CULTURE
R.I.P: Dave Abair Has Passed Away After Going Missing
After going missing last Friday, it was confirmed yesterday evening that Dave Abair has passed away. He was 34. Originally from Vermont, Abair burst onto the California scene over a decade ago via the SHUFFL video. He ultimately made his home in San Francisco, and has been associated with numerous brands over the years. At the time of his passing, Abair was pro for Scumco & Sons, Independent, and Satori. In March, he dropped the above part via Thrasher that was accompanied by an interview in which he talks about the loss of a close friend and struggles with alcohol.
This part is called This One’s For You. What is the meaning behind that name?
The name is for my best friend Sean Stem who is no longer with us. A way that I like to have him with me is by wearing a shirt or sweatshirt with his name on it. It makes me feel like he’s still on the session. He would have been proud. We always talked about what it would be like to film a part for Thrasher growing up. Getting the opportunity made me think about him a lot. The part is for him.
You were sober for the entire filming of this project. What sparked that?
I’ve had a hard time with alcohol. What started the sober streak was the opportunity to film the part for Novia with Walker. Most of that part is sober, too. I just started having so much more energy when I stopped drinking. I woke up every day and I just felt super motivated and clearheaded. I feel that I skate better when I’m sober. You can go skating consecutive days in a row—no hangover, no jittery legs, no cloudy judgement—just ready to go every day. Even after being super sore you can still push yourself to roll around. I just felt more like myself on the board than ever.
The cause of death has not been released. Our condolences go out to his friends and family.
CULTURE
Super Skate Posse Gives Back to Kids in LA
Super Skate Posse teamed up with Punk Rock & Paintbrushes and gave away Powell Peralta skateboards, Converse Cons shoes, and ProTec helmets to 25 children from Alexandria House, a transitional home for women and children in Los Angeles, California.
Skateboarding legend Christian Hosoi graced the event and taught the kids to skate.
Founded in 2020, Super Skate Posse is a nonprofit that aims to remove the cost barrier to skateboarding for children in underserved communities nationwide.
The organization tours nationwide and partners with local communities to give away skateboards and gear to kids at events hosted by pro skaters.
The partner in this event, Punk Rock & Paintbrushes is an art management company and art show production brand.
CULTURE
Eric Koston and Steve Berra Take Back Control of The Berrics
The Berrics founders Eric Koston and Steve Berra are now 100% back in control of their company.
Established in 2007, The Berrics was a portmanteau of the founders’ names — Berra and Eric.
Back in 2018, Hypebeast acquired the majority stake in The Berrics. Hypebeast is a Hongkong listed company founded by Kevin Ma in 2005. It started out as a sneaker blog and became an online magazine covering fashion, culture, and other topics and also ventured into retail among other businesses.
But after five years, it appears that the partnership didn’t go that well. In their statement, Berra and Koston said they had little control over their company.
Contrary to popular belief, it’s been almost 5 years since we’ve effectively had any influence over what we created, how it was run, what we made and what it stood for. Five years forced to the sidelines, largely silent, being told what we can and cannot do… or else suffer the consequences. Suffice to say, it was painful watching and experiencing some of the things that transpired.
The two also mentioned that The Berrics website, social, content, and e-commerce will all undergo changes. They also thanked everyone who supported the company through the years.
CULTURE
First Annual Abloh Skateboarding Invitational Held in Miami
The first Abloh Skateboarding Invitational was held in Miami’s Lot 11 Skate Park last December 4 in honor of Virgil Abloh.
Abloh was a skater turned architect and fashion designer. He was the artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection and also collaborated with Nike.
The event was organized by Architecture, Abloh’s Nike-housed creative studio. It featured cash for trick contest, food trucks, live DJ, and a professional skateboarder demonstration from the dozens of professional skateboarders in attendance.
Zion Wright, Ishod Wair, Dashawn Jordan, and Sal Barbier were among the attendees of the said invitational.
Abloh died in November 2021 after his battle with cancer.
Before his death, he was involved in the building of Ghana’s first ever skatepark which opened in December last year. Abloh is of Ghanian descent.
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