Amy Caron and Shanae Collins discuss skateboarding, the cancelled 2020 Olympics, watching reality tv during the pandemic, tips for good hair and the viability of funding a professional skateboarding career by selling dirty panties online.
For me, no one in the world is more influential in skateboarding & life adjacent than Jodi McDonald. I was around 20 years old when I met her, (the equivalent number of years ago) super awkward, clinically depressed and struggling hard to find my place in the world. Jodi was warm and generous and her inspiration on a skateboard was colossal. But her spirit? Intergalactic.
More than simply a bi-annual print magazine, Quell is a full on media company that includes a podcast and event production. One element that people outside of media might not fully realize is that it takes a lot of strength and a thick skin to put your voice out there. Many people at her young age don’t possess that level of maturity. But Adrian Koenigsberg ain’t no basic bitch.
Instead of the city’s yearly “Go Skate Day” gathering, creative minds in Portland listened to the word of the streets and made appropriate changes in both name and purpose. “No Hate Day” provided an opportunity for skaters and skate-adjacent to gather, skate, educate, appreciate and enter a raffle that raised funds for Black Lives Matter affiliated organizations. Before the event wrapped, Smart Collective reported that donations of $875 were made to Black Resilience Fund, Don’t Shoot PDX, The Okra Project and $900 to Equitable Giving Circle.
ROLL WITH US was held on June 21st in Seattle. The event consisted primarily of skateboarders but included any wheeled ally- rollerskaters & bladers, bicycles, longboarders- could literally “roll with us!”
The purpose of this peaceful rally was to take a stand against police brutality. The rally started at the Carl Anderson Tennis courts now part of the C.H.O.P area in Capitol Hill and ended at the Jose Rizal Bridge approximately 1.5 miles south. Once reaching the final destination all wheeled friends chanted against police brutality and for Black Lives Matter.
Vans has thrown the virtual smack down with this super cool collaboration with our pals, the Skate Witches. As part of their “THIS IS OFF THE WALL” campaign, they are partnering up to offer the DEPTH OF FIELD: WORKSHOP SERIES. Featuring three online classes offered to women, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming peeps, expert witches will share their knowledge of skate photography, videography and zine writing.
Girls and boys. Men and women. Freaks and geeks. Skaters, bladers, roller skaters and a spectrum of skin tones. Everyone was welcome and everyone showed up June 10th to skate around the waterfront for black lives.
This is skateboarding as it should be. It’s not about what race you are or who you want to bang. It’s about having fun rolling around on a skateboard, being a freak and eating shit. I’m so happy that the tide has finally turned. It feels like the earth’s magnetic pull was off axis this whole time and finally, it’s back on track. But this time, let’s not forget the past. No more beating up on the less celebrated or fortunate. Cause being a fucking dickhead is not cool. Being yourself is.
Now, Kristy’s back in Southern California, hitting up the hot spots and just living her damn LYFE! She just fucking loves to skate. And all the rest of us get to live vicariously. If you are younger, look up to her example. If you are older, close your eyes, forget about your job, kids and all the other lame adult shit and pretend you are her. It’s the latest and greatest health & wellness fad for aging skaters. Transcendental skate rat meditation. ???♀️
After watching Credits, I had to stop what I was doing to go slappy some curbs. The film is compiled with epic skate spots, creative tricks, hard slams, and getting busted by cops; this film gives an energetic and a “can-do” attitude. The style is visually enhanced with a nostalgic grittiness by recording with vintage camera equipment. As a filmmaker myself, I had to know more! Overall, the fun-loving, positive, energetic theme of the film definitely unleashed my inner hellraiser to go out and fucking get some.
