Pictures: (c)Dobermani Production, Nicola Debernardi

Element Skateboards brought the “Make It Count” contest series to Netherlands in the Area 51 skatepark, for another day long competition open to every skater. In addition to a tons of cool prizes from Element, Dakine and the other “Make It Count” sponsors, the national overall contest winner won a trip to the European finals at Bright Tradeshow in Berlin, with the chance to compete for a trip to the world finals at the Element YMCA camp in August. Plus, the skatepark organized a food raising for the homeless, and the youngest skaters had the chance to win a board through a dedicated and funny contest. In a few words, there was a lot of action in the skatepark, so you should really take a look at the gallery below with Nicola Debernardi’s pictures!

Results: 17+
1. Shajen Willems
2. Ewoud Breukink
3. Niek Zandstra

14-16 years:
1. Lars Nestelaar
2. Ronald Dreven
3. Mauro Ruberto

Up to 13 years:
1. Pim Verheul
2. Toon Vermeulen
3. Aaron Donkoh

Pictures: (c)Dobermani Production, Nicola Debernardi

The first time I saw Phil Zwijsen riding was in Varazze during the second edition of the Off the Wall Spring Classic skate contest. What I remember the most about him are his stylish red socks.

And he was a damn fine skater, too! After some time I popped in my dvd player “Get Busy Living” by Element. And once again I found myself watching Phil skateboarding with the same red socks. I felt amazed, it was like a circle. Far from joking, he not only got mad skills, he’s a real innovator. I’ve rarely seen so much inspiration and curiosity in a single skater! Drop in boy!

Hi Phil, quick intro, where are you from, how old are you and how long have you been skating?
I’m From Edegem Belgium. I’m 25 years old and ive been skating for the last 12 years.

Sponsors and hook-ups:
Ashes Griptape, Carhartt, Vans, Monster Energy, Element, Rockers Wheels, Lockwood Skateshop, Area 51 skatepark

You’re with no doubt one of the most recognized upcoming skaters at the moment in Europe, and I’ve heard you’re doing great even in the US in the DEW Tour. What brought you there? Did you really plan skateboarding as a career or things came just along the way?
I’ve been going the last 3 years to dew tour. Three years ago I had invitation and I went. I never tought it could be a career. But now I’m super stoked the way its going.

I’m really surprised by your bag of tricks and by the innovative way you ride the city. What’s your primary source of inspiration?
Skating with my friends and skating every day. I get alot of inspiration out of busenits grant taylor, Omar salazar

Your fav tricks – on ramp, street and rails?
Ramp : Fs smithgrinds
Street: Ollie
Rails: Boardslide

Can you still remember your first board? And how did skateboarding change your way of living? Any regrets?
My first board was a blind board. Skateboarding helped me alot in travelling, learning new things, meeting a lot of new people all the time. Regrets: I wish I started skating vert earlier.

You’re travelling worldwide… Is there any particular location, park or spot that’s always in your heart?
There are too many good places. Theres so many different countries and they all have something different. That’s why it’s hard to choose one. I like to visit new places.

What do you think about Varazze? Did you enjoy the Vans OTW? The event is getting huge, are you planning another visit?
I went 2 years ago and I really liked it. I couldn’t go last year because we did a vans trip to China to film for the Four Courners. But this year I’m coming for sure !!!! I don’t want to miss out this year

I was stoked – well, also shocked – by Get Busy Living. Amazing video and your part was killer. Are you currently working in other projects?
Thanks a lot. I’m filming for a few different projects.

What are your plans for the next summer? Where could we meet you skating?
I’m currently living in barcelona. But not about the summer. I really like berlin or new york. But nothing is sure yet.

Silly question, do you really have a stock of red socks? Lol
Not really I had a few. But I lost them.

Keep it up man! Thanks for the interview! Feel free to add whatever you want in the last line:
See you in Varazze !!! Can’t wait to go !!!! Thanks for the intervieuw. Greets Phil

Keep following Phil and dig for his sick video part! Go skateboarding!

FUTURE NATURE, The Element Am Video starring Nick Garcia, Julian Davidson, Boo Johnson, Madars Apse, and Evan Smith.
Available May 1st, 2012

We’ve just seen the new super cool Element video, “Get Busy Living” , one of the hottest video release of this  summer and virtual sequel of “Rise Up”, the previous release of Element Europe Team. Filmed on locations from Israel to Spain, Belgium and Greece , it surely features the most talented European skateboarders of the moment. (The video is free from download from the link at the end of the page)

Heavy opening with Madars  Apse; the kid has crazy skills and a  sick style, and a more than solid baggage of fresh tricks, really using every single inch of steels or concrete he can find skating ‘round town, as he perfectly shown in his closing trick. Over the incipit of “Fuel my Fire” from L7 here he comes, Phil Zwijsen, the Belgian skater ups the ante with a solid intro (even if we can just imagine the heavy bail on the marble mega ledge, ouch!), please look how he skates the surrounding with his unique style, closing mad drops and freaking tricks.

This video’s really pleasant to be watched, also thanks to a sound track quite melodic but that creates a very good ambient.

Janne Saario starts and ends his part all skating manual with gnarly style, Ruben Rodrigues bs flips over an heavy set, Michale Mackrodt’s part worth seeing just for the Husker Du sound track, lucky you his section rip too, one of the most solid of the whole video. Ending’s up to Guillame Moquin, skater’s straight from Marseille’s bowl, who has got ton of style and attitude this year and he’s also  killin each vert contest he’s entering. Obviuosly his part is sick, gotta see the jaw dropping Fs Stale in closing credits.

Nice to remind that something like an half of the skaters featured in this video was in Varazze last May for the Vans Off The Wall Spring Classic; it’s a kind of guarantee, isn’t it!

Featuring:   Mackrodt, Verbruggen, Mocquin, Guammaz, Zwijssen, Amor, Apse, Janssen, Pollari, Rodriguez, McGouran, Lorenz.

Least but not last: the video is free for download (also in hd!) here! [http://www.elementeurope.com/getbusyliving/], what are you waiting for!!