Winners Announced at 15th Annual Transworld Skate Awards

PRESS RELEASE: Carlsbad, CA – TransWorld SKATEboarding just announced this year’s TWS Award recipients last night in Southern California as skateboarding’s heavyweights came out in force and packed out the Avalon Hollywood. Veteran emcees Brian Schaefer and Lizard King presided over the biggest night in skateboarding as the best skaters of 2012 took the stage to receive their coveted awards.

Starting out the night, Steve Van Doren—the godfather of Vans—accepted the Eric Stricker Memorial Award for his continual contributions to the world of skateboarding. From personally grilling burgers for the public at events to helping in the development of new skateparks being built, Van Doren has literally given his life to making the world a better place for skateboarders.

Next up, the New Era Readers’ Choice Award went to none other than the people’s champ, Guy Mariano, who came out swinging with a mind-blowing part in Pretty Sweet.

After putting out an insane barrage of coverage this past year, including an interview in TransWorld SKATEboarding’s May 2012 issue and a grip of footage in The Cinematographer Project, Alien Workshop’s Gilbert Crockett took the stage to accept Best Rookie. With his ridiculous pop, raw style, and timeless trick selection, the future is looking bright for Crockett.

Between the stack of magazine coverage—including a 16-page feature in TransWorld SKATEboarding’s April 2012 issue—and every single rider on the brand putting out a full part in Parental Advisory, DGK took home Best Team, and proved they really are here to stay. So while the world saw some of the heaviest skateboarding to date over the course of 2012, Stevie Williams and Josh Kalis truly showed everyone they know how to pick ‘em.

Girl and Chocolate’s Pretty Sweet took home Best Video. Produced by the legendary team of Spike Jonze, Ty Evans, Aaron Meza, and Federico Vitetta, Pretty Sweet showcased some of the world’s greatest skateboarding and did it with style.

Taking the stage once again, Guy Mariano accepted the Best Video Part award for his curtains part in Pretty Sweet. Not many skaters actively progress well into their 30s, but like fine wine, Mariano somehow gets better with age. Countless NBDs and an ender of all enders, Guy managed to put out what few will ever come close to doing. Combine his skills on the board with Crailtap’s legendary video editing, and you’ve got an epic part that won’t be topped for years.

Wrapping up the Awards show, Tommy Guerrero accepted the Legend Award. Not many people can say they revolutionized the world of skateboarding, but this San Francisco icon, top shelf Bones Brigader, co-founder of Real Skateboards, and first ever “street” pro, has left an incredible mark on the world of skateboarding. Roll Forever.

Directly following the awards, Jon Holland and Chris Thiessen premiered the 25th TransWorld SKATEboarding video, Perpetual Motion, featuring parts from Walker Ryan, Jimmy Carlin, Josh Matthews, Tom Remillard, Julian Davidson, and Silas Baxter-Neal. When all was said and done, this was the biggest and best Awards night yet. Congratulations to all the winners!

Check out more updates, photos, and video footage from the amazing show at TWSKATE.com and to TWS’s social feeds at @transworldskate (#TWSAWARDS2013). The 15th Annual TransWorld SKATEboarding Awards is proud to be presented by New Era and sponsored by Red Bull, GoPro, and Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Another Moldy Oldy (circa 2009) Wayzbrand apparel

An interview with Wayzbrand Apparel owner James

In the Oldest City in New Jersey, Vineland, resides a young man and his family who are embracing creativity and allowing him to turn his passion into a business at the ripe age of 12 1/2.

James Hammerstedt has been skateboarding for only a short 8 months but his passion for graphic design and skateboarding has made him into one of the youngest business owners I have met in a great while. James entered one of our Skateboard Events and from that day forward was hooked on skateboarding and its lifestyle. James’ father is an accountant by trade so it stands to reason that his financial attributes will come in handy with a fledgling apparel company and the intial growing pains that go with ownership and expansion of a start-up business. With a recession in full swing and companies cutting back on just about everything, James sees this as a great chance to make in-roads into an industry that usually shuns the new guy.

Skateboarding was born from creativity and of course, lack of surf, but grew into a multi-million dollar giant that has begun to run its course with mainstream America, reaching as far inland as the Midwest and all its tremendous skateparks.

Parks open, parks close. Shops come and go, but what always remains the core of skating is the independence it leaves each and every skater in way of self expression and inner being while on a skateboard. Whether carving a ditch in New Mexico or killing your local bowl at the park, skateboarding is alive and its heart still beats, but it’s getting ever more faint with the corporate greed that drives such companies as the mall guys (you know who they are).  Until more kids like James reach out and take a chance, it’s looking more and more like the mall rat skate poser types are taking charge of your (the true skaters) future of choice.

Alright James, this is your time to step up and tell everyone what it is you want to get out to them.

Whats you real age?  “Twelve and a half”

Where are you from? “Vineland”

How long have you been skating? “Only 8 months but I have learned a ton”

So what was the name of your company again? “Wayzbrand”

And that means what??? “Sort of like, do it your way, whatever way is best and don’t worry what anyone else thinks about it, have fun. Any Wayz you can (pun)”

Who designs and how does your company work? “I do all the graphics, but my Dad is really the business end of things, he does the day to day stuff, I just do the art”

Why start a new company when so many are folding everday? “I was really just messing around with it, and it just sort of became like its own thing, a serious business, we have tees, decks and stuff already.”

What’s your company’s vision? “I want to see us as a ‘Core” Company, dedicated mainly to skate but keeping it real for bikers and such too. I know its tough to cross lines but I thnk we can do it.” I really want to have tees, hats, decks, and more stuff available to sell; I’m working on it now.

Who do see as your main competition? “Everyone, we’re real small right now”

Have a dream for the company? “To sponsor a major event or Pro rider”

Being a small label what do you feel is a plus? “Being small we can keep everything in house like distribution and all, gives us full control.”

Where do you see yourself in a year? “I hope to be more popular in NJ and PA with a couple shops carrying our stuff”.

How about in 3 years? “Well known”

Have a team? “Yep, like 6 local guys we plan to add to that later.”

How do they apply? “Compete at our events, once we get site up, they can send me video of themselves and we go from there.”

If you can say anything to anyone what would it be? “Don’t rush things, work hard, and market (you) everyday.”

How about a closing statement there James? “BUY MORE WAYZBRAND”

 

Contact: Wayzbrand – James Hammerstedt  (owner) – wayzbrand@aol.com