#stoops mag

Stoops Issue 12 (DIY Issue) is now available!

So I've been doing this magazine for 9 years now and you would think I would have streamlined the process for releases, but being that it is still mostly a one person operation over here with no real industry support or ad dollars, I'm still just doing my best. Each issue hinges on whatever time and money I have to throw into it with hopes of breaking even but mostly coming to terms with the reality that I am spending what others may spend on mortgages, or cars, or alcoholism to put out a skateboarding publication for my own sanity, grasping for a sense of purpose, and for the few of you actually appreciate it. One day I will come to my senses and give it up, but for now, it is somehow still moving along with no drop in quality. And while I know this seems like a pity party of one over here, it is really my segue into the theme of the new issue. Issue 12 has a Do-It-Yourself theme where we explore the concept of creating spots out of nothing. Just as I am creating a magazine with my own resources, accepting the loss of funds to produce something that brings me joy, skateboarders have been doing this for years. Every spot built by skaters using their own hard earned money has no monetary pay off but brings them joy, as well as netting some happiness for others who get to enjoy using the product of that labor. This issue explores the DIY mentality in skateboarding and its importance.

You can order it here!

Articles: First Words, Brett Sube Interview, In Brief: Dead Dave, In Brief: AC Pearson, Life & Death of Eastland DIY, Max Murphy Interview, Pop-up spots, One-Offs, Barrier Kult

Photographers: Seu Trinh, Mike Heikkila, Marco Hernandez, Reece Leung, Fabien Ponsero, Masa Yoshimoto, Eby Ghafarian, Clément Harpillard, Tadashi Yamaoda, Bradford Bishop, Dharam Khalsa, Isaac McKay-Randozzi, Judah Oakes, Dave Smith, Sam Fidlin, Liam Annis, AC Pearson

Hey friends.

You are probably wondering why it has been so long between issues, but let's not get into the why and focus more on making it to the other side of the gap. Just huck and stick the landing, nobody cares why you did it. Okay, I guess technically we'd still be in the air since I, unfortunately, do not have a new issue to present to you yet...but it's coming!

But let's just say that the previous issue on mental health has been holding up. I actually began going to therapy, as I mentioned I should, and it has been great. It helps that there isn't the same stigma to go as there used to be and you don't have to be mentally ill to benefit from it. Our mental health could just use some periodic maintenance. It can help you reassess your actions and perspective. I realized how much I was overcommitting to things, to an unhealthy level. There is just so many great things to do in this life that it can be hard to limit yourself at time. Taking a step back from the magazine for a bit was part of my growth. But now I'm back and ready to explore the best of this little world on wheels we have.

I have never used this blog to its potential, mostly because I see all the other magazines reposting all the same content anyway and didn't feel like we needed another repetitive voice...but I'm supposed to be a content creator, even if it is more tangible. So I am going to start commenting on some of my favorite parts of the skate world, since we all have different tastes anyway and if you are reading this, you might actually like mine. The problem is that I am also so behind with skate videos, so don't call me out for being into something you saw a month ago, please.

Hello? Anyone tuned into this transmission? I know websites are pretty antiquated these days, with the exception of ecommerce. And that’s exactly what we are here for right now, kinda. Issue 11 of Stoops is here, and definitely is for sale, but let’s ignore the dollars and cents of it and focus on the subject: mental health.

 This issue was a difficult one, not just emotionally, but in treading lightly among a very sensitive subject to get some hard truths from those struggling with mental illness, and even just general mental health tribulations. I believe we succeeded in walking that line and this issue is very heavy, both in it’s editorial and photo bounty.

 You can order it here!

 -       Articles: First Words, The Ones Left Behind, In Brief: John Gardner, Bi-polar Disorder, Depression, One-Offs (Photo Gallery), Breaking The Cycle, Skating With Schizophrenia, The Lucy Raemers Interview

-       Cover: Daichi Ishibashi – Ollie. Fukuoka, Japan. (P) Masa Yoshimoto.

-       Photographers: Jon Coulthard, Reece Leung, Masahiro Yoshimoto, Mike Heikkila, Eby Ghafarian, Cole Giordano, Clément Harpillard, Tadashi Yamaoda, Bradford Bishop, Dharam Khalsa, Darnell Scott, Simon Algeo, CORNPHOTO, Sam McKenna, Mark Dillon, Erick Sandoval, Dyshon Whidbee, Jeremy Cohan, Zach Malfa-Kowalski.

It’s a bit late but well worth the wait...Issue 10 is here! Our analog issue features film photography and layout was painstakingly done by hand, with results I’m pretty stoked on. Order it now!

It’s a little late, but it’s here! Issue 9 of Stoops is now available to order online and in shops very soon!

We finally got around to making some new gear. We have two options available now: the Stoops International tee available in beige, and the Stoops Multi-Logo tee in black with logo on chest and multi-logos on back. They are available in our webstore, along with Issue 8 and some back issues. Get some before they are gone!

The new issue of Stoops is now available. Rowan Davis took the cover with this burly bs 180 shot by Sam Coady (who has a full interview). This issue focuses on skating from around the world.

Order Now!

Issue 8 includes the following:

Articles: First Words, A Brave Letter From A Survivor (a note to toxic masculinity), More (Or Less) Than London: United Kingdom, In Brief: Charles Deschamps, In His Words: Alber Leandro, Sam Coady: An Eye In Oz, One-Offs, Prodding The Hornets’ Nest: Charlotte, NC, Getting Blunt W/ Vivien Feil & Leo Valls, The Japanese Super Rat: Kento Yoshioka.

Photographers: Sam Coady, Clement Harpillard, Nobuo Iseki, Reece Leung, Kenji Haruta, Fabien Ponsero, Darnell Scott, Liam Annis, Bradford Bishop, Eby Ghafarian, Rafael Gonzalez, Cole Giordano, Kyle Seidler, Ryan Lebel, Josh Stewart, Sam McKenna, Changsu, Paulo Macedo, Justin Crawford.

Skaters: Rowan Davis, Jack O’Grady, Jerry Hsu, Jahmal Williams, Leo Valls, Vivien Feil, Soy Panday, Leo Gutman, Shin Sanbongi, Kento Yoshioka, Chandler Burton, Charles Deschamps, Alber Leandro, Georgia Martin, Dave Caddo, Justin Adeniran, Josue Watts, Taylor Nawrocki, Charlie Cassidy, Akawasi Owusu, Roberto Aleman, Leo Spartacus, Charlie Munroe, Dale Starkie, Faro Phiri, Jiri Bulin, James “Foz” Foster, Sean Ryan, Jett Stanton, Jeff Figueroa, Jamel Marshall, Vince Stranc, Taylor Lalk, Mika Germond, Antoine Jouguet, Aaron Jago, Aymeric Nocus, Pierre Serres, Blake Spencer, Brandon McLaurin, Christian Wood.

We are releasing Stoops Issue 7 this Sunday in Los Angeles. Due to Covid, we are doing it outdoors, once again. This time we are doing the release at JKwon Sundays (aka Church). We will have a photo show with some of our favorite photos from the issue and have a mini best trick contest for some prizes from our sponsors. Still working out the details of that, but will have boards, wheels, and jewelry to give out!

The photo show will include photos from Anthony Acosta, Mike Heikkila, Nobuo Iseki, Reece Leung, Fabien Ponsero, Kenji Haruta, Eby Ghafarian, Liam Annis, and Darnell Scot. It will include photos of Mason Silva, Jahmir Brown, Elijah Berle, Louie Lopez, Tiago Lemos, Flo Mirtain, Brett Sube, Jerry Mraz, Keyaki Ike, Jiri Bulin, & Bianca Sia. 

We will have Issue 7 available for purchase.