SPoT Road Trip: Miami
Posted
on
on Tuesday, February 09, 2016
by Chris
Back in January, we packed up the van with our crew and local homies and hit the road to Miami. We were on a mission for footage and shenanigans, while Brian Schaefer was in business mode at the first ever Agenda Trade show hosted in Miami. Our crew never officially made it to the trade show, but huge shout out to the folks at Agenda who are always hooking us up! The trip started out like any other; almost the whole crew asleep while I logged road miles. We drove straight through, no stopping, to make sure we were able to fire it up to the max once in Miami. When we arrived, we made a quick pit stop by the hotel to check in, and then took straight to the streets. Unlike Tampa, we were able to park in one spot and skate around the city for the day, which was epic. First spot: the orange peels. If you’ve been to Miami, and never skated these, you’re blowing it. No offense. This spot is epic. Coincidentally, we ran into some other friends and bay area residents there; Danny Renaud and the infamous Django of the Westside Skateshop video series. Those dudes rule! Shortly after our session at the orange peels, Uncle Sam’s brand new iPhone was stolen by a couple of low life scoundrels. Ever spent a couple of hours tracking your phone on the “Find my iPhone” app? We did, and let me tell you, it’s tough. But what would a road trip be without a few unexpected hoops to jump through, right? After spending most of the night tracking down Sam’s phone, he decided enough was enough, and sacrificed his beloved iPhone for the trip and the session. And he still had fun! Sam is the best. After an epic filming mission downtown, we headed back to our hotel to call it a night. The following day, we all awoke to a beautiful day in "The City of Vice". We packed our gear into the van, and hit the streets once again, this time starting out at the legendary "White Blocks" ledges and manual pads. There we ran into some neighborhood kids who were super psyched on skateboarding, so they hung out with us for the morning while we skated. One of the best feelings of being a skateboarder is seeing that twinkle in the eye of a kid who just stepped on a board for the first time; nothing like it in the world. I hope those kids know that they made our day, (and our session) epic and worth it. After warming up with some skating and basketball at White Blocks, we proceeded into downtown and Key Biscayne for a day filled with cruising and good vibes. After we completely obliterated ourselves in the streets, we headed to the MIA TF where Jay’s Ramp Jam contest presented by adidas was in full swing. Major shoutout to the adidas crew for holding down Miami and Florida with this event and all of their contributions! Another rad set of dudes. We met up with the likes of Brian Schaefer when we arrived at the TF, who was kicking it with Bobby Boyd of adidas, and Miami local legends Danny Fuenzalida, Ed Selego, and Joel Meinholz - just to name a few. The tricks for cash contests were off the Richter scale... kids were flying across the course and bouncing off of the walls for that cash. After it was all said and done, it came down to the mini ramp jam contest for all of the marbles. And wouldn’t you know it, one of our newest team riders and favorite dudes ever, Zion Wright, took the gold and all the money. $1000 in cash plus a little on top to be exact! Congrats again, kid! After Zion murdered the mini ramp contest and collected his earnings, we all piled back in the van for a red eye drive back to Tampa. Just like in the beginning, the whole crew caught their Z’s while ol’ Eric logged those road miles. I actually enjoy it though (shhhhh, don’t tell anyone that). Huge shoutout to adidas and the MIA crew again for making this happen for the skateboarding community. That’s what it’s all about, right? - Thanks for reading! Words by: Eric McKenney Video by: Frank Branca Photos by: Eric and Frank
Eric McKenney
The van is packed and the squad is super excited for this trip...
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Markus Jalaber
...that's a little better. Pit stop to stretch around Alligator Alley.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Eric McKenney
What’s a road trip without the cliche “We made it to town” photo of the City Sign?
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney
Oh the things you will see in Miami…
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney
Jean-Luc Vida
The team checks in at the hotel to stretch their legs before hitting the streets. Jean-Luc Vida explains the first spot.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney
Wesley Box
Let the skating begin: Wes Box getting in a last-minute clip for Tristan's new video, "Indigo".
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
T M
Footy check.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Frank Branca
SPoT’s lovely media team. Frank Branca got to set his camera down a few times while Tristan Mershon took over the lens.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney
T M
Tristan ready for battle. VX1000 Baby!
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney
Derick Wynn
If you didn’t Insta, did you really skate? Derick Wynn captures the moment.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney
Cory Foster
The crew grows weary as the night goes on. But we’re missing someone… where’s Cory?
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney
Wesley Box
Wes plants one on a garbage can in front of the Marlin's stadium.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Cory Foster
There he is! He was around the corner filming one of the gnarliest tricks of the weekend. Cory Foster takes the MVP for this one.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Cory Foster
Cory, Jean-Luc, and the whole crew are all smiles and in celebration after that insane 5050!
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney
Uncle Sam Bellipanni
Uncle Sam keeps his feet warm by getting crafty while we pack up for the night.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney
Jean-Luc Vida
Ever see us filming those SPoT Life edits and hunched over a camera watching ourselves over and over? This is that, up close and personal.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney
Cory Foster
After good night of sleep, the crew is up and at it early to get a session in at the legendary ‘White Blocks’.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney
Cory Foster
Cory makes a friend while warming up.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney
Uncle Sam Bellipanni
Uncle Sam in manny pad heaven.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Markus Jalaber
Markus repping a fresh DGK board.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
T M
Filmer on filmer action.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
T M
Tristan rocking all white at ‘White Blocks’. Style matters.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney
Who Dat?
The local neighborhood kids wanted to learn how to skate, so we borrowed them our boards. One of the raddest things to come out of skateboarding, is exemplified in this very photo.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney
Who Dat?
Another one! Their parents weren’t too hyped, but we were!
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney
Wesley Box
Next, it was on to Key Biscayne for some waterside ripping. Wes Box: Little Man, Big City.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Derick Wynn
Derick Wynn wasted no time sticking this huge boneless with an epic backdrop to frame it.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Markus Jalaber
This spot is no joke. It has this gnarly bank to ledge, but if you lose your board, it's gone. Markus Jalaber taking risks with this back tail.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Robby Kirkland
Meanwhile, Pee Wee Kirks gets a wallride up on top of the bridge. You might recognize this barrier from Ishod's Thrasher SOTY cover.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Cory Foster
Cory's not letting his board go without a fight. That's dedication.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Wesley Box
Wes Box's pinch game is strong - front crook to fakie as seen in the Indigo video.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
After we cruised through downtown for the day, we headed down to the MIA TF for Jay’s Ramp Jam presented by adidas. They had it packed.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney
Zion Wright
SPoT team rider Zion Wright takes the win and $2,000 in cash! Felix Arguelles and Jason Ranft congratulate him.
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney
Zion Wright
FETTI ON FETTI ON FETTI. Congratulations once again Zion Wright!
Date:
February 09, 2016
Photographer: Eric McKenney