SUBJECT: Scott Kane in October Transworld Skateboarding

After months of chasing down Vans rider Scott Kane, Transworld Skateboarding
settles for some photos. Check out the October issue of Transworld Skateboarding where Scott lets his skateboarding speak for itself. Some how www.skateboarding.com did catch Scott after the mag came out and strangled a couple words out of him. So log on and read it.

SUBJECT: Vans Teamriders travel to the Carbondale Run

Vans team manager Dave Smith has loaded up the van and is on his way to Carbondale, Colorado for the Carbondale Run with team riders Omar Hassan, Scott Kane, Johnny Layton, Andrew Allen and special guest BOOSH. Check out the website at www.carbondalerun.com. If you are in the neighborhood come down and check it out. Fun will be had by all. Thrashers King of the road contest will also be passing through with Vans riders Tony Trujillo and Darrell Stanton.

SUBJECT: Just Announced !! Trujillo Headed To X Games

Vans team rider Tony Trujillo is joining an already steller group of Vans team riders including Geoff Rowley, Bucky Lasek and more heading to the X Games X this weekend at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

SUBJECT: Free Admission to the Free Basin Exhibit

On Saturdays throughout the month of August, students 18 and under get in FREE to the Free Basin Bowl and the Beautiful Losers Show at the Yerba Buena Center in SF. Mention the ad in this week's SF Bay Guardian or SF Chronicle to take advantage of this offer.

SUBJECT: Hey Baltimore! Meet Bucky This Saturday At The White Marsh Mall

Bucky Lasek is coming home to Baltimore and you have the chance to meet him this Saturday from 2 to 3 pm at the Vans store in the White Marsh Mall (8200 Perry Hall Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21236). Be sure to stop in and say hello to Bucky as he'll hang out and sign autographs.

SUBJECT: Catch the Mystic Sk8 Cup This Weekend On the Web

The Mystic Sk8 Cup has been the favorite event on the European part of the WCS Tour with over 150 riders from more than 20 countries competing in the MSC every year . You can catch all the action this year on the web as the event will be broadcast live from Prague.

SUBJECT: Omar Wins At Marseille, Tony Takes 2nd

Big congrats to Omar Hassan who won the the quiksilver bowl riders contest over the weekend in Marseille. 2nd place went to Tony Trujillo.

SUBJECT: Best Trick Contest At Wallenberg

At the Best Trick contest at Wallenberg this past weekend, Darrell Stanton delivered a switch backside 180° , see it here

SUBJECT: Vans "No Half Steppin Tour" To Hit Canada

Vans "No Half Steppin Tour " kicks off May 20th and heads from Vancouver to Montreal.

Riders:
Geoff Rowley
Scott kane
Dustin Dollin
Tony Trujillo
Steve Caballero
Ray Barbee
Terry Kennedy
Johnny Layton
Danilo Cerezini

Dates:
May 20 - Vancouver - Demo at Hastings Bowl @ 4pm
May 22 - Calgary - Demo at Millenium Parc @ 1pm
May 23 - Edmonton - W49 Store @ 2pm, Demo at Mildwood Parc @ 4pm
May 25 - Toronto - Demo at Missisauga Parc @ 6pm
May 27 - Montreal - Demo + Vans Bowl Grand Opening at South Park @ 6pm

SUBJECT: Tony Video From Slam City Jam

From Steve Luther... Tony won the gap contest ollie-ing over a gap of 18 feet and 6 inches.nothing more exciting other than that.

SUBJECT: Lasek and Lutzka take Titles at Slam

Congrats to Vans team rider Buckey Lasek who took home the Vert Title and also to Greg Lutzka taking the Street this past weekend at the Vans Slam City Jam.

SUBJECT: New Van Wastell Video Spot

Check out this new Krooked video featuring Vans AM Van Wastell

SUBJECT: Black Lights Light Up New York

The Vans Blacklight Series posters light up the corner of Lafayette and Bleecker in New Yory City.

SUBJECT: Win A Pair of Dr.T's and More

Enter now to win a pair of Tony's Trujillo's brand new Signature Model, the Dr.T's along with an Antihero Rockin Van XL deck and Spitfire Classic Wheels

SUBJECT: Vans’ “Pleased to Meet You” Skateboard Tour – Tampa Update

The Pleased To Meet You Tour hit Florida and here's some highlights from their recent stop at the Skatepark of Tampa

SUBJECT: Vans’ “Pleased to Meet You” Skateboard Tour – Florida March ’03.

The Vans skateboard team, featuring the world’s best street skaters including Geoff Rowley, Steve Caballero, Ray Barbee and Jim Greco, will hit Florida March 4 - 8. Starting last summer with both European and American legs, Vans’ “Pleased to Meet You” skateboard tour is the most ambitious skate trek put together in Vans’ 38-year history with more than 15 riders taking part and the team hitting more than 35 cities in eight countries.

Steve Caballero: a living legend, Cab has been a mainstay in the skate world over the past 20 years. An original member of the Bones Brigade, Cab is one of a few skaters who can lay claim to having tricks named after them a la the Caballerial.
Geoff Rowley: one of the most influential and recognizable skaters in the world, Geoff was named the 2000 Thrasher Magazine Skater of the Year.
Jim Greco: No one throws down hammers like Greco. The kid has been on fire and this is a great chance to see him live and in person.
Ray Barbee: One of the original street skaters and an influential member of the Bones Brigade.

Plus rippers Scott Kane, Danny Cerezini, Van Wastell, Darrell Stanton and special guests. (not all skaters will be at every stop).
Check the link below for the detailed date and time schedule of each stop in FL.

SUBJECT: Ebay Auction For A One of A Kind John Cardiel Deck

This ONE OF A KIND skateboard was built by John Cardiel's Team Manager for Independent Trucks, Joey Tershay. They are auctioning it off on Ebay this off to raise money that will go directly to John's family.

SUBJECT: Cardiel Update

John is doing a lot better. He has beend moved to anew hospital to begin rehab. Check the link below for more info.

SUBJECT: Cardiel Benefit Contest

On Sat. February 14th Ride Skateboards will host a benefit contest to support the John Cardiel Trust Fund. The contest will be held at the new City of Homewood skate park. The contest entry fee consists of a $5.00 donation to the Cardiel Trust Fund

SUBJECT: New Cardiel Update

Update from Melbourne Australia

I just finished a visit with John for the second day. I was traveling to Australia on Business with Steve Caballero and as soon as I got to Melbourne we stopped by to say hello to John. He is looking good and I got to meet his mother and sister who have been with John over the past month and said he has been thru a lot this past month. John really appreciates all the nice e-mails he has received and all the support he has gotten especially from the local Australian Skaters. John has recently been moved to a new location in Melbourne to a rehabilitation type hospital and he seems to like it a lot. He is mostly flat on his back and has a rigged brace on his back. His attitude is great and he has only one positive thought and that is to rehabilitate himself. His Mother said he has made great progress and I saw him wiggle his right foot and lift his left foot up off the bed. John is a very strong person but he still has a long way to go and will probably will be in this location for the next 2 to 3 months. E-mails are great but anybody who can drop him a package of Magazines, DVDs, or anything to remind him people are thinking of him. It was great to see him and visit with his Mother and Sister who are really special people. They were heading home today. John is looking forward to a real busy month concentrating on his rehab.

Notes from Steve Van Doren

SUBJECT: Cardiel Update

As many of you know, Vans team rider John Cardiel was seriously injured in an accident while on a skate trip in Australia. John is getting the best care that Australia has to offer and will be staying there for the near future. It's a long road back from this type of serious back injury, but John is strong and we will keep you updated as we get news. You can send John an email get well message by clicking on the link

SUBJECT: Cardiel Injured In Australia

It is not easy to write something like this but today we received news that our friend John Cardiel was seriously injured in an accident this past weekend in Australia. The extent of his injuries are unkown at this time. Our thoughts are with John and his family at this difficult time. We know with John's strength and the supporthis loved ones he will pull through this. As soon as we receive more information we will pass it along.

Sincerely,

Steve Luther

SUBJECT: Tony Takes Bowlriders Cup

Tony Trujillo set the pace for the Anti-Hero Australia tour by taking 1st place at the Australian Bowlriders Championships fresh off a 16 hour plane ride. The contest was held at Caloundra skatepark on the sunshine coast. Tony was skating with Cardiel, Stranger, Hewitt and Schaaf as well as locals and various visiting pros at the contest for the weekend.

SUBJECT: Rowley 1 Man Demo

Luther just dropped off this video of Rowley in Mexico rippping it up at a one man demo

SUBJECT: Win A Pair of Greco 2's

Jim's all over town, his bus benches that is. Greco 2 bus becnches are out throughout So Cal, take a photo of one, send in the location and if you are one of the first five, you win a pair of Greco 2's Send the photos to contest@vans.com

SUBJECT: Tony Sports Thrasher Cover

Check out Vans team rider Tony Trujillo sporting the cover of the January issue of Thrasher Magazine

SUBJECT: More Video From Luther

Here is the third and last video from the north east tour. Potomac Mills was packed with around 500 kids on a monday night with only a week to promote. My hats off to Katie and all those that made it possible. What an amazing finish to some great demos.

SUBJECT: Pleased To Meet You Tour Video Just Received

Steve Luther just rolled in from the East Coast with some video from the Pleased To Meet You Tour-East Coast. Thanks to everyone who came out to support the team

SUBJECT: NEW VIDEO

Vans own Steve Luther has just turned in some brand new video taken while out on his adventures with the Vans team across the US.

SUBJECT: PLEASED TO MEET YOU - EAST COAT DATES

Following success earlier this year on the West Coast, the Vans Pleased To Meet You Tour hits the East CoastOctober 25th through the 27th with Jim Greco, Ethan Fowler,Bastien Salabanzi, Evan Hernandez, Ray Barbee, Terry Kennedy and Adrian Mallory.

Friday Oct 24th
Blades
365 Carnegie Avenue
Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033
5pm

Saturday Oct 25th
Feet First
924 New Hampshire Avenue
Lakewood, New Jersey 08071
1pm

Elite
413 Route 70
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
5pm

Vans Skatepark
Moorestown Mall
Moorestown, NJ
7:30

Sunday Oct 26th
Nocturnal
610 South 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19380
1pm

Fairman's 43 West Gay Street
West Chester PA 19380
5pm

Monday October 27th
Vans Skatepark
Potomac Mills Mall
Woodbridge, VA
7:00 pm

SUBJECT: SOTY DVD Clips

New videos featuring Tony Trujillo, Geoff Rowley and John Cardiel from the forthcoming Thrasher Magazine Skater of the Year DVD coming out on October 15th

SUBJECT: MacDonald Takes Overall Vans Triple Crown of Skate Championship

The Xbox World Championships of Skateboarding concluded Sunday with Andy Macdonald winning a Ford Ranger FX4 as the 2003 Vans Triple Crown of Skateboarding Champion. Andy Mac followed up his second place finishes at the Vans Slam City Jam in Vancouver in May and at the Mountain Dew Nationals in New Jersey in later that month with a fourth place finish in Vert on Sunday.

SUBJECT: Battle of the Bay

Every year now the battle of the bay or the bayside rumble or whatever the hell they call it takes place one week before the asr tradeshow in san diego. The dlx companies have decided to provide the industry with their own tradeshow showcasing their newest products while inviting other industry leaders to join them in the boycott of asr. The event is a weekend extravaganza consisting of not only the tradeshow located in the parking lot of highspeed productions, home of thrasher and slap magazines, but also a best trick contest, the announcement of thrasher’s “king of the road” contest, and lastly thrasher’s skater of the year award ceremony. Saturday is definitely the most eventful of the two days. Everyone’s anticipation is at a high not only to scout out new product, but the hardest trick contest is always a thrill for some reason. The contest consists of anyone who wants to enter, as long as you’re brave enough to take ridicule being dealt out by the infamous micke reyes and the old man you’re good to go. But I must warn the weak at heart, these two guys’ cynicism was at an all time high dishing out dirt that would have brought a smile to jeremy klein’s face. The main entrants this year were as follows: corey duffel from foundation, the zero phenom john allie, a kid from berkely named sean who stayed at my house in san diego 6 years ago, and last but certainly not least representing baker skateboards and sporting his new nifty red jim greco 2’s australian ripper dustin dollin. The contest was pretty rad each of the main entrants were ripping. Sean flew over the pyramids to five-o’s, corey tried pop shove-its to five-o’s on the hubbas as well as kickflip frontside 50/50’s on the handrail, dustin was shredding blasting tricks over the funbox to grinds on the hubbas. he blasted a kickflip to 50/50 over the whole funbox which proved to be good enough to earn the $10,000 first prize! The king of the road champions were next on the list to be crowned. All of the teams seemed to have a good time and had an abundance of stories to tell. I think one of the highlights had to be the girl posse ambushing the volcom crew at skatopia. Alledgedly the volcom rv was trying to enter the acreage when they were the recipients of a moltov cocktail assault. Dustin Dollin got out in defense of his team and was harrased with threats containing a hick accent attached, “we’re gonna get you boy” it sounded halarious. The points were totalled and it looked as if the dlx crew had taken the cake legitimately with ripping being laid down by dan drehobyl, the raging maniac tony trujillo, rookie phenom darrel stanton, and they had an unknown up and comer that killed it. Lastly, the award for skater of the year went to the well deserving Mark Appleyard he’s been killing it for a long time. Overall the weekend was a success not only for the Vans posse but also for everyone involved. The dlx crew did a great job rolling out the welcome mat and everyone seemed to have a good time.

SUBJECT: XGames Exposed

first off yesterday was one of the most painful days to watch ever. the hardest trick contest was sooooo uneventful, no one made a new trick for forty five minutes, terrible. sheckler won the mini ramp contest. anyway i'll write this deal now:
in case you live in a cave and didn't know, the x games were being held in the land of the three time world champion los angeles lakers! that's right sports fans in the staples arena in los angeles, california. with all of the huge expectations the infamous ramp builder, tim payne, rose to the challenge and created a vertical monstrosity that would even get the one and only tony hawk salivating over the super ramp. the ramp had semi corners on one end which led to forty foot straight walls with an over vert taco bell hump on one side and a forty five degree hip opposite the hump. lastly, there was a 15 ft roll in at the end of this vertical monster to start the madness.

the first day of practice was pretty intense as each of the riders' jaws would drop on the initial sight of the ramp. most were intimidated and felt that only one day of practice was too little time to adapt and actually be able to put a run together. most of the riders struggled with the ramps unorthodox set up and were making womanly gestures as standard tricks were bailed repeatedly,except of course for the big three: bob burnquist, rune glifberg, and Vans' newest pro, and coveted hero, bucky lasek. no vert ramp ever created could make any of the big three react in awe, all of these rippers just smiled upon their respected entrances and let the ripping commence. even though i am biased for bucky to do well, rune was absolutely owning the ramp, even on his first runs it really was amazing to watch. vert skating gets a bad rap in the world of the skateboard, but even steve rocco would have been impressed by rune on this day. if i were a betting man, which i am, i would have put my money on rune glifberg, he was that dominating, but practice as we all know is only practice.

thursday afternoon rolled around soon enough and the vert prelims were at hand. more of the guys adapted to the ramp and seemed to be putting some
decent runs together making their way through the humongous ramp hitting the
corners, working their way over the hump, then bring it all of the way back to the corners again, it was pretty rad. the only let down were the runs that ended up in a back and forth pattern that resembled an accordian players monkey going around asking patrons for change, it was nauseating. but not the big three, these guys had their runs down in practice and all looked like shoe ins for the finals. as the list of riders took their runs bucky's name came up on the screen and the staples arena went crazy!!! i looked at the infamous Vans vice president of marketing, chris strain, and said, "here we go". with that bucky dropped into a six foot backside air and BAILED! buck dropped in thinking he was still on the huck jam ramp which has huge transitions and just mispumped the wall and winged out, board sailing and body flailling through the air with the greatest of ease. bucky scrambled to get his board and put a series of tricks together in thirty seconds which in all actuallity was better than half of the other guys' full runs, but when you fall the incompetent judges don't look for the quality of tricks, they just know that you fell and the scores reflect that. at this point my
boss glanced back and gave me an uneasy grin bearing the underlying message, "he better make his next run you moron, you said this guy would always place in the top three no matter what." now he was nervous, i was nervous, and i know that bucky was nervous. at this point bucky was second guessing his entire run i'm sure buck's internal conversation went something like this, "god if i can bail a backside air, i can miss a lein air, frontside air, five forty, rodeo flip, frontside gay twist," i think you get the picture. soon enough bucky's second run was up and the simple fact that bucky not only has the mind of a champion, but was blessed with ice flowing through his veins enable him to rise to the challenge. buck dropped in determined to make his run, buck's first few airs were shaky, but after grinding through those he ripped his way into the finals, thank god i would still have a job on monday. it was time for the finals! since bucky bailed his first run and survived his second on instinct alone, bucky really didn't cut loose and qualified sixth behind bob and rune. in the finals the riders get three runs each with the best run counting in the end. the thing that always sucks, and will always suck about contests is that it's a contest. that means you have some guys in a booth somewhere telling you, the skateboarder, what tricks they think are better. i always get riled up at this simple fact of life and tend to vocalize my opinons with vigor when the judges, "f-ck it up". but it's all fun and games until someone gets their eye shot out, or in this case gets ripped off. the first round of runs never gets scored as high as the last round of runs meaning, you could have the exact same run twenty minutes later and get a higher score for it, oh well the riders know how to deal with it. bucky's first run was good catapulting him into first until the second round of runs began. bucky was ready though he had a nasty run laid out that not even tony hawk would have been able to match! buck dropped in with gold on his mind and let a nollie flip indie air fly on the first wall it was incredible! then followed up with a series of airs all in the seven foot plus range leading him to his corner pocket combo's. he flowed a backside smith grind through the corner leading him into the taco bell hump backside tailsliding the whole thing! then when the mortal vert skater would just cruise the rest of the run out bucky went for the kill and through out a frontside rodeo flip followed up by an air to fakie which led to a one of the best switch rodeo flips ever done in a contest, it was ill. i jumped out of my seat throwing body english to help buck through the switch rodeo but he didnt' need it, what was i thinking, he's bucky f****** lasek. with that bucky established a lead that no one would over come and get him x games gold for the first time in two years, i think it was his shoes.

SUBJECT: Bucky Signs With Vans

Vans is proud to announce vert skater Bucky Lasek has joined the Vans skate team. “I’m real excited to join up with Vans because they’ve been around since skate’s beginnings,” says Lasek. “Plus, Vans shoes are flat out the best skate shoes anywhere.

SUBJECT: LA Pool Ridin'

We took Scott Kane up to LA on skate mission. Not to somewhere you would expect to see him though the day was all about pools. The Vans team manager Dan Rogers took us to some pools and we were all surprised when Scott started breakin' it off grinding the thing like a veteran, it was only the second time in a pool. Jim Greco showed up and bustin' out with some tail blocks and some sick grinds in the shallow end. Dan also killed it with his 'hawk in full spike mode.

SUBJECT: Greco Larger Than Life

Jim Greco's larger than life on the corner of Figueroa and Olympic in downtown Los Angeles, See it for yourself.

SUBJECT: New Colors Of The TNT Available Now

Check out some brand new colors of the the TNT's available now on vans.com and while your at it be sure to take a look at Tony's new ad as he does an ollie over this pool

SUBJECT: Trujillo and Cardiel Take Vegas

Congrats to Vans team riders Tony Trujillo who took the Street and John Cardiel who took Best Trick this past weekend at the Boost Mobile Pro in Las Vegas

SUBJECT: Pleased To Meet You - More West Coast Photos

Here's a few more photos from the West Coast dates of the PTMY Tour. See the rest of you on the East Coast dates.

SUBJECT: Pleased To Meet You - Ohio Dave's Journal

Pleased To Meet You Vans Tour
Van Wastell gets jumped, Jim Greco brakes his hand, Darrell Stanton is skating with a broken arm, Dustin Dollin is legally allowed back in the states, Danilo Cerezini can't speak much English, John Cardiel-Steve Caballero- and Neil Blender skated the Pala pool. A five day look as to what actually happened on the Vans Pleased To Meet You Tour.

Day One: Friday The 13th We were all told to meet at Vans by 9:00 a.m., which meant we probably wouldn't be leaving until maybe 11:00 a.m. So when I arrived at 9:30 I wasn't to worried about being late. No one else had arrived yet and only one of two rental vans was there. After raiding the warehouse we loaded the van up with over 40 pairs of shoes and by this time everyone had arrived, except Evan Hernandez which we then learned we would have to pick up. Danilo Cerezini was flying in to LAX at 11:00 a.m. and we would be picking him up on the way as well. The first van with Team manager Dan Rogers driving left directly for Arizona. Inside were Darrell Stanton, Scott Kane, Geoff Rowley was already in Phoenix filming and Caballero, John Cardiel, Jim Greco, and Van Wastell would be flying in to Phoenix later in the day. As for Tony Trujillo,he was MIA, but I'm sure he has his air guitar with him wherever he is. Bummer though.
Danilo was flying in from Brazil and I don't think he knew he would be driving straight to AZ. The flight to the U.S. took him 16 hours with three different flights. When he got in the van he told us that it was his 16th birthday. Feliz Aniversario Danny! What a great way to start your birthday, going on tour with the Vans team. So, at 1:30 p.m. and the speedometer well over 90 we were finally on our way. Steve handled it all well, the only thing he said was, " and we're lucky if we get to the signing an hour late." Uh-yeah, we missed it all, but everyone else made It. The other guys waited for us to arrive and after all the hello's and such we made our way to the Wedge Skatepark for some actual skating. Scott, Darrel, Terry, and Evan annihilated the park rails and Danny and Ragdoll waited for filmer Ewan Bowmen to light up the ledge located out front. Ragdoll pulled a tail-slide to 270 shove-it riding away fakie and Danny landed a switch crooks. Afterwards, a case of mistaken identity happened once again. Ewan was mistaken for Patrick Melcher. It was good to end the session with some laughter at someone else's expense. The night ended with a midnight
search for food that led us to Subway. Two hours later we were back at the hotel for some much needed sleep. Wake up call 12 noon please.

Day two, Saturday 14th
The day started with everyone meeting in the hotel lobby at 1:30 p.m. The temperature was already in the 100-degree area and I couldn't figure out how and why Evan was wearing a hooded sweatshirt? He just laughed when I questioned him about it. The days schedule consisted of two autograph signings, one at 3 p.m. and the other at 5p.m., with a demo planned afterwards. I forgot to mention earlier that Darrell has a broken arm and is still skating on this tour. He said he would take care of it afterwards??? We arrived at Cowtown Skateshop for the first signing and the kids were lined up outside waiting in the parking lot. Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun here just hanging out and talking with everyone. Scott Kane even played a game of pressure flip S-K-A-T-E with one of the locals, which he easily won I might add. After maybe an hour and half we were off for some lunch. "Hey, where is Van Wastell?" I hear someone say. As it turned out, he was left behind at the hotel. Dan drove back to get him. I asked him why he was left behind and he answered by saying, "it was my fault anyways, I went to Starbucks for some coffee. It doesn't matter anyways, I'm used to it". His attitude about the whole situation was great. Others probably would've been bummed or pissed off but Van handled it with a smile. The next signing was at Industrial Skateshop and it seemed that the line was never-ending. Two hours straight and the kids kept coming! If it were a demo, I'd have to give top honors to Jim Greco. He killed it!
The demo was held in the Vans Park located directly upstairs. About half way in to it Greco did a five foot high body jar to broken hand. Off to the hospital he went while the other finished the demo. Cardiel was all over the place. Skating faster than anyone and making use of everything the park had to offer. He gets my award for the demo killer of the day. After the demo we walked outside, and as we were waiting for the van to pick us up, a security guard walked over and started harassing us and telling us to leave. We tried to explain to him that the guys just signed autographs for two hours and skated for two hours. All he could say was, " I don't care - just leave." This guy was a total meathead; he didn't know what to do when Ragdoll told him to get lost, so he had to call for reinforcements. It was great, I mean six mall security goons showing us no respect at all, so in return, they were given no respect. When the police finally showed the, the mall security guy couldn't wait, and he literally ran up to the officer like a little kid tattling on someone. By then, the van had pulled up and we all left giving the security some final comments to part with.

Day Three, Sunday 15th
Today's schedule was to leave the hotel at 10:00 a.m. With a demo in San Diego at Utility Board shop at 4 p.m., we might get there by 5 p.m. or so. As we all met downstairs for breakfast, we see Greco walk in with a cast on his hand. The doctor told him he broke his hand completely in half. Six weeks in cast and the second day of the tour him, it didn't seem to bother him much as he was walking through the hotel lobby shirtless in a leather jacket with headphones singing, Bodies, by the Sex Pistols. It seemed all the pros jumped in one van and all the ams in another. I was in the hip-hop van while the other van played a little more punk rock. So can you figure out which vehicle I was in? I swear we listened to the same cd the whole trip so far. We actually got on the road to San Diego by 10:30 a.m. and our first stop was 45 minutes later for some snacks. That's when I found out how much of a sugar fiend Danilo Cerezini really is. He bought so much candy; it would've taken me like 8 hours to eat it all. He was done within 20 minutes and then he used a Red Bull to wash it all down. So, as a hint, if you ever see him on tour, be sure to bring him lots of candy and I'm sure he'll give you something for free. We arrived for the demo around 4:30p.m. and no one skated until 5p.m. The set-up was pretty good for being in a parking lot. Scott Kane went right to work and pulled a backside nose blunt slide within 4 tries and he landed about ten other maneuvers right afterwards. Terry Kennedy skated the whole time pulling some proper back Smith grinds and John Cardiel pulled through on a backside tailslide down the steep makeshift ledge. The demo did start a little late today, but the level of skating these guys pulled out definitely made up for it. The day ended with a hot tub session back at the hotel. Tweak (Steve Luther) and I threw Danilo in the pool. The funny part was listening to Danilo's broken English accent as he pleaded, "no no, please Luther, please, no no!" For the next hour Steve and I were trapped in our room as Danilo was waiting outside for his revenge. We opened the door once and almost got hit with a glass of milk. Danilo was grabbing all the leftover room service goodies he could find: Ice cream, milk, food, and whatever else people had left behind.

Day Four, Monday 16th
As were waiting outside to leave, Greco had the stereo turned up and was listening to Poison. His music selection is so outrageously good! Even the two bellhops were enjoying it. The team had an autograph signing at Asylum Skateshop in Oceanside at high noon. There is a little skatepark located right across the street but the team was not allowed to skate without helmets. Seriously now, I'm sick of these park regulators giving the pros on tour a hard time about wearing helmets. These guys should have earned the respect of being able to wear whatever the hell they want. That's why they are professionals. Right? Terry Kennedy took matters in to his own and did a 50-50 on this huge ledge located right outside the park. I was impressed, it only took him three tries and the ledge is seriously no joke way high! With that on film and photographed we left. We had a few hours to kill so we went to the Pala pool for a session. Everyone was hyped, as it was the first time for some of them to skate a backyard pool. You couldn't have asked for a better first time either. I mean, they had Caballero and Cardiel there and it got a little better. Neil Blender and Kristian Svitak showed up out of nowhere and joined in. Scott Kane picked up on the technique right away and had some nice lines going. Van Wastell showed his all around versatility with some frontside and backside grinds. I never thought I'd see Terry Kennedy in a pool. He loved it and skated it well, but his only complaint was all the flies that were out there. I don't think he likes bugs too much. Cardiel, Caballero, and Blender were definitely the ones to watch though. Should I say those names again? Cardiel, Caballero and Neil Blender for those of you not paying attention here! I don't think I have to tell you that between the three of them some unforgettable skating went down. The team had a demo scheduled at Active Board shop in Temecula at 5 p.m. and Dustin Dollin would be meeting us there. Yes, Dustin is legitimately somehow back in the states. Tweak worked for six months on this one and now Dustin is free to wreck havoc here in the USA again. After the demo a team meeting was held atop one of the ramps to discuss an issue, which needed immediate attention. The hotel of choice tonight was located on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. I was supposed to be leaving the tour tonight, but in route to the hotel Tweak told me he wasn't dropping me off and I had to stay one more day. Was I being kidnapped? I hope so, because I right now I'm kind of homeless and I've enjoyed having a bed to sleep in. We've been staying at some of the plushest hotels. I'd just like to say thanks to Vans for holding me hostage. You helped the homeless and you didn't even know it!

Day Five, Tuesday 17th
Breakfast at the classic Mel's Diner is how the first hour of the day was spent. Dustin shows up and I think he was still drunk from the night before. Greco kept yelling out that he wants a six percent raise and Dustin was quick to jump in on heckling session. Tweak fired them both right then and there, so Greco held a butter knife to Tweaks throat until he rehired both of them. It was one of the best breakfast sessions I've had in a while. There were two autograph signing held today and they were literally right across the street from each other. It didn't make sense to me but I guess sometimes you have to deal with the politics and make the right moves. After the signings we had a few hours to kill so we went to the Volcom warehouse/skate facility for a private session. I skated but my attention was focused on John Cardiel. I planned my runs so I wouldn't miss his. He has on of the best backside shifty ollies and I took a photo of one for y'all to see. Everyone had fun; there were no spectators or people wanting autographs. You could just skate and have fun, and a session like this is just what everyone needed. Dear mom, I am still being held hostage. They made me skate the Volcom Warehouse today with John Cardiel, Dustin Dollin, and Van Wastell. I was forced to go for some lunch afterwards too. Maybe with a little luck they'll release me and I'll be home soon. Your son, Dave. Back to the story now. "I'm going to eat Proshuto everyday so I can die young, I don't want to deal with arthritis." - a quote from Van Wastell on our way to the demo at the Block in Orange County. I'm not sure if that's how you spell it, but I was told that Proshuto is some sort of cured ham. Maybe a good artery clogger I suppose. I'm not going to talk about the demo, as I'd rather tell you about the fight afterwards. I wasn't there to witness it but this is what I was told. A few of the guys (Caballero, Van Wastell, Dan Rogers) were relaxing in the van after the demo and a van with 7 or 8 guys jumped out and started throwing punches and were trying to get in the van to steal whatever they could. Boards were swinging and fists were flying and before anyone else had a chance to get there the thugs jumped back in their van and proceeded to speed out of the lot willing to hit anyone in their way. Caballero was in a full sprint chasing after them throwing his board at them as well. I think the only thing they got away with was Van Wastells board, but I'm sure they'll be getting some karma before it's all over as well. So there it is folks, a little behind the scenes documentary from the Vans Pleased To Meet You Tour 2003. Later that night Tweak finally released me so I could go back to the couch that I've been surfing on.

SUBJECT: Pleased To Meet You - Valley Photos

The Pleased To Meet You tour stopped in Granada yesterday and heres some pics from that signing.

SUBJECT: Pleased To Meet You - Block Photos

The Pleased To Meet You tour made a stop at the Vans Block skatepark last night. Everybody was ripping it up, with the exception of Greco who was taken out of comission in AZ, and Trujillo who is MIA.

SUBJECT: Pleased To Meet You - Update

We are still waiting on Steve's update from the road, but until then Transworld has a guy out on the road with the Vans crew, and you can check out his reports from the road.

SUBJECT: Dollin 2 Contest

The new Dollin 2's are out now, but if you want to try to win a pair go check out the free sh*t section and enter to win.

SUBJECT: Pleased To Meet You - European Final Recap

I hate to love technology. I had some troubles getting my magic powerbook to work. In Europe. I was going to just delete all the stuff I wrote from our europe tour for the site 'cause I figured that it was too late. As I looked at the stories it got me excited to get back on the road for the USA tour and now I think that hopefully it will get you excited. Check the schedule and mark your calendar and ditch school, take off work, call in sick or whatever you have to do and come see the Vans team destroy something in your town.

Brussels- We missed the first train from London to Brussels, Cardiel had a rough night. Trying to beat up a couple of bottles of uhhhh soda!?, and ended up losing when a couple of guys showed up to my hotel room door carrying him, I have no idea who they were but thanks! It was nearly impossible getting him up the next morning but after many attempts he finally came through.
The next train did not leave for a couple of hours so everyone disappeared in different directions exploring the waterloo train station. After a mellow train ride we show up to Brussels and outside the train station there is this huge rockstar bus covered in vans stickers waiting for us. The driver greets us and introduces himself(he doesn't speak any English) and our translator tells us his name, Michelle! Dustin had a hard time with this. "Michelle, that is a b#tches name" he screamed at the driver. Needless to say the ride to the demo was funny as sh*t. We get to the demo a couple hours late and the kids are going bezerk. Evan did not even get a chance to skate because he was mobbed by tons of kids for autographs. The park was in the middle of the street and finished in steel, some genius must have seen Evans chrome dipped rims and thought it was a good idea, IDIOT! The sun was blaring and you could not skate until a cloud came by and blocked the rays do to the horrible glare. Everyone ripped!

Rotterdam - Our bus is amazing. Downstairs you can watch movies and hang out, if you could handle Dustins' constant babbling and drinking, and upstairs there are a grip of beds so you can get away from everyone when you are getting annoyed. Evan slept up there the whole drive.
Our hotel was literally a half a block from the demos spot which was convenient and at the same time sketchy. We passed by the demo spot and a bunch of kids follow the bus to the hotel door. The groupies were in full affect. After we checked in we had to literally run over to the demo spot being mobbed the whole way. Geoff disappeared over to the local shop passing on the demo. He got sick from something he ate and had to chill a bit. Cardiel, Dustin, Greco, Wainwright and Evan blew up the spot. Wainwright outlasted everyone. Greco started signing some kids boards and the demo was ended by kids swarming after the team for autographs while Wainwright swerve around the kids invading the course filming a line.

Hamburg, Germany - Damn it has only been a few days on the bus and it is already making me crazy. We get to the shop for a signing and there are only about 50 kids lurking. I was kind of bummed until the owner let us know how late we were and how he had sent the kids to the park for the demo. We chill at the shop for a bit and it starts pouring rain outside. Greco laughs at me and said no demo today boss, everyone started laughing thinking they were going to get a break. The owner told me we should at least drive by and say what up to the kids because they would be there rain or shine waiting. On our way over to the shop the rain stops and the sun pops out, I look at Greco and just gave him a smile. Demo is on! A couple of hundred kids mob the bus and and everyone breaks for the park and the demo is turned up to notch 10 once again. Now we have some fresh blood with Flo Marfaing and he came on strong nollie this, that blahhh, he was ripping. Geoff, Jim, Wainwright, Dustin and Cards were on a mission again. To many things went down to mention.

Hamburg, Germany - Everyone was pretty beat down not much was crackin, one of the local shop owners jumped into the demo pickin' raising the bar for the local squad. Cardiel tried to drop in off the vert ramp into this wooden bowl and got broke. That did not stop him from almost landing it a couple more times before his body shut down.

Berlin, Germany - Berlin is sick. We got hook up in this crazy ass modern hotel. After helping get everyone checked in I roll up to my room and Cardiel was blaring some dope reggae beats from the stereo system. The room had speakers in the walls all through out the room, the bathroom even had a couple speakers in the ceiling. Cardiel left the next day and Tony Trujillo jumped on for the rest of the tour. The demo was unofficially organized at a local skate spot with this big three set of blocks and a 12 stair with a scary crack in front of it. Tony first day in the mix nollie flips down the big three block, Greco did a flat ground nollie 3 flip to a back side 3 down the big three, Danny Wainwright kickflipped and then backside flipped down the stairs, Dustin frontside flipped the stairs and then shaded out, and Flo broke it off as well.

Milan, Italy - Milan f*&king ruled, the food the girls, the metal clud, the town, oh yeah the demo. I start feeling sick, of course! The night before our scheduled demo we went out to some crazy metal club, Tony was in heaven he went directly to the dance floor and proceeded to rock out on the air guitar with all the crazy rocker Italians. Dustin and Geoff were out of hand slamming all through the air guitar rock-a-thon hurting some rocker Italian feelings. I was by now feeling like shit but would not leave. It was just to funny a scene to miss out on. The demo was held at the train station. In the middle of Milan, their were over a thousand kids there. The energy was amazing! They put up a full street course under this giant circus tent. It was so crowded that we had a hard time getting on to the course. Everyone was going off. Dustin said he did not want to skate because he was so sore from the other demos, so I told him to just chill. That only lasted about five minutes and I turn around and he was in the mix. Jazzy our filmer did not even have a chance to push pause on his camera because Geoff was destroying the place along with the rest of the crew. The autograph signing after the demo only lasted a few minutes because the fans were just too deep so we rushed the team to the bus and we let a couple kids on for some autographs and called it a day after an amazing Italian dinner.

Switzerland - The park in Switzerland was awesome! Everyone was stoked on it. It was packed to the walls with kids and everyone was ripping. The best skating went down and the crowd although huge was asleep. Evan was killing it with switch lip slides on the big rail, Geoff double flipped up this step up to backside 360 down a set of stairs, Greco back lipped to shove-it out on the big rail, Dustin, Wainwright, and Flo were all over the place and Tony jumped on the mic and tried to wake up the crowd with no luck all they wanted we autographs and free shit, some amazing skating was going down and all the kids cared about was free shit-that sucked!!!!!!!!!!!

SUBJECT: Vans Skateboard Camp (VSC)

Vans Skateboard Camp (VSC) has just opened additional camper spots for this summer sessions, so if you are a slacker and still havenít signed up, you are not too late. Vans Skateboard Camp is in its third year of operation at High Cascade Snowboard Campís premier Mt. Hood facilities.
This summerís freshly constructed skate parks have already been the center of many heated skate sessions. VSC is stoked to have a street course designed from previous Vans Triple Crown of Skateboarding contests. Scaled down to fit all learning abilities, the 1/4-pipes, ledges, rails, and boxes, pyramids, and boxes are all of professional caliber and design. If you want to improve your skating this summer, VSC is the place to be.Vans pro-skaters visit frequently to session the world-class facilities and to help campers progress. Sponsored by some of the best skate brands in the industry campers not only leave with new and improved skate skills, but with the chance to win free product in our sponsor giveaways.
VSC is an accredited through the American Camping Association, so mom and pop know you will be well cared for. Campers are placed in groups with a trained skateboard instructor based on the campers ability level and area of most interest. During a session at VSC campers have the option to visit some of the best parks in the nation on the Oregon Skate Park Tours happening each session. Afternoons offer typical summer camp activities including hiking, mountain biking, crafts, swimming, etc, or more supervised skateboarding.
For more info on Vans Skateboard Camp go to www.vansskatecamp.com or call 800.334.4272.

SUBJECT: Sheckler and Lasek Claim Titles In New Jersey

Ryan Sheckler and Buckey Lasek Claim Titles in New Jersey at the Mountain Dew National Championships of Skateboarding as skaters ride out wet weekend

SUBJECT: VTCS Hits NY Metro Area This Weekend

Many of the world's top skaters will be on hand this weekend at New Jersey’s Liberty State Park, stop 2 of the Vans Triple Crown of Skateboarding

SUBJECT: VTCS Hits NY Metro Area This Thursday

With the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop, the world’s best skateboarders will compete in Mountain Dew National Championships of Skateboarding at New Jersey’s Liberty State Park this Thursday

SUBJECT: Hassan Takes Bowlriders Cup, Trujillo 2nd

Congrats to Vans team rider's Omar Hassan who took 1st and Tony Trujillo who took 2nd at the Quiksilver Bowlriders Cup held at the Prado Skatepark in Marseilles, France

SUBJECT: Pleased to Meet You, 2003 - West Coast Dates

Santa Fe Springs, CA (May 19, 2003) – They’ve been training. They’ve rested plenty. We’ve forced them to drink a lot of fluids. Now it’s time to hit the road. The Vans skateboard team, featuring the world’s best street skaters including Geoff Rowley, Steve Caballero, Tony Trujillo and Jim Greco, is currently tearing through Europe and hits the States for a West Coast swing June 13 through June 24. Vans’ “Pleased to Meet You” skateboard tour is the most ambitious skate trek put together in Vans’ 37-year history with more than 15 riders taking part and the team hitting more than 35 cities in eight countries.

SUBJECT: Pleased to Meet You, 2003 - European Tour Update

Alright lets begin, Vans has never done a skateboard tour. Do you know how hard it is to get some of skateboardings best to commit to traveling around the world non stop on a super demo brigade? Well you don't and neither did I but it has begun and everyone has shown up-so far!

First stop the UK and from there we go all though europe and the US and the task besides taking care of a giant group of riders is to get you some information so you are ready when we hit your town(so if
sometimes I do not make sense it is because we had a long day or days of demos and I am writing deliriously before I sleep). My hope is that the demos get better and the kids get more excited as we go because the demos wears out the crew and kids freaking out gives the team super power- believe me I have seen it. I will be hooking up some footage of europe when I get a chance so keep checkin back.

First stop in the UK was at Danny Wainwrights shop in Bristol we were told it was going to be chill just hang out skate his mini ramp and have a barbeque. Upon arrival it was a little different than expected we get within a block of Dannys shop and we see groups of kids with skateboards heading the same direction we were going. We get to the shop and their were atleast 300 kids out front who begin rocking our Van while we trying to park. We get the guys in the shop and a signing frenzy begins. It is me, Jim Greco, John Cardiel, Evan Hernandez, Dustin Dollin and the Vans TM Dan "Fancy pants" Rogers. Everything went smooth and the kids were super stoked. The team signed for a couple hours and then there was a little mini ramp session and a barbeque. Dustin in case you did not know kills mini ramps

Demo # 1 Birmingham
We head over to Birmingham to hook up with Rowley and do the first demo. Each day the beast grows their a ton of kids all over the street course up in the rafters where ever they could fit them they did. We arrived about an hour and a half late and the kids did not seem to mind they were just stoked to see they guys. Geoff had been there for a couple of hours and could not skate the course to to the autograph mobbing. It was kind of a wierd scene all the guys were on their own deal a official demo really never got off the ground the kids we so stoked that they would not let the guys skate. Cardiel and Wainwright handled business on the course for a bit and then Dustin came out on fire doing so much stuff that I can't remember what the hell happened he was like a torando that stormed over the park then gone. Jim Greco even came out and busted a huge backside 360 over the this big ass table top the roof came off the place. geoff never even got to see the street course much less skate it. Maybe tomorrow!

Demo # 2 London biggest fricken demo that sony playstation park has ever seen. We pulled up in the vans and the kids started chanting ROWLEY ROWLEY! It was an incredible thing to witness. Jim did a giant bean plant on this wall off of a small quarter pipe and it sounded like a winning homerun in game seven of the world series. All the guys were ripping Cardiel broke off something amazing on every obstacle the park had to offer, Dustin was ripping after a couple of beers and broke off a switch crooks on the big rail along with a kick flip board slide the list goes on, Danny Wainwright was killing it through the whole demo but the most amazing thing was a flat ground ollie over this massive barrier-it was his first go Evan came out strong attacking the rail with a front back 50-50, front board, front feebs and hurt his foot and had to chill. Geoff Rowley just had to push around an the crowd went nuts but that did not stop him from destroying the park as well.

SUBJECT: Vans Triple Crown of Skate To Hit NY Metro Area

With the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop, the world’s best skateboarders will compete in Mountain Dew National Championships of Skateboarding at New Jersey’s Liberty State Park May 29 - June 1