Vans Clash of the Crews 2017 Coverage
Posted
on
on Thursday, February 23, 2017
by Paul
True, skateboarding is an individual thing. You do you. I do me. But besides the feeling we all get from doing us, the best part about skating is having a blast with the bros. And that’s why the annual Vans Clash of the Crews contest is so rad. This year 18 different crews rolled into town, with each one representing the shop that hooks them up. There was Plus from Orlando, Vu from Baltimore, Asylum from Chicago, Hazard from Atlanta, MIA from Miami, and on and on. Crews of all stripes, from gangster to hesh, tech to gnar. You ever seen that movie The Warriors? It was like that but with skateboarding instead of violence. The format at Clash is rad because each crew skates the course as a posse. Teams consist of four skaters with the option for a fifth if the shop owner wants to join in. A team’s three best scores count. After a qualifying round and then some single elimination semi final rounds, the last two shops in the running were Island Water Sports and, surprise surprise, Skatepark of Tampa. No favoritism necessary. The Tampa boys had the home court advantage. They knew the jibs and jabs and had tricks for every obstacle in the park. BUT, the Island Water crew was just too hot to handle. Jamie Foy as you know is a beast and had his signature moves locked down tight. FS crooks shove every time. Pedro and Fabiana Delfino left a trail of smoldering urethane behind every trick. Josh Douglas, all style and a pat of butter and fakie back lipslides all day. And Dan Lundy, showing that just because you spend the majority of your time slanging skate product doesn’t mean you have to forget how to rip it. So IWS took home the well-deserved Clash title and walked away with $1000 courtesy of Vans. Eternal thanks to Vans for making it possible and to every shop that came out for it. Let’s do it again soon okay? Video: Frank Branca Photos: Josh Bowser
Derick Glancy
Derick and the rest of the SPoT staff warming up the mic while the Crews warm up the course.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Sly Sullivan
Sly took the role of Water Mane tonight. Thanks for keeping us hydrated.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Tyson Zane
Tyson and the boys took a quick opportunity to hit the concrete before the Sun disappeared; Body Jar.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Brian Schaefer
Back inside it was time for Schaefer to break down some of the rules. “Play nice boys. Jus’ Kidding!”
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
James Cobb
This was right around the time when everyone’s nervous energy kicked in. “Let’s do this!”
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Wesley Box
And they’re off!
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Tyson Zane
Through the ?rst corner..
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Pedro Delfino
Most guys made it through the ?rst turn in decent shape, but it still got a little dicey.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Fabiana Delfino
This is where things got crowded.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Uncle Sam Bellipanni
Sam didn’t mind though.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Niko Howard
Niko Howard ended up cruising into First Place after a pileup in the Finals.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Niko Howard
Sam…well Sam made it across the Finish Line in a slightly different style.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Brian Schaefer
Schaefer was loving every minute of it.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Niko Howard
Congratulations to our Top 3: Pedro Del?no(3rd), Sam Bellipanni(2nd) and Niko Howard(1st)
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Derick Glancy
Derick closed out the night in typical fashion; with an ollie over the Fire Pit. See you guys in the morning for the real contest!
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Josh Bowser
It was a dreary morning, but our dedicated volunteers still set up their tents ?rst thing and made the best of it.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Morgan was out here with Vans, serving up Free waf?es and coffee. Thank you Vans keeping us all full and juiced!
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
The lovely ladies at Boards for Bros also had goodies available, with every cent going back to giving the gift of skateboarding. Thank you ladies!
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Jay Johnson
Jay was again serving up Burgers and Dogs to the hungry crowds. Keep killing it Jay!
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Alex Bowers
Back in the course, FSEC (Former SPoT Employee Club) member DJ Albow was keeping the vibe up with the right tunes to get us all through the day.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Alex Johnson
Brad was also here with Vans, making sure we had everything we needed to put on such a sick event. He was also giving Alex "Lee Roth" props on his amazing MC abilities.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Derick Glancy
Alright Derick, lets get this contest started shall we?!
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Malique Simpson
Malique Simpson - Back Lip
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Chris Colmenero
Chris Colmenero reppin’ for Hazard County with this Back Smith through the corner.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Marse Farmer
Marse Farmer - Working that Home Court Advantage - Half Cab Nosegrind.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Andrew Daigle
Andrew Daigle was smashing these FS Air to Disasters all day.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Chad Poore
Chad Poore - Back Lip 270 Out.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Adam Tyler
Wall Jams are always in fashion.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Adam Tyler
Adam Tyler - 360 Flip Tailgrab.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Crowd View - Thanks again to everyone who came out!
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Frank Branca
Frank came out for the weekend and found all the good angles. Go watch his Ride Channel edit now!
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Braden Stelma
Braden Stelma - Kick?ip FS Board.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Marcus Lizzmore
Marcus Lizzmore - Crooked Grind.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Yonis Molina
Yonis Molina repping Westside Skateshop - FS Noseblunt.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Chris Blake
Chris Blake came out with the Plus Skateshop Crew and ?owed around the park like he lived here.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Isaac Wilson
Super rad to see Isaac Wilson and the Ramp 48 crew ?ying their colors for the contest. Thanks for being here!
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Kevin Timmons
Kevin Timmons - BS Tailslide.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Tyler Kirshenbaum
Tyler Kirshenbaum - BS Smith.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Sean Powderly
Sean Powderly - Nollie Heel Noseslide
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Sergio Ochoa
Sergio Ochoa reppin’ BC Surf and Sport had these Flick FS Boards on lock.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Josh Wilson
The judges get to work weeding out crews for the Semis.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Piro Sierra
Time to lurk around the courtyard again. Sup Piro?
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Jereme Knibbs
Ran into John Gow and Jereme Knibbs out there, old friends and FSEC members. Good to see you guys.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Josh Bowser
Back to the course just in time to get the action going again.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Uncle Sam Bellipanni
Uncle Sam’s consistent runs help put the SPoT Team in the Finals - Front Blunt.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Marse Farmer
Marse Farmer - Nollie Noseblunt.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
James Cobb
Marse Farmer - Nollie Noseblunt.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Josh Douglas
Watching Josh Douglas do these Switch Back Lips so easily was kinda making me jealous.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Josh Douglas
Josh Douglas - BS 5-0 Transfer.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Jamie Foy
Jamie Foy put on a show for everyone with ridiculous rail moves like this FS Feeble from the ramp Pop Out.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Jamie Foy
In the end, it was the Island Water Sports Crew who took it home with the help of their entire team including Jamie Foy - FS Crook Transfer.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Asylum Skateshop
The guys from Asylum came all the way from Chicago, IL for the contest, wow! Thank you so much for making the trip.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Thanks again to Brad, Morgan and everyone at Vans who make this epic contest a reality!
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Westside Skateshop
The Westside Crew put in work all day and earned 3rd Place for their efforts. Good job fellas.
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Skatepark Of Tampa SPoT
Our boys on the SPoT Team killed it and snagged 2nd Place. Hell yea dudes!
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Island Water Sports Skateshop
All the guys and girls skating for Island Water Sport totally destroyed the course and walked away with a well deserved 1st Place prize plus a check for $1000. Congratulations!
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser
Congratulations and thank you to all 18 of our participating teams and an extra special thank you to Vans for helping us make this event a reality. See you all next year!
Date:
February 24, 2017
Photographer: Josh Bowser