Over the past year, we had 45 MAKE IT COUNT events in 30 different countries, with one goal; to get the most dedicated skateboarders from around the world for a life changing experience.

On August 11th, 23 finalists flew in for an all expenses paid trip to California for one week, and to compete in the global finals at Element YMCA Camp.

During that week, we went to San Diego and skated the Transworld park, hung out at Element headquarters, and had a day all to ourselves at The Berrics. In addition to skating, we hiked to the natural waterslides at Stony Creek, launched in Lake Sequoia, and saw a slew of wild animals in the Sequoia National Forest.

In the end, it was Jon Cos who took first place and a year’s sponsorship from Element, while Dustin Blauvelt came in second, and Nate Greenwood finished in third.  Some left with trophies and prizes, but everyone went home with something much greater; friendships were forged, and our Element family grew bigger.

Thank you to everyone who contributed in making this series an experience of a lifetime.

For more info, to see the finals video, and to see the #elementmakeitcount instagram feed, go HERE:

After sorting through hundreds of video submissions for the MAKE IT COUNT Wildcard entry, we’ve finally selected a winner. Congratulations goes out to Mikey Whitehouse of Edinburg, TX for his amazing park edit. He will be joining finalists from all over the globe in California at Element YMCA Camp for the finals and get to skate the Berrics with the Element team in just a few weeks. Thanks to everyone who submitted their videos. Check out Mikey’s winning video above.

Etnies has released a full Nick Garcia part in support of the Freeport shoe. Enter to win the shoes along with an Element board and Stance socks here.

Also, check out this exclusive interview with Nick via Skateboarder Magazine which coincides with his Etnies part. Click here to see full interview.

When DC’s Chris Ray was asked to be one of the 13 filmers to submit a part for TransWorld SKATEboarding‘s latest film, The Cinematographer Project, he naturally gravitated towards Element am Evan Smith. With Evan’s effortless style and unique approach and Ray Ray’s mastery of the angles, editing and HD, Evan’s part excerpted from the full length DVD is your most recent glimpse to how talented of a skateboarder Evan Smith really is.

The Cinematographer Project full length DVD, with 13 parts submitted by skateboarding’s greatest filmers, is available now at http://www.skateboarding.com, your local skateshop, or for download on iTunes.

Element Advocate Mike Kershnar went to Brazil recently with The Keep Abreast Foundation. While there, he got to engage in his two favorite activities, skateboarding and painting in the streets. Check out this lil video by Alexandre of 100% Skateboarding featuring Mike and Element Brazil’s Mancha.

The Beantown Sundown was a wonderful art and skate filled night at Orchard Skateshop in Boston.

Upstairs, three rooms were filled with alters, fine art and found items by Element Advocate and artist Mike Kershnar. Included were copies of Kershnar’s latest ‘zine, which contains a short story inspired by Boston’s history and skate scene. Click below to download the ‘zine.

Downstairs, Donny Barley, PJ Ladd and Levi Brown signed autographs for visitors and guests.

Vibes were high in the Orchard gallery and everyone was stoked to have Donny Barley, PJ Ladd, Levi Brown, and Panama Dan on hand. Peep the ‘zine, and get out there and get creative in the streets.

CLICK HERE to see a gallery of photos from the night.

Click HERE to go behind the scenes with Nyjah as he revisits some of the worst slams during filming of “RISE & SHINE.”

For more information on The Transworld Skateboarding Awards and to see all nominees click HERE.

The brief on the show reads:
Slam Dance culminates the last two years of his art practice in the city. The show aims to beautifully reflect the various active components of the universe that combine to create mystery in our lives. Influenced by ritualized shamanic art practices, graffiti, and the spiritual path, Slam Dance seeks to stimulate the creative spirit within people in the gallery space to ripple outward into the larger world. The Slam Dance is the distilled force that comes from synthesizing the ancient and the modern psyches and the urban and natural landscapes.

Check it out if you are in the area, otherwise take the tour with grand opening video, zine download and photos.

Nyjah Huston goes behind-the-scenes with an exclusive interview, discussing some of the worst slams and best tricks of his video part, “RISE & SHINE”.

Filmed by: Kirk Dianda, Marc Falkenstien, and Nathan Groff
Edited by: Kirk Dianda

“RISE & SHINE” is now available worldwide on iTunes.

http://bit.ly/Nyjah-iTunes

The Element “Make it Count” 2012 International contest series is scheduled to kick off on Jan. 7th, 2012 in Orlando, Fl at Midtown Skate Park.  Entry fee for the contest is one canned food item that will be donated to local food banks.  The overall winner of the contest will win a trip to California for the Finals and get a private session at The Berrics with the Element team for the summer of 2012.  Element special guests Nyjah Huston, Levi Brown, Evan Smith, Donny Barley and Matt Fink will be on hand to help judge the contest.  See you in Orlando for Stop #1!

For more information on the contest check out our events page or click HERE.

Skateboardermag caught up with Thomas in New York and snapped a few photos from his mural at Max Fish and show at the Half Gallery. Click HERE to see the full article.

In part three (of four), Nyjah gets down and out in San Diego with a backside smith gone wrong.

Nyjah Huston goes behind-the-scenes with an exclusive interview, discussing some of the worst slams and best tricks of his video part, “RISE & SHINE”.

Filmed by: Cole Mathews, Kirk Dianda, and Nathan Groff
Edited by: Kirk Dianda

“RISE & SHINE” is now available worldwide on iTunes.
http://bit.ly/Nyjah-iTunes

Now you can start learning how to skate from Element’s pros for free! Know Skateboarding Street Fundamentals Free gives you an exclusive first pass to becoming a great skater. You can use this app on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, and you don’t even need any data connection.

Get the full version of “Know Skateboarding” featuring Element pros Chad Tim Tim, Darrell Stanton, Levi Brown, and Mark Appleyard. Between these four pros and the twenty-two tricks they teach you, this is the most powerful tool you could ever keep in your pocket.

Click HERE to download the FREE version

Click HERE to download the FULL version

In in the end, Zach Payton (left) faced off against last years winner and defending champion Marcel (right) in finals. After a heated and very exciting final round, it was Zach Payton who overcame and now holds the Yorba Linda game of S.K.A.T.E. crown. Congratulations Zach and a special thanks to everybody who came out last night. We had a blast and can’t wait till next year.

In “Crossing Canada” the Element team linked up with West49 for a series of demo’s and signings from sea to shining sea. Mark Appleyard, Nyjah Huston, Levi Brown, Nick Garcia, Julian Davidson, Evan Smith, and Boo Johnson put on a show at every stop.

Music by:
Dirty Fences
“Kilsythe Rabbit Road”
facebook.com/dirtyfences

Hey International Customers! Here’s how to purchase movies through iTunes US in 5 simple steps!

Unfortunately not all International iTunes stores currently support video, and for some that do, there’s a delay in getting access to the latest movies and TV shows. The info below will get around this problem.

1. Set yourself up with a FREE iTunes US Account! Select either of the two methods below to make this happen- each should only take a minute to set up.

Tech Wired
Apple Support

2. Make sure there is a free app in your basket when creating your US account, this way at check out iTunes will not ask for a credit card and you can check the “NONE” checkbox.

3. You’ll get an email notification from iTunes to activate your account. If you don’t receive this email confirmation, follow up here with iTunes.

4. Buy an iTunes gift card for the US Store from either of the options below:

Maximus Music Cards
iTunes Express Cards

5. Log in to your iTunes US Free account and your redeem gift code.

6. Buy and enjoy!

For this week’s clip, Nyjah doubles down. First a nollie heelflip on the nine, and then closes out with a three flip on the eleven.

In anticipation of “RISE & SHINE” the Nyjah Huston video, we are releasing a new clip, once a week until the video drops, so check back for more footage and information.

http://bit.ly/nyjahvideo

Filmed by:
Nathan Groff

Element Brazil continued with its “Element School Day” program in Sao Paulo, a fun and interactive experience where students learn about Element, the history of skateboarding, and the lifestyle that surrounds it. Students get to watch a live pro demo, interact with the team, and walk away with a bag of goods. Watch the video above from a recent Element School Day in Sao Paulo.

This weeks Wednesday Wallpaper features a backside ollie from Element Am Evan Smith! Grab the hi res version HERE and set it as your desktop.

Tweet @transworldskate and @elementskate a photo of this set as your desktop and you could win a new Element deck!

Nyjah Huston‘s Battle Commander drops tomorrow, Saturday Oct 15th! Can’t wait? Watch this Command Briefing with Nyjah where you’ll get an inside look at what’s to come. Looks insane! Click HERE to watch.

Watch Element pro Chad Tim Tim in the latest Bangin at The Berrics! Chad rips up the park with his new Travel Well cruiser board the “Tim Tim Chisel Nomad.” I didn’t know a cruiser board could be skated like that! Click HERE to watch Tim Tim’s Bangin.

RIDE YOUR OWN:

Nyjah Huston takes the road less traveled with a hardflip over the rail.

In anticipation of “RISE & SHINE” the Nyjah Huston video, we are releasing a new clip, once a week until the video drops, so check back for more footage and information.

http://bit.ly/nyjahvideo

Filmed by:
Matt Mullen

Technology meets skateboarding in the form of a new iPhone app called “Know Skateboarding” which features Element pros Chad Tim Tim, Darrell Stanton, Levi Brown, and Mark Appleyard. Between these four pros and the twenty-two tricks they teach you, this is the most powerful tool you could ever keep in your pocket.

Know Skateboarding is a must-have tutorial app for the novice skater, and is available now in the iTunes store.

Click here to purchase the app in the iTunes store, and head over to The Berrics for an in-depth review of the app.

Trickipedia is an educational page for skateboarding tricks started by the Berrics. This week Element Am Boo Johnson contributes Fakie Frontside Bigspins to the Berrics Trickipedia archive!

Click HERE to watch!

Slap Magazine spent a week up to Element YMCA Skate Camp this past Summer. During their stay they caught up with Elemental Awareness Director Todd Larson and asked a few questions regarding Elemental Awareness and how it projects outside of Skate Camp. Check out the full interview here!

Bucky was among the last three riders to go in the skate vert superfinals alongside Shaun White and PLG. But it came down to the last runs to decide the podium order. Bucky skated great going into the 10-man finals but his board got away from him a few times during the 5-man finals finishing third with an 87.75. Bucky remains in 2nd place overall in Skate Vert for the 2011 series.

> Get all the details and full report here

> View full Dew Tour 2011 standings here

Miss the finals? We’ve got you covered. Watch highlights from skate vert finals below:

Element AM Evan Smith is on a tear! Check out his Tuesday 25 interview on skateboardermag.com! Keep it up Evan!