it was time for me to make a move and do what I wanted to do. With DGK we are into the same things. We can all kick it and skate at the same spot. It’s just more who I am." In October 2015 Geoff Rowley left flip. 2010 onward Following his appearance in the Extremely Sorry video, English skateboarder Ben Nordberg—originally from Bath, Somerset—released his first ever full-length video part for the company in May 2012. Team riders Louie Lopez and Curren Caples were assigned professional status in late September 2013—professional surfer Kelly Slater presented Caples with his first professional skateboard deck model, while Lopez received his first model at a piñata party. Alex Majerus was assigned professional status in early July 2014 and a surprise party was held; Although Rowley could not be present, he spoke with Majerus by telephone during the event. The 3 Flip video project was published on the TransWorld SKATEboarding website on July 21, 2014. Directed and filmed by Saar1, with the assistance of Josh Zucker, the video features Caples, Lopez and Majerus, and was filmed over a period of three months. Cheech and Chong graphic In 2012, Flip released an advertisement entitled "Legalized!", referring to the official licensing that the company had secured for a Cheech & Chong (comedy duo, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong) graphic that had been used, thus far, for a Penny signature model. Rowley explained in 2009: Tom loved Cheech and Chong for obvious reasons. He’s had a bunch of rad ones that he’s brought to Flip. But that one, along with the mushroom board, is probably the most iconic. We winged it at first, then eventually they found out. Cheech Marin was rad enough to continue letting us make the board as long as he got some royalties. So we actually still pay him on a monthly basis. Cheech Marin has been on the Flip payroll since 2000. The text in the 2012 advertisement read: "The officially approved (and legally licensed this time!) Cheech and Chong Tom Penny boards are back.", and in 2009, Rowley stated, "It came out in ’96 and is still one of our best-selling boards today." Awards Five team members (former and current) have won the Thrasher Skater of the Year Award: Bob Burnquist in 1997 (he was sponsored by Anti-Hero at the time), Geoff Rowley in 2000, Arto Saari in 2001, Mark Appleyard