The Damn Am was nuts this year.  I know it’s getting a bit clichéd to say this, but the ability of little kids is getting out of hand.  Ten year old phenoms were once a rarity in skating, now it seems like they’re a dime a dozen.  I really wish I could back this up with some names, but little kids all look the same to me.  There was one little fucker that stood out though, Chaz Ortizz.  I’d seen him skate once before, when he skated in the Hometown Heroes portion of the GvR contest in Lake Forest.  Before he took his run, the dude next to me told me to watch, and I was blown away.  He kept the performance level high at the Damn Am as well, absolutely killing the handrail with some of the smoothest back smiths I’ve ever seen.  Normally little rippers kind of piss me off, especially when I’ve been skating longer than they’ve been alive.  But seeing the huge smile on his face and watching him run around like a retard after his run warmed my heart.  Good on ya’ Chaz.
Read More

After I finished up my brief interview with Dave Bachinsky, he kindly asked if I would e-mail him our transcribed correspondence. This is not an unusual or outlandish request from any subject, especially when that subject is fairly down on their luck and vulnerable to the many evils the world might have in store for them.
Read More

THE JOB OF TEAM MANAGER IS NOT GLAMOROUS, AS MANY MIGHT BELIEVE. ED DOMINICK HELD THE POST OF TM OVER AT MAPLE DURING ITS HEYDAY IN THE MID NINETIES. THIS ISSUE ED SHARES A STORY ABOUT MANAGING MARC JOHNSON AND PROVES ONCE AGAIN IF YOU WANT TO BE A TM YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE THE PATIENCE OF A SAINT. 
Read More

I’ve always enjoyed nudity.  From the time I was a child, dropping my shorts and running free down the beach, until today, when I still love to drop my shorts and run naked down the beach; I can’t help but see clothing as an unwanted pretense to modesty.  Clothing isn’t natural, and unless it’s so cold that bits of me will shrivel and shrink, I’d much rather do without it.  Regrettably, our society still subscribes to Victorian mores.  This forces people like me, who would happily walk down the street in a state of total undress, to retire to the privacy of our own homes, the only place we can lounge about in all God’s splendor without hearing shocked cries and facing moral condemnation.
Read More

I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN  CHAD KNIGHT TO BE A NICE SOFT-SPOKEN KIND OF GUY. I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED WHEN HE CALLED ME UP AND VOLUNTEERED TO SPEW HATE IN OUR SHIT TALK CORNER.  IT TOOK HIM A WHILE BUT HE MANAGED TO MUSTER ENOUGH SHIT TALKING TO FILL THIS PAGE.  BELOW IS HIS NEGATIVE RANT TO THE 6 RANDOM TOPICS WE GAVE HIM.
Read More

Interview Shawn Rylander
Photos: Randome
So your 19 years old and you’ve been working at Val Surf for three years?
Yeah, it’s pretty easy and all my friends work there.
That’s cool. What’s the biggest perk working for the oldest surf shop around?
Perk? Like a good thing?
Yeah, like a good thing.
Umm....(silence)
Read More

Recently I was approached by a group of professional and amateur skateboarders who were greatly confused and saddened by their behavior while participating in various acts of violence.  Being the compassionate and extremely empathetic man I am, I gave them each a free psychological consultation.  Actually, you might feel more comfortable referring to me as Dr. Riggio for the remainder of this article. Sit down on my leather sectional, kick off your shoes and be prepared to watch their unconscious minds scrambled, diced and reassembled.
Read More

Walker Ryan takes online dating dead seriously. He has spent countless hours honing his online seduction skills. He uses a shotgun approach on his 5 different online dating accounts.  For example, in his Match.com profile he plays hardball, photos of him with cute little puppies is flanked with a list of his net worth and the details of his extensive stock portfolio. Over on his Yahoo Personals, he utilizes the shy, nice guy approach. The photo sports him wearing a striped sweater hugging his mom. Words like “sensitivity” and “emotions” are peppered about liberally in his profile. He goes the whole bad boy image on his E-harmony account. On this account, Walker uses both his hands to flash devil horns. His tribal armband tattoo peaks out beneath his shirtsleeve. But alas, Walker is still single.  How can it be that this red headed, disease free, college freshman is still untaken? Below we have printed his Singles.net account profile and we have set him up with his very own Automaticmag.com email account and invite all interested to Email. Please send all correspondence to:
hotwalker@automaticmag.com
Read More