I love how there’s a shoe designed for every activity that somehow allows the user to perform at optimum levels. Whether it’s leisure, extreme or any scenario in between, relax and let the shoe’s ergonomics deal with the situation at hand.
My promising breakdancing career ended tragically when I was 13 and it was out of sight out of mind until I found this ad from 1984. Now the nightmares are back and they always start the same way: it’s my turn to represent during a heated break battle. So heated that a real fight almost breaks out… but never actually does. My best move was the moonwalk and I could do it better than Neil Armstrong. It was super smooth M.J. style, not wack choppy like most of the biters. We flipped the tape in the ghetto blaster (sadly auto-reverse had yet to be invented) and it was go time.
My move was working like a charm. My lower extremities functioned like a well oiled machine while my uppers were business as usual. Then I took one wrong turn and ventured off the mat on to rough concrete. My soles had way too much traction making it impossible to make the necessary adjustment resulting in a sprained Achilles. After numerous failed comeback attempts all that is left of my career is this vintage breakdancing photo taken seconds before the accident.
I can’t help but think if I was wearing these VANS, I would still be breakdancing today.
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March 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Wicked story (and storytelling)!
And you’re definitely right about the moonwalk: Gotta make it smoove!
October 13th, 2009 at 9:14 am
I have been looking for anything linked to Vans Breakers for a couple of years now. I was a member of the vans breakers back in 1984. I was 4 years old so i dont have too many memories but i do remember a few things. I have photos and about a 4 minute video of me breaking at studio k with vans back when Byron Allen was the host. Its great to see stuff like.
thanks
November 1st, 2009 at 2:12 pm
[...] over to Defunkd for a close-up image and for more [...]
November 7th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Where can I find a size 10 or 11
November 7th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
I see you Carlos! haha, where can I find a 9-10 or 4-5. PLEASE HELP.
Sincerely,
Longing for the Old School.
January 23rd, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Don’t remember no Aaron being in Vans Breakers!!
January 24th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Realy Sentino, If you want I can send you some pics of when we were perfoming at the Angel Stadium or like i said, the footage from Studio K. Do you remember that?
February 25th, 2010 at 12:55 am
Hey Aaron: Whazzup. I was a Vans Breaker too in the 80’s. I was with SCP–Sam City Players from Westminster. I was in the Angel Stadium Show too, for the Boy Scouts of America. If you have any pics, I’d love to see them. I also performed at Studio K and the Anaheim Convention Center for the sporting goods convention. Once, Steve Van Doren took us to Palm Springs to perform for Frank Sinatra’s mother. Drop me a line: Nakasoner@aol.com
February 25th, 2010 at 2:38 am
Wuddup Ryan! Flex-Roc here aka “Kwik” HAHA! Braddah those pics bring back some memories dawg!!! I see Junior Lata, Jay Repina, Crazy Crow and is that me to the left in the front?! So long ago can’t remember! HAHA!!! I too performed a couple times as a Vans “popper” not a breaker, for a bit~ Reprezentin “SCP” Sam City Players! We performed at the Vans store in Westminster on Brookhurst and at Studio K and remember it bein televised! I remember goin to Knott’s when the Snoopy breakdance show was goin on and the New York City Breakers were performing and after the show we battled them… went toe to toe with Mr. Wave!!! HAHA!!! And we battled them at the “K-DAY” event too! And remember Grand Central Station in Long Beach! HaHa! Good times! Mand wish there were more pics!
May 2nd, 2010 at 10:58 pm
yea man..vans breaker a.k.a sam city players str8 from santa ana california.where it all started at pop lockin and all at jerome park.yea i wuz an affiliate also but i wuz a youngster but my brother felix leuta wuz part of this whole movement when it all started,with some of the other polynesian’s brothaz like crazy crow who battled boogaloo shrimp and took him out not ounce but twice,also remember old world to.man alot of memories come to mind everytime i hear something about this.remember it like it wuz yesterday.lol..i jus wish there were some old video footage or more pics,i know somebody must got some.come on it was the begining of a new error and buisiness vans,in orang county..well if somebody got pics or old video footage it would b real cool to check them out..word up peace.(S.C.P)4liferz
May 2nd, 2010 at 11:01 pm
OH YEA HOW CAN I GET SOME OF THEM VANS BREAKER SHOES SIZE 13.LOL..//IF U COULD GET ME SOME I’LL BUY 3 PAIRS.
June 12th, 2010 at 3:58 am
Hello, here’s the deal how can I get my hands on a pair of these shoes? The picture of the guy on these shoes is my uncle. I’ve contacted Vans and asked if there was anyway I can get a hold of a pair, but they were unable to help me.