taking up skating in late 30s

[rutabowa]

the board i got is by Blind. no idea ha. ah here's a photo it's proabbly better than trying to describe it as I don't know the terms



I've been every day this week since i got the board, just for half an hour then little bits on journeys here and there, and signed up for an hour's free "skate class" tomorrow morning (it is gonna be all teenagers ha). I did manage an ollie yesterday... standing still... about an inch off the ground. someone else saw it so it did happen.

i think i need to go faster in general. well it is very early days tho

[rutabowa]

BOLLOCKS i got dog shite all over the grip tape now. guess I'll be learning how to replace that tonight.

my local skate shop didn't have those wheels I posted but they have these which seem the same spec, what's the difference really? http://www.nativeskatestore.co.uk/skateboards-c7/skateboard-wheels-c8/spitfire-wheels-spitfire-80hd-speedies-bighead-meltdown-soft-skateboard-wheels-54mm-p20061/s41048?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=spitfire-wheels-spitfire-80hd-speedies-bighead-meltdown-soft-skateboar&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads

[Spacecase Records]

Blind deck with Venture trucks and risers. Can't tell you about the wheels or bearings, although there's still a lot of life left in your wheels.

Those look to be the same cut (side profile) as the other wheels, but the wheel is softer. I'm a little less knowledgeable about "wheel hardness." Really soft wheels are used for cruiser boards and skate filmers use them because they're quieter and go over cracks easier. You don't want those for street skating or park skating. You'll wear them out quick and they're squishy. I'd look for a "harder wheel." Again, if they have'em available, Spitfire Classics are unbeatable. Also, stick within the 52mm to 54mm wheel realm if you're into street. That'll get you started before you decide you want a wheel that's bigger or smaller. Once you get above 55mm, it gets hard to Ollie. Some people like monster wheels on street -- nothing wrong with it, of course -- but there aren't many of them. Below 52mm, and you're gonna start having more issues with rough London sidewalks.

[rutabowa]

cool thanks so much! i'll be leaving those wheels on for a bit then as they're not worn out... i guess there's no point spending money when i don't know what i prefer... i only flew off on a little stone once so far

[Spacecase Records]

Yeah, those wheels aren't bad at all. If you notice one wheel is a little more worn out than the other three, rotate the wheels like you would on a car -- front two go to the back truck, back two go in the front. Best to switch'em diagonally too.

That's a quality setup. Again, over time you'll likely find the board too small as you get better, but have fun with it and try a larger board (around 8" to 8 1/8" wide) when it gets worn out. Venture makes a decent truck, but I'd recommend Independents. A couple of other folks have on this board as well for the reason that they're just the best. Thunders are quality too. Again, try'em only when you have the cash and feel like upgrading. Just keep your money on you in the meantime. Again, that setup has quality stuff on it.   

If you're wondering, Venture seemed to hit hard in the early/mid '90s with their "Feather Light" truck. They were great for that tech era -- as the name implied, really light and incredibly low. They still make good trucks -- and in a range of styles and sizes -- and there are really great skaters out there who prefer them. However, having been around LA and skated with pros a lot, it's funny how many of them are sponsored by other truck companies and still ride Independents -- at least when not shooting ads. That should tell you something. 

[P-TNT]

BOLLOCKS i got dog shite all over the grip tape now. guess I'll be learning how to replace that tonight.

RE: dog shit on grip tape

If there's big clumps, first pick them out with something like tooth picks and then you try and get the rest out by using a wet blanket (or similar). Just avoid scrubbing it, you most likely won't get all of it out but replacing griptapes is just a pain in the ass.

[Spacecase Records]

BOLLOCKS i got dog shite all over the grip tape now. guess I'll be learning how to replace that tonight.

RE: dog shit on grip tape

If there's big clumps, first pick them out with something like tooth picks and then you try and get the rest out by using a wet blanket (or similar). Just avoid scrubbing it, you most likely won't get all of it out but replacing griptapes is just a pain in the ass.

Yeah. We used to just grip over grip tape at the shop if kids insisted on it. I never got the point. If the grip is gone (lost its grit), then the board is probably dead too. Good luck trying to pull old grip off.

[kevin e]

There was a real marked difference between '93 skating and '96 skating. It was evolving on almost a monthly basis. You couldn't get away with half the tricks you did in '93 by '96. Pressure flips, varial flips, double kickflips, noseslide to k-grind tranfers -- no, bro. They were out.

I skated from 92-96 and definitely remember when I first started there were tons of different tricks and a year or so later everyone just focused on doing 5-10 "classic" tricks cleanly.

[P-TNT]

There was a real marked difference between '93 skating and '96 skating. It was evolving on almost a monthly basis. You couldn't get away with half the tricks you did in '93 by '96. Pressure flips, varial flips, double kickflips, noseslide to k-grind tranfers -- no, bro. They were out.

I skated from 92-96 and definitely remember when I first started there were tons of different tricks and a year or so later everyone just focused on doing 5-10 "classic" tricks cleanly.

RIP Pressure Flips, gone but not forgotten

[rutabowa]

I got most of it off using dried leaves

[kevin e]

There was a real marked difference between '93 skating and '96 skating. It was evolving on almost a monthly basis. You couldn't get away with half the tricks you did in '93 by '96. Pressure flips, varial flips, double kickflips, noseslide to k-grind tranfers -- no, bro. They were out.

I skated from 92-96 and definitely remember when I first started there were tons of different tricks and a year or so later everyone just focused on doing 5-10 "classic" tricks cleanly.

RIP Pressure Flips, gone but not forgotten

My friend used to do so many pressure flips, well past when everyone else stopped doing them, the end of his board would be as pointy as a pencil.

[Mark Daid]

More stick pics.  Will post my dudes soon.

[Sukebe GG]

I had one move...








oh and this wussy move...

Tail and grinder guards....jeez

Still managed to break my wrist...took me a month to actually go to the doctor...Cast was later signed at the Capitola Street Contest in '85...

[Spacecase Records]

K-grinding a handrail in '99. My '53 Ford is in the background.

[Spacecase Records]

Cool photos, Sukebe GG.