éS Game of SKATE — Simi Valley, CA, July 2, 2009
The éS Game of SKATE at Val Surf in Valley Village is one of the oldest and longest running Games of SKATE, and it's usually been held on Go Skateboarding Day. In 2004 we did a Val Surf Game of SKATE at Skate Lab, and then since 2005 there's been one every year in the parking lot at Val Surf. One of the "problems" with doing this contest in a skate shop parking lot is that as it grows, eventually the contest outgrows the parking lot! This is the case with Val Surf. Not only have the local kids in the Valley come out by the hundreds every year to have fun, hang with their friends, get some free stuff, and skate, but each year this stop on the tour has among the best skating we see.
So this year, because of the amount of people we expected, we had to move the game to a new spot, and what better spot that to where the very first Am éS Game of SKATE was held in 2004?
So six summers and about 600 Games of SKATE later, we returned to SkateLab, with Val Surf and Skatelab working together to make skateboarding events happen in their community. Brandon from Val was representin' from start to finish, pitching in wherever he could. Todd and the SkateLab crew were barbecuing under the Skull Candy tent, selling dogs and drinks for a buck, and helping to make sure everyone had a great time. (If you're interested at all in skateboarding history, SkateLab's collection of boards is among the finest in the world, and it's all on display whenever they're open -- just walk in!)
The weather was beautiful, there were just over 200 kids in the contest, and the skating level was amazing, with some of the faces we've seen over the last few years doing better than ever: Frank Oliva and his hair were killing it; George Perez is a serious contender every time he enters; Adam Swanson still has too much good style; Alex Midler gets better every year; Max Knee and Linden Lindsey surprised us. And when a kid signs up as "Buttery Ass Austin" you figure he'd better be good, right? Well, B.A. Austin made it to the fourth round, and I'd say at the least he didn't earn any disrespect. Another skater worthy of some respect was Moose - his style is so floaty and effortless that it almost seems too easy.
The three who made it to the Finals were Woody Wolfel, Brendan Villanueva, and Cano Cardenas. Woody and Wolfel have both been around the Game of SKATE for more than few years -- entering, hanging with friends... Cano is a proud Oakland hometown boy, but has been traveling around with friends for a long time. He's always got a smile, hanging with his dog Raider Nation, and always brings a lively mood to the Games. Woody was super focused all day, pretty intent on making it to the end, and this year it was gettin' a little more serious as they tangled in the final round with relaxed newcomer Brendan, a young buck whose name will be rolling off the tongue for a while to come.
Woody went first after the Rauchambeau (Ro-Sham-Bo) and for a while it was looking really good--he had control for about the first 8 tricks and put a couple letters on Cano and Brendan... but as soon as he missed one, there was a rotation of control for a while with everyone getting a trick or two and a letter or two, until we ended up at T-to-T-to-T, with Cano's turn coming up. He proceeded to pop a proper, big time ollie-late-back-foot flip and in one shot took out both Woody and Brendan. Brendan made a good attempt but his late kickflip didn't cut it. Cano Cardenas, after at least 7 entries over the last 4 years, won, and is heading to the Finals...
Cano Cardenas and Raider Nation
Woody, Cano, and Brendan
Video by Dieter Galvan
Words by Mark Waters
Photos by Phil Blair
Check the Val Surf site!
Also check out:
skateboarding.com
valsurf.com
skatelab.com