It’s a rare thing these days, in the age of the internet and all, when you can honestly say an amateur skater paid his dues to earn what he’s got, but for Nick Garcia, there’s nothing truer than that. Skating his ass off, and getting noticed the old fashioned way… “The harder you work the luckier you get” and with that said, we are proud to introduce Element’s newest pro, Nick Garcia.

Here’s a look back at Nick’s skating through the years, including video highlights, articles exposure, magazine covers, and his most recent footage and first pro ad… Congratulations Nick, you deserve it.

The Nick Garcia collection consists of the Welcome and Blue Collar boards, a cruiser shaped by Nick, and limited edition shirt. Everything is available in the Element store and at your local shop, so stock up now.

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:

Evan and Levi

Kershnar displaying an American cannonball

Boo, Nick, Evan and Todd at the Berlin Wall

Evan hopping over the wall

Evan and Nick

Cole

Cole, myself, and Todd

From Top Left to Bottom Right: Evan Back Smith, Nick & Madars, Van Life, The Homies

Can’t wait till next year.

Nyjah Huston dominated X Games this past weekend, first with an incredible run in the “Skateboard Street” contest, where he walked away with the bronze medal, while Ryan Sheckler won silver, and Paul Rodriguez took gold. Nyjah’s winning run can be see HERE.

Nyjah then won the gold medal for his “Real Street” video part; a video contest filmed entirely in the streets over the course of the past six months. The one-minute video can be watched HERE.

In other X Games news, 12-Year-Old Element rider Tom Schaar landed a flawless 900º during the “Big Air” competition, and ended up on ESPN’s “Top 10 Plays of the Week”. You can see the clip HERE.

At 12 years old, Tom Schaar has become the youngest ever to win an X-Games gold medal, and did so by landing the first ever 1080º in a contest. With a score of 94.00, Tom topped the podium with his gold medal, while Bob Burnquist, who won silver, had this to say.

“He’s very advanced for his age. In his head he’s very cool and that usually comes with time, but he’s had that right away. He’s going to go a long way and we’re going to have to deal with Tom for a long while.”

And in his humble fashion, Tom followed up with nothing but praise toward his heroes…

“I’m just excited to be here and be skating with all of these pros that I’ve looked up to. It’s the best feeling!”

You can see more of Tom Schaar in the newly released FUTURE NATURE, The Element Am Video.

Footage courtesy of Colin Clark.

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.

Julian Davidson and Nick Garcia came up with this special set of Travel Well cruiser boards, called “Day Trippin’”. Designing them was one thing, but what came next was the fun part; hitting the streets. Nick and Julian headed off to Skate Camp, and took the long road to get there. From bombing hills and crushing rocks to flatground and mini ramps, these boards are truly all terrain vehicles.

Music by:
Boom Chick
“Ghost of Bo Didley”
boomchickboomchick.com

GET A CLOSER LOOK AT THE DAY TRIPPIN’ SERIES:

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.

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.

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

Nyjah’s RISE & SHINE part was a long time coming and plenty of blood, sweat and tears were poured into the final product. This, the first in a four-part series of behind the scenes extras, details Nyjah’s struggle in Costa Rica with a long, crusty seven-flat-seven handrail. As if the lengthy rail and janky landing area weren’t enough to contend with, Nyjah’s presence drew a massive crowd of onlookers. Whether or not they had anything to do with the cringe-inducing sack is anybody’s guess. Regardless, the nollie crooks went down. Download the full part HERE.

While we’re on the subject of the TWS Buyer’s Guide and gift ideas, here’s a few for your rad Dad, best bud or yourself…
As rare as skateable pole jams are, you’d be a fool not to grab one of our DROP SPOT Pole Jams.  They’re strong, portable and fun as hell.
If you’re hitting the town in your ratty old skate shoes, it’s time to step up your game with Element’s Emerald Footwear collection. They’re guaranteed to stink less than your skate kicks and attract 2000% more ladies.

A Travel Well cruiser board is just the tool for a quick run to the liquor store or taco shack. If you catch an urge to shred along the way, they’re more than capable of enduring whatever you can throw at it, as proven by Tim Tim’s Berrics Bangin! clip.

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

The day after the screening at our Irvine headquarters, a viewing was held at The Berrics in Los Angeles, California.

A day later, another private RISE & SHINE showing was held at Transworld‘s skatepark in Carlsbad, CA. After a heated and sweaty session, fires were re-lit after watching the vid.

The next evening, we celebrated the opening of our new Universal Citywalk store with a premiere. The crowd was massive and kids were hyped.

To correspond with the release of RISE & SHINE, Thrasher posted a Hall of Meat clip featuring one of the nastiest slams Nyjah endured during the filming for RISE & SHINE. It’s never good when you bounce on concrete. FYI: Nyjah got up and got the back smith.

Strange Notes posted a vid of Nyjah warming up at his hometown park in Costa Mesa, CA before heading out to film for RISE & SHINE. I wish I warmed up like that.

Phew. Helluva week and helluva video part. Get yours HERE. Get stoked and go get some.

Element is proud to announce that  ”RISE & SHINE” The Nyjah Huston video, is now available on iTunes worldwide!

In 2011 Nyjah 3-peat’d at Street League, won X-Games gold, and became The Berrics Battle Commander. Now he’s out now to prove his talents where they matter most; in the streets.

Click HERE to view “RISE & SHINE” in the iTunes store.

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!

The Berrics‘ latest First Try Fridays video features Levi Brown. Filmed at the Explore the Berrics Westchester park, Levi is tasked with a giant frontside flip. True to style, Levi accomplished his mission with style and height.

Atop his new Travel Well cruiser board, Chad Tim Tim annihilated the Berrics park in this Bangin’ vid. Spy the Drop Spot pole jam that Chad brought with him. Leave it to Tim Tim to shred a cruiser harder than most of will ever shred on a traditional setup.

To accompany Tim Tim’s Berrics Bangin‘ video, a photo feature documenting the process behind the video was posted on the Berrics site. Props to Yoon Sul the work behind the lens.

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