Iced Feet and M1 style Skateboard Fun

Years ago I made a decision to make sure I didn't stop skating over the Great British Winter. Unbelievably there were those who did stop in winter. Admittedly back then the UK only had two indoor parks and they where in the NORTH while I had moved South.

When my decision was made Radlands was a two hour drive and worth every minute of the effort, even 5 up in a FIAT Panda. Then of course Playstation/Baysixty6 opened and all of a sudden all-year-skating in a semi-covered park was available, even if you did have to ring Kev to see if the driving rain was making the the place dangerous to skate.

This year the UK is suffering the earliest onset of winter conditions since records began with snow and Ice landing when none of us poor Island dwellers are mentally prepared for it and Radlands is just a fading memory.

But if you have the drive and a car full of shredders to share the petrol, you too could get your arse up to Corby and skate Adrenaline Alley (what a name). That is exactly what Alan (Danger), Adam (Johners), Jamie (Harry), Ivan (Daih) and I did on Saturday.

A ten o'clock start should have had us in the park by mid-day but the odd road closure and U-turn got us there in about 3 hours. Remember to take a helmet, that's one of the few negatives about this place other than the amount of BMXers attempting tail-whips onto every platform in sight, officially the most ridiculous use of a bowl I've ever seen.

Johners and Danger were suffering with arctic trench foot and moaning at each other for the first hour or so, Daih was killing it from the start, Jamie was smithing it all over the shop while telling me to stop taking photos of him while skating and I was sliding-out all over the bowl, thanks to my poor wheel choice of Bones Skate-Park-Formulas on a refrigerated wooden surface. 4 slams in 10 minutes takes it's toll. Thank christ I had an old board in the boot of the car with some ten year old urethane that would do just fine.

the other part of the very large park that we sampled was the "Skateboard only" Berricks style training facility out the back. A smattering of street stuff, ledges, grass gap and that granite block style stuff and a tight quarter the length of the back wall with pool coping and a a hole with Rip- The-Ripper peaking out.

4 hours skating for about 7 quid when it was -2º outside isn't too bad. All the staff are really nice people but beware, food choices are limited and what there is will harden your arteries just by looking at it.

Here are a few photo's from the days exertions.

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Daih going Indy over the hip.

Johners grabbing his nose

Danger caught early on a fast BS-Smith up the escalator

Johners floating Frontside

Out with the new, in with the old.

Entrance to the Berricks style bit

Johners grinding over the Ripper

Daih throwing it High.

Harry educating the Yoof

Lifeblood Promo! Watch This!

New companies pop up all the time but they are not always backed by names as big as Bryce Kanights. One of THE skate photographers that have shaped the way the world of skateboarding has looked over the last 20+ years.

LIFEBLOOD is his new soft-goods and clothing company that has some of the most talented riders around like Kevin Kowalski, Johnny Turgesen, Frank Faria, Mason Huggins, Oudalay Philavanh and Cody Lockwood.

This company already has my attention and I'm sure after you've watched this little promo you'll understand why.

Have a good week end you Lot.

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Real Skateshops stand out from the crowd

It looks a lot like our mini heat-wave has come to an end then. Now begins the part of your skateboarding year that takes a bit more self motivation and sometimes more planing, like checking the weather before cycling up to spots on my bike.

Thankfully I managed to avoid the rain on Saturday afternoon on my ride up to Stand Up Skate-shop, based inside Bay-sixty6 up Portabello Raod way. I'd decided it was time to go and have a chat with Kev (McKeon) about the new shop.

As you'd expect from a skater who rides for Death, Death Wheels, Ace Trucks and Vans shoes, he's stocking all the right stuff and for the right reasons. Kev reckons they've got over 200 different decks in stock at any one time, ranging from 7.5" to 8.5" beasts across of all different brands, which is something my size 12 feet appreciate.

Here are a couple of shots of the shop itself, I don't think Kev realised he was in frame.

The other thing I was super pleased to hear was that the shop has a proper team, currently consisting of Aaron Sweeney, Alex Lally, Marcus Adams, Jamal Bendriss, Tommy Richards, Jack West, Antoine Miller and Hector Barnett. My opinion tends to be that if shops supports skaters then skaters will support the shop, so seeing a descent team in place is always a good way to start.

I know Kev has a few ideas in the pipeline including a proper website in the new year but until then you can keep up to date with happenings on the blog www.standupskateshop.blogspot.com and facebook page HERE. Or you could get yourself down to Playstation/X-box/Gay-station/Bay or whatever in person, and have a skate only temper-tantrum-board's-throw from a proper skateshop.

As always, support your local Skater Owned Business.

The shop is open nearly everyday, but just give Kev a call before going on a weekday on 02089641105 or on 07780926702 to make sure he's open. Kev sometimes keeps the shop open until 9 or 10pm, again call to confirm. For any out of towners you can do the ebay thing here: www.stores.ebay.co.uk/STANDUPSKATESHOP

9.635 frames per second of pure darkness

If you go skating with Adam (Johners) you know that he's just going to pester you, and pester you, and pester you, and pester you to film his latest "New Line". It doesn't matter how dark, how crappy the video on your phone is... he wants that footy and he wants it bad.

Here's what he delivered down the lens for your enjoyment.

Beers, Boards and Bangers.... (Sausages that is)

Here in London Town we've been experiencing a bit of a heat-wave. Only a week ago I was arriving at work on my bike having lost the feeling in my toes and yet last night we had the chance to skate until 10:30PM in our shirt sleeves.

When T-shirt weather is around in the summer you can sometimes let a day pass without a worry, safe in the knowledge that are more to come. In early November such complacency is not the kind of thing that Johners tolerates.

Last night at Stockwell was a mini BBQ night thanks to Adam bringing his gas stove and frying pan down. Beer and bangers were the order of the day and for a while were back in the height of summer, with the added bonus of a distinct lack of micro scooters and kids with no brakes.

Special thanks to Toby for supplying the Ketchup.

I could get used to this weather.