TAG | skate
The world’s best known action sports competition is back for summer 2011! The X Games 17 starts today in L.A. It only seems like yesterday that we were watching the Winter X Games Europe in Tignes back in March but now summer is here and it’s time for Shaun White to show us what he can do on a skateboard as oppose to a snowboard!
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It’s not just skate that features though. The worlds best BMXers, Moto Xers and rally drivers will inevitably be going bigger and better than ever before. All the big shots are in town, after all, this one is the biggie. The skate and BMX park is packed into a smaller area this year making it more technical and a lot more hectic. On the Street course, we will be closely watching Element Skateboarder Nyjah Huston, who off the back of three Street League wins, is looking for his first X Games Gold.
Others to watch are legends Bob Burnquist in the Skateboard Big Air, Rune Gilberg, Bucky Lasek and Andy McDonald (who has competed in every Summer X Games ever to date) in the Skateboard Park. Perhaps the most competitive stage will be Skateboard Street where Element rider Nyjah Houston, DC’s Chris Cole, Paul Rodriquez, Torey Pudwell and Ryan Sheckler amongst other famous names, will battle it out on the newly revamped and awesome looking Street course. Always popular is the Skateboard Vert where this year Tony Hawk will feature only via the PA system, only sneaking on the ramp during practise sessions. He’s leaving it to his friends and colleagues to fight it out between them, Shaun White is perhaps the favourite though..?
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Although Great Britain has no presence in the general skate comp we do have some very hopeful BMXers to potentially bring home the Gold medals! Nike 6.0 rider Harry Main, Alex Coleborn, Mark Webb, Jamie Bestwick and Simon Tabron are all representing the UK in the various disciplines of Freestyle Park, Street and Vert. Then there’s the USA’s best including Drew Bezanson, Dennis Enarson, Garrett Reynolds, Jeremiah Smith, Josh Harrington, Chase Hawk and Sean Sexton. The BMX Freestyle Park comp promises to be big if the Nike 6.0 Pool event earlier this year is anything to go by!
One last one to watch is of course, Travis Pastrana in not only Moto X Best Trick and Freestyle events but also in Rally X! In between these X Games events he will be flying off to compete in his first NASCAR race, it’s a ‘Pastranathon’ according to ESPN! We still have limited bits of stock of Travis Pastranas 199 collaboration with Fox and Red Bull here, and it’s in the sale! Dave Mirra, Jeremy ‘Twitch’ Stenberg, DC founder Ken Block, Nate Adams, Danny Torres and Brian Deegan are all taking part in various auto/moto events too.
Check out the competition schedule and stay tuned on ESPN, it’s going to be a good one.
BMX · skate · Skateboarding
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Tony Hawk’s support for Two Seasons home town Skate Park!
No comments · Posted by Lauren in Skateboarding
How cool is this?
There has been a massive boost recently in the development of plans for the Northampton skate park which is being heavily invested in by Northampton Borough Council. The Council have already set aside a quarter of a million pounds for the development of the new park which will hopefully fill the gap left by the legendary Radlands which closed many years ago. This amount now has to be matched by external organisations, fundraisers and the public so get donating…
Some very exciting and motivating news came from across the Atlantic at the end of last month – non other than the legend of skateboarding himself, Nixon and Quiksilver sponsored Tony Hawk has written to Councillor Paul Varnsverry on behalf of the Tony Hawk Foundation to show his support and promote the skate park which is set to become one of the biggest and best in the country.
Quoted in the Northampton Chronicle last week Councillor Paul Varnsverry, Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet member for community engagement said: “The level of interest in creating a skate park has been phenomenal. We have an excellent group of skaters of all ages who have been involved in the project and are playing an important part in making sure that we create a skate park that is designed by the community for the community. Tony Hawk’s letter recognising the work we are doing is sign of how important a Northampton skate park could become.”
Tony Hawk - even skated in The White House!
The Tony Hawk Foundation was set up in 2002 by the man himself in order to build awareness of the positive impact of skateboarding on communities across America and encourage growth in the sport which has often been frowned upon and seen as somewhat of a ‘rebel’ activity. It is a fact that skating is an awesome sport whether you just watch or take part. It’s also a way of getting both kids and adults exercising, socializing and being productive (in a way that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater on the Xbox does not) and it’s great that skate parks are finally being recognized as a safe and very important environment in which ride.
‘Like’ and support the Northampton Skate Park cause at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Skatepark-Northampton-UPDATES-n-stuff/212490284533
Let’s get Tony to come to open it in April 2012!
Element are one of the top names in the skateboarding world. The Element ‘seed’ was planted in 1992 and since then the brand has set out and achieved an honest and ethical place within the skateboard industry. Ultimately though, the reason we all know and love Element is because they make the best skateboard hardware and some pretty awesome clothes. With help from the Element Advocates including artists, musicians, humanitarians, and social activists plus the worldwide team of riders, the Element family is formed.
In keeping with the Elements vibe in terms of giving back to the community, kicking off in February is the Element Make It Count competition. The comp is back again after the success of the event last year and how could it not be a success with the prize that is at stake? The winner of the UK stage will win an entry into the European finals in Madrid and then the overall winner there, will get an all expenses paid trip to California and be entered into a battle to win an Element sponsorship in June. Ever dreamt of being sponsored? Now is your chance!
The first and only stop on the Element Make It Count tour in the UK is to be held at Central Skatepark in Manchester on 25th February and is sure to attract skaters from far and wide. The standard in the grand finals in California last year was pretty high to say the least, check it out in the video below. The competition is open to anyone so let’s see what you got…
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Competition · Element · skate · skateboard · Skateboarding
Chris Cole has been announced as the new addition to the DC skate team. He is the only the second skater of to win two Thrasher magazine ‘Skater of the Year’ awards, the first in 2005 and more recently in 2009. Only Danny Way who is also a member of the DC skate team has achieved this feat! In 2009 he was also awarded TransWorld SKATEboarding’s Readers Choice award.
Apart from his obvious skate abilities, Chris Cole is thought of as the general nice guy of skating. He’s been around in the skate world for twenty years now and is truly established as one of the greats.
Check out his debut DC vid below that’s literally just been released.
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Travelling up to 150 miles for one of the only skate comps going on at this time of the year, I just wanted to go see what the park was like and get out of London (who am I kidding I went to win) but sadly I didn’t. I placing 2nd next to a local to the park, one real good goofy skater called James Brentwoode. It was a good battle and we both took it by storm (although I took a hard slam due to an ice patch on the box) but his switch hard flips won it. ‘Til the next comp!
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Element Skater Mark Appleyard shows us a Bigspin Flip
No comments · Posted by Lauren in Skateboarding
Element's Mark Appleyard
Trickipedia is an informative place (think online skatepark) to see how the pros do it in the world of skateboarding. Created by Steve Berra and Eric Koston, the website features one pro skater a week who shows you something new to work on. This week Element and Volcom skater Mark Appleyard shows off a Bigspin Flip in style. There are plenty of other legends on there already including the likes of Paul Rodriguez and his Nollie 360 Flip and Darrell Stanton with a Frontside Bluntside. Some cool, unique filming and some good tunes make them well worth watching. A website worth visiting if you’re a skate fan http://theberrics.com/trickipedia.php
Showing off his skills - new 2S rider Dave Atwood
David Atwood is the newest member of the Two Seasons sponsored skateboard team. Dave is eighteen years old and has been skating for a many years, in that time competing in some pretty impressive competitions and getting some equally impressive results. He placed 5th after being invited to take part in the under 18 Street Jam U.K Board Masters comp a few years ago and has since taken part in local comps such as last months Kingston R.I.P coming 4th due to big names such as Aaron Sweeney and Jezza Jones. Most recently he took 1st place in Crewe at Platform One Skate Plaza and has also placed 1st at Camden Bowl. Nice one Dave!
As for the man himself, what else does he do apart from skate (old-school style) and long board? David says, “I’m really into mechanics and old American cars, and spent most of last year doing up a Classic Chevy. I listen to everything from hip-hop, to metal; anything with a decent bass line really. I used to be in a band, now I just enjoy the occasional jamming session with a few mates.”
Interesting Dave Atwood facts:
- Set up of choice: Element deck (any thats 8 – 8.25), Indy Trucks, Element Tim Tim Wheels, Reds Bearings and for grip it’s got to be true grip.
- Fave skate spot: Seven set with rail, Hubba Edge
- Local spot: LOCALS ONLY!!
- Tunes: Styles of Beyond – Second 2 None, A Day to Remember – Downfall of us All & You Should of Killed Me
- Food: Ben & Jerrys, Cookies, Monster Drink (hint)
- Movies: Pinapple Express, Jay & Silent Bob, Finding Nemo
Dave can be found in the Two Seasons Kingston store so go in and see him if you need some help choosing your next deck and take note of his expert advice and general skate knowledge!
skate · Skate fashion · skateboard · Skateboarding · skateboards skate
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Etnies, éS and Emerica Sponsor the Nando’s xPERimental Skate Jams
No comments · Posted by Lauren in Skateboarding
Nandos xPERimental Skate Jam
Etnies, éS and Emerica have joined forces with Nando’s the PERi-PERi Chicken pioneer, to bring back the hugely-popular xPERimental Skate Jam for a fourth year. Visiting the country’s top skate parks in Manchester, Leicester and London, the event provides kids with an opportunity to try new skills and encourages an active lifestyle.
For the first time, families can bring their kids for free lessons with our team of skating experts, teaching the basics about the sport, whilst the more experienced riders can improve board skills with some of the UK’s top professionals. Nando’s famous PERi-PERi chicken BBQ will also be keeping everyone fuelled throughout the day.
The sound track to the Skate Jams will be provided by some of the UK’s best up and coming DJs. Example will be supplying the music at Manchester, fresh from his top-5 hit ‘Kickstarts.’
To add further spice to the day; two-times Urban Games champion etnies rider Rodney Clarke and recent éS team member John Tanner will be at hand to perform some gravity-defying demos and share their top tips – perfect to help prepare for the best trick and mini-ramp competitions that are open to all.
As ever, to encourage participation in skateboarding after the event, all attendees will be given a chance to take home some great giveaways including t-shirts, trainers and skateboard decks.
Tickets for the Nando’s xPERimental Skate Jam are available on the door at each venue on the day of the event at a cost of £6 per person:
- Saturday 18 September – Central Skate Park, Manchester
- Saturday 25 September – The Boardroom, Leicester
- Saturday 2 October – BaySixty6, London
For more information visit: http://www.nandosxperimental.co.uk/
Competition · skate · skate shoes · Skateboarding · skateboards
The boys over at Element have just dropped a new European video called get busy living and in celebration of this, Element created a limited stock of 100 Get Busy Living decks.
You can be within a chance to win one with this competition, element will be giving away 5 prize packs witch will have a ltd ‘Get Busy Living’ deck signed by the Element euro team and a limited edition t-shirt as well.
To enter simply go to the Element Europe Competition page HERE
The competition closes on the 30th of July and is only available to European residents!
Good luck!
deck · Element · skate · skate board · Skateboarding
Skate parks in the UK from old skool bowls to new plaza’s,
Mohawks to chrome domes, skin tight jeans and baggy selects.
& now in no particular order i present to you a run down of the top parks in the uk , (in my humble opinion)
Bay 66
situated in london under a main road, stacked full with mini ramps, vert,quater pipes, fun boxes, blocks and rails with a brailliant street course that changes with the times and has been around many years now previously called playstation skate park.
X-site
This skatepark is part of the new generation of concrete plaza skate parks as well as keeping an indoor wooden built transition park too. so there is something for everyone, hopefuly more parks like these will pop up.
Livingston
Hailing from the north, livingston in scotland is deffinatley one of the gnarlyest parks. ‘Livi’ as many og the locals call it, has seen many blood spills over the years and is still standing strong. A legendary park although a bit rougharound the edges.
The House
The House Skate park has been around since 1998 in Sheffield in a 10,500 sq ft warehouse so there’s enough room to swing a cat. and pop a few tricks and has great layout too!
The Works
Probably one of the smoothest and well layed out parks. Wood throughout and many obstacles all over in different shapes and sizes.
Harrow has been on of the uk longest running skate parks built back in the 70’s, its a key hole bowl with a snake run through out. Threatened with closure over the years but mannaged to fight it back everytime. Who knows how long this classic park will last, but is worth the effort to go to.
Adrenaline Alley
One of the uks most advance in door skate parks, fitted out to the max with chill rooms, a grom room for beginers. And an impressive street section, and last but not least the resi vert.
Stoke plaza is one of these new generation skate parks, i dont really have to say much just feast your eyes upon this concrete marvel, a nice mix of transition stairs rails and ledges deffinatly worth the trip to stoke for.
Manchester
Central skate park 10,000 square ft of skateable objects, a good mix up of things to skate. They’ve made good use of the space they have and boasts itself as the only indoor park in manchester.
Creation skatepark
Creation took over from where epic left, epic had seen better days and was a bit run down , a chairty now run the park and had given a lot of time and money to ensure the parks safer and better then before.
So there ya go a short run down of the top ten skate parks and a rough overview, big shout to any one I’ve missed out !, and to ones that should have made the list but have unfortunantly closed over the years, Radlands & Bolton bones..
deck · park · skate · skateboard
