These are the last photos I took of Devon Lawson on American soil before he flew overseas on a trip to Thailand. He’s been spending time w/ Jaoa Danaikrit (the only international member of the Wheel Talk Team), Dew Sippawit, and the rest of the Fixed Freestyle scene out there before he heads back to the states in time for the 2014 Red Bull Ride & Style. If you haven’t heard that Red Bull Ride & Style is coming back to San Francisco, then you probably live under a rock. Everybody and their mother has been posting about it, and it looks like it’s going to be a riot as always. So mark your calender and I’ll see you there. Photo Credit : Matt Reyes 35mm
On our overseas adventure we traveled to Japan’s oldest skatepark where we spent the day cruising around while eating Japanese BBQ. Directly next to this ancient skatepark was what appeared to be a small scale amusement park with only a few people there. Ed Wonka, Devon Lawson, Jaoa Danaikrit and I had a fun time figuring out how to ride this strange playground until we got the boot. Apparently great minds think alike because we all ended up doing a mixture of wall ride combinations. Devon w/ the curved wall, Ed hitting the wall ride 180 getting a taste of his sweat towel in the process, and Matt Reyes (myself) with the whale stall. I think Jaoa has some sort of Pinocchio complex because he looks a little too stoked to be in the belly of the beast.
Devon Lawson completely dominated the bunny hop contest at the 9 States Jam by clearing 100cm (1meter). Which was completely mind blowing to me, I took one look at it and knew there was no way I was clearing it. He won the bunny hop contest, and I won the Jam, it was a dual WT finish, and a happy one at that. You can tell by the look on his face in the bottom shot. Head over Bob_Woods’ flickr to check out some of the other photos he took at the jam. Photos : Bob_Woods (top) / Froots (bottom)
Our journey to Japan for the 9 States Jam was by far the most exciting trip I’ve ever been on. I was real stoked to hang out and ride with everybody at the jam. I’m pretty sure we slapped a Wheel Talk sticker on every bike in the place. Not to mention laced everybody up with Breezy Excursion & Us Versus Them gear. It’s good to see that the Fixed Freestyle scene in Japan is alive and well. See more of the photos Bob_Woods took HERE. Photo Credit : Bob_Woods
Jaoa Danaikrit‘s unique style made him an instant stand out at the 9 States Jam in Japan. Throwing tricks like tailwhips, whiplashes, nose manual barspins, as well as some of the cleanest ice picks anyone has ever seen. Check out more of Bob_Woods’ photos from the jam HERE. Photo Credit : Bob_Woods
It’s official, with the help of Chrome Industries & Rinng, the homie Ed Wonka was able to do some last minute planning and is now going to come with us to Japan later this month. During our stay we’ll be at Nine States Jam as well as doing a mini tour across the country. If you want to meet up with us while we’re there, shoot me a message HERE and I’ll keep you updated w/ our whereabouts. To everyone out in Japan, we’ll see you in the next few days.
On August 21st Devon Lawson and I (Matt Reyes) are flying out to Japan with Seitaro Iki to take part in a couple of events and do a 9 State tour across the country. We’ll be in Nagasaki at Koe Skatepark to ride in the Nine States Jam on August 25th 2013, and will be in Tokyo for the last few days of our trip. We’re both real stoked to be a part of this and check out the Fixed Freestyle scene outside of our own backyard. If you live out in Japan and want to ride with us, shoot me a message HERE and we’ll try to meet up sometime during our 2 week stay.
Dew’ Sippawit and Jaoa Danaikrit came from Thailand to San Francisco for the 2013 Red Bull Ride & Style. They’ve been staying at my house since the event, and have been crushing all the street spots out here while they’re still in the states. Needless to say, I’m real stoked to have them here and can’t even believe some of the tricks they’ve been pulling. Keep your eyes peeled for more from them in the near future. (more…)
Zane just dropped this teaser for the 2nd issue of Can’t Fool The Youth. Devon has a full section in this issue, and there’s a huge chunk of clips from our trip to Seattle. I’ve grown to love that Chrome van after all the traveling we’ve done in it. Check out this video and you’ll see what I mean. I can’t wait to watch the full thing, which is going to be premiered at this year’s Red Bull Ride & Style.
Ed Laforte, better known as “Wonka” recently moved back to NYC after living in San Jose, CA for a hot min. We spent most of the time he lived here filming for Shredwell2, a full length DVD we’ve been working on for nearly a year now. We’re hammering out some of the finer details and getting ready to get it out of our hands, and into yours. There’s going to be a premiere at the Chrome Store in Chicago on Dec 11th, if you’re in the area I suggest you go check it out.