Thank You to my Wife @sdrealtortrishsvitak for coordinating with one of my favorite musicians, @kevinseconds of one of my favorite bands, @official7seconds for this wonderful birthday gift from Her, my Mom and Daughters. This is handmade artwork and handwritten lyrics by @kevinseconds . It is of one of my favorite @official7seconds songs, Satyagraha off of the album Soulforce Revolution. I still remember borrowing this tape in 1990 from my friend Cory Sluzewski. I pressed play just as I was going to start doing my English homework. It’s the first song on the album. The drum sticks clicked in, the band followed. I was moved by the positive power of this song. I lifted my head, shut my textbook, sat back and just listened. I remember the feeling that it gave me. Over the decades I’ve listened to it countless times. It has always and still does inspire me and keep me connected to the youthful vision I’ve always tried to carry with me. Satyagraha - 7-Seconds There’s something in the air, Y’know we breathe it every day A hatred twisting deeper, Razor sharp it cuts its way A poison we’re to swallow, I tried it once, I didn’t like the taste Say Mother Earth I love you, As I watch you go to waste And we’ll sing... Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, hey! What happened to tryin’? Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, hey! Tumblin’ down, fired up, fire away! I’m scared cuz I still have So many visions in my head Bandwagon jumping’s easy When you fear the dream is dead We’re judged by what we look like, How we think and who we are Hey Mother Earth we hear you But we don’t know where to start... Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, hey! What happened to tryin’? Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, hey! Tumblin’ down, fired up, fire away! Na-na-na-na-na, Satya-graha I wait for you to tell me When we’ll reach the finish line I wash my hands of this hate, I won’t embrace this thing so blind A soul force revolution, It could give us what we need Destruction ain’t no option, It’s the end at any speed Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, hey! What happened to tryin’? Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, hey! Tumblin’ down, fired up, fire away! Come on now! Push! Pull! Push! Pull!

Vallely/KTK T-Shirts Available Now Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

Another Thank You to @opusfootwear For those of you that don’t know, Mirko Mangum is the guy behind Opus. Mirko was a Pro Skateboarder for Planet Earth back in the 90’s. He has worked for some of your favorite skateboard companies over the years. His drive to contribute to this subculture in a positive way, for decades, is inspiring.

Vallely/KTK T-Shirts Available Now Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

All full length videos from my former skateboard company @1031skates (2006-2015), are now posted on my YouTube page. You can link through kristiansvitak.com or go to YouTube.com/@kristiansvitak Thanks.

I was asked to have my picture taken for an upcoming book by photographer, @patrickhovan . He sent me these proofs to share. Thank you Patrick for thinking of me and asking. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool

Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

Been wanting to do this for at least the past 10 years. Had to wait till it was 35 degrees outside and Super Bowl Sunday so bystanders would be pre occupied. Also had to wait till I was almost 49 years old to make it happen. Some say timing is everything. Better angle filmed by @allenwdillard for a new part I am currently working on. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool

I first did this lipslide transfer in 2002. The photo was used for my Pro Spotlight Interview in Transworld Skateboarding Magazine, May 2003. The footage was never used for either of my parts at the time, @blacklabelskates ,Black Out or 88 Footwear, Destroy Everything Now. Thought I’d do it again 22 years later. @allenwdillard filmed a better angle for the new part I’m working on. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool

300 attempts in 5 hours. Average of 1 attempt every minute for 5 hours straight. Frontside Bluntslide Big Spin Out, clean roll aways = 0. BARGE HARD. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool

All Hail The Trail @ohikeocoasttocoast #OHIkeO

Gift from @kevinseconds of @official7seconds Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

We ( The Heartaches ) , tonight, The Casbah, San Diego California.

We play (The Heartaches) for the first time in over a decade. Monday January 29th at The Casbah, San Diego California. See you there?

Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

Perspective. Every time I’m in Cleveland I drive this route as a reminder, for reflection and connection. This was the way I took to work downtown in the mid 90’s before moving to San Diego. The air was Frozen, the Rust was Real, the sky was Grey and the Snow was Black. These Steel Mills can be seen from the windows of my childhood home. I’ve had family and friends work in them. I still do. They were the heart of Cleveland. When I was young I sometimes wished that I worked there for the better pay and benefits. But more so, at the time, they were a symbol of hopelessness. The visuals of seeing them everyday. The filth, the blight, the monotony, had a way of worming into my psyche. I used to think to myself “this can’t be my life, there’s got to be another way”. But for a Cleveland kid with only a high school diploma, options seemed bleak. Although I was starting to try and make something happen via skateboarding, it all just seemed so impossible. California was like going to the Moon. And professional skateboarding was like Mars. I worked full time, the weather was brutal, the time before internet and my talent was Very limited. It was really like a Hail Mary for me. With the support of my parents, some good friends and a fierce work ethic, I carved out my little spot. It all worked out. And many of you may be reading this right now as a result of that. And Thank You!💘 When I drive this route now, I still get all those old feelings. But I’ve gained a new perspective. Gratitude. I now know what tough really means. Being tough isn’t a bad attitude and violence. Being tough is doing what you gotta do to take care of yourself and your family in a positive manner. Even if the weather is miserable, even if everything is Rusted, even if the job is not your favorite, even if The Snow Is Black. What also wormed into my psyche was an unrelenting work ethic. An unwavering determination. A love for the underdog. A love for the working class no matter er if the collar is blue or white. And that I believe is the result of being raised in a Rust Belt city. I’m very grateful for it. And that is why I’ve always included Cleveland into my story. Stay Tough💘

7 Below. Barge Hard. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool @opusfootwear Filming credit Dave Slivereli

Me & Bill. The Heartaches. The Troubadour, West Hollywood California, 2005? 2006? We play for the first time in over a decade at The Casbah, San Diego California, January 29th.

Me and my buddies formed The Heartaches back in 2001? - 2002? We haven’t played together in over 10 years. We will be playing our first show in over a decade, January 29th at The Casbah in San Diego California, supporting The Bronx. The show is almost sold out so grab tickets soon if ya can. See you there.

Decades Deep Paid In Pain Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

“Anybody can play. The note is only 20%. The attitude of the motherfu- -er who plays it is 80%.” -Miles Davis @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

Raw Footage Raw Street Barge Hard www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @allenwdillard

@streetplant @killthekool @clevelandskateboarding Photo credit @ogbsmitty

Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

Thank you @opusfootwear for thinking of me, reaching out and sending me these wonderful shoes. I really appreciate your kindness. Sincerely.

San Diego, California Svitak HQ West

This place is The Best. Take your kids here. Maybe me and my family will see you there.? @yskatecamp @friendsofskatecamp

Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

Practicing a song the night before we recorded it in the studio. Kelley’s living room with @kelleydeal & @candyland_recording_studio , Dayton Ohio…. sometime ago.

Available Now. www.clevelandskateboarding.com @clevelandskateboarding

Available Now. www.killthekool.com @killthekool

Available Now. KTK / Danforth www.killthekool.com @killthekool @billdanforthskates

Available Now…. KTK / Danforth @killthekool @billdanforthskates www.killthekool.com Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

Dying To Live @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool

Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

Then & Now Then…. The Mighty Central Hower, Akron Ohio. 1. Two page spread Transworld Skateboarding Magazine, June 2001. Photo credit @daveswift01 2. Video clip from part in @blacklabelskates Label Kills video, 2001. Filming credit @larkey 3. Video clip of first Ollie in 1997. & Now…. Max & Luka💘💘 www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool

Skate Rat Since ‘88 . . www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @allenwdillard

It’s 10/31

Barge Hard. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @allenwdillard

@killthekool www.killthekool.com #killthekool

www.clevelandskateboarding.com @clevelandskateboarding #clevelandskateboarding

Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way Kicking around on a piece of ground in your hometown Waiting for someone or something to show you the way Tired of lying in the sunshine Staying home to watch the rain And you are young and life is long And there is time to kill today And then one day you find Ten years have got behind you No one told you when to run You missed the starting gun And you run, and you run to catch up with the sun But it’s sinking Racing around to come up behind you again The sun is the same in a relative way But you’re older Shorter of breath, and one day closer to death www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @allenwdillard

Barge Hard. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @allenwdillard

Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

Barge Hard www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @allenwdillard

Barge Hard. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @allenwdillard

Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

I keep my family matters pretty private on social media. But I know a lot of you on here knew my Dad or knew of the health issues he was going through. I wanted to let you know that he passed away, at home with me, my Mom and our family by his side, last Tuesday September 5th. My Dad was a quiet guy, but when he spoke, you listened. He was a quiet guy, yet when he stepped onto a stage to play music, he didn’t hold back. My Dad has been the lead guitarist and vocalist for various rock and roll bands since the 1960’s. My childhood is filled with memories of my Dad and uncles band blasting down in the basement multiple days a week while I tried to do my homework at the kitchen table. Then they would play out at clubs nearly every weekend. I would use their leftover band flyers to draw and color on, on the clean white backsides. As I got older I’d occasionally help him carry the amplifiers up and down the basement stairs and in and out of his van. This was sometimes rare because my Dad Never asked for help. He gave me talks at a young age about the harm of drugs and alcohol. It was never the status quo “just say no” of the 1980’s. I got the real deal details straight from the bars and clubs. My Dad always being straight and a rock and roller always made me respect his words even more. He was such an amazing role model. He was the Real Deal. He played live music till 2020 when he became too sick. My Dad was very intelligent. When I was a little boy I’d always say, “That’s my Dad, he knows just about everything”. Although I hated it at the time, my Dad would give me the longest lectures on psychology, sociology, history, theology, politics and social issues and how they all worked together. And critical thinking. That was a big one in our house. He always emphasized critical thinking! Anyways, I could go on and on. I’m just too tired and I don’t want to write anymore. I’m really going to miss all of this and so much more. A lot of friends, musicians, skateboarders, pro skateboarders, photographers, filmers and artists have been through my parents house over the years. They all have loved my parents and have always said that I was so lucky to have them. I am.💘

I first became aware of the YMCA Skate Camp Sequoia Lake, Sequoia National Forest California, like most skater kids around the world when it was shown in the 1989 @hstreetskateboards video Hokus Pokus. The slow motion skating of my favorite pros of the time along with the beautiful song by one of my favorite bands, Figure Ground from Youngstown Ohio, made this place seem so magical. I became fortunate enough to start going to this camp as a visiting pro, on and off since the late 90’s. Now in my late 40’s and having a family, bringing them here to the family camp is more magical then ever. No cell service, meet and hang with other families from around the world, skate amongst the Giant Sequoia’s, hike, swim, kayak, canoe, stand up paddle board, fish, launch ramp into the lake, rock climb, ropes course, see the biggest trees On Earth, and many more memory making adventures makes this one of our family’s favorite places to go. If you have kids that like skating even a little or you and or your spouse likes skating even a little, I’m telling you…. This IS The Place To Go! If you are interested please follow @yskatecamp and dig into the schedule for dates to visit and also follow @friendsofskatecamp and get a chance to be even more involved with this amazing, one of a kind camp. I hope to see you there one day. We’ll skate, we’ll kick it around the camp fire, hang at the lake and make memories to last a lifetime. Filming credit @tednewsome

YMCA Family Skate Camp Sequoia Lake. Sequoia National Forest, California. Photo credit @scottsoens @friendsofskatecamp @yskatecamp

Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

Started a new filming project at 48.5 www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool

My first favorite skaters. Tweeky, Demo, Psycho. Team Insanity. South East Side-Warner Rd. Cleveland.

Then…. La Jolla High School, San Diego California. Transworld Skateboarding Magazine, May 2000, 2 page spread. Automatic Magazine 2000. Full page. Photo credit @jgrantbrittain Video clip, 411 Video Magazine # 39, 2000. @blacklabelskates Industry Section. & Now…. Max & Luka💘💘 San Diego, California. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool

Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

The girls got a package from Los Angeles the other day. One of their favorite bands, the @the_linda_lindas sent them each personalized signed albums and other fun stuff. Thank you so much from all of us to the @the_linda_lindas and Kyle from the @thebreeders family for making this happen for Max and Luka! 💘💘

www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @allenwdillard

Then…. Transworld Magazine, Photo Book 2006. Photo credit @blair.alley Video clip from full part in @1031skates video, Bleed For Me, 2006. & Now…. Max & Luka💘💘 San Diego, California

35 years ago today. July 2nd 1988, at the age of 13…. I had a chance encounter with a group of older skaters from the South East Side of Cleveland OH that called themselves Team Insanity. They took me skating with them, showed me my first tricks, put me on Team Insanity and gave me a cassette tape of @deadmilkmenofficial , Bucky Fellini. From that day on I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Skateboarding and punk/underground music would consume my mind and lead to a life of adventures and friendships I could have never, never, never imagined becoming my reality. Over the years I have been fortunate enough to travel the world and make lifelong connections because of this dedication to skateboarding and punk/underground music. Every sincere encounter, handshake, letter, email, private message received has never been lost on me. I’ve always treated every connection with respect and sincerity. I’ve always understood the importance of that connection. I’ve always tried to give back at least an ounce of what my favorite artists have given me over the years. The inspiration means more to some of us than others and that’s okay. But for the ones like me, it’s everything. It’s the difference between Life and feeling like the living dead. I believe in the world that I live in inside my head. I am grateful to be able to contribute to this subculture that has given me so much and I intend on pushing it forward till the end. Skate Rat Since ‘88 www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool

This other thing I do…. Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

Then…. @thrashermag March 2004. 2 page spread. Photo credit @burnout Video clip from my full part in 88 Footwear, Destroy Everything Now video. & Now…. Max & Luka💘💘 San Diego, California www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool

@clevelandskateboarding T-Shirts are now available. www.clevelandskateboarding.com OR…. www.kristiansvitak.com Or…. Link is in bio. Keep the good times rolling! Past, Present and Future.🎈-KS

Luka💘 Young hearts be free tonight Time is on your side Don’t let ‘em put you down, don’t let ‘em push you around Don’t let ‘em ever change your point of view

From my Vault. Original flyer. On this day, 34 years ago. June 3rd 1989. This was one of my favorite days growing up in the @clevelandskateboarding subculture. I was introduced to skateboarding and underground music at the same time when I was 13, in 1988. So both have always gone hand in hand to me. They both influence each other in my mind. It can be hard to explain but thats the cozy place I live inside my head. On this day 14 local punk bands played at the indoor skatepark, The Berea Roll And Bowl. I was a tiny, little 14 year old with a passion, intensity and hyperactivity that I still try to keep up with to this day. My parents dropped me off at the park in the morning and I skated all day and all night while some of my favorite local bands blew out my ear drums. It was magical to me. I’ve always lived my life in search of the miraculous and on that day I found it.

The song Fabricoh by Archers Of Loaf played in my head when I did this. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @chuckzilla_1

I was invited to speak at my old High and Middle Schools in Garfield Heights Ohio this past week. Met a lot of great kids and teachers. When I was a kid I used to daydream that the band KISS, Joan Jett or The Ramones would come to my school and rescue me and take me on tour with them. Im no Ace Frehley but I hope at least one kid got inspired by my babble.

Slow mo options. Barge Hard. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @larkey

I got some @clevelandskateboarding stickers made to give away. So if you see me out in the wild, just ask.🎈 #clevelandskateboarding

We’re not the first, Hope we’re not the last. Barge Hard. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @chuckzilla_1

Crust Casual CRUZ www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @chuckzilla_1

Barge Hard. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @chuckzilla_1

Then…. Frontside Feeble Grind. Vans Shoes Poster, 2001. Thrasher Magazine, full page, November 2001. Photo credit @burnout Trick from full part in @blacklabelskates Black Out video. & Now…. Max & Luka💘💘 San Diego, California www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool

From the Vault. Gift from @andyhowell43 for my 30th birthday. Hand drawn poster. ……..Hi Andy!

First slam at 48. First filmed clips at 48. 21 degrees. . . www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @chuckzilla_1 49.

Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come As You Are Kill The Kool @killthekool #killthekool www.killthekool.com

Then…. Innes Clothing 2 page spread ad. Transworld magazine July 2004. Transworld Magazine Photo Annual 2004. Ride Spirit Magazine (Spain & Paris) 2004. Skateboard Magazine (Germany) August 2004. Concrete Powder Magazine (Canada) 2004. & Now…. Max & Luka💘💘 San Diego California @streetplant @killthekool www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com

This post is to Accompany my last one. This is my buddy @adriandemain playing The Misfits, Hybrid Moments as was used in my last post. This is also Adrian, skating @tonyhawk ramp back in 1990. For more great tunes by @adriandemain follow him on Instagram. He also has a YouTube page. He is a beautiful man. @streetplant @killthekool www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com

I could just post this and say it’s a new little edit of my recent winter clips put out by @streetplant , but let’s unpack the details a bit for cultures sake. These clips were all filmed of me at age 47 by my childhood friend @chuckzilla_1 , age 48. We have been skating together since I was 16 years old. And here we are, old enough to be most skaters Dads, out in the freezing cold, barging. The edit was done by one of my best friends for the the past 25 years, @mikevallely . Mike also owns @streetplant , the company that I ride for. But before I knew Mike he was one of my favorite pro skaters since I was a kid. I rode his boards and wore his shirts. I even had pictures of him on my wall. The song was done by my friend @adriandemain . For those that don’t know, Adrian was also a pro skater back in the 80’s. I also grew up looking at photos of him in magazines and clips in videos many years before we became friends. He also has the most beautiful singing voice in professional skateboarding. I’m a big fan of his ukulele music. The song is called Hybrid Moments, by one of my favorite bands, The Misfits. To me, even the original version is probably the most beautiful song and dare I say…… pretty, by The Misfits. When I heard Adrian’s ukulele version I immediately asked him if I could use it for something. I wasn’t sure for what at first. Just then Mike asked me for some recent winter skate clips of me so he could make a little edit. Adrian sent me the song, I sent Mike the song and clips. And there you go. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @killthekool

If any of you are on the same algorithm is me, then you’ve probably seen many posts about the passing of and the honoring of our friend Otis, aka O. @otisserie @gnarcake . I’ve been wanting to make a post honoring my friend. I’ve been waiting, searching for the perfect words. It’s been over a week since his passing now and I just can’t find those perfect words. I’ve realized that I’ve just been subconsciously avoiding it. I’ve been avoiding the reality of this heartbreak. I am crushed. Absolutely crushed. I can’t remember the first time we met. It was probably a good quarter of century ago. O. was one of my good buddies. He was one of my regular skate buddies in our San Diego crew. He’d always be at many of my old bands shows in San Diego, standing on the side of the stage, watching me, making me nervous! He was always down for adventure. He was always down to meet up and skate at any time. He spoke his own language. He was a craftsman with words. He’d always yell out “WEAK!” if I landed a trick not up to par. I appreciated that. I liked that he kept me on my toes. He would make sure I kept my personal standards high. He seemed to know everyone. No joke, everyone. When we would be done skating I would love listening to his stories about early skate history, music, bands. I swear he knew everyone of my favorite bands. He’d get me into every show and always introduce me to everyone he knew. He was always so gratuitous like that. O. was just so talented at everything I love about the subculture that I live in in my head… skateboarding, underground music, photography, art. I really don’t know anyone like him. And he wasn’t just someone that did these things. He was a contributor to the culture. He didn’t take, he didn’t copy, he originated and gave. Input , input , input. That’s the word that comes to mind. I really admired that about him. He’s one of those people that are the reason this subculture is so, not just special but interesting. In O. language…. Sweet Virginia, with the one cheek sneak, Im really, really going to miss you, the smuggler of all smugglers…. O.🖤

What goes down, must go up. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @chuckzilla_1 @9th_street_diy @9thstreetdiy

simulated street. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @chuckzilla_1

I’ve never been an extremist. I didn’t get into skateboarding to be “extreme”. But here I was. 2001. I had skated a lot of these made for t.v. contests back then. I did it for the free travel, free money, the experience, the journey, a chance to hang with friends and make new ones. I remember mocking the whole thing at the time. I figured I was just a blue collar kid from a steel town and I’ll just milk this absurdity for everything I could. And I did. I was mocking it all in this ridiculous pose I did for some sports photographers down below. Didn’t know it would end up being a Getty Image on the internet one day. Looking back, I’m really glad I’ve always taken advantage of as many opportunities as possible. The money was fine. It just pays bills. It’s the memories, the experiences, the time with friends and the new ones I made along the way. So, thank you made for t.v. extreme contest bizarro world. I won in the end. And sorry to any of the t.v. sports crew people I may have mocked at the time and acted too cool to give you my time. That was my loss. I was young. @streetplant @killthekool

Today in Los Angeles, California. Stop by Glenn Danzig’s old house for my buddy. Breakfast at Yeastie Boys. Lunch at @burgershewrote__ . Hit the ditch at Griffith Park.

Thank you @lucero_rip / @blacklabelskates for thinking of me when re issuing the classic Black Ohio graphic and sending me this care package. It really means a lot to me. I’ve always been proud of the 7 years that I rode for the Label. It means even more to me that we are all still good friends after all these decades. John made me this Black Ohio board custom on a silver dipped, @dickemotion shape. So Good! Thanks again John!🖤

Decades Deep Nothing Elitist Nothing Pretentious Come as you are Kill The Kool 🖤 @killthekool #killthekool

My dear friends, @kelleydeal @candyland_recording_studio And @lkbroiler AKA…. @r.ringsings have a new album ‘War Poems, We Rested’ coming out on January 27th on @dongiovannirecords . Check it !!

Luka is 7 !! 💘

Then…. Thrasher Magazine, March 2002. Juice Magazine # 54 2002. @blacklabelskates 2 page spread ad. Photo credit @tednewsome ? & Now…. Max & Luka💘💘 San Diego, California

Barge Hard www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @chuckzilla_1

Barge Hard. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @chuckzilla_1

Happy Holidays!

I saw Joy Division shirts for sale at a store in the mall. I’m guessing they don’t know where the band got their name from. . www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @chuckzilla_1

Then…. 2 page spread, Innes Clothing ad. @transworldskate magazine June 2001. Cover of Innes clothing catalog 2001. Innes clothing poster 2001. 50-50 triple set with kink. Photo credit @mattmecaro 🖤 & Now…. Max & Luka💘💘 San Diego California

Bunson over the Junson www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @chuckzilla_1 Photo credit @phlotons

The Wipers. www.streetplant.com www.kristiansvitak.com @streetplant @clevelandskateboarding @killthekool Filming credit @chuckzilla_1