Puerto Escondido 09

Puerto Escondido Beachbreak:
The beachbreak at Playa Zicatela is one of the heaviest in the world. In the morning, the offshore winds blow strong until midday. A typical day in Puerto requires surfing the beachbreak in the morning and then heading to one of the secret points around Puerto.















Bungalows Zicatela:
The Bungalows Zicatela, where a lot of surfers that come to Puerto stay. Nice rooms, a pool, and perfect waves all within walking distance.



















The Mexican Flag:
This is a shot of a flag that stands on the hill above Puerto.















Boat Ride To Secret Wave:
The boat ride to a secret wave was amazing. The boat cruised through these swamps to get to the spot. The waves at this spot were amazing. A perfect sand bottom point comparable to the Gold Coast of Australia.















Last Day In Puerto:
Our final morning was perfect. Some amazing waves to end the trip.

Vans Skate Team Shoot At Bucky Lasek's House

The Backyard Bowl and view of
Bucky's Palace:

Vans invited me to help film a bonus feature for the release of the new Dogtown and The Z Boys DVD. We arrived at Bucky's house around 11 and walked up to the top of the hill in his backyard overlooking the San Diego valley. What we found at the top of the hill was a concrete vert bowl that Bucky designed himself, possibly the largest concrete bowl in the world. Standing inside of the bowl felt like you were walking in a crater on the moon to give some perspective to the size of this bowl.















PLG blasting at Bucky's Bowl:

In the morning Bucky, Rob Lorifice, Josh Borden, and Josh Stafford had a warm-up session. Bucky put on a display of his vert antics, blasting on every corner of the bowl. After doing some interviews we took a lunch break. When the day was finally cooling down and the sun began to set a few more skaters showed up to session at the bowl. PLG, Chris Miller, Cookie, and a few others began blasting and the session was on. Chris Miller was so impressive with his effortless style and confidence in at the bowl.PLG was blowing up and had a local kid with him, teaching him how to skate the bowl.I could not imagine how stoked the kid must have been, getting to have a private session with his hero at Bucky's house. Bucky was a really down to earth individual and it was great having the opportunity to meet him. You can see the video from this session in a few months in the Bonus section of the release of the new Dogtown and the Z Boys DVD.
















Jared and I on the bowl:

Jared Abe from Vans and myself on top of the bowl. It is hard to get a perspective of the size and dimensions of the bowl these guys are skating. I could only equate the size of this bowl to a huge wave at Mavericks. Only the most experienced skaters could skate that bowl. It is a one of a kind sight.















Camera eye view of the session:

This a great shot to see through my eyes what it is like to film at one of these sessions.















Skater on the Bowl:
This is a shot of the evening session. A beautiful sunset and some insane skating to end the day. It was a one of a kind experience and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity.

Thanks again to VANS

Southern California trip August 09 Part 1

Trip to Southern California August 19, 2009

This week I am in Southern California filming for Vans and the release of the new Dogtown and Z Boys DVD. We will be filming a feature for the bonus DVD with members of the Dogtown cast and Vans skate teamriders. Check back for more pics and video from the session.















Driving through Big Sur there is a waterfall on the beach at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. With a transparent blue lagoon and waterfall that endlessly flows onto the sand, there is no place more peaceful.



















The classic Vans logo pasted on a wall in the headquarters. A phrase and style that stays true to the brand and sports it represents. Vans is the one and only original skate shoe.



















The entrance to Vans headquarters. The design and decor model a skateboard ramp throughout the building. Many of the walls are covered with wood from a skateboard ramp and the main hallway in this picture is a tribute and display to Vans history.















The skate ramp and wherehouse at Vans. Lunchtime for employees is well spent. Walking around the office people get around with skateboards. It is a refreshing sight.



















Walking through the Vans headquarters is a time warp in skate and surf culture. Through every twist and turn, the walls are plastered with various collections of art. Many of these artists have put their designs on Vans classic shoes.



















Original artwork by Vans team rider and iconic skateboarder Geoff Rowley. This artwork was done for an art show to celebrate the release of the new Vans book.















My 5 year old angel, Skylar, and her god brother Dylan at the beach in Carmel, Ca.



















My beautiful Daughter Isla. With each heart beat her smiles grows bigger and laugh sweeter.

Vans European Vacation 09

Europe holds a special place in my heart. From the topless sand beaches of France to the shady streets of the red light district of Amsterdam, Europe is always an adventure.

This past week I was cruising up and down the coast of Spain to the southern beaches of
France.  Accompanied by Vans teamriders Joel Tudor and Alex Knost,
captain fin's Mitch Abshere, and an Italian friend of Joel's, Danielle.  It was a
trip of a lifetime thanks to Vans and Scott Sisamis.




Upon arrival into the airport in Spain, we were greeted by some
familiar faces.  Vans Europe and the community of Playa Salinas
took us immediately to the beach for some 3 - 4 foot peaks.



We spent 2 days surfing and cruising around Playa Salinas, Spain.
Upon checking the forecast we saw more favorable conditions about
5 hours away by car in Biarritz, France.  In the evening we drove all
night and arrived to our hotel on the sand at around 2 in the morning.

After a night on the town we opened our eyes to 3 foot perfection on
the grand plage of Biarritz.  Over the next 2 days our sessions were
epic.  Sunshine, 75 degree water and air, and light offshores winds
blessed us.  Joel, Alex, Mitch, and Danielle were
on fire, everyone putting on a display of grace and style that only
these guys possess.

After 2 days of amazing surf in France we ended our stay with some
pizza and one of the most spectacular sunsets I have ever seen.
Then we set sail to our final destination on our European
extravaganza, the infamous city of Amsterdam.




We arrived in Amsterdam in the evening and got immediately into a taxi
to head to the city center.  As we got into our taxi the
driver informed us that it was her 3rd day driving a cab.  She
proceeded to get lost for about 45 minutes until we finally had to
force her drop us off before we ended spending the night in the cab.

We finally walked to our hotel and got settled for the next day of
adventure.  Amsterdam with Joel was a time I will never forget.  
We managed to squeak in some sightseeing,The Anne Frank
House and Van Gogh museum. 

And now back to reality.  The trip was a great success and the video
to come is going to be amazing.  Thanks to Scott Sisamis and the Vans
surf team for such a great trip.