Eby Ghafarian // Spirit Quest

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Eby Ghafarian // Spirit Quest
Eby Ghafarian // Spirit Quest
Eby Ghafarian // Spirit Quest
Stoops Issue 12 (DIY Issue) is now available!
So I've been doing this magazine for 9 years now and you would think I would have streamlined the process for releases, but being that it is still mostly a one person operation over here with no real industry support or ad dollars, I'm still just doing my best. Each issue hinges on whatever time and money I have to throw into it with hopes of breaking even but mostly coming to terms with the reality that I am spending what others may spend on mortgages, or cars, or alcoholism to put out a skateboarding publication for my own sanity, grasping for a sense of purpose, and for the few of you actually appreciate it. One day I will come to my senses and give it up, but for now, it is somehow still moving along with no drop in quality. And while I know this seems like a pity party of one over here, it is really my segue into the theme of the new issue. Issue 12 has a Do-It-Yourself theme where we explore the concept of creating spots out of nothing. Just as I am creating a magazine with my own resources, accepting the loss of funds to produce something that brings me joy, skateboarders have been doing this for years. Every spot built by skaters using their own hard earned money has no monetary pay off but brings them joy, as well as netting some happiness for others who get to enjoy using the product of that labor. This issue explores the DIY mentality in skateboarding and its importance.
You can order it here!
Articles: First Words, Brett Sube Interview, In Brief: Dead Dave, In Brief: AC Pearson, Life & Death of Eastland DIY, Max Murphy Interview, Pop-up spots, One-Offs, Barrier Kult
Photographers: Seu Trinh, Mike Heikkila, Marco Hernandez, Reece Leung, Fabien Ponsero, Masa Yoshimoto, Eby Ghafarian, Clément Harpillard, Tadashi Yamaoda, Bradford Bishop, Dharam Khalsa, Isaac McKay-Randozzi, Judah Oakes, Dave Smith, Sam Fidlin, Liam Annis, AC Pearson
Skaters: Deerman of Darkwoods & Ba. Ku., Max Murphy, Dead Dave, Cody Chapman, Brett Sube, Charlie Munro, Josh Wilson, Chris Russell, Elijah Akerley, Mathias Torres, Michal Juras, Justin Andenrian, Zach Riley, AC Pearson, Jace Cooney, Jermaine Whittaker, Haruto Yoshimura, Jiri Bulin, Leo Spartacus, Tom O'Driscoll, Joe Gavin, Faro Phiri, Alder Wilson, Resse Barton, Taylor Lark, Julian Furones, Alex Hallford, Justin Reno, Simon Berton, Yusuke Shirakashi, Ana Vela, Muskellunge of Dark Island, Statue of the Black Crow, Depth Leviathan Dweller, Permafrost Corpse Eating Hraesvelgr, Jon Akers, Jamel Marshall, Presley Sweat, Marcel Pawlowski, Rae Holmes, Steve Barrett, Ethan Kaplan, Dyshon Whidbee, Justin Ganey, Curt Reefe, Jaeson Manzanares, Kent Summers.
Hey friends.
You are probably wondering why it has been so long between issues, but let's not get into the why and focus more on making it to the other side of the gap. Just huck and stick the landing, nobody cares why you did it. Okay, I guess technically we'd still be in the air since I, unfortunately, do not have a new issue to present to you yet...but it's coming!
But let's just say that the previous issue on mental health has been holding up. I actually began going to therapy, as I mentioned I should, and it has been great. It helps that there isn't the same stigma to go as there used to be and you don't have to be mentally ill to benefit from it. Our mental health could just use some periodic maintenance. It can help you reassess your actions and perspective. I realized how much I was overcommitting to things, to an unhealthy level. There is just so many great things to do in this life that it can be hard to limit yourself at time. Taking a step back from the magazine for a bit was part of my growth. But now I'm back and ready to explore the best of this little world on wheels we have.
I have never used this blog to its potential, mostly because I see all the other magazines reposting all the same content anyway and didn't feel like we needed another repetitive voice...but I'm supposed to be a content creator, even if it is more tangible. So I am going to start commenting on some of my favorite parts of the skate world, since we all have different tastes anyway and if you are reading this, you might actually like mine. The problem is that I am also so behind with skate videos, so don't call me out for being into something you saw a month ago, please.
For now, I will leave you with this photo I shot of Jackson Davis noseblunting this whole ledge at the new local DIY (Kilbourne) in Charlotte a couple weeks ago.
Hello? Anyone tuned into this transmission? I know websites are pretty antiquated these days, with the exception of ecommerce. And that’s exactly what we are here for right now, kinda. Issue 11 of Stoops is here, and definitely is for sale, but let’s ignore the dollars and cents of it and focus on the subject: mental health.
This issue was a difficult one, not just emotionally, but in treading lightly among a very sensitive subject to get some hard truths from those struggling with mental illness, and even just general mental health tribulations. I believe we succeeded in walking that line and this issue is very heavy, both in it’s editorial and photo bounty.
You can order it here!
- Articles: First Words, The Ones Left Behind, In Brief: John Gardner, Bi-polar Disorder, Depression, One-Offs (Photo Gallery), Breaking The Cycle, Skating With Schizophrenia, The Lucy Raemers Interview
- Cover: Daichi Ishibashi – Ollie. Fukuoka, Japan. (P) Masa Yoshimoto.
- Photographers: Jon Coulthard, Reece Leung, Masahiro Yoshimoto, Mike Heikkila, Eby Ghafarian, Cole Giordano, Clément Harpillard, Tadashi Yamaoda, Bradford Bishop, Dharam Khalsa, Darnell Scott, Simon Algeo, CORNPHOTO, Sam McKenna, Mark Dillon, Erick Sandoval, Dyshon Whidbee, Jeremy Cohan, Zach Malfa-Kowalski.
- Skaters: Ben Raemers, John Gardner, Ducky Kovacs, Nick Matthews, Max Murphy, Harry Lintell, Vivient Feil, Dead Dave, Chris Athens, Vincent Milou, Charlie Munro, Brendan Leddy, Sho Ma, Yesenia Ramirez, Jason Waters, Dyshon Whidbee, Charlie Birch, Daichi Ishibashi, Foz, Blinky, Dustin Eggeling, John Worthington, Miyauchi Yakuya, Mecca Mshaka-Morris, Masaki Ui, Alex Fogt, Eddie Belvedere, Matisse Banc, Tom Zealand, Zach Chamberlain, Alex Hallford, Amelien Foures, Haruto Yoshimura, Jiri Bulin, John Lindsay, Reggie Colvin, Ryan Siemens, Shane Wallington, Ryuji Gushiken, Vincent Boyom, Treveon Wade.
It’s a little late, but it’s here! Issue 9 of Stoops is now available to order online and in shops very soon!
Who are the cool kids in skateboarding? Let’s not confuse them with the “cool guys.” While that is very subjective, this issue highlights some of our favorite unique individuals in the skate diaspora. Issue 9 includes: - Cover: Sam Partaix - BS Smith, (P) Clément Le Gall - Articles: First Words, Old: Pushing Past 40, In Brief: Elise Hedge, In Brief: Mike Powley, One Offs (Photo Gallery), Documenting The Documenters, Not A Ryan Thompson Interview, The Will Sheerin Interview, Over It. - Photographers: Clément Le Gall, Dharam Khalsa, Clément Harpillard, Reece Leung, Eby Ghafarian, Mike Heikkila, Marco Hernandez, Changsu, Liam Annis, Cole Giordano, Sean Carabarin, Guru Khalsa, Bradford Bishop, Andrew Peters, Joel Powley. - Skaters: Sam Partaix, Will Sheerin, Ted Barrow, Alex Willms, Elise Hedge, Mike Powley, Louie Lopez, Ethan Loy, Vincent Milou, Kevin Bilyeu, Shinpei Ueno, Gage Boyle, Max Taylor, Phil Zwijsen, Max Murphy, Sean Paul, Josh Wilson, Leo Valls, Ryan Thompson, Lurker Lou, Dharam Khalsa, Leo Takayama, Treveon Wade, Jason Waters, Thomas Dritsas, Sergio Cadaré, Jimi Nicol, Shaun Currie, Joy Awosika, Olivier Durou, Aymeric Nocus, Alexis Jamet, Dyshon Whidbee, Radeem Walls. - Writers: Eby Ghafarian, Ted Barrow, Lurker Lou.
We finally got around to making some new gear. We have two options available now: the Stoops International tee available in beige, and the Stoops Multi-Logo tee in black with logo on chest and multi-logos on back. They are available in our webstore, along with Issue 8 and some back issues. Get some before they are gone!
Order Now.