{"id":92957,"date":"2022-09-21T12:50:18","date_gmt":"2022-09-21T19:50:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/juicemagazine.com\/home\/?p=92957"},"modified":"2022-10-23T17:59:24","modified_gmt":"2022-10-24T00:59:24","slug":"shota-kubo-goes-pro-for-dogtown-skateboards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/juicemagazine.com\/home\/shota-kubo-goes-pro-for-dogtown-skateboards\/","title":{"rendered":"Shota Kubo Goes Pro for Dogtown Skateboards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Shota Kubo Goes Pro for Dogtown Skateboards… Words by Dan Levy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogtown is a place born from the vestiges of disrepair, including the remnants of the infamous Pacific Ocean Park Pier. What was once a family friendly amusement epicenter turned into a playground for a very different surf skate family whose unwitting impact on the world is still felt till this day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surfing, as an activity, relies on the majestic unpredictable power of the ocean and P.O.P. was where the surf skate style seed was planted in the lexicon of skateboarding culture. It was more than a surf break. It was a performance-based proving ground that was all about aggression, attitude, passion, pride, and the pure drive to get the perfect wave amidst an atmosphere of danger and chaos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shogo Kubo in Juice Magazine #73. Photo by Ted Terrebonne and Bill Sharp.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Steeped into the sacred grounds of Dogtown are the unwritten laws of the streets and there are those who are unofficially elected to uphold and enforce them. From the outside looking in, it would appear danger and chaos rule the sacred grounds in skateboarding tradition and rites of passage are a guiding force. You have to earn it every day in Dogtown and making it to the head of the pack comes with more than just being good on a board. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jay Adams and Shogo Kubo. Photo by Ted Terrebonne<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dogtown is, in many ways, chaos theory personified, and Shogo Kubo was one of Dogtown\u2019s most stylish pioneers. As one of the original Z-Boys of the Zephyr Competition Team, Shogo dominated throughout the \u201970s and into the \u201880s, from West to East. As Jay Adams explained, \u201cShogo Kubo was one of the greatest skateboarders of all time.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shogo Kubo and Chris Strople at Milpitas, California, 1979. Photo \u00a9 Jim Goodrich<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Shogo Kubo was the epitome of style, and he made you always want to be your best around him. The thing about Shogo was that he could be completely wild and crazy and calm at the same time and his demeanor always commanded respect in any situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shogo Kubo Juice Magazine Cover #73. Photo by Bill Sharp.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After moving to Hawaii, Shogo continued to surf and skate and got married to his wife, Michiyo, and they had two kids \u2013 his daughter, Meagan and his son, Shota. Shogo\u2019s skateboarding style and Dogtown legacy is now being carried on through his son, Shota Kubo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shota Kubo in Surf Skate Style Story in Juice Magazine #75. Photo by Mako Osaki. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Shota Kubo<\/strong> skates like a terrain assassin with calculated and precise control of his weapon constructed of pressed maple veneers emblazoned with the mark of Dogtown. Built from the grit of the streets, the mark of the skate warriors who shed blood and pioneered the surf skate style of Dogtown only bequeath the mark to those who earn it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jeff Ho, Shota Kubo, Christian Hosoi, Ivan Hosoi with photo of Shogo Kubo in the background. Photo by Dan Levy.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On September, 16, 2022, Shota Kubo was knighted into an elite club by the founding statesmen of skateboarding, forever cementing his life\u2019s work into the distinction of merit we define as Dogtown. While Shota\u2019s father, Shogo, was being honored with a tribute skateboard to celebrate his contributions to our culture, Shota was unknowingly about to hit a milestone very few achieve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jim Muir and Jeff Ho at Common Space Brewery in Hawthorne, CA. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Jim \u201cRed Dog\u201d Muir<\/strong>, founder and fearless leader of Dogtown Skateboards and maestro of surf skate culture, hosted what was to become one of the most significant nights in skateboarding history with the presentation of the Shogo Kubo tribute board. The artwork created to celebrate Shogo was emitted with heart and soul by the legendary artist, Axis, who honored this opportunity by bringing some of his best work to date, respecting the traditions on which Dogtown was built. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pat Ngoho at Common Space. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional style of talk story, Aaron \u201cFingers” Murray, Pat Ngoho, Pops Hosoi, Lonny Hiramoto, Christian Hosoi, <\/strong>and Jeff Ho<\/strong> all paid tribute with speeches in honor of Shogo, sharing experiences from their time together. This tradition of sharing culture is in the DNA of surfing and skating that we guard and cherish, and this night of celebration and respect further enriched the moments that followed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eric Dressen, Jim Muir, Shota Kubo, Christian Hosoi, Lance Dalgart, Pops Hosoi. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Eric Dressen<\/strong>, who is undeniably one of the best skaters to rise from the gritty streets to a globally recognized force in skateboarding, took to the stage to the soundtrack of admiring applause by the incredible crowd on hand. Under the cloak of what was thought to be a tribute speech about Shogo Kubo, Eric began to speak as Shota unsuspectingly stood behind the stage listening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eric Dressen, Jim Muir, Shota Kubo and Lance Dalgart. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With one sentence, Eric changed Shota\u2019s life forever with the ultimate surprise simply saying, \u201cWe are not only here to honor Shogo Kubo and the new board release and beer, we are here to celebrate his son, Shota Kubo \u2013 continuing the family legacy, the new Dogtown pro, Shota Kubo!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shota Kubo, Jim Muir, Christian Hosoi. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the crowd erupted with cheers of validation, Jim Muir held a skateboard over his head and Shota stood speechless and in total shock, as he was honored with the well-deserved status of pro skater for Dogtown Skateboards. As Red Dog stated, \u201cI want to personally tell you how much I love Shota Kubo. He\u2019s family and I am so proud to have the honor to give him this pro model skateboard.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mark Oblow, Pops Hosoi, Shogo Kubo, Lance Mountain, Shark Dog, Christian Hosoi, Jim Muir, Classic Hosoi, Lonny Hiramoto, Kelly Jackson. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While Shota\u2019s face displayed elation, his eyes told the story of years of hard work paying off and a sense of focused determination confirming that he is ready for more and looking forward to what\u2019s to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shota Kubo. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Shota has not had it easy in his path to validation. The passing of his father in 2014, sent him on a journey of self discovery that led Shota from Hawaii to California, where we were lucky enough to experience the beginning of this chapter of his life that would lead to this night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pops Hosoi, Classic Hosoi, Christian Hosoi. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Shota is amazingly talented and honors the traditions of Venice by bringing all he has every time he rides and constantly improving every session with a devout determination that brings his skating to levels many hope to achieve. Shota Kubo is a name that will continue to define what it means to be Dogtown and his legacy will be uniquely his own and we are proud and honored to have been in attendance for his knighthood into the elite status of Dogtown Pro. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mark Oblow, Pops Hosoi, Shota Kubo, Lance Mountain, Christian Hosoi, Jim Muir, Classic Hosoi. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the words of his father, Shogo Kubo, \u201cStyle is everything,\u201d a statement which helped define the Kubo legacy and the culture of skateboarding that resonates in the skating of Shota today. In the words of Shota Kubo, \u201cIt seems like the only way to get through it is by helping each other. If you help everyone, everyone will help you back and it\u2019s all good,\u201d and we agree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pops Hosoi, Shota Kubo, Christian Hosoi, Classic Hosoi. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Congrats to Shota Kubo for going Pro AF for Dogtown and helping to build on the traditions of skateboarding. The Kubo legacy will continue to be celebrated with Shota’s selfless approach and one of a kind warrior style now and into the future. We can\u2019t wait to see what Shota contributes to skateboarding with the officially earned title of professional skateboarder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shota Kubo with his new Dogtown Skates pro model. Photo by Dan Levy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Saska Neil, Bennett Harada, Jeff Ho, Glenn Stallings, Andy Curl, Shota Kubo, Alex Curl, Christian Hosoi, MadDog Henderson, and Terri Craft. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Brian Brannon and Lance Dalgart. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Jim Muir and Shota Kubo. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Rick Kosick and Eric Britton. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Jeff Ho, Glen Stallings, Dave Duncan, Brian Brannon, Shark Dog. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lonny Hiramoto. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Endo, Lance Mountain and Shark Dog. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Shota Kubo, Jim Muir, Christian Hosoi. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Steve Olson and Shota Kubo. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Jeff Ho, Dave Duncan, Terri Craft, Shark Dog. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Cholo of Scum Skates and Bunk. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Shota Kubo with his new pro model Dogtown Skateboard. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Shota Kubo, Jim Muir, Christian Hosoi. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Axis and Shark Dog. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Aaron “Fingers” Murray and Dave Duncan. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Shota Kubo, Pat Ngoho, Christian Hosoi. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Axis and Shark Dog. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Christian Hosoi, Shota Kubo, Lonny Hiramoto, Bennett Harada. Photo by Dan Levy @juicedan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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