Hot Plate: James Coleman

James Coleman AKA “Young Guru” is an avant-garde skateboarder that has an approach like non-other. He rides the architectural waves of the southern United States on his spiritual quest with a strong presence in the moment. Feet on the board, head in the clouds. He’s your favorite skater’s favorite skater’s favorite skater (that’s not a repetitive typo). – BEAGLE

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BEAGLE Tapes: Episode 57 – Justin “Figgy” Figueroa and Andrew Reynolds

The USS Bullhead Memorial park in Albuquerque, New Mexico pays homage to the USS Bullhead submarine. It was the last US Navy ship sunk by enemy action. It met its fate on the same day that the Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, August 6, 1945. On the road to SXSW, the Altamont team makes a pitstop at this particular monument. Justin “Figgy” Figueroa wastes no time and gets Norrin Radd on the rail. After a few grinds and a 5-0, there is an internal discussion that 5-0 grind had already been performed on this particular rail by a specific local. Without hesitation, Figgy gets back up there and sinks a 5-0 180 out.

Continuing east towards Austin, TX, the team pulls over in a small town called Lubbock, the birthplace of Buddy Holly. Garret Hill finds a crusty kinked hubba and decides to test his luck. After a few attempts he sticks on the kink and comes down harder than the Beechcraft Bonanza on the Day The Music Died.

To lighten up the mood, the gang heads over to some brick quarter pipes. Shane Heyl and Figgy are feeling the presence of a Rock N’ Roll legend and conspired a new song while Justin Regan gets some big air, dog. Circa 2009 – BEAGLE

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BEAGLE Tapes: Episode 56 – Sammy Baca

Fresh off the plane from Las Vegas, a longhaired Sammy Baca touches down in Los Angeles. In preparation, Beagle had been scouting “Sammy Spots” in Beverly Hills and Century City. In the final days of filming for the “Bake and Destroy” video, Sammy starts the session off at a bench-to-rail setup in Beverly Hills. After a few slams the Beverly Hills Cops show up and shutdown the session. – BEAGLE

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BEAGLE Tapes: Episode 54 – Reno

Dr. Joong Gun Kwon has been practicing dentistry in Los Angeles for over 30 years. He still enjoys being in a profession that helps others, not only with their teeth, but also with their self-image. He believes that the condition of one’s smile can indirectly affect a person’s confidence. Before J. Kwon Orthodontics Center was a hotspot, a majority of the skateboarding occurred only on the outer parameters of the plaza. The gap-to-ledges were the spot to “test your might.” A young slim Reno steps on the scene, flossing his color-coordinated outfit. Reno goes into battle with a sample pair of blood red Ellington One combat boots. The varial flip noseslide is a very unique trick that requires a “mob flick” technique with precision timing. 40 something attempts later and he locks the paddle in with a momentous slide to fakie that changed his life forever. The famous “Wooooorrrd!” heard round the world in the BAKER 3 video. All it takes is one and every dog has his day. No one is really certain about what happened to Reno. Last we heard is that he lives Los Altos, CA and does narrative writing.

Tripping to the dessert, Beagle and Flip head out to Victorville, CA to skate “Donny’s Hubba.” When they arrive they meet a young Antwuan DIxon, also known as “Big Kandy” at the time and light up the spot. Flip gets a backside smith grind and Beagle films Antwuan’s effortless style for the first time in history. Woody the dog closes the session out with a gap to slide. Give a dog a bone. Circa 2004 – BEAGLE

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BEAGLE Tapes: Episode 49 – Andrew Reynolds and Beagle

As night falls, with the subtle hum of a Honda EU2000, Andrew Reynolds skates an up-ledge in Fullerton, California. After a few warmup tricks, Andrew gets what he drove all way out there for, a fakie 5-0 fakie kickflip.

Just north of Pasadena’s Rose Bowl and south of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Beagle pregames by hypnotizing himself with Three-Six Mafia lyrics and HCP collector cards. He then decides to attempt a nollie bigspin down the largest set of his career. The La Cañada 11 stair is the stage of choice. Like a bat out of hell, Beagle rides away 20 feet from a sketchy one. Does that count? Even though Beagle’s mentality had taken on a gangster persona, Lance Dawes throws in the towel, so Beagle can live to fight another day. Circa 2005 – BEAGLE

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