Tobey slow edit

Matt Henry came through with an edit from Tobey park.

Slow Day at Tobey Park from Matt Henry on Vimeo.

Doing Something Right

This saturday, 12/17/11, there is a canned food drive at Tobey park. Show up with some canned goods that are going directly to MIFA. Canned foods are cheap as hell so no one should have any excuse. Unless you're riding a shralped board with no nose or tail and your pants are torn and you obviously don't have any money, bring a can of food to Tobey on saturday. This is just what we need to show the city that we aren't criminals and hooligans. thanks to everyone who coordinated this, great idea.

Stuck in the dark

So for the most part I am usually in the dark about whats goin on around me. I knew that the city was pissed off about no one wearing their helmets at Tobey but I didn't know how bad it was. Apparently the city was considering putting up lights at the park and extending the hours but they have canned the project because of the lack of people wearing helmets. They feel like no one cares and it doesn't look good for any prospect of changing their minds. On top of this a new law is in the process of being passed and once it does there will be an automatic $50 fine for not wearing a helmet. So that's it, don't try and fight it just go and get a helmet. Whether you like them or not, you're going to have to get one. Visit Cheapskates on Getwell to purchase a helmet, I believe they are $29.99.
Also, dont' be a smart ass to the cops or city officials, that gets us nowhere.
Spread the word, get a helmet, and hopefully we can save future projects

Deadpixel Tobey

couple of images from recent Tobey skatepark shredding shot by Pierce, snagged from his DeadPixel Blog. go there and check out the rest of the pictures.


Jack Carlson tailblock


Austin Beard. Front 5.0? Smith? I'll let you figure it out and fight over it.


Austin, Boneless

Pyramid got bigger

Due to popular demand we are offering the pyramid in 8.25". Ask your local shop about us and if we arent in tell them you want it! Give them our contact info and tell them to holla

Taylor is a better blogger

Taylor has been posting content pretty regularly over at his Index Ridin Dirty South blog so go check it out.

Double Wammy Team Additions

Two heavy hitters. one just got transworld coverage while the other was doing back 5.0's with no shirt on. Cooper proudly welcomes


Darius King



and Joe Dowling.

sorry for the lack of photos.

Tobey Skatepark Grand Opening Date Change

So the date changed for the opening. It will be on wednesday the 9th. That is is official opening ceremony. On that saturday, the date previously stated, there will be a big jam/ get together to celebrate the park opening. Mark you calenders. And if you are on facebook look up Skatelife Memphis for all posted information as well as Skatelifememphis.org.

Skatepark Grand Opening

So we finally have a date. Saturday November 12th will be the day we finally get what everyone has been working hard for. thanks again to mayor A.C. Wharton, Aaron Shafer, Mike Lassiter, and everyone else who i don't know or forgot. See you all there, and i guess we'll all be seeing a lot more of each other from now on

Oxford Rebate Jam 2

Don't forget to mark your calenders, Saturday October 22nd, 1pm. There will be a legit contest with cash prizes, sign up is at noon. Come check out some skating from local rippers as well as product tosses. there is also an after party off site with a band and ramps to jam and we'll be there, along with others, selling our gear. click the link for details and try to make it out

Memphis DIY blog

Im a bit late on this one so im sure that you already know this, but to those who don't there is a new DIY blog up running for Al Town. This will be the site for updates on future work days and events and there just so happens to be a work day this saturday. Check out the blog for more details

More on Sasha

I ran across this interview with Sasha from back in May of 2010. Ive been inspired by Sasha and his work for a while and I continue to get inspired by him. Seeing his work around town (back in tha day) and hearing about and talking to him about his process and his motives always gave me inspiration and motivation and really helped me realize "oh, you can just go and do something without getting proper education or permission." If you see something you like and say to yourself, "I wish i could do that," then go and do it. yeah its gonna suck in your eyes at first but you would be surprised how far you can come in a short amount of time if you are passionate and motivated. Thanks Sasha for showing us how we're all blowing it. Check out the interview here and get some insight into the creator of our pyramid graphic and hopefully future imagery. also check out his website

Sasha Barr

We also want to thank Sasha Barr for his contributions. hailing from memphis, he now lives in the pacific northwest and you can see his work here

Grayson Castro

Grayson...I can't begin to say how awesome the guy is. and while i'm trying to figure out the words to express my feelings towards Grayson's amazing contributions to Cooper, check out his work here

austin's ad seen in fun fun fun

I figured I would post it up in all its full color glory. seen in the current issue of Fun Fun Fun, #8.

stoked stoked stoked

Our friend Matt Beasley in Oxford makes an old fashion cut and paste zine called Fun Fun Fun. Our own Jack Carlson graced the cover. Check it out, as well as the rest of the site

summer '11 board graphics

Shop splotlight

Just thought I would give a shout to Lifeblood Skateshop in Tupelo MS. If you live anywhere near them, please get off those online shops and go be a good patron to the real deal. Thanks to Nate for all his support. Support local shops!

Ann Peebles wasn't lying

Rain. Rain. Rain. I used to not mind it. but this is ridiculous. It has taken out city under seige. But to say that we got hit hard in comparison to the other cities in the south, such as Tuscaloosa, would be selfish. Even though the Trife Street swimming hole is open for business, we got off pretty easy. Yes there are places in Memphis that will probably be flooded by the end of the day due to river surges and rain, but I don't think 1 person died and we all have power. Over 300 people died last week from all of the weather and over 50,000 people without power. Please do what you can to help out if you can, and if you can't then just make a place in your hearts for the people and families affected.

Galinis and Taylor along with Hammond and Bambei from Trife Street get down on Terrytopia's new make-over. Check it here

Workin Man Blues

Here are some pictures from the work day last saturday. It was an epic day that had everyone there stoked on what was to come. Big props to Hammond for getting the truck there and also to Wrex for bringing in some excellent knowledge and skills to the table. Taylor, Bambei, Johnny, you guys motivate me and inspire me with your ask no questions get it done attitudes. Everyone there put in work and deserves to feel good about it. Being involved in something like this is an experience that I can't put into words. It is a true labor of love and as Johnny said on monday as I was giving him a ride to work after some work at the spot, "I'd rather do this all day and not get paid then go to work." So true. thank you guys for letting me be a part of a really rad day that I won't soon forget and also giving me a chance to put in my dues. Be sure to check out Taylor's Index Blog, Trife Street, and Dr. Gay Panda for more coverage.



wallride forms are ready


one side of the spine


the usual suspects, waiting for the concrete to arrive


Wrex came out to help and to show off his new seating innovation


Bambei get toasty by the trash fire


the truck arrives!


like kids on christmas


Hammond was hyped


We got the truck driver to move the shoot right over the quarter


Get to work grunts


After the crete was on the quarter it was time to fill up the wheelbarrows and take it to the other forms


filling in the wallrides


there wasn't enough concrete to fill in the spine


Wrex and Bambei plotting


Teamwork makes the dream work


just before final smoothing


Potsy approves


finishing up the last quarter

Be sure to head over to the Trife Street blog and donate to the fund. Even if it is a dollar, ever bit counts.

Concrete pour

So I guess I am a little late but I figured that if you read this blog then you probably know about the Trife Street blog and so you know that today is the work day at the new AlTown. Its going real good but if you have the times you should get down there and lend a hand however you can. Bring those guys some water, food, beer, sodas, whatever. As Hammond said on the Trife Street blog, " you know you're gonna skate it, some come help create it!" Also, they will probably need someone to go get more crete, we used all that the truck had and we still need more. Best bet would be to go down there and just ask what needs to be done and what you need to go get.

Cooper is not done yet. Yes, alot of things that were promised haven't come to fruition yet. Some things seemed so close and then just faded away. A lot has happened in the past year and I didn't expect any bit of it. We started strong and after no time at all really we put together a good team and ended up gaining the support from alot of people around the area. We expanded our shop client list, we did a couple events and the demand rose. on the other hand, i got injured, we lost some team riders and we also lost someone very close to us. I didn't think it could get worse until my medical bills were turned over to collection agencies. All the money that was being saved up for Cooper expenses (boards, camera, etc.), that would provide all of those things promised, was used to keep my car and other valuables from being repossessed. Its amazing how ridiculous this country's healthcare system is, but that is another conversation for another time. But if it weren't for Cooper having such a great start, I would have been wiped out and Cooper Skateboards really would be no more. Its thanks to everyone who took a chance on some random guys from Memphis. Thanks for liking our stuff! Thanks to Cheapskates, Imperial, 6th Ave, Life Blood skateshops as well as all the people that have bought anything from us, all of the people at Cooper-Young Fest, all of the folks in Mississippi that support us. You helped Cooper to stay afloat and for me to keep all my stuff!
We're not going anywhere now.
-Christian Westphal, Owner and operator of Cooper Skateboards

Arkansippi Dry Heaves

so Austin and the Oxford crew of skate rats went on a trip recently through some of the more unseen parks in Arkansas. DEADPIXEL blog went and covered the story. Next time you go to your everyday spot or skatepark think about getting on the open road instead. Seek out new things to skate, even if it isn't gnarly or burly. It might take some planning, but anything is do-able. Grab a little cash, grab some friends and hit the road. check the photos here

Pool Blocks

Yesterday the guys at Trife decided impromptu to put the pool blocks on the quarter at the new Al Town and only about an hour before dark. Due to recent back injury I proved to be absolutely useless. Good work goin for it guys. check out the Index blog for a few pics and if you're feelin generous, go to the Trife Street blog and make a donation. As Taylor stated in the blog, DO NOT GO SKATE THIS YET. Wait till at least sunday.

DIY

Check it. ain't my story

Imperial Skate Shop

Thanks again to Imperial for everything, thanks Keegan. Please, If you live in the area please support these guys. support your local core shop!



Click Here for their site

Terrytopia theft

Yes, I said it right. Someone stole Terry's Dogtown longboard recently. On top of the missing Old Man Army board not too long ago this is just ridiculous. Who would have the audacity to steal from someone who has provided something extremely rad for everyone and continuously shows his hospitality twice a week. Its insane, stupid really. If anyone knows who did it, or if its you, just bring the boards back, apologize, and never come back to Terry's ever again because that is your best option. You don't want the alternative if someone finds out its you or finds you with the board(s). I'm not saying Im going to do anything, but there are a good number of people that would stop whatever they are doing, including being at work, to come and make sure that whoever did this has learned their lesson. Let's not let it get to that. Just bring it back because after all, ITS NOT YOURS YOU JERK!

Taylor Bradley

step back a few years, when Cooper doesn't have a name yet and ideas are just being thrown around. Taylor was one of the first names to come up when thinking of team riders and we knew that we wanted to make this happen.

front tail


back smith

So when I heard that Index (the company he was riding for) was going to stop making boards and focus on clothing, it just seemed right that he rides for us.


crail


getting tats in the living room. schmee!

So, without further delay, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Cooper gladly welcomes Talyor Bradley to the team.


boardslide fakie

Check out Taylor's Index blog as well as his Index bio page.

little Rock

When a city has a pretty sick DIY park next to a bowl from the 80's and a sick Dreamland park 10 min away it's definitely worth it to make a day trip. Locals rip and are more chill and friendly than the too-cool-for-skateboarding locals I have come across in other cities. Thanks to whoever was behind Kanis DIY for creating something a little different and challenging. Thanks for the directions to pizza and beer, hopefully we'll see you next time