knew what a character the fella is, you would have trouble getting an interview out of him too. Plus he's on the other side of the world. So this is just a little note to say that Ali's interview is complete and we are typing it up it for his team page right now. Expect it in a few days! Stoked!

Taste Of Chaos Long Beach!

Story of the Year!

Heading up to Taste of Chaos in Long Beach on Friday. If I can somehow scam more backstage access, you'll get more photos and coverage. Cross your fingers!

Indoor Golf With Creager!

Ronnie handles a 16 set

Golf course or no golf course, sometimes you just gotta get your game on. Just like with his skating, Ronnie Creager is taking golf to the next level...

Double dog chip

Sheck Blog!

Sheck chillin' with some Red Bull

Found this Sheckler blog site on the web this weekend. Stop by and hype it up!

Kickstarting The Weekend With Whitmore!

More Whitmore please!

Ok, so maybe this isn't skate, surf, BMX or snow related, but it is of high importance and no human being should go through the weekend without seeing it!

Sarah Whitmore is a Moto X rider for etnies Girl. From the looks of this photo from her interview in TransWorld MX last month, seems to be a pretty 'lil lady too. Like those star tattoos? So do we, but challenge her on a bike and stars are precisely what you'll end up seeing when she whoops your ass on the track.

More Shecky Tampa Video!

Do you think Sheck's hand ever gets tired?

Skateboarder magazine has some Tampa Pro video, featuring Sheckler, online in case you haven't seen it yet.

Tampa Pro Photo Gallery!

No thongs here. Not even any visible flesh! Don't want to offend anyone do we? Nah, not in 2006, where human flesh still remains offensive to some people. Regardless, looks like productive usage of etnies stickers if you ask me...

Check out the Tampa Pro '06 Photo Gallery!

Ok so there's a lot of Sheckler pix, and my photography isn't the best. So what. Deal with it.

The Next Picasso!

My 7-year old homey Jakob from Rancho Santa Margarita, California whipped up this fine Sheckler piece not too long ago. Looks like Sheck's hair got a little longer. And I'm not quite sure why Sheck is giving the middle finger as he skates this sweet lookin' spine ramp. Might be to all the Sheck haters leavin' harsh comments in the blogs. I saw Jakob in the parking lot at etnies a few weeks ago and he was rockin' the black and pink Artos. Little dude knows wassup!

Super Duper ME (my etnies) Giveaway!

We just launched a brand new exclusive etnies.com contest where you can design and win your own custom-made etnies Callicuts with the ME (my etnies) shoe builder! Try your hand at shoe design and a chance to win! Good Luck!

Best Trick Whoop Dee Doo!

Tyler won. This is a tre flip he landed but hand dragged. Can't lie and pretend it was a clean landing. Sick nonetheless.

Congrats to Tyler Henley for winning Hubbas, Handrails and Stairs—etnies’ first Best Trick contest of 2006, at etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest last Saturday. Henley’s switch frontside tailslide to kickflip out on the hubba beat the competition, and sent him home $100 richer. He also scored $40 in walk-away cash for kickflipping the double set. Hubbas, Handrails and Stairs was the first of four best trick contests for non-professional members of etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest this year.

Joe Utley didn't win cash for this backlip, but he busted a sweet back smith for some dough that I didn't shoot. So I suck and this is the photo you get.

The contest started at noon and the skaters had 45 minutes to pull off tricks to win cash and prizes from etnies. The three judges watched the session and chose the best trick, biggest trick and the worst slam award, and gave 20 dollar bills for landing random tricks called out during the contest. Joe Utley also earned $60 in walk-away cash for his back smith on the square rail. Thirteen year-old Dylan Witkin ripped throughout the contest with proper frontside nosegrinds and backlips winning $40 for third place and another $20 in walk-away cash.

Proper heelflip with some dark and scary clouds behind...

Hubbas, Handrails and Stairs Best Trick Results:

1st – Tyler Henley
2nd – Ryan Van Woerkon
3rd – Dylan Witkin
4th – Tyler Kindred
5th – Gino Scolari

etnies' second best trick contest of the year, on the center box at the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest, will be on April 15.
See you there!

Check out the Gallery for more photos from the event!

RyanSheckler.com Updated

Who is luckier? Sheck or the girls?

Ryan's latest website update might get you stoked...

Arto Takes Photos!

Don't be jealous that you don't skate like this. But be happy that at least someone does...

Check out the April issue of Slap for an article on skateboarders who also like photography. Arto is up in there showcasing his photos and his skating.

Before There Was éS...

Check out the flick on that flip son!

He may be the éS team manager now...but back in the day he was rocking etnies. Jay Maldonado, Brooklyn Banks.

What's Worse Than Rollerbladers?

Harsh!

Found this one on SkateDaily. In case you didn't see it, always fun to see these kooks wreck themselves...

Monday Morning Sheck!

Thrasher has posted some video from Tampa Pro, including one of Sheckler! Check it.

The Team Is Back From Spain!

The entire etnies team has just returned from a Mallorca, Spain filming mission that lasted from February 19 through March 9. There was some crap weather, but for the most part the trip was a productive and a blast. I got a sneak peek at some video footage that will surely please y'all. Stay tuned for more photos and a full report from the team manager soon!

Don't Mess With Riot Police!

etnies does not suggest nor condone that you go spray stuff at riot police during some mayhem like this. However, when a photo comes our way and a dude is rocking our shoes, we gotta show ya!

Caption This

We found this guy being “escorted” out the San Diego Supercross while rockin' etnies.

Top 3 funny captions win a pair of etnies!

Sheck In the News!

Sheck got some coverage in the St. Pete Times (Florida)

Ali In Chill Mag!

If you haven't heard of Chill magazine from France yet, you should check it out. Good stuff from the motherland of etnies, especially the new issue with a full Ali Boulala interview!

Sheckler Tampa Pro Video!

This fine gentleman named Rob Brink posted about 5 minutes worth of Ryan Sheckler footy from last weekend's Tampa Pro!

Best Trick This Weekend!

etnies is hosting the first Best Trick contest of 2006 at the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest on Saturday, March 18. The event starts at noon and will be on the hubba, rail and stair section of the park. Come by, watch the action, or enter yourself!

The info:

45 minute jam session. Judges choose the best tricks. Top 5 and best slam win. Contest is free to enter for all skatepark members. No pros allowed. Sorry! Full pads required.

Last year's winners!

1991 Ad Archive!

In celebration of our 20th, etnies is posting all the old ads we can find in our vault. Check out the stuff we ran in TransWorld in 1991 in the new Ad Archive! Lots more to come!

Don't Forget About the Sheckler Giveaway!

A little STI Lab action with Shecky

Did you enter the etnies Sheckler Giveaway yet?

Congrats To Ryan Sheckler!

Ryan and his Slam trophy.

Just a quick note from the road...Ryan Sheckler was seriously killing it all weekend at Tampa Pro. Many many people had their money on him to win, and it might have happened had he not smacked his head harder than hell on a kickflip backlip down the big rail in his second run of the finals. The slam shook him up quite a bit, but he still came back and skated his third run pretty well. In the end, Ryan took 5th place, and won Skateboarder magazine's award for Best Slam. Congrats Ryan!

Stay tuned this week for more video, stories and photos of Ryan from Tampa Pro

Arto in Thrasher!

Arto gets smithery

Pick up the April '06 issue of Thrasher for an special Skater of the Year interview with Arto Saari!

Who Knew This Guy Had Digestive Issues?

For like 20 years now, late at night flipping channels, I've seen this dude telling me to send him money and talking about God and stuff. It was always pretty boring. I guess I missed this episode though. Seriously folks, farting is never not funny.

Tampa Pro!!!!

Bastien!

The time has come...Tampa Pro 2006. Just landed in Tampa and will be here all weekend to cover this shindig for all y'all. Expect photos, video, nonsense and the unexpected. Word is Sheckler and Creager will be here too. Can Sheckler win two in a row? Remember...Bastien took first in '04 and second last year. Will etnies be on the podium again in '06? Check back over the weekend to find out...

Sheckler On Stuntwood!

Be sure not to miss Stuntwood, featuring Ryan Sheckler and the STI Lab on Fuel TV this weekend! These are the first airings so check 'em out!

Times are as follows:

Sat 3/11
7:58 PM Eastern Time

Sat 3/11
10:58 PM Eastern Time

New ME (my etnies) Skullors!

etnies has just added two new colors (pink and gunmetal) and a skull 'n crossbones pattern to the ME (my etnies) custom shoe builder! Stoked? You should be. Skulls and pink are all the rage.

Ryan's Payday In TransWorld!

Snatch up the May '06 issue of TransWorld for Ryan Sheckler's Payday and enter to win more free Sheckler stuff than you could possibly imagine, including Ryan's new pro model shoe, the Sheckler. But you ain't even in the running until you prove your artistic prowess by designing a board graphic. Have fun and good luck!

Skateboarding, Motivation & Cute Chicks!

Amber loves etnies.com!!!!!!

Skateboards, etnies and smiles...

As an editor of etnies.com, I have one of the raddest jobs ever. I get to write about skateboarding and all types of other fun, silly, and ridiculous stuff for a living.

But even the most perfect job isn't without criticism. Sometimes I get it without asking! Doesn't that suck? You all know how it is, right? You're just doing your own thing, trying to have fun, be creative and make people smile or laugh and someone comes along and just rains on your parade. Blah!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Make more lemonade...

But what's that saying...when life gives you lemons, make lemonade? Ya that's it! Turn the negative into something positive! Take the criticism in stride and do something constructive with it!

So in the wake of the aforementioned unsolicited criticism, I was reminded that the super awesome etnies fans from all over the globe really love hot chicks! That's in addition to skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, BMX and Moto, of course. So let's constructively put more chicks on the site!

Are you down? All in favor, shout it out with a comment!

Furthermore, etnies encourages you to always be yourself. Don't let those who criticize you keep you down or discourage you from doing what you want to do. What do they know anyway? Keep skating, surfing, pedaling, throttling, grinding, sliding, braaaping, pumping, pushing, carving and chasing the ladies. Have fun, stay young, question authority, laugh a lot and enjoi the ride...

Sheck and Creager Oz Video!

TransWorld has posted some footy of Sheckler and Creager from the Global Assault contest. Who won? Ya, you know it...Sheckler won.

Sheckler In Da House!

Sheck shows off his new pro model!

Ryan Sheckler dropped by etnies today to deal with some sneaker business. We got some photos...

Checkin' out some new stuff!

The Step Up Tour Is Over!

Last weekend, the Dutch etnies team finished their month long STEP UP tour in the cities of Groningen and Amsterdam. Check out video and photos from the tour. And don't fret, more will be added shortly, so keep checking back in the coming weeks!

Taste Of Chaos Wrapup!

Evil Cheerleaders are sexy!

The Taste of Chaos Tour kicked off in San Diego a few weeks ago and etnies was there to cover the music, hi jinx, fashion and Evil Cheerleaders! More crappy digicam photos in the Gallery!

You definitely don't care about "integrity" if you're wearing those pants.

A long line...

The guitar guy from Story of the Year rocks out!

The key to all access...

This is how you say "Deftones" in Spanish

Chino from the Deftones and some happy fans

Way Out West Wrapup!

Johnny Cash. So hot right now! done by Clint Peterson

Ok so what if Stereo's Way Out West art show was two weeks ago? I showed up in LA on a rainy Saturday night to a packed house of skaters and art lovers. Artists and pro skaters like Andy Howell, Jason Lee, Chris Pastras, Clint Peterson, Benny Fairfax, Craig Metzger and more were in the house with their works on display and good times were had by all. There's plenty more photos to check out in the gallery!

The only way I can get nipples on the site. Its art! Painting by Andy Howell

Painting by Stereo's Chris Pastras

Skateboards are art too!

Old Tim Brauch etnies ad. R.I.P. buddy...

First Best Trick Contest of '06!

etnies is hosting the first Best Trick contest of 2006 at the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest on Saturday, March 18. The event starts at noon and will be on the hubba, rail and stair section of the park. Come by, watch the action, or enter yourself!

The info:

45 minute jam session. Judges choose the best tricks. Top 5 and best slam win. Contest is free to enter for all skatepark members. No pros allowed. Sorry! Full pads required.

Last year's winners!