Follow me to Pescadero, Mexico: Playa Cerritos!

When it came down to it, I could either have a cute Mexican looking Diesel dress I bought in a moment of impulse, or I could return it for the cash and actually spend the week surfing in Mexico. 

I returned the dress.

The next day I flew into Cabo San Lucas and took a bus an hour and a half north to a beach in the middle of nowhere.  I met two of my girlfriends from Breckenridge, who had just gotten back from a Summer spent skiing in New Zealand (www.snowpark.com).  Snow had yet to fall in Breck, so rather than wait around for the fun, they convinced me to join them for this week of surfing bliss in Southern Baja.

Now, I’ve got to admit.  I had no business flaking out on my life and running away to Mexico.  I’ve been busy.  It’s that time of year again: ski and snowboard video Premier party season.  Every year, industry insiders emerge from the woodwork to celebrate the release of the film they spent all last season shooting.  Now that the action sports show is shot completely on location, part of documenting industry happenings is covering as many premier parties possible.

I wouldn’t go as far as calling myself an industry insider, but somewhere along the road of snowboarding my heart out every chance I get, I’ve met the insiders.  Good people.  You’ll meet them in our show.  I’ve been chasing them around with microphones and camera for the last few months…catching them going nuts at these premier parties, shop interviews, skatepark shoots, up riding, etc…it’s been a blast!  But it’s still been work.  Still a lot of staring at computer screens, team roundtable meetings, sorting through viewer emails about show ideas…Just a lot of “inside time” in general. 

I was beginning to feel like a fraud hosting this show.  I’ve been spending all my time talking to people about their adventures, rather than living my own.  As if that isn’t bad enough, I had fallen into the trap of thinking I had to have THE PERFECT OUTFIT to do the job I’m doing.  Like it was more about the hair, makeup and clothes than it is about the personality and the adventure.  And it’s not.  This show especially is about fun and spontaneity.  It’s NOT about credit cards and Diesel dresses. 

So I lost my mind, returned that dress, and flew to Mexico.  Surfed all week under the sun.  Utter bliss. Made thousands of friends (Never been on such a social vacation. Straight out of the movie “The Beach”.), survived on cheap tacos, and stayed at Pescadero Surf Camp (www.perscaderosurfcamp.com) in a gorgeous hut for twenty dollars a night—which included a surfboard rental!  Twenty bucks! 

Two realizations and one promise. 

One: Adventures afar are not only for the “industry insiders”.  You can make your own at the drop of a hat and with only a slight shift of funds.  Two: I should have bought a camera.  I should have included my crew on this trip.  The surfers local to that beach (Playa Cerritos) were really good.  To watch them catch waves as I tried not to get killed in the surf was aw inspiring. It would have made sick footage. To laugh with them on the beach (doing my best at speaking Spanish), under the setting sun, with reggae music in the background and not a care in the world, was equally as exciting as playing in the ocean.  I am so grateful to be a part of that week, and I promise you, cyber-friends, that next time I will bring a camera and share the adventure as best a camera can. 

Our action sports show launches the first week of December. 

Tune in to catch the adventure….

And in the meantime, feel free to email me stories of YOUR adventures…Kristen@maniatv.com

The NEW Ten80! Satellite Board Shop Kicks It All Off!!!

We’ve got a new show ready to be unveiled!  We’ve recreated the action sports show into a show that gives you a sneak peak into the biggest, raddest and latest videos (before you buy!), and introduces you to the totally talented (not to mention a bit famous) folks behind them.  The new show also features an all too forgotten scene in mainstream media, which is Core Shops and the Shopkids who support local business.

Our first episode, airing December 10th, features the skate videos and personalities of Satellite Board Shop and The Wetboys, out of Boulder, Colorado.   What an interesting cast of characters! They’re talented.  They broke down impossible tricks for us, took us out to their parties and even let us chill out with them at the skatepark.  You gotta check out the episode!  You’ll be inspired…

Satellite Board Shop does a lot for charity, and the Satellite Team mentors their young shopkids 24/7 - say no to drugs, stay in school, treat others with respect, etc.  The result is a new generation of skaters, giving the sport a better name. 

Where the positive persona of Satellite Board Shop ends, so The Wetboys begin.  Their persona is no less positive, but separate from the shop in that, when these guys get together, it’s not about making a difference in the community, it’s just about SKATING.

These guys aren’t Hollywood.  They don’t have big budgets to make videos, but they make them anyway.  The footage is sick, and that’s all that matters.  This is a core shop, giving this show CORE credibility.  I am honored to work with them.  It makes me wonder how much undiscovered amateur footage is out there, waiting to be aired.

It’s so cool to be a part of something that still can shed light on the little guys.  Like YOU.  If you’re a shopkid, or part of a skate crew that seriously KILLS IT, we would love to feature you on an upcoming episode of Ten80.  All you have to do is send in your footage.  Email me at Kristen@maniatv.com, and I’ll set you up with details.  It’s easy, and it’s a first step in getting yourself out there, keeping this show, and the scene, CORE.