Maloof Money Cup Roundup - pro skaters, snoop and a good ole' hand gash

So it was another 3 day summer weekend for me...sort of. I spent Friday out of the office at the qualifying rounds of the Maloof Money Cup. Before heading to the contest I met my brother in law Daws at my old surf spot - 46th St. in Newport. It was a total blast as an under the radar swell hit and the warm water and small crowds mixed with fun 3-4 foot peaks. We surfed for 3 hours and on my last wave I bailed out of a close out and the white wash pushed me into my board and my right hand got to tumble around with my fins causing gashes and cuts in 5 places. After that I pretty much spent Friday and Saturday baking in the 97 degree sun at the Maloof Money Cup with a Frankenstein wrapped hand to support the Flip and Deathwish cats in the contest. Like a total asshole I forgot my camera and the camera on my BB is a pile of ass so I didn't get ANY good skate pics. Instead, I am just going to give a faces in the crowd look at the weekend. I am still a bit baffled why the Maloofs are buying their way into skateboarding (such a weird combo) but they put on a great contest. Here is the round up:


My pinky got the worst of meeting up with my board's fins. Always a great way to start a day but well worth it after getting to surf my old haunt for 3 hours of fun rights and lefts.


On Friday I got to the stands really early and having a purple bracelet meant all access so I was able to sit on the insane course that my client Geoff Rowley designed and watch the street course practice. This is the only skate action shot I managed to get (purely accidental). Theotis Beasley mid flip off the big 4 stairs.


Flip grom rippers Louie Lopez and Curren Caples did well in the am qualifiers.


The half pipe with the bridge of death...Didn't really watch much vert to be honest but this ramp was insane and had a huge mega-ramp attachment through the bridge of death.


Joe Maynard...great friend since I was a grom in O.C. came to hang out and catch up since it has pretty much since high school since we have seen each other. Joe and I skipped the VIP area to cool off in the covered bleachers. Joe and I have been talking shit on Facebook for months and I am stoked he rolled out. Always good to see someone from my youth...especially someone like Joe who OOZES Warrior pride.


Pro's street course practice..in this pic somewhere are Mike Vallely, P Rod, Lizard King, Terry Kennedy, Chaz Ortiz and one of those MTV skater kids with really bad tattoos.


The man, Geoff Rowley, in all black braving the 100 degree heat. David Gonzalez from team Flip as well pushing off behind TK and Lizard King somewhere in there. Team Flip had a great showing with Mark Appleyard taking 10th over all and David Gonzalez hitting 8th. Rowley was skating with a gimp leg so he just went out to have fun and played over the platform gap turning it on for his third heat with a huge drop in from the platform into the brick wall transition. Appleyard was going big and pulled an insane kickflip off the far platform into the brick wall tranny causing a roar from the crowd. David Gonzalez was landing insane rail tricks and is a huge star. Other notables that I liked to watch - Chaz Ortiz was super consistent and Lizard King went BIG...trying for some absolutely mental blasts until he landed them. How Lizard can skate for 6 hours and try big tricks and sometimes fall bigger and get back up to try it again is beyond me. Double hat tip to Lizard from Team Deathwish. I am bummed Ellington didn't show up to the contest but he had to bow out last minute.


Only Maloof money would bring Kobe Bryant to sit course-side and watch the contest. My guess is they paid him $50-$100k to show for a few hours and watch a sport he doesn't give two shits about.


Finally I was back in the sponsor area and out came Snoop (check Warren G right behind him). He played a 5 song set and the crowd of white kids seemed to like it. Again Maloof Money - at least $50k.

All in all it was a solid weekend and makes me realize my job ain't so bad.