Emerica's Stay Gold Review

There is no doubt everyone in the skateboarding world had high expectations for Emerica’s newest film Stay Gold, with a line up consisting of some of the biggest names in skateboarding, over 5 years worth of footage, and the previous success of This is Skateboarding, its release date was marked on every skateboarders calendar. It was difficult not to watch leaked footage or download a copy off the internet, but I wanted to sit down and experience the full film unspoiled. It was also announced around the time of release, that this video marked Heath Kirchart’s retirement from skateboarding, something that defiantly caught me off guard.

Brian Westgate has the opening part, and defiantly pulls his weight as one of the biggest up and comers in skateboarding. His pop is unreal, doing tricks down stairs, as well as up them. Brian’s part ventures off of the heavy stair and handrail tricks, you would expect from an Emerica video and gives the video a bit more variety. He has blistering fast lines, as well as huge one trick bangers.

Brian Herman was defiantly a crowd favourite coming into this film, he has been one of my favourite skaters since the days of Baker 3. His part is split into two “sections” starting with a sort of intro, where he puts together technical and incredibly stylish lines, using school picnic tables. In the second part, is where it’s all out. Stairs, handrails and gaps, and Bryan absolutely kills it, bringing out tricks that no one can do better than him, such as his giant Nollie Inward Heels and Hardflips.

Canadian skateboarder Jamie Tancowny, is relatively new to the skateboarding big screen and in this video he had a lot to prove. Opening the part with a gnarly slam attempting a front board on a burly handrail, Jamie says screw it and goes back to stick a mind blowing front bluntslide, proving he’s here to go big or go home. Throughout his part he racks up a ton of handrail tricks and hucks his body down countless stair sets. “Baby Jamie” defiantly does Canada proud.

The Closing part was given to none other than, the boss man, Andrew Reynolds. For me this was the most anticipated part of the whole video. At the age of 33 Reynolds is considered an old man in the skateboarding industry, who typically should be retiring or making the transition out of the lime light. But age doesn’t seem to be affecting Reynolds at all. He’s come out bigger than ever, topping video part after video part. This part was absolutely mind blowing, with tricks that make you pause and rewind. You’ll have to watch the part over to get a full grasp of what you just saw. Reynolds makes good use of his best tricks like the ever classic frontside flip and arsenal of fake kickflips. His ending trick is in my opinion the best kickflip ever done.

Overall Stay gold is without a doubt worth every last cent. The editing is great it amplifies the experience without overpowering it and taking away from the skateboarding. The song choices for each part are killer and complement each part. Unfortunately Heath Kirchart doesn’t have a part in the main feature, but there is a hidden montage consisting of a lot of old footage in the DVD menu. It also would have been nice to see Ed Tempelton get more space on the DVD, skateboarding or not. With that being said Stay Gold is a must have for any skateboarder.