Change News

PAPA NOEL

2008-10-01T16:33:00.000-07:00

He is coming sooner than you think. Go outside, skate now. Hopefully that indoor mini ramp will be waiting for you once the snow and fat man are flying.

NEW BOARDS IN NOW

2008-09-29T11:22:00.001-07:00

New this week we have a reprint of the "Egyptian Atari Maze" and a new color way of the "Bone Peeler". Both decks are available in 7.5, 7.75, 8.00, and 8.25. As always, they're all 100% North American made. For a list of shops that carry Change in your area check our retailers section on the site, or email change@changeskateboards for more information.

COLOR MAG RELEASE PARTY

2008-09-26T11:12:00.000-07:00

Tonight at 751 Queen in Toronto. Doors open at 9 PM. Rumors are that Dallas and Hill each have photos in this issue, so pick up a copy and a pint of your favorite draught. Also, Humble Empire is having their "100 T-shirt party" tonight at The Boat (Augusta Ave), with special guests Dinosaur Bones and Born Ruffians. Only $5. Get excited. Oh! And new Change boards are out now. Pictures Monday! Email me to find out where to pick one up.. james@changeskateboards.com

Have a good weekend all!

Dunbat poaching

2008-09-26T10:07:00.000-07:00

Here is Dunbat montage filmed and edited by Nick Genova. Definitely worth a watch. Check it out here. I bumped into Nick last week at a short film premiere in which he had a great piece titled "Death of the obsolete", it was about the life of an under used and unappreciated accordion. Hopefully he will get a post of that online soon.

Quick Films, August montage

2008-09-26T09:53:00.000-07:00

Quicks August montage! Check his blog here.

NORMAN

2008-09-22T09:56:00.000-07:00

I received this email from a young hopeful a few days ago... I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Norman's email is below.

Hey I have been skating for a little less than a year and got kinda good for my expierience.. but i am really broke right now and i cant afford anything.. so i have been looking for a small sponsor to represent and advertise.. i was wondering if you guys could hook me up? Here is my video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUxHxVaBfyY

I am going to send Norman a board just for trying... or maybe out of pity...I'm not sure.

SHOOT TO THRILL

2008-09-09T09:07:00.001-07:00

Once again Color Magazine and Redbull present "Shoot To Thrill". Here are the rules: One filmer, 3 skateboarders and 3 days to film, edit and complete a short film. Here is our good friend Chris Quick's entry, featuring Change rider Hill Sulpher, Windsor loc Jamie Jeffery and Stoney Points favorite son, Dallas Ives. Enjoy! Don't forget to vote for the vid if your feeling it! Check the video here. Great job guys.

Change Recording Studio

2008-09-08T15:53:00.000-07:00

Change had its first in-house recording a few nights ago. Nicked danced around sipping gin and Max worked on a new track. We'll let you know when the editing's done.

Just tell me if I am on fire

2008-09-07T08:14:00.000-07:00

Molotov Cocktail Baseball - Watch more free videos

Home run...

THUNDER BAY SKATE RESULTS

2008-09-02T09:21:00.000-07:00

Last Monday we were in Thunder Bay for the final stop of the fourth annual Game Of Skate tour... Finally!!! I am tired of gas station fill ups and Red Bull to keep me moving. Until next year! Congrats to T Bay's Ben Tranter for taking the goods 2 years in a row for this stop! Ben beat Ari, Wayne and Dan to once again take top spot. Adam Hopkins took home a new Change deck for landing multiple best tricks down the hubba/rail/ledge including hurricane, ollie over 5-0, switch lip and kick flip front board.

Pics will be up on the GOS site soon! As well as a little more on the Northern leg of this trip.. Thanks to Blaine at Static, DD for the accommodations and Nolan, Dirty Dan and Wolf for holding it down!

TORONTO SKATE RESULTS> THUNDER BAY GAME OF SKATE AUG 25TH

2008-08-21T18:25:00.000-07:00

Congrats go out to Pat O'Rourke for his win at todays Game of Skate tour Toronto stop. Pat was super consistent throughout and almost swept the initial round of the game on his first set trick! Props to Jordache and Will Bartlett for their efforts. We will have some pics up on the site in the next week or so...

If your in the Thunder Bay area, we are having the final stop of the tour on August 25th (Wednesday) at 5:00, Current River Skatepark. (Disregard the Marina Park fliers, we were hoping the park would be finished) Wishful thinking!

Hope to see you all out!

GAME OF SKATE TOUR STOP #9 TORONTO

2008-08-20T11:15:00.000-07:00

Thursday, August 21st @ 1pm at Dunbat. (Scadding Court Community Center) Come on out for a chance to win 0ver $750 in prizes from Royal, Skateboard Canada, Circa, Drop backpacks and Change! Hope to see you there.

PICKERING GAME OF SKATE RESULTS, ORANGEVILLE THIS SATURDAY!

2008-08-14T09:55:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Mike Tatarsky for the epic come back win vs Little B at the Pickering Game Of Skate. Thanks to Mike at Switch for the support!

This Saturday we will be in Orangeville for the 7th stop of the tour! Come on onut and take home $750 from Change, Royal Trucks, Circa, Drop Backpacks and Skateboard Canada Magazine! Hope to see you there.

JUNCTION CUSTOMERS APPRECIATION

2008-08-14T09:50:00.000-07:00

Stop by Junction Skate Shop this Saturday and be appreciated!!!

NIAGARA FALLS SKATE RESULTS, PICKERING GAME OF SKATE TODAY!

2008-08-11T09:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we were in the Falls for the Change game of Skate tour stop,held in conjunction with Antigravity Skate Shop. The weather wasn't cooperating but of course we persevered and found a small (but dry) pavilion close to the park to have the game. Thanks to everyone who came out, despite the rainy conditions and congrats to Brad Vacca for going home with the title. Pictures from the Falls Game Of Skate will be up on the GOS site shortly.

If your in the neighborhood today, come by Switch Skate Shop in Pickering for tour stop #7! The game starts at 5:00, rain or shine. (We will figure out something)

See you there!

HAMILTON RESULTS, NIAGARA FALLS, PICKERING

2008-08-09T14:41:00.000-07:00

Thursday, the Hamilton Game of Skate went down at Beasley park. It was a great afternoon, which included, Nick sacking himself and throwing up within 5 minutes of getting to the park, everyone being witness to a bike-hijacking and Frystack coming away with the SKATE victory. Congrats again Fryman! Pictures from the event will be up in the next couple days on the Game Of Skate site.

If your in Niagara Falls or Pickering, we will see you in the next 2 days! Thanks to Switch Skate Shop, Antigravity and Flatspot for all the support!

HAMILTON GAME OF SKATE! TOUR STOP #5! THURSDAY

2008-08-06T14:14:00.001-07:00

Hope to see you there!

WINDSOR, DETROIT, LONDON GAME OF SKATE RESULTS

2008-08-06T13:51:00.000-07:00

This past Friday we were in Windsor for stop # 2 of the tour and what a day it was!

Thanks again to everyone (I mean everyone, check the pic) for coming out to support the event. Special thanks to Jack V, Mark Feimer and Jay and Bill at Elements for the help!

Stacey Davis took first spot and went home to Essex with a prize pack courtesy of Circa, Skateboard Canada Magazine, Drop backpacks, Royal Trucks and Change!

After the Game an impromptu best trick contest went down on the Big 3. Dozens of tricks went down but it was Nicky went away with top spot and everyones admiration.(After about 45 minutes of consecutive slams and sticks) Video should be up in the next week or so. Honorable mention goes out to Charles (Tre flip), Jeff Sirnik (finger flip, switch flip, hardflip) Corey Shucker (Beni), Hill Sulpher (Backside Heel, Varial flip) , Tim Tim (360 Casper?).

The next day we were in Detroit for stop number 4, where Bren Sungaheid finished 1st place against a really talented turnout.

Tuesday we were in London, where local Colin Findlater took top spot, beating out Arthur Sousa. Pic from all 3 events will be up on the official Game Of Skate site in the next day or so.

If your in the area, we will be in Hamilton tomorrow for stop number 5! The game starts at 4:00 and we will be meeting up at Flatspot Skate Shop. Hope to see you there!

WINDSOR GAME OF SKATE FRIDAY! SATURDAY DETROIT, TUESDAY IN LONDON

2008-07-31T10:40:00.000-07:00

This week is a busy one with 3 more stops on the 4th Annual Change Skateboards Game Of Skate tour. Friday we will be in Windsor @ 5:00, meeting up at the Ice rink downtown. Saturday we're in Detroit at Chiipss Skate Shop in Plymouth for 4:00. This coming Tuesday we will be in London hosting another game at Victoria Park (Ledge Land).

Come on out for a chance to go home with prizes from Royal Trucks, Skateboard Canada Magazine, Drop backpacks, Circa Skate Shoes and Change! Have a good long weekend everyone and good luck! We hope to see you soon.

GAME OF SKATE TOUR VIDEO

2008-07-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

Change Skateboards, Royal Trucks, Skateboard Canada Magazine, Drop Backpacks and Circa present the 4th Annual Game Of Skate tour. 10 stops throughout Ontario from August 1st until the 25th. Come on out and take a stab at over $10,000 in prizes. Check the GOS site for additional details and location times. http://www.changeskateboards.com/GOS08/

EVERYBODY IS GOING TO AMERICA

2008-07-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

Spot the Change logo at 17 seconds.. We're moving on up baby. Alexy Belov represent.

A NEW CHAPTER FOR CHATHAM

2008-07-21T14:51:00.000-07:00

Chatham's historic High Five! Skateshop is closing down at months end... but never fear, Chris made sure things were left in good hands. Enter Big Wig Skateshop. More info coming soon! Check the promo below.

AM GETTING PAID

2008-07-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

Change riders Mitch Pryma and Max Fairley are off to skate AM Getting Paid in Montreal tomorrow. Chris Quick is going as well to film, so expect a little montage some time next week!

PETER STANKIEWICZ MINITERVIEW

2008-07-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

The following is an email interview with Mr. Peter Stankiewicz; photographer, skateboarder and friend. We asked Peter to talk about his love of shooting photos, specifically skateboard oriented. He has hand picked 4 of his favorites and criticizes not only the photos themselves, but more interestingly, the scenario and atmosphere in which it was taken.

James: Peter, let's start with the basics, How old are you, where are you from? What are you up to in Toronto?

Peter: I'm 21 years old, and I'm originally from Sudbury. I'm taking graphic design at George Brown, and I spend most of my free time shooting, and skating.

James: What kind of camera setup do you use the majority of the time?

Peter: On film, I use a Bronica SQ-B with a 150mm, 80mm and 35mm Fisheye lens. My digital setup is a Nikon d2h, with a 35-70mm lens and a 10.5mm Fisheye.

James: What's your position on the debate between digital and film cameras? Are O.G purists just pretentious and anal or is there more skill and artistry involved in shooting film?

Peter: Film is more fun to shoot; it’s more rewarding, not only because it's slightly more difficult, but also because the end result tends to look better. Maybe it's just easier to make film shots look better. If I was doing this strictly for money, digital would be fantastic, but for the fun of it, I'll keep shooting film.

James: Tell me about the 4 photos that you picked to feature on the site. Why did you pick these particular examples?

Peter: The first photo is of a good friend of mine, Chris Marleau. It was taken on someones driveway about a half hour outside of Sudbury. The bank has a really weird bump on the bottom of it that makes it difficult enough to even carve, let alone pop out of. Everything just came together on this one - the time of day left some colour in the sky and the leaves give it a some really nice colour. The snappy ollie is really what makes it though.

Chris Marleau- Ollie

The second photo is of Dan Arget, whom you introduced me to. I shot this photo for a school project on a short deadline and was really happy when it came out. I only had two frames left on the roll, so took the two of them of Dan. The first one my flashes went off as planned, and then on the second, they didn't, which happily created a much nicer photo.

Dan Arget- Frontside Lipslide

The next is Colin Findlater. I met him on this day for the purpose of shooting this photo and since then have became pretty good friends with him. He landed the 5-0 before I managed to set up my film camera, but, like a champ, he did it again. If you've been to this spot you know how gnarly this hubba is.

Colin Findlater- 5-0

The last photo is Isaac Watamaniuk, and it was taken on my first big skate trip. We went to Houston over the New Year only to find out Houston isn't that fun without a vehicle. This spot was just off their light rail train between our hostel and downtown in a really sketchy neighborhood. A whole bunch of whacko's and kooks got stoked on us skating, and a few of the saner ones warned us we should leave sooner than later. Before the sun goes down.

Isaac Watamaniuk- Wallride

James: Who or what is your favorite thing to take photos of?

Peter: Skating is easily my favorite subject to take photos of. Finding new and unique spots and getting a photo you know you're going to be stoked on is the best thing. My favorite people to shoot with are ones who constantly come up with something new and interesting to skate, like Mikey Plantus, and Chris Marleau. Anyone who's willing to compromise skating for the sake of a photo is good to shoot with. Daniel Belanger, Dallas Ives, Potter - all tons of fun.

James: Can you expand on your meaning when you say that you like to shoot with people who are willing to "compromise skating for the sake of a photo"? Do you mean, taking the time to work with you, have setup time and go to spots that may be complimentary to a photo? Or am I totally off?

Peter: Basically, working with me to get a good photo, and not necessarily one of a banger. It can be anything from skating a janky spot, to trying a trick after I fucked it up, or trying an easier trick because it will look better, in my whack artistic vision.
Aside from skating, shooting portraits is a lot of fun. You meet a lot of interesting characters while skating and they usually have a good story; capturing that story in a photograph is the same feeling as shooting a good skate photo. I like shooting architecture too, which probably comes from shooting so many city skate spots.

James: Have you ever gotten into trouble for shooting a photo?

Peter: Yeah, I got arrested for shooting a photo behind the Labatt Brewery in London. We'd just gotten the shot and I started packing up to go home when a security guard comes out. We expect the usual "You know you shouldn't be here, get out." Instead the guard goes "You know you shouldn't be here, you're under arrest." Bewildered, we comply - what else would we do. We wait around for the cops, and two pull up and joke around with us, one of them asks about my photo gear and seems genuinely interested. Then Canine van pulls up, along with a third car. All for two kids skateboarding and taking photos. I still haven't paid the ticket.

James: Shout out to Sudbury? What are your 3 favorite spots from home?

Peter: I don't even think Sudbury really has spots. There's a lot of rocks, and some holes in the ground. Some rocks are more fun than others. The SouthRidge Mall has a few fun things to skate - some wooden benches, a sloped manual pad, a 3 up 3 down, an 8 stair with a steep handrail, and some banked ledges. Man, that sounds way better than it is. There's the Ghetto Bank downtown, which is just a steep and sketchy brick bank you can do tricks into. Random rocks probably give the best sessions. And there's always more to be found. I love Sudbury's rocks.

James Denomme- Frontside Ollie

James: The last time we spoke, you mentioned that you had been thinking a lot about HOW you take photos….Can you take me through your typical thought process from having an idea to making the photo a physical thing?

Peter: Shooting photos of people skating doesn't feel that different from skating itself: you might show up at a spot with a trick or photo in mind, but you might try something completely different when you get there because your idea isn't working. Or you get to a completely random spot you never expected to go to, but get something you're totally proud of. Each photo is totally different, but it should feel like the session it was taken in. Ideally the photo looks like what I imagine the trick felt like. That's my ultimate thought process in taking a skate photo...how I can portray what this skating feels like. If I've done that, I can't do any better.

James: O.K, time for a absurd theoretical and final question, If you had a choice between losing your sense of sight or alternatively losing your hearing and one foot, which would you choose and why?

Peter: This question is fucking poor. I think I'd lose my hearing and one foot, because I used a pogo stick today and decided it would make a great prosthetic. Does Jon Comer still skate? He did it with one foot. It might add some spring in my step. I'm not excited about not hearing though. My favorite part of Indiana Jones is the beginning of the first one, where he is being chased by the boulder, and the music comes on. It's epic because of the music. Do you really want to take that away from me?

James: No, I guess not. Thanks for sharing with us Pete.

This weekend!

2008-07-08T17:57:00.000-07:00

Lord of the Lines, this Saturday, 4:00 at Scadding Court (Dunbat) Check the press release from Supra below. See you there.