Rumors are rumors, but when Kalis is videotaped at the Berrics wearing DGK shirt and hat, it turns some heads. But hey, DGK shirts are dope—even Jamie Thomas wore one at a demo. Harmless, right?

 But credence was given to the rumor mill, once ESPN posted an interview with Kalis himself. So, yeah. Looks like he’s on DGK. Here's a board graphic I found on the internet.

The King of Chicago contest went off this past weekend, and upcoming skaters came up.

Winners

1. C.J. Tambornino

2. Norman Woods

3. Cody Hale

For the full list of winners, check out DC's King Of Chicago site. 

From the press release:

CJ TABORINO CROWNED DC KING OF CHICAGO

$10,000 AND UNPRECEDENTED EXPOSURE FOR

UNSIGNED AMATEUR STREET SKATEBOARDERS

October 12, 2009 – Vista, CA – After two days of skating at one of the city’s most infamous skate spots, CJ Taborino from Minneapolis, MN has been crowned DC King of Chicago. Taking over and restoring the epic street skating grounds of Roberto Clemente High School, DC gave away $10,000 to unpaid, unsigned amateur skaters. See full coverage of the contest including photos and videos at http://www.dcshoes.com/king.

Though the freezing cold weather was discouraging, day one included a large crowd and stoked ams from all over the nation who started by skating a ledge spot with a two-stair. Six jam sessions ensued, but things really started to heat up midway through the comp when DC flipped the spot, moving things to a big long five-stair and a handicap ramp up to a ledge. Slayer replaced hip-hop blaring from the DJ booth and day one was suddenly looking warmer.

“I’ve been here 15 years and the most I’ve seen is a kickflip,” Josh Kalis said about the jump down the big five. That changed on Saturday. Jam one alone saw hardflip, switch ollie, frontside flip, kickflip, switch frontside 360, and a bunch of 3-flips. That doesn’t even count a serious nollie flip in a later heat.

Day two started out with six jam-format heats on a gnarly handicap rail and ledge next to it on the ramp. According to Kalis only a few key tricks had ever been done on it or the ledge next to it, but today the obstacles were open to a whole new set of tricks. 50-50, boardslide, 50-50 180 out, front lip to fakie, front board to fakie, and front blunt to fakie on the handrail. A million tricks ensued, namely a stylish frontside feeble on the rail and overall winner Taborino did a perfect nosegrind nollie flip out.

Day two then moved on to a couple of heavy gaps. The little gap off a wood deck got destroyed, and the big gap over a planter box also got hit hard with 3-flips and a switch flip, to name two. And while a nollie flip down the little gap was impressive, a nollie flip down the big gap was twice as nice.

When the cards fell it was the always-smiling Julian Christianson who took 3rd, Norman Woods from LA taking 2nd, and the tech wizard CJ Taborino from Cal Surf taking the win and the $5,000 that came with it.  He deserved it, especially after his dominant performance on Saturday.

DC also made capital improvements to Roberto Clemente High School, a street spot that’s been skated since the ’80s but has fallen into disrepair. Mending the ground and ledges, DC fixed the spot giving Chicago skaters a newly refurbished street spot to skate for years to come.

Special thanks to all the locals and skate shops that made DC King of Chicago a success. The local Chi-Town skate scene with its positive attitude and the incredibly supportive Chi-community clearly appreciates skateboarding.

For more on the DC King of Series plus photos, videos and complete coverage from Chicago visit http://www.dcshoes.com/king.

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About DC:

Founded by Ken Block and Damon Way in 1993, DC quickly grew to a leader in performance skateboarding shoes and renowned action sports brand. Today DC stands as a global brand whose product line has expanded to include men’s, women’s and kids’ skateboarding and lifestyle shoes, apparel, snowboards, snowboard boots, outerwear, and accessories.

As one of the cornerstones of its marketing strategy, DC has built a world-class team of professional skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, motocross and rally athletes that exemplify and enhance DC’s brand, develop its signature products, and support its promotional efforts. DC is a subsidiary of Quiksilver, Inc.

The folks at DC just launched a new skate web zine, called 7ZINE, and it's Kalis approved. Check it out. 

 From The Press Release:



DC LAUNCHES NEW SKATE WEBSITE - DC 7ZINE

February 3, 2010 – (Vista, CA) – DC announces the launch of the DC 7Zine website today. The DC 7Zine allows visitors to experience a unique behind the scenes look at DC’s Skate Team, both on and off the job as a professional skater. Check it out now at http://www.dc7zine.com.

The DC7Zine is the go to place for exclusive interviews, videos, product reviews and shop profiles for DC key retailers. Visitors will also get a glimpse into the lives of the DC Team through segments highlighting Josh Kalis’ travels around the world, Ryan Smith’s love of bikes, and Lindsay Robertson’s culinary expertise, to name a few. And with the timeless archive from photographer Mike Blabac’s, skate fans of all kinds will find something for them. 

“The DC 7Zine is tight,” said DC pro skater Josh Kalis.  “It gives a wide variety of avenues to see the more personal and comedic side to the DC team and friends.” 

Visit http://www.dc7zine.com/watercooler/kalis-dc7zinecom-intro/ to check out Kalis giving a walk through of the site. 

DC 7Zine.com will be updated daily and will be offered in two different versions.  A digital version that can be viewed at http://www.dc7zine.com and a printed version will available at select key DC Retailers quarterly.



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About DC: 
Founded by Ken Block and Damon Way in 1993, DC quickly grew to a leader in performance skateboarding shoes and renowned action sports brand. Today DC stands as a global brand whose product line has expanded to include men’s, women’s and kids’ skateboarding and lifestyle shoes, apparel, snowboards, snowboard boots, outerwear, and accessories.
 
As one of the cornerstones of its marketing strategy, DC has built a world-class team of professional skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, motocross and rally athletes that exemplify and enhance DC’s brand, develop its signature products, and support its promotional efforts. DC is a subsidiary of Quiksilver, Inc.

The DC team is heading up to NorCal later this month for the Tonik Drink Up Tour. No, they aren't launching a new energy drink, the Tonik is a shoe. Check the flyer for details, or go HERE.

From The Press Release:

DC announces the DC Tonik Drink Up Tour. Josh Kalis, Nick Dompierre, PJ Ladd, Ryan Smith, Lindsey Robertson, Wes Kremer, Matt Miller and Evan Smith will be touring Nor Cal between Feb 27 – March 7. At each stop DC will be giving out product, sign autographs, skating and giving away a limited number of DC’s new shoe – Tonik S. So mark it on your calendars, bring your board and skate with DC Team Riders.