Share thy Stoke

Safety Longboarding tips for Beginners

noreply@blogger.com (dalejaurigue) — Wed, 28 May 2014 06:15:00 +0000

So when you arrive at a new spot and you are new to the sport, stoked as hell, you probably just roll down the hill with reckless abandon. Well, you may think that this is rad, but safety is your number one priority, not only your own, but for others too. There are
certain protocols (too formal), or checklist to be done to promote safety and responsible skatesmanship (totally made that up) in every skate spot. This is also a way to show the local neighbourhood within that area that we skaters are organized and disciplined. So before doing anything stupid and ending up with road rashes or worse broken bones, make sure to know the following:

1) Check the road

You probably think, “Aww, that’s too time consuming, let’s bomb now.” Well maybe, but regrets don’t come first. So move those lazy legs and start walking, or better if you have a scooter/motorcycle then drive down the road slowly.

Check for stones, cracks, pot holes, rough surfaces, open manholes or drainage canals. Familiarize the turns to know when to slow down and when to tuck.

2) PROPER GEAR!

So, maybe some can’t afford to buy complete gears, but at least have a Helmet (a must). If not then you could borrow from your friend/s and take turns riding down the hill. Better if you have gloves and knee and shoulder pads.

If you have extra cash to spare and you are really aiming to go faster then go full face and leather suit. A 60-70mph crash won’t feel good when you have exposed skin, you want thane lines not skin lines. Also don’t forget to check your gear every run down the hill, you might have some loose straps and you wouldn't want that.

3) Know your lane

Dreaming of having the road for you to shred on your own? That would be the dream. Unless you’re a billionaire who can afford to buy a strip of downhill spot and make it exclusive for longboarding only (that would be another dream). Then stay in the safe lane, the lane where you are heading and where the traffic is heading. This is strongly observed in blind corners.

Enter the corner by going outside but not too much that you are on the opposite lane then going inside and hitting just the tip of the apex. That way you can ensure that you don’t overshoot the turn or end up on the opposite lane with a car speeding towards you. Have a spotter in tight corners if possible, otherwise skate with extra care and mental awareness.

4) Skate within your limits

The only person that could know your limits is you. If you are having second thoughts on riding down the hill, then don’t. The hill won’t go away. Don’t pressure yourself and end up getting hurt. Slowly build your confidence.

I have this friend, when he was still learning the sport; I had him divide the road in sections. The first section would be about 200-300 meters from the receiver (spot where you start to slow down) then skate the first section then as he becomes more confident, I let him move up the hill 200 meters at a time until he reaches the top, took him less than a month to ride confidently from the top to the end. So always practice and try something new, only if you are positive that you can nail it.

So, after all that being said, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy, the dangers come with the sport and being responsible will help you prevent unwanted accidents. That feeling of conquering a hill for the first time just makes you want to beg for more of that adrenaline rush. So enjoy skating and get stoked!

Image sources:

Fashion Skatement (Statement)

noreply@blogger.com (dalejaurigue) — Mon, 26 May 2014 04:20:00 +0000

I know, I know, looking good while skating is such a big issue for you guys. Who would want to look like crap on a photo or video while doing a 100-foot standie? Style is not only applicable to the way you skate it is also relevant in the way you look. Ditch those lame old straight cut jeans and oversized shirts, because making a statement through your skills is good, but add a statement through fashion and you should be killing those photos and video edits.

Most of us would probably prefer the casual look. A Liam Morgan inspired look, putting on those casual buttoned down shirt or a steezy slim fit shirt (just suck up that belly for one run), paired with some chino shorts or some skinny jeans (can also be khaki), and casual vans sneakers, Nike SBs, or some other brand that has same casual vibe in it (I prefer Vans though it’s the most casual of all casuals). Then some cool looking shades to put the icing on the cake, this may be optional though. Here is a prime example on how to look casual yet steezy at the same time:

Source

Then we have the stand-out look. Feeling the need to garner all that attention? Wear them Hawaiian-themed, colourful and vibrant, shirt. Kind of like that Levi Green fashion trend, letting that shirt flap in the wind while nailing those high speed checks and switches. This is the dream of those who like to dress out of the box yet not too far-out of it. Here is a photo of Levi killing it with those colourful printed shirt (almost every look is compatible with the shades).

Them Hawaiian prints are just ultra-steezy.

For those guys who pride their ripped muscles. Then go for the sleeveless tank tops, paired with either shorts or pants. Then some DC kicks, Half Cab or them shoes that are specifically made for skating. This get-up is prone to extreme road rash though. Here we see Ethan digging the tank top and that toe-side check is pretty smooth.

Those shades still killing it.

And for the ultimate fashion skatement, a trip to the thrift shop would give you a lot of cheap options to look as outstanding as you can be. Pick up those large fan hats and those fake moustaches, as well as those huge glasses and cool looking tux or that overcoat. Going all out may work for some but this get-up is not recommended for most people. You could easily look like a coat hanger without the proper judgement on whether you are overdoing it or not. So here is an old video of Patrick and James dressing outrageously yet still pulling it off (both referring to the outfit and the slides):

Source

But seriously, you could wear whatever clothing you like when you go skate. It’s just a matter of choice and whether you are comfortable to what you are wearing. This article is intended to provide an outlook on the fashion trends in longboarding in a fun and interesting way. Of course proper gear is mandatory, the important thing is to enjoy and have fun. Just don’t go bare-naked unless you are confident enough, or you are a masochist who loves road rashes.

Photo Sources:

King of the Hill III

noreply@blogger.com (dalejaurigue) — Sun, 25 May 2014 16:14:00 +0000

The annual King of the Hill, in its third year will be underway this coming May 30 to June 1, 2014 at Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental (It's a 3-day event that will feature the best riders on the country and also one of the gnarliest spots in the Philippines. The event is through a joint cooperation by the Local Government Unit and the Bacolod Longboarding Community.

The event will be kick started by a tour around the Salvador Bendicto's falls followed by social games. On the second day, there will be a tree planting activity to be held in line with the event's advocacy to preserve the environment. Followed by a freeride and slide jam session. The third day will be capped off by the race proper, awarding and socials.

There will be 500 peso registration, that will cover all three days of the event (Inclusive of Event Shirt, 1 Meal, Skate Camp Outdoorshop, Freebies)

Here is the cool, Game of Thrones inspired poster for King of the Hill III:

A gnarly birds-eye-view of the spot:

Look at that hairpin

For pre-registration, please fill in the form.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1P_KARr5DtkgtjD00DY-u6jhvfuTpF4qoJyElyNJZjmM/viewform

For inquiries please contact the following:

Dawn Cuachon +639494264714
https://www.facebook.com/dawn.cuachon

Twinkle Moises +639178158180
https://www.facebook.com/psychodollrica

Stretch before you Shred

noreply@blogger.com (dalejaurigue) — Fri, 23 May 2014 03:42:00 +0000

This is a very important, yet often an overlooked and forgotten routine by skaters. Most amateur longboarders, like me, often take stretching for granted and go on skating without doing it, not knowing that we are adding more risk of injuring ourselves to an already risky sport.I learned the importance of stretching and warm-up exercises the hard way. Last November, I tore my ACL while playing ultimate Frisbee. Although my injury was not caused directly by longboarding
but all those shredding and pushing added up to the wear and tear which eventually led to my injury, and recovering from an injury is no easy task.

So whether you are just going for a stroll around the city or you are bombing and shredding a hill, it is very important to stretch those muscles before and after, just like any other physical sport. You never know when you might fall of the board and land awkwardly, and because skateboarding is an extreme sport, always wear proper protective gear, I repeat always. So to reduce the risk of having serious injuries, here are some stretching exercises that you can do to loosen your muscles and warm up your body:

Neck Side Stretch

Stand or sit in a comfortable position.
Gently tilt the head to the side, creating a stretch in the opposite side of the neck.
Repeat on the other side.

Front & Back Neck Stretch

Stand or sit comfortably
Gently tilt the head to the forward, creating a stretch in the back of the neck.
Gently tilt the head back, creating a stretch in the front of the neck.

Posterior Shoulder Stretch

Stand straight while maintaining the natural arch in your lower back.
With your shoulders down and relaxed, reach one arm across your chest, parallel to the floor.
With the other arm, place your hand on the elbow.
Gently pull your elbow in toward your chest Hold the stretch for 20 sec.
Relax and repeat on opposite side.

Overhead Shoulder Stretch

Stand straight with your shoulders back, chest out, and feet shoulder width apart.
Raise one arm overhead, bend the elbow, and place your hand behind your neck.
With your other hand, grasp your elbow and gently pull it behind your head. Hold for 20 seconds.
Relax and repeat with opposite arm.

Wrist Flexion Stretch

Hold out your arm with the palm facing down.
Drop the fingers and palm at the wrist.
Grab your fingers with the other hand and pull them towards the body. Hold the stretch for 20 sec.
Repeat for the other hand.

Wrist Extension Stretch

Hold out your arm with the palm facing down.
Bend the fingers and palm at the wrist.
Grab your fingers with the other hand and pull them back and towards the body.
Repeat for the other hand.

Side trunk stretch

Begin with feet slightly apart, and arm pointing overhead, held by the opposite hand.
Keeping your hips stable, bend your torso so that the stretch is felt along your side. Hold the stretch for 20 sec.
Repeat for the other side.

Hamstring Stretch – standing

Place heel of the leg being stretched onto a box or bench that is approximately knee height (this stretch can also be performed with the heel on the floor).
Make sure hips are kept square (ie facing forwards not twisted to the side).
Keep the stretched leg as straight as possible and lean forwards from the hip with buttocks out and back straight.
Do not hunch your back or slouch forward.
Get to the point of a mild stretch and hold.
Repeat for each leg.

Hamstring Stretch - sitting

Sit on the floor with the leg to be stretched extended, and the other leg bent with the foot towards your body.
Reach out with your hands, lean your upper body forward, and bring your chest towards your thigh.
Make sure you don't round the upper back, and your lower back should be slightly curved.
Get to the point of a mild stretch and hold.
Repeat for each leg

Quadriceps Stretch - standing

Clasp your foot behind your body with opposite hand
Pull your foot upwards, and push the knee backward
Contract your abdominals to stabilize the pelvis (do not arch your back).
Press the front hip bone forward and slightly extend the hip. Hold the stretch for 20 sec.
Repeat for each leg

Calf Muscle Stretch

Stand with one leg in front of the other, with both feet pointed forward. Place hands on a wall or similar for support
Keep back knee straight, with the heel pressed to the floor
Push your hips forward, while pressing your back heel to ground. Hold the stretch for 20 sec.
Repeat on each leg

Foot and Ankle Circles

Move your foot and ankle in a circle as large as possible and comfortable without pain and provided you feel no more than a mild to moderate stretch.
Repeat 10 - 20 times provided the exercise is pain free.

Some may think that stretching is a waste of time because you are too eager to skate immediately, you either incorrectly perform the stretch exercises or you don’t perform stretching at all. Honestly, that’s what I did before and look what happened. Don’t wait for the injury to happen, allotting 5-10 minutes of your time for stretching is much better than not being able to skate for 6-8 months. So stretch, wear proper gear, skate safe, have fun and get stoked.

Sources:

http://www.topendsports.com/medicine/stretches/

http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/zi8zeX7LzJg/maxresdefault.jpg

Top 10: Sexy-looking boards

noreply@blogger.com (dalejaurigue) — Wed, 21 May 2014 12:01:00 +0000

Disclaimer: This is not an accurate ranking; it is based on a poll and some of my personal opinion.

10.) Omen Airship

Don’t be fooled by the name. Contrary to actual airships, which are huge, bulging, and slow, this airship is fast, rigid and compact. It sports a one-directional shape with the Accelerated Rocker design that gives it the distinct dropped look and feel. The shape on the tail end gives it an aerodynamic vibe.

Dimensions

Length: 36.5"
Width: 9.5"
Wheelbase: 24.5"-28.5"

Concave: 3D radial concave

Flex: Stiff

Disciplines: Downhill, Freeride, Slide

9.) Madrid Nessie

Another one-directional beast, yeah you heard it right. It’s a beast, but a beautiful beast. It sports those flared wheel wells give it a nice curvy look on the sides and the streamlined shape of the board makes the board feel very formal and elegant and a mellow kicktail to top it all off.

Dimensions

Length: 38.25’’

Width: 9.5’’

Wheelbase: 23.5’’, 24.5’’

Concave: W concave, with flared wheel wells and power orbs design

Flex: Stiff

Disciplines: Downhill, Freeride, Slide, Freestyle

8.) Arbor Vϋgenhausen

The Vϋgenhaussen, James Kelly’s deck of choice is shaped unlike any other board out there. It has a sharp wedge tip on both ends that converges with the gas pedals protruding out. Then it straightens out right to the gas pedal on the other end.

Dimensions

Length: 37”

Width: 9.75”

Wheelbase: 28’’ - 29”

Concave: Mild

Flex: Stiff

Disciplines: Downhill, Freeride, Slide

7.) Landyachtz Wolfshark

The second board on the list to feature gas pedals. Unlike the Vugenhaussen the Wolfshark is one-directional but with the same sharp wedge tip shape on the front end. The sweeping tail end gives it a nice shape. The gas pedal design gives the board a very technical design that adds to its coolness.

Dimensions

Length: 35.8’’

Width: 10’’

Wheelbase: 22.7’’ – 27.7’’

Concave: High W Concave

Flex: Stiff

Disciplines: Downhill, Freeride, Slide

6.) Loaded Vanguard

With its high arching flex and the slimmer board width in the middle that gradual widens right up to both ends gives this symmetrical board a very sleek look. This curvaceous board would be the Kim Kardashian of longboards. Just look at those curves.

Dimensions

Length: 38’’/42’’

Width: 8.5’’

Wheelbase: 31.50" - 35.00"

Concave: Flat

Flex: Flexy

Disciplines: Carving, Cruising, Dancing

5.) Rayne Darkside

This particular deck from Rayne is considered to be a hybrid. The shape is pretty much similar to the Nessie but the concave is what gives the Darkside an edge. Its mean concave gives it a very steep middle thus giving it a sexy look despite the streamline shape.

Dimensions

Length: 36’’

Width: 9.75’’

Wheelbase: 23.5" / 24" or 24.5"

Concave: Mean concave

Flex: Stiff

Disciplines: Downhill, Freeride, Slide, Freestyle

4.) Nelson Stingray KT

One of the more obvious sexy-looking one-directional boards out there. The Nelson KT incorporates curves and kicktails to give the board a definite sleek and curvy shape. It resembles the curves you see on a Ferrari. The mildly flared wheel wells lead up to that sweet kicktail in the back is the benchmark look for most one-directional boards.

Dimensions

Length: 36’’

Width: 9.75’’ (front), 9.625’’ (back)

Wheelbase: 21’’, 22’’ and 23’’

Concave: 9/16" Progressive Concave w/ mild W at the back

Flex: Stiff

Disciplines: Downhill, Freeride, Slide, Freestyle

3.) Landyachtz Tomahawk

It features the commonly adapted bi-directional shape today, a symmetrical shape with mellow kicks on each side. The curving sides also give the board that sexy look and the transition of the length of the body to the shorter kicktails earns it the third spot.

Dimensions:

Length: 39’’

Width: 9.75’’

Wheelbase: 22.7’’ – 25.5’’

Concave: Medium W Concave

Flex: Stiff

Disciplines: Downhill, Freeride, Slide, Freestyle

2.) Sector 9 Daisy

The Daisy looks very sleek and clean. The graphics also defines sexy. This Sector 9 product has the sharp wedge nose then a mellow sweeping back end kicktails. Them kick tails just make them boards very sexy, don’t they? It also has a little sister the Mini Daisy which is smaller and more compact but still looks as sexy as its big sister.

Dimensions

Length: 39.5’’

Width: 9.75’’

Wheelbase: 26.5’’-28.25"

Concave: Mellow Rocker

Flex: Stiff

Disciplines: Downhill, Freeride, Slide, Freestyle

1.) Loaded Tesseract

A cut above the rest and a fan favourite, the Tesseract features a mellow double kick and a masterfully engineered concave. Its shape and construction screams quality and style. The flared wheel wells integrate well with the symmetrical design that dips to a shorter width on both the kicks. The W concave is visible in its underbelly as well as on the top of the board. The intricate curves of the concave and the fine quality construction and shape give this board a well-deserved first place.

Dimensions:

Length: 39’’

Width: 9.5’’

Wheelbase: 24.5’’, 26’’

Concave: W concave

Flex: Stiff

Disciplines: Downhill, Freeride, Slide, Freestyle

So that pretty much sums up my list of the most sexy-looking decks. A special mention to: Arbor’s Backlash, Penny’s Nickel, and Original’s Baffle and Loaded’s Dervish Sama, which are all great looking decks but failed to make it to the top ten. You may comment your own top sexy-looking boards below and your insights and opinions about the boards that didn't make it but you think should be on the list. Cheers!

sources:

City Skate for Better Days…and Nights

noreply@blogger.com (dalejaurigue) — Mon, 19 May 2014 14:29:00 +0000

For others, city skating is probably boring. Yeah I admit I got bored of it at some point but there is just something about city skating that makes me want me to do it again and again. Since I got injured, I have been craving to get back on a board and go city skate, but that can wait if I don’t want to go through that hellish 4 months of early recovery period.
So I rest, but I just can’t help but reminisce those times when I was still learning and we used to city skate a lot all around Dumaguete even reaching neighboring municipalities that are 20 km more or less from point zero.

City skating was all I ever did before I got interested in sliding and going fast. It was a great stress reliever and also great practice for beginners who are still starting to learn how to push properly. It’s also a way to bond with other skaters and learn new things from each other, especially tips and tricks. It’s also a chance to explore the city and the chill spots where other skaters hangout. You could also see boards made by the most resourceful of minds.

Steezy set-up spotted (who needs trucks?)

City skating can be very fun but when the weather comes into play you have to find a way to get stoked. So, there was this one time when the rain poured hard and we couldn’t city skate so we had a makeshift outlaw slide jam on a very busy intersection. Everyone was going crazy and screaming so loud that the cops came to reprimand us. That was very crazy, but I am not encouraging you to do the same…but seriously it was fun and exciting.

I also learned how to always pay attention to where you are going through city skating, the hard way. There was this one night where I was still a newbie and I tend to look back to chat when there was this small stone that hit my wheel and threw me over the board. Fortunately I only had a minor road rash and we went on skating that day and my helmet saved my coco. So always wear a helmet whether it’s just city skating or a freeride/downhill.

Yeah I miss those old times. Whether you are new or old to the sport, city skating is a good way to socialize and communicate to form a stronger bond within our community. Despite all the misunderstanding and prejudice we stand together to do the things we are passionate about.

Header photo link: http://www.overhours.com/?p=6586

Photo Credits: Edz Vergara

Local vs. Foreign: No bias, real talk

noreply@blogger.com (dalejaurigue) — Fri, 16 May 2014 10:53:00 +0000

So the debate goes on, local or foreign products? We bring in longboards and other related stuff in to the frying pan. First let’s look at the pros of each product. Mainstream foreign products are very reliable and have an excellent construction and design build. The foreign manufacturers have easy access to the latest trends and techniques in longboard construction like shaping machines, hydraulic presses and new construction materials other than the usual bamboo and maple construction such as carbon fibre, aluminium and fibre glass to name a few. They also collaborate with different professional skaters to create customized pro models

with exclusive design features depending on the preference of the rider.They also produce a lot of different accessories and gears since there are a bunch of companies that specialize in a specific longboard item. Lastly, the common notion, at least for us Filipinos, that anything foreign is synonymous to quality material.

Local products are not far behind foreign products in terms of quality. They are cheaper than foreign made products but you still get that firm and solid construction for half the price. Local shapers can also create a custom board shape, giving you a pro model of your own. Buying local products can help boost the popularity and reputation of our local shapers and it would also help our economy because the profits circulate within the country. Another pro is that local products have unique designs and construction, every deck is different since most shapers hand craft each board. The emergence of local shapers would mean that we have a lot more options to choose from. I have a friend who is a local shaper and he makes excellent quality boards. Here are some of his finished products:

The Wolverine (100% proudly local made)

The X3 Carbonized Finish

The downside to foreign products is that they are expensive because of the extra tax and shipping fees. The lengths of some boards are designed for taller dudes that are more or less six feet tall. That is why some boards reach up to 42’’ that are way too big for our comfort, bad news for us Filipinos who have an average height of 4 feet 11 inches. I have this Nelson Stingray KT 39 and it was longer than I imagined it would be. I really liked the shape and construction but it was just too long for my stance. Stepping on it felt weird and I have to widen my stance to compensate for the length since I have a compact stance when on my 35’’ Babykiller. This may not be an issue for some because they adapt pretty quickly (damn them naturals), but some would find it difficult to adjust to the length.

Meanwhile local boards lack the mass production capabilities of their foreign counterparts, since most local boards are shaped and constructed in a workshop that couldn't handle immense amount of orders. Maybe this is one reason why local board shapers find it difficult to push their products to mainstream status. Some local boards don’t undergo quality assurance tests which puts its reliability into question. Most local products are limited to decks only; they do not include other parts and accessories such as wheels and trucks. Well, I understand that it takes a lot more effort and engineering wizardry to produce such products but to be able to compete with the big leagues they must be diverse and flexible in terms of their products.

There is no right choice; it all depends on your preference. Next time you plan to buy a new set-up consider searching the internet for detailed reviews and specs about the board, may it be local or foreign as long as you enjoy it and your stoked with it then that board is probably the perfect choice for you. Although supporting local brands will help our local shapers and as well as our country to be recognized, considering the fact that we Filipinos are considered to be pioneers of the longboarding scene in Southeast Asia.

Here some links to the awesome handy works of Rex Lamis:

P.S. he also shapes surfboards too:

https://www.facebook.com/baxtrex/media_set?set=a.684031641614205.1073741886.100000221258226&type=3

Them Sweet Graphics

noreply@blogger.com (dalejaurigue) — Thu, 15 May 2014 14:55:00 +0000

This may not be an essential feature for some, at least in terms of functionality, but it defines the character of the board. Aside from the shape, the graphics give the board a visual temperament and most of the time the graphics reflects the riders personality and style. Let me share a story, when my parents finally agreed to buy me a longboard as a birthday present last October 2012. I was having a hard time choosing my first board. After a long arduous task of searching for board specifications on the net, I have laid out a shortlist of the boards that I have favoured. This list included the Landyachtz Wolfshark 2012, Rayne Babykiller, Comet Grease Hammer, Landyachtz Switchblade 36 and the Rayne Vandal. Among the 5 boards one stood out, the Babykiller with its killer (no pun intended) graphics depicting a god, who I thought was Zeus at first but I think it was Poseidon because he is holding a harpoon or trident thing, demolishing a metropolitan with sheer anger.

My Babykiller back in its hey days

Honestly, I am very particular with board graphics. Graphics always comes right after price. I really admire the artists behind the radical designs on these longboards. Whenever a group of longboarders chill out and stack their boards face down, it’s like an art gallery exhibit on wheels. Each manufacturer has their own style and it also depends on the graphic artists that design them. Let’s take a look at Rayne’s graphic style. Rayne longboards has this distinctive bold powerful colours and apocalyptic theme. They emphasize the outlines of the artwork and because of their signature sublimated artwork, the graphic doesn’t scratch off easily as normal graphic coating. Landyachtz has these comic-bookish and very vibrant colours. Their new models however, sport a clean minimalistic design, kind of like a typographical design. Loaded is known for their wood finish and earthy, geometrical designs. They even took the grip job like it is part of the artwork as their boards have custom grip tape designs. Comet has this quirky, cartoony graphic that uses at most four bright colours. Meanwhile, Sector 9 designs are focused on sexy illustration of ladies that serve as human counterparts of the board (they have sexy girl names for them too). How could I forget Originals’ graphic design, the wild feral design and also minimalist graphics oozes awesomeness that would make you beg just to have it.

What if you could have all of them?

These are just some of the longboard brands that put as much effort into the graphics as with the shape and construction. Longboard graphics are often overlooked because what matters primarily is how the board handles when you go crazy with it, the graphic is just an added bonus but skating while knowing that an awesome graphic lies beneath that board just gives you an extra motivation to skate your heart out and be proud that you own a one of a kind board. I know this is kind of weird, but I have firm belief that you must be able to get to know your board, how it behaves, how it differs from other boards, to be able to fully achieve the optimal use of your board (is it weird? ‘Cause I think it’s not. I don’t know. Ignore me.). Bottom line is that whether you appreciate a board’s graphic or not, if you’re comfortable with it and you enjoy skating with it then why change it if it ain’t broke.

P.S. Graphics are still look cool though.

Longboarding: Society a One-sided Judge

noreply@blogger.com (dalejaurigue) — Wed, 14 May 2014 04:41:00 +0000

Most people nowadays pretty much cling on what the majority of the people in our society think and they don’t bother asking why. They only look on the negative side of things, ride on with the bandwagon and abolish whatever that does not fit in the norms, instead of looking in the positive side and finding a way to make things work out. They jump to conclusions rather than hearing our side of the story. We skaters, especially here in our small community in Dumaguete, are misunderstood, misconceived, outcasts, persona non grata, at least for most of the people.
I say this in behalf of the others who are also prejudiced just because they are doing what they love to do even though it’s beyond the social standard. I think they just can’t handle the fact that even though the road maybe bumpy but we find ways to make that bumpy road a fun bumpy road to skate on. It’s what you get most out of what you have that counts.

We skate for fun and for solidarity, heck we chose to skate rather than engaging in illegal activities, which are very rampant today. We even organize and participate in events that would benefit the community. We push and use our own energy for our beat up environment’s sake and at the same time it is a good exercise for the body. We just do what we love and there is nothing wrong with that. The rush and excitement brought about by skating is by far one of the best feeling that you will ever experience in the face of the earth and I’m not exaggerating. For a moment we forget all our problems and we are disconnected from the criticisms that people speak in their minds.

During our skate trips to rural areas like Valencia, Siquijor and Bacong, the fresh, cold air in that blows against your body and eliminates all those bad vibes and we get to hang with the locals who are more than willing to let us have fun in their neighbourhood. Others say we are a nuisance in the streets, but I strongly disagree. What about those motorcycles that have mufflers that sounds like a chainsaw machine, those that think that they own the road swerving through traffic dangerously, and those vehicles that make use of the hazard as an excuse to park in a supposed to be non-parking area.

I’m not fighting fire with fire but most of these guys are probably still learning and we strongly advise them to stay on the sidewalks or practice on roads that have less traffic if they can and that they should always wear a helmet. We help each other out because we would love for the sport to be recognized as a legitimate sport and not just a hobby, especially here in our society that is still on the adjustment stage.

Asking the society to change is like asking a million ants not to bite you, and we can’t change that. What we can do though is to show them that we are not just some punks who ride a plank with wheels just to get attention. Anyone who wants to join us is more than welcome to approach us anytime. Most of the guys hang out at the road near the Negros Oriental High school or at the spot we call “bridge”, which is at Bantayan near the Silliman Farm. So keep on doing what you love and haters be hating and stay stoked.•

Image URL: http://legitboardshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/longboarding-ban-no-skateboarding-sign-zoom.jpg

Slide-Show

noreply@blogger.com (dalejaurigue) — Tue, 13 May 2014 03:33:00 +0000

Crazy stalefish grab sit down slide.

Sliding, a technique used by skaters that is initiated by breaking wheel traction and at the same time maintaining control over the board then re-initiating traction to efficiently reduce speed when entering tight corners or for emergency braking. Well, others do it for maximum style and steez depending on the situation.

Almost, if not all skaters probably know or heard about this term. It is an essential skill to have if you plan to advance your game. The euphoria of being in a slide is unlike any other, the feeling of being out of control and at the same time being in control. A moment that is comparable to drifting but instead you act as the steering wheel and brakes. Hearing those wheels screech like they’re begging for mercy is so addictive, that it makes you do it over and over again. Of course how could we forget those thane lines? Yeah, it’s like van Gogh stroking the canvass with his paintbrush, in our case the pavement is our canvass and the board is our paintbrush, talk about urban art.

There are different kinds of slides that have their specific purposes. Standie, pendulum, and pre-drift are some examples to name a few. Standies are pretty common, and probably the easiest to learn, well not that easy, but if you’re a natural it should probably be a piece of skin or cake, my bad. A standie is initiated by the feet assisted by the torso and the arms. The most basic standie is the 180 slide which is a half rotation that switches you to the opposite stance.

Me performing a standie (I know it looks awful).

The pendulum or pendy, as it is commonly called, is mostly used for an emergency stop because it eats up a lot of speed and urethane (beware of flat spots).

Here is a link to video of a pendy tutorial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1ygRjEf7jE

Pendys make use of the hands to provide a stable support while sliding thus giving you more control and it also helps in slowing down the board effectively. It is executed by bending and leaning back, putting all weight behind then kicking out with the toe or heel, depending on the slide, then swinging back like a clock pendulum to the original stance, hence the name pendulum. One example of using the pendy is during instances when you encounter an oncoming vehicle on a very narrow road. Initiating a pendy rather than jumping off the board is much safer; unless you have very little road left to execute the slide or you feel that the vehicle has no plan to stop then you should probably bail out in a safe manner (poor board). And lastly the pre-drift, probably takes a lot of practice but it is an effective way to shave off just the right amount of speed when cornering while still maintaining enough speed to exit the corner efficiently. It is used by professional downhill skaters in racing spots that have very tight corners like Angie’s Curves and Catalina. Pre-drifting has the same concept as pendulum but with more control by kicking the rear end out and bringing it back as soon as you achieve the right amount of speed. This technique is not only effective but also very steezy.

Patrick Switzer pre-drifting like a boss

So for those who think that sliding is are just some flashy moves just to get your attention, think again. It’s definitely an important skill to learn because it could spell the difference between a close call and a total bail out, a small graze and a broken bone, but sliding is second priority. Having complete gear; helmet, gloves, and pads are priority number one to all skaters, sure it would probably burn a hole in your pocket but it’s a pocket whole worth burning rather than on hospital bills. So practice, but practice safe within your limits and get extra steezy! Cheers!

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