Its official

  This is official, and it does hurt to write this and make it public, but I have decided to shut down Cooper Skateboards.  There are a multitude of reasons that we are closing our metaphoric doors, and I won't get into that here.  I wish to focus on all the positive things involving this baby of mine, but if you are uber curious and must have a reason, I'll just say this:  its tough right now for small companies to thrive.  And  after a while I just realized that without movement, without growth, without progression, we're just moving backwards.  We had a good run and I will never regret doing any of this.  I met alot of rad people and alot of them are still my good friends.  I regret nothing and enjoyed everything.    I can't stop thinking it, we had a good run.  I just want to thank everyone who was involved with us.

I want to thank the artists that we worked with: Grayson Castro, Sasha Barr, Cole Pittman, and Curt Crocker.  You guys helped define us through diversity.  And your work is pretty damn beautiful to look at.  thanks for working with us for table scraps, it says alot and don't think that I haven't noticed.  Thank you.

I'd like to thank all of the filmers and photographers that have ever helped us with photos of footage:  Matt Henry, Brandon Hayes, James Pierce, Jordan Bradley, Jordan Whitten, Tyler Nelson.  without you guys, everyone else would have that much less to look at.  you gave some content to our little project, and I thank you. 

I want to thank all of the team riders past and present that made Cooper what it was:  Austin Beard,  Zach Galinis, John Willingham, Luke Steffenhagen, Jack Carlson, Mark Patrick, Joe Dowling, Darius King, Johnny Younger, Taylor Bradley. 
You guys made this venture so fun to do and I appreciate anything and everything you did to make this dream of mine a reality.  Each and every one of you.  you're all still my friends and you won't see the last of me.

I also want to thank Grant Hopkins for putting in all of the time helping out and not taking a damn dime for any of it. 

I want to thank all of the shops, especially Cheapskates, for taking a chance with an unknown company and helping us get to where we got. 

 Last but so very not least, I want to thank Everyone who ever supported us in anyway.  If you bought a board, shirt, sticker, or just repped the brand.  Even if all you did was put a sticker on your car, you're rad!  You made this possible for all of us.  I appreciate every last bit of support you gave us.  You will never know how much I really do appreciate it.  I could talk all day about it, but I must be short and simply say Thanks!

If I missed anyone, I really am sorry.  Its kind of a big blur of awesomeness.  But i still appreciate everything. 

There will be a few boards left at Cheapskates starting tomorrow, so if you just wanted to get one last board, that's where you need to go.  Also, Im leaving the website up until the time on it runs out, so you guys can still check the videos and what not, and the Vimeo account will always be up.

Thanks to anyone and everyone who made this possible for me.  This is the raddest thing I ever did and hopefully one day I can do something like it again.  Remember to support your local shops, and support your scene.  don't be all bitter and too cool for the next guy.  We're all in the same boat and need to get along and move forward and the only way to do that is to give back to the scene.  I hope  to see you all out there, whether it be at Tobey, Al Town, at some coffee shop, or out in the streets.  Thanks again for all you did

–Christian Westphal, Owner and operator of Cooper Skateboards.  

Weekend in Nashville

Back in February we gathered a crew and decided to go to Nashville for 2 days.  Our initial plan was to enter in a contest at 6th ave., but we ended up just seshing all day.  Found an awesome Thai grocery and restaurant that has some of the best food for dirt cheap.  Didn't get caught up in the brews.  All in all, had a rad skate mission.  Thanks to Team Joe for letting us crash and to Shane for showing us some spots. 

Restocked

     The new graphics have arrived.  Cheapskates and MG Board Shop are stocked up.  Check out the new graphics on the catalog on our site at www.cooperskateboards.com. 

Johnny at Tobey

Hernando Skates Needs Help

As most of you know, the good people in Hernando, MS are trying to get a skatepark.  The city has set aside a very large plot of land just for the park, very large plot.   I think its close to an acre of land.  The skaters organizing this movement have been given control of the project.  The only thing is that they have to raise some funds.  The park project has a grant applied for it for 100,000, but they have to match a small percentage of that to get it.  All the money is going towards the park.  So we need to do what we can to help raise the funds.  Tobey Park is great, but it didn't get there by itself.  A lot of people had something to do with getting that park because it took a lot of work.   And the Hernando project is no different.  It is going to take a lot of work and a lot of help.  But just think of how awesome it would be to have another really rad skatepark only 30 minutes away!
    
     There is a Paypal donation fund that can be found on the link below, but I want to share some simple instructions first. PLEASE READ BEFORE GOING TO THE DONATION SITE:  Go to the link below, Click on the PayPal donate button, Enter an amount and Login, (this next part is most important) click on the special instructions tab and type in "skatepark".  You have to type in "skatepark" in order for the money to go to the park. 
 
Click here to go to the donation site.  If for some reason you can't connect to site, the URL is : http://www.cfnm.org/. 

For more information on the project and to keep updated, visit their page on Facebook

Promo extras

Some clips that didn't make the cut.  Jack Carlson and Mark Patrick seshing the Trife Ramp.

Low Inventory

Well this winter and spring did us in and its been a bit rough.  We are running really low on our inventory, so sorry if we don't have what you need.  Be sure to visit all associated skate shops to see if they have some of our products left.  But don't fear, we've just been holding out for some new products coming down the line soon so stay tuned!

New Website

New website is up at www.cooperskateboards.com.  With photos, video, and some new ads that we've been working on.  We will continue to post news and updates on the blog.  New catalog should be dropping soon as well

Galinis ad

Never posted this, but here is Zach's ad featured in the last Fun Fun Fun

Cooper Skateboards Presents...

Its been a long time coming but its finally here. We would like to thank everyone involved and everyone who has supported us in one way or another because without you we wouldn't have made it this far.

Cooper Skateboards Promo from Cooper Skateboards on Vimeo.

Darius the park shark


Filmed and Edited by Quintin Lamb

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