Bastien Salabanzi has officially left Cariuma and signed with Lakai Footwear, marking his return to a brand with deeper roots in traditional skateboarding culture.
The move comes as part of a major shift at Lakai, following the announcement that filmmaker and skater Luis Mora is now running the company with the new CEO Marc Roca.
Mora has taken over ownership from Rick Howard and Mike Carroll - two names who helped shape Lakai into what it became over the past two decades.
With their departure, Mora has wasted no time putting his own stamp on things, including revamping the team lineup.
One of the first major additions is none other than Salabanzi, a skater known for his tech-heavy style and raw talent since first turning heads in the early 2000s.
The timing feels right. Salabanzi, who has skated for a variety of brands over the years, seemed like an unexpected fit with Cariuma’s environmentally-conscious image.
With Lakai getting a fresh start under new leadership, this new chapter might be more aligned with his skating and his personality.
To kick things off, Lakai just dropped a new promo titled “Lakai in Tokyo”, featuring Bastien alongside other new faces.
The edit captures them skating through the streets of Japan, with a mix of tight lines, crusty spots, and solid clips that show the team coming together.
It’s too early to tell exactly where Mora plans to take Lakai next, but with Bastien on board and a new video already live, it’s clear he’s not wasting time.
Check out the video below!