Johnny Turgesen Guest Board

He's from Medford, Oregon, he's really good at those ollie poppers, and he plays a mean game of ping pong. What else is there to say about Johnny...well probably a lot, but that's all I have to say. Pick one up if you see one. Available in 8.25 (14.25wb), 8.5 (14.75wb), and the always fun 8.75 (14.5wb) square nose square tail.

Skip to 6:10 for JT's LIFEBLOOD part, or watch the whole thing, it's worth a watch every calender quarter.

New Shaped Decks

We've been doing the square nose/tail deck for a while now, so I decided to add a couple more. One is a Zig Zagger rip off and the other an old school shape with a square tail. Good stuff. Step out of your box and check them out. Available at Cal Skate and Rip City in Portland, Oregon.

Travis Augustine Mid February Pics

Here are some pics that flow rider Travis Augustine sent in. This kid absolutely kills it on all terrain. We're hoping to put out some footage soon showcasing his woodchucking talent. All pictures by Josh Clemens.

Lagging

Man, I've been lagging like a mofo on this blog deal lately. My family and I moved a month back, or so, for the cool high desert winter air and sunny days of Klamath Falls. Yeah, it is bustling metropolis. Pretty mellow and laid back. I talked to my Mom and she's going to let me build some concrete DIY on the side of her building, that nobody parks at anymore...so that's pretty cool. Anyhoo, here is a vid I did right before I moved. Some BG locals and Jesse McDowell. We have young Austin Winchell on retainer, and are just waiting for his legal team to finalize his welcome aboard video. That's about it for now. Keep on truckin'.

Totally Evil...Sort Of.

I sometimes get the feeling that Nukes and Tyler get bummed that we don't put out any "hesh" material. What can I say, I'm a big old pussy with a mortgage and 2 kids. I'm all about happy things, like sunsets and great gas mileage. In honor of Mr. Nukula and Mr. Albright, I decided to meet them halfway...I guess.

Jesse McDowell Welcome Video

I've been spacing it pretty hard on this blog deal. Anyway, Jesse rides for us and here is his video. We filmed it whenever he was back in town from building skateparks. He's a beast on a plank. If you ever see him, don't worry, he's not mad at you...he's mad at EVERYONE. Just joshing, he's a nice guy. Just don't tag his spot, or he'll toss you out on your nose ring.

Guilty of Being Delicious: A Tribute to Skateboarding and Hot Dogs

I like a good hot dog, I guess I really like a good Brat, really. Hot dogs are kind of whatever. However, when you mix skating, a hot dog, and a frothy brew...you come up with something sweeter than Yoo-Hoo. Anyway, in the spirit of having a good time and littering the intestines of the forewarned, we're doing a hot dog BBQ down at Brooklyn Street on Saturday, July 16th, around 1pm. We'll provide some shitty hot dogs, condiments, and water. Along with some early 80's punk. You bring your smiling faces and your tapdancing slippers.

Classicly Rensberry

"Keep Skateboarding Gay!"

When I think of skateboarding, I think of Mark Gonzales. The Gonz was/is the shit. When I was a kid he was the gold standard for progression and self expression. He skated with his own unique style and fashion. His feet always looked slighty pigeon toed to me...or maybe it was something else. Either way Gonz made everything look good. In the mid 80's, in the town I'm from, The Gonz probably would have been beat up for looking like a weirdo.
Nowadays people keep track of what tricks were done at what spot. I don't really understand that. I mean, different dudes will skate differently, so how is it the same? Why keep track, who cares? Skate contests have gotten very big and over produced, with televised competitions in arenas.

See your favorite pro on the jumbotron. That's weird. That's good for those pros though. More money, and those guys definitely deserve it. You can't stop growth. Things will probably get more ridiculous too. I just wonder if kids are called "fag", or told that skating is "gay" by people that don't skate? You know the ones, the guys in the lowered 2 wheel drive early 80's Chevy Silverado pickup with their girlfriend posted up right next to them on the bench seat, yelling at you as they drive by. At least that's what I saw in my town when I was a kid. We were hicks though, so your experience may be different. There is hope, not everyone is buying into the hype. These guys definitely have the right idea. Dumb tricks, rad tricks, scum bag, clean cut, whatever. Skate for the fun. Skate for the individual expression. Go do a stupid trick, or don't. Do whatever you want. That's what makes skating so great. No rules, no restrictions. Just remember to keep skateboarding gay, or the jocks truly will win.

Shane Bell Show!

I've been lagging on the interweb updating. This has been out for a hot minute, but I needed to add it to the Merde page so our 6 followers could stay updated. Being a member has its advantages...it sure does.

Great work Mr. Bell!

Landlocked Seamen (The Search For Lesbian Seagull)

I watched this movie on Netflix OnDemand called "Isolation". It was about these scientists doing experiments on some bovine specimens, in order to create...well I don't really know. One thing leads to another, and viola'...there is a mutant calf monster thing that burrows into people and crawls out a bigger hole. Unfortunately the host is left dead, and the monster thing gets bigger and continues to terrorize people on the farm. Anyway, long story short...at the end of the movie they play this song by Jim Ford which was pretty awesome, which I'd never heard before. So I used it in this video. Thanks.

Landlocked Seamen (The Search for Lesbian Seagull) from Merde Skateboards on Vimeo.

Shit Sando

My friend Colin said this video gave him motion sickness. Considering the source, I think that was a rave review. Thanks Colin! Our cameraman/editor Pat Butterman did the best job he could, considering he was recovering from a bout of shingles and detoxing from a 7 year cocaine addiction. I mean good help is so hard to find these days. Thanks to the Merde guys and all our friends that were in the video. Don't know the name of the guy from Yakima that was ripping, but hey...thanks for shredding anyhoo.

Boomer 2009

I was going through some old tapes from Dad Cam 1, my old Sony DCR-TRV50, and found some unused footage of Boomer we shot one day back in the Summer of 2009. I threw in some other random stuff I found also, Hood River and Orcas. At the beginning of the video there is a kid skating that has red hair like Boomer. He kind of magically appeared out of nowhere, like some red headed unicorn, slammed into the fence, and then galloped away into the mean streets of Multnomah Village. Boomer is rad...good guy, great attitude, and a great work ethic. I've seen him take some horrendous slams. He just kind of pops up and keeps going.

Alex Schuurmans S&A Shot of the Week

Alex is a guy we have on flow through Rip City. J.P., the propietor of Rip City was telling me about this photo on Sunday when I was in there with my kids. See, my eldest daughter is learning to skate. I'm pretty sure she rips for a 6 year old girl, maybe not. She's got heart. Alex has heart. I've seen him bust his ass on that bowl they have back there. That thing is nuts, confusing to me. There is no time to think, but I suck so what do I know. Anyway, Alex got a sick pick right there. I need to drag him outside and get some footage of him on some concrete. All those guys at Rip City are friendly. They carry mostly local stuff, so you should go down there and buy something.

New Brian Rensberry Graphic

We decided to go with what works, so we went back to David Stein for Brian's second graphic. Hell, Brian even set the thing up himself. How's that for DIY? Brian is a shredding machine too..when you actually get to see him skate. He sometimes gets weirded out by crowds, but it is a rare treat when you can witness his skating. He has one of the best styles out there. Smooth and effortless. I once told him he was like our Drehobl. He said, "I'm nobody's Drehobl." He's old too. He's turning 36 this month. So happy birthday B.Rens, happy birthday baby Jesus, and God bless America!

Have A Merde-ee Christmas

We got a couple Merde riders together along with some friends to film a little bit of skating in honor of baby Jesus. This was all shot over a 3 hour period at Epic Snow and Skate in Portland. Thomas unfortunately broke his arm in the "street" area after having wrapped up most of the filming. He had to get surgery and will be out for a bit. Get well soon Thomas, you were ripping for sure! Have a Merry Christmas everyone.

Have A "Merde-ee" Christmas from Merde Skateboards on Vimeo.

Thomas Nichols

Thomas is a Battle Ground local we put on a few months back. I was going to put together a little web clip to welcome him aboard. I'm still going to, but holy shit, I came across this clip done for Auviq Clothing and was just completely blown away. Great job guys! Great job Thomas! Great job Jesus! The nose pick fakie at BSS is outstanding.

Filmed by Collin Whalen
Edited by Scott Bannan

Thomas Nichols from scott bannan on Vimeo.

"Florida Bacon" Mike Barnes Bromodel

We got to know Mike a bit this Summer while he vacationed in the corporate suite provided by Bacon in the upscale Clinton neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. He enjoyed a life of leisure...you know your regular stuff like tennis, karaoke, clamming, and aggressive mushroom harvesting. Anyhoo, he has a fondness for Spicoli and skateboarding, and an healthy hatred for hipsters, which makes him A-OK in our book. He's currently back in Florida, busting ass in the hustle and bustle of professional Pina' Colada drinking competitions and recreational gator wrestling. Hope to see you next Summer Darkness. Enjoy the boards...you deserve it! These should be out sometime in January 2011 and will be limited to only 100 boards, or so.

Spicoli's shirt was the inspiration for the flower graphic. Someone should make that shirt again.

Mike Barnes Bromodel by Merde from Merde Skateboards on Vimeo.

"In Search of the Miraculous" Pontus Alv Film Premiere/Benefit PDX, OR. 12/2/2010

There will be a premiere of Pontus Alv's "In Search of the Miraculous" at the Clinton Theater in Portland, Oregon Thursday, December 2nd at 9pm. This will be an ALL AGES premier. $2 entry and there will a raffle or auction to help raise money for more expansion at the Brooklyn Street Spot. If you enjoy films about skateboarding, that capture what skateboarding is about, then you should certainly come down and spend your $2 to enjoy this film. Hell, you should also buy the DVD from Pontus himself. He filmed, edited, and skated in it. You'd be supporting an actual real life skateboarder, not a company. Also, it is probably one THE best films about skateboarding. "Strongest of the Strange", "Fruit of the Vine", and "Tent City" are what I think of when it comes to great skate movies, and this one easily falls into that group. Kudos Mr. Alv, kudos BSS, kudos skateboarding!

Shane Bell Old Timey Color Commentary

Much like the commentary from a Seabiscuit race, we here at Merde Skateboards try to capture the excitement of skateboarding in the most exciting way. Commentary by Gus "Flathead" Johson.

Shane Bell Old Timey Color Commentary from Merde Skateboards on Vimeo.

"SHIT SANDWICH"

We're going to put together some our Summer footage sometime in the next month, or so. It shall be named "Shit Sandwich" in honor of one of the most rockingest bands known to man...Spinal Tap!

Anyhoo, here are some pics from that 3 day trip to Irrigon/Pendleton/Yakima.