King of the Road Season 2: Teams Announced
10/14/2016
Many are called, few pick up the phone – which is why we're proud to announce that Deathwish, enjoi and Creature will be jumping in the van for King of the Road this year (and Season 2 of the Viceland TV series.) Check the team profiles and let us know how you think each of these epic squads will do on the Highway to Hell!
David Gravette
Follow on instagram @davidgravette
aka: Baby Lamb
Age: 28
Hometown: Issaquah, WA
Sponsors: Creature, Independent, Bones wheels, C1RCA, Bronson, Mob grip
Status: Pro
KOTR Experience: C1RCA 2010, Creature 2012, Birdhouse Mystery Guest 2013
Strengths: Tranny, kinked rails, KOTR face tats
Weaknesses: Injuries, emotional outbursts
Verdict: Why, God?! Why??!!
Follow on instagram @davidgravette
aka: Baby Lamb
Age: 28
Hometown: Issaquah, WA
Sponsors: Creature, Independent, Bones wheels, C1RCA, Bronson, Mob grip
Status: Pro
KOTR Experience: C1RCA 2010, Creature 2012, Birdhouse Mystery Guest 2013
Strengths: Tranny, kinked rails, KOTR face tats
Weaknesses: Injuries, emotional outbursts
Verdict: Why, God?! Why??!!
Kevin Baekkel
Follow on instagram @kevinbaekkel
aka: The Hammer
Age: 20
Hometown: Hamar, Norway
Sponsors: Creature, Emerica, Independent, Bronson
Status: Amateur
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Destroys everything, viking blood
Weaknesses: Stranger in a strange land
Verdict: Pronunciation guide
Follow on instagram @kevinbaekkel
aka: The Hammer
Age: 20
Hometown: Hamar, Norway
Sponsors: Creature, Emerica, Independent, Bronson
Status: Amateur
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Destroys everything, viking blood
Weaknesses: Stranger in a strange land
Verdict: Pronunciation guide
Sean Conover
Follow on instagram @seanconover
aka: Thin Lips
Age: 28
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Sponsors: Creature, Independent, OJ, Pacific Drive, Dakine, Union Leatherworks, Bones bearings, Brixton, Bull Taco
Status: Amateur
KOTR Experience: Creature 2010
Strengths: Street tech, hubbas, round bars
Weaknesses: Sunshine, oldest am on KOTR
Verdict: Red alert
Follow on instagram @seanconover
aka: Thin Lips
Age: 28
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Sponsors: Creature, Independent, OJ, Pacific Drive, Dakine, Union Leatherworks, Bones bearings, Brixton, Bull Taco
Status: Amateur
KOTR Experience: Creature 2010
Strengths: Street tech, hubbas, round bars
Weaknesses: Sunshine, oldest am on KOTR
Verdict: Red alert
Chris Russell
Follow on instagram @chrisrussell_mbk
aka: The Muscle
Age: 19
Hometown: Hermosa Beach, CA
Sponsors: Creature, Independent, Bones, S-One, Skeleton Key, Vans, ET Surf and Skate, Layback beer, Smoker’s choice papers, Pizzanista, Hoax clothing, RedBull
Status: Amateur
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Big bowls, padlessness
Weaknesses: Shirts
Verdict: Concrete con carne
Follow on instagram @chrisrussell_mbk
aka: The Muscle
Age: 19
Hometown: Hermosa Beach, CA
Sponsors: Creature, Independent, Bones, S-One, Skeleton Key, Vans, ET Surf and Skate, Layback beer, Smoker’s choice papers, Pizzanista, Hoax clothing, RedBull
Status: Amateur
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Big bowls, padlessness
Weaknesses: Shirts
Verdict: Concrete con carne
Willis Kimbel
Follow on instagram @wheelbarrow
aka: Ginger Beetlejuice
Age: 28
Hometown: Portland, OR
Sponsors: Creature, Independent, OJ, Nike SB, Bronson, Dakine, Bassturdco, Skeleton Key, DAF, Shrunken Head, Mob grip
Status: Pro
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Big bars, andrechts, dad was a '70s pro
Weaknesses: Low ceilings
Verdict: It runs in the family
Follow on instagram @wheelbarrow
aka: Ginger Beetlejuice
Age: 28
Hometown: Portland, OR
Sponsors: Creature, Independent, OJ, Nike SB, Bronson, Dakine, Bassturdco, Skeleton Key, DAF, Shrunken Head, Mob grip
Status: Pro
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Big bars, andrechts, dad was a '70s pro
Weaknesses: Low ceilings
Verdict: It runs in the family
Noah Quale
Videographer
Follow on instagram @dafnoah
aka: DAF
Age: 35
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Status: Masterlenseman
KOTR Experience: Creature 2012
Strengths: Sober benders
Weaknesses: Hot brews
Verdict: 'Til the wheels fall off
Videographer
Follow on instagram @dafnoah
aka: DAF
Age: 35
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Status: Masterlenseman
KOTR Experience: Creature 2012
Strengths: Sober benders
Weaknesses: Hot brews
Verdict: 'Til the wheels fall off
Ewan Bowman
Videographer
Follow on instagram @bo_def_son
aka: Bo
Age: 41
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Status: Masterlenseman
KOTR Experience: Flip 2005, Chocolate 2013
Strengths: Burpees, air squats, lunges
Weaknesses: Missing gym days
Verdict: 2 Fit 2 Quit
Videographer
Follow on instagram @bo_def_son
aka: Bo
Age: 41
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Status: Masterlenseman
KOTR Experience: Flip 2005, Chocolate 2013
Strengths: Burpees, air squats, lunges
Weaknesses: Missing gym days
Verdict: 2 Fit 2 Quit
Chris Rooney
Photographer
Follow on instagram @rhino
aka: Rhino
Age: Old enough to whoop your ass
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Status: Masterlenseman, Indy TM
KOTR Experience: Black Label 2007, Nike 2010 (Won), Nike 2011, Creature 2012, Real 2013 and Flip 2014, Birdhouse 2015 (won)
Strengths: All of them
Weaknesses: None known
Verdict: Mess with rhino, get the horn
Photographer
Follow on instagram @rhino
aka: Rhino
Age: Old enough to whoop your ass
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Status: Masterlenseman, Indy TM
KOTR Experience: Black Label 2007, Nike 2010 (Won), Nike 2011, Creature 2012, Real 2013 and Flip 2014, Birdhouse 2015 (won)
Strengths: All of them
Weaknesses: None known
Verdict: Mess with rhino, get the horn
Sam Hitz
Team Manager
Follow on instagram @larbvomit
aka: Shitler
Age: 42
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Status: Pro drafted into temporary management
KOTR Experience: Creature Stowaway 2012
Strengths: Pool coping, low-level street negotiations, Kinko's
Weaknesses: Dive bars
Verdict: Life sentence
Team Manager
Follow on instagram @larbvomit
aka: Shitler
Age: 42
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Status: Pro drafted into temporary management
KOTR Experience: Creature Stowaway 2012
Strengths: Pool coping, low-level street negotiations, Kinko's
Weaknesses: Dive bars
Verdict: Life sentence
Mike Plumb
Follow on instagram @bigbizliz
aka: Lizard King
Age: 31
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
Sponsors: Deathwish, Kr3w, Supra, Stance, Shake Junt, Thunder, Spitfire
Status: Pro
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Passion, fatherhood, one-footers, sobriety
Weaknesses: Homie tats, Beelzebub
Verdict: Six Six Sick!
Follow on instagram @bigbizliz
aka: Lizard King
Age: 31
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
Sponsors: Deathwish, Kr3w, Supra, Stance, Shake Junt, Thunder, Spitfire
Status: Pro
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Passion, fatherhood, one-footers, sobriety
Weaknesses: Homie tats, Beelzebub
Verdict: Six Six Sick!
Jake Hayes
Follow on instagram @jakehayes
aka: Hazey
Age: 25
Hometown: Sydney, Australia
Sponsors: Deathwish, New Balance Numeric, Dickies, Spitfire, Thunder, Sock Posse, Sunday hardware, Shake Junt, PD distribution
Status: Amateur
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Taking the drops
Weaknesses: Fresh fish
Verdict: The wonder from Down Under
Follow on instagram @jakehayes
aka: Hazey
Age: 25
Hometown: Sydney, Australia
Sponsors: Deathwish, New Balance Numeric, Dickies, Spitfire, Thunder, Sock Posse, Sunday hardware, Shake Junt, PD distribution
Status: Amateur
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Taking the drops
Weaknesses: Fresh fish
Verdict: The wonder from Down Under
Jon Dickson
Follow on instagram @smokeeyes
aka: Big Jon
Age: 27
Hometown: Antioch, IL
Sponsors: Deathwish, Vol. 4, OJ Wheels, Psockadelic, Active, Happy Hour, Independent, Hard Luck, Shake Junt
Status: Pro
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Switch flips, overalls, sober living
Weaknesses: Library voice
Verdict: Silent but deadly
Follow on instagram @smokeeyes
aka: Big Jon
Age: 27
Hometown: Antioch, IL
Sponsors: Deathwish, Vol. 4, OJ Wheels, Psockadelic, Active, Happy Hour, Independent, Hard Luck, Shake Junt
Status: Pro
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Switch flips, overalls, sober living
Weaknesses: Library voice
Verdict: Silent but deadly
Jamie Foy
Follow on instagram @jamie_foy
aka: Big Pinch
Age: 20
Hometown: Deerfield Beach, FL
Sponsors: Deathwish, Bones Swiss, Stance, Island Water Sports, Spitfire, Thunder, Shake Junt, Diamond footwear, Red Bull
Status: Amateur
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Street shredding, rail chomping, footage machine
Weaknesses: The Devil's lettuce, breaking boards
Verdict: Heavy duty!
Follow on instagram @jamie_foy
aka: Big Pinch
Age: 20
Hometown: Deerfield Beach, FL
Sponsors: Deathwish, Bones Swiss, Stance, Island Water Sports, Spitfire, Thunder, Shake Junt, Diamond footwear, Red Bull
Status: Amateur
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Street shredding, rail chomping, footage machine
Weaknesses: The Devil's lettuce, breaking boards
Verdict: Heavy duty!
Neen Williams
Follow on instagram @neenowilliams
aka: Neeno
Age: 30
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Sponsors: Deathwish, C1rca, Altamont, Shake Junt, Thunder, Satori wheels, Stance, Loud headphones, Deathlens
Status: Pro
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Flicking and flying, fitness
Weaknesses: Doesn't skate at night
Verdict: Heel do great
Follow on instagram @neenowilliams
aka: Neeno
Age: 30
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Sponsors: Deathwish, C1rca, Altamont, Shake Junt, Thunder, Satori wheels, Stance, Loud headphones, Deathlens
Status: Pro
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Flicking and flying, fitness
Weaknesses: Doesn't skate at night
Verdict: Heel do great
Ryan Ewing
Videographer
Follow on instagram @beagleoneism
aka: Beagle
Age: 35
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
Status: Masterlenseman
KOTR Experience: Baker 2005
Strengths: PMA, hype man
Weaknesses: Drive-through chicken shacks, lean
Verdict: Yee-ahhh!
Videographer
Follow on instagram @beagleoneism
aka: Beagle
Age: 35
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
Status: Masterlenseman
KOTR Experience: Baker 2005
Strengths: PMA, hype man
Weaknesses: Drive-through chicken shacks, lean
Verdict: Yee-ahhh!
Jon Holland
Videographer
Follow on instagram @jon__holland
aka: J-5
Age: Sporty 40s
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Status: Masterlenseman
KOTR Experience: 2015 Toy Machine
Strengths: 20-plus years in the game
Weaknesses: Trackers
Verdict: On the road again
Videographer
Follow on instagram @jon__holland
aka: J-5
Age: Sporty 40s
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Status: Masterlenseman
KOTR Experience: 2015 Toy Machine
Strengths: 20-plus years in the game
Weaknesses: Trackers
Verdict: On the road again
Sam Muller
Photographer
Follow on instagram @sammuller
aka: Muller
Age: 26
Hometown: Hollywood, CA
Status: Masterlenseman
KOTR Experience: 2015 Chocolate
Strengths: Grace under pressure
Weaknesses: Chronic jetlag
Verdict: 26 going on 40
Photographer
Follow on instagram @sammuller
aka: Muller
Age: 26
Hometown: Hollywood, CA
Status: Masterlenseman
KOTR Experience: 2015 Chocolate
Strengths: Grace under pressure
Weaknesses: Chronic jetlag
Verdict: 26 going on 40
Jay Thorpe
Team Manager
Follow on instagram @jboneson
aka: J-Bone
Age: 37
Hometown: Oceanside, CA
Status: TM
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Road dog, back tails
Weaknesses: Mellow fellow
Verdict: Even Steven
Team Manager
Follow on instagram @jboneson
aka: J-Bone
Age: 37
Hometown: Oceanside, CA
Status: TM
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Road dog, back tails
Weaknesses: Mellow fellow
Verdict: Even Steven
Ben Raemers
Follow on instagram @benraemers
aka: Benny Boy
Age: 25
Hometown: Colchester, England
Sponsors: enjoi, Converse, Volcom, Lost Arts Shop, Independent, Castle bolts, OJ, Mob grip
Status: Pro
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Rails, bowls, stairs, tea
Weaknesses: Strange American customs
Verdict: Oververt!
Follow on instagram @benraemers
aka: Benny Boy
Age: 25
Hometown: Colchester, England
Sponsors: enjoi, Converse, Volcom, Lost Arts Shop, Independent, Castle bolts, OJ, Mob grip
Status: Pro
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Rails, bowls, stairs, tea
Weaknesses: Strange American customs
Verdict: Oververt!
Louie Barletta
Follow on instagram @louiebarletta
aka: Sweet Lou
Age: Somewhere between 30-50
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Sponsors: enjoi, Pig, Mob grip, Krux, Globe, Bones Swiss
Status: Pro
KOTR Experience: enjoi 2013
Strengths: Oddball moves combined with classic tranny/street skills
Weaknesses: Barstools, someone put a ring on it
Verdict: Flip your wig
Follow on instagram @louiebarletta
aka: Sweet Lou
Age: Somewhere between 30-50
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Sponsors: enjoi, Pig, Mob grip, Krux, Globe, Bones Swiss
Status: Pro
KOTR Experience: enjoi 2013
Strengths: Oddball moves combined with classic tranny/street skills
Weaknesses: Barstools, someone put a ring on it
Verdict: Flip your wig
Jackson Pilz
Follow on instagram @jacksonpilz
aka: Jacko
Age: 24
Hometown: Coolum Beach, Queensland, Australia
Sponsors: enjoi, Volcom, Vans, Independent
Status: Amateur
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Vert baby roots, benihanas
Weaknesses: Benihanas
Verdict: MVP
Follow on instagram @jacksonpilz
aka: Jacko
Age: 24
Hometown: Coolum Beach, Queensland, Australia
Sponsors: enjoi, Volcom, Vans, Independent
Status: Amateur
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Vert baby roots, benihanas
Weaknesses: Benihanas
Verdict: MVP
Enzo Cautela
Follow on instagram @enzo_cautela
aka: Benzo
Age: 18
Hometown: Escondido, CA
Sponsors: enjoi, KR3W, Supra, Pharmacy, Bones, Krux
Status: Flow
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Big, big flip tricks
Weaknesses: Maiden voyage
Verdict: Highest, Longest, Most
Follow on instagram @enzo_cautela
aka: Benzo
Age: 18
Hometown: Escondido, CA
Sponsors: enjoi, KR3W, Supra, Pharmacy, Bones, Krux
Status: Flow
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Big, big flip tricks
Weaknesses: Maiden voyage
Verdict: Highest, Longest, Most
Zack Wallin
Follow on instagram @zackwallin
aka: The Foreman
Age: 27
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Sponsors: enjoi, Bohnam, Independent, Pig, Bones bearings, Mob grip, Remind insoles
Status: Pro
KOTR Experience: enjoi 2013
Strengths: Gaps, handshakes, hammers
Weaknesses: Getting super silly
Verdict: This panda packs a punch
Follow on instagram @zackwallin
aka: The Foreman
Age: 27
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Sponsors: enjoi, Bohnam, Independent, Pig, Bones bearings, Mob grip, Remind insoles
Status: Pro
KOTR Experience: enjoi 2013
Strengths: Gaps, handshakes, hammers
Weaknesses: Getting super silly
Verdict: This panda packs a punch
Dan Stolling
Videographer
Follow on instagram @danstolling
aka: Dad
Age: 25
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Status: Masterlenseman
KOTR Experience: Flip 2014
Strengths: Done it once
Weaknesses: Only done it once
Verdict: Live and learn
Videographer
Follow on instagram @danstolling
aka: Dad
Age: 25
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Status: Masterlenseman
KOTR Experience: Flip 2014
Strengths: Done it once
Weaknesses: Only done it once
Verdict: Live and learn
Carson Lee
Videographer
Follow on instagram @falcor408
aka: Viper
Age: 24
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Status: Juniorlenseman
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Youthful optimism
Weaknesses: Transworld refugee
Verdict: Feet to the flames
Videographer
Follow on instagram @falcor408
aka: Viper
Age: 24
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Status: Juniorlenseman
KOTR Experience: None
Strengths: Youthful optimism
Weaknesses: Transworld refugee
Verdict: Feet to the flames
Joe Brook
Photographer
Follow on instagram @photojoebrook
aka: Fatback
Age: 44
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Status: Masterlenseman
KOTR Experience: Lakai 2011 (won), Alien Workshop 2012 (won), enjoi 2013
Strengths: Intimate knowledge of the van life, teetotaler
Weaknesses: heavy lifting, snack attacks
Verdict: Grin and bear it
Photographer
Follow on instagram @photojoebrook
aka: Fatback
Age: 44
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Status: Masterlenseman
KOTR Experience: Lakai 2011 (won), Alien Workshop 2012 (won), enjoi 2013
Strengths: Intimate knowledge of the van life, teetotaler
Weaknesses: heavy lifting, snack attacks
Verdict: Grin and bear it
James Craig
Team Manager
Follow on instagram @jamescraig24
aka: Cliff
Age: 37
Hometown: Fullerton, CA
Status: TM
KOTR Experience: Blind 2007 (won)
Strengths: Still shreds
Weaknesses: Basketball shorts
Verdict: Party dad
Team Manager
Follow on instagram @jamescraig24
aka: Cliff
Age: 37
Hometown: Fullerton, CA
Status: TM
KOTR Experience: Blind 2007 (won)
Strengths: Still shreds
Weaknesses: Basketball shorts
Verdict: Party dad
-
Atlantic City "SOV Takeover 2025" Event Photos
Ronnie Kessner got Westgate, Neen, Ish, Blake and BOD out to Atlantic City to fire up his hometown crowd. Brave the heat with the best of 'em! -
Vince Guzaldo's "Uprise" Part
Possibly the best ledge skater Illinois has ever produced, Vince presses the Post Office and runs a clinic on Chicago's icy spots for Uprise. -
Slow Impact 2024 Photo Recap
Ryan Lay's second annual Slow Impact event brought visionary thinkers and low-profile dinkers down to Tempe, AZ, for a long weekend. Join in as we check the talks and architecture walks with Ted Barrow, Neen Williams, Ronnie Kessner and the New Balance crew. -
Baker Has a Deathwish Part 2
Sixteen years later and Baker STILL has a Deathwish. Part 2 starts now. -
FP Footwear’s “Sunset Tour” Video
A bowling ball works great for impact testing, but nothing compares to some real-life R-N-D in the streets. Jaws, Neen, Decenzo and Pelka pave the way for newcomer Julian Agliardi in this portrait of Puerto Rican paradise.