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Vans First Layer – Japan: Full Edit + Gallery

[Ello ello. Will Smith gets ready to drop. Photo: Matt Georges]

Last winter, Vans embarked on the production of a series of shorts under the First Layer umbrella, documenting their team, their travels and, naturally, the crew’s stellar riding wherever they went.

The first First Layer to drop was the Japan section, where a crew of the Vans Euro rippers divided and conquered both the pow and the streets. Sami Luhtanen, Will Smith, Cees Wille and Benny Urban traversed the land searching for urban spots, while Nils Arvidsson, Valérian Ducourtil, Markus Keller and DBK linked up with some Car Danchi locals to tear up the pow. Our photographer Matt Georges was lucky enough to shadow both crews, and has prepared this photo essay of his time in the Land of the Rising Sun last winter…

Sami Luhtanen stacked many bangers on the urban leg of the trip, and this classic Method on an unnatural hip was one of them. Photo: Matt Georges

Will Smith brought his disco moves to the party. Photo: Matt Georges

Nils Arvidsson found plenty of pow to send himself into. Photo: Matt Georges

This imposing wallride to wallride didn't phase Cees Wille. Photo: Matt Georges

Cees. Photo: Matt Georges

Benny. Small in Japan. Photo: Matt Georges

All that fresh snow allowed Nils to crank his gnarlometer up to 11. Front 10 Double. Photo: Matt Georges

Front 3 barrier hop from Markus Keller. Photo: Matt Georges

Keller's room had a view. Alas it was straight at Matt. Photo: Matt Georges

Front lipper across the dam door from Sami. Photo: Matt Georges

Mmmmmarkus Keller deep in the whiteroom. Photo: Matt Georges

If back lips were called Bennys, this could be an urban Benny. Photo: Matt Georges

Nils Arvidsson kindly performed a spot of topiary for the locals. Photo: Matt Georges

With epic conditions the only pressure felt was by Japanese architecture. Cees styles a wallie tailpress revert switch 50-50. Photo: Matt Georges

It's safe to say they scored on the backcountry leg of the trip. Valerian sooo pitted. Photo: Matt Georges

Avalanche barriers: great at reducing avalanche destruction and making snowboard photos interesting. Valerian Ducourtil. Front 3. Photo: Matt Georges

Party wave! Mob shred with the Car Danchi boys. Photo: Matt Georges

Will Smith tamed this beastly length with a back 1 switch 50-50. Photo: Matt Georges

DBK knows which way is down already, thanks. Photo: Matt Georges

#nofilter #polaroid #blessed #guiltfree #vintage Yes, you can follow @matt_georges on Instagram.

Benny Urban has millions of style. Boardslide up to wallride. Photo: Matt Georges

Will Smith is big in Japan. And his minishred game is on point. Photo: Matt Georges

Yama San. Photos: Matt Georges

Sami Luhtanen is a machine. Heavy front blunt 450. Sequence: Matt Georges

Sharkyboy's Car Danchi life. Photo: Matt Georges

Shapers! Get lazy by just planting loads of trees and hoping it snows as much as it does in Japan. Valerian Ducourtil takes advantage of Japan's natural funpark. Front 5. Photo: Matt Georges

Luckily Benny Urban didn't have to hit 50 or overtake anyone to nail this switch front board to bank or he'd have been totally busted. Photo: Matt Georges

Will Smith making clacks. 5-0 back 1 out in Japan. Photo: Matt Georges

A lot of Japan's pow terrain is right off the side of a road. Parking might be a problem but you think Valerian cares? He does not. Photo: Matt Georges

Sami wears protection. Photo: Matt Georges

Will Smith SENDING it on the unnatural hip. Photo: Matt Georges

Benny Urban's Vans First Layer ender from behind. Photos: Matt Georges

Like a bridge over trouble waters, I will press and then back 1 thee down. Photo: Matt Georges

Topics:

benny urban Cees Wille DBK First Layer Markus Kelle Nils Arvidsson sami luhtanen valerian ducourtil Vans First Layer will smith

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