Madars and Kaspars kickoff the second round of our Boss games. The only intrigue about this game is whether Kaspars can put a letter on Madars, which is highly unlikely, but still if he somehow manages, which trick will it be? We already learned that it is hard for Madars to do the priceless, exquisite, and superb fakie frontal biggie aka the Deda spin, but what other Achilles heels does he have? Kaspars likes to do fakie stuff, so some letters could potentially creep from that direction. We’ll see.
On the other note, we sincerely apologize to all Boss of LNB fans worldwide for the absence of the beloved VANS kicker. It is already the second game in a row without the poor bastard. But don’t worry the kicker will joining us in the future episodes.
To promote the project for a new skatepark in Sarkandaugava, LSK invited people to hang out at that location, play some skate there and get to know the place a little better. The main goal of the project is to convert the space under the Gustava Zemgala Gatves bridge into a skate space. Having a spot under a bridge would give a chance to have sessions during rainy days. In order to start the project LSK needs your votes. You can vote here if you still haven’t. The voting is opened till 31st of October. Get you friends, relatives and neighbors to vote as well. Shout out to everybody who showed up and also voted for the project.
Some pics from the day by Nauris Dollins:
The main attraction of the day was a game of skate tournament. Girtosa Fly – fakie 360 flipMiks was the judge this time so it was safeRob and Zirneklis are hyped on voting. Go vote too!!!The games boiled down to these five flat prosPotašs only skates at these meet ups it seemsResults for historiansAnd here are the top three with die hard fans!
As of now there’s 705 votes for the project. We need to at least double that! See you soon. Peace!
When too many things pile up for posts, it is a good sign to make a quick links update. What happened in the past month of September and early days of October in Baltic skateboarding, see below.
Riga skaters and other riding folks are in a dilemma right now. Three skatepark projects have been submitted for city finance competition. Asfalta berni have summarized this whole thing really well, as you can see above, Although you can vote only once, all three projects can win as 10 first places receive the money. Among those three you can recognize Marcis Ruiķis’ bowl project that we covered last year. There’s also an LSK project for a skatepark under a bridge in Mežaparks area. And a skatepark in Vecmilgravis, which as of now is in top 10. Voting takes up only couple of minutes and is available from 16 years old. Decide for yourself which project you want to support, but make sure to do it. Ask your family members and friends too. Also, everybody is welcomed tomorrow for a Game of Skate and best trick jam at the location of the skatepark at Mežaparks.
Riga City Ep. 10
Roberts Krums is on his way to create the most long lasting skate series in the history of our scene. For example, RajonTV’s own R City series lasted only three episodes. Rob’s episodes are normally filmed in one day and posted within a few days from filming which make these series a current reflection of what’s going on. With skateboarding and city vibes in the center of each episode, it is only episode 7 that takes a drift into French avant-garde. There’s no limits to what these episodes can be, but they for sure are a time capsule of Riga city and its enjoyers.
Edgards Kalns and his mates (Liepājas Skrituļdēli) have been creating their version of skateboarding competition for some time now. Dubbed perfectly Hujakflip, this event embodies all of the best things about skateboarding: community, action, and anarchy. As Fricis described it, “it is a skateboarding moshpit.” Maybe a more in detail recap will follow.
Paradigm
Bunch of good Baltic skaters and filmers had (some still do) a connection with London at some point. Some examples could include Latvian Maksims Kalaneps who lived there around 2010s and filmed with Madars, Lithuanian Arturas Jendovickis resided and made videos there with Gytis Bliuvas, and Estonia’s Tim Prozorov spent some years there as well. Unlike others, Tim didn’t have a fellow countryman filmer there, but instead he made friends with Vincent Kelsey and they started filming. Eventually it all led to Vincent coming to Estonia, connecting with the local scene and making one video with representatives of both scene’s involved. And this is what Paradigm is. Familiar faces include Kaifuun Networks’ Siim Sild, Parnu’s Mikk Eeskivi and Tim who raises the bar for all Baltech enthusiasts.
We all heard it was coming but still it was a surprise to see Vilnius’ own Kelvinas Litvinas in a Supreme insta video. And it was not a Supreme Baltics page, but the real deal. Some have tried but not many made it, Kelvinas had a spark from the start, so no wonder. Can’t wait to see more.
An online skateshop from Klaipeda called Phisch Market has put out this neat little clip to insta filmed by @_juostos and featuring Devin Talanov. Slappy bluntslide maneuvers are sick in this. We trying to figure out more about the Klaipeda scene, so maybe more info coming soon.
VANS BALTICS TOUR
In September Vans Baltics has gather their team for a small tour. As far as we know this is a first time thing. RajonTV was invited to film the trip and Latvian Skate legend Herbe worked on the photos. We are editing the video right now, and it should come out next week. Stay tuned and check some photos from the trip over at Vans’ ig.
Trick of the month: Melon Fakie
Karlis Bogustovs and his signature trick in September. First two by Nauris Dollin/ Third by Herbe
During some events in September Karlis managed to shoot some melons. The transition he skates in these pica are not the easiest. Respect.
Have a dope weekend and see you in the streets. Peace!
Our young inter, Big Mac, has been slacking on his duties around here lately. Not really lately, but since March! There were no links, no nothing from Mac. He’s actually identical to our previous intern Rudik! Well maybe not so, as Rudik was even worse. But Big Mac’s a good kid! At least he’s been spending time productively. He’s been in the streets all summer, filming pointing a camera at his friends, and now we have a nice video to offer you.
Named (most probably) accidently after the UK classic, Lost ‘n Found is a collection of clips Big Mac filmed around Riga and Ventspils last summer. Great to see a crew of promising rippers forming around Mac which can only mean more video in the future + he’s armed with a new set up.
One of the most fun parts of this project is seeing the situation skaters put each other in. Normal sessions wouldn’t have moments that sometimes happen during the games. Such spicy moments make this whole effort worth it. In today’s game Karlis Bogust vs was supposed to play Martiņš Reitups, however, Martinš couldn’t make it due to an injury. Krister Kalniņš, a friend of Martiņš, stepped up to take his place. Also, we didn’t get the kicker for this game 🙁
Anyway, enjoy the show.
This was the last game of the first round. Click bellow to see the bracket and prepare for the second round.
After almost a month break, we are back! In this Boss Of LNB episode we have Rudolfs Henčels, a veteran of Latvian street skateboarding, and Kaspars Gobiņš, best skater from Ulbroka (sorry Davis). Both of these guys wear all black, ride for Clockwise skateshop, and are good at ss pop shove-its. Enjoy the game!
If all goes well, another game drops tomorrow. Peace!
Once the dominant skate park in Riga, Griziņkalns still attracts skateboarding to its territory from time to time. Last year, Riga skaters attempted to bring skateboarding back to Griziņkalns, and this year, precisely last Saturday, Griziņš invited skaters to throw a small contest as a part of a bigger charity event. Karlis Bogustovs provided his glass sculptures, Spot center got some boxes and kickers, and Riga Skateborda Skola gave skate lessons to the kids. Vans as always had the prices covered. The cherry on the top was a picnic table, made by Niks Kolosovskis. Like a metaphor for Latvian skateboarding, the table is small and DIY. Niks plans to build a bigger one in the future, but for everyone who wants to hit it, the table is in Griziņkalns.
Niklavs 180 nosegrind in a tribute to Deda. FFS 180!Karlis – crooks on glass that might have a been a window in some important establishment back in a dayNot a day passes by. Karlis – Melon to Fakie. Signature move on his signature spot.Dropping in on the first day is a new thing these daysHappy People
We have been lucky to have a more or less constant event stream lately. Last weeks VEF Skate Jam was a simple and enjoyable event with a few obstacles on good flat, laid back atmosphere, and a duration that fit into a random Thursday evening.
Spot center guys brought out some ramps and boxes for the event, so skaters were already familiar with them. However, the kicker over planter was a unique spot for everybody. These rails on the sides are naturally placed there and not made for the contest. Every skater was probably eye-balling those for a minute, and now finally it was legal to skate them. Also, it so happened to be Patricks’ 18th birthday. Happy Birthday bro!
Rudik did all regular stance blunts that day.
Niks in a contest reminded me of DVS best line event where he did his legendary kickflip bs lipslide (need to post it to insta some day). The set up here was kinda similar. Although not landing it, he did throw a couple attempts for the nostalgia sake.
Niks Kolosovskis – kickflip. Not kickflip back lip 🙁There’s no quarter pipe in Latvia left that didn’t experience a melon fakie from Kārlis.A lot of kids there too and MC Arts with witty comments.
As soon as it became dark the real stuff started. Big guys had a final jam on two obstacles—the box, and evening’s favorite spot, the planter.
Fricis on his impromptu DIY set up. Double front lip.Very rare Potašs sighting. SS Crooks. Check the hoodie to swoosh and pats to shoes match.Mr. Boga Airlines with a halfcab hell.And surprisingly, these guys got in top 3. WTF?
Right after the nominations in a real no-fucks-given manner Aleksis “Sotax” Sokolovs put the hammer down on a hardflip over the planter placing 1st in the hearts of those who witnessed it.
“pats ah…a!”
Despite raining three times and Dub Step soundtrack, Vef Skate Jam was an wholesome and enjoyable event. Shout out to SPOT center for making it happen and also Clockwise and VANS who’s been keeping it real this year! Peace.
Check our video recap. All photos by the professional Nauris Dollins.
What can turn a random spot into a meaningful one? More than the spot’s obstacles, it must be the history of the spot. The fresh patch of land with a curb in Skanste which seems not to have much to tell, in reality is meaningful. It is the closest you can get to the remains of Barax DIY. And Riga heads loved that place.
Check the vid from the spot filmed and edited by the master Rob “Mobila Films” Krums.
Quick Update: Boss of LNB Episodes are coming soon. We have filmed three new episodes, so the project is not over. Just didn’t have enough time to edit. Stay tuned!
We have been following Vlad Pirat on instagram for some time now, and he comes across as a highly dedicated skateboarder. He’s on Zero “New Blood” level of gnar but with a modern twist on the trick selection. We doubt Tony Cervantes would push on the ledge mid slide, or even if that would be considered legal back than. Luckily for Vlad, it is now. Check Vlad’s latest part
