AV RapidWeld Pro
Av Rapidweld
The AV RAPIDWELD PRO features DURACAP™ underlays, RAPIDWELD™ stitchless uppers and UltraCush™sock liners to provide unrivaled durability for high impact performance. UltraCush™ Lite sockliner and fused canvas and suede.
Pro Skate Performance
Vans' polyurethane-based ULTRACUSH™ HD footbed keeps the foot close to the board, yet won't pack out over time—providing our highest level of IMPACT cushioning.
The added DURACAP rubber reinforcement underlays in high-wear areas are engineered to withstand the abuse of Vans Pro Skate, and by providing lasting durability, save everyday skateboarders time and money.
Apparel Collection
"For a lot of younger dudes AVE is someone to look up to. He works really hard, he really gives a shit about what he's putting out and he's a good dude. I've looked up to him ever since I first started skating. He was the first dude I tried to emulate. I saw him do a switch back nosegrind over the back of a ledge in an old Transworld video. My dad had built me a box in my driveway and I rushed home and tried to learn backside nosegrinds over the back of my ledge because of him."
—Gilbert Crockett
Van Engelen, a San Diego native, spent six months of his formative teenage years living in Russia without a skateboard. More than anything, it made him really appreciate skateboarding and he returned to the USA on a mission, turning pro four years later. Regardless of the era in skateboarding, AVE has always exuded a natural, raw style on his board -- he's like a bull charging at everything in his path. Van Engelen began riding for Vans in '05 and in '09 was honored by Transworld SKATEboarding with the Best Video Part of the Year award for his part in Alien Workshop's "Mind Field." In 2013, he and Jason Dill starting making boards through Jason's longtime brand, Fucking Awesome. AVE is a certified --and certifiable -- classic.
Interview with Chris Nieratko
WHAT'S THE BEST TRIP YOU'VE EVER BEEN ON?
Miami in 2000. We were partying and skating our balls off with Freddy [Gall]. It was an epic trip on all levels; I don't know how anyone could stay out partying all night and still get that much shit done, but we did.
FAVORITE VANS RIDER?
Everybody.
WHAT TRICK CAN'T YOU DO THAT YOU WISH YOU COULD?
Kickflip. I'm serious.
LAST GOOD BOOK YOU READ?
I don't really read. I guess the last book I read half of was The Power of Now. It's on Oprah's Book Club so I had to read it.
WHAT ARE SOME INTERESTS/HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF SKATING?
Surfing and that's about it. I'm pretty boring.
