Five years ago I jumped on a plane and flew into Lyon for my first World Streetboarding Championships. Having been to a handful of UK events already, I was expecting much of the same, but amplified. I was far from disappointed. Not only was the spirit of a streetboard event itself amplified, and the partying more so being as the weekend’s contest coincided with Lyon’s Fête de Lumieres, but the level of riding was simply absurd.

Of all the disciplines held over that weekend, the standout event for me was Miniramp, making a welcome return to World Championships after being absent the year before, and although there have been a bunch of Miniramp and Bowl contests since, none have met the bar set by the contest in Lyon.

Those of you who were there, or read about it or watched videos, will doubtlessly remember Tancrède Leca took the top spot with a jaw dropping display of amplitude and tech, with a style so smooth and stable that you’d be hard pressed to identify his stance (regular) without actually asking him.

After taking the win in Lyon though, Tancrède seemed to drop off the map, surfacing only in a few short video clips to let the world know he was still skating, and turning at least some of his attention to matters that didn’t involve just two quarterpipes.

A few weekends ago, after five years maintaining a low profile in the bowls and backstreets of Marseille, he visited the UK to compete in the World Big Air Championships on the Relentless Goliath at NASS. Taking 4th place with a massive cab 540 over the jump straight into one of the biggest BS airs the vert quarterpipe saw across the whole weekend, it’s clear he’s not stopped riding since Lyon, and he’s now planning trips to Mallorca for the World Championships in Vert, and another visit to the UK for National Championships later on in the year. He stuck around in Bristol until his flight left on Tuesday, and inbetween destroying 4 of the city’s best concrete parks, I managed to get a few words (some of them en mon merde Francais)about the weekend’s events and his plans for streetboarding in the future…

1. When was the last time you were involved in a major international streetboard competition?
For a World Cup, it was in 2005 in Lyon. It was cool; there were people, pro riders, and a good environment. Other than that, two years ago I took part in “Dos Punto Zero” (2.0 skatepark) contest in Barcelona.

2. Why was it so long ago?
Because I couldn’t take part in the next contests for one reason or other.. Or I didn’t like the skatepark and thus I didn’t go or simply I didn’t have the money!!! RrrRrr!!!
Also since Ductil is dead I prepared to take on the distribution of streetboard in France. I had to sacrifice international events.

3. Why did you decide to come to NASS?
I decided to come to NASS because I like so much these kinds of events/festivals which meet all the sports & music, etc…
Especially, I was angry the last year because I was ready to go to NASS with friends from Marseille, we planned to leave together.. but planned wrong.. shiit!!! I really wanted to be at NASS.

4. Did you enjoy NASS? Will you be coming back next year?
Oh yes I did!!!! Firstly I liked to see friends and particular my friend Neil.
I was happy to skate the Goliath ramp at beginning, but then less because I twisted my ankle just before final. Personally I thought that the big air was dangerous because the ramp wasn’t wiiiiide enough. I didn’t dare to try my new tricks. I think that I will come back the next year to NASS.

5. Any plans for an event in Marseille?
Maybe a world cup of bowl.

Cheers dude, see you next time!
Bye!

Expect to see Tancrède dominating this year’s vert World Championships, and look out for a future contest in Marseille, which now hosts not only the world famous concrete bowl, but a huge indoor arena skatepark and a concrete streetpark too.

Being part of this Streetboard scene brings many things. Ask any of the riders who have been blessed to be a part of the scene for any amount of time what the best thing is and you will get the same answer time and time again: Friendship.

Last Friday brought this home for mr when when me and a tight crew (Day One’s Colin Horan and Project Streetboard Event’s Paul Nash) left our boards at home and ventured onto the waters of the Thames to celebrate Andy Garret’s birthday.

The back of a Hackney Carrage provided us with the opportunity to get a few words in with the birthday boy himself- check it out:

Andy Garret Interview from Red Pen Streetboard Magazine on Vimeo.

In issue 4 we had the pleasure of interviewing Streetboarding’s very own Toni “Montana” Alvarez. We now have the pleasure of an exclusive video of the whole shebang. Thanks to Colin Horan for the video…

Toni Alvarez Interview from Colin Horan on Vimeo.

Gotthard Flying high at Dudelange On Wheels 2010

Report by: Gotthard Pilsner

Finally the Summer is here and he brought us a perfect weekend in Luxemburg on the famous DOW. It is always one of the best competitions in the year ……cold beer , good friends , stunning girls , nice skatepark and hilarious partys-and this time we wouldn,t be disapointed either !

This year it was time for the “next generation” to offer there skills and proof themself in a competition with a pretty high Level….And i must say that the future looks bright. Having a bunch of Snowboarders getting crazy on their Streetboards , we saw the cleanest spins ever and finally witnessed a landed backside Rodeo in competition again .
But the old guys are not ready to give the scepter out of their hands yet.

Thomas Trefzer was flying trough the hole park like the tazmanian devil while the sun burned with 38 degrees mercilessly on our scalps.

Kai was doing crazy manuals , I still don’t even get them now . After another long term of injury Gust is back on the board and it doesn’t even seem like he’s been off his board for the last couple of years , damn this guy is on fire again .Christoph Böckeler land a sick transfer Noseslide what is actually not possible to master.

Georg Mayerhauser assured with some tech skating , high 540`s and his famous Invert. With solid lines , 360 crooks an almost sunstroke Gotthard Pilsner won just ahead of Thomas and Georg .

Another year where Streetboarding was the star turn in Luxemburg …and guys , watch out for the young generation. They`re chasing after us !

For those of you looking to attend this year’s World Streetboard Championships in Mallorca, You can book your Hotel now through Gabi Muñoz.  

‘HOTEL GALA’: 

25€/night - 28€/night + breakfast - 33€/noche + breakfast + lunch - 38€/noche + breakfast + lunch + dinner
For more info contact: gabi-munoz@hotmail.com

David La Rotta - Fs rodeo 540 from Cristian Dedeu Van den Berg on Vimeo.

It’s been a few days since the Project Events team returned from the Relentless NASS 2010 festival in Shepton Mallet and it was an all round success. Full write up of the event including photos will be available shortly.

After some discussion about the high standard of riding once again at this year’s event we were trying to place a most improved rider for the 2010 contest. One name cropped up on more than one occasion and we wanted to give that rider the recognition and exposure they deserved.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to bring you an interview with the rider Project Events felt had improved the most on Goliath over 12 months……….Josh Newman.

Interview conducted by Paul Nash.

First up Josh, congratulations on your improvement in skating the Goliath ramp this year. Tell us some of your details, name, age, what set up are you riding?

Josh Newman, 21 years old currently living in Romsey, near Southampton. My set up is – Highland Cartel Cyan 55 with Neobrain custom bindings with added Grosso strap.

Photo - Paul Nash

Nice, seems to work well for you. How long you been riding now?

4 Years nearly.

What got you started in Streetboarding?

I used to BMX and skateboard a little and one of my friends bought a streetboard from Adam Walder (Flipside UK) and I learned to ride on that. I bought my own from Flipside not long after.

Do you have any sponsors right now?

I’ve been riding with the Flipside guys for about three years now and used to ride for SB:UK before that disappeared….I may even still ride for them? I also represent for www.southsonic.co.uk

Project had you down as the most improved rider on the goliath ramp since the 2009 contest. Have you been training hard? How did you improve?

I haven’t been able to train for the goliath as there is nothing like it anywhere in the UK. I just skated as much as possible to get comfortable on my board. I haven’t back flipped anything for years but feeling happier on my board it just seemed possible on the ramp.

Photo - Paul Nash

The goliath set up obviously suits your skating style. What else do you like to skate?

Since I started, the appeal of streetboarding was to go as big as possible and upside down. Goliath was perfect for this. My local park doesn’t have a big launch ramp so I have been working on mini ramp, grinds, general tech, getting comfortable on my board and just chillin.

Who do you normally skate with and where?

I used to study in Bristol and skated with the Bristol crew – Simon Johns, Dai Hare, John White and Alex Wheeler. Since I moved back to Romsey I just skate with the locals at the park or head towards Oxford to skate with Colin Horan or you.

Photo - Colin Horan

What do you do with yourself when your not skating?

I play hockey (field) for Romsey which I love because it’s with a lot of my close friends, Plenty of banter and good times. I work as little as possible so I can spend as much time as possible chillin’ with friends and having a good time.

Photo - Colin Horan

Where, in your opinion, do you think streetboarding is heading now the riders are running the companies?

I think streetboarding has allot of potential and things like the Goliath are exactly what I think the boards are made for but I think there’s allot of different riders out therewith allot of different styles so the possibilities are endless. I don’t want to compare it to any other sport out there because streetboarding is definitely unique but there’s no reason we can’t be out there shredding and spreading the word. We all do it because we love it and let’s face it, none of us are doing it for the fame and glory but in terms of the sport as a whole I think once we get our break streetboarding will be a success.

So, what have you got in store for Goliath next year?

Double back to broken face maybe….? Due to the success of my front flip which I wasn’t sure about maybe I’ll be looking at an upgrade on that?

Nice, we’ll look forward to that then. Any shout outs?

To everyone I have ever skated with really. All the UK guys that I skate with that make me push myself. Flipside for getting me into the scene and Andy Garrett for making me do my first back flip after three months when I could barley skate in a straight line. Max Anderson because he always tells me how to do a trick when I ask….” Yeah you just basically do this man” as he gestures it.

I love how streetboarding is like a big family. Every time I go to an event it’s just hanging out with cool people. That’s what makes it worth skating for me and to anyone just starting out, just keep on wiggling.

Thanks allot man, keep up the good work. See you at the next event!

Photo - Paul Nash

Check out the official video from the 2010 World Streetboard Big Air Championships held on the Goliath ramp at Relentless NASS.

RELENTLESS NASS WORLD STREETBOARD BIG AIR CHAMPIONSHIPS 2010 from Colin Horan on Vimeo.

So you’re in Stuttgart and you wanna hang out, skate then line the pockets of Streetboarding’s all powerful Gilbert?  Head to KISTE SKATESHOP!

Dear Friends.

I hope all is well.

I’m writing to you all because I want your help with Red Pen Streetboard Magazine.

Please take your time to read this and please do respond to me …I’d really like you ALL to be involved.

Email me back on info@redpenmag.com

As you know - we make no money out of running the mag.  We run it and the site entirely because we believe it is something the Streetboard scene needs for it to grow. That is the reason the magazine is free.

Why charge for the magazine when it is a lot more beneficial to the growth of the sport when you can give it away for free to anyone that is interested in the sport?

We now are looking to expand our role within the scene, but to do this we need your help.   Your help however will, as I’ll explain, only serve to help you.

First up i’d like to speak about the website.

Whether you run a company, are a seasoned pro, a contest organiser, video editor or are an up and coming rider you need a way to promote your product, film, your sponsors and yourself.

Right now the online Streetboard presence is strong, but fractured.  Surely it serves everybody involved in the scene to have a central place to show off your goods.

If we want to attract money and media interest from outside of the scene, we need to show that we are a happening scene, with high hit rates.

I believe this is where Red Pen’s online presence comes into play.

Look at any extreme sport scene.  Which websites are the main one’s you check for the latest info and news?

The Magazines’ sites.  Red Pen Streetboard Magazine is therefore the natural place for this central hub to be.

What’s the point in everybody posting pics and vids on facebook, when the only people who get to see it are your “Friends”, all of whom already know you streetboard and know about the sport?

Surely you will look cooler to your mates if you get it posted on an official magazine’s site then LINK to it from your page?

Surely the girl that you gave a copy of Red Pen to at the skate park will DEFINITELY get jiggy with you when she log’s on to the redpenmag.com and see’s how big your stiffy’s are?

Do you want your product launch on a random site with 100 regular users or one with 1000’s?

You want to get sponsored or sponsorship for and event.  What are you going to say when they ask you about exposure for their company?  ”i’ve got 500 friends on FB and I know that a few people check me when i ride”

Surely it benefits everyone involved that we have a central place to release pics and video, promote events and promote riders.

It strengthens all of ours cases when trying to pull this sport out of obscurity.

Like I said - Red Pen is not here to make money.  It’s here to help the scene.

Red Pen is not mine…

Red Pen is yours,

It’s ours.

What do we want you to do?

Well - before you post that vid, exclusive product, pictures on Facebook or anywhere else just stop and think: “Wait a minute… this would be better on Red Pen.”

Then you have two options.

ANYBODY, if you feel you will be posting regularly, I have no problems giving you a log in to the site so you can become and official reporter.  Just email me now and i’lll set it up.

If you don’t feel ready for this, then just email me on info@redpenmag.com .

You want an interview?  Don’t wait for me to ask you, just go get some sick pics and mail me.

DO NOT POST THE PICS ON FACEBOOK.

IF THE PICS ARE GOOD ENOUGH - WE”LL SAVE IT FOR THE MAGAZINE.  IF NOT THEY”LL BE ONLINE.

I can’t be everywhere and can’t cover everything.  The less time I have to spend thinking of new articles for the site, the more I can concentrate on the Magazine.

The site is about to get a redesign and the magazine will now be coming out a lot more regularly.  Next  year we want 4 issues.  This year we are aiming for two more.

I don’t want me and Sam to write all the articles.  I WANT YOU to be writing the articles.  You have a good idea or a good trip planned - take pics and get it to us.

I really hope to hear from a lot of you.  I want people from each streetboard scene to become regular reporters.  Guys- I don’t know what’s going on in Japan, in Guatamala, but I do care and it should be in Red Pen just as mush as European stuff.

I just need you guys to be reporting on it.

Please get in touch and as soon as possible I will sort you out with a login.

Lets grow this Streetboard thing.

Keep the heart and see as many as possible of you at Worlds 2010.

Enough Love

Jay Nowman

Editor/Web Producer

Red Pen Streetboard Magazine

info@redpenmag.com