Known by most in the Dubai scene as Kyle F****** Smith, Kyle is recognized by his unmistakeable suave style on and off the board. Hailing from England with roots in Jamaica, Kyle’s been steady killing spots and lean fast food chains across the cityscape. Chomp on this…

Just Kyle’s luck… Bangin’ backside kickflip to snapper. Yesterday in Zabeel Park, Dubai…

photos: evan

Martin Jaouni of Fujeirah came out to Dubai one sunny saturday in May and got this ollie up gap backside lip on these concrete benches in Deira. Martin is pretty much the nicest guy you’ll meet in the UAE, plus he’s got skills to look out for. Bulgarabia represent!

photos: evan

Art is skateboarding, skateboarding is art. Enjoy the graphics!

"Modern Equation" by Rollan Rodriguez (Evildogboy), "Music doesn't lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music" by Mohammed Al Shaibani, "Right Here, Right Now" by Eyan Lomuntad (DeepFry), "Mille-mare (a million seas)" by Janet Bellotto

"Three At Sea" by Joshua Watts, "The One Eyed Monster" by Kris Balerite (Dozign), "Ethnic Patterns" by Mellissa Guevarra, "Bokeh Snatcher" by Joseph Manata (Pinkblot)

Words from the director of the exhibition:

“Dubai, over the last couple of years has gone through an amazing transformation bringing with it a rather very interesting cultural evolution. One such evolution that i have noticed over time has been that of the subtle uprising of street culture (Hip-hop, Bboys, Street Fashion, Skateboarding) and how they have managed to blend in well with the local art and design scene.

"Sugar" by Petra Matar (Bon Petra)

The Skateboarding scene in the UAE, contrary to popular belief, is actually quite large in number; one just needs to look around to find them skaters grinding the benches of Satwa, riding the rails of DIFC and JBR and thrashing it out at the the skate-park in Abu Dhabi. It’s a sub culture that’s been nurtured by the right kind of individuals out here and I am glad it’s a growing one.

"Take me to the desert, to the city, to the beach" by Hind Mezaina

I have always been a fan of skateboarding and the sub-culture it thrives on. The ‘Skate Art’ aspect of it, managed to be a curious source of personal inspiration for my works.

people curiously admired the skateboards hung on the walls of The Shelter

"Self Portrait" by Evan, "Bring the sword & axe" by Khalid Mezaina, "Face to Face Basis" by Darwin Guevarra

After Much Deliberation, I realized that no one has really done a full-on skateboard deck art show in the Middle East. We at FN Designs thought of taking a step and the risk of curating the first skateboard art exhibition in the region.

And thus FAKiE was born.

"In Transition" by Fatma Saeed Saifan, "Or maybe not..." by Salama Naasib, "Psychokitty" by Diya Ajit (Chroma)

FAKiE refers to riding a skateboard backwards from the way a skateboarder would usually ride it. And it made sense to us, since only one of our featured artists for the show is an actual skateboarder. Also, working on a skate deck as medium, has been a first for majority of the artists involved in the show. Plus we also like the obvious tongue in cheek humor of the term.

"Marks" by Fathima Mohiuddin, "Mr. Mojo Risin" by Ubik, "Tiger" by Nargis Ahsan

FAKiE features 30 artists from the UAE with multiple backgrounds who have been handpicked dude to the unique styles that they posses to make this show what it is; and hoping you will like what you see and support our initiative and embrace it.

"Octopus Ink - Not a Reality Show" by Mark Ganzon (Cloud88), "You should see the other guy" by Emma Pinkerton, "The Humming Factor - I got my aura... aight" by Wafa Hasher AlMaktoum (Jawa)

"Scorpion" by Sarah Lahti, "Little Yellow Riding Wood" by Robert James Gibbs

"Lazer Flip" by Lateefa Bint Maktoum AlMaktoum, "Angry Panda" by Rashid Al Mulla, "Need my History" by Faouzi Khilifi (eL Seed)

We like to thank all the participating artists for being so enthusiastic about the project and for taking time off from their hectic schedule to make art on the decks. This show is your labor of love as much as it is ours.

We would also like to thank Ahmed Bin Shabib, Rashid Bin Shabib, Bradley Kirr, Saadia Zahid, Neil ‘djSolo’ Andrew and to all who have joined us for our dexhibition.”

-Wafa Hasher AlMaktoum

Director

FN Designs

If you’re in Dubai this Friday, go enter or check out the ultimate showdown, the éS Game of SKATE hosted indoors by Rage and Dubai Desert Extreme. Big prizes up for grabs… 1ST place wins a trip to Paris, France in September! Friday, July 16th. 2PM-8PM Registration from 12PM Rage Shop, Dubai Festival City.

Last May, Red Bull premiered their Manny Mania event which took place in the Fruit and Vegetable market of Dubai. Young uprise, Mark Issa, was crowned manny champion and has won a trip to New York City in August to compete in the Manny Mania Finals.

Peep the coverage and wish your boy Mark Issa luck as he heads out to skate with the big boys…!

Results:
1. Mark Issa
2. Alex Medvedev
3. Evan Collisson

video by Mark Gavigan

On Friday the 7th of May 2010, many board skaters and many more patans took the time out of their busy schedules to travel out to the famous fruit and vegetable market north-west of nowhere to glean knowlage on an event known only as ‘Red Bull Manny Mania’. Not all was in vain however as the patans witnessed maneuvers that they only thought were possible with the usage of some kind of glue applied to the shoe. Well, how is your mind not to be confused when witnessing the technical maneuvers of board skaters such as Jan Hoffman, Omar Al Abbar, Evan Collisson, Lawrence Jokun, Martin Jaouni, Max Velmitskiy, Gustav Larsson, Mark Issa and the one and only Alex Medvedev – edevedevedevedevedevedevedev. Special thanks to all the Patans for making the event so special. PATAN POWER.

Some wonder why Maysam didn’t make it to the finals!

www.phillyskateboards.com

Omar Al Abbar – Abu Dhabi Corniche from Skate Arabia on Vimeo.

مع هذه المجة نهدف لمهاجمة الصور التي يعتقد الكثير انها تمثل العرب, نحن نهدف لتحقيق هذا بطريقة ساخرة\مضحكة.

نرحب بتعليقاتكم وارائكم.

with much pride and excitement philadelphia skateboards announces the release of it’s newest line “feeling arab” “احساس عربي”.

with this line we aim to attack stereotypes made about Arabs in a funny/sarcastic way.

we’d love to hear your comments and feedback.
check ‘em out:

Philly T-bomb	arabic chest hair
camel garage

Shout out to lil’ Omar Al Abbar for putting it all together with the help of Brad Kirr, Circle 8, Tashkeel, Red Bull, Orbit Showtime Arabia and everyone who came out to make it happen!

Omar Al Abbar sips on some Jeema before ripping the bowl.

Behold… Mamzar!

Flatbar!

Crowd

sick turnout

Standard Red Bull girls

Wierdo’s

She can skate too!

The giant paint spill graphic was done by Tashkeel, check them out @ www.tashkeel.org

Myles floats a fakie ollie

…and backside

Omar kickflips over the rail

Evan scraping out of a tailslide on the lip

Lawrence pops a big one over the spillage

Dj control center

Gustav enjoys a burger, hot off the grill from below

The 2nd biggest center of attention apart from the bowl.. the grill!

Brad ‘Yakhi’ Kirr

Carving yakhi style

Mrs. Al Abbar doing her part

Night time and still lit up

Ahmed Jaddo

Marcus

Alex Medvedev

Myles Evans

Omar Al Abbar

Evan Collisson

Brad Kirr holds up a customized trophy with his name on it, courtesy of Tashkeel!

RESULTS:

INTERMEDIATE

1ST: ALEX MEDVEDEV

2ND: MARCUS

3RD: AHMED JADDO

ADVANCED

1ST: EVAN COLLISOSN

2ND: OMAR AL ABBAR

3RD: MYLES EVANS

Watch out for video coverage of Skate Biladi to air on the Orbit Showtime Network in the coming weeks!

Rune Glifberg Noseblunts the round lip of Mamzar Bowl back in 2006. Photo: Evan

It’s been spoken of for a very long time now, and finally Omar Al Abbar has risen to the occaision of putting on Mamzar’s first skateboarding competition. A Bowl-B-Q they’re calling it! Sounds like oodles of fun, see you there!

SKATE BILADI MAMZAR BEACH BOWL BBQ

The first competition held in mamzar, Skate Biladi (skate my country). It is going to be a competition with 2 groups (Junior- who cant drop in, and Seniors- can drop in). After the competetion there will be a BBQ and in the middle of the day there will be a SECRET stand.(nobody knows what its going to be…)

THURSDAY Feb 25th

- 5:00pm to 9:00pm
5:00pm- Grind box Jam (best trick/ two groups)
7:00pm- Race down the sides of the bowl (Goofy vs Regular) Just for fun- winner gets a prize

FRIDAY Feb 26th

- 12:00pm to 10:00pm
12:00pm- PRACTICE
2:00pm- Junior/intermediate trash can Jam (over the trash can)
3:00pm- Senior trash can Jam
4:00pm Junior/intermediate Bowl Jam-Qualifying
5:00pm- Advanced bowl Jam-Qualifying
5:30pm- Chill Jam (includes food and secret stand!!!)
6:00pm- Quarter-finals of Junior/intermediate bowl Jam
6:30pm-Quarter-finals of Advanced bowl Jam
7:00pm- Finals for Juniors/intermediate
7:30pm- Finals for Advanced
8:00pm- BOWL BQ starts!!!
8:30pm- Presentation
10:00pm-FINISH- time to go home

IT IS GOING TO BE THE FUNNEST EVENT OF 2010!!!!

Born out of the mysterious sands of time the Mamzar ramp is storied in lore and legend. The wizards at Dubai Municipality magically made it appear 10 years ago as the first purpose built skate park (ok yes it was made for rollerskating first, it’s true) in the Middle East and has since become home to some of the most legendary sessions of locals and pros alike including Rune Glifberg, Maysam Faraj, PLG, Evan Collisson, Ibrahim Wadhi, Jake Brown, Kyle Smith, Ryan Sheckler, Colm Noonan, Bam Margera, Shaun Barton, Johnny Layton, Lawrence Jokun, Kenny Reed, Chris Pfanner, Gustav Larsson, Mark Issa, Mark Appleyard, Kareem Ghanam, David Loy, Danny Kasher, Figgy, Shamik Marjoria, Ross McGouran, Oran O’Kelly, Dennis Busenitz, Alex Medvedev, Aaron Suski, Mark Gavigan, Javier Sarmiento, Ryan Chambers, Chima Ferguson, Bryan Gavigan, Dave Duncan, Davey Edmondson, Sasha Steinhorst, Doug Martin, Josh Ogilvy, Kris Vile, Mark Ruzayk, Mark Khalil, Ignacio Morata, Martin Jaouni, Mustafa Freekshit and many others who have graced the pages of Skate Arabia, Thrasher, and Transworld skating its beautiful blue magnificence.

Mark Appleyard kickflip melon’s in 2006 for his Flip Extremely Sorry video part, high and above anything else thats been done at Mamzar. Can only imagine how much fun that feels to do. Photo: Winkle

Imperfect as it may be it has become the single most important monument and symbol of the rich evolution of skateboarding in the Middle East. Feb 25-26 we hope to add to that legend by presenting the very first Emirati hosted Skate Biladi or “Skate My Country” Mamzar Bowl-BQ at this historic location. Like the informal sessions of the past we hope to maintain that Mamzar love and turn up the stoke with some semi-organized organically grown events including the big blue bowl-jam, the sandbox jam, the shallow-end-trash-can-jam, and the first ever (we’re guessing) downhill Yakhi race from the tops of the Mamzar ramp in full Arab dress. In traditional Arab style the BBQ will be smoking with lots and lots of delicious food and even tastier jams to keep the tropical island vibe going the only way Mamzar can… Skate Biladi… Skate My Country…

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=279376303966&ref=ss