As you know, Ben Raemers passed away earlier this year from suicide. He is and will continue to be missed by everyone who had the chance to meet him, befriend him, or enjoy his skating.
Our close friend Richard Quintero did a good amount of traveling with Ben, and we went on a few trips with him as well, but we only got to experience a glimpse of what he gave the world. Our hearts go out to his friends, family, and anyone whose life he touched.
We felt like we needed to put together something to convey, even in a small way, what it was like to spend time with Ben and enjoy the liveliness he brought with him everywhere. So Richard dug through all his files to find every single thing he’d ever filmed with Ben and create this film in his memory.
Personality can be hard to capture on camera, but Ben’s oozed out of him naturally. He didn’t put on an act to be this fun and funny. It’s just how he was around everybody. As much as you’d want to skate with him, you’d also want to hit the town with him until dawn and keep the good energy going.
Skate with your friends. Talk to your friends. Most of all, tell them you love them. Thank you for always being yourself, Ben. We miss you.
From Lee Berman (CONS TM):
“Ben was like the puppy dog that shit on the rug and you’d try to be mad but end up giving him a treat. He was all-terrain in every sense and went for broke. It was amazing to watch him work his way into trying something. He’d have the whole van laughing by just being himself. He came from from nothing, saw everything, and even though his life was short, he lived three lives in one.”
( If you can contribute, there’s a donation campaign to raise money for charity in Ben’s name.
And if you feel like you need help or just want to talk with someone, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers free, confidential crisis counseling 24/7/365. They’re available by phone [1-800-273-8255] or online. )
Related
-
“PARTS” WITH BRIGHTON ZEUNER
We took a shot in the dark and asked a 16-year-old contest skater what parts she's watching.
-
A SKATE VID SHOT THROUGH A VX1000 VIEWFINDER?
Open skateboards and Colin Read of Mandible Claw get weird.
-
ALLIES: CALDER ZWICKY OF MOMA
A look at Calder Zwicky, the skater who has been working with the Museum of Modern Art over the last decade to incorporate skate-centric programming for the city's youth.
-
WATCH OUR FAVORITE QUARANTINE EDIT SELF-FILMED BY VICTOR CASCARIGNY
An impressive part that proves solo self-filming doesn’t have to look like dogshit.
-
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED: COP CAR RUNS OVER SKATEBOARDER (UNEDITED FULL VIDEO)
We talk with the kids involved and get the full unedited video.
-
YOUR BOY
A skate shop employee's worst nightmare.
-
PREMIERE: “LOCAL EXPRESS” FRIENDS MONTAGE
Check out this friends montage from one of the year's best independent skate flicks. They're probably a lot better than your friends.
-
SHOTGUN BEER BOARDSLIDE
Full beer shotgun + hubba boardslide
Comments
June 24, 2019 3:35 pm
RIP
June 24, 2019 6:28 pm
Talk to someone. There’s more help out there than you think. Just be real with someone. They will surprise you.
Spaceship earth wants you as a passenger.
June 24, 2019 6:47 pm
I have been running a Facebook page for skaters with mental health since last year.. it’s a safe environment for skateboarders to talk to others who are in the same boat, like me…’skateboard Mental Health’ 🙏
June 24, 2019 10:57 pm
Only the good die young
RIP BEN