Back in Cali like he never left, perennial skate rat Josh Kalis packed a week full of skateboarding and media appearances into a recent trip to SoCal: A Nine Club appearance and more. Check it all out in the new episode from DGK.
„Back in California for a weekend and hit The Nine Club, Jkwon and the DGK x Kaido House event in Los Angeles. See it all in Welcome Back – Episode 16. Filmed & Edited By: Mikey Callender“
Check out some behind the scenes of The Nine Club’s studio/apartment, hanging with his old pal Stevie Williams, hitting up the Kaido House event, then a classic Sunday session at JKwon with a big crew.
Back when Josh was living in North County San Diego just a stone’s throw from the TWS office and skatepark, and his sponsors at The Kayo Corp were just one business park complex over, he’d be in our skatepark all the time. Check out his classic Skate Nerd episode versus Peter Smolik.
You know we had to barge Kalis‘ house and film a SkateHoarders with him:
One of the sickest TWS video commentaries we’ve ever done has to be Kalis‘ on his seminal Sixth Sense part. Filmed inside of two weeks, get all the dirt on the Love Park monologue and more.
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New Balance Numeric and Liverpool’s Lost Art skate shop have joined forces on a special NM600 collab shoe with Tom Knox leading the charge. Don’t call ‚em dad shoes! These classics are reimagined for skateboarding with skateboarders in mind. Take a look:
We’re always stoked to see major shoe brands supporting skate shops on levels like this. New Balance has been on a roll, too! Love to see it. And more importantly, I’m stoked to see Tom Knox getting all the shine he deserves. Dude rips. Simple as that.
It only takes a few seconds in the comments to realize how stoked folks are for these. Sometimes you can just look at a shoe and know it’ll perform. These look as strong as they do comfortable, and that subtle grey colorway is super easy on the eyes. If they work for Tom, they’ll work for you!
The shoes are available on the Lost Art site. Peep them here. Hey, the holidays are here. Snag some before they’re gone! Big ups to NB#, Lost Art and Tom Knox on this epic collaboration. Keep the skate shop collabs coming!
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We can’t say enough good things about this collab between skater-owned core shop Rose Street and big time shoe co. Converse CONS. On the eve of Rose Street’s five year anniversary and the One Star’s 50 year watermark, the two got together to do a shoe, a zine and a video. It’s all so lovely. We teased it in previous posts, then this past Saturday night in Encinitas, the video premiered and the shoe dropped in a righteous evening full of skateboarding. Peep the video filmed and edited by the Rose Street team, it’s beautiful.
„In Celebration of 50yrs of the One Star & 5yrs of Rose Street Skateshop
Our Rose Street One Star
Filmed & Edited by Brandon Cortez Additional filming By Kyle Geldert & Ryan Lee
The shoes look great in the footage, and these dudes found all kinds of spots in San Diego, Salt Lake City, and beyond. Jake’s double flip over the rail is a heater.
Below: The zine is great. Get your hands on a copy if you can. They come with the shoes or can be bought separately.
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The holidays are officially here, and if you have a new skateboarder on your gift list, finding the perfect present can be as fun as it is challenging. That’s why we’re here!
From pre-built complete skateboards to essentials like helmets and pads, strong skate shoes, apparel, useful accessories, lessons, and so much more, there are plenty of great options to consider. Whether you’re looking to provide some safety, style or stoke, here are seven great holiday gift ideas that will get any aspiring skater hyped.
1. Pre-Built Skateboard Completes
Don’t get me wrong—there’s nothing better than walking into a skate shop and picking out all your parts for a brand new complete. For many of us, it’s what made skateboarding so rad and magical in the first place. But these days, a ton of companies and local skate shops alike offer pre-built complete skateboards with beginners in mind. (Available in a variety of different shapes and sizes!)
Save time and money with a pre-assembled skateboard complete!
The benefits? Well, they’re always a little easier on your wallet, for one. And the majority of them still come with proper trucks, wheels, bearings, etc. Another obvious benefit is that they’re 100% ready to use. The hard part is over! Toss it under the tree, and boom—your job is done. Honestly, there’s nothing better than waking up and seeing a brand-new skateboard sitting there. It’s literally the gift that keeps on giving.
When it comes to stocking stuffers, there’s nothing quite like skate accessories and parts. The best part is, you can truly never have enough of them! From skate wax to spare bearings and hardware, extra bushings to rails, wheels, socks, speed cream… stickers!
The list honestly goes on, and pretty much every skate shop on the planet has a few shelves stocked with tons of goodies that any new (or old) skateboarder will love and appreciate. It’s often the little things that bring the most joy. All of these items are super affordable, too. Necessities, baby!
All the fun stuff + great stocking stuffers!
3. Pads and Helmets
One essential item that every new skateboarder should have in their arsenal (well, besides a skateboard itself) is a set of helmet and pads. Falling is an unavoidable part of skateboarding, regardless of skill level. In fact, I’d argue it’s basically guaranteed. While skaters may learn how to fall better as they progress, the reality is that the unforgiving cement always hurts. Having the right protective gear can make all the difference in staying safe on the board for beginners.
More importantly, having pads on will absolutely provide any new skateboarder with more confidence, which will ultimately speed up their progression. Plus, pads and a helmet are still mandatory at certain skateparks and camps. Better safe than sorry!
You could argue this list is sort of categorized between „wants“ and „needs“ but one thing every skateboarder certainly needs is solid skate shoes! Whether you’re just starting out, consider yourself a hometown hero, an aspiring pro—whatever!—the shoes you wear can make all the difference when it comes to skateboarding.
Personally, I suggest rolling down to your local skate shop and admiring all the options on their shoe wall. There’s nothing better than seeing and feeling everything right in front of you. Take a seat, take it all in and leave with confidence knowing you got the right size and fit. There’s certainly no shortage of options out there these days, so again, hit your local and find the perfect pair!
I remember flipping through old CCS catalogs as a kid, circling every item I saw, often based on what my favorite pros were wearing or riding. This excitement hasn’t faded even into my 30s, and honestly, I hope it never does! Skate fashion has influenced countless subcultures over the decades, and the same holds true today. Skaters love to dress like skaters!
Say what you want, but clothes are always a great gift, especially when they come from your favorite brands or, even better, a local skate shop. The art, logos… all of it. It’s a way for new skateboarders to make a statement. How’s the saying go? Look good, feel good.
Look good, feel good (on and off the board!)
6. Accessible Ramps, Rails and Boxes
We’ve come a long way from the crusty, makeshift ramps and rails I used to skate in my front yard as a kid, but the mission remains the same! There’s nothing like having all your friends over, setting up a kicker ramp, box, or flatbar, and creating a DIY skatepark right outside your house.
Brands like Keen Ramps and Blunt Steel have made it easier than ever to assemble, transport, and store various skateboarding obstacles. And honestly, they’re all pretty reasonably priced considering the amount of stoke they provide!
Endless fun! Easy to move! Spread the stoke this holiday season.
Most importantly, for beginners, these moveable ramps and rails offer a perfect opportunity to get comfortable on their board and progress at their own pace, without the crowds and stress of a busy skatepark. Best gift ever! Actually, if any of my friends or family are reading this… I want that rail up there. Thanks!
7. Skateboarding Lessons
Getting the new skateboarder in your life some skateboarding lessons is the perfect gift! And there’s certainly no shortage of skateboarding camps and classes being offered across the globe these days, from local skateparks to private training facilities and everywhere in between.
The California Skateparks Training Facility in Vista, California (CATF) is a great option if you’re in Southern California. It’s literally where the Olympians skate! But as I mentioned, there are a ton of coaches and instructors running lessons at public skateparks all over!
First lesson is free at CA|TF!
Gaining that much needed confidence as a beginner can be hard, but lessons provide a safe and fun environment to progress at their own pace. Tap the post below to learn more about all the benefits that skateboarding lessons can provide beginners.
As far as gifts for new skateboarders are concerned, there are tons of other great options out there. Sure. But at the same time, I’d say any of these items here would be a major win for the aspiring ripper in your life!
Shoot, I’d be stoked on any of these, and I’ve been doing this for 20+ years! Truly never gets old. Keep these items in mind as you shop around the next few weeks. Hope you and the fam have a great holiday! Enjoy those festive sessions.
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The big cities across the world, maybe they’re the capitals of these nations, get all the shine. We all know about London, Paris, NYC, etc. But what about the smaller cities, sister towns, the quieter metropolises that don’t get visited by the big skate tours yet hold secret treasure troves of skate spots? Well, we’ve been to a handful, and we’re letting the cat out of the bag. Tired of seeing footage from the same rinsed scenes around the world? Try these oft-overlooked cities on for size. We guarantee they’ll be worth your time.
1. Taichung, Taiwan
You’ve likely seen tons of skate footage out of Taiwan. Nike SB, LRG, to name just a couple companies that have scoured the island nation for its spots that go crazy. Taipei gets all the shine, but take a bullet train two hours south and discover what the slower-paced city of Taichung has to offer. A creek runs through the whole town, and there are natural concrete kickers over the water in certain spots. Taichung is also home to the best brick quarterpipe-to-curb spot in the world.
Brandon Bonner flies a frontside 360 Ollie off one of Taichung’s natural kickers. Photo: Blair Alley
2. Hanoi, Vietnam
Spend some time in Anthony Bourdain’s favorite city in Northern Vietnam, and you’ll see what all the hype is about. It’s got two of the best, smoothest marble plazas the world’s ever seen (Lenin Plaza and Lý Thái Tổ Plaza), and the whole city is dirt cheap. Sit outside a local, family-owned pho restaurant and eat for $1.50 USD. The best and most fun way to get around the city is via motorbike. Head to the outskirts of town for an amazing skateable, picturesque temple. Roam the formerly French-occupied streets at night with cheap Bia Saigon and party with travelers from around the world.
Oh, the plazas you’ll skate! Lý Thái Tổ Plaza in Hanoi. Photo Blair Alley
3. Hamburg, Germany
The city where The Beatles put in their 10,000 hours of work, and home to Richie Loffler’s Mantis Skateshop and Trap Skateboards, and the bucket-list-worthy Wilhelmsburg Banks! Europe’s third-largest port city is actually quite small and easy to get around. The locals are friendly, food is great, and there are tons of art and museums. After skating all day, be sure to check out the Reeperbahn, home to the nightclub where The Beatles honed their craft, plus the street is full of all kinds of late-night fun.
Leo Heinert puts it all on the line in Hamburg. Photo Blair Alley
We’ve got to admit that we didn’t know much about Leeds, but we just watched this incredible video piece by The Ben Raemers Foundation, and it looks to be about the best skate scene in the world. They’ve got the street spots, the indoor park, the outdoor bowl and the shop is doing all kinds of great things to support the scene. Those football kits are sick!
5. Mar Del Plata, Argentina
Sure, if you ever take the flight down to South America, you might hit the massive streets and plazas of Buenos Aires, but how many take the bus ride out to the coast to sample Milton Martinez’s stomping grounds in Mar Del Plata? Well, we can tell you the beachside city has everything you need. Skateparks, street spots, amazing restaurants, sunbathing and more. Stay at La Maquinita hostel with the mini ramp right across from the beach, say hello to Ezequiel, and tell him TransWorld sent ya!
6. Bordeaux, France
Like many cities on this list, Bordeaux gets outshined by its bigger sister city, in this case, Paris. But it’s very much worth taking the time to discover what the Magenta team already knows: Bordeaux is just as beautiful as Paris but smaller, easier to navigate and with a fraction of the tourists and crowds. You’ve got to powerslide down the butter-smooth “Magenta hallway” at least once in your life. Check our articles with the Sour team and the Riddles in Mathematics crew to get a little slice of the French scene in the city of great wine.
Gustav Tonnesen in the suburbs of Bordeaux. Photo Blair Alley
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Nils Svensson has been documenting the Swedish skateboarding scene and beyond for over 30 years. Now at the age of 50, he is questioning his relevance and how many years he’s got left. Dive into this hefty documentary that covers three decades of skateboarding and the art of capturing it forever. From Polar Skate Co. and FujiFilm.
„Original soundtrack by Joshua Ng, Sondre Mortensen & Andrew Gibbons. Starring Nils Svensson, Pontus Alv, Danijel Stankovic, Martin Ottosson, Tor Ström, Martin Nilsson, Sarah Meurle, Oskar Rozenberg and many more“
Nils‘ photos are timeless. The black and white stuff on film is pure photographic beauty. Malmö has a scene like no other. What Pontus and the Polar crew have created has reverberated around the world. The DIY spots, the filming and editing style with their videos—it’s an aesthetic admired, and copied, all over.
They touch on all aspects of being a skateboard photographer: You’ve gotta have high standards for your work, you’ve gotta have and cultivate a good relationship with your subjects, and at the core, you’ve got to be a skateboarder yourself. Congrats to Polar and especially Nils on this one. A lifetime dedicated to bringing us into your world—and it looks beautiful.
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Call me crazy, but it feels like éS continues to hit us with heavy doses of nostalgia during our daily doom scrolling! The iconic (and recently updated) ‚Two Nine 8‘ has been back for a minute, but only in select colorways.
These black and yellows just scream late 90s/early 00s! And they’re officially back. Get a closer look below, along with all the details on these unearthed gems.
„One of the most iconic skate shoes of all time has made it’s triumphant return: Introducing the newly retooled Two Nine 8,“ éS proudly mentions on their website. „This groundbreaking design, which was a top seller in the late 90s and early 2000s is fréSh from the vaults, ready to become a favorite of the new generation.“
For you skate nerds and sneaker heads out there, peep the nitty-gritty details:
Triple Stitched Toe Cap and ollie area
Reflective mesh panels for breathability and style
While you’re here, you should tap that post above and watch Aimu Yamazuki put these classic kicks to the test in the LA streets a few months back when they were just teasing ‚em. Almost feels like you’re watching an old 411VM commercial or something, and I mean that in the best possible way.
But back to the éS vault—the newly updated ‚Two Nine 8‘ is available in „black“ and „navy/white“ as well right now, with the black/yellow colorway rounding them all out. Look for them at your local skate shop or the éS online store.
Nostalgia has been a heavy theme this year and I’m here for it.
I mean, you won’t see me rocking these, but those who can pull them off… get there!
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The new Hockey Holiday collection just dropped and should be blessing board walls and the Hockey/FA site as I write this. And to celebrate, they hit us with a new short but sweet Andrew Allen edit as well. Take a look:
Although Andrew’s skating has changed and evolved quite a bit over the years, he still has an eye for spots. I can appreciate that he’s often tackling terrain that really compliments his style and approach, and clips like that switch front nose pop-over prove that he still has a deep bag of surprises for us. Such a perfect trick for that spot. But not before getting bodied!
His new ‚Hurt Temple‘ graphic looks sick, as do all the planks and apparel in Hockey’s Holiday collection. Lots of good stuff from Fitzgerald, Kadow, Stain, Todd and the rest of the squad.
And while I’ll happily take little clips and parts from the team here and there when they’re offered, I’d love to see a full-length from this crew in 2025. Anyone else?
Peep Andrew’s new graphic along with the rest of Hockey’s latest drop here. There are definitely some gems peppered in the mix. Hockey graphics remain raw and out there, to say the least, but you gotta give the people what they want!
Since you’re here—have you seen Joseph Campos‘ new part? Peep it below!
The Hockey team is as stacked as ever! Cop a new plank and hit the streets.
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We talked about this yesterday, and now we’ve got the full deets on the Rose Street Skateshop x Converse CONS One Star limited-edition shoe. Have a gander at the shoe below and read on for release details.
Inspired by a family trip to Japan, our Cyprus Green/Cherry Blossom colorway reflects the country’s beautiful landscapes. Our roots with @converse_cons run deep & we’re honored to sow the seeds & celebrate our joint milestones.
50 pairs were produced, with a small size run available for purchase. Sizes 6-12.
Joining this release is a 64-page zine curated by @noahf1001 & a lovely video edit by @brandogdog
Shoes, zine & edit drops in store this Saturday Dec 7th, 6-9PM. Details will follow.
Thanks to our Rose St. Crew for bringing this project to you visually.
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Heavy revs from the Hawk’s Nest to the Sloanyard and everywhere in between, Blood Wizard officially welcomes Asahi Kaihara to the squad with a ripping new video part. Congrats, Asahi! This is a perfect match.
Asahi clearly isn’t messing around and absolutely deserves an official spot on the Blood Wizard roster. Her unique bag of tricks and effortless style are just a few of the things that really standout here, at least in my opinion, but the fact that she’s holding her own on some of the heaviest ramps in the game says more than enough.
At the same time, she’ll rip a backyard pool with power and finesse, letting her skating do the talking from beginning to end. So rad.
There were definitely more than a few clips that caught me by surprise in this part. And again, if you’re getting the OK to skate Tony Hawk’s private ramp, Elliot Sloan’s wild backyard setup, and Bob Burnquist’s recently-cemented Dreamland—just to name a few—you must be doing something right! Love to see it.
I’ve always been a fan of Blood Wizard, too. They’re raw and you could argue they’re a bit low key, but that’s just part of what makes them so rad. Securing a spot on their roster of underground heavy-hitters is no small feat. And like I said, Asahi fits the mold perfectly.
If this is your first time watching Kaihara skate, this is quite the proper introduction. And this is just a small taste! She certainly came out swinging in her debut part and I’m excited to see what she brings to the table in 2025. Keep your foot on the gas, Asahi! We see you.
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