Kevin Bires, Army Soldier #10163 wearing his Grenade Army dog tags

Grenade Army Soldier #10163, Kevin Bires of Fort Myers, Florida, just landed back home from a trip to Guatemala.  There, he and a crew of volunteers spent their time building a skate park for the locals of Xela, Guatemala.  We asked Kevin to write a guest post about his experience.  Along with being a decent human being, Kevin is an accomplished photographer and he sent along some amazing photographs to go with his text. So without further ado... Take it away Kevin!

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Mission Objective: Fly To Guatemala; build the most badass skate park in the country. Give the kids skateboards to ride and see what Guatemala is all about....

CLICK TO READ MORE & TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

I remember back before there was high speed internet, YouTube, Vimeo, and all sorts of media embedding it was a rare treat to watch some snowboarding.  A friend or I would get a VHS copy of the latest Mack Dawg or Standard Films release and would make an afternoon of drinking too much soda and eating too much junk food while watching these flicks over and over again.  These days we're treated with what seems to be an unlimited amount of shredding footy on the internet. 

With all that said -- check out this short entertaining joint of the SABRE crew basking in some spring time riding with this Mammoth, CA session.  Featured here is Grenade rider Eric Messier along with Eddie Wall, Ben Rice, Nick Greeve, and Kealan Shilling.

The beautiful sunny weather (here in Oregon) and Go Skateboarding Day have come and gone.  We're dying to be back on the mountain shredding with all of our friends.  So now we are resorting to internet videos of others bombing it on the hill.

There are a ton of clips and photos from Windells and High Cascade all over the intertubes.  We're really digging all of the great riding.  Below are highlights from Sessions 1 of each camp.  YoBeat brought Forest Bailey, Will Bateman, Nial Romanek, and Johnny Lazz to Windells which seemed sick!  Also, we can't forget to mention Scott Stevens, Jed Anderson, Jesse Burtner, and Chris Grenier mentoring over at High Cascade.  The snow looked killer too which is thanks to the crazy winter with record snow dumping over Cascades -- you should see the river levels from the run off here in Portland -- SO HIGH!!!

We're stoked to announce that Grenade Team Rider Jake Koia recently updated his website, www.jakekoia.com.

Jake has a real good handle on how to run a successful site and blog.  We really enjoy peering into what's going on behind the scenes in his life.  Check it out and catch up on his blog, get a sneak peak into the new 'GIVIN' presents 'One' teaser, view the new photos in his gallery, and watch his liquid smooth shredding style by navigating over to his video gallery.  We particularly like the 'GIVIN' Triple Backflip Montage.

Also, follow Jake on Twitter.

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Photo Credit: Scott Serfas, 2010

Every year on June 21st skateboarders around the globe celebrate Go Skateboarding Day.  Although most skateboarders are skating everyday (it's just second nature), the grind heard around the world is a way for skaters to gather together and celebrate their passion.  By blowing off other obligations, refusing to sit in front of the television, and hosting a slew of events on Tuesday, Go Skateboarding Day proves that skating is not just an activity or a sport, but a lifestyle, and -- ugh -- a necessity for some.

So enjoy the summer whether wherever you might be (which is slated to be super nice here in Portland), and enjoy some great skating with your friends.  It also wouldn't hurt to pay a visit to your local shop and support those guys too. 

From GoSkateboardingDay.org:

The History: Go Skateboarding Day, held on June 21 every year, is the official holiday of skateboarding. The holiday began June 21, 2003 as an excuse for skateboarders to make skateboarding their top priority. Go Skateboarding Day began with a few simple skate sessions and bar-b-ques held in skateboarding’s unofficial capital, southern California.

Founded by the International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC), Go Skateboarding Day gives passionate skateboarders as well as those who are simply inspired by skateboarding, the opportunity to drop everything and get on a skateboard. Go Skateboarding Day is a cooperative of decentralized events that take place around the globe. Skateboard retailers, manufacturers, skateparks, distributors, organizations and individuals of all colors, creeds, and attitudes hold skateboarding events to celebrate the holiday. Skateboarders around the world create their own events and traditions to celebrate skateboarding.

Go Skateboarding Day originated as the day for skateboarders to have fun, to raise awareness about the issues we face; to show the world what skateboarding is really all about; to reclaim our culture; and to define skateboarding as the rebellious, creative celebration of independence it continues to be. In the years since that first celebration, the holiday continues to grow, but the mission remains the same: Have fun, go skateboarding!

Longtime Grenade Army Soldier, Marcus Kyte #1483, has shared some video clips with us.  These YouTube videos from this past 2010/11 season exemplify his solid riding.  He carries a fluid style and is extremely versatile with his freestyle shredding.  Here are a couple of YouTube joints that showcase some his best stomped tricks.

We're proud to have Soldier Kyte serving along our veteran ranks and he has clearly proven the importance of shredding in the name of all things GNAR!

VIVA LA GRENADE!!!

With summer rolling in we welcome camp season for the eager masses who look to continue their shredding.  Mt. Hood offers High Cascade and Windells.  Both elite camps with experienced instructors and riders spreading skills to apprentices of all ages.  We've been keeping a close eye on their Tweets and Facebook feeds to catch a glimpse of what's happening.  From the look of things, we wish we were up on the hill with everyone else.

Here are some clips from Windell's Vimeo Page.

Windells counselor Gared Schneider doing a grab 2 grind on the first day on hill!

Forrest Bailey, Nial Romanek, and Will Bateman take a top to bottom lap from the opt of Palmer, through Windells, through public park and to the mile! The run is over 2 miles long! Not bad for summer shredding!

Here's a video from last season on High Cascade's Vimeo Page.  We just had to share this because Grenade team riders Louie Vito and Scott Lago really rip up this 22' mammoth of a pipe.

Don't take our word for it, listen to US Team Pipe Coach Mike Jankowski and see it go down for yourself... Last summer we built a 22' Olympic size pipe to help our snowboarding bald eagles bring some shiny metal objects back to the nest.

Greetings Shredders!

Congratulations to Grenade Army Soldier Matt Davis, #9617, of Sicklerville, NJ!  PRIVATE DAVIS has been selected at random for June's Grenade Army product drawing.  Follow up by emailing army@grenadegloves.com to earn your winnings.

Every month we pick a random ID number via random.org.  The winner scores even more Grenade contraband. WINNERS MUST NOTIFY ARMY@GRENADEGLOVES.COM IF THEIR NUMBER IS SELECTED IN ORDER TO COLLECT THEIR WINNINGS.

Not a member of the Grenade Army?

Army members are able to complete multiple missions and earn all kinds of Grenade swag including stickers, lanyards, dog tags, t-shirts, and gloves just to name a few. Amazing mission completions will also be posted on our website for all to see!

JOIN TODAY!!

www.grenadearmy.com

The Grenade Gloves Snowboarding team represented extremely well at this past season's Winter X Games in Aspen, CO.  Particularly the domination that took place in the Super Pipe with Scotty Lago grabbing Silver and Louis Vito nabbing the Bronze.  To add a cherry on top Vito even took Gold in Super Pipe at the following X Games Europe in Tignes, France.

Looking ahead we can't help but be excited for 2012 when X Games 16 returns to Aspen.  Start planning your accommodations for Buttermilk Mountain to attend this premiere event.  For the adventurous travelers, Tignes, France will be hosting the third Winter X Games Europe.

January 26 – 29, 2012 – Winter X Games 16 in Aspen, CO
March 14 – 16, 2012 – Winter X Games Europe in Tignes, France

In the meantime we're impatiently awaiting Summer X Games 17 in Los Angeles from July 28-31.

Continuing with our features on Grenade Army Soldiers we'd like to introduce to you Major General Donald Plant, #10300.  Just like Lorenzo, who was featured in our previous profile, Soldier Donald Plant has demonstrated a large number of mission completions in his time thus far.  Just a mere three ranks away from becoming General of the Army, we're proud to have MG Donald Plant serving with us.

1.       When did you enlist:  May 26,2011 I think.

2.       Favorite Sports/Hobbies/Interests:  I’m into Snowboarding, BMX, Motocross, smoking & kicking it with the homies.  You know how it is.

3.       Why did you join the Grenade Army:  Well… I love Grenade gear and everything about it.  As soon as I saw there was a Grenade Army that I could join I went head over heels with joy!

4.       What has been your favorite mission:  I think all of them are good missions in their own way  :]

5.       What’s your favorite piece of Grenade Gear that you own:   As of right now I’m digging the new gloves.  I’m hoping to get some more gear in the next few months so I might have to get back to you on this one.  Haha.

6.       What is on your Grenade wish list:  I'll be happy with anything i can get.  Haha, but it would be cool to meet some of the Grenade team.  That would be a dream come true!

7.       What’s your favorite Grenade Sticker or Logo:  I like the Skull Bomb.   I like cutting off a few fingers to make it look like mine.

8.       What can Grenade do to get you stoked:  I have been stoked since day one baby!  Grenade F@$?!ng rocks!

9.       Who’s your favorite Pro Rider:  Danny Kass and The Dingo.  Shawn White is pretty sick too.

10.   What’s your favorite Snowboard flick:  I don’t watch many videos but i love watching Danny and The Dingo, New Pollution, and Standard Snowboard Show.

11.   Where do you shred the most:  On this little hill. LOL.  Just until I get a way out to the big hills, which should be real soon.

12.   What’s your favorite Social Media Site:  eh Facebook is not a bad site.

13.   Do you follow Grenade on Facebook and/or Twitter:  Why yes, yes i do.  Both of them to be exact.

Not a member of the Grenade Army?

Army members are able to complete multiple missions and earn all kinds of Grenade swag including stickers, lanyards, dog tags, t-shirts, and gloves just to name a few. Amazing mission completions will also be posted on our website for all to see!

JOIN TODAY!!

www.grenadearmy.com