Patrick Switzer, “Brando” Sanchez, Dustin Hampton, & Kalil Hammouri. Photo: Ruano.
WORDS Marcus Bandy PHOTOS David Ruano & Aaron Hollebeke
Wheelbase Headquarters is located directly across the slice of Pacific that seperates Santa Catalina Island from Southern California’s mainland. For the past four years our crew has hopped on the Catalina Island Express ferry out of Long Beach—with hundred of other grinning downhill skateboard enthusiasts—and floated over to the Catalina Island Classic event with a hearty hunger to taste that “island life” and of course to partake in some fast & gnar-gnar skateboard action. This year’s fourth annual Catalina Island Classic hosted by Riviera Skateboards served up a hearty portion of all of the above with a killer race, a ripping ramp-jam, a sonically delectable party featuring Long Beach’s very own Tijuana Panthers and L.A.’s favorite Downhill DJ Ari “Shark ” Chamasmany. The stoke is still palpable!
Norman Plante, Ed Garner, and some blurry dudes. Photo: Ruano.
As many of you know, my write-ups and event recaps can sometimes span 1,000 words or more as I ramble on (and on. . .) about some such detail or the other. Luckily though, Mr. David Ruano and Sir Aaron Hollebeke absolutely killed it with the photos they captured at this year’s fourth annual Catalina Island Classic. As such, their keen eye for radical imagery stands on it’s own.
Starting line. Photo: Ruano.
As I leave you to peruse this visual recap of the CIC IV event, I’d like to take pause and thank Justin Reynolds and all of the Resource Distribution family for busting their asses to put on this epic event. Kudos and cheers to y’all! I’d also like grandly thank all of our family, friends, and fans who tuned-in to watch our live streaming video feed at this event via the Periscope app. The live streaming video allowed hundreds of spectators from all over the entire globe (Germany, El Salvador, Mexico, US & Canada, UK, Spain, Italy, Russia, Slovenia, Australia, New Zealand, China, Philippines, South Africa, Colombia, Denmark, Netherlands, and many more) the opportunity to watch their favorite skaters ride the Catalina Island Classic live from the other side of the world on their phones. We are truly humbled and grateful to have had the opportunity to enjoy and help celebrate skateboarding through this event. From seat 40B, on a soaring plane, headed to Ithaca, New York for yet another rad event—30,000ft and rising—thank you for wheelbasing with us and may the Shredlove be with you!
James Joe, and Roger. Neck-n-neck. Photo: Ruano.
The rider’s ferry. Long Beach, Ca. Photo: Ruano.
Sailing to the island with the homies. Photo: Ruano.
Follow the arrows. Photo: Ruano.
Shamar. Full turnt. Photo: Ruano.
Lone ranger ripping one from Mt Ada. Photo: Ruano.
Dillon Stephens, fully committed & super pitted. Photo: Ruano.
James Kelly & Alex Tounge moving fast. Photo: Ruano.
Riley, Towell, & Capps. Corner 7. Photo: Ruano.
Louis Pilloni leading with style. Photo: Ruano.
Sunset Slider homie leading a pack outta corner five. Photo: Ruano.
Jonny Colorado latin low in corner two. Photo: Hollebeke.
Mike Girard & Justin Reynolds, maximun announcing. Photo: Ruano.
Eddy with an airwalk to tail. Photo: Ruano.
Tibs, footplant to fakie. Photo: Ruano.
Cruster Oldsmobile with the frontal rock. Photo: Ruano.
She said “Yes!”. Congrats to Adan and his fiancé . Photo: Ruano
Tijuana Panters, rockin’ the partay. Photo: Ruano.
Part-time. Photo: Ruano.
The TJ Panties melting hearts & faces. Photo: Ruano.
Nashley enjoying the epic view of Avalon below. Photo: Ruano.
The Red Barron, out front with authority. Photo: Ruano.
Amanda Powell jammin’ and flowin’. Photo: Ruano.
Hey ladies! Photo: Ruano.
Lurk-mode between heats. Photo: Hollebeke.
Aidan Lynds, Gerardo, Dusty, K-Ham, P-Swiss. Photo: Ruano.
Spectators spectating. Photo: Ruano.
Towell with the speed and the blur. Photo: Ruano.
Ali Nas, focused and in front. Photo: Hollebeke.
The bros doing that shuttle thing and enjoying the view. Photo: Ruano.
This dude played and his trucks payed. The stoke remains. Photo: Ruano.
Roger crashin’ fools out in corner two. Photo: Hollebeke.
Key Dougherty & Oscar Gutierrez, going faster than most. Photo: Hollebeke.
Kiefer Kroneker & Swedish Skolsenn. Photo: Hollebeke.
Johnny Rey-Rey, in the lead with speed. Photo: Ruano.
Back to the top for more racing. Photo: Ruano.
Kalil Hammouri leading a pack into corner 6. Photo: Ruano.
Nashley & Amie slip-n-slide. Photo: Ruano.
AJ, out front and interested. Photo: Ruano.
Kevin Reimer wins the 2015 Catalina Island Classic! Photo: Ruano.
Men’s:
Emily Pross wins and is crowned the Queen of the 2015 Catalina Island Classic. Photo: Ruano.
Women’s:
Liam, hyped his homie Tyler Howell took 4th place. Photo: Ruano
Thank You’s:
A very special thanks to all the event sponsors: Riviera Skateboards, Paris Trucks, Divine Wheels, Muir Skate, CSC, Abec 11, and Pabst Blue Ribbon. A special thanks to the Avalon Fire Dept., Public Works, City Council, and the Chamber of Commerce. A hardy high-five to all the volunteers that put in their time and effort to make the event a reality and run smoothly, thanks to David Ruano & Aaron Hollebeke for shooting these great photos, to Devyn Roseman for ripping hard and repping the Wheelbase Fam like a true Ninja of Stoke, thanks to the Resource Dist. homeis for the invite and for all their hard work, Thanks to the Tijuana Panthers and Ari for the quality music, and a ten-gallon hat tip to Justin Reynolds and Dubes for handling biz and for expending all the blood, sweat, and dedication necessary to make CICIV happen with style. Good times. Appreciated! And lastly, but not at all least, a huge thank you goes out to all the local residents of Catalina Island for their hospitality and for putting up with us. We love you Catalina Island! See you all next year at the 5th annual Catalina Island Classic!
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