sock it to 'em boy

MITCH ABSHERE PUNKS & POETS from Stance on Vimeo.

I've always liked Mitch Abshere, both his style in and out of the water, and for his honesty.  I've never spoken to him although i know he's friends with people i know.

A long time ago i read a interview with him in the long defuct Longboard Magazine. Mitch was just on the up after a pretty deep dive through partying too hard to a DUI and a stint in jail. While i'm not religious at all, it's clear that discovering a faith really helped Mitch get his life back on track. While i'm sure Mitch has been a jerk to some one cant help but respect someone who has put his life back together like he has.

Since then seems like he's in a good place and his captain fin co stuff is always interesting. Cool shops too, kinda like the original revolver but in California.

It might be a little middle aged to get excited about socks (least it's not slippers) but Stnce make some comfy, hard wearing pairs in a massive selection of quirky styles. Worth treating your feet to!

Mitch Abshere -What We Ride from Moose Huerta on Vimeo.

smooth 'n' casual

2 Sessions x Scotty Stopnik from Jack Belli on Vimeo.

In a nutshell, this is why i love surfing in California. Sun, sunsets and glassy peelers, artfully recorded by Jack Belli who is a super talented photographer and runs a rad little blog here

so crude

Every time i think i'm getting better at taking photo's i come across another super talented photographer who puts my meagre efforts to shame.

Todays subject of my admiration is Mark Choiniere who has a really rad collection of pictures on his site here, including some great stuff of Mike Vallely. Vallely used to be another of my favorite skaters. Though i know he somewhat divides opinion these days, i must have watched and tried to emulate his part in "public domain" so many times i almost wore the tape out. That and his parts in the speedfreaks video, set to dinosaur jr and his part in the world video, rubbish heap were really influential. Check out youtube if you want to see them. Vallely is still ripping today, (check out mikevallely.com) and whatever you think of him, it's a dead cert that he cares about skateboarding as much as anyone.

This photo shows Turkey Stopnik and Mitch Abshere on their way to Church with a particularly fine Captain fin company d fin. One of the many photos on Marks site that makes me want to go surfing!

you scratched my anchor

You Scratched My Anchor - Trailer from RVCA on Vimeo.

from the peeps that brought you "tales from the black van" and pretty much guaranteed to be sick....coming soon.

In their own words, (thanks Mitch!)

After the lingering nip in the air from our frosty winter in southern california, who wants to be warm and snugly, go to the beach and get emotional about south swells? Lets all whip up a cold pitcher of fresh squeezed lemonade, drag the boobtube onto the back porch and gather the kiddies around. Here comes Alex Knost, Kassia Meador, Ratboy, Jared Mell, Tyler Warren, Mitch Abshere, Scotty Stopnik, James Reed, and Jai Lee!

Quite!