“Travel is nothing without coming home and telling stories. You know the stories, the kind that are horrible at the time, but hilarious when you look back on them. We managed to gather a few on this voyage to South America, but like they say, whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. Although, I think the stress nearly killed our good friend and guide Diego Casal, or at the very least, decreased his life span significantly. I should say now, the only reason we came out alive is because of him. He took on the near impossible task of being our tour guide for a month. I don’t think even he knew how hard it was going to be. Nevertheless Diego was driver, translator, historian and counsellor for us, and he did a damn good job.

Like every good tour, it came together on a whim. Self-proclaimed King of Welly Fred Shallcrass came to me with the idea of heading to the meat-eating capital of the world. So we gathered a posse. There was no way Dave Read was going to miss out on this trip, even with a three-month-old girl at home. Harry Culy signed on, along with Josh Gemmell and we managed to get Adam Wharekawa on board two days out from departure. We had no plans; the only thing we knew was that our plane was arriving in Buenos Aires and Diego might be there. Off we went, and we were digesting bovines in no time.” Jake Mein. An excerpt from the article Barbecues and Breakdowns from Manual Magazine issue 45, March 2012.

Arge Barge is a compilation of Super 8 and HD footage shot while on a month long tour through Argentina and Brazil during October and November 2011.

Super 8 footage by Harry Culy and HD footage by Josh Gemmel, Jake Mein and David Read. Graphics and edit by Fred Shallcrass.

Featuring: Diego Casal, Josh Gemmell, Harry Culy, Fred Shallcrass, Horacio Agustin Cardama, Ladas Amarilla, Ian Preut and Murilo Peres.

We bring you part 3 of the Vamos Argentina trip, from Mar del Plata we made tracks back to Buenos Aires where we dropped off Dave Read and Adam Wharekawa, Brazil was next on the list.

Here’s the first installment from Manual‘s Argentine excursion. We arrived this past Sunday and Diego Casal has been showing us around the endless sprawl of Buenos Aires. Enjoy the pics, more soon.

Backside ollie transfer at Pukerua Bay skate park.

This week Friday Photo brings you the lofty stylings of Diego Casal.

Mr Casal is up for some Turkey, and takes his coffee with sugar.

Date of birth?
31-01-1981

Where are you from?
San Bernardo, Patido de la Costa, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Where are you currently and why?
Pirie St. I have been traveling around the world for a few years and I arrived in NZ like six years ago. I chose Wellington to live because I met a whole bunch of good quality people here who think the same way I do and I’m just chilling with the friends I’ve met. And we’ve got a pretty gnarly bowl.

Lovely people that give you stuff are?
Craig Harris and all the brothers at Boarder Distribution, the crew at Cheapskates in Wellington for hooking up the deals, anybody in Wellington that got me a job to pay the bills, all the brothers that help me to fix the yellow submarine and big thanks to the bowl crew for been generous with the Hollandia.

Favourite movie quote?
“Say hello to my little friend” – Scarface.

Transfer, Picton. Photos: David Read.

Favourite beverage?
Hollandia. Coffee with sugar definitely. Anything with sugar does the job. Oh, and Hollandia.

Favourite skate video when you were a grommet?
Powell – Suburban Diners. First skateboarding VHS I ever bought. I traveled 300kms to buy that sucker.

Favourite skate photo of all time:
Jamie Thomas cover of Thrasher mag doing a melon.

Song with the highest playcount in your iTunes?
The Reasons – Black Train Jack.

Favorite thing to do when not skateboarding?
Doobing with a bunch of doobers and chill.

Blunt to fakie, Murchison. Photo: David Read.

Funniest clip on youtube is:
Reggie watts – Why shit so crazy

One spot/skate park for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Shanghai SMP super park. Never been there but it looks AMAZING!

One trick for the rest of your life?
Roll ins on anything, doesn’t matter what it is.

Where will skateboarding be in 10 years?
The biggest cities, the smallest towns, in everyone’s backyard…

Pro you wanted to be when you were a kid?
The Butcher

Rock to fakie, Pukerua Bay. Photo: David Read.

Skater that inspires you the most now
Too many to name. Everybody who actually skates with me, everybody who picks up a board and takes a few pushes. All the wellington crew.

Skateboarding in New Zealand needs?
Nada. Maybe more events and a mega ramp? I know a few people that would be amped on it!

Predictions for next year?
Everybody turns up at the Ghetto Spot and we build New Zealand’s burnside.

Feeble fakie. Photo: Sege Trivero.

The D’enry is back with Vol 5 of the Gale Force saga. Best episode yet??

Harbour City Lurkers proudly present their first monthly video offering, direct from the streets of Wellington to your mind. The Gale’s blowing…