This article needs additional citations for verification .(January 2013) |
Industry | Skateboarding |
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Founded | England 1991 |
Headquarters | California |
Key people |
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Website | www |
Flip Skateboards is a United States-based international skateboard company, co-owned by Jeremy Fox and Ian Deacon. The company produces skateboard hard goods (decks, wheels, bearings, completes, and hardware), soft goods (T-shirts, tops, sweatshirts, hats, beanies, and socks), DVDs, and accessories.[ citation needed ] The brand was distributed globally by US company NHS Inc. [1] but has since parted with the distribution. Starting in July 2017, the brand is distributed in Europe by HLC [2] and has now taken over global distribution.
Deathbox Skateboards was started in 1987 in the UK by Graham McEachran, Jeremy Fox and Duncan Houlton. Tom Penny, Rune Glifberg, Andy Scott and Geoff Rowley joined the company while this name still existed. [3]
Flip moved from the United Kingdom (UK) to California, US in July 1994. Jeremy Fox, Ian Deacon and Geoff Rowley arrived in the US first, followed by team riders Tom Penny and Rune Glifberg in the following year. At the time of the relocation, the team consisted of four professional riders: Penny, Rowley, Glifberg and Andy Scott. The company and its riders received significant support from professional skateboarder Ed Templeton, who owned his own company, Toy Machine. Rowley stated that Templeton and his company "opened their arms to us, gave us local support, and had our back. Any ignorance was small and only served to make us stronger…..and faster!!!" [4] [5] Despite the brand's foundation in the US, in 2006 Rowley stated:
All the company owners are still British citizens, one runs a large percentage of our workday directly from England for the last five years, I would say that makes us British until death. People can consider us whatever they want but saying untrue negative things regarding these matters is just downright childish. The things Flip/Deathbox did for England and the English skate scene should not be sneered at ... there is no other way to get to the level we are at, without first accepting where skateboarding was born from, and respecting that all the mags are driven from here also, it is hard to gain friends if you aren’t visible.
A European based company cannot and will not be accepted across the whole of the USA unless they embrace those areas and live them, Flip is strong worldwide for this reason, plus running a business of this nature isn’t viable based in England, too costly. [4]
Reflecting upon the company's move to the US:
We were a totally new company moving to a foreign country, and I don't think we kind of expected it to go "boom", and just fly right in. We had no expectations; we didn't really know that many people, and we actually just wanted to skate, really. Because we grew up dreaming of living in California and getting to wake up every day and go out and skate without it raining, and I think that was something that, like, all of the guys, when we first moved here, you know, Rune [Glifberg] and Tom [Penny], that was something that, you couldn't hold us back in that respect. I'd just turned eighteen, Tom was seventeen, neither of us had lived away from home, you know. We'd moved to a foreign country where we didn't know anybody. Nobody. We had no money, we didn't have any cars, alls we had was the board that we had; we couldn't go breaking those. we couldn't afford to, at the time, starting a company, we couldn't afford to run through ten boards a month ... Like myself, personally, I skated a lot with Ed [Templeton], like, every day, because he lived, like, right across the road from me. [5]
In what was perceived as a shocking decision by the global skateboard community, [6] long-time team rider Arto Saari announced his decision to leave Flip in 2008. In an interview with skateboard journalist Chris Nieratko following his decision (Saari later contacted Nieratko to prevent the interview from being published and the journalist published it on his personal website instead), Saari explained the process of leaving Flip:
It was really heavy but they [Flip] took it pretty good. I thought they were going to come and chop my legs off but they were very reasonable about it but it’s been a heavy process. It’s been on good terms. I just felt like I had to move on. I changed all my other sponsors, I might as well. Why stop now? New knee, new liver, new shoe company, new board sponsor ... Yeah, I did shed a few tears. It’s like getting a divorce; even though I’ve never been married other than Flip. I can imagine it’s something like that. There’s parts that you like but there’s parts that you just want to move on past. It’s really hard to deal with. You wonder, ‘Are you going to lose friends? Are you going to lose business?’ It was a tough decision to make and I’m still spun out about it. I can’t believe that it’s all happening but I think it will be for the better for everyone ... I just couldn’t take it any longer. I couldn’t take the madness and I thought it would be better to move on than to stay somewhere where I don’t think I necessarily belong anymore. Things have changed a lot over the years and I thought it would be better to explore something new, to be like a little kid in a candy store. [7]
In the Nieratko interview, Saari also discussed Rowley's response to his decision:
"Don’t do it." He knew it had to happen. We’re still cool. He understands. He’s like, "Go do your thing. Go skate around." It was a very, very emotional, gnarly thing. It’s been so many years in the same boat you have to start going in different ways. Sometimes the ship gets too small, too many egos, you got to jump overboard and catch the next one and see where that takes you. [5]
In 2012, Saari provided further insight into his decision to leave Flip, citing the death of former teammate Shane Cross as a significant underpinning factor: "It wasn't, like, a easy thing to do, but, at the time, I knew I had to do it ... for the reasons that happened, you know? And that's why I decided that it's better off for me to leave Flip than, just, go my own way and, just, do that." [6] Professional skateboarder Ed Templeton stated in a 2012 interview: "I mean I was completely shocked when he left Flip ... it didn't make sense." [6]
At the start of January 2011, Flip announced that Saari had rejoined the team and released an image that featured Saari alongside the caption "Home is Where the Hearto Is". [8] A video segment was also published on the website of Thrasher magazine and featured Rowley, Saari and Thrasher editor-in-chief, Jake Phelps, discussing the decision in Phelps' office in San Francisco, US. Saari explained to Phelps that Flip is like "family" and stated "You can take a man out of Flip, but you can't take the Flip out the man". [9]
In 2012, Fox disclosed the process of re-recruiting Saari:
I went up and saw him with Geoff, one day, because it seemed like he really ... well, I could tell; we could all tell that he wanted to be back on the team. Arto's not a very pushy person, at all. Never the guy who will ask for anything, and I just said to Geoff one day, "Let's just, we need to drive up there and then, and just put him back on the team. Make him put himself back on; because, otherwise, this is never going to happen." Maybe he'd grown up and realized that it might be a little dysfunctional family, but it is my family. [6]
Also in 2012, Saari has stated:
It was a pretty unspoken thing. It wasn't until the last minute that, it was like, "You wanna get back on?" I was like, "Yeah". Those are the guys who brought me up, backed me up. And I was, like, "You know what? I gotta, I gotta get back on." [6]
Established team rider Mark Appleyard left Flip to join Element Skateboards in October 2010. [10] In an October 2010 interview, Appleyard explained his decision:
I was over it [laughs]. I feel like I grew out of it and the team changed so much over the years that I was just like, "this shit ain’t for me anymore," and I just needed to feel more stoked on the company I ride for, so I had to change it up ... Yeah it was hard to leave, but it’s a business move. Ya know? If someone’s gonna be your friend, it shouldn’t depend on what company you ride for. I just had to make a power move to benefit myself. I’m really stoked on the choice I made. It was difficult but it had to be done ... I mean, I had a lot of options and I just figured that Element best suits my vibe. It’s just a nice company and kinda earthy and nature-y and stuff. I just felt like, "Damn that’s where I wana be." And then I met up with the guys and they were really cool and we just clicked. I’m down–it’s sick. [11]
In December 2010, another established team member, Rodrigo Teixeira, also announced his departure from Flip and the official statement from the company read: "Everyone at Flip would like to thank Rodrigo for all the good times and wish him all the best for the future." [12] Teixeira subsequently joined the roster of skateboard deck company Dirty Ghetto Kids (DGK) and explained his decision in a January 2011 interview: "I feel like it was time for me to make a move and do what I wanted to do. With DGK we are into the same things. We can all kick it and skate at the same spot. It’s just more who I am." [13]
In October 2015 Geoff Rowley left flip. [14]
Following his appearance in the Extremely Sorry video, English skateboarder Ben Nordberg—originally from Bath, Somerset—released his first ever full-length video part for the company in May 2012. [15] Team riders Louie Lopez and Curren Caples were assigned professional status in late September 2013—professional surfer Kelly Slater presented Caples with his first professional skateboard deck model, while Lopez received his first model at a piñata party. [16] [17] Alex Majerus was assigned professional status in early July 2014 and a surprise party was held; Although Rowley could not be present, he spoke with Majerus by telephone during the event. [18]
The 3 Flip video project was published on the TransWorld SKATEboarding website on July 21, 2014. Directed and filmed by Saar1, with the assistance of Josh Zucker, the video features Caples, Lopez and Majerus, and was filmed over a period of three months. [19]
In 2012,it was initially released in the 90s Flip released an advertisement entitled "Legalized!", referring to the official licensing that the company had secured for a Cheech & Chong (comedy duo, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong) graphic that had been used, thus far, for a Penny signature model. [20] Rowley explained in 2009:
Tom loved Cheech and Chong for obvious reasons. He’s had a bunch of rad ones that he’s brought to Flip. But that one, along with the mushroom board, is probably the most iconic. We winged it at first, then eventually they found out. Cheech Marin was rad enough to continue letting us make the board as long as he got some royalties. So we actually still pay him on a monthly basis. Cheech Marin has been on the Flip payroll since 2000. [21]
The text in the 2012 advertisement read: "The officially approved (and legally licensed this time!) Cheech and Chong Tom Penny boards are back.", [20] and in 2009, Rowley stated, "It came out in ’96 and is still one of our best-selling boards today." [21]
Five team members (former and current) have won the Thrasher Skater of the Year Award: Bob Burnquist in 1997 (he was sponsored by Anti-Hero at the time), Geoff Rowley in 2000, Arto Saari in 2001, Mark Appleyard in 2003 (Appleyard also won Best Street Skater at the 2007 Transworld Skateboarding awards), and David González in 2012. [4] [22] [23] [24] [25]
In responses to questions about how it felt to win the Thrasher accolade, Rowley stated, "Fucking weird, though it was flattering!", Saari stated, "I never thought it would actually like ... whatever, happen to me, or what not. Like, it's just one of those things that's just come out of the blue, you know?", and González exclaimed, "You don't even know how fucking stoked I am dude!" [4] [25] [26]
In 2012, Luan Oliveira won the Maloof Money Cup in South Africa, while Burnquist placed second in the "Vert" category. [27] Oliveira is also part of the Street League Skateboarding contest roster. [28]
Amateur rider Alec Majerus achieved first place in the 2012 Tampa Am contest, held at the Skatepark of Tampa skate park in Tampa, Florida, US—Majerus competed against 300 other amateur skateboarders to win the prize. [29]
Features Penny, Rowley, Andy Scott, Glifberg and Moul. [30]
Features Appleyard, Boulala, Chalmers, Glifberg, Penny, Rowley, Saari and Salabanzi. [31]
Features Appleyard, Boulala, Danilo Cerezini, Ladd, Penny, Rowley, Saari and Salabanzi. [32]
Really Sorry | |
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Directed by | Ewan Bowman |
Produced by |
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Cinematography | Ewan Bowman |
Edited by | Ewan Bowman |
Distributed by | Flip Skateboards |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Features Eric Fletcher, Boulala, Gonzales, Lopez, Rowley, Mountain, Saari, Burnquist, Appleyard, Tx, Cross and Penny. [33]
Features Boulala, Gonzalez, Penny, Appleyard, de Oliveira, Lopez, Christoph "Willow" Wildgrube, Nordberg, Cross, Glifberg, Rowley, Caples, Tx, Mountain and Burnquist. [34] A soundtrack album, produced by Baron, was issued by Volcom Entertainment. [35]
Features Majerus, Nordberg, Caples, Gonzalez, Rowley, Fletcher, Lopez, Oliveira, Berger, Meza and Sebastian Gonzalez. [36]
During 2012, three full video parts from Flip riders, Gonzalez, Nordberg and Meza, were released. Gonzalez' video, entitled "Possessed to Skate", was released collaboratively with Thrasher magazine; [37] Nordberg's part was released in May 2012; [38] and Meza's part, entitled "Let it Ride", signified his introduction to the Flip team. [39]
Featuring Tom Penny, Arto Saari, Rune Glifberg, Luan Oliveira, David Gonzalez, Denny Pham, Alexander Risvad & Art Cordova touring through Spain. [40]
Welcome video announcing Corey Juneau to the Flip team. [41]
Features Sanggoe Dharma Tanjung [42]
Welcome video announcing Raimu Sasaki to the Flip team. [43]
Featuring Art Cordova. [44]
Featuring Tom Penny, Rune Glifberg, Luan Oliveira, Alec Majerus, Cory Juneau, Art Cordova, Raimu Sasaki, Alexander Risvad. With special appearance's from Sami Harithi, & Logan Mosey. [45]
Welcome video announcing Diggs English with guest tricks from Lance Mountain. [46]
Welcome video announcing Yuzuki Kawasaki. [47]
Welcome video announcing Basral Graito with guest tricks from Art Cordova & Raimu Sasaki. [48]
Ed Templeton is an American professional skateboarder, contemporary artist, and photographer. He is the founder of the skateboard company, Toy Machine, a company that he continues to own and manage. He is based in Huntington Beach, California.
Arto Saari is a Finnish professional skateboarder and photographer.
Tom Penny is a professional skateboarder from Abingdon, United Kingdom (UK). As of January 2013, Penny is sponsored by the Flip skateboard deck brand and his Cheech & Chong signature deck is one of the brand's highest-selling deck products.
Geoffrey Joseph Rowley Jr. is an English professional skateboarder, former co-owner of Flip Skateboards and owner of the Civilware Service Corporation. He received Thrasher Magazine's "Skater of the Year" award in 2000.
Etnies is a French-American footwear brand based in Lake Forest, California, United States, and is owned by Sole Technology, Inc. The company sponsors professional skateboarders and BMX riders, LAB more and releases signature shoe models.
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Chad Muska is an American professional skateboarder, musician and entrepreneur. In November 2012, Skin Phillips, editor-in-chief of Transworld Skateboarding, described Muska as "one of the most marketable pros skateboarding has ever seen."
Deluxe Distribution is an Ermico Enterprises, Inc.-owned American skateboarding company founded in 1986 with limited partner Brian Ware in San Francisco. Deluxe was formed to distribute the Beware Record label, and other small record labels popular with skateboarders, along with Thunder Trucks and Supercush Bushings. Deluxe distributes six skateboard brands and owns DLXSF, a retail outlet.
Robert Lance Mountain is an American professional skateboarder and artist who was one of the prominent skateboarders throughout the 1980s, primarily due to his involvement with the Bones Brigade. As of August 2017, Mountain continues to skate professionally and his sponsors include Flip, Nike SB, Independent Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, and Bones Bearings.
Jamie Thomas is an American professional skateboarder and skateboard industry entrepreneur. Thomas is the owner and founder of Zero Skateboards and Fallen Footwear, until he announced its closure in January 2017. Thomas' nickname in the skateboard industry is "The Chief".
Zero Skateboards is a skateboard company located in Carlsbad, California, United States. The brand was founded by professional skateboarder and entrepreneur Jamie Thomas, and distributed by his Black Box Distribution company. In late June 2014, Thomas announced that the brand would be distributed by the Dwindle Distribution company, based in El Segundo, California. Subsequently, in 2016, Thomas and Dwindle announced that Zero Skateboards would be operated independently by Thomas.
James Chris Cole is an American professional skateboarder. As of September 2020, his sponsors are Fallen Footwear, Monster Energy, Bones Bearings, Cult Crew, Thunder Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Stance, Kershaw Knives, Grizzly Griptape, GoPro, Indian Motorcycles, cbdMD, Remind Insoles, and most recently Zero Skateboards.
Alien Workshop (AWS) is an independent American skateboarding company that was founded in 1990 by Chris Carter, Mike Hill, and Neil Blender in Dayton, Ohio. Following periods under the ownership of the Burton snowboard company and original team rider Rob Dyrdek in 2012, the company was acquired by Pacific Vector Holdings in October 2013. Alien Workshop produced skateboard decks, wheels, apparel, and other skateboard accessories prior to its closure in May 2014. In 2015, Alien Workshop was revived with an all-amateur team and distribution through Tum Yeto. They released a series of new skate decks and Bunker Down, the brand's sixth video. As of 2016, Alien Workshop, led by Mike Hill phased out working with Tum-Yeto and moved all operations back to the Mound Laboratories in Miamisburg, Ohio. After a tumultuous ownership history they have returned to operations as an independent company.
Patrick John Ladd, professionally known as PJ Ladd, is an American professional skateboarder whose stance is regular. Ladd was labelled an "east coast legend" by fellow professional skateboarder and team manager John Rattray in May 2013.
Gregory Lutzka is an American professional skateboarder.
Torey Jamieson Pudwill, also known by his nicknames "T-Puds and The Worm", is an American professional street skateboarder.
Brandon Westgate is a professional skateboarder.
Shane Cross was an Australian street skateboarder from the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Cross gained global prominence within the skateboarding community during the mid-2000s, before his death in a motorcycle crash when he was 20.
Lewis Kristian Marnell was a professional skateboarder from Melbourne, Australia who was Slam Magazine's 2008 "Skater of the Year". Marnell died in January 2013, following complications related to type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, a condition that was diagnosed when he was 10 years old. Numerous tributes were published following Marnell's death and his longtime skateboard deck sponsor, Almost Skateboards, continues to use the hashtag "#LewisMarnellForever"—on 15 and 29 July 2014, the company published the hashtag with 2006 video footage of Marnell skateboarding in Japan.
Dirty Ghetto Kids (DGK) is an American skateboard company, producing skateboards and apparel. The brand is distributed by The Kayo Corp, a partnership that was established through Philadelphia professional skateboarder Stevie Williams and Troy Morgan of The Kayo Corp.