Skate Reanimate

If this doesn’t make you want to skate more bowls, nothing will:

Natas was always one of my favorite skaters back in the 80s. I was reminded of how innovative and influential he actually was when I watched the old Wheels of Fire and Streets on Fire vids from Santa Cruz. Here’s a clip from Streets:

Beautiful. I was tipped off to this art house skate video by Kirk(?) featuring Chad Tim Tim.

Skaters and non-skaters alike, enjoy:

I’ve always dug Mike Vallely’s combination of strength, humility, and quiet intensity. Vallely’s one of the few skaters who, through the years, has never disappointed and consistently invoked awe (even when roughing up ruffians). Here are a couple videos of the great Iron Mike:

Today I discovered Tony Hawk’s interview of Rodney Mullen from 2009. Both of these guys were heroes of mine as a kid. You can tell these guys not only go way back together, but that they’re good friends, too.

In part one Rodney reveals how he lost his tooth, and explains the home-grown technique he uses to tear his hip away from the socket to which it’s continually trying to fuse itself (hint: it involves an automobile):

At least that explains why Mullen was so anxious to erase his stance.

I’m really digging Zander Ritchie’s “Scottish 5 Tricks” video series that he’s pumping out over on mpora.com–and not just because I’m 1/4 Scot! As the title suggests, this series spotlights Scottish locals showing off 5 tricks.

So far:
Scottish 5 Tricks with Stu Graham at Edinburgh skatepark
Keith Allan & Dave Lane do back to back 5 tricks each.
Scottish 5 tricks with Daniel Nicholas

Those of you who know me personally probably know I’m into education and instructional technology. The following 4 minute video highlights some efforts to bring skateboarding into K-12 physical education, and even using skating as a gateway to learning about physics and construction. Au-then-tic!

• Watch Video: Skateboarding in Education

My brother sent me this vid on how to kickflip, since he knows I still can’t land one moving, and only randomly land them stationary:

How to Kickflip

Ugly guitar riffs aside, this was probably the best how-to-kickflip video I’ve seen, since it covers positioning of both feet, and mentions that you shouldn’t flick until after you’re well into the ollie (I do that sometimes).