Seth Brown, Santa Ynez Mountains.
WORDS & PHOTOS David Marano
Traveling with seven to nine dudes in a van at any given time from LA County up to Canada is no easy task. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a hell of a good time, but when it comes down to it, putting in work is what we’re in it for. Thank God the work is skating and image taking. To say the least, I was stoked to take part on this adventure, journey, mission, #keepontuckin tour, or whatever you deem necessary as a title. There was definitely an ultimate goal in mind: to capture these cats skating and the lifestyle that accompanies it. The lifestyle is what speaks volume. No fancy hotels—just sleeping on floors and in tents and driving 400 miles with a shoe odor only a shit wallowing pig would enjoy, eventually being greeted by a half-naked chick (true story), seeing more weed smoked than I have done in my entire life, shot-gunning beers midday within public view, waking up to steam rising off the forest floor, slip-n-slides made slick from algae and running rivers, waterfalls, sunsets, sunrises—landscapes all meant to be starred upon. It’s all part of the adventure, exploration, and the lifestyle.
Stephen Vaughn leading Kai and Joey down a run in SB.
Golden hour goodness. Photo: David Marano.
Travis Craig, enjoying the view.
And another one, Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara.
Travis Craig, backside nollie, Santa Barbara Skatepark.
Sidewalk slashin’, San Francisco, California.
Slides of power; San Francisco, California.
Marcus Bandy, backside lipper, Potrero Skatepark, San Francisco.
I’ve seen firsthand the lifestyle skaters live, and it’s not for everyone. There’s no blue ribbon or pot of gold. It’s living for what you love and being surrounded by like-minded individuals. Money matters, but it’s really there to get you to the next skate spot. You could say they’re derelicts, I say, innovators—making changes in something established. Without these innovators we are fucking robots, falling into a mold that society has fashioned. It might be bold to say, but this is part of a movement our history speaks of: the hippies, the beatniks, the punks, 80’s/90′s street skaters, the list goes on. They create their own subculture away from the societal norm. And what society (we) gains from it are ideas, culture, fashion, imagery, art, thinkers, and creators. It’s a lifestyle skaters’ embrace. Not all are part of it, but I like to think they’re at the very least, stepping outside the box. Creating art with motion and a skate deck.
Kai, Joey, and John, See See Motorcycles and Coffee; Portland, Oregon.
Travis & Stephen, Switchbacks run in the rain; Portland, Oregon.
Crew deep at Rip City Skate in Portland, Oregon.
Progressive creamering at the Sodbuster in Goldendale, WA.
Scoping it, Maryhill Loops Road.
Connor Getzlaff, navigating the miniramp mayhem; Goldendale, Washington.
The crust is real in Goldendale, Washington.
The crew, shmobbin’, WA.
William Royce, living the dream, WA.
Slip-n-slide! WA.
More dreams coming true. WA.
A walk in the woods. WA.
Most of you reading this are likely skaters. And from what I’ve seen in my short life the advice I give is: live it up, embrace your lifestyle, and skate everyday if that’s what you love. Don’t think you have to fall into some mold society has deemed correct. All great thinkers and innovators have fallen outside of this norm—this box that society tries to make us follow. Be willing to say, “Fuck it!” Innovate when you can and live your lifestyle. It’s what we are here for and it sets you apart from the herd.
John, Joey, & Kai; Vancouver, Canada.
Dem Vancouver driveway runs are da shit!
No-handed shotgun, bro!
Heavy lurkin’ at Travis’ crib in Vancouver.
John Kreutter dippin’ one in the BPs; Vancouver, Canada.
Whistler, BC was our last stop. Kai Monroe making it count.
The imagery presented here is just a small snippet of what I came away with—a lifestyle I strived to capture along the way. These guys pictured are all doing what they love while creating something unique within their culture. Push harder, skate harder, ride faster, and follow what you love!
-David Marano
. . . Btw, we also just released a 10-page Keep On Tuckin’ tour-article in our new Wheelbase Print Edition: Issue Two. And here’s the links to all the other vids and photos we created while on this adventure: Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Portland, Maryhill, Washington, Vancouver, Whistler.