31 Days of Vans Is Back for 2021! #31daysofvans

Jul 1 21 under Events, Friends, Heritage, History, OTWS, UTP, Waffleheads, WDYWT | Comments Off

Well, today’s July 1st, and you know what that means. It’s time to kick off the annual #31daysofvans celebration. This year is a little bit different though, and that’s because we’re excited to announce that Vans, and in particular, the Vans Family team, are officially joining in, (and recognizing) our community-created celebration. This has been something that’s been brewing for just over 2 years now. Covid put a hold on all the plans we had started talking about, the first go around, but last year, I got to get together again with the Vans Family, to brainstorm and come up with some ideas on ways for Vans to get involved. I was honored to represent the community, and I have the utmost respect for the way they approached it, understanding that this was something we had all created, and they weren’t trying to take anything away from that. So with that being said, we threw a bunch of stuff at the wall, to see what stuck, and I’m not going to give away anything, but there’s some cool stuff they’re doing for it, so stay tuned for sure. We’re beyond stoked.

I also wanted to give a huge huge huge shout-out to our Vans brother, Kyle Sliney, aka @iamrocketkyle for the sick artwork he always does for 31 Days of Vans, and if you haven’t noticed by now, Vans requested his artistic stylings, for an official banner graphic for the Vans Family app, and boy did he come through! His artwork features a neon sign, complete with animation, including a Caballero model being chopped down to a Half Cab, nodding to the upcoming anniversary of the Half Cab, which we’ll be seeing more of through the year. You can read about the full inspiration over on his IG post. So awesome. So proud of him. Glad he got some official Vans shine!

For those of you who are new to our Vans community and not quite sure what this is. Well, we invite you to share your favorite pair(s) of Vans with the rest of us. Get creative. We’ve seen folks post up the same shoe all 31 days, just to find out at the end, each pair was a different one, but all the same shoe, lol. That was wild. We also get to see a lot of stuff that most have forgotten about. There’s no wrong way to do this. Just share a pic, each day, preferably on-foot, and check out the campaign hashtag each night before you go to bed, to see all the cool pairs across the globe!

Vans Partners with Global Non-Profit, Tony Hawk and Olympic Skaters for Epic Celebration of Skate Community

Jun 21 21 under Collaborations, Customs, Events, General Release, Heritage, History, Kids, NEWS | Comments Off

Vans – the undeniable leader in skateboarding for over 50 years – will be launching a global campaign ahead of skateboarding’s Olympic debut, highlighting the things that make skateboarding great.

Since the beginning, Vans has celebrated the creative culture of skateboarding and the individual self-expression it embodies through listening, empowering and showcasing local communities driving skate culture around the world. This summer’s campaign, “No Matter How Big Skateboarding Gets, Never Forget Where it Starts,” highlights what makes skateboarding so special…the streets, skateparks, backyard pools and communities that built skate from the very beginning.

For this campaign, Vans is partnering with award-winning international non-profit Skateistan, who empowers children through skateboarding and education in Afghanistan, Cambodia and South Africa and skateboarding’s biggest legend and Skateistan ambassador, Tony Hawk. The campaign will also feature Olympic skaters Lizzie Armanto (FIN) and Pedro Barros (BRA) who will have featured videos during the campaign.

In the spirit of celebrating the creativity in skateboarding, Vans ambassadors will also be building their own Vans Skate Classic Customs and Vans is encouraging fans to do the same. This summer $10 from every pair of Vans Skate Customs up to $200k, will go to Skateistan to benefit skate communities globally. Vans Fans can also donate at Vans.com/skateistan and Vans.com/customs.

Vans Celebrates Free and Creative Expression this Pride Month by Amplifying the Stories and Mission of the LGBTQ+ Community

May 13 21 under General Release, Heritage, History | Comments Off

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Since 1966, Vans’ brand purpose has been to enable creative expression for fans around the world, regardless of where you come from, the color of your skin or who you love. Vans recognizes the Pride as an inspiring global moment of authentic self-expression, and proudly celebrates the empowering spirit and identities of the LGBTQ+ community.

To celebrate Pride 2021, Vans will be donating a total of $200,000 USD to four organizations from around the world including GLSEN, Casa 1, Where Love is Illegal and Tokyo Rainbow Pride to support and uplift their personal stories and mission.

Pride is celebrated worldwide as a cultural moment for all to stand united in celebration of the tremendous impact for the LGBTQ+ community has brought to society. Vans is committed to advocating for support of the LGBTQ+ community year-round as a driving philosophy towards equality and progression.

With a global approach in mind, Vans selected four organizations who continue to champion equality, safety and education amongst the LGBTQ+ community worldwide.

Vans Americas will donate to GLSEN, an organization that works to cultivate a safe and supportive school environment for all students regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Vans will highlight the stories and narratives of their local ambassadors including Get Lit poet, Tyris Winter, painter, designer and printmaker, Mich Miller, skateboarder, photographer and creative director, Samuel McGuire, singer and songwriter, Serena Isioma, and more to highlight the relationship between creativity, identity and community.

Vans Americas will also give back to Casa 1, an organization that seeks to promote structural changes by providing safe shelter and access to culture, education and health resources for the LGBTQ+ community.

Vans Europe will partner with Where Love is Illegal, a project by Witness Change, that shares personal testimonials of survivals from the LGBTQ+ community to help connect people, transform opinions and support real change. Vans Europe and Where Love is Illegal will partner with local artist from the LGBTQ+ community to design 45 windows across Europe inspired by the testimonials from the organization.

Vans Asia-Pacific region will partner with Tokyo Rainbow Pride as part of their 2021 “Raise Your Voice. Change The World” digital activation that aims to build awareness and policy change so that all genders, races and beliefs can be equal. Vans Pride storytelling and activations around the world will kick off throughout May and June.

Inspired by the LGBTQ+ community and the spirit of creative self-expression, Vans will release a footwear and apparel collection that is designed to support a more equal and inclusive society this May. Vans Classic silhouettes including the Classic Slip-On, Era, Sk8-Mid and UltraRange, will reinterpret the iconic rainbow checkerboard pattern through repeat print executions, all-over patterns and mixed material patchwork applications. The Pride assortment includes accompanying apparel and accessories. “When I was younger, I was so scared to merge my queer life and my skate life, and to see the two crashing into each other in such a beautiful and organic way is cool,” said skateboarder and campaign photographer, Samuel McGuire who grew up skating in Vans. “To work with a brand that is involved in the queer community and that was so influential in my life is a dream come true.”

The Vans Pride collection is on-sale now at select Vans stores and online at Vans.com. Learn more about our charity partners at Vans.com/pride.

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Rest In Peace Vans Co-Founder Paul Van Doren (1930-2021)

May 7 21 under Heritage, History, NEWS, Van Doren, Waffleheads | 3 Comments

This is pretty heavy news right here to wake up to this morning. Vans co-founder Paul Van Doren, has passed away after being on this earth for 90 years. This news comes just one week after the launch of his memoir, “Authentic“. We have him to thank, for this awesome brand that has given us an identity, and a true sense of community. Always reminding us to be authentic, and do things our own way, while remembering to make it about the people. We will never lose sight of that. Vans has created more opportunity for us, than anything else, and we ultimately have Paul Van Doren to thank for that. We’ll always honor you, and your name lives on through your family, and through the extended Wafflehead family. You will be missed, but never forgotten. Thank you, Paul.

Vans Skate – Grosso Forever (4.28.21)

Apr 28 21 under Collaborations, Heritage, History, Pro, Videos | Comments Off

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

To pay tribute to skate legend, historian, gatekeeper, and beloved Vans family member Jeff Grosso, and to mark his birthday, Vans is proud to announce a new Love Letters To Skateboarding episode solely featuring Jeff, complimented by the Grosso Forever collection.

Vans’ special birthday episode of Love Letters to Skateboarding celebrates Jeff’s life, in his own words, and was compiled by long time co-creators, Buddy Nichols and Rick Charnoski of Six Stair Productions. The episode illustrates Jeff’s raw, authentic and often-opinionated take on skateboarding that was captured during a decade of filming the series.

Jeff’s genuine love for skateboarding shined through in everything he said and did, and his support for the community–especially the up-and-coming generations—came from a true belief that skateboarding belonged to the kids. Gaining notoriety in the 1980’s within the competitive scene, he quickly became one of the most recognizable faces in skateboarding with the onset of skate videos that highlighted his skill along with his sardonic wit and audaciousness. Jeff was known for entertaining the masses with his self-deprecating humor and antagonistic spirit. In the span of his influence on the sport, however, Jeff became the unofficial skate historian, helping to create ten years of Vans’ Love Letters to Skateboarding with his unique and raw commentary on the industry.

“It’s you, your skateboard, and the world. So go out and make it your own.”
– Jeff Grosso

Jeff wore Vans for 50 years, and the Grosso Forever collection features iconic designs that he sported during formative moments in his early career. Royalties from this collection will go directly to Jeff’s son, Oliver.

Click on any of the pics above or HERE to shop the collection and have your money go to a good cause.

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VANS PARTNERS WITH LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL TO DONATE COMPUTERS TO ALL STUDENTS

Apr 12 21 under Events, Heritage, History, NEWS | Comments Off

Vans, the original action sports footwear and apparel brand and advocate for creative expression, partnered with the Los Angeles School of Global Studies and nonprofit EduCare Foundation to donate Chromebooks to all of its students. On April 10th, every student from 9th to 12th grade at LASGS received a free computer as part of a large distribution resulting in 320 being handed out. With nearly all of the students at or below the poverty level, the donation makes it possible for students to remain in school further closing the digital divide.

This distribution marked the first time Vans has ever donated computers, let alone to an entire school. Steve Van Doren, son of the Vans founder Paul Van Doren, was also in attendance at the event and personally handed out the Chromebooks with handwritten messages of support. Vans also had a large motorhome that distributed shoes and other goods for students and their family members. This initiative further reinforces Vans’ core ethos: empowering, motivating and giving back to youth culture.

Alongside the support of non-profit EduCare that serves several LAUSD schools, the Los Angeles School of Global Studies (LASGS) is a high school located in Downtown Los Angeles with an unconventional take on teaching and education. Their unique approach to learning is based on an “environment that engages, a culture that empowers, outcomes that matter and technology that enables”. LASGS’s mission is to not only empower its students with its progressive pedagogy, but also through “social emotional learning” which promotes and teaches self-awareness, personal responsibility, empathy, and compassion – creating a learning environment in which youth can flourish and realize.

“Donations that go directly to the community are so important for our student population. I am thankful that Vans, in collaboration with Educare, could get technology out to our students so that our school community can access the school curriculum.” – Christian Quintero, Principal of the Los Angeles School of Global Studies.

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Vans Presents: The Tony Alva Story – Premiering Worldwide Today at 5pm PST (9.17.20)

Sep 17 20 under Events, Heritage, History, Interviews, Pro, Videos | Comments Off

VANS PRESENTS

THE TONY ALVA STORY

Written and Directed by Coan “Buddy” Nichols & Rick Charnoski from Six Stair Productions

TUNE-IN TO THE LIVESTREAM PREMIERE TODAY

SEPTEMBER 17, 5PM PST ON YOUTUBE.COM/VANS

FOLLOWED BY Q&A SESSION WITH TONY ALVA AND SPECIAL GUESTS

The year-long wait is finally over! Skateboarding critics and fans worldwide can rejoice today, as Vans, the original action sports footwear and apparel brand, premieres the highly anticipated full-length Loveletters to Skateboarding feature documentary on the legendary “Godfather of Skateboarding”, Tony Alva. Tune in today on Vans’ YouTube at 5PM PST to experience the global livestream premiere of The Tony Alva Story. Following the documentary, a special Q&A hosted by fellow Vans skate legend Christian Hosoi will feature Tony Alva himself, original Z-Boy Peggy Oki, Vans Signature Pro Elijah Berle, and Six Stair directors Rick Charnoski and Buddy Nichols.

It’s Time For Another Year of 31 Days of Vans! (#31daysofVans)

Jul 1 20 under Contests, Events, Friends, Heritage, History, OTWS, UTP, Waffleheads, WDYWT | Comments Off

Yes, it’s that time of year again to celebrate our unofficial Vans holiday, created by us, for us! Show off your love for all things Vans. There’s no formula to this shit, just share your pairs, and use the campaign hashtag #31daysofvans. Let’s see how much the Vans Family has grown from last year. Thanks to Kyle for producing some sick banner graphics for the cause!

Breaking Boundaries: A Surfboard Drive for Trinidad & Tobago

Jun 22 20 under Heritage, History, Videos | Comments Off

Vans presents the worldwide release of a new surf documentary, “Breaking Boundaries: A Surfboard Drive for Trinidad & Tobago.” Breaking Boundaries spotlights pro surfer Chris Dennis and his ongoing efforts to provide underserved youth in his native country with access to the same escape he credits with saving his life – surfing. The documentary is available to watch now on Vans’ YouTube channel.

“Trinidad & Tobago has two different sides,” Dennis remarks of the unique region. While the country touts’ beautiful beaches and is one of the wealthiest nations in the Caribbean, due in large part to its oil and natural gas reserves, the country’s economic inequality is staggering, and many communities live in poverty. Chris has made it his life mission to share the transformative power of surfing with the youth in these communities.

From the moment he first witnessed surfing, watching in awe from the cliff at the back of his childhood home, Chris was enthralled. After winning the first local contest he entered – Chris jokes about how green he was, having to borrow a rash guard from someone on the beach – he rolled with the momentum and built a surf career for himself out of the most unlikely of circumstances. Ultimately, Dennis found himself traveling the world competing on the World Qualifying Series tour, where he made many lifelong connections. This time of exploration was eye-opening for Chris and his experiences abroad changed the way he thought about the world. His travels brought the social problems his community was experiencing back home into sharper relief.

Returning to Trinidad, Chris began to work directly with the youth in his community. He started small by teaching a couple kids to surf, with no grand plans in mind. In the process, he became more acutely aware of surfing’s value in these young lives, how it provided educational, recreational and even aspirational opportunities that otherwise were unavailable. He witnessed firsthand how surfing steered kids away from crime, abuse, difficult situations at home and other pitfalls of poverty.

As his impromptu surf mentorship program grew and local enthusiasm for surfing swelled, the lack of equipment became a hindrance to the program’s progress. Enter Dane Gudauskas – an old friend from the pro tour – and the non-profit Dane founded with his brothers Tanner and Patrick, the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation.

Through Dylan Graves and the Gudauskas brothers’ foundation, Chris connected with Waves for Change, a South African non-profit that the Positive Vibe Warriors, in partnership with Vans, worked with on an extremely successful surfboard drive in 2017. The plan was to host a similar drive to bolster Chris’ grassroots efforts. The drive for Trinidad & Tobago united shops and surf communities on both coasts of the US and collected over 200 surfboards. Building on this support, in addition to training and guidance from his new friends at Waves for Change, Chris founded the non-profit surf therapy program Waves for Hope in 2019.

At its core, Breaking Boundaries is about connection, within the global surf community and humanity as a whole. It is the hope that all involved in these board drives that they trigger a domino effect, encouraging surfers the world over to contribute to foundations like the Positive Vibe Warriors, Waves for Change and Waves for Hope, and launch socially beneficial initiatives of their own. By connecting surf scenes across the planet, and the individuals who drive them, we can affect much greater societal change. It’s an ethos that Chris’ believes can ripple far beyond the world of surfing.

“It’s more than surfboards, and it’s more than a board drive to us,” Chris affirms. “It’s a human thing. If we share, and really care for each other, a lot of our problems will be solvable. So, it means the world.”

To learn more about the Vans surfing program, visit vans.com/surf.

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Vans Hosts Virtual Grad Night For Class of 2020

Jun 22 20 under Bands, Events, Heritage, History, NEWS, Videos | Comments Off

Words via Vans:

“As the graduating Class of 2020 celebrates this important milestone, Vans will be hosting a special virtual grad night on Friday, June 26 at 6pm PST as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

While circumstances have made students and families celebrate at home, Vans hopes to inspire the graduating Class of 2020 to continue to be changemakers now and into the future. Vans is dedicated to enabling self-expression and creativity among the youth by creating an inclusive community focused on supporting one another and recognizing the global connection between action sports, art, music and street culture.

Virtual grad night speakers such as Steve Van Doren, son of Vans founder Paul Van Doren, Tony Hawk, Ray Barbee, Sami Miro and more, will be sharing personal messages to the graduates, encouraging students to pursue their passions, share helpful tips towards success and what it means to live “Off The Wall.” To conclude the ceremony, there will be a live music performance by King Princess and after party DJ set by SG Lewis.”

Students, families, teachers and Vans fans can tune in at 6pm PST on Vans official YouTube, Vans.com, Vans Facebook and the Vans Family app for a fun, special event.

When: Friday, June 26, 2020 at 6:00PM PST

Who: