Sunday morning saw the crew hitting the street in
search of unique terrain. We soon learned that not all
spots are as skater-friendly as Atlapa.
We started getting kicked out of spot after spot.
After some searching, a mammoth double kinked
drop-in was located. Mike was the first to charge it.
Brian and Brad followed suit and all amazed me by
doing it first try. Mike stepped it a up a notch by drop-
ping in on the top and ollieing off the flat section 12
feet to terra firma. Despite a 1-push runway, Brian
frontside 50-50ed the lower slant section on his sec-
ond attempt. A bystander just so happened to have
the Thrasher with Brian on the cover and he recog-
nized Brian. If that wasn't odd enough, Brian was
wearing the exact same Toy Machine T-shirt that he
had on the day of the cover shot.
We made our way to El Antro to observe the
grand opening festivities for the skatepark and the
JULISSA
EL NOSS
BA
YARABISVASTA
Adgar Charig
contest there. 400 kids were running around as
we pulled up. Stepping inside the skatepark was
like stepping into a sauna. Unfortunately there is
not proper ventilation, but the skaters made the
best of it. The park was now completely finished
and the locals were practicing their lines in the
unfamiliar setting. Brad, Brian, and Mike did a
brief demo during an intermission while one of
two bands played. The intense heat claimed Brad
as a victim of heat stroke. He politely stood to the
side and ralphed several times. Brian and I were
recruited as judges and the contest began.
1. Alex Nieto-$250.
2. Lobo-$150.
3. Sergi Arenas-$100.
During the second band's performance a prod-
uct toss ensued. The kids were already freaking
and peaking from the music and then the free
66 THRASHER
Brad Staba
FUNDACION
083615
Shang
product thrown into the mix made them lose their minds. Amazement
filled me as I watched the chaos unfold around me..
Monday saw a blistering session at the Panama Canal admin-
istration building. All the action went down in a circular fashion
with the center being a large fountain with 12 inch marble ledge all
around it. Six 16-foot-long benches sealed off the perimeter of the
fountain. Brian and Brad were wishing that these benches were in
Walnut Creek. Off to one side was a set of 3 stairs with a long ledge
shooting out on each side. The heat was unbearable after 30 minutes
of skating. A TV interview transpired and again the cops rolled up.
Everyone was nervous since Mike and Brian were doing the interview
shirtless. I had visions of them being carted off to jail for this senseless
offense. Luckily these coppers were US Military Police and were only
interested in stopping us from skating. We did so and were
much relieved and made our way back to the hotel.
NORT CA
CRUCE DE
PEATONES
Qracio G
Cable &
Humbert Brandon
Gabe and I successfully crashed the pool
at the adjacent hotel. We all enjoyed our
last meal with Mirlo at El Mireya vege-
tarian restaurant.
The next morning Mike, Brian, Brad, and I
were back on the plane returning to the good
ole US of A. Gabe opted to stay an extra
few days to document the town and the local
talent. I was so relieved to get home and be
able to drive myself around without worrying
about getting run over by dumptrucks.
Mirlo is planning another adventure for us in
the cooler months so the fun will continue. A
man, a plan, a canal, Panama.
Special thanks to Mirlo at Factoria 507,
Edgar at El Antro, Lydia at Las Vegas, Delia,
Ernesto, Tomas, Alberto, #33, Mark Waters,
and everyone else who helped make the trip
such a grand experience.
67