Skateboarding tips from Donchian

Three second rule: when on the board with both feet for three seconds or more, pivot foot at top of the board and be prepared to turn.
Two block rule: when traveling two blocks or less; skate rather than walk or drive.
Proper body alignment: maintain shoulder position inline with foot position; keep knees bent.
Do the 'swoop': for tighter banking on turns, bend knees more and lead with front shoulder; good speed required.

When it Rains

I cruised down to the beach yesterday soaking up the last of the sun before the storm. After I called it a night the rain came. I learned not to skate the streets in the rain or just after because of debris. Yes, I ate it pretty bad.

Today was about being a skater when its raining. So what did it do? Hitting up record surplus in Santa Monica, CA on Pico blvd. Record surplus is the alternative record store because they offer a huge (gi-normous) selection of LP's ranging from .92 cents to $10.72. I chose to invest in the 'Pretty in Pink' soundtrack, the 'Ramones' greatest hits, and some early U2. I considered riding it out during the weather break but opted instead to chill out to the Ramones and drink my last chang beer.

So what's next? More tatooing and anarchist antics by us Venice locals.

I skate LA because I am one of the thousands that realize the waves of the pacific don't stop at the shore line. -camille

Robert & Camille skating toward you

Having fun on a Saturday skating the hills east of Venice off Rose Ave.

Skating Venice at Night

Amazing night time shot of Venice, by photographer Naveen Jamal.

Venice - No Skateboarding?

Really now??? A couple of weeks ago I went looking for any signs that prohibited skateboarding on the Venice boardwalk. A funny moment of me "looking for the signs"... I didn't find any. This photo was originally posted online in December 2005. My guess is that the local skateboarding community lobbied to remove these signs... or they simply took 'um down themselves. Come to think of it, I did lock my bike to a signless signpost that day someone special got a tattoo.

Originally uploaded by jesusskateboarding.com

Rodney Mullen in Venice

Donchian turns me and Camille on to Rodney Mullen and his skateboarding wizardry. Have never seen this level of prodigious precision combined with absolute grace.

Yonibang Skates Los Angeles

Master Yonibang from Israel takes to the pavement on a recent trip to Los Angeles, the birthplace of skateboarding. Hip hop in Hebrew; I can dig it.

Skating as transport - Maiden voyage

So Kristin and I went to dinner the other night; that chicken place on Lincoln. I skated the sidewalk, she rolled the street and couldn't keep up with me. We must have been an interesting couple when we got to the restaurant; me sweaty in cargo shorts, Kris looking oh so cute, my board inverted on a table as we ordered.

Afterward, we went to Smart & Final where I discovered the grace of newly paved asphalt. Beginning skater on virgin pavement with a 2% grade. Nicely accomplished many loops in that parking lot.

We needed cigarettes, so skated and rolled toward Rose Avenue. Passed a corner storefront (on Flower I believe) called Supplemental Organic Solutions (SOS). Vitamin store I'm thinking. Well I was wrong. This hybrid business carved out of someone's deep pocket was a combination skate shop, museum, music studio, custom high end sneaker store and future cannabis club. Kris and I studied all the warnings on the front door and started to move along. "No cameras allowed; turn off your cell phone, etc." Two guys appeared at the entrance and invited us in. We met Alfred and his business partner and heard their pitch. Interesting place to say the least.

Have a feeling I will skate there in the future.

Robert

3 Skateboard Designs

I found this image by illustrator Sean Tubridy at Flickr. These are design renderings for a series of skateboards. Looks to me like the band-aids I will be needing as a beginning skater. Nice work Sean.

Thanksgiving skate with my nephew

My nephew David showing me a few basic maneuvers on Thanksgiving. We had about an hour of daylight so drove to his elementary school and skated the ramps and playground. Hardly any stairs at that school; all the elevations are ramped. Wow, I love accessibility design.

Robert