WORLDWIDE SKATEBOARDING

Tim Brauch documentary review (Supercharged)

Last Friday etnies hosted the SoCal Supercharged premiere at thier HQ in Lake Forest. The world famous and kinda-hard-to-get-into etnies TF was open for everyone to skate from 6pm to 8pm. There were free tacos and free beer and the movie itself started at 8pm.

I got there kinda late I thought, 7pm-ish, and I was afraid it would be hard to park the car and no food would be left for my hungry cheap ass. But when I rolled up I could technically park in front of the screen, you know, 50s America Grease movie style.
After I parked I expected to see a ton of people, Sole Tech heads and industry heads from all over SoCal. But none of that! I was shocked to only see 35 or so kids in the TF, and even though Sole Tech uber-webnerd (t)Ivo Janssen said the park was packed (he normally skates it by himself, lucky guy), since a lot of skateboarders always talk about how hard it is to get in. (Good thing I know Mark Waters….hehe…. thanks Mark!)

Anyway, back to the thing. The had free tacos and free beer. Since there were only a hand-full of people it was nice to get 5 tacos, and not waiting in line for beer rarely happens at a skateboard video premiere.
Among the people there I thought this one lady looked like she was Tim’s sister (it was proven right later) and I almost felt embarrassed for her that it was so quiet with less than an hour left for the movie to start. I don’t think Tim’s parents where at the SoCal premiere…. Once the movie started more than half of the seats where empty, ouch!

If I’m correct Pete Koff, the director of the movie did a short thank you/introduction, after Mark Waters did his intro. Once the movie started it was all happy things. This super rad, friendly, energetic, positive guy from the San Jose (Tilt Mode!) area who is making a name for himself in skateboarding in the late 90s. You could see how good he was with his friends, family and fans. One of those very few amazing people that has it all. He skated everything; bowls, parks, street, flat, handrails. His good friend Jason Adams summed him up best, ‘you can’t label Tim, he had a bit of everything’. Skateboarding needs more people like Tim, especially in these times!

The last 15-20 minutes of the movie were about his heart disorder and his death. A true reality check to hear his parents, girlfriend, friends and fellow (pro) skaters about losing such an amazing son/boyfriend/friend/skateboarder.
After the movie was over there was a good amount of applause, followed by a silent couple minutes. Don’t think the movie left anyone untouched!

Everyday we make decisions, so everyday you have a chance to do something good. For yourself, and for the people around you. Skateboarding is so special and unique because of the people involved, but just like in the ‘real world’, there are a lot of lame types as well. The ones that take it for granted, that ‘don’t care’ about what others say or do, even if it is to help them. Fuck all those people, they will never ‘make it’. Being nice isn’t easy, but it’s not to hard either!

Thanks to Pete Koff and all the people and sponsors that made this movie possible, it made a huge impression on me, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. When I got home I went to skate around my house for a good 1 1/2 hours. Trying not to take life for granted and trying to life everyday to the fullest. RIP Tim Brauch!

PS. The Beautiful Men Club is something I will just mention here, you will have to watch the movie to see what it is about….