Only in skateboarding is it completely acceptable to take a random teenage kid from across the country and throw them in a dirty van on a road trip with a bunch of skaters they’ve never met, with no contracts, parents’ consent, insurance policies or legal contest rules in place. To the general public it may sound like kidnapping or the beginning of a really bad story, but to a skateboarder’s ear it all sounds like a dream come true.
About a month ago Thunder had a contest that gave skaters a chance to live out the dream of a skate trip. First, to visit the Thunder warehouse with Chris Cole and then head down to LA for the Battle at The Berrics 2 Finals. After receiving thousands of emails we picked at random a kid from Albany, New York named Dylan Longton. Lucky for us he was a true skater that was always down to skate and up for everything else we had in store for him. Below is the story of our trip as told by Dylan himself.
Mic-E is ready for Dylan’s arrival
Dylan’s Story:
Winning the trip out to SF and LA was definitely a sweet experience. After a long flight from Albany, NY to SF I met up with Chris Cole and the Deluxe dudes at the airport to head down to the Thunder Warehouse.
Cole and I checked out some new truck designs for his next pro truck and then went out back to the foundry to see how the trucks are made. It was pretty sick to see all the things a truck has to go through before it’s finished.
Next stop on the tour was the best part. Mic-e Reyes handed me a big board box and said, “Fill it up.” I went shopping through aisles of decks, wheels, trucks getting to grab whatever I wanted, I couldn’t even believe it. After my shopping spree we went to grab some burritos, not only was it my first burrito ever, but it was definitely the first time I’ve had lunch with a bunch of pro skaters. Ramondetta, Gerwer and John Cardiel all came out to join Chris and I for lunch. Most of lunch I couldn’t even eat, I just sat there with my mouth wide open listening to them tell sketchy stories from the road, for some reason a lot of them seemed to happen in Tampa.
After that we went to skate 3rd and army. Skated around with everyone and even did a little filming too. It was a pretty fun sesh and then it was time to head to LA. Six hours later we ended up in Santa Clarita. Stayed at a pretty nice Holiday Inn then went to a skatepark close by in the morning. It was the first cement skatepark I’d ever been to, really fun but definitely different then what I’m used to skating in NY. A Few hours later we went to Push Skateshop where I was also hooked up by the owner with a sick Push deck and autographed Transworld by Peter Ramondetta. Next was a quick drive down to a new hotel in Hollywood. After dropping our stuff at the hotel and a quick bite at Swingers we headed down to the Berrics for the Battle at the Berrics 2 Finals. On the way we picked up Mike Carroll, Brandon Biebel and Andrew Brophy, those guys were rad, especially Biebel, non-stop entertainment the whole 45 min drive.
I never thought I would get to be there for the finals. It was such a good time meeting a lot of pros and a bunch of other people at the Berrics. The games were insane, good tricks going down, so many that I could never even think about doing. Good job to everyone who skated in it, I was pretty siked that Cole won. After all the games were over we went back to hotel, then it was time to leave in the morning. Overall I had such a sweet trip, that I never though I could get. Thanks to Thunder/Deluxe for everything I had such a good time meeting, chillin and skating with everyone!
Dylan arrives with his body guard…
Chris Cole in the van!
First burrito ever with Chris Cole, Frank Gerwer, Peter Ramondetta, Mic-E, and Captain Krunchy… no big deal.
3rd and Army… Chris Cole throws a backside 180 nosegrind.
Filming for a new Krunchy Corner?
Chris Cole explains the proper way to set up your Thunders.
No really, it works better like that!
Thumbs up on the session.
Then it was time to head down to LA
Yes it’s a long ride Dylan, our dudes do this all the time.
But the payoff… dinner with Jim Thiebaud, Giovanni Reda, and Zered Bassett.
it was an awesome trip right?
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:01 am
holy shit that whole box was filled
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:02 am
its kool that you guys did this for hm u guys having any up coming events in la Verne ca
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:11 am
Damn, your so lucky, I would have shit my pants
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:44 am
Looks like you had fun. Must have been amazing just getting to hang out with all those dudes. You basically just lived out my life dream.
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:59 am
miles meza- stay tuned for future contests, were always doing something. There are going to be some thunder/spitfire riders at The Utility shop in Laverne this Saturday. Eric Koston, Guy Mariano, Alex Olson, Sean Malto, Marc Johnson…..
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:06 pm
That was awesome! That would be the best vacation of my life!
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
My dream, Chris Cole, Giant box of Thunder, spitfire, etc., Battle at the berrics 2, Skate sesh with cole, @thrid and army…..Burritos with the Dlx team!!!!!, I would of died!,….seriuosly..
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Oh man im so jelous stuff like that would never happen to me as i live in the united kingdom. It’s times like this i wish i was american !
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:40 pm
damn i wanna meet cole so bad!!!!!!
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:40 pm
that was pretty cool, and Dylan is really good, good times.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Dude that crazy…i prolly would have died if i got to sesh with cole and fill a box up with new thunder and spitfire product. That kid deffiantely lived the real dream.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I started salivating like Pavlov’s dogs when I saw that product box. I work my ass off so that I can afford to keep myself rolling, and barely scrape by. I hope this kid realizes exactly how lucky he is.
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:50 pm
lucky ass kid! i would remember that for the rest of my life. good stuff like that never happens to me, and living in the middle of missouri aint helpin eather. iv never even seen an AM skater much less a pro! one day, i will work my ass off enough to chill with pro’s.
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:53 pm
wow that would have been an amazing trip to get to go on!
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Yea dude I appreciated everything! I also work 7 days a week so it was super sick getting a break and chance to do all these things. Trip was so tight, had mad fun!
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:38 pm
no mames esa experiencia seria de lo mas chingon que pinche suertudo ese wey que se lo gano bastante afotunado bueno ps es todo y por favor visiten mexico d.f hay muy buenos lugares donde patinar ja haber si entienden todo esto esto … y que suertudo fue ese tipo !!!!!!!!
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Way to go D-Block.
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:09 pm
how the fuck has that kid never had a burrito?
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:21 pm
dylan looked like a good kid. i think he deserved it.
he should be set until he’s 47, too. haha
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:00 pm
wow thts so cool dylan!!!! looks like u had alot of fun! u deserved it! o and its ur sister:)
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Yo thats my homie right there! and one thing is for sure he deserves that more than anyone I know he works his ass off and builds boxes for everyone to skate and he really does know how lucky he is.
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:54 pm
DUDE i would have died if i got all that shit and got to meet Chris
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:05 pm
la shit dog
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:47 pm
wow, all that free product, i wouldnt be able to stop saying thank you, kids super lucky, chris cole rips, id be so thankful if i won something like that.
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:48 pm
wow man i would have been wiggin out! i would have begged them to let me stay forever!
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:31 am
Dylan, You look like you had a blast. You definately deserved this. Keep skating!
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:44 am
if i was that kid i would have asked to play a game of skate against cole.
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:31 am
sick stuff.
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:42 am
that kid is super lucky he has good tricks to dlx is the shit for doing that for him true “role models”
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:47 am
That’s so cool, I’m happy for him ’cause this is probably every skater’s dream. Props to you DLX guys for doing things like that and giving back to skateboarding. I guess Dylan will take motivation from this for the rest of his life.
Thumbs up!
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:17 am
heyho i´m from German near Berlin. I like this really! because the free stuff and the great filming and so on. dylon is a lucky guy^^! and his skating is not so bad, aaaand the spot is great and the wether perfeckt!
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:26 am
Seems like it couldn’t have happened to a cooler kid. Big up DLXSF too!
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:27 am
Shit that would have been cool to watch Peter Ramondetta skate in person again. If you see this Pete… get your ass back to Tulsa.
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:32 am
stuff like that never ever happens in London but i wish it would and that kid is preeeetty lucky, I mean if it was me getting free stuff i would just told them to ship stuff to my house
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:50 am
dylan you reallllyyyyyyy deserved this! you work harder than anyone i know. I love how happppy youve been because you got the chance to do this, and i’m glad you killed it so hard and i’m so proud of you!
i love youuuu<3
December 3rd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
chris cole is my hero,i remeber at maloof money cup 2 i was like 2 fet away from him when he entered the fair,he looked at me and smiled
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:48 pm
the smaller kid in the last photo was in the cabin next to me at woodward in pa.
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:13 pm
the first thing id do if i got to spend a day with any pro is blaze ha
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:05 pm
That kid is pretty good at skating.
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Dangg this kidd is sooo lucky to be able to skate with chris cole he is the man that would be to great and he got free stuff from Thunder!!! Now thats whats up.
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Chris Cole its the SHIT!!! is the best skater! its a New Legend!!! Cole youre awesome dude!
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Yo D this shits ill my boy its sick to see u on this website, plus u killed it in the video man good looks
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:59 pm
why you dont come to tijuana mexico we have burritos ! jeje! cheers!
December 4th, 2009 at 2:19 am
Man some kids have all the luck… met chris cole a few times tho hes a nice guy. Pa Rep. Reign skate
December 4th, 2009 at 9:26 am
congrats!!!! wish i was there
December 4th, 2009 at 10:40 am
you should hook me up with some of that shit bret!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 4th, 2009 at 10:40 am
nahh im just kidding get me some wheels and i will love you forever.
December 4th, 2009 at 10:44 am
FS heelflip dam boy!!
December 4th, 2009 at 11:27 am
You lucky LUCKY whiga! Well done on the video too, your a good skater too! That a once in a lifetime opportunity! Enjoy the memories
December 5th, 2009 at 4:23 am
dude that was soo rad
im from PA, live in Dubai and never been to cali
it looks soooo sick though
December 5th, 2009 at 6:34 am
that must have been the worst day of your life when you had to leave.
December 5th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Once in a lifetime experience right there.
December 5th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Would’ve definitely stuffed that box with 3 things boards, wheels and trucks
December 5th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Garantee that no one else writing on this wall deserved this as much as Dylan and not to mention he’s one of the chillest guys out there. Dylan ur the man, hope all is well! PZ brotha
December 6th, 2009 at 12:30 am
First burrito at El Mettate, good fucking choice.
December 6th, 2009 at 6:14 am
That was coo.. the dlx team is so legit… mad relaxed … GOD blessed that cat!!! sw frontheel was crazy and the nollie back heel was ridic!!!!
December 6th, 2009 at 9:54 am
holy shit that kid is so lucky!
he got so much shit and got to hangout and skate with Chris Cole!
December 6th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
i go to suny albany and one day i went skating for the first time in months with a roommate and his buddy, and saw dylan skating and he came up to me and asked to play skate dice after saying, “i went to the finals in the berrics” i was like bs but he showed me the final on his phone when i quickly said “nah i gotta watch this on the website”. damn he’s lucky. but this kid rips, he’s madd good, switch, nollie, all that stuff. he is one lucky kid. the only pro i know is gino ianucci but he got to chill with a bunch of pros. damn.
December 6th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
man that fucking box would absolutely change my fucking life
as bad as shit is ive been skatin some old piece of shit ibegged for at my skateshop
but for some reason one kid has the oppuritunity tobypass this bullshit by having everything hes ever gonna need givin to him for nothin.
So fuck
December 7th, 2009 at 9:29 am
wow, hes so lucky, he met Chris Cole,went to the thunder factory,ate burritos with Cole and other pros and the best: went to THE BATTLE AT THE BERRICS 2
(oh! and dont forget that box filled of lots of stuff!)
December 7th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
I wanna punch that kid in the face… Just becuase im sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo jealous
December 7th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
dylan is a beast, skating with him is always a pleasure such a chill kid. he deserved this
December 7th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
haha this is crazy I skate with Dylan all the time! such a rad dude, reppin’ All Bunny right!
December 7th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
ONE LUCKY SON OF A BI%CH. IT IS MY DREAM TO SKATE WITH PROS AND HANg WITH PROS. I WOULD HAVE JIZZED MY PANTS WHEN I GOT A PHONE CALL FROM COLE. WHOS THIS? COLE..CHRIS COLE! OH DAMN!!!!! I WON!!!! LMAO
December 7th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
mi sueño hecho realidad tambien… me encantaria conocer y patinar con Cole …
December 7th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
i wish i was dylann!!!
December 7th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
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THATS SO AMAZINGGG
December 8th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
dylan longton shelter skater your so fucking lucky i remember asking you if you changed your board at the shelter and you said yeah and asked me to buy it and now your skatin with cole, your lucky as hell
December 8th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
and stuff like this is why DLX is the coolest company around.
September 26th, 2011 at 7:30 pm
YO HAha Dylan told me about it but its crazy to see it damn he’s a lucky bastard