Gay Skateboarders

Homosexual skateboarders are taboo.

God knows why?? I mean, it's easy to joke and vibe about how somebodies skateboarding can be 'gay', but if a skater actually admits to being attracted by the same sex, then he is shunned and avoided.

In the past, there have been cases of skateboarders within the media spectrum 'coming out' but often this results in disbelief or even bitterness. Big Brother magazine even went so far as to publish an interview with an openly gay skater which resulted in hundreds of letters of complaint. I guess it's the price you pay within such a testosterone fuelled culture.

Whatever your sexual orientation might be, it has no importance when you're skating. All that matters is that you're having fun.

Switchstance

Switchstance revolutionised skateboarding. But is it such a big deal nowadays?

By skating in your opposite stance, a new door was suddenly opened and tricks had to be learnt all over again. 15 years ago switch skating was big thing with the testimonial video magazine 411 dedicating entire sections solely to the opposite footed stance. As time passed, the exclusive club of skaters who tamed their boards both ways faded out until the current day where skaters start skating both directions purposefully and almost naturally.

If everyone can do it, does that make it such a novelty? I don't think so.

The ABEC rating

If there is one myth that shall never be solved, it's the ABEC rating given to skateboard bearings. Apparently the higher the better...

ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineering Commitee and these guys established a scale from 1-9 in odd numbers to measure the tolerance levels of steel ball bearings. The higher the tolerance means the greater accuracy of shaft rotation and faster rotation capability.

However, this scale does not incorporate the following factors: raceway uniformity, smoothness of the rolling contact surfaces, ball precision, and material quality. That said, it kind of makes you wonder what their scale is doing on skateboard bearings which rides all sorts of surfaces, and take a good beating with each trick.

So, when you think that bearings are manufactured for precision engineering and all we do it roll through the street with some, the ABEC rating of a skateboard bearing doesn't really stand for shit. If you want to skate faster- push harder! It isn't rocket science.

N.B. The only company that put it's money where it's mouth is in the bearing game of hearts and minds was Powell Peralta when they released the Powell Peralta Bones Swiss Ceramics range. These babies roll forever, but take a bit of tender loving care to look after. At around $100 for 8, avaoid every puddle as if your life depended on it!

Avoid skatepark disasters

What the fuck is that piece of shit???

The Milton Keynes council was so pleased with the success of it's Bus Station Plaza, that money was given to a group of rogue traders to build this abominable skateboard facility. There are rails at the bottom of the abrupt banks, the cement was applied with a blaster and no trowel at all, and those black bollards are still unexplainable to this day.

This is what happens when skateboarders and communities DON'T work together to get things done. Stop complaining and get campaigning.

Blank boards

Why are blank boards killing skateboarding?

Because they do not support the individual, the professional or the scene. A blank board is void of any meaning or origin. The blank board will not put money in a professionals pocket which in turn means the professional must look for income elsewhere which in turn means outside influence upon skateboarding which in turn takes skateboarding away from it's roots.

Don't buy blank boards. Support your favourite company or professional, and expect to get a choice.