In this episode, we sit down with Jared Nelson, the visionary craftsman behind the legendary Drang Longboards and his latest venture, Grand Proto Lab. While Drang may have closed its doors, Jared’s passion for pushing the boundaries of board construction hasn’t slowed down. Jared takes us on a deep dive through his journey, starting with the story behind the Drang name and the wild highs and lows of navigating the longboard industry. We talk shop about his new chapter at Grand Proto Lab, what it takes to build elite custom decks, and the vital role team riders play in testing and shaping the final product. Whether you're a downhill speed freak, a gear nerd, or just love a good comeback story, this conversation is packed with grit, raw skate history, and board-building wisdom. What we cover:

• The Drang Legacy: Where the iconic name came from and the lessons learned from the brand's closure.
• The Next Chapter: What Jared is cooking up now at Grand Proto Lab.
• Industry Rollercoaster: Navigating the unpredictable ups and downs of the skate market.
• Rider-Driven Design: The crucial collaboration between builders and team riders.

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• Follow Jared & Grand Proto Lab: @grandprotolab
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Sat down and had a great conversation with JP Rowan of Rip City Skate. We talked about how he started skating, when we first met. Starting a skateshop, the PDX skatebus and organizing events.

Get ready for a deep dive into precision engineering, whether it's powering a classic race car or carving a mountain road. Join us as we sit down with David Cindrich of Cindrich Longboards and the machinist and programmer at Kirkham Motorsports. We explore the shared obsession with craftsmanship, performance, and speed that links custom aluminum Cobras to hand-built, aluminum longboards.

Join us as we catch up with Skip Marcotte of Turnco Skateboards, the legendary Portland-based skateboard deck shaper and graphic artist. We explore his unique process of transforming old boards into vibrant, new shapes with his signature abstract artwork. From the reduce/reuse/reshred ethos to the history of the Portland skate community, we cover it all. Recorded at CalSkate Skateboards.
https://www.facebook.com/p/Turnco-100054463089667/

Ever wonder what happened to your favorite longboard brands? Join us as we journey to Walla Walla, Washington, to reconnect with Steve Hopper, the legendary founder of Insect Longboards. In this candid conversation, Steve shares the story of how Insect came to be, the challenges and triumphs along the way, and his current adventures. Get ready for a blend of nostalgia, inspiration, and untold tales from the heart of longboarding.

Check out Steve's new adventure: https://www.hopperspecialtymeats.com/

The Adam Colton Interview: Dance, Distance, and Longboard Legacy
He redefined longboard dancing and then pushed the limits of human endurance on a longboard. Join us for an engaging chat with Adam Colton, the longboarding legend. We'll delve into his pivotal role in developing longboard dance culture and revisit his awe-inspiring long-distance expeditions. From his very first pushes on a board to becoming an icon in two distinct realms of longboarding, we trace Adam's incredible journey and lasting impact on the sport.

Follow Adam @whoisadamcolton.com

The sponsor of this episode is Big Rock Insurance. www.bigrockinsurance.com
Not only did Derek @bigrockinsurance save me money on auto insurance he also let me use his house to record this episode with Adam Colton.