I'm going to try to keep this post short because loads of time will needed to be dedicated to just wrapping your head around some, or actually most of the tricks that CJ Tambornino somehow pulls out. His fliptrickery level is quite possibly one of the most elaborate in all of skateboarding, so the fact that he is still flow is mindboggling. But to be fair, getting boards from Almost does seem pretty fitting because he is definitely setting his own standards for creativity and uniqueness in skateboarding. Some guys just have absolutely ridiculous, can't-even-be-done-in-video-games kind of tricks, but to be able to do those tricks with a really fun looking style (and still be able to NO COMPLY OVER A PICNIC TABLE - see Almost's 5-Incher video in full below) is just not fair. NBD's coming everywhere, it's much easier to list CJ's parts and some clips and let you explore the technical wizardry that ensues:
-Boondoggle, where a switch backside big spin inward heelflip (for lack of an easier name) may be the nuttiest trick. Compared to his later parts, this one is really quite subdued but still tops loads of tech video parts today and includes some pretty cool spots as well.
-Flow Trash (above), CJ's wildest full length part for sure
-Bangin, where it becomes super challenging to even name or decipher the tricks he does
-5-Incher, CJ's insanity starting at 18:06
I'd also like to point out that amidst all of his switch/nollie, double/triple flips, and inward big spinning craziness, CJ's standard tricks are also on point. He's really on a completely different level so I wouldn't be surprised if in 2014 he comes out with his full introductory part to Almost.
I've only ever really seen Manolo Robles in his Darkstar Forward Slash clips and through his DC Spain Introduction Video, but he is without a doubt one of the most technical skaters out there. Though the distance across the Atlantic may limit his exposure, the clips that have come through to most of our computers are ridiculously technical and impressive. When he starts spewing out tricks that were other skaters' video part enders, and then backs those up with NBDs on NBDs, he deserves the spotlight for a while. Every little variation makes you appreciate each individual trick that he somehow combines all into one fluid trick. So to highlight this week's output of skate videos, Manolo Robles will demonstrate the potential of technical ledge tricks.
(See this link for higher quality video.)
Davis Torgerson always comes through with really impressive, quality footage. I am going to highlight his part in Boondoggle above because it is still my favorite part from Davis, despite its age and plenty of other great parts that he has put out. He's got an incredibly smooth and natural style, tons of fliptricks (did you see him in BATB 4?), quick and light feet that make for some buttery landings for almost all of his tricks, a wide array of ledge/rail tricks in any stance, skateboarding's best electrical box skating abilities I'd say, and a very underestimated pop (just look at the huge ollie at 4:20 for proof). Some of my favorite tricks from this part include the picture perfect tuck knee at 2:14, the nollie inward heel at 3:04 that crosses my eyes on the flick and catch, which is followed by a fluid front blunt 360 shove, and the switch flip wallride at 3:36 (doing it regular would be pleasing enough, but switch?! that's still hard to fathom). Already, I think Davis is loaded with the best qualities for a good and entertaining skater, but I think his most useful asset yet would be a super solid nollie. The line at 0:51 exemplifies this (he's got one of the best nollie back feebles too), along with many other sweet nollie flip and grind tricks. And it's because of this skill that Davis was able to invent the nollie frontside hurricane as his Boondoggle ender so wonderfully demonstrates. (Props to Luan for probably being the first to document the backside version.)
This part alone I'd say should have definitely put Davis on the fast track to professionalism, but given that it was his first big part it's definitely understandable that he would have to wait some years. So along the way Davis updates his Boondoggle part with Flow Trash to show how much fun he can have skating while still displaying his precision skill set, followed by another high caliber part in Since Day One (memorable authoritative stomp on a fakie flip in a line, a mentally twisting fakie ollie switch feeble down a handrail, and quite possibly the best bump to bar backside wallride ever), only to come out with more great footage with his Berrics Recruit part (nollie 540 and switch inward heel anyone?) and his Pushing Minnesota part for Real (switch back smith ender was sick!). The fact that he has not turned pro along this road of destruction is baffling to me, especially since we know Real is still into turning people pro. Nothing against Jake Donnelly, he deserves it too, but I'd say Davis deserves it more for his contributions to technical handrail skating and his consistently fun and admirable video parts. He REALly needs to go pro soon.
