Join Vans on Saturday, October 2 to see skateboarding's top pros and ams shred for their chance at $85,000, as the 5th Annual Downtown Showdown Presented by Rockstar Energy Drink invades Paramount Studios' Back Lot. We've invited top skateboard companies and their riders to submit designs for one of four custom obstacles that will be chosen and built as part of the Showdown course. Those that can't make it to this year's contest can catch a live HD webcast of the entire event, powered by FUEL TV. More info on the 2010 Showdown including riders, obstacles and webcast coming soon!

Win a VIP trip for you and a friend to New York City to attend an exclusive launch party PLUS win a $500 Vans gift card and the complete Vans x MadeMe collection so you can party in style. Mingle with celebrities and designers alike as we celebrate the launch of Vans x MadeMe at the House of Vans in Brooklyn on October 28th. There's more to come soon on this exciting new collab, so be sure to check vans.com/girls on October 6th when we announce the winner and give you a Vans x MadeMe sneak peak. This is going to be one that you don't want to miss - enter now for your chance to WIN!

As Transworld Snowboarding puts it, "The Viking Is Back!" Or so they say in their latest interview with the Norwegian ruler, back in action after a season-ending injury cut his winter short last year. After a nasty fall at the X Games, Vans Snow Team rider Andreas Wiig suffered a severe sprained ankle that sidelined him for over five months. But Andreas is healed and healthy and has been spending some time on the snow this summer, preparing for his return to the elite ranks of shred. Read the full interview to get the details on where he's been, where he's going and what's in store for this season. Congratulations to Andreas for a full recovery, we can't wait to see him on the hill again!

In honor of the release of our first book Off the Wall: Stories of Soul from Vans Originals, Vans asked a group of artists with personal connections to our history to provide their own interpretation of the classic Vans Off the Wall icon. This fall we are excited to present a series of tees featuring artwork from several of the pieces, including designs by Michael Sieben, Blaine Fontana, Taka Hayashi, Grime, Greg "Pnut" Galinsky and Eric Elms.

Its skate clinic time again! If you are a Vans Girl in the 6 - 16 age range and want to learn to skate or sharpen your already stellar skills, then this is for you. We are hosting an all girls skate clinic at the Vans Skateparks in Orange, CA and Orlando, FL on Saturday, September 18th from 8am - 12pm.  The cost is $20 for members or $30 for non-members and both skateparks are taking sign-ups now.

In this heartfelt "Firsthand," FUEL TV looks at X Games Gold Medalist Stephen Murray's life after the crash that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. Take a look at STAY STRONG'S First Annual Dirt Jump Contest, a contest held to support Stephen and other paralyzed athletes. FUEL also dives into Stephen's personal life, meeting his family and learning what it's like to go from a BMX pro to being confined to a wheel chair; his rehabilitation schedule and the mental determination and devotion it takes for someone to overcome the challenges of paralysis. With all that has happened, Stephen still has an incredibly positive perspective on life. You don't want to miss this amazing show, airing multiple times on FUEL TV starting Sunday, September 5th at 5pm PT.

The Vans BMX Team rolls into Albuquerque and shreds a famous ditch with the mountains in the background. Scotty Cranmer throws down his banger at the end of this video, so make sure your seatbelt is buckled when you see him on top of the Vans tour bus!

Skateboarder Magazine captured the Vans Skate Team's Mediterranean vacation to the Greek island of Cyprus in their November issue. Chris Pfanner, Anthony Van Engelen, Alex Olson, Andrew Allen and Keegan Sauder went along for the ride. As a bonus, Andrew Allen cruised down to the mag office in San Clemente to hit the park and shred. Enjoy the video.

The Vans Get Out And Do Something tour stopped by Virginia Beach the other day and just wrapped up the second stop in Newport News, VA yesterday. Next on the schedule, McLean, VA and four cities to follow. Ray Barbee and John Cardiel are having a blast playing music and giving away goodies including Fender guitars, Vans and skateboards. Check out some photos from the road and join them if you are on the East Coast!

After 26 successful years, the Xcel Pro at Sunset Beach, Oahu, which runs from October 28-November 10, will take on a new title sponsor this year, Hawaiian Island Creations, to become the HIC Pro. The HIC Pro will upgrade to an $85,000 ASP-sanctioned 4-star event and will be the final qualifier for the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing that begins November 12. As the final ASP regional contest of the year, it not only crowns the 2010 ASP Hawaii regional champion, but will also qualify six aspiring locals to compete on the world's premier surfing stage: the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. For more details of the event, take a look at Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.