Damage Revisited.

The sun was out, the beers were flowing, the swivels were real, 

and some even decided to send a line of their own through the grass. 

A big shout out to all of the sponsors, all of the people who slaved to dig in the features, Spirit Mountain, and most importantly the riders who came out for our 6th Damage Revisited. 

We couldn't have done it without you!

Sit back and enjoy the recap!

Peter Limberg

Photo: Shane Pehrson

Viktor Simco and Eric Enquist

Photo: Shane Pehrson

Dan Spooner

Photo: Lloyd Fisher

John Rapinac

Photo: Lloyd Fisher

Eric Christopherson and Carter Nguyen

Photo: Lloyd Fisher

Check out the full photo recap HERE!

Lloyd Fisher Photography.

You know the saying.

"Pictures say a thousand words."

Local photographer/skateboarder and all around 

cool ass dude, Lloyd Fisher, shares his story.  

Prepare to be inspired.

 I've always enjoyed composing life's journey. This thought process accounts for actions such as where I choose to position myself in a room, how I organize a table of items, even the way i drive. It all comes down to composition. As a child, I created cerebral images by joining thumbs too the opposing pointer fingers to develop a type of "organic" viewfinder with the hands. As you place that frame over your face, a border is created for one to use in viewing the world with a controlled perspective. Using that same philosophy some years down the road, I'm stoked to be able to create images through the medium of Photography. A kind of game, by the means of collecting present energies and organizing them into a controlled space. That is what has kept me pushing in the photo world.

  I've been putting much more energy into documenting skateboarding in the past few months. Its funny, I had gone out one night to have a trick of my own documented. I ended up getting broke off. ER trip and everything. The very next morning, a box of camera equipment I had ordered a week prior, arrived at my door. That was when it hit. The universe was telling me to get on that. So I did, and I've been vibin' with it ever since.

   I dig portraying a diverse depth of field. I'm talking shooting through bushes and shit. If there's an angle that's super clean, but has a flat background or foreground; I'm gonna be looking for an object nearby or faraway to display a sense of depth to the viewer. More information better provides a sense of emergence into the graph.

  My goal while creating a photo is to convey a story. The aspect of skateboarding magazines I love most, is spending time getting lost in a photo. You can imagine where the skater has been or is going based on their mid-trick location and relation to the back and foreground. Essentially creating a movie in your head. If you don't frame the full range of the spot, you lose out on information that should be presented to the viewer. A photo with the skater mid-trick as well as the run-up and landing in frame gives the viewer more material to absorb rather than a close up on the skater, with a flat background.

   I've found that while shooting skateboarding, I am able to live the trick secondhand. When the skater is in the climax of the trick, its time to click the shutter. Everything happens so quick. It keeps you on point.

Where can we find you?

I'm makin' dreams happen in Duluth for the moment. I post to the Gram frequently. I also run a photography based Facebook page. I've shot shows, portraits, nature, and other community events as well. Always lookin' to go out and capture tricks so shoot me a holler, lets go out and get some flicks!

 Lloyd can be contacted at:

Instagram: @llcoolj218 and @lloydfisherphoto

Facebook: facebook.com/lloydfisherphotography

E-mail: lloydfisherphoto@gmail.com

Filmer Spotlight: Mike Rapaich

From his work in Charisma, Charismatic, ISM, Male Talent... The list goes on!

Mike Rapaich has been the man looking through the lens of Duluth skateboarding.

We caught up with him for a few words.

Enjoy.

Photo by: Dane Gagnon

Name: Mike Rapaich

Birthday: December 11, 1991

How'd you get started?

I was always aware of and interested in the cinematography of skateboarding videos whenever I would watch them. After trying filming a few times with some friends using my family camera, I knew this was something I wanted to keep doing and progress at. It was so much fun! I wasn't really progressing with my skating as quickly as my friends were and being a filmer sounded more appealing to me. So in 2008, I bought a cheap Sony Handycam and a crappy fisheye off Ebay to get myself started. Filming has stuck with me ever since and it brings me more and more joy every time I do it. There's nothing like bringing home a batch of footage that you've filmed that you can put music to and experiment with. Filming can be more fun for me than skating itself sometimes.

What's your thought process when thinking about how to film a shot?

When filming a shot I always try to film each one different than the last. Looking at the environment is the most important part when figuring out a shot, in my opinion. After that, you can consider applying zoom, framing, panning, and movement to the environment.

Photo by: Lloyd Fisher

You've made several videos, any inspiration behind that?

I don't have any particular inspiration really.
Everything the skateboarding world has to offer inspires me!

vx or hvx?

Both!

Photo by: Lloyd Fisher

What's your most memorable kick-outs?

I've had too many to have a favorite, but the St. Luke's lady was a pretty good one. Stephen got his trick right as she was screaming at the top of her lungs for us to get out ha ha. I've been ID'ed by officers downtown for skating countless times. They've all been pretty cool about it. Parking enforcers and Clean and Safe people have freaked out on us a few times. I've also had a few times where the person kicking us out is stoked on skating. That's always nice to encounter!

Blondes or Brunettes?

Liz

Dome or handies?

Hmmm...

Photo by: Dane Gagnon

Have you ever taken a trip to film skateboarding outside of MN?

    I've flown to Los Angeles twice to film and both times were amazing. Filming at Venice beach on my first trip in 2013 was one of the most memorable moments I've ever had. I can't even describe the feeling of going to all of the famous skate spots I saw in videos growing up and getting to skate/film at them. It was a dream come true. Oh yeah, and the burritos in LA are phenomenal. When it's summer in Minnesota, I'll take an occasional trip down to Minneapolis to film. There's nothing like watching a Minneapolis video by Chris Burt or Pete Spooner to get ya psyched on the Twin Cities spots!

Video you'd watch again and again?

Globe Opinion

What's your favorite edit you've made?

Probably the Spring Sprung edit from 2014

Who has the most on camera freak-outs?

Kyle Walczak

What else besides skateboarding and filming?

running, fishing, food, work, house

Some advice to the younger generation or any aspiring filmer..

Have fun and make friends! Come up with your own ideas and stick to em'.

Any projects you're working on or future planned projects??

:)

Shout-outs??

Everyone at and associated with Damage Boardshop and The Encounter. Taylor Kline at Prove Gallery and anyone that I've ever filmed/skated with. I cherish every relationship and there's just too many people to mention. You guys know who you are!

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Give Mike a follow via Instagram @mikerapaich and also be sure to subscribe 
to his YouTube channel where you can dig back in the 
archives to watch some of his first edits as well as keep up on the latest.

Here's the latest edit from Mike featuring The Carter Building, 

The Encounter, and a whole lot your favorite Duluth rippers.

Male Talent.

Mike Rapaich has been the plug when it comes to 

Duluth skate videos for the last several years.

His newest video, Male Talent, is no slouch either. 

Photo: Lloyd Fisher

Male Talent features:

Lloyd Fisher, Josh Kuno, Tony Marchetti, Justice Simmons, Carter Nguyen, Eric Covington, 

Nate Hynum, Jake Lubke, Dane Gagnon, Tyler Conley, Steve Seitz, Max Elfelt, Colton Maddy, 

Stephen Pestalozzi.

Pocket Park Recap

That's a wrap.

Another year in the books at Duluth's finest, Pocket Park.

A heavy hitting contest with a close call finale in which Carter and Lloyd each had an additional 60 seconds to decide who would be the victor and who would have to wait yet another year for a crack at the jacket.

 In the end, it was Carter who took home the jacket.

Results:

1st. Carter Nguyen

2nd. Lloyd Fisher

3rd. Tyrone Long

 Noah McGovern held it down all day and took himself home a new tie.

A huge thanks to everyone who came to skate or just kick back and watch. 

Shout out to the sponsors for hooking it up some killer prizes.

Damage welcomes, Lloyd Fisher.

Photo: Menique Koos

He's been ripping around Duluth over the last couple years.

A humble individual with talent that speaks louder than words 

whether he's on his skateboard or behind the lens.

We're hyped to have him on the team!

Welcome to the team, Lloyd Fisher.

Edit by Stephen Pestalozzi

Damage Days

Damage Days is back! Join us at Spirit Mountain the evenings of Feb. 15th and 16th for some good times on board under the lights. More details coming soon...mark your calendars!

Rider: Josh Kuno 

Photo: Lloyd Fisher

Rider: Eric Christopherson

Photo: Lloyd Fisher

NB# Shoe Review With Lloyd Fisher

Lloyd reviews the New Balance 533 V2.

Film/Edit: Mike Rapaich

Damage Welcomes...

As many of you already know, local ripper Josh Kuno officially joined the ranks of the Damage snowboard team last week. Apart from being an extremely hard-working and talented rider, Josh has a great attitude and brings out the best in anyone he spends time around. Watch his footage from last season then check out our snow team page to find out how he got into snowboarding and more.

http://www.damageboardshop.com/p/snow-team.html

Photos by: Lloyd Fisher

THE LAMEDOG VIDEO

Thank-You to everyone who made it out Saturday night to the premiere of "the lamedog video". Carter, Kaden, Jesse, Lloyd, Twan, Josh, Simon and friends were featured in the video filmed and edited by Wyatt. The next generation of Duluth skateboarding is on the rise. Nice work guys!   

 Beaner's was filled to capacity. 

Everyone signed the vacuum after the premiere. 

KIDDO PREMIERE

KIDDO premiered on May 31st and it was a night to remember. The energy of the crowd could be felt from the first clip of the video until long after the end credits finished rolling. Each time a new name appeared on the screen the room erupted with applause as we watched our friends, team riders, OGs, up-and-comers and local legends grace the big screen. Congrats to everyone involved and thank you to everyone who came out to the premiere! More Premiere photos and hard copies coming soon! 

The Kiddos!

The crowd mingles before the premiere begins

Showtime! 

 Kuno and Lloyd share a moment after the show

 These two have been skating together for years

Big mike 

Photos: Marcie Crain

Carter Kills.

Carter Nguyen has been out gettin' it this summer.

Photo: Lloyd Fisher

Who's the new guy?

Name: Lloyd J. Fisher




Age: 21




Regular/Goofy: Regs, yet I aspire to master both.




Skating since: 2002




Favorite Duluth Skate spot: Lake Place Park - An intricate plaza with views overlooking Lake Superior. Lots of cool art pieces with historical relevance. Nice ledges, cool bricks, and the 3-bloc. We're always running into interesting humans during skateboard sessions there as well. Too many funny stories...




Favorite go to trick: Ollie Impossible - Because they are in fact, possible.




Favorite food: Hot curries, spicy vegetables, sweet pastries, powerfood smoothies.. too many foods to eat. I'll answer this question more precisely after many more years of travel and experience.




Favorite coffee drink: Organic medium roast black coffee with emulsified MCT oil and/or hemp seed oil added for optimal fat burning and nutritional benefits.




Besides skating what you like to do: Chasing other dreams.. Landscape Photography is a huge interest of mine. Being able to travel to one of a kind locations around the globe, then narrowing down the location into just a few intimate compositions is just fucking cool to me. Nature is the most powerful force there is, so being able to portray that power through an image is the jam. I also love photographing wild animals and skateboarding as well. Anywhere I go I'm at home behind the lens.




Inspirations: Stephan Janoski, Dennis Busenitz, Andrew Reynolds, Lewis Marnell, Mark Gonzalez, Teddy Roosevelt, Mark Twain, Wim Hoff, Conor McGregor, and those who have chosen to tackle adversity so they can rise up for the betterment of themselves and for mankind.




Shout outs: Everyone who has skated with me at every step of my progression. My parents for allowing me to build a DIY skatepark in the driveway. Great Grandma Ann for referring to me as "The Shitkicker". The many positive years ahead of us all.




- LJF

HUF Soto

The HUF Soto is the preferred shoe by shop ripper 

Stephen Pestalozzi.

Photo: Lloyd Fisher

Stephen Pestalozzi.

Team ripper Stephen Pestalozzi skates Annex.

What kind of deck do you ride?

Photo: Lloyd Fisher

Scavenger Hunt Recap!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the belated 

Go Skate Day Scavenger Hunt!
We had tons of prizes to give away and everyone did a hell of a job running around town grabbin' flags! 

Big thanks goes out to our sponsors: Monster, Brigada, Baker, Deathwish, Etnies, Bones, Kr3w, Supra, The Skateboard Mag, Emerica, Altamont, and Shake Junt! 

Enjoy the photos and we'll see you all at the next event!

The LaPlante brothers put in some work and got some goods...

This dude was the first to bring a flag back into the shop! Stoked! 

 Lloyd and Matt came in with a hefty stack of flags 

from spots all over the place! They killed it! 

Wyatt and his crew put in some work throughout the day... 

 Lucky #20 got an autographed Deathwish board!!! Nice find!

 These dudes came out on top with a 

massive 20 flags grabbin' them a pile of gear!

 Only dude to figure out clue #16... 

Great work... That was a tough one.