Life’s many choices can be represented as forks and intersections in a long and winding road. Where you are on that road is always known by simply looking around. Where you’ll end up is as difficult to tell as the effect each turn will have on getting you to a desirable destination. People have many different and pointed opinions regarding Steve Rocco’s influence on the skateboarding industry. One thing is certain and undeniable. Rocco introduced myriad turns, branches, loops, and possible destinations for those trying to make a career of skateboarding. Before Rocco, a skateboarder’s future was dictated by George Powell, Brad Dorfman, Larry Balma, and Fausto V. After Rocco, it was a whole different ballgame.
January 2008
Monthly Archive
Fri 25 Jan 2008
Steve Rocco: The Man Who Souled the World review
Posted by seth johnson under Video Reviews[7] Comments
Tue 22 Jan 2008
a new beginning for Galveston, an ending in Austin
Posted by seth johnson under General , Skatepark of Austin , skatepark , transition skating[2] Comments
The city of Galveston is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony today for its long-awaited concrete public skatepark. Here’s the Galveston design on Grindline’s site. It’s going to sit directly on the beach and will be built strong enough to withstand a hurricane. Mark Hubbard, who’s something of a hurricane himself, will lead the build.
Sadly, the Skatepark of Austin is closing its doors on the 26th. Tomorrow will mark the last old-man’s night in the 69-bowl.
Mon 14 Jan 2008
It’s a new year to connect with old friends
Posted by seth johnson under Death Star , General , Round Rock skatepark , banana farm ramp[11] Comments
Two weeks into the new year and a bunch of good things have already happened for me. The best of which came in the form of a phone call last week while I was driving. An old friend called asking what the contact info was for the Burnett store that teaches knife-throwing lessons. I’m glad to hear when anyone is trying to improve their knife-throwing skills, and especially when it’s a disaster-maker like Clint Formby. Keep on the lookout for Stetson’s brother- you’ll be able to identify him by the 3 ‘pro’ throwing-knife holsters he received for X-mas. If only two of them contain knives, you best jump.
On new year’s eve, a young man referred to this film as the ‘new’ Rambo. Perhaps as a contrast of our life perspectives, I called it the ‘last’ Rambo. The distributor seems to have really glammed-out the newer trailers, but Rambo is still Attacking January 25.
In downtown Austin, there’s a formidable stair set known as the Church Gap. Geoff Rowley was brought to survey the chasm and declined in favor of continued life. I know of only two humans who have survived a leap across it, and both of them did it using bicycles. The first successful daredevil, Jimmy LeVan of Louisville, went on to further develop his colorful pro BMX career. Last year, however, he took an unhelmeted spill on a skateboard and suffered a head injury that netted him about $200,000 in medical bills. Sandy Carson organized a December benefit @ T1 that netted $2,000 in donations towards his bills.
With last year’s sad loss of both the Death Star and Banana Farm ramps, their legacy lives on in Kevin Trayhan’s backyard. The remains of these ramps have been assembled into a new permission-only ramp that carries on the unique character of it’s predecessors. Tip well at the Scoot Inn and you might get an invite.
Between and even during cold snaps, the sessions keep getting better in Round Rock. James has been working on a layback smith grind out of the cradle that he’s landed at least once. Gavin’s got some cool miller flips that have eluded my camera. Instead, I’ve got pics of his bonelesses and tuck knee airs over the hip.
