BOOK: Vans Book (published 6/09)
AUTHOR: Doug Palladini
FUN FACT: Vans has been holding it down for over 40 years and started making special customizaions in the early days of the company (when iD was still something that Freud talked about). Shoppers could bring their favorite fabric by the factory, and the Van Dorens would put together a pair of shoes for them that week. You can design your own Vans through the company site today.
WHY COMPLEX IS CO-SIGNING IT: While the kids are going nuts because Vans is O.G. skate, affordable, and there are about a billion colorways to choose from, this book breaks down a history of the company. History is boring, right? Author/curator Doug Palladini pre-empts your study hall whining by giving you the tales from the super heroes’ mouths. Chapters with skaters Tony Alva, Steve Caballero and John Cardiel; surfer Joel Tudor; music legends’ tales from the Warped Tour; and a photo essay on Frenchman Dimitri Coste’s crazy collection each show a facet of the company that you wouldn’t know otherwise. When it comes to reading we need a lot of pictures to look at, and this does the trick with 208 pages that include photographs by champions of the lens CR Stecyk, R. Grant Brittain, Art Brewer, and Trevor Graves.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PREVIEWS OF THE BOOK & BUY IT!
After enduring a grueling flight from New York, Complex finally touched down in Lake Forest, California last night for the etnies Goofy vs. Regular contest. Judged by the World Cup of Skateboarding, the three-day competition pits the world's best goofy (right foot forward) and regular (left foot forward) riders against each other to declare which stance is better. Last night, the weekend-long contest kicked off with series of bowl jams ' Omar Hassan took the top spot for the pros while Steve Caballero won the Grand Masters and Holly Lyons repped for the ladies in the etnies Girl Push Jam. See the other top winners below and check Complex.com for more daily updates.
Pro Bowl Jam Final Results
1 Omar Hassan Costa Mesa, CA (USA)
2 Rune Glifberg Copenhagen, DEN
3 Brian Patch Huntington Beach, CA (USA)
4 Bruno Passos Rio de Janiero, BRA
5 Taylor Bingaman Sacramento, CA (USA)
6 Chris Cudlipp Kehei, HI (USA)
7 Aaron Astorga San Diego, CA (USA)
8 Jimmy The Greek Clearwater, FL (USA)
9 Vince del Valle Kenmore, WA (USA)
10 Tim Johnson St. Marys, GA (USA)
Grand Masters Bowl Jam Final Results
1 Steve Caballero San Jose, CA (USA)
2 Lance Mountain Alhambra, CA (USA)
3 Lester Kasai Anaheim, CA (USA)
4 Jeff Grosso Arcadia, CA (USA)
5 Micke Alba Montclair, CA (USA)
6 Glen Charnoski Boulder, CO (USA)
7 Pat Ngoho Venice, CA (USA)
8 Mike Smith Hermosa Beach, CA (USA)
9 Steve Alba Badlands, CA (USA)
10 Jesse Martinez Venice, CA (USA)
Etnies Girl PUSH Jam Final Results
1 Holly Lyons Walnut Creek, CA (USA)
2 Cressey Rice Phoenix, AZ (USA)
3 Heidi Fitzgerald Clearwater, FL (USA)
4 Kristi Sanders Orange, CA (USA)
5 Julie Kindstrand Santa Ana, CA (USA)
6 Mandy Esch Orange, CA (USA)
7 Alize Montes Seal Beach, CA (USA)
8 Heidi Kreis San Pedro, CA (USA)
9 Melissa O’Grady Santa Monica, CA (USA)
10 Melissa Dafnos Costa Mesa, CA (USA)
Great things come in twos; we're talking in sports here. Jordan and Pippen, Aikmen and Smith, Canseco and McGuire, Hosoi and Hawk ' skateboarding's dynamic duo. Last night at New York's Knitting Factory, Christian Hosoi, the rock star anti-thesis to Tony Hawk's nerdy fundamentals, and arguably the greatest skateboarder of all time, previewed his new documentary Rising Son: The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi for a packed house of fans and legends (Steve Caballero). Soon to be released this November, the DVD oddly produced by rap documentarian QD3 and Quiksilver, chronicles the life of Hosoi, narrated by Dennis “Pop Question” Hopper. The film's twists and curveballs were nothing compared to Hosoi's historical flamboyance, like rocking pink pants and hair extensions'and you thought skinny-jeans were funny-style. Tony Hawk, Tony Alva, Danny Way, and Jason Lee all hailed the king of skate, just like the audience when he took the stage at the end of the film to briefly speak about his rocky life of fame, prison, and finding God.
After a whirlwind of a career, Hosoi is living well skating for Quiksilver, taking care of his family and as a church pastor.
He’s still go it.
Images provided by Quiksilver
Complex’s treats and Christian Hosoi.
