Yesterday, was a pretty long, involved and fun day. Photo shoots, skateboard making, pizza eating, skating, t-shirt printing and lots of driving, all in the span of what felt like a few hours. The day started at 7 AM… on with the story…


The first mission of the day was to drive to San Diego to shoot a Landshark Wheels team ad.


Cranking some E Street Radio on the drive down.


After a quick stop at Kristian Svitak’s house we were off to shoot photos for the ad.


Team Landshark: Mike V, Kristian Svitak, Bill Danforth and Ben Raybourn. GO!


The Nomad Bill Danforth and Mike V.


We left San Diego with the quickness and headed back north to Newport Beach to head to Professor Paul Schmitt’s house to meet up with and surprise Logan Winkler who is skateboarding across America.


Paul Schmitt, Logan, Mike and Matt. You can check out Logan’s adventures of his across the country and back adventure at www.50skatekid.com


The Professor carving out a grind in his backyard bowl.


Schmitt Stix Yard Stix.


After a quick session in the bowl and some pizza, it was into the Professor’s woodshop to learn how skateboards are made. Looks like today’s board shapes to be made are original John Lucero and Mike V decks.


Here is Paul cutting out the template for the Lucero shape.


Mike takes over and buffs out the rough spots in the templete.


Shape transfer to 7 layers of hard rock maple.


Paul showing Mike how to use the bandsaw.


Mike finishing cutting out the shape.


Sanding the boards edges.


Truck hole drilling instructions.


Drilling ‘em out.


Routing out the edges.


Final sanding stage. Rich Dunlap would be proud.


Prepping the graphics.


Logan gives it a paint job.


Logan autographing the deck for Mike.


Logan, Paul and Mike with the finished masterpiece. Paul has an incredible, educational skateboard making program called CreateAskate.org. Check it out.


Before we had to hit the road, Mike checked out the map of Logan’s journey so far.


Logan and Mike. Be safe on your travels Logan!


We blasted out of Newport Beach and headed to Hollywood. Downtown Los Angeles in the background.


Our next stop of Fresh Pressed to check out the screening printing of the Mike Vallely / By The Sword t-shirts for their upcoming shows next month.


Fresh Pressed.


Artwork for the shirts.


Jason Filipow showing off a hot off the press tee.


Mike continues his “hands on day” and gets in the mix and prints a few shirts. DIY!


Teamwork. Thumbs up.


Overseeing the process.


Jason and Mike discussing future designs.


Shirts coming out of the ink dryer.


Ready to be sold!

After that is was back to Long Beach for a late dinner, comment approving and sleep.