Loveletters Season 10: Anthony Van Engelen | Jeff Grosso’s Loveletters to Skateboarding | VANS

Grosso sits down with FA's Anthony Van Engelen to talk about the early 90s, big pants, small wheels, school yards, influences and life going full circle in this Loveletter to AVE.
Music Credits:
JONNY MANAK AND
THE DEPRESSIVES
"Blundertoe"
"It's Fashionable No Vocals"
HAMILTON HARRIS
"Gasoline"
"2012"
DJ SABO
"Audio Track 3
MSG
"Audio Track 4"
JOSH LANDAU/ ELIMINATOR MUSIC
"Old School Notes"
CASIO KEYBOARD
INSTRUMENTALS
"Audio Track 7"
ENVIRONMENTAL SOUNDS
"Audio Track 5"
SUBSCRIBE: bit.ly/1aIFFTY
About Jeff Grosso’s Loveletters to Skateboarding:
Legendary skateboarder, Jeff Grosso's Loveletters to Skateboarding. Jeff pays homage to some of the most influential people in skateboarding. Sit back and feel the love.
Discover more Loveletters to Skateboarding Content: bit.ly/1FWLiSP
Read more about Jeff Grosso: bit.ly/2cnnSJu
Jeff Grosso Instagram: bit.ly/2cC87CJ
Jeff Grosso Facebook: bit.ly/2bP3fJi
Connect with Vans: bit.ly/1uPubcu
Facebook: bit.ly/29CDdc4
Twitter: bit.ly/29AT0Gz
Instagram: bit.ly/29wXHB5
Pinterest: bit.ly/29tf1Gs
Tumblr: bit.ly/1Rjvlt7
About Vans:
Vans®, a VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC) brand, is the original action sports footwear, apparel and accessories brand. Vans® authentic collections are sold in 84 countries through a network of subsidiaries, distributors and international offices. Vans® has over 2,000 retail locations globally including owned, concession and partnership doors. The Vans® brand promotes creative self-expression in youth culture across action sports, art, music and street culture and delivers progressive platforms such as the Vans Park Series, Vans Triple Crown of Surfing®, Vans Pool Party, Vans Custom Culture, and Vans’ cultural hub and international music venue, House of Vans.
Vans Top Athletes:
Anthony Van Engelen, Geoff Rowley, Kyle Walker, Chima Ferguson, Gilbert Crocket, Tony Trujillo, Elijah Berle, Rowan Zorilla, Lizzie Armanto, Joel Tudor, Leila Hurst, Nathan Fletcher, Dane Gudauskas, Tanner Gudauskas, Patrick Gudauskas, Mikey February, Dakota Roche, Scotty Cranmer, Kevin Peraza, Dennis Enarson, Larry Edgar, Angie Marino, Jake Kuzyk, Hana Beaman, Mary Rand.
Loveletters Season 10: Anthony Van Engelen | Jeff Grosso’s Loveletters to Skateboarding | VANS
/ vansshoes66

[@Taterfried]

RIP GROSSO! Having a Loveletter binge today

[@TheDemdem66]

how can u binge it tho when u gotta go skate after each episode!?

[@bradconn7850]

@@TheDemdem66 when your fuckin hungover keep drinking and worked 7 dayz straight and skated all week and its the only show you give a fuck about!

[@j-mac7401]

I know where ur coming from. Every 2-3 months I go through it...

[@aaronhamby3088]

Photosynthesis started it all for me personally. Ave and Dill still my favorite skaters 20 years later. RAD.

[@ianhauschild8938]

That orange fucking video I would rewind wennings switch nose grind at love for hours

[@darkslide180]

the last thing AVE says about pushing and furthering yourself and having that come full circle with FA and being able to do that for the new generation is sick, hella 12 step vibes from that

[@Sheafs_RC]

Ave is the coolest.. fa is the squad.

[@TheSpliffMaster]

Haven't been on a board for like 10 years now. But I have been rewatching all of these episodes lately and I think I want another one now. I'm going to A&E by the looks of it. RIP Grosso, you rule

[@lamphan2219]

Not getting an AVE Epicly Laterd or Nine Club episode? This will definitely suffice! Edit: Okay, just finished it. We definitely need an Epicly Laterd or Nine Club for AVE. another edit: Finally got an Epicly Later'd on AVE :)

[@edenstrang]

nine club is for jocks

[@edenstrang]

@@91750fast tons of cool dudes have been on nine club. Just the hosts and the attitude sometimes represent a gross bro-y version of skateboarding, like the antithesis of Grosso really

[@QuantumlyILL]

Met Anthony and Rob at my middle school in South Pasadena when I was 13, so it waaaas 1998. They rolled up in the Alien workshop van. Rob was trying to hit this rail for what had to be hours. Anthony didn't skate, he said he was resting from hitting some bump in the street all day. So, I got to sit and talk to my favorite skater in the world at the time. I don't think I ever told him that I loved his style more than anyone else. There was something so raw and loud to it... vs the super clean look it seemed everyone else was going for. I got both of their signatures on the shirt I was wearing. Had it on the wall for the next years. I moved to Colorado and one day I found out Jason Dill was at my local shop. I brought the shirt and he recognized both of the signatures and got super hyped up. This was all too perfect for me at 15, mind blown. Jason broke his hand and it was in a cast, his signature ended up being huge and janky ( laughing about it as I write :) and I thanked him a few times and left. Long story short my mom washed the shirt when I left home a year or so later at 16. And then life happened to me and I lost the shirt. Oh well, Anthony Van Engelen was the value behind it all. the end.

[@skulleagletartat]

The trick montage throughout this is amazing.

[@stusux]

Every episode... skateboarding is such a beast with so many different perspectives and influences. Every kid who picked up a board has connected with something they've seen or been influenced by. I love skateboarding and that love will never die. Keep telling the stories Jeff. You're one of my earliest influences. I rode you board for years in my younger days and your part of my life. ❤

[@barkeep11]

When I watch stuff like this, I get so stoked. Like, what a great time to be alive in skateboarding! Thanks Grosso and Vans for putting this out there for us masses to appreciate. Going skateboarding today!!

[@sciroccodriver]

Oh god I miss my youth. Enjoy it kids.... it flys by. Make the MOST of it!!!!

[@nite_owl_was_here]

I'm doing my first skate contest in a week, I'm super nervous and so excited. Never thought I would but watching all these chats for the past few years really gave me that just go out and do it mentality. Thanks yall.

[@nite_owl_was_here]

@@RandomKZbin123 no clue what ur on about mate

[@ConnorHolbrook419]

Howd it go?

[@nite_owl_was_here]

shit, totally failed my run.. but at least I had fun :P@@ConnorHolbrook419

[@jarkokoo]

I absolutely love this episode, as AVE is the same age group as I am, so all the videos he mentions and that "bearing cover" wheel talk just hits home hard. :) And I was just literally thinking about the early 90s, how sick the progression was. Awesome time for sure, even though there was the not-so-awesome things as well, but yeah...

[@bennyshambles]

jarkokoo Same generation here too (I’m 41). It really was insane to see things go from Ban This to Virtual Reality in 4 years. Fascinating, really. I feel like skateboarding has barely changed in the last 10 years except for how insanely good everyone is and that it’s way more diverse and inclusive.

[@Jeremyramone]

How about a paulo diaz episode, thanks kindly for sharing these videos

[@cameronarthur0]

yes!

[@faunaflage]

17:47 - "OHHH YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

[@willianwas8687]

Amazing..A.V.E Jeff legends of great times of skateboarding!!!

[@wedgeantilles1210]

Anytime I hear the name Wade Speyer, my ears perk right up

[@sk8_bort]

In Spain, AVE is an acronym that means "Alta Velocidad Española" (Spanish High Speed). In English, AVE also means high speed.

[@sean1852]

In spanish AVE (también significa pájaro) also means "Bird"

[@skatercoldis]

I love this.

[@the6ig6adwolf]

Still think Gino's backside flip in Yeah Right is the most stylish of all-time.

[@ryanholt9747]

The Levi 501 comment had me cracking up. That’s my go to pant haha

[@petepete9831]

Ryan H. You gotta really wear those shits in lol

[@richardsmith7322]

Amazing episode thank you Jeff Grosso

[@j-mac7401]

Another great episode in the books- keep'em coming... Good to see AVE getting the recognition he's receiving of late. He would more than likely tell you it's all BullSh#t / none of it matters and to F' off. But that's what happens when you put the work in on top of being gnarly as fu#k!!!

[@XavierSteel]

THANK YOU JEFF GROSSO

[@petersusia1]

Gino’s back flip over the planter is such a classic trick

[@ronmckay3322]

AVE's epic intro in the DC video made me a fan to this day

[@mothboyskater3793]

Please do an episode dedicated to Skatemaster Tate!!!!! He made such an impact on so many lives!!!!! Please!!!

[@iamnotanumber100]

Lee Ralph ✊️ Lovin this season, so good.

[@WolfWould]

My pal had 38's I think they were at one time. 38's on that napping negro board and the biggest green blind jeans ever!

[@Rufusdos]

Haha, sounds like me and everyone I skated with at one stage!

[@nyjahsdad1802]

I had a pair of purple Fuct pants and a set of Gullwing trucks that I believe were 113's. Me and my friend found a bunch of motors mounted to this crazy pipe frame outside a sketchy Chinese restaurant. We went back in the middle of the night and took a bunch of the motors and one of them fit wheels on it perfectly. We stole a plug from the local Ace, wired it up (the motor was 220 so we blew the fuse in his garage all the time) and started grinding down wheels. The best were old Powell wheels. So much of the urethane at that time was complete shit. I took an old set of red G-Bones and shaved them down, the best wheels ever! We never wore masks and I can still remember the smell of burning urethane. Good times! Thanks for bringing back such great memories! I'm glad I didn't have to buy wheels during this era as there was an unlimited supply of old wheels from everyone we knew that either quit or didn't want their big old one-sided wheels. I wish I could skate those reshaped G-Bones now, seriously so good!

[@Rufusdos]

Venture Ultralites, Real Small Wheels in a pack of 6, World Industries Daewon Song, Adidas Gazelles, Ben Davis shirts, Jeans so big a medium size dog could use the leg as a tunnel... not to mention pimples, virginity, sprained ankles, driving test fails and more!! 90s fun!

[@WolfWould]

Those were the days!!

[@bennyshambles]

38s were kinda big in 1992-1993. Haha.

[@christophertaylor3811]

Great skater.. big up Anthony.. such a clean style.

[@voltaire2001]

GREAT season guys!!This is a good AF episode.

[@halfchop]

"Have you ever tried to skate in 501's as an adult man?" I love that quote from Ave because i relate so much. Loosy goosey baby.

[@homagetv4481]

These are all so awesome.

[@joshuacrane2397]

Thanks for this Jeff, AVE and Vans. I love this mans skateboarding, I just really wish his new shoe didn't retail at $199.95 Australian dollars.

[@robolinoschmidt8676]

Its 115 euros in Germany..pretty expensive but they say its durable

[@fuckingcockslurper]

roboliño schmidt my lakai Bristols were 40 and they lasted forever. The mesh on the inside of the heel started to rip before the toes did.

[@robolinoschmidt8676]

@@fuckingcockslurper that's true...I'm just saying that the price is reasonable for the performance they offer...have a nice day

[@joshuacrane2397]

Man, Rowley's first shoe is arguably one of the best purpose built skate shoes ever and it is only 120 here, I just don't understand the pricing model, what does the extra money buy, a cup sole shoe with new sole rubber. I'm not buying it.

[@robolinoschmidt8676]

@@joshuacrane2397 dude..I'm not forcing anyone to buy it...I just said that its reasonable. Some people prefer cup soles over vulcs...

[@RossKnows]

this was epic! i would love to see pops in a new interview, or pops and wenning together.

[@danieldrkness7489]

THANK YOU!!! that made my weekend!

[@myfriendsyoutubechannel]

So great!!

[@David_Farnsworth]

Thanks for reminding us to go skate

[@thefreakofak1]

After all these years since The D.C. Video I finally know how to properly pronounce his name.

[@incontruth4116]

It’s not pushing mongo, it’s pushing Danforth.

[@karenbanta5778]

Exactly, my friend

[@marcelboogaard5449]

I’m in camp Danford. I’ve always been ridiculed for pushing Danford. Been doing it since the 70’s.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

@@marcelboogaard5449 I'm only on Instagram to look at old skateboards/skaters and Danforth is on there and living the good life and still at it. Good on him

[@paulbaker3465]

Fabulous interview.

[@bernardthomas6232]

What?! AVE did nollie nose manual on picnic table?! I thought Koston was the only one. RESPECT AVE 👊

[@jeffladrillono2313]

One of the best to ever do it.

[@thirdvisiongarage9148]

First real board was an AWS AVE birth to grave deck. Still my favorite skateboarder of all time.

[@gonzo13ist]

We want more!

[@deciduousdiscipline9592]

Couple of legends.

[@bmutante7597]

So Much Better Than TV!!!! I love you inmensly, dude, keep on with this amazing shit

[@rickhart5612]

Lee Ralph episode make it happen!

[@J-manoo7]

I feel like listening to this warm me up for skating 😂😂😂

[@Mia-zm7mj]

so rad you guys are the best

sick!!

[@SchnellVITALVINYLVLOG]

Awesome

[@marshall0814]

Sick! 🤘

[@churretas1]

AVE favorite Skater ever Remember the day when he was SOTY announced was like my birthday Party best day ever.

[@purplereigninblood]

Fuck, don't have social media...RIP Grosso!!! Thank you for everything!!!

[@RicosTinFoilSombrero]

Savannah Slamma 3 was one of my 1st 3 skate videos too!!

[@mitchfree7447]

AVE has been in my top 3 since the 23 / swishy pant / switch front crook days.

[@Redblue_75]

Need an episode of H-Street !!!!!!

[@kautzman2334]

you got the doom pic, the captain, and on a skate video. are you me?

[@lesterhalfjr]

I remember skating in late 92 and a new school kid picked up my board and said "I can't believe this is what skating used to be"

[@traddad9172]

I went from learning on a Nash fishtail to a new school- "double kick" in 1 years time- then we progressed fast AF

[@_....J........................]

that was great

[@Whosetheworst]

I remember when all you could get were small wheels, they really sucked.

[@jSonTX]

I kept skating my wheels from the 80s🤣🤣🤣

[@marshall0814]

@@jSonTX so did I. 👊

[@calska140]

Yeah that was stupid. Pros can rock whatever size wheel they want. But when you're a kid and have to skate from spot to spot....shit sucks.

[@iamnotanumber100]

Jason yep... I had bullet 66’s that we’re easily 40mm’s by the end 😊

[@bennyshambles]

Christian Marsden Yeah, it was just part of the culture/climate/trend at the time. I remember in 94 when the Love Park dudes like Fred Gall, Matt Reason and Ricky Oyola all hit and they rode (what seemed like) huge wheels. Their wheels were probably 45-50mm at the most, but they really stood out. Those dudes were ahead of the curve and helped us get out of the small wheel rut.

[@JackedBlack88]

What's the song at 15:46 when they start talking about "Memory Screen"?

[@louiejordan7625]

Man im sitting here watching re-runs i really miss new letters episode's but what i really miss is the great big Almighty pink one!this should be like sk8boarding for beginner's you have to be able to pass the letters quiz to get in the park!Jeff hit it on the head"if you don't tell about the og's of the sport than its gets forgotten"or something like that!lol cut me some slack just smoked a j!😆 Im gonna end this on a sad note R.I.P. TO THE BEST SK8 HISTORIAN EVER!GROSSO!!GROSSO!!GROSSO!!

[@suedehead2049]

we need a kevin “kush cowboy” bradley love letter

[@aaronhamby3088]

Maybe in 10 years

[@BlackRodney65]

No.. Not yet.

[@misfitramone]

I still have the last model of aves dc shoe before leaving for vans, and dills dvs model. 2 of the weirdest and best dudes in the game.

[@ahmezi]

An episode about that switch from 89 to 92

[@johnfodo4129]

Miss you

[@tomasvalve930]

Lovely

[@danielmartin2000]

does anyone know the name of the DJ Sabo track with the dubby bassline in the beginning?

[@charliegeorgeredhead6485]

Anyone know where the Grosso footage at around the 3:50 mark is from? Where he’s in the bar

[@NewWestFilmsTV]

YEAH 🔥🔥🔥

[@alpineflauge909]

thanks

[@1800kook]

🔥🔥🔥

[@scottcardona19]

Rip Gabe Miss ya buddy

[@Friedcrust]

Ave!!!!

[@Sashapaige73]

🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@willisryan4576]

AVE looking like a hollywood leading man these days.

[@thelurker43]

What is the bar scene at 3:50 from? Intro to a part?

[@davidwasneverthere9301]

Shred on Grosso🤘♥️🤘

[@davido7081]

Favorite skater who is still alive today. He sure does say Shit a lot! Hahaha!

[@ohcumcafodasse]

3:49, where is this from?

[@underillegalliars1210]

3:50 where's this from

[@davidborboa]

Hey Grosso what video was the bar sene from?

[@sean1852]

Yeah? I remember renting speed freaks as a 10 year old while I was staying with my grandparents. That scene where they shave your head or whatever was on and g-ma was like "This guys is clearly on drugs...I think these guys are a bad influence" Lol...So right! She should have realized by the title that y'all was some tweaky-freaks back in the day!!! None the less Love ya Grosso! & 1st time I've heard a SKATE TV reference in 30 years!

[@BlenderMountain]

I'm wanna know too lol

[@anotebgmot8793]

Ave is Genius. We need someone like Dill or Frank Grewer or Lucero .. or I don't know, just someone Crazy like that and who is also up for doing it - to continue the letters. And the new season to be dedicated to Grosso . We need more letters to Skateboarding! Or maybe someone from the new generation to be the host of the new letters like Oliver Grosso . We WANT NEW Letters 😄

[@urvidsucks1]

RIP Dylan💙

[@SchnellVITALVINYLVLOG]

Rest In Power

[@lihaney666]

🤘🏼🔥

[@oldladyfalling7844]

@0:37 who is the song by?

[@cryptomnesiac]

true ripper

[@samgreen61]

What video is 3:50 - 4:02 is it a skate video or something ??

[@giovannikline8728]

8:52 there’s a photo of I believe Cream Campbell doing a front side no slide in downtown Anaheim at Chase I wanna know where they get that photo

[@onegod7257]

WTF AND HOLY FAAAACK TO THE MINI FULL PIPE LOOPER!?!?!!!!

[@marissac870]

Ahhhh a loveletter to how FA is the new world industries. Cool

[@ConnorHolbrook419]

7:45 anyone know what board that is?

[@patricksalish]

Glad I have no life and am up at 430 So glad 👅👅🎉🎉🎉

[@CaliBreeeze]

Lol

[@Redblue_75]

Same LoL

[@waxkevorkian7884]

Patrick Andre I just woke up right now haha

[@BlackLightning522]

Currently 4:18 for me

[@bearhughes7009]

I think Salman brought it down but the 1st Stereo vid put good looks back in

[@jamponyexpress7956]

way, way too soon Grosso. Thanks buddy.

[@ian_davidson]

Yeah buddy! let’s see a Jeremy Wray letter!

[@eppyz]

Tracker trucks i used to break those all the time back in the day... Do they even make those anymore?

[@forrestrichard8133]

Jeff Eppenger not sure if they’re still making em but I have a set that I got in like 2006.

[@eppyz]

@@forrestrichard8133 i used to ride Trackers with OJ II wheels back in the day haha good times 😎 After breaking so many sets switched back to independent.

[@forrestrichard8133]

Jeff Eppenger Wordd! Right now I actually have a cruiser board (aside from my regular board) that’s a Welcome deck running Trackers with soft bushings, and a set of big OJs. Fun as shit, I don’t often grind on em though, aside from the occasional slappy, as to avoid breaking em.

[@eppyz]

@@forrestrichard8133 👍👍👍👍

[@dtf3751]

Fuckin rights AVE. Zero ego. Pay it forward.

[@bearhughes7009]

What is that video Grosso is in kicked out of the bar, taken all the pill at the house?