summer 2015

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table of contents

SOMA

As a native Californian, the Gold Coast has always felt like home to me. The warm water and salty ocean air is all I’ve ever known. Whether it’s skateboarding with friends on a hot summer afternoon, or cruising around barefoot on my longboard when the sun sinks, I’ve always found peace in this way of living. From the day I got my first surfboard, I fell in love with the idea that it was just me and the ocean. The waiting game for catching the perfect wave, and learning to feel the ocean and read its movement is something that just can’t be explained. The same thing happens skating. When you get on your board your biggest competition is yourself and the biggest rush of satisfaction comes from the adrenaline pumping through your veins when you land a gnarly trick. People of all ages from everywhere have fallen in love with the idea of catching a wave or cruising on a skateboard, and it’s a great way to get families and friends outside for a day of fun. It doesn’t matter if you’re a diehard competitor or leisurely enthusiast, we all respect each other the same. California is known for its surf culture and coastline of killer waves. Surf & Skate was created to bring the best of surfing and skating to readers everywhere whose love of the ocean and asphalt surpasses all others. Surf & Skate lives up to its name, and it’s chock full of the best summer places to chill, or sweet locations for your next skate sesh. The goal of this magazine is to bring readers, surfers, and skaters together and to share their love for these rad sports. Surf & Skate is different than other magazines on the shelves because we’ve mixed both cultures for an endless adventure-filled summer. We aren’t strictly skate, but we also aren’t strictly surf, for the mere fact that both of these sports are two of California’s greatest activities. If you’re a summer tourist, or native to the coast, this magazine is intended to reach all audiences of all ages to keep them moving and out chasing their next big adventure. I want to bring you all the best of surfing and skating so that your summer can be as radical as mine here on the coast. Aside from being fun, full of cool places, and useful for buying surf or skate gear, Surf & Skate is one to keep in mind when grabbing some magazines for your road trip or ride to the beach this year. Pack a cooler, grab your boards, and let’s get out there. I’ll catch ya later.

SOMA SKATE PARKSAN FRANCISCO

ARTIST: DREW BROPHYYOGURT WAVE MURALCOSTA MESA, CALIRFORNIA

#5: Todd FrancisWebsite: toddfrancis.comWorks with: Element (formerly New Deal, Anti Hero, Real, Stereo)Todd Francis has been making board graphics since 1993, including some of the best Anti Hero graphics in the late ’90s, but he has not lost any steam and has powered straight through the 2000s. As an Element Advocate, Francis has been integral in turning around that brand's art department. Element is now known for his clean and stylized nature motifs.

#4: Ed TempletonWebsite: toymachine.comWorks with: Toy Mach http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0001/2052/files/Pigeon-Special-Crud-Equal-Dist-Todd-Francis-2.jpg?682 ine, RVCA, Emerica, (formerly New Deal, TV)Professional skateboarder, photographer, and artist Ed Templeton is one of the most talented people in skateboarding. He has semi-retired from his active pro-skater duties, but he is still going full force with his art and photography. Ed did graphics way back in the early New Deal days, then started his own company, TV, and then ultimately became the founder of Toy Machine. Through Toy Machine, he has been reincarnating and reinventing his classic characters for years.

#3: Donny MillerWebsite: donnymiller.comWorks with:Skate Mental, RVCA, (formerly Aesthetics, éS, Emerica)If there is anyone pushing the boundaries of socially acceptable graphics, it is Donny Miller. He is currently creating graphics for one of the most uncensored companies out, Skate Mental, and even those guys have said Donny's work has been too much at times (this is a brand that is cool to put out a board featuring a boy humping a dolphin’s blowhole). Donny's Alien vs. Predator board is one of the best skateboard graphics ever created.

#2: Michael SiebenWebsite: msieben.comWorks with: Roger, Volcom, Thrasher (formerly Bueno)The Austin, Texas-based artist Michael Sieben has a unique illustrative style that is immediately recognizable. Just as important as the art quality is his humor, which can sometimes be dry, but is always on point. From his articles in Thrasher to his web series through Volcom to his board graphics for the company he co-owns, Roger, Sieben has secured a steady place for himself in the timeline of skateboard art.

#1: Todd BratrudWebsite: thehigh5.comWorks with: The High 5, Volcom, Nike, The Skateboard Mag, (formerly Consolidated)While most skateboarders have varied opinions on artists within the culture, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone that doesn’t like the work of Todd Bratrud. His talent is obvious and the appeal of his humor spans the gamut of tastes. From potty jokes to witty juxtapositions that require some thought to appreciate, Bratrud is a mastermind that hasn’t stumbled in years. It is no wonder he has done graphics for tons of companies. He made Consolidated relevant, and he inevitably started his own brand called The High 5 (which puts out the best graphics of our time). Choosing just from graphics to showcase from his work was the hardest yet, there are no duds. All killer, no filler.

I’m sure you’ve seen her photography around, and if you follow her on Twitter or Instragram you certainly have. But photography isn’t the only thing Sierra Prescott is into – she’s also an avid skateboarder. Whether she’s on a board, behind the camera, or on a board in front of the camera, Sierra typically has a smile on her face that can’t be rivaled by any other. What makes this young woman able to see such positivi-ty in her life? She absolutely loves life. I managed to catch up with her to ask her about those different aspects of her career, what motivates her, and to get advice for some female skaters starting out.

For those that don’t know you, why don’t you tell us about yourself?

Besides that I’m known for being notoriously private… I’m just a kid stuck in an adult body with a fancy camera in my hand who truly believes life is the best thing ever. And why walk when you can skate?

What made you decide to start skateboarding?

Well I have always been a major tomboy, and as a kid my friends were pretty much all boys. I wasn’t a girl in the group, I was one of them so we shared that common interest and competition. Also, I do know that I was an avid follower of the tv series “Rocket Power” which made me want to master ALL board sports, but skateboarding was by far the coolest.

Were there any pros you looked up to when you were young?

Definitely. Top two.. Rodney Mullen and Jay Adams.

Where is your favorite place to go skateboarding?

Anywhere with smooth concrete. I hop in my car looking for new spots whenever I get a chance. There’s nowhere I need to be, I just need to be where my skateboard is.

I see that you’re into photography as well. How did you get into that?

I started taking photos at a young age; it’s always been a passion of mine. But it wasn’t until I was pulled out of school to talk college with my mom that it became serious. I had good grades and plenty of good options. When I spoke about business school she stopped me and asked about my camera. I kinda responded with a “what about it” and then we went on to discuss photography schooling. She gave me her support and within a few months, I had committed to Brooks Institute of photography. After I graduated, I went on to work with people I highly respect and watched them live my dream. Now, I’m building my own dream.

Crime + Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. The human mind is fascinating.

If you had to choose between skateboarding and photogra-phy and could only do one, which would it be?

Photography. At the end of the day, it IS my life, and I’m thrilled to be fortunate enough to be mak-ing a living off of it.

As a kid, what was your dream job?

Sports Illustrated Photographer.

Ice cream or cake?

Cookies. Ok fine, Ice cream cake.

DC or Marvel?

Marvel.

To piggyback off the last one, who’s your favorite superhero?

I’m going to have to go with Spiderman, Runner-up would be Captain America.

What’s your favorite kind of music?

Right now, hip-hop. But I’m also a fool for 90’s grunge and alter-native..

What sort of things do you like to take pictures of? Is there one subject you prefer over the other?

People are my passion and moments are my favorite. Since I started my love for photography with sports, it has always been about that stopped moment; the moments our eyes fail to fully appreciate. That vein now runs through most all my work. I love the in-betweens and genuine movements. Favorite type of work would be mens fashion.

How do you keep yourself motivated?

My motivation is fueled by my desire to make life rule. I know the more I put into it, the more I will get out of it. I know practice makes perfect. And I know the more passion I have in my life, the better work I will create. So I followed my passions; Life is rad.

I’m sure you’re very busy with your skateboarding and photography career, but what do you do during your downtime?

Cook, I love to cook. Because I also love to eat. And then workout either at home or at my local gym. And well, I love spending time with my friends and family :)

What do you think of the skateboarding industry today? How do you feel about the representation of girl skaters?

I think the industry has shifted from a desire to skate to a desire to win. The competition went corporate and the skateboard companies seem to get glorified BEFORE the skater. But with that being said, I’m no expert! I do think there are some amazing girl skaters out there that don’t receive all the recognition they deserve. I’m hopeful for the future of skateboarding.

What advice would you give girls who are just starting out/want to get into the sport?

Above all, practice and be consistent with it. Watching ‘how-to’ videos will definitely help you with form. Skateboarding is as much mental as it is physical. If you’re just starting out, watch as many skaters as you can, check out the tutorials as well as the full length videos. The better you can visualize yourself, the easier it will be to execute.

What do you think people will be surprised to learn about you?

I’m super duper picky. Linked with being a perfectionist and definitely a bit OCD, I like things, rather NEED things to be a certain way. From the temperature of my coffee, to the type of wood used in my furniture, to how my remotes are arranged on the media console; I need consistency and order, otherwise I am pretty much like a skipping vinyl until it’s addressed. It’s one of the best and worst traits I have.

Now for a few fun questions: if you were to speak at a commencement, what would your message be?

Besides the fact that that would absolutely terrify me…I’d talk about living and loving life. Living and loving life is being aware of its potential, making the most out of your day to day and realizing how fortunate you really are. It’s not only how you spend your time, but with how you push yourself to be the best you; professionally, physically and emotionally.What’s your favorite book?Thank you so much, Sierra, for taking time out of your schedule to allow us to interview you. You are indeed as inspirational and all around awesome as we already thought you were. Hopefully your words will have more people following their dreams and passions. Keep rocking!

“I’m just a kid stuck in an adult body with a fancy camera in my hand who truly believes life is the best thing ever.”

HOW-TO: GHETTO RIG YOUR SKATEBOARD

WHEN YOU BREAK YOUR T-TOOL

6ʼ 7ʼ 8ʼ 9ʼ 10ʼ1 1ʼ

Gun

Longboard

Hybrid

Shortboard

Egg

Fish

Tow-In

A typical gun ranges in length from 6’6” to 10’. The extra length allows a surfer to gain enough speed while paddling to catch the huge and fast moving waves.

Longboards typically range from 8 feet to 12 feet long, at least 2.5 inches thick and twenty inches wide. This extra volume allows them to paddle incredibly well and catch waves with ease.

Mixes the characteristics and performance of a shortboard with the stability and tail design of a fish. This is a great board for medium size days or even just a heavier surfer who wants to surf a smaller board.

The shortboard is usually found at a length of under seven feet long. It will have a greater

amount of rocker which allows it to surf in critical sections of the wave.

They typically range in from 6 feet to 8 feet long. The egg is perfect for surfers who want to transition to a

smaller board while still maintaining additional paddling power and stability.

A fish is a relatively flat surfboard with only a bit of rocker, allowing it to paddle very well and carry

speed through flat sections of a wave.

Tow-in surfboards range in length from 5’5” to 6’2”, depending on the rider’s weight and the surf break.

They are unusually thin for a foam board, hovering around the 2” mark the entire length.

BE BADASS