The 1999 season is over and it is time for change and reflection. Many skaters are looking back on what they have done this past year and deciding if they are going in the direction they need for 2000. According to some inside sources, many skaters will be hitting the slopes this year. Skiboarding is appealing to many, and although this does not have to conflict with skating, apparently John Bergeron, Marc Dubied and some other European skaters will not be skating as much next year. These two skaters were unavailable for comment at press time, but tune into Winter-X to see the progress of this sick sport. The ASA has been awarded the role of ‘official sport organizer’ for skiboarding for the 2000 Winter X-Games.

INDUSTRY NEWS
Some of the biggest news at this time concerns most of the industry magazines. Chris Mitchell and Box magazine have parted ways. Petersen Publishing fired the publisher in October. The future of Box remains undisclosed, although rumor has it that the magazine is going to be around for awhile, as long as you are out there buying more copies.

Four-in-a-Row, the brainchild of Jamie Driver and Luke Lucas, has put all future issues on hold. They have yet to reveal when they plan to resume printing, but get behind them and support their cause. Four-in-a-Row is dope, but they need your support if you want to see it in the newsstand again. In the meantime, they have started Lifelounge.com. It is one of the sickest lifestyle websites on the Internet. They have earned awards for design and creativity and this is just the beginning, so all of you kids with a computer –if you liked the magazine, you’ll dig the site.

Daily Bread has brought on new photographer Loren Swan. Swan is a supporter of the female aggressive skaters so we should be seeing more shots of women skaters in DB. Get out and buy the next issue. If you like it, let them know!

In other magazine news, Inline-Das Skate Magazin postponed their release date because of an operation on a staff member (Steffi Rodewies). This was the third staff member they missed, and the issue was delayed –she is ok and it will be on the shelves soon.

In other industry news, Onoda, a company created by Marc Dubied and Wilfried Rossignol, has gone under.

Brooke Howard-Smith, who was recently bought-out of Senate, has started a new shoe company. Brooke, who is still in Sweden, is calling the company Poynter. Updates will be posted as we have them.

Until now, there has never been a skating guide available to skaters, but the ASA has finally designed something that will make you an expert in many of the skating fields. This guide, which should be available by Christmas is necessary for anyone who loves to skate and wants to know how everything runs. It is the premiere and only guide to aggressive skating. It will hit judging, ramps, rankings and rules. The guide will be available on the website, so always check, and harass the editor if it’s not there.

Marvin Short of Wizdumb said they may be interested in having their name attached to the skating industry in the coming years. Wizdumb has moved into a more mainstream market but still targets the 15-26 year-old ladies. So if you are a female and a skater (or you like to dress in women's clothes) give them a call. Maybe they'll hook you up.

Triple 8 has designed a line of snowboarding gear for 2000, including an underglove and padded knee gasket. Eitan Kramer, Hakeem Jimoh and Kelly Matthews are new riders for Triple 8.

It has taken time, effort and way too much caffeine but the diligent staff of physicists, scientists and skaters we keep locked in the basement have formulated a foolproof plan for the 2000 ASA Amateur Circuit(It is amazing what people can get done on a diet of Slim Jims and Naya). Events will be hosted around the U.S. and in six regions and Canada. There will be 50 U.S. events at 1999's most successful venues as well as some new skateparks recommended by you. It is not too late to get your submission in. Check out ASAskate.com for more info. The schedule will be released this winter, right here on ASAskate.com/Amcirc.

In Salomon news, Nicky Adams has been signed to a year-round contract. He will be skating in the spring and summer then skiboarding in the fall and winter on Salomon Snowblades. Salomon has a highly recognized team consisting of Aaron Feinberg, Wilfried Rossignol, Matt Andrews, Anthony Mackie, Jochen Smuda, Chiaki Ito, Nick Riggle and Jake Elliot. They have been schmoozing Vinnie Minton and hope to have him as an addition soon. Shayne Skower and Billy Prislin plan to sign onto the Salomon National team as well.

In other skate company news, K2 added Bruno Löwe, Matteo Attanasio, Frank Rudulfo and Jenny Logue to their European pro team. They basically redesigned the entire team. Bruno will also be skiboarding this year for K2 so look for him at the Winter X-Games.

USD has quite a bit of news. They are releasing the new Psirus, but it will be very hard to come by, so keep your eyes open. Jon Julio is designing a new skate for them called the Grycon. Shane Coburn is the new team manager and Mark Korte will be the European manager for USD. Also, Matt Polchak is riding for USD Germany.

The rumor that Razors is dropping its team for 2000 is not true. Marco Hintze, Robert Lievanos and Jon Elliot will remain Razors skaters for the new millennium. Angie at Razors informed the ASA that sales are good- the Lievanos skate has begun shipping and backpacks are out. Razors has been speaking with new pros Charles Dunkle, Boschi Pope and Mike Radebaugh and they just signed Omar Wysong. John Stein has left Razors and they are now hunting for a new team manager.

Rollerblade has been negotiating with Eric Schrijn, Erik Burke and Santiago Aspurua to skate for their team in 2000. At this time, no contracts have been signed, but the astrology forecast looks good.

Jon Julio and Azikiwee Anderson’s company called ‘Runner’s Project’ has come out with their first bags. Julio, who has always had a bag fetish, admits it is taking a lot of his time. The new project has also prompted him to remain in Northern California, instead of coming down south.

In Roces news, the new Khuti skate just started shipping and the first batch is sold out. New colors will continue to be introduced over the next months, and Roces is 'sure' they found the new skate for 2000. The Roces kid's aggressive skate, the Tattoo, will be out for the holidays. It is a scaled down version of the 'Street' skate Roces makes.

In Roces related news (aka: from Marc Sanders) Manuel Billiris and his wife are expecting their first child in December. Chris Edwards just had his daughter, Cidian, and time will tell how she will affect the ‘D’ tour. Blake Dennis will be skating again in January and Moises Abreu was wrecked in Puerto Rico and had pins set in his leg to help recovery time.

Some industry news includes Swiss designed BLUZO releasing a new line of clothing next summer.

Shane Coburn, who will be busy with USD, is also pairing up with Dustin Latimer (face buster at ASA World Championships- on a bike) to start a new wheel company, Mindgame.

Cozmo is still making wheels. Lack of US distributorship has caused inventory problems here, but you can see their line at cozmowheel.com.

Another word on the street is that some European designer 'Bill-Tornade' has been using Senate's latest fashion items to design their 2000 line. Arlo, sick with the flu, commented that he was flattered and the rest would be left up to the authorities. Arlo became well known in Thailand where he judged the Asian X-Games. He convinced girls he was a 'famous black rapper (you have to be patient and listen to his voicemail)' and had to cover the 'extra guest' fee at his hotel twice before he left. Eisenberg claimed he was covering for Chris Mitchell -you can decide.

Mark Heineken said it would not be the first time they have had to deal with copycats. Oxygen attempted to copy Senate's bags and the hip-hop designer Domanedada tried to copy their gear also. Mark said there is not much that can be done, and according to him, Senate has done their share of copying designs. "You just don't steal from companies in your industry," Heineken said.

Senate’s website is now up and running. The address is www.senatebrand.com and the first feature will be a garage sale of their old items for really cheap. Senate has been looking to get Frankie Morales to skate for them recently. They have picked up new pro Jeff Fredricks and they are currently designing a wheel and T-shirt for him. The wheel is 54mm 88 with the Senate Liberty spike core. The 2000 line is done and more technical and brighter than last year’s. It is just the next step in design for Senate.

SKATER NEWS
Brooke Howard-Smith was in Thailand with Arlo Eisenberg. Arlo convinced Thai bouncers he was BHS's manager and that Brooke wanted to fight in the next Thai boxing event. The eagerness of the real fighters (I want to fight him! No, me!…) made Brooke bail off to the brothel in the back. From there, neither were seen for the rest of the day. Brooke is in Sweden (no work visa) at the moment, so he could not be reached for comment. Arlo commented that Brooke has upped his training level and he will be ready for next year. Watch out ladies, Brooke is not as nice as Arlo, you'll have to pay your own 'extra guest' fee if you want to leave Brooke's room.

In injury news, Champion Baumstimler probably broke his wrist again, it has not been confirmed –but it is one of those things we just assume. Blake Dennis broke his ankle –but again, will be skating by January. Everyone likes to watch skating and skating events. Many of the courses that these events take place on have been built by the same people, namely Adam Smith and his crew. Adam recently had a propane tank blow up on him in Rhode Island. We do not currently know his status, but hopefully he is ok. If you know Adam and see him, wish him well and buy him a drink. Ask him about the time he rode on top of the cab of a pickup truck going 60 miles-per-hour (Boulder).

Jon Elliot signed with Fifty/50 and will soon have a frame model.

Shane Yost signed with Kramar helmets.

Tom Sampson is organizing a tour of Australia with a group of high-profile skaters. The skaters are yet unknown, but when we hear, you’ll get the word. Also, there is a contract on Trevor Marks head down in Miami –so Trevor, you better run. Katie Brown is working on her ice hockey at a private school back east. She is trying to make the Olympics for the next winter –good luck Katie.

Mark Shays has gotten lonely in the offseason. He has gotten to the point where he leaves old food on his desk, willing it to grow (See: 'Better off Dead'). As of this moment there is Turkey and sweet potatoes that have been giving Mark advice on hairstyles and clothes (other ASA employees might consider listening in). The funny thing is, this has been there since before Thanksgiving -kinda makes you wonder if that Turkey is older than I am. It sure explains a whole lot.

VIDEO NEWS
For Christmas, Joe Navran is releasing his new video 'Amateur.' Aaron Feinberg is one of the featured skaters. He should be, since he lives with Navran. Feinberg moved into a house with Petty and Joe down in Orange County. Profiles on the video will include Billy Prislin, Vinny Minton, Alex Miranda, Shayne Skower (not for sure –recent stunt issues) and Jeff Fredrick. Navran is also releasing ‘Enemy’-it should be in stores now.

Brian Smith has been working on ‘Repent’ –so grab that one too. Scum Magazine has been delayed in production because Jan Welch has been in Europe filming ‘Last Call.’ The new issue of Scum should be posted soon, if not by the time you read this.

Dave Paine will be releasing ‘VG13’ and ‘Colony of Summer 4’ and Brian Lewis will have ‘Traveler’ out soon. FBI will have the video ‘For the Love’ out soon too. There are a few other productions in the works, and we will let you know when they are reviewed or on the shelves. For now, pick these up and start saving for the second wave.