fall is finally in the air!

sure, october has a little nip, but that’s cool, cuz’ we see lots of jeans and sweatshirts in our future (wetsuits too).

this month, we met some rad female skaters who share their wisdom --- and that it’s never too late to start something new. made us crave ‘all the streets are silent’ on the movie screen : nyc + skateboards + hip hop, um yeah. we’re in. #lovethybodega takes us to lower manhattan for some refreshing sips of rockaway (cuz’ you gotta quench your thirst). we’re also recapping what we saw at the artist x climate exhibition, under/current. and, to keep things grindin’, we’re amped to share some rockaway radio.


CHARLOTTE TEGEN

Founded by Charlotte Tegen, Housewife Skateboards is an unapologetically female-owned and focused skateboard company created in New York City. Their goal is to provide skateboards and apparel that the badass women of skateboarding can identify with. (But don't worry boys, you can shred in Housewife gear too)!

ROCKAWAY: Where are you from?

Charlotte Tegen: I'm from NYC, born and raised on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

ROCKAWAY: When did you learn how to skate?

CT: When I was 7 years old I got my first board and never stopped since!

 

ROCKAWAY: Where are your favorite places to skate in NY?

CT: Pier 62 Chelsea Skatepark! In my opinion, it has the best flow out of all of the NYC skateparks and because you can keep your momentum throughout the park without pushing. The new Rockaway Skatepark is also sick; it has a little of everything from street, bowl/ snake run, rails, stairs, and some fun smaller features for beginners. 

 

ROCKWAY: What do you love about skating -- how do you get into the flow?

CT: I love being able to fly. Most of the time it feels like I’m dancing with a piece of wood under my feet. Skating with headphones definitely helps me get into the flow, but I only advise trying it out if you’re aware of your surroundings. 

 

ROCKAWAY: What's your advice to someone who wants to learn to skate for the first time?

CT: The quality of your first board will help you stay committed and raise your chances of improving quickly. I've taught people who show up with rusted bearings, hard wheels, and small boards with super tight trucks. Getting a quality board that is setup with big and soft wheels (like an 8.25 or 8.5 size board) and getting a tool so you can learn to adjust your own setup is really important. Try to skate anywhere casually to get some mileage under your belt! Skate to your deli or to the train. Don't focus on learning to kickflip or ollie right away. There are tons of more important tricks to learn in the beginning, like manualling off a curb.

ROCKAWAY:  What is your motto for the end of 2021?

CT: It's never too late or too soon to learn something new!


CAMI BEST

Native Brooklyinite CAMI BEST has been skateboarding since the age of nine.

 

ROCKAWAY: Where are you from? 

CAMI BEST: Brooooooooooklyn, New York

 

ROCKAWAY: When did you learn how to skate?

CB: I first learned how to skate when I was a little kid, preteen!

 

ROCKAWAY: Where are your favorite places to skate in NY?

CB: Skateparks that have a lot of greenery are my fave!

ROCKWAY: What do you love about skating -- how do you get into the flow?
CB: I love that no matter what friends may come and go, skateboarding will always remain.

 

ROCKAWAY: What's your advice to someone who wants to learn to skate for the first time?

CB: Everyone crawled before they walked. Take one day at a time and celebrate your progress along the way.

ROCKAWAY:  What is your motto for the end of 2021?

CB: “We’re infiltrating this club for boys. It’s not about sponsorship, it’s about having a voice...get tricks and have fun! Move over ramp tramp, I’m taking a run.” - WitchSlap


#lovethybodega :

 

THE GOODS MART

Where Nolita and SoHo meet, The Goods Mart (est. 2018) is a super friendly, better-for-you, do-good convenience store run by Rachel Krupa. We love the salty’n’sweet snacks, the fresh coffee and the ethos: customers can donate to monthly charities at checkout. Oh, you can also find our plant-powered cans. 

Addy: 189 Lafayette Street, NYC 10013

Now Showing On Loop :

 

ALL THE STREETS ARE SILENT

, 2021

“Being at the right place at the right time has a lot to do with success.”

BOOM! Using OG footage, this documentary folds 80s + early 90s skateboarding and hip-hop into one giant NYC love letter.  From the dance floors of Mars Nightclub to the founding of Supreme, you'll also hear from legendary cats of the times --Harold Hunter, Moby, Fab 5 Freddy and Rosario Dawon. Pioneer Eli Gesner (founder of Zoo York) narrates while Large Professor (known for his work with A Tribe Called Quest + Nas) contributes to the score.


Now Showing On Loop :

ALL THE STREETS ARE SILENT

, 2021

“Being at the right place at the right time has a lot to do with success.”

BOOM! Using OG footage, this documentary folds 80s + early 90s skateboarding and hip-hop into one giant NYC love letter.  From the dance floors of Mars Nightclub to the founding of Supreme, you'll also hear from legendary cats of the times --Harold Hunter, Moby, Fab 5 Freddy and Rosario Dawon. Pioneer Eli Gesner (founder of Zoo York) narrates while Large Professor (known for his work with A Tribe Called Quest + Nas) contributes to the score.


ROCKAWAY RADIO

 

 

@djtanknyc and her ode to nyc hip hop and skaters :

GRINd


rewind on Under/Current:

 

Last month, ROCKAWAY proudly served as a sponsor for the immersive art and climate crisis exhibition in Bushwick.  We saw large scale pieces from artists like pop/R&B singer Miguel, who created a piece that stimulated being underwater, complete with bleached coral reefs and ocean decay. There was Bon Iver’s 3-panel dance video that showed both ecological beauty and distress. Grimes made an animated music video where her androgynous digital alter-ego is trapped in a future world without nature.  And, The 1975 showcased a music video with activist Greta Thunberg narrating a speech. Powerful and moving, we’re dedicated to helping save the planet, step by step by step.


founder freestyle flow :

we made it thru year one! in a pandemic. that’s been an experience (to say the least). ill save that rant for another day. for now, im just so proud to say im more fired up about this company than ever before. we are just getting started, but are sitting on hundreds of shelves on your favorite local bodegas, natural and organic small superettes, coffee shops, bagel stores, sandwich joints, indy nyc staple chains like food town, keyfood, westide market and c town. i gotta flaunt that native new york pride. always. but, we have also shipped direct to customers and retailers in almost every state in the us and ive heard a few cans were even smuggled north of the border. thousands of tops have been popped and cans chugged. i am more dedicated to our mission to bring a healthier, functional, and accessible alternative to soda to the masses than ever before. throw that cherry on top that we do it all to help save the ocean.

many thanks to our dedicated, fierce and scrappy team that helps make the dream real every damn day. and much love to all our supporters - your purchases matter. that is not lost on us and we are forever grateful.

here’s to lots of fun in year 2, more meaningful and mission driven partnerships, and to taking one step at a time to moving the movement through unapologetically authentic business.

rock on. x b

where the streets meet the beach. @drinkrockaway