Converse

Returning to Huntington Beach, California this Friday, August 5 is the Converse Coastal Carnage, a pro/am skate competition. Consisting of 40 premier skateboarders, it takes place against the backdrop of the Nike US Open of Surfing - the world's largest youth culture and action sports festival. In its third year running as the skate component to the event, Converse Coastal Carnage is free for spectators and will run over the weekend, ending Sunday, August 7. 



Converse Coastal Carnage consists of 10 qualifying rounds with four riders skating against each other at the same time. As an invite-only event, it combines experienced professionals like Converse Skate Ambassadors Rune Glifberg and Sammy Baca competing against a wave of fresh new talent. Up-and-comer Converse Skate Ambassador Tom Remillard returns this year with a vengeance for top prize. Placing second last year, Remillard is among one of the many young up-and-comers giving the veteran riders like Glifberg a run for their money. Also making an appearance this year is one of Converse's premier riders, Kenny Anderson who has just recently launched his first signature shoe, the Converse KA-ONE.

"Now in its third year, Converse Coastal Carnage continues to gain momentum. It's awesome to see skate legends and new talent competing so intensely side by side, and the beach setting creates a real electric atmosphere for the guys," said Geoff Cottrill, Chief Marketing Officer of Converse. "We're looking forward to putting on a great show for the crowd this year"




Check out the above teaser for highlights from the 2010 Converse Coastal Carnage and for live streams of the competition visit www.usopenofsurfing.com 

We're excited to present "LA to Vegas", a short film by Converse celebrating the release of Kenny Anderson's new pro shoe, the KA-ONE.

Watch Kenny attempt the longest nose manual in history from his current home in Los Angeles to his hometown of Las Vegas. On the journey, he passes by iconic landmarks like Cherry Park in Long Beach, the L.A. River, the 405, and the desert, before he hits the Vegas strip and finally his old neighbourhood. He is joined by many of the friends who have influenced him, his skating, and who have helped him get to where he is today.

This isn't just a homecoming back to Las Vegas, it is a return to Converse, the brand where it all started for Kenny.

The KA-ONE shoe is built on the legacy of the Converse Classic Trainer '76 and crafted for today's skater. It releases in Australia in July, only at core skate shops for a suggested retail price of AUD$90.

Despite weather feeling like sub zero temperatures with flash flooding, over 2000 people flocked to Princes Gardens in Prahran last Saturday for a Converse Block Party.

Punters enjoyed a day of live music and entertainment with Fool's Gold Records DJs "Flosstradamus" (Chicago, USA), "Nick Catchdubs" (NYC, USA), and local MC's Illy and Phrase rocking the house with their sets.



The Viva Prahran Skateboarding competition brought together some of Australia's best skaters to battle it out for the $7000 cash pool. Congratulations to Converse riders Bryce Golder and Cam Holling who took home some beer money.



On the other side of the park, street ball was played on some slippery courts which made for interesting viewing, the slippery surface causing players to go A over T! Congratulations to those teams that reigned (the other type) supreme in the 3on3 basketball touranments. Young Money (Open Division) and Full Court Street Press (Media & Retail) took out the titles, taking with them great prizes, a highly sought gold trophy shoe, and most importantly- home court bragging rights!



Crowds enjoyed local chow from The Taco Truck and Jerry's Burgers, and were entertained by local break dance and skipping crews. For those unable to avoid a shop, there was a treasure or two to be found in the vintage flea market.



Thanks to those who braved the weather to come down, I'm sure you enjoyed it as much as we did. Look out for the event video coming soon.

TheSkateboardMag.com hosts an online video series titled "Trippin" that typically presents footage from skateboarding travels.

The Converse Skateboarding Ambassadors are featured in a three-part Trippin' series from their trip to Mexico for some Day of the Dead action and some skateboarding.

Check out Nick Trapasso, Pat Pasquale, Julian Davidson, Jeffery Marshall, Raymond Molinar and Kenny Anderson suiting up for Day of the Dead and skateboarding through the streets of Mexico in the last episode available to view online now.

To watch Episode 3 of the series, click here

Also, be sure to check out the "Patinando Con Los Muertos" article in The Skateboarders Mag's issue #87 out now.  

Playing host to the Texas Style Death Match, which ran Wednesday March 16th to Saturday March 19th, Converse teamed up with Thrasher Magazine to open a new, specifically created skate ramp for the event. 

The Texas Style Death Match is the only integrated music and skate event open and accessible to all during one of Austin's largest music festivals. Covering four days of music and skate, the event engaged skate ambassadors from the Converse Team and the local skate community in Texas. In addition to best trick competitions and open skating, live music featured throughout the event with Converse showcasing plenty of emerging bands including Das Racist, Kokayi, Trap Them, Night Horse, Lecherous Gaze and Naam. Check out the recap video featuring Odd Future and Pentagram.

Converse skate ambassador Nick Trapasso, whose new CONS Trapasso Pro skate shoe recently released, was excited to be part of the event, but even more so about the release of his namesake shoes. Very much inspired by Nick's laid back style, the Trapasso features an all-black suede mid with a popped green flamingo sock lining. More information on the CONS Trapasso Pro skate shoe can be found at www.converseskateboarding.com.