It’s hard to believe that it’s almost been a year since we left on our voyage to Japan. Editing the video from this trip got put on back burner in order to finish up Word Is Bond, but is now ready to be released. Expect a new Wheel Talk video coming out sometime next week. Until then, here’s a couple photos I dug up of Ed “Wonka” Laforte doing a double peg at this nearly abandoned amusement park we rode while staying in Tokyo. Check out more photos from that day here.
With the summer in full effect, we’ve been making use of the extended daylight and doing a lot of filming after work. Here’s an older photo I found of Ed Wonka doing a smith with only a sliver of light left illuminating the spot. Although this photograph is only a few months old, the loading dock has been completely covered by cement and fenced off. We managed to shoot this image a couple days before they remodeled the exterior of the building and covered up the spot. Photo Credit : Matt Reyes
With an endless sea of new terrain, we’ve been putting in work uncovering and uncapping spots for the betterment of the community. Here’s a few black & white 35mm photos that just came back from the lab of everybody hanging out and riding in Oakland last weekend. Dew blasted a huge toboggan across this stair set, landing on just the last few steps while MTS filmed from the side. Ed Wonka came through to shred and remind us why tooth hangovers are his specialty. And Devon Lawson and Jaoa Danaikrit shared some ice cream. Check out more below.
Photo Credit : Turf Mob
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It’s been a minute since I looked through the photos from our trip to Japan. Seitaro took us to the University he studied at in Fukuoka and took these couple shots of Ed “Wonka” Laforte riding pegs down this handrail. Shortly after catching the clip we got the boot and had to venture elsewhere in search of other places to ride. We need to plan another trip back to Fukuoka to see all our friends and shred in Japan again.
Photo Credit : Seitaro Iki
Seitaro Iki shot this photo of Ed Wonka muscling out a tooth hangover while we wrapped up filming for the new Turf Bikes video. If you’ve seen Word Is Bond, then I’m sure you’ll recognize this shot from the last clip in his section. Ed hangovers rails that few would even attempt, and has no problems blasting through even the deadliest of kinks. Which is why I consider tooths to be Ed’s signature move. Read more below to see the screen shot from Mike’s angle. Photo Credit : Seitaro Iki (more…)
As promised here’s some more screen shots from The upcoming Turf Bikes Video, “Word Is Bond”. Ed “Wonka” LaForte’s section is sure to impress considering there’s few people who are willing and able to try some of the tricks Ed does. The official web release is on 4.20.2014 less than 5 days from now. If you missed the last 2 premiere’s then you can still make the one in China going down on April 19th. Otherwise kick back and wait to watch it on the internet just like everybody else. Check out more screen grabs below. (more…)
Here’s a bunch of 35mm shots that we took last weekend for the third installment of the TURF Sundaze Series. There’s few things more rewarding than shooting action shots on film. It’s a fingers crossed kind of business where knowledge of your craft makes all the difference. For this week’s installment Mike Schmitt & I showed up at Ed’s house unannounced. Part of which made me feel like a kid again, back when showing up to a friend’s house to see if they can come out and play was mandatory. After a some morning breakfast at Ed’s we headed into Oakland in search of new shit to shred. We caught a couple flicks and then headed back into Alameda where we explored some abandoned buildings on the base. Check out more photos from last Sunday below. Photo Credit : The Turf Mob (more…)
This is it folks, the moment you’ve all been waiting for. Here’s the official dates for the Turf Bikes “Word Is Bond” Video Premieres. We’ll be having 2 events before the internet release on April 20th. The San Francisco Premiere will be at Lower Branch in the Tenderloin. Admission will be 2 dollars and we’ll be having a photo exhibition as well. Dave Beard, Ed Wonka & I collaborated to compile some of the better photos we’ve shot this year. On April 12th we’re having another ride / premiere in San Jose. We’re meeting up in Down Town SJ around 4 and riding spots until we head over to iMiNUSD. Doors open at 7:30 and the video starts at 8PM. Read more below for links to maps of each location, and the last couple ads of each member of the Turf Mob.
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Yesterday Dave Beard met up w/ Ed Wonka, Mike Schmitt, Andy Sparks, & Alberto Fox to shred some street spots in the East Bay. Sunday’s always seem to be the day when everyone is available and when most businesses are closed. This weekly window gives us a chance to ride spots that are usually an immediate bust. Check out more photos on Dave’s Blog HERE. Photo Credit : Dave Beard (more…)
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.