We hit the road with Adidas Skateboarding during the first release of Dennis Busenitz pro model shoe. Adidas already had the custom-branded VW Vanogan, but for this particular tour we welded a custom display rack, added a touchscreen panel that showcased Adidas skate videos out of the back hatch, and had to do some general maintenance and repairs to the vehicle along the way.
We left from Portland and toured mostly around Southern California. For ‘Go Skateboarding Day,’ on June 21st, we met up with a huge crew at Utility Skateshop and all the kids skated along with Dennis, and the van, from the shop to the Upland Skatepark.
After the tour we stored the vehicle at the Grease Not Gas shop, in NE Portland, and then the following March we took the van down to SXSW where we set up for an event outside of a Supermarket, which Playboy Magazine had emptied out and converted into a concert venue.
We were told there was a surprise band going to play that night and were allowed access during their soundcheck. I remember being completely astonished when the three of us stepped inside to find it was Janes Addiction. 🤯