In the span of the last eight years, Rob (now 26 years old) has ridden his skateboard across the United States (most of the way with a fractured ankle), Canada, New Zealand and some of Australia (which got cut short after he was hit by a car). In total, approximately 20,000 miles—which, when calculated to actual on-board time, works out to about 18 months of solid pushing.
When Rob appeared on MTV Live in June of 2008 to promote his organization, Skate4Cancer, a record number of audience members came to see him. The producers said that Rob brought more people than any artist they’d ever had on, outnumbering even The Spice Girls in their glory days.
Apart from growing Skate4Cancer and opening the new Dream Love Cure Centre in Toronto, Rob’s planning on skateboarding across France this April.
In this world, very few people repeatedly pull off unthinkable. Rob Dyer is one of them.
Already Been Done Presents: Josiah Gatlyn
Words: Rob Brink Already Been Done, January 2011
Josiah Gatlyn believes in God. Deal with it.
Now that we gotten past that, let's get down to business.
One day, Josiah happened to be near Los Angeles and was lucky enough to have a friend let him into The Berrics. The rest, as they say, is history.
The end.
No really, that was about 18 months ago. And since then, a lot has happened for Josiah. Including the fact that we all know his name and have seen him ride a skateboard.
He's landed a grip of sponsors (Stereo, RVCA, Theeve, Select, Ashbury), completed a graphic design internship, started his own headwear company (Usko) with his girlfriend, worked on multi-million-dollar yachts and gone from North Carolina to Missouri to Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where he's currently working, skating, being responsible and seeking the answer to one of life’s biggest mysteries: “Do Monkeys go to heaven?”
Regift: Journal Magazine
Words: Rob Brink Already Been Done, January 2011
Kevin Taylor
Put simply, in 1996, the appearance of Journal magazine got East Coast skateboarders hyped. Real hyped. Then, one more issue later, it was gone.
My fondness for Journal has always been coupled with a lack of closure because of it’s premature demise. Many share a similar sentiment for 101, Mad Circle or a favorite skater who fell off the map too soon.
Rising Stars in Action
Words: Rob Brink 944, January 2011
Progression, like time, waits for no one. If you don’t do it, someone else will beat you to it. Period.
Actions sports are no different, however, progression isn’t always about winning a medal, being number one or the money. Most times, it’s simply for the greater good—to push the envelope.
The athletes involved are intensely creative, dedicated, persistent, innovative and expressive individuals. Even in an event as high profile as the X Games or US Open, they are most likely battling themselves, not the other competitors.
Lyn-z Adams Hawkins, Kyle Loza and Brett Simpson are all in “the window” right now. It’s the age and place in their careers where they’ve accomplished more than most will ever dream. They’re at top of their game, but still rising stars and we don’t mind staring up at them. Not one bit.
