“The harder you work the luckier you get.”

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 his way, but for this individual, there’s nothing truer than that. Skating his ass off, and getting noticed the old fashioned way…

On November 3rd, we will announce the newest Element pro right here.

Episode 1, Mallorca Migration is now playing. Mallorca, the Spanish island in the Mediterranean was the first of many stops while filming for Future Nature. This is a behind-the-scenes look at what we captured while stalked these animals through the coastline, mountains, and into the plazas.

Episode 2, Costa Rica Migration airs on Friday, August 31st. While following Amateurus for Future Nature, we ended up in the jewel of the equator, Costa Rica. We trailed the pod from the sunken seas to the highest mountain tops, surrounded by a volcanic skyline.

Episode 3, Basque Migration airs on Friday, September 7th. The final location of this exodus was the northern providence of Spain, known as Basque Country. We stalked Amateurus from Bilbao to Madrid, and everywhere in between.

Don’t forget, you can always watch these videos and all of our commercials and videos on our YouTube channel and via our podcast.

Element Founder, Johnny Schillereff has announced the winners from the Element Tree Logo Contest, and we’ve got all the details HERE.

The top two picks will be turned into an Element T-shirt, and win a special package from Element. The honorable mentions will also have a hand-packed box, delivered straight to their door. And, every single entry in the Element Tree Logo Contest will receive a special thank you letter and gift from Johnny himself.

Thank you everyone for participating in the first of many online contests from Element. And please follow @elementusa and @johnnyschillereff on Instagram for more details.

Element Founder, Johnny Schillereff has created a contest on Instagram, asking you to submit your interpration of the Element tree logo. Log into Instagram and tag your photo #elementtreelogocontest and enter to win a ton of Element product, and to have your design turned into an Element T-shirt!

The deadline is Monday, July 9th, and we’ll announce the winners on Tuesday, July 10th. All you have to do, is create any interpretation of the Element tree logo, and the winner will receive a box of Element product, picked and packed by Johnny himself, and your artwork will be turned into an Element T-shirt!

Follow Element on Instagram at @elementusa and Johnny at @johnnyschillereff for more details, and don’t forget to tag your photo with #elementtreelogocontest

Hot off the heels of FUTURE NATURE (which is now available on iTunes), Nick Garcia and Julian Davidson are given the royal treatment over at Skateboarder… Senior photographer, John Bradford, put together a collection of  his photographs from a recent interview with the two. And as the title of the blog would indicate, “Daily Film Blog” the skate photos and portraits are all shot on, well, you guessed it, film. The article, in all its entirety can be seen here.

The FUTURE NATURE collection is available here. And their dilapidated decks from filming the video have been given new life through Element’s “No Board Left Behind” program, which will soon be available here.

Element proudly presents FUTURE NATURE, now playing today only on elementskateboards.com, also available worldwide on iTunes.

FUTURE NATURE is a visual exploration of skateboarders in their natural environments. Around the world, two major species co-exist together. They are Amateurus and Professionalli, or better known as the amateur and professional skateboarder. FUTURE NATURE focuses on Amateurus, documenting the extravagant behaviors of Nick Garcia, Julian Davidson, Evan Smith, Boo Johnson and introducing Madars Apse, Trent McClung, and Nassim Guammaz.

Elemental Awareness hit the road to visit their friends on the Apache, Flathead, and Navajo reservations, where they were able to skate with the kids, and connect on a larger level…

Through the CHANGING LIVES THROUGH SKATEBOARDING program, they were able to give away more than 100 pairs of shoes, 50 skateboards and tons of other product. Needless to say, the kids were hyped and received some much needed gear.

Click here to see some photos from the tour. And for more information on Elemental Awareness and their programs, visit their site and Facebook page.

Matt Ward is a behind-the-scenes super hero at Element. He’s that dude that bends over backwards for anyone, does everything for everyone, and skates like a mad man. So when the sad news came in that his car was broken into (during the video premiere of Nyjah’s video), everyone at Element banded together to help him out…

On Friday, Matt had the day off, so we sent a shoe box around the office, and everyone anonymously donated a couple bucks. The money raised was to help him and his family repair their car, but what happened next is where good turned great. The creative geniuses and illustrative icons, Todd Francis, Bryan Arii, Esther Kim, Jerimy Lumia, and Bobby Sattler decorated each and every dollar bill to turn the dead presidents into pirates. You may be asking, why pirates? Well, because Matt and his family are certifiable pirate aficionados, just take a look at this family portrait!

Nevertheless, I was blown away by the pouring in of love, then the creativity, and wanted to share it with you. That’s a couple of bucks I’d never spend, and have framed instead.

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.

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

Recently, DC Shoes got together with The Berrics to release the “The Fix S” skate shoe. To launch the special edition collabo’, they brought in Evan Smith, who stars in this commercial, going where few have gone before…

Evan Smith, with an aptly named, smith stall on the vert wall.

We all knew it was coming, but we didn’t know it’d be this good… Nyjah takes top honors at the most famous skatepark in the world, The Berrics, and is crowned the official Battle Commander with this video part.

So, until “RISE & SHINE” releases on 11.11.11., click play, and prepare to have your mind blown with Nyjah’s Battle Commander video part at The Berrics…

On September 24th 2011, Element and Beachworks joined forces to present the ELEMENT EQUINOX FESTIVAL. Set in Element’s own Orange County backyard, the festival included an amateur contest, team demo, team signing and a bevy of booths to keep attendees psyched. Two amateur contests were held: thirteen and under and fourteen plus. A total of $1,000 was awarded to the winners, $700 of which made its way into the back pocket of 14+ winner Edgar Barrera.

In addition, a free trip to Element / Ymca Skate Camp was awarded to the winner of the thirteen and under contest, Vinny Villani.

As impressive as the 14+ contest and demo were, the young kids contest really brought the stoke. Seeing the young’uns with decks as big them go for glory brought smiles to the faces of even the most jaded among us.

While not watching the skate action, attendees tie-dyed t-shirts, got henna tattoos, played skateboard wheel plinko to win free Element gear and checked out an array of animals on display from Inside the Outdoors.

For more photos from the event, visit our Flickr page.

Nyjah rolls through Madrid, Spain with a line at ledge spot like no other.

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:
Cole Mathews

The Mohave backpack, loaded with an unending amount of compartments and stash pockets, can practically carry the weight of the world.

In honor of its diversity, we got Mike Kershnar (Element Advocate) to pack up, and hit the streets. Through the eyes of filmmaker, Sean Desmond, we get an insider’s look into Kershnar’s daily grind, skating and painting in San Francisco…

Watch the video above, and swing by your local shop or click here to purchase an Element “Mohave” backpack.

Nyjah Huston and Element formed a relationship when Nyjah was only 7-years old. Then,  a twig on the Element tree, Nyjah grew into his own… In 2011 Nyjah 3-peat’d at Street League, and won X-Games gold, but he’s out now to prove his talents where their matter most; in the streets.

Element presents “RISE & SHINE” – The Nyjah Huston video, available on iTunes worldwide on 11.11.11.

Leading up to 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/nyjah-huston-video

In anticipation of the Nyjah Huston video, we will be releasing a new clip, once a week until the video drops on 11.11.11.

The inaugural clip is nothing short of death defying, as one wrong move, and your neck deep in pain. The roll up and ride away conditions are nothing to write home about either, but Nyjah manages to walk the line with a frontside nosegrind down the double set.

Click HERE to watch, and check back each Friday for a new clip of Nyjah.

Chipotle, friend of Element friend and MAKE IT COUNT sponsor, has put out an incredible short film entitled “Back to the Start”. The film depicts the life of a farmer as he slowly turns his family farm into an industrial animal factory before seeing the errors of his ways, and opts for a more sustainable future.

Both the film and the soundtrack were commissioned by Chipotle to emphasize the importance of developing a sustainable food system. The soundtrack is by country music legend, Willie Nelson, who sings a cover of Coldplay’s “The Scientist” is nothing short of moving.

We love the film and its message, and wanted to pass it on. Get inspired, and for more information, visit:

Back to the Start

To learn more about the the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, visit:

Chipotle Cultivate Foundation

And pick up a limited edition Element x Chipotle burrito board at your local shop. Each one comes with a gift card for a free burrito!

Nyjah Huston and friends rolled through the Chino park recently, and left no ledge unturned. Subscribe to Nyjah’s friend, Nathan on YouTube here for more Nyjah footy, as they’re always out skating, rain or shine.

Chad Tim Tim walks you through the basics of a switch crooked grind. Active is holding a contest here, where whoever sends in the best footage of them doing a switch crooks, wins a year supply of shoes from Dekline. Don’t forget the bonus clip and contest at the end of the video too.

Evan Smith gets a surprise request from skateboard legend, Josh Kalis, while on tour with DC in Europe. Watch and see if Evan can land a “Straight 8″ on call. The “Straight 8″ is when you do the two fundamental flip tricks, kickflip and heelflip, in the four possible ways, which equals 8… Kickflip, fakie kickflip, switch kickflip, nollie kickflip, heelflip, fakie heelflip, switch heelflip, and nollie heelflip.

Joe Krolick keeps the classics coming, and this time it’s with the one and only, Colt Cannon… Check this footage out, and see just why Colt has always been a fan favorite, and will go down in Element history with one of cleanest styles of all time… This kind of  pop and control will never get old.

The Mattson 2 are performing tonight at Mollusk Surf Shop in San Francisco with special guest, skateboard legend, Tommy Gurrero on bass, along with Casey Mattson too. The show is all-ages and free, so get there on time, as you won’t want to miss this one!

They’ll also be selling their new album, “Feeling Hands” and T-shirts at the show. If you can’t make it, the new album is available on iTunes, CD, and even vinyl, or check out the Mattson 2 site for more info.

See you tonight!

August 23, 2011 (7pm doors open)

Mollusk Surf Shop

Music by:
Dirty Fences
“Haily Hallway Looker”
Facebook.com/dirtyfences
dirtyfences.bandcamp.com

In honor of the new Berrics park in Westchester (LA), Steve Berra proposed a “First Try Fridays” for Chad Tim Tim that’s like no other. Enjoy the ride.

Street League just released a new commercial featuring Nyjah Huston to remind us all that their championship contest is just around the corner. Nyjah took top honors at all three of this year’s contest stops and is itching to win again at the fourth and final stop in New Jersey. The contest will air on ESPN2 on August 28th from 5:00-7:00 PM Eastern time.