Friday 27 November 2009

Loved by the locals - Sam Bruce gives us an update

Hooked:

You're pretty well know around these parts, but for those people who have been asleep, do you think you can sum yourself up?


Sam Bruce:

I'm from London and have been skateboarding for around 7-8 years now. I'm a little crazy and have turned in to pretty much a lazy skater. I love to travel, so come 2010 i've got plans to enter all the girls comps in Europe.



Hooked:

One of the first girl UK skate scene videos is about to launch, thanks to Jenna Selby at Rogue Skateboards, how did the project come about? and who else is involved?


Sam Bruce:

I asked Jenna the same question, here's her response:

"Urm basically I broke both the bones in my ankle last october, got stuck in Austria for a few weeks as I wasn't allowed to fly home after an op = much pins and plateage. Had the Mega Mission tour footage tapes with me and friends who do the Yama videos over there taught me the basics of Final Cut and I put my first vid together. Then I got made redundant and decided to make the video. It was something I'd been meaning to do for some years and felt it was finally the right time with so many good riders now around the UK. Started off as a team video then expanded it to a UK girls skate video to just showcase the talent we have here.


I've done a lot of the filming, along the way other people offered there services the guys from Sidewalk, Michael MacInally, James Strutt and Paul Silvester. A good skate friend Neil Szymanski very kindly has donated his evenings and weekends to do the titles in zero amount of time. That's it really.


Nikita and Rubicon have just put up money towards the showing which will be on the 12th December in Soho."



Hooked:

Was the filming process a blast? Any tales to tell?


Sam Bruce:

I only started filming with Jenna not so long ago, and have only been out a few times, so have had to cram a lot in. The weather has been pretty crap which is a downer but skating with Helena Long always makes it a much more pleasent experience. That girl is just full of beans and up for anything! No tales to tell i'm afraid... sorry for being a bit boring.


Hooked:

You've skated a few comps this year, how do you find them? Are you super consistent under pressure or do the nerves get in the way?


Sam Bruce:

I love skate comps. They get me so amped! It's the only time when i get to have a proper skate and when i actually get the hammers out. I always start off really nervous. I hate people watching me skate, but when the adrenaline takes over, i go in to my own little world.


Hooked:

What trick have you got in your bag that shuts people down in a game of skate?


Sam Bruce:

It used to be an ollie late shuv-it, but nowadays the kids just keep biting back.



Hooked:

You get asked to do interviews a lot, apart from spending time having to think of crazy answers, what else do you spend your spare time doing?


Sam Bruce:

I've just got back from a surf trip to Morocco which was amazing and am planning to prepare myself for what the British sea's have got to give. I also study British sign language and am planning on taking up salsa again.


Hooked:

Are you still living, working between Southampton and London? How do you find it?


Sam Bruce:

No. I lived in Winchester for University and worked in Southampton at the same time, but then dropped my studies and moved back to London in 2008. London is my home and just has more to offer, although my friends still live in Southampton and i always make time to go and have a good old party with them!



Hooked:

Where are you skating mainly? Got any favourite hang outs?


Sam Bruce:

I'm quite lucky in the way that i have 3 skate parks just round the corner from me. I've been skating Royal Oak (Meanwhile 2) quite a bit but i would say Stockwell would be my usual hangout. There's going to be a new indoor skatepark opening in London by the end of the year, so i'll be sure to be hitting that up come these cold winter nights.


Meanwhile 2 -


View Meanwhile 2 Skatepark in a larger map


Stockwell -


View Larger Map



Hooked:

It can be intimidating turning up at a skate spot and being the only girl, what keeps you pushing forward through the testosterone filled spots?


Sam Bruce:

It used to be quite intimidating for the first part, but as you grow older times change, you become more tolerable and you make great friends along the way. After all these years i'm just starting to establish my 'skate group'. The people who make me feel part of the family and really push you to skate. You just feed off each others energy.


Hooked:

What's the worse bail you've ever experienced?


Sam Bruce:

Skateboarding drunk at Notting Hill carnival a few months ago! We were on our way to a house party and we saw this rad drop in next to a set of stairs. I and one other were convinced we could make it.... Half an hour waiting for the ambulance, 3 hours in A&E and hey presto. I walk out with a fractured elbow. No fun!


Hooked:

Being sponsored is the 'sacred land' of a lot of skaters, how did Gallaz then Vans catch your talent?


Sam Bruce:

Gallaz were my first ever sponsor. A friend of mine mentioned me to someone who worked for them at the time and she came and watched me skate and so hooked me up. Then a year later i had won my local comp, been to quite a few comps and just generally made myself known and that's when Vans offered me to be on their flow team. You've just got to get yourself out there really.


Hooked:

You surf too, do you prefer to skate or surf?


Sam Bruce:

Surfing is pretty much a new experience for me. I've done it a few times before, but as i mentioned before, i went to Morocco last week and that's the first time i've surfed everyday non-stop. I'm hooked! To be honest the two can't be compared to each other. Obviously skating is pretty much second nature to me but i'm hoping that surifing will be on a par with it. It's so much more physically demanding. My body is used to just pushing with my legs all the time and with surfing you need to 'push' with your arms. I'm hoping with surfing i'm not going to come away with as many bruises...



Hooked:

Who have you noticed recently coming up on the girl skate scene?


Sam Bruce:

Helena Long has just been getting better and better, but i've noticed that after a well deserved break Lucy Adams seems to be on top form again. It's really hard to say, but i reckon in 2010 you'll see a lot of new names cropping up.


Hooked:

We're about to hit the New Year, what plans have you got for 2010?


Sam Bruce:

A lot of European competitions. I've got my eyes set on Italy, Switzerland, Czech Republic and who ever else will let me in to their country! I can't wait!


Hooked:

Thanks again Sam, it's been wicked to keep in touch, hope to see you next time you're this way...


Wednesday 25 November 2009

Lets Talk Shop

Ledge of Leicester


Have you ever been in a situation were you promised to turn up to something but it actually takes longer than anyone expects?
Hooked said to Tim Hunt (after leaving Rollersnakes to open his own shop) "we'll come to see you in the near future dude, and do a feature"- 2 years on and we finally made it.

Situated on High Street in the centre of Leicester this welcoming shop has everything you'll need to stock up. Catering for both the discerning skater or the wana bees, its racked to the ceiling with wicked wears.

They also Rock a Website... drop your scroll☟

Paul, Ryan and owner Tim- Ledge Lurkin.

Wheely nice... um wheels.

Any size take your pick!

Sole duggery.

Good motto to live by!

Sweeeets!

Another sticker slap to chalk up. Check it out!



If you can't be bothered to take the weight off your butt cheeks, then get on the Ledgy site.
Look at the Ledge.


One for the road... Cheers

Tuesday 24 November 2009

New News, News New, New News...

Ravenous has a Skate Team!


On our regular pilgrimages to The House skate park just recently we bumped into Martin Kennelly, he was doing some filming with his new team, yes, new team called Ravenous (like the movie).

With over 40 new board designs waiting in the wings and with 4 of those for sale at The House - it looks like these guys are here to stay.

They have a team as well - all of a week old, here's the line up:

Louie Jones
Timmy Garbett
Joe Marks

Louie throwin down switch fs 360's just to warm up.

Crux and 5050 to pass the time.

New boooarddss... uuummmm!

Must get different angles... Must get different angles... the park was busy with cam jocks.



Martins hoping the weather clears so he can get some street- aren't we all!
'All the Best on the new venture dudes" from Hooked- on the move!

Monday 23 November 2009

Get your bearings: Brian Sumner talks to Hooked

Legendary Englishman turned US big hitter tells us how it's hanging after The Beginning, The End and everything in between.


Hooked:
Brian - you're an Englishman who's living the dream - tell us a bit about where you're living
and who you're representing at the moment.

Brian:
I am an Englishman and I lived the dream, Living in Huntington Beach california in USA. It's a surf town 40 mins south of LA and 40 mins north of San Diego.

Hooked:
You're an American Citizen now, how much do the skate spots there differ from the ones
here in England?

I have been a citizen for about 2 years. Honestly the spots are hard to skate here in Huntington Beach, almost everything has been skated for years and so its a bust. Mostly parks and such. But when there are spots they are great. perfect run up with nice sized objects.

Hooked:
You rode for Birdhouse for years, there must have been some serious $$$ in that. What
made you leave Birdhouse?

I had been there 12 years, and so as I became a Christian I wanted to use skating for what it is given for, sharing The Gospel. So I switched most of my sponsors to ride for Christian ones.


Hooked:
You've been skating for a long time now, what keeps it fresh and what's your all time
favourite trick?

Trick? I like nosebluntslides... What keeps it fresh? Just looking at things differently. Honestly I just enjoy a nice smooth ground with a good sized ledge... To go out and do stuff I just have to want to do a certain trick.

Hooked:
Are there any tricks you feel you should have down but don't?

Lol, front feebles and backside smiths for sure. They are awesome and its a rare occasion I have them.

Hooked:
Are you filming for any video parts at the moment?

Just finished a project entitled "Foolishness". Have about 30 tricks in it but its a Ministry tool. 60 mins with 40 mins extra footage. Am about to start a new project soon.


Hooked:
You have a project and show called Uprising on American television, how did that come
about?

Well originally I wanted to work on a movie around the three of our (Pastor Jay, Pastor Christian Hosoi and myself) lives. I spoke with Ben Cerrulo who is over Steelroots which is an offshoot of INSP. He wanted to get involved and soon after Pastor Jay having an outreach we are part of us called The Uprising and then Hosoi wanting to also do something it ended up being a reality show. It came together by the networks openess, a name Pastor Jay had brought together and us all just wanting to do something. 1st Season was 8 episodes, 2nd one is 10.

Hooked:
What other big names in skateboarding appear on the show?

Many, Josh Harmony, Chad Tim Tim, Paul Rodriguez, Richard Mulder, Richard Jefferson, Darrell Stanton and more...

Hooked:
So would you say your skating style or technique has changed as you do many more demos
than a lot of pros out there? Has this had any effect you your skills, for example are
you more consistent under pressure?

Lol, well I toured for many years, and I also spent time focused on tricks. Today my focus is sharing The Gospel so as of now its demos and tours but I also would like to make a serious video focused on skating. Truthfully though people who aren't even sponsored are doing just as gnarly stuff as pros...


Hooked:
Most people would call it an honour and priveledge to skate and hang out with
Christian Hosoi. You two are great friends, how did that come about?

Have known him for years. When he got out of jail I was searching for The Lord. He had done so while in jail. That was about 5 years ago and we hang out almost everyday... My wife and his actually hang out more than we do. But we have kids and are always in Ministry together. †

Hooked:
Do you have any advice for any young and talented skaters that may be thinking of
emigrating for a future in skateboarding?

Yeah, skateboarding is amazing, it is neutral. It isn't owned by anyone, but probably the influence which comes from skating may well lead you into following the crowd into what most of my friends and the most known skaters have fallen into. When it finally settles down, for them, the false attention and the need for medication of some sort daily has robbed them of anything worthwhile. To me, I would give it all up for what Jesus Christ has done for me. Skating will pass, Jesus won't.

Hooked:
And finally, what's next on your horizon?

Serve Him. Love my wife, raise my kids, be a light. Life had so much in it but I was so empty, now after it seeming to be empty to so many it is full of joy and satisfaction the world can't give. Have a premiere this weekend, build the saturday night service I preach at, work on some DVD/TV projects, write a book and await His return.


Hooked:
Any thanks that you want to give?

I thank My Lord and Savior for dying on the cross for my sins. My marriage, was failed I didn't care about living while having 100 of thousands of dollars in the bank and in things, face on cover of this or that, name on this or that but not knowing the hope I now have. I thank Jesus, my family, my friends and all that is taking place. † Thanks for the interview.

No problem, thanks for talking to us. Keep up the good work, and those trick tips you did helped us out loads! Cheers.

Check out Brians video part for The Beginning.

Saturday 21 November 2009

The Big Push

Sooooo, we've all watched The Big Push by now, and probably all noticed our epic spots making it into the edits. The Adidas UK team obviously enjoyed them... awesome to see! Also check the Adidas Skateboarding blog to see some other shots of the lurkings.

Yessss

Chesterfield getting some action and thus the epic Hooked stencil

Everyone flips into the shallow end

Stepping it up with manny action

Global video / Lidle bank to rail takes a pasting

Nice one Adidas, you're welcome anytime at Derby's solid spots. Now let's go skate em.

Friday 20 November 2009

Here come the girls...


If you've not already seen this, thought We'd post it to show some respect to the girlys!



Monday 16 November 2009

6 Tricks on the Sabbath: Back to the bar

So this month Dave zips to the flatbar to nail some new tricks for it, the sort of thing you need a flatbar for.


Backside feebles

Fiddy fiddy shove

Front board shove


Crook shove

Shoves are in this season

Friday 13 November 2009

Late Skate Lock-in: Roundup


The battles, in order.


































Hooked in Sidewalk Mag

Looks like the Late Skate Lock-in we organised went down such a storm Sidewalk even mentioned it. Nice one guys, we appreciate the coverage!

Right hand column of the Folklore, nice write up by Ed Bowen

All of you lot are now Mall Monkeys

Jacob and Smedders get some crip shots in!


Get a load of the write up.

Cheers to everyone who came / rode / organised / filmed / lurked
Cheers Sidewalk