Photo: Glory Bound

Some of the new goodsMike Vallely, a pro skateboarder since 1987, has quit the Element team to found his own skateboarding company. He will collaborate with Jason Filipow as Creative Director to launch a variety of skateboarding goods, beginning with a deck entitled "DIY or DIE." The board features a three-color silk screened graphics and 7 ply Maple Construction and will enter a limited-edition production run of 125 pieces.

In a good move of timing, Vallely is about to embark on the 25-stop American Glory Bound Tour, which kicks off July 18 in Mesa, Arizona. Along the way, he will ride the "DIY or DIE" board, which will be available for purchase at every stop on the tour.

About the "DIY or DIE" concept, Vallely says, The DIY spirit that has driven me as a skateboarder and as a professional skater hasn t always lined up through the years with the reality of who my sponsors happen to be. It s always been something that has weighed heavily on my mind. My own independence in skateboarding has been crippled at times by the demands and whims of my sponsors. I m just not interested in that game anymore. It s simply time for me to put my money where my mouth is and to truly do my own thing.

About Jason Filipow, he says, "Through my years of knowing and working with Jason, he and I have really connected. In many ways, By The Sword is just an actualization of the conversations Jason and I have had about skateboarding and how much we love and value it. To us, skateboarding is still a sacred, ritual act. We want our products to speak of and represent these ideals.

Read the full press release, with more information about the collaboration and future plans.

Also check out the By the Sword Skateboarding website for more updates.