CTRL TEA-PARTY
- Posted by: Freeman
Here chronicles a some kind of recap of a private CTRL society gather-get-together (28.12.2013) at the renewed SOKEVA indoor skatepark, and for those who don't know the park is located near Helsinki in the oddball suburb called KORSO. Previously in time, the old version of SOKEVA played an important role in the history of CTRL and the suomi-skateboarding scene in general before the building got burned down somewhere in the 90's.
The meeting was zero official so if you feel like you should've been there but for some humane reason weren't reached you should not get upset since the whole thing was orchestrated super quickly because Aki (& the family) was visiting from New York and they were in the city only for a couple of days.
All in all the sessions were rad and everybody looked surprisingly unseasoned with their epicly Rieder'd faces and there was a positive sensation of an extended youth looming around.
Anyhow it was really good to see everybody who came and it's always thrilling to see that people still skate and
amazingly some actually skate better than they ever did - which is delightfully comforting to realize especially when you're at your 30's or 40's and have occasional doubts on everything being "wrapped up". It ain't. That's what Kivi and Hakki were telling by mastering the skateboard all over the place looking like they just took a shit at the fountain of youth.
Considering that most people hadn't seen each others for a decade or so, there were no "socially awkward" moments, instead everybody seemed like they just hangout yesterday and that must all be for the love of skateboarding, friendship and CTRL.
And that's what skateboarding is about I guess, it's a pleasant curse, a gift from the devil.
Kivi taking mental notes on which way he should flip it next.
CTRL ancestors and FOGHORN heavy-weights Aki and Tumppi.
Kivi & colossal high-jump 360 flip, not sure if he landed but who cares, he could and he would.
Statue pose by good guy Piironen who used to school me on all the latest skate videos during the VHS era in Järvenpää, next to him standing the master of most trades, Lieminen.
More best buddies from Järvenpää, Upa and Aki browsing through Hessu's historical, erotic CTRL scrap book archives.
The oddly talented illustrator Jesse and one of the best and fastest pool skaters ever, Stinde, from the FOGHORN fame.
Master at work, photographer Ryhänen, who has been behind the lens on almost all CTRL photoshoots. He shoots like an angel.
Legendary skate/life photographer Deeli and legendary CTRL team rider Jassu - smiling even if he had just damaged his knee a minute before the photo was taken.
One of the nicest wonderful person on earth, Susan from Brooklyn and Helsinki skate scene tastemaker and opinion leader Tumppi, who gave CTRL it's name in the first place. It says "Sydämelliset kiitokset!" in the thank you note. Respect.
Deeli checking emails from his ocular device and one of the most talented skaters ever, Tatu from the Control Skateboards fame.
This charming man sitting down, Hessu, is one of the main figures in the history of CTRL, having been working behind the curtains as a brand manager aswell as one the skaters in the team. Nowadays he's ruling Makia clothing, a finnish streetwear label.
On the upper deck about to drop in is mr. Kivikoski, and next to him is Pekka (who enjoys a well-earned inimatable legendary skater status) and Jesse the artist, who's bag of skatetricks is very special.
One of the infamous island brothers Tome and Pekka, next up is Valtteri, the new CTRL brand manager extraordinaire, who also used to be one of the skaters in the legendary CTRL skate team.
50% a skate photo. The end.
Photos by Freeman