SLAP would like to offer our condolences to friends, family, and fans of Japanese photographer Akira Takata, who passed away last week. Do yourself a favor and check out his stunning photos at akiratakata.com.

In "about fuckin' time" news, congrats to Jake Johnson and Gilbert Crockett on turning pro for Alien Workshop. Well deserved is an understatement. Keep following the amazing footage that Jake Johnson and company are producing on the Map Masquerade tour here on SLAP.

In other board news, Santa Cruz has officially announced ex-Label pro Shuriken Shannon. With three or four web clips coming out around the same time, sounds like he's off to a good start.

Speaking of web clips, Life Exten[s]ion has released their first promo. Those stoney baloneys can produce, huh?

Check back next week for the Corey Duffel and Matty Hunt Pals Questions and check your local shop for our "Bomb Hills, Not Countries" wheel with Paradise! We're so excited, we could slap a cat.

Quote of the week:

pica: "i hope there is a "don't get mad at the park challenge " where they pack that entire vans house with 5000 scooter kids. the first one to freak out is the next to be eliminated and (maybe) get his board focused."

Seamus_McShamebag: "Does anybody know where I can get a front yard sex offender sign that's manufactured using only recycled materials?"