Vol.13 No.5 Spring 2015

VOL.13 NO.5 SPRING 2015

ELENA CORRIGALL

GETS THE BALANCE RIGHT

$5.95

12 | CONCRETE WAVE - SPRING 2015

SPRING 2015 REGULARS: 20 THE FINE PRINT Believe it or not, this feature has returned.

Showcasing the beautiful work of Mark Short.

22 EDITORIAL Getting the balance right means ensuring all voices are heard, including female riders.

40 NOTEWORTHY Seismic’s New Aeon Truck An intriguing new design seven years in the making.

FEATURES: 46 COLOGNE’S CONCRETE WAVE SKATE SHOP HITS 10 YEARS Heiko Scholler just celebrated a decade in business and has been instrumental in creating an amazing local scene.

50 RACE DOWN A VOLCANO The Mt. Ruapeha Gravity Festival took place in New Zealand.

It was truly an insane place to race.

55 BORED OF MEDIA Emma Shoesmith created a campaign to spread a message about equality in action sports. Her vision is about getting more female representation.

56 TELLING BETTER STORIES Michael Alfuso explains why, when it comes to creating videos, story is everything.

56 A TRIBUTE TO NOEL KORMAN Noel was a legendary East Coast skater known for founding The Shralper’s Union and of course, high vibes and positive vibes.

58 OPEN WORLDWIDE PREMIERE This unique documentary from The Longboard Girls Crew has met with a great response. We take you to the sold-out premiere in Madrid.

64 DOCK SESSIONS Combine 140 skaters with Paris, France and mix in some party games and you wind up with a helluva session.

66 RIDER SETUPS PART TWO We continue with our column that features riders and what gear works for them.

72 SLALOM GOES GLOBAL Policka, in The Czech Republic hosted the World Championship with over 130 racers.

76 RIDER INTERVIEW - ELENA CORRIGALL Katie Nielson catches up with this downhill champion.

80 THE BRIDGE - THE TURNING POINT RAMP Skate legend Scott Senatore discusses the history of this incredible giant capsule.

84 LONGBOARDING FOR PEACE Reports from Vietnam and Russia along with updates on our work with various charities.

ON THE COVER: Elena Corrigall enjoys an early spring in Vancouver.

Photo: Jacob Lambert CONTENTS PHOTO: Pam Diaz leaves her mark.

Photo: Joel Hernandez Arthur

landyachtz

photos: mehraban

THE FINE PRINT The Fine Print We’re back. For those who never read this section, I doubt we were missed.

There’s nothing to see here, so just keep flipping the pages. For those who did read this section, I am happy to be back. It’s been quite a year since I put thoughts to keyboard. For those new to this section, The Fine Print is my stream of consciousness. It may or may not resonate with you.

I am sure many of you are familiar with the term “location, location, location” when it comes to the business of real estate. When it comes to publishing Concrete Wave, I think the term should be “people, people, people.” While the actual act of riding moves us forward, it is people who move our lives forward.

It is the people who come up with new ideas and inspire us – they form part of the DNA of longboarding. Fellow skaters along with local shops support and nurture the scene. As for the digital world, a well-timed comment on Facebook, a pithy tweet, an amusing Instagram photo can make us feel part of this special community. The web enhances our experiences as riders, but it’s important to balance things, and ensure you don’t spend too much time in front of screen.

This past year has been filled with many great memories. Here are just a few.

I am seeing the Longboarding for Peace movement growing. Every week, we inspire people to step up. In February, I spoke with someone who is using a longboard to get his friend off of heroin. We’ve moved into Estonia and things are about to take off in Jamaica. I had an incredible experience at Surf Expo.

Never underestimate the power of a t-shirt to send a message. Thanks to the Ullman family, things are rolling with LFP brand.

In February, I had an opportunity to attend the enormous ISPO show in Munich.

The Longboard Embassy, put together by my friend Alex Lenz was truly astounding. It has become the place to kick off the year. There were many good memories from the show. The products were impressive and the beer did not disappoint. Speaking of disappointment, my good friend Jeremy of Number 1 skate shop seemed a little disappointed in my choice of hotel. Last year we had some issues at the hotel Jeremy had picked, so I chose this year’s venue. I am pleased to report we were able to overcome things and survive the ordeal of a bathroom and shower down the hall! We also had one day of no hot water, but that was just a fluke.

Despite these tribulations, we had a great time enjoying breakfast with a number of wonderful people. We ate with Ionic Flux, Third Kind, Nina from High Heaven and Emma from Bored of Media. Next year, Alex, the third member of our gang, will get to pick the hotel. Just remember Alex, when it comes to hotels, it’s always about location, location, location. But when it comes to dealing with life, it’s always about people, people, people.

IDF World Champion - Kevin Reimer Illustration by the UK’s Mark Short. To purchase his artwork, find him on facebook.

20 | CONCRETE WAVE - SPRING 2015

Valeria Kechichian carving in the golder hour.

Photo by Tony Sesenta

22 | CONCRETE WAVE - SPRING 2015

GET THE BALANCE RIGHT “We’re witnessing a real change in gender labeling in our sport.

It’s so rewarding just to think that maybe we had something to do with that and that we’re still working to make a difference.

Talented female skaters have been practicing and competing at a professional level since the 1960s, and yet the sport continued to be plagued by the usual gender stereotypes; people were surprised to see girl skaters, and even girls themselves had been put off by skating. But all that is changing now. Together we have built something big, something that has changed female longboarding and the way people see it worldwide.” – Valeria Kechichian, Founder, Longboard Girls Crew People often ask if Concrete Wave Magazine features specific themes with each issue. I usually respond by saying that I put together a cohesive snapshot of what has happened and what is happening within the world of skateboarding. As each year passes, it is my hope that Concrete Wave progresses and pushes new ideas to the forefront. We don’t really have specific themes, but I think we’ve come fairly come close with this issue.

PUBLISHER/EDITOR MICHAEL BROOKE | mbrooke@interlog.com

ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER Stacy Lowery

I.T. DEPARTMENT HEAD Rick Tetz of CalStreets.com

CONTRIBUTORS Jacob Lambert, Joel Hernandez Arthur, Mark Short, Tony Sesenta, Jeff Nass, Violeta Beral, Michael Alfuso, Rory Russell, Anthony Ghnassia, Earl Stout III, Lori George, Georgia Hall, William Melendrez, Valeria Kechichian, Lance Dalgart, Mark Callanan, Danny Strasser, Heidi Lemmon, Maria and Richy Carrasco, Jon Huey, Kurt Hurley, Craig Snyder, Lance Smith, Anna-Selina Kager, Alexy “Ganjev” Romanov, Lotfi Lamaali, Michal Skavrada, Christian Kneip, Felix Buchholz, Noelia Otegui, Pam Diaz

HEAD OFFICE

During skateboarding’s first boom, women took part in the fun.

Patti McGee was even on the cover of Life Magazine and on Johnny Carson. When skateboarding encountered its second peak of popularity, women played a large part in the movement.

Peggy Oki, Laura Thornhill, Ellen Oneal, Robin Logan, Kim Cespedes and Vicki Vickers are just some of the legendary skaters who left their mark and have inspired millions of both females and male riders.

1136-3 Center Street, Suite 293, Thornhill, Ontario, L4J 3M8 Ph: 905.738.0804

As the 70s gave way to the 80s, the underground skate scene emerged. When skateboarding entered its third boom three decades ago, it became a predominantly male activity. Of course, there were a handful of women pros such as Cara-Beth Burnside and Elissa Steamer, but the vast majority of skaters were male.

Inward Supply 514-996-7138 Landyachtz 778-785-6855

As the decades have progressed, the emergence of longboarding has changed the face of skateboarding. Valeria, acting as a change agent, has provided women with a voice and helped establish a whole new mindset within skateboarding. There are countless other women skaters sharing their experiences and building networks worldwide. Of course, change can ruffle the status quo and many people still don’t really understand what’s happening. The times, however, are changing. Concrete Wave Magazine is here to document these changes. More importantly, our magazine is about inclusion. As we move forward, our intention is to ensure women get more of a voice within these pages. From there, anything is possible.

SKATESHOP DISTRIBUTION Buddy Carr Designs PO Box 1895, Carlsbad, CA 92018 Buddycarrdesign@gmail.com

CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION

Concrete Wave is published by North of La Jolla Inc. Subscriptions (6 issues) are US$26 FIRST CLASS or CAN$26. Address change? Mag not arriving? Contact us - don’t go postal. We can sort it out. mbrooke@interlog.com.

Publisher’s permission is required before reproducing any part of this magazine. The views and opinions expressed in Concrete Wave are not necessarily those of the publisher. Printed in the USA.

Enjoy the issue,

Michael Brooke Editor & Publisher

CONCRETEWAVEMAGAZINE.COM | 23

The

VÜgenhausen

D O W N H I L L

S E R I E S

MICRO DROP | GAS PEDALS | SYMMETRICAL SHAPE

R : Tyler Howell

P : Dustin Damron

Dusters California in partnership with Cindy Whitehead, release the 2nd version of the GN4LW board. The board will support Longboarding for Peace and give a portion of its proceeds to Poseiden Foundation which supports skaters all over the world.

GN4LW Black | 8.75” x 28.5” | 15” WB

DEALER INQUIRIES: www.dwindle.com | +1.800.500.5015 or +1.310.297.1500

/dusterscalifornia

@dusterscalifornia DUSTERSCALIFORNIA.COM

AVAILABLE IN 55MM / 60MM 91A

The original urethane durometer that changed skateboarding, and now it’s available in a white urethane. The 91A is our most versatile durometer; soft enough for a smooth cruise on rough streets while the high-rebound formula provides plenty of speed on smooth surfaces.

DEALER INQUIRIES: USA & CANADA DWINDLE DISTRIBUTION

AVAILABLE IN 55MM / 60MM 94A

The 97A is the hardest durometer in the white urethane series and is the perfect formula for pools, bowls, ramps, and skateparks. It’s a fast and grippy formula that gives you control when you need it most.

NOW AVAILABLE AT

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR#1 SHOP IN THE WORLD

SOUTH SHORE DISTRIBUTION 713-926-3295 | skatenet.com

310-297-1500 | dwindle.com

SMOOTHILL

USA ONLY EASTERN SKATE SUPPLY

AWH

910-791-8240 | easternskatesupply.com

OCEAN AVENUE

321-777-9494 | oceanavenuesk8.com

AVAILABLE IN 55MM / 60MM 97A

The 94A is a fast and resilient urethane formula with a fair amount of grip. Perfect for carving lines in slick concrete skateparks, but soft enough to smooth out even the roughest ditch.

415-453-1170 | smoothill.com 847-869-0950 | awhsales.com

ATLANTIC SKATES

410-213-0680 | atlanticskates.com

SOCAL SKATESHOP

24002 Via Fabricante Suite 205 Mission Viejo, Ca 92691 949-600-5876 | socalskateshop.com

The new Kryptonics Star*Trac wheels brought to you by Dusters California. dusterscalifornia.com

Roll something worthwhile.

proudly distributed by:

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t Kienzle photo: Mat

STOCK

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ORIGINAL TEAM RIDER.

DH6-OF PRO MODEL ORIGINAL PREDATOR DESIGN.

predatorhelmets.com

NOTEWORTHY

- THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

NEVERSUMMER

KRYPTONICS

The Superfreak is a single-kick cruiser that “will never let your spirits down once you get ‘her on the street”. The deck is handmade at the Never Summer factory in Denver, Colorado, USA. With a 36.5” length, 9.625” width and a 21” to 24” adjustable wheel base, the Superfreak is great for cruising around backstage. Take Rick James’ advice and don’t bring this board home to your mother!

Neversummer.com

55mm, 60mm, 65mm Available in three durometers including the original 91A (red core) which is soft enough for a smooth cruise on rough surfaces without sacrificing speed. The 94A (blue core) is fast and resilient with a fair amount of grip. The 97A (green core) is the hardest durometer in the Whites Series and is perfect for pools, bowls, ramps, and skateparks. kryptonics.com

EARTHWING

ANTI LONGBOARDS

Earthwing has just re-engineered the super lightweight and ultra-functional Miniglider. Made with a thin 5-ply core sandwiched in Thermolam composites, this 9.25” x 33” deck weighs in at a shocking 2.5 lbs. The molded fenders and deep wheel wells offer large clearance for up to a 70mm wheel on typical standard trucks with little to no riser. The multiple wheelbase options from 17.5” to 19”. Functional kicks can handle any situation from clearing stairs to slapping curbs, carving bowls, and quick and quiet commutes with all the features you could ask for. earthwingboards.com

The all-new B4 drop-down shape from ANTI is here, and it’s perfectly balanced for your everyday ride. It features a comfortable 12.96mm concave, a straight-cut edge finish, a 30.67” standing platform, a 30” wheel base and a size of 40.10” long x 10.3” wide. It’s made of 9 ply 100% Hard Rock Canadian Maple with epoxy glue for extra strength. revolvskate.com/anti

40 | CONCRETE WAVE - SPRING 2015

BLOOD ORANGE

SHARK WHEEL

The Alpine Series is designed for high-speed lines and predictable drifts without sacrificing traction. With expert input from the Blood Orange Team, the Mountain Pass Formula (MPF) was developed to provide the ultimate downhill wheel for the days you just feel like going fast.

Blood Orange modified their proven core design to increase support throughout the wheel, which promotes high roll speeds, even wear, and a consistent feel.

Calibertruckco.com

The 60mm Shark wheel “California Roll” is their newest product for the free ride/cruiser market.

It’s the perfect all-around wheel with exceptional speed, awesome grip, great slide control, and effortlessly goes over rocks and gravel like no other wheel on the market.

Sharkwheel.com

DIVINE CRUCIBLES

BROAD BAY BOARDS

The all new Crucibles from Divine was designed by speed freak Brent “Dubes” Dubendorff. This 73mm x 64mm wheel features a slightly offset glass core with straight cut backs that ensure a tight grip through even the unruliest corners. It’s the “Road Ripper’s” fierce big brother and the glass core gives this wheel amazing roll speed and very predictable slides.

Divineurethaneco.com

Broad Bay sells officially licensed collegiate longboards to some of the largest schools in the USA, including Arizona State and the University of Florida. Amazingly, the founder of the company, Tyler Marx, is only 16 years old! Tyler said that he works on his business every day, even during school. His future plans include cracking the Brazilian market.

Broadbayboards.com CONCRETEWAVEMAGAZINE.COM | 41

IXO

EASTSIDE

Based in Vigo, Spain, IXO has been creating some incredible carbon fiber longboards. They recently introduced the Urban Cruiser deck. It’s just 5 mm thick, very light and extremely stiff. ixocarbon.com

The Tabor is Eastside’s first model released in 2004. After six versions, their latest offering has been mastered into this handcrafted city shredder. It features a 19” wheelbase, larger wheel-wells, a fat nose and kick-tail, and a killer graphic of downtown Portland, Oregon. The iconic signature handle allows for easy carrying when you can’t skate. Available with or without a handle at Daddies Board Shop or directly from their website.

Eastsidelongboards.com

CENTURY TRUCKS

LANDYACHTZ

Completely redesigned and manufactured to the highest standards, the new C80 Reverse Pivot Longboard Truck from Century sets the bar for performance and design. Gravity cast from virgin aerospace aluminum, the truck has integrated axle spacers, counter-bored hardware holes, and a symmetrical hanger that can be easily flipped for more even wheel wear. Check out all of Century’s offerings at skategoldcoast.com

Featuring Hollowtech construction for 2015, the Tomahawk will shift your perception of what you can skate. Take advantage of unlikely features and expand your creativity with this freeride board.

Landyachtz.com

42 | CONCRETE WAVE - SPRING 2015

NOW YOU KNOW -

TRIPLE EIGHT

NOTEWORTHY

THE BRITANNIA CLASSIC – MAY 22

The Britannia Classic is one of North America’s most technical, O.G. downhill skateboard races and freerides. The one mile track has three huge buttery hairpins, one double apexing sweeper, a finish that is too hectic to race, 1000’ of vertical and speeds of 55mph (90kph). The race offers a $5,000 cash purse. britanniaclassic.com For 2015, the Triple Eight Gotham is available with MIPS®, a unique technology developed to reduce brain injuries. MIPS® imitates the brain’s way of protecting itself by giving the helmet its own low-friction layer between the outer shell and the head to absorb much of the rotational violence created by an angled blow. MIPS® was previously available only on very expensive race and snow helmets. Triple Eight now brings this technology to the skate, bike, and urban markets at an accessible price.

Triple8.com

NOTEWORTHY ACCESSORIES

The 40 degree Atlas baseplate will provide that lean you crave while adding stability at high speed. atlastruckco.com

VELOSOLUTIONS

The new Longboard Larry cork risers are light, reduce road vibration and help dampen the impact from skating and longboarding. longboardlarry.com

The latest Predator FR7 helmet features original artwork by Levi Hawken on the front. predatorhelmets.com

Based in Switzerland, Velosolutions create pumptracks on steroids. Their latest project was built in Aranyaprathet, Thailand, near the Cambodian border. The park is 30,000 square feet and cost almost $200,000 USD to build. According to the construction crew, the locals were amazing and there was a great stress-free atmosphere during the building of the park. These incredible flowing parks are coming to the USA this summer. velosolutions.ch

Glen E. Friedman and OBEY recently collaborated on a new t-shirt line. This Shepard Fairey’s take on Tony Alva.. obeyclothing.com

CONCRETEWAVEMAGAZINE.COM | 43

Concrete Wave had an opportunity to see a prototype of the new Aeon trucks several months ago, and we knew they were something special. Dan Gesmer of Seismic Trucks has created a truly unique truck and we are proud to showcase this revolutionary design

CW: This truck looks unlike anything else out there. What was your inspiration?

Dan Seismic: We started working on the earliest version of the Aeon in 2006, but the work didn’t come into full focus until 2008. The industry landscape was quite different back then. Virtually all trucks used for downhill and freeride were still very basic RKP designs. It was mainly in the slalom world that we saw CNC trucks with metal bearing inserts, variable-geometry baseplates, and so on.

The original concept was to integrate the function of a metal bearing insert with the hanger-bushing interface of a high-quality cast truck. We felt that this way we could bring the experience of precision geometry to a wider longboard audience. Little did we know it would take us so long to get the product to market!

realized fairly quickly that one of the hard parts would be too small and brittle, so we switched to a two-part design. But durably bonding the two parts together proved to be a formidable challenge. Unfortunately, we spent far too much time trying to make it work. Finally, I decided to mold some bushing prototypes as single-piece urethane parts, and we discovered that they worked much better than the previous multi-part samples.

After that, it took another extended period of time to dial in the bushing tolerances.

Urethane parts bend and shrink in complex ways after you pop them out of the mold, and the Aeon bearing system won’t function as intended if the cylindrical bearing channels in the bushings don’t have the correct depth and width.

Fortunately, we figured it all out!

How long did it take from the initial concept to final production?

Let’s do some math. We started in early 2008 and worked through early 2014. Six years - oy!

For those used to traditional longboard trucks, what can they expect in the ride?

When the Aeon top and bottom bushings come together, they form a cylindrical hollow that locks around barrel-shaped elements on the hanger. It’s a true bearing system with no added parts. The design forces the hanger to rotate inside the tubular channel in perfect alignment with the pivot axis.

In terms of the ride, the Aeon system

What were some of the key surprises or unusual things along the journey?

Refining the unusual bushing design was the biggest hurdle. The first version had three parts: two hard and one soft. We

44 | CONCRETE WAVE - SPRING 2015

eliminates lateral slop, and it aligns and stabilizes the geometry without the downsides of support pins, spherical bearing inserts, or hanger plugs. You get a quick response from the center and noticeably smoother, cleaner turns, even at deep lean angles that destabilize the steering of ordinary RKP trucks.

What exactly does the hexagonal bushing offer that regular bushings don’t?

The idea behind the wide, hexagonal shape was to create a smooth, intuitive resistance profile through a larger steering range.

The Aeon bushings are tall but not too tall, allowing for deep turns with no dive.

We also use a self-lubricating formula to prevent squeaking.

Who are the main types of riders that will benefit from this truck?

Anyone who enjoys clean, smooth, deep turns with control and stability! Downhill, freeride, LDP, slalom, and recreational riders should all dig the Aeons.

Any final comments?

Let me call out a special thanks to Doug Baxendell of Catalyst Design and Igor Burt of Protein Design. We couldn’t have developed the Aeon without their critical input.

15-18

MAY

2015

MAY

FREESTYLE SKATEBOARD COMPETITION $10,000 IN CASH PRIZES // MAY 15 - 18 WWW.THEWORLDROUNDUP.COM // #WORLDROUNDUP

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Photo - Christian Kneip 46 | CONCRETE WAVE - SPRING 2015

The Concrete Wave Skateshop Celebrates 10 Years

By Michael Brooke

Over 500 skaters turned out for Greenskate 2014 in Cologne. Photo by Felix Buchholz

T

he Concrete Wave Skate shop is based in Cologne, Germany and was founded September 2005. The actual website started a year earlier. The founder of the shop is Heiko Scholler. He transitioned from electrician to full-time shop owner over several years. “In the first three to

four years the shop was open just three days a week for a few hours,” explains Heiko. Heiko and his shop have gained an enormous following over the past decade. His enthusiasm played a big role in strengthening the German longboard scene.

CONCRETEWAVEMAGAZINE.COM | 47

Photo by Felix Buchholz

A

s soon as you enter the shop, you sense its coziness; there’s a reason for this. “Four years ago, we moved our shop into a typical old German pub. We kept the old bar and some of the old interior. So now when you walk into the shop, it’s a mix of an old pub, museum and skateshop. That’s why our shop is so special.” The shop has one of the largest longboard and skateboard hardware selections worldwide and the decoration is unique mix of old school boards and stickers from the 70s and 80s.

Cologne is one of over two dozen cities worldwide that participate in Greenskate, a ride that celebrates environmental transportation alternatives, and which has a huge turnout.

“We did the first Greenskate in Germany in 2011. Since then, every year more and more people come to this event,” says Heiko. In 2013, they had almost 1,100 people skating through the streets of Cologne. Heiko continues: “This is always a really special day for me because I have the honor of starting the whole thing.”

Although it rained last year’s event, over 500 people attended. Why is Greenskate so popular in Cologne? There are many reasons. Cologne has had a huge skate and longboard scene for many years.

Because of the shop, many people started longboarding over the last few years. Also, Cologne is in the centre of

48 | CONCRETE WAVE - SPRING 2015

Skaters enjoy the Insul Freeride. Photo - Felix Buchholz

Germany, allowing many people to easily travel to it by train.

I asked Heiko what was is special about Cologne: “Longboarding is huge nowadays. But we started ten years ago when nobody was interested in longboarding.” He mentioned that many brands are from or near Cologne and that this adds to the unique quality of the scene. “We have Wefunk, Kaliber, Pavel, G.O.G and Sunrise. All these brands which have been active in the scene for years come from our area.” Over

the last few years, some new brands including Quinboards, Bolzen trucks, Rise Longboards and Sick of Winter have entered the scene. This infusion of new ideas and products has fostered the growth of the longboard scene.

Heiko points out that Quinboards is doing much for longboard scene: “They organize meetings during winter and help us when we need them with our own events. We have a nice spot here called Rheinpark. It’s perfect because it’s beautiful and inside a huge local park

Photo - Felix Buchholz

Longboarding. This book is a fascinating collection of photos from many different longboarder from all over Germany, especially Cologne.

Photo - Felix Buchholz

with smooth asphalt. Many people who skate there have a huge impact on the Cologne longboard scene.”

Although Cologne not a city known for its hills, being mostly flat, this does not deter skaters. “Thankfully, we are close to the Eifel area,” explains Heiko. “This is where many famous downhill spots are located. For many years, people from Cologne organized the Insul freeride or Insul race once a year; this is always a highlight in the German downhill

longboard scene.”

Cologne is also home to Dominik Kowalski – a hugely successful slalom skater who effortlessly rides everything.

The oldest German skate magazine, Monster, is also located in this city. In addition, many experienced skaters flock to Cologne in the summer.

Last year, Andre Kniekamp from Cologne published a book entitled: From Mountains to Molehills / Faces of

Heiko believes that Cologne is a very open-minded city: “Everything is flat, so you can skate and explore nearly everything with your longboard. When the weather is fine, you can go to the Rheinpark and you’ll meet other people while skating or just hanging around in the park.” The shop is open from Monday to Saturday; Heiko welcomes all visitors from near and far. If you like skateboarding, Cologne has many great spots and skateparks to skate and cruise.

“A really good spot is the Northbrigade, one of the oldest skateparks in Germany that was totally rebuilt at the end of 2014.

This skatepark is killer and huge so you can just cruise around there easily,” says Heiko.

It may have been a decade ago, but Heiko feels like he just opened the shop two or three years ago. He is grateful to everyone who has supported his shop. “I hope that we can continue do the same thing for many years to come. Cologne is great and I really like the whole scene and people here.”

CONCRETEWAVEMAGAZINE.COM | 49

Neither fog nor rain dampened anyone’s spirits.

50 | CONCRETE WAVE - SPRING 2015

RACE DOWN A VOLCANO

MT. RUAPEHA GRAVITY FESTIVAL MARCH 6 – 9 Words and Photos by Jeff Nass

CONCRETEWAVEMAGAZINE.COM | 51

< Connor Ferguson( Front), Robert Mcwhinnie( Middle) Crunchy( Back) > Dan Waterhouse leads the pack followed by Lawrence Thompson, Mitch Thompson and Jules Hornung

Racing down a volcano in New Zealand is an insane way to race.

With big vertical, S-turns and a few hairpins. It was clear the riders did not have an easy task in front of them. To add to the difficulty, the weather did not co-operate. The day started with warm up laps in heavy rain and zero visibility.

Riders were cautious but that still didn’t stop hydroplaning, wobbles and the inevitable carnage. Almost everyone had a least one spill during the day. As the heats progressed the weather got better allowing riders to get more speed and courage. For the final heat the sun came out and it was a full on battle to the finish line with Connor Ferguson, James Kelly, Bryon Essert and Tony Graves. The riders had a ton of fun and declared that this should be an annual event. The volcano will be dormant till the riders light it up next year.

52 | CONCRETE WAVE - SPRING 2015

OPEN RESULTS 1 - Connor Ferguson 2 - Bryon Essert 3 - Tony Graves

Open results Connor Ferguson, Bryon Essert, Tony Graves

WOMEN’S RESULTS

Women’s Winners Rachel Bruskoff (Middle) Elissa Mah, Magaly Mcwhinnie

1 - Rachel Bruskoff 2 - Elissa Mah 3 - Magaly Mcwhinnie 4 - Ling Lee 5 - Grace Wong

CONCRETEWAVEMAGAZINE.COM | 53

A NEW DOCUMENTARY EXAMINES WOMEN AND BOARDSPORTS

B

ased in Manchester, England, Emma Shoesmith founded a campaign to spread a message about equality in action sports. She is striving to raise awareness of the inequality in advertising, film, photography, and cash prizes. Her vision is one of more female action sports athletes appearing in the mainstream media. Through her work in various media, Emma is determined to make a difference.

We had a chance to interview Emma earlier this year. She had just completed her undergrad dissertation and was in the final stages of raising money for her documentary.

Tell us about your background.

My first exposure to actions sports was via skateboarding. From that day on, I was completely obsessed. I have participated in many of the action sports that are out there. Snowboarding is probably something I’ve done the most, followed by skateboarding and wakeboarding. I have found that within skateboarding, there’s a lot of issues relating to being a female participant, but not so much in snowboarding or surfing.

Where do you think we are at with respect to action sports and the status of women?

My view of the problem is the current media dissemination of images of women in action sports. The lack of images [of women] and also the fact that they generally they tend to sexualize and objectify girls. A lot of females are pictured as passive, not active. Compare this to the male images that generally show them as being active in the actual action sport. This doesn’t really promote or encourage young girls to get involved because they can’t really relate to what is presented. This is why Board of Media

Photo - Violeta Beral

that the guys have. was created. I was bored of the media content of females that was out there.

You went the crowd-sourcing route to fund the documentary. What has the response been like? Have you been able to obtain key sponsors?

This is a bit of a double-edged sword.

This is our pilot documentary. It was important for the first part of what I hope will be an eight-part documentary series free of any corporate sponsorship.

Why is the documentary not sponsored by corporations?

There are a number of larger companies who are interested [but] that don’t really reflect the same core values as I have.

However, we wanted all the females who are interviewed in the film to have complete autonomy and complete freedom to voice their opinions.

Do you find that some male skaters tend to think somewhat in a crowd mentality? Have you encountered male skaters being fairly sexist?

Yes, I have encountered the herd mentality along with sexism. But it’s not all skaters. At Southbank skatepark, I’ve interviewed skaters and once I engaged them in conversation, I have found in their opinions an approach very much in line with my own. In the collective consciousness of skateboarding, there is a lot of sexist banter and misogyny. But when pulled out on their own, the guys I’ve spoken to tell me they actually like female skaters at the park. They feel the women defuse some of the bad attitudes

You call action sports “community sports.” Why? When it comes to skateboarding, I won’t normally go out on my own. I have received a huge amount of sexist comments. It doesn’t feel as good as when I am with a group and we skate together. In London, there are a lot of girls who won’t skate unless it’s an allgirls skate night.

What are the main goals of your movement?

We want to see more women in management roles at media companies and action sports companies. The second goal would be education in media literacy through the introduction of action sports. I’d like to go into schools and get girls experiencing action sports like skateboarding. I’d like to give them Go-Pro’s and let them film each other and then get them presenting what they have created. From there, they can present this info to others at conferences.

Finally, I believe that Bored of Media has the power to become a certified logo – like a stamp of approval. This logo would be used by companies on their marketing materials and products. It would indicate that the company is genuinely practicing equality within their organization.

Education is most important. If we give females the confidence in media literacy, it will lead to management roles within media and this will have a domino effect.

Learn more at boardofmedia.com CONCRETEWAVEMAGAZINE.COM | 55

TELLING BETTER STORIES

by Michael Alfuso

Miguel Cabreja in the Dominican Republic. That’s Catherine Goico and Michael Alfuso filming. Photo: Pam Diaz

Story is everything.

It’s easy to get lost in getting gnarly footage or focusing too much on the technical side of filmmaking. Cameras are fun. Filming your friends is fun. Anyone can create “skate porn”, but not everyone can create a good story. The only thing that’s really changed about skate videos and films since the DogTown days (aside from the level of skating) is that more people have access to their own camera gear. Everyone now has an HD video camera and can share their videos with the world. But amidst the endless sea of skate videos over the years, the ones that have stuck with people are the ones with a great story. Fast paced, balls­to­the­wall action has been baked into skateboard media for decades, but there’s no reason why anyone with a GoPro can’t mix in a little story.

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Photo by Anthony Ghnassia

Sergio Yuppie by Rory Russell

About a year ago, I read a comment posted on one of my videos saying, “All longboard videos look the same.” After a few minutes of being bummed out by this comment, I realized that this internet troll was right. All longboard videos ​were​ starting to look the same. Same sh*t, different angle. There was a missing ingredient. After all, there are only so many ways to show the same toeside, heelside, corner, slide, flip, rail, lip, curb, and so on.

It was at that moment that I decided to shift my focus from finding better and cooler camera techniques to telling better stories. One person who continues to inspire me to make better stories is Adam Colton. Who remembers “Of Troglodytes and Men” or “Long Treks

Subject: Avery Crowl. Photo: Michael Alfuso

on Skate Decks”? His videos aren’t just about the skating. They are about the journey, the skating environment, and most importantly, the people. Skating is simply a means of communication and expression. The people and their story are what we remember. I know I’m not alone in saying: “Thanks for the inspiration Adam.”

The videos that people remember are the ones with a funny plot, a clever twist, or a great personality. Sergio Yuppie, in his documentary King of Downhill Slide, says, “Tricks deserve applause.

Style deserves respect.” After working with him on that project, I started to see filmmaking in the same way ­cool footage deserves applause, but a good

story deserves respect. Documentaries like “DROP: My Life Downhill” not only raised the standard of longboard cinema to a new level, but also challenged our approach to longboard storytelling. Now, I’m not saying that the best cameras or the biggest budgets make the best stories.

Sometimes good stories just take time to produce, regardless of the camera you shoot with. The point is, it’s okay to slow down and put some thought into “What’s my story?”

I’m not the expert or the authority on skate videos. I’m just a guy with a camera...exactly like you. I invite you to explore what I have tried and develop your own voice through filmmaking. If skateboarding is your subject, then tell

a story about skateboarding. Just try not to get too caught up with making gnarlier “skate porn” than everyone else.

In the effort to crank edits out faster and cheaper, the storytelling process gets watered down, and all we’re left with is more of the exact same videos. Instead consider slowing down, f​ ocusing less on the skating itself, and more on the story a ​ bout​the skater.​Almost everybody is shooting on a GoPro or Canon DSLR camera, producing the same HD quality as everyone else, which makes for a level playing field. Once everyone’s footage looks the same, it will always come back to telling better stories.

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A Tribute to Noel Korman 1975- 2014 Longboarder, Scene Stoker & Founder, Shralper’s Union Compiled By Earl Stout III

Photo - Lori George

F

or many people who live on the East Coast, the name Noel Korman was synonymous with high fives and positive vibes. Noel and his girlfriend, Alice Park tragically passed away last December. Tributes to this deeply loved fellow skater, snowboarder and friend follow below. I consider myself one of the fortunate people who were friends with Noel. He left a huge mark on the East Coast longboard scene. Noel’s stoke was infectious and his generosity knew no bounds. He will be sorely missed.

Michael Brooke, Editor

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By Ray Korman (Noel’s father) Noel was a visionary. He was so passionate about what he wanted. He saw the Shralpers Union as a way to bond people to the sports they loved and a way to show the communities that the people who enjoyed these sports were responsible individuals who performed charitable work. His clothing line and other essentials enabled the Shralpers Union members to be recognized in their community and gave the Shralpers Union members a unique status of their own.

Photo - Lori George

What Kind Of Person Was Noel Korman?

So what kind of person was Noel Korman? He was a someone who built his own drum, beat it and made Shralpers Union members believe they were something special and who allowed them to relate to each other no matter where they lived.

Love, peace and harmony!

I love you Noel, Much love from Dad

The Catalyst

100% All In

By Earl Stout III To serve a purpose in life with true passion is to live the truth of your spirit. True passion for side stance board sports and the counter-culture lifestyle was the true essence of Noel. He emanated a high level of positive energy. With Noel, you were sure to have a good time, no matter what! I will never forget the day I met Noel at Bear Creek Mountain. It was a longboard event that Matt Kleman hosted in the spring of 2010. It is a day I have relived many times since Noel’s passing. Noel and I instantly became good friends from that day.

The Shralpers Union movement unites people who share this love. We had some memorable moments that I am never going to forget! He has been a catalyst in so many ways for so many people. It fills me with honor to bring together some of his close friends that I now call my friends to share with you the essence of Noel’s spirit.

The Shralp of Eternal Union will live on through all that you have done, Noel. High Fives and Positive Vibes is something that we will continually pass forward!

By Adam Dabonka I have been building momentum for my race, Major Stok’em, for a few years. As any organizer knows, running longboard events is an almost “all give” and “no take” situation. Of course I was a little suspect when Noel Korman came along and was 100% all in at helping out in any way possible. Noel went out of his way to make you feel important and that you mattered. He was an engaging person with everyone. A lot of people in a social setting can be passive, but Noel was not. He showed interest in people at their best instead of just shrugging them off.

As I grow older, I realize that with more of life’s responsibilities coming in, time is a valuable thing. To finally realize that no matter what type of environment you find yourself in, there’s a person who will “spend” their time and attention on you is invaluable.

Do What You Love

By Paulie Yaremko “Do What You Love ‘ is what Noel wanted from everyone. He showed us all how easy it is to be stoked on a very simple plan: being yourself. Show it every day and wear it on your sleeve.

Miss you homie and thanks for all the years of awesomeness!

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Right There, In Your Face, In the Best Way Possible

By Jeff Gaites If you were at any event that Noel was also at, you knew Noel. He was either on a megaphone, or just yelling instructions about rider safety and registration. He was right there, in your face, in the best way possible.

His Heart On His Sleeve

By John Paul Dal Pan Noel and I met about ten years ago while working together at a local ski shop.

When we were introduced, we shortly discovered how many friends we had in common. From the start, we became riding buddies, hitting the mountains whenever we had time. We became best friends; there wasn’t much that we wouldn’t do for one another.

Noel was a very passionate person in every aspect and always wore his heart on his sleeve. But it was his passion of surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding along with the incredible people who made up this culture that he set out to create the Shralpers Union.

A collective of like-minded individuals who are all connected over the bond they share for the love of side stance board culture. I gave him the assistance he needed to formulate his ideas into motion. We shared many epic times together.

Taking An Army of Us to Fill His Shoes

By Luke Ayata Noel was a magical person who couldn’t be categorized. He touched so many lives from all walks of life in unimaginable ways. He made me a believer from day one and gave me the chance to break bread with him both on and off the scene. I know firsthand how dedicated he was to his dream. He would go out of his way to give a kid a board just to see him smile and pass on the infamous “High Fives & Positive Vibes” motto. He would wake up with that vibe and would try to win new people over every day. Soon he was able to get that attitude to spread like wildfire; there are now Shralpers Union members across the globe who are all trying to keep his dream alive.

Noel enjoyed pushing as hard as he could at the 188 mile Chief Lagida Silver Comet Sk8 Challenge. Photo - Georgia Hall

An Amazing Passion For Life

By Michael Poli Anyone that grew up with me might call me “passionate”. That word is an understatement for my good friend Noel. Phil Theo and I met Noel through snowboarding. We worked with him at on-snow demos, and had the chance to hire Noel at Paragon Sports in Manhattan. I was able to watch him turn his amazing passion for life and live it to the fullest through one of the fastest promotions I have ever seen. At the demos, no one partied harder than Noel. It never seemed that anyone was up and ready before him. If people walked around with even half as much passion and love in their heart as Noel possessed, we would all live in a better world.

A Stoked Filled Vacation

By Matt Micchelli Starting from the first day I met him at an Arbor skate race at Bear Creek in 2010, I knew Noel was not like most people.

He had this vibe about him that made him stand out. Noel possessed a positive, outgoing energy that made him want everything to be rad, in every way, for everyone, all the time.

That was Noel. My time spent with him was nothing less than a stoke-filled vacation from everyday life. He made every event he attended come alive. For the nearly five years that I knew Noel, he has and will continue to inspire me to live life by his motto “High fives and positives vibes”. Shralp it!

It’s only after his passing that we all realize the true potential of this man as it now takes an army of us to fill his shoes. I, along with other industry leaders, his father Ray Korman and a group of dedicated friends have taken an oath to be upstanding Union members and to take care of Noel Korman’s baby, the Shralpers Union, until the day we finally meet up with him. He is dearly missed; may he rest in peace.

He Will Never Be Replaced

By Doug Ward Noel; just saying his name brings a smile to my face. He is the definition of stoked! He was a friend, brother, mentor, teacher and an inspiration to us all. Everyone he encountered saw his generosity and selfless attitude. He’d give you the shirt off his back, literally. I save him do it many times, and give Ray’s away along with it. He was also the hype-man. Whenever he introduced someone, he would go through all their accomplishments, the things they were doing and would “blow up” their spot or reminisce of events that they did together. I can’t name all the good memories I made with this great man, but I can say that I’ll never forgot him, and he will never be replaced.

Portrait of Noel by William Melendrez CONCRETEWAVEMAGAZINE.COM | 61

The skaters get a standing ovation after the screening

OPEN Worldwide Premiere

by Valeria Kechichian. Photos by Noelia Otegui

A

fter a year of hard work, the OPEN worldwide premiere took place at the Madrid Skate Film Festival in Spain. OPEN riders came from all over the world to be there. Attendees included Amanda Powell from California, Katie Neilson from Canada, Ishtar Backlünd from Sweden, Jenna Russo from Australia, Cristina Mandarina and Eider Walls from Barcelona, and Gador Salís and me from Madrid. The premier was insane and fully sold out! Marisa, Cindy, Micaela, Jacky, Gina and Cami were hugely missed. A big part of the production crew was there, as well as the director, Daniel Etura.

OPEN

portrays fourteen of the best female riders in the world from eleven different countries getting together in one of the most talked-about places on earth (Israel) for the experience of a lifetime. Seeing the movie and ourselves on the big screen was exhilarating. We savored the beautiful images, the touching moments, the crazy parts, the outstanding music and awesome editing. The movie juxtaposes school clips of women in the 1950s against images of skating today, clearly showing how women’s roles in society have dramatically changed.

When the movie finished, the reaction of the audience was overwhelming as they gave a standing ovation. It was one of the most memorable nights of our lives.

After so much hard work, seeing such an incredible movie with its crew members and riders, surrounded by our friends and families, was the experience of a lifetime.

Amanda Powell G Turning after the screening

After that long night, the upcoming days were filled with fun, talks, skating, food and laughs. The Madrid Skate Film Festival was on until Sunday. Every day outside the venue, skating took place.

We were stoked that we were together again and had the chance to reinforce the bonds that we built in Israel, and were already talking about when and where the next meeting would happen.

In the end, it’s all about the connections you make with other people. I know the bonds with these ladies will last forever.

OPEN premieres are happening everywhere! After Spain, the Canadian, Venezuelan, German, Israeli and Japanese premieres took place.

Coming next are Sweden, USA, Norway, Philippines, Uruguay, UK, Poland and more. Stay tuned to catch one near you!

OPEN won’t be released online any time soon because it’s being sold to international TV channels around the world and its privacy is therefore essential. We’ve released a 15-minute video online with excerpts from the film.

Visit longboardgirlscrew.com for more information.

Valeria Kechichian getting some air after the OPEN screening

The LGC just launched their new board designed specifically for women (but it can also be used by men!) The mold was made with help from Austria’s Icone Longboards. Spanish designer Alvaro Yuste designed the graphic. It’s available through Season Distribution, Germany.

Thanks again to everyone who made OPEN possible: riders, production crew, friends, family, and everyone else who supported this project, both financially and spiritually. The Longboard Girls Crew works relentlessly supporting women in Action Sports. By creating projects like this that are made by and feature women, we reinforce our role in the scene and in society.

CONCRETEWAVEMAGAZINE.COM | 63

Words and photos Lotfi Lamaali

WHEN: Saturday, July 19, 2014, 11:30am

WHERE: Meeting Point: The Trocadero – Paris, Finishing Point: The Docks – Seine River

NUMBER OF SKATERS: 140 We flooded the streets of Paris while being careful not to block traffic. We saw many pedestrians taking pictures and showing their solidarity with us.

This made us want to yell even more to let everyone around us know how fully stoked we were.

Before reaching the final spot, we crossed a part of the Seine docks that was closed to traffic.

AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE: We ran into The Paris Beach Project.

This was made up of artificial beaches that had everything you need for the beach: sun loungers, sand, parasols, and atomizers that we immediately invaded to escape as the unbearable heat!

Over 140 skaters enjoyed the sights and sounds of Paris.

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After showering, we all headed to the dock session spot.

TIME TO JAM Everyone was in a great mood. Some of the riders chose a shady spot to rest, while others still had enough energy to skate. Thanks to Melanie who brought her guitar, we had an improvised musical jam with Daniel Fissmer on vocals, me on the guitar, and some friends on drums. It was a pure moment of sharing and joy.

On the other side of the spot, Omar (DJ Wattfuttchureez) started to install and prepare his DJ set.

The start of the one-push race.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN At 3:30, we decide to start some games enabling local riders to win the Loaded team’s complete gear.

The first game was simply dancing to the DJ’s music, with the most impressive dancer earning a set of wheels. After several attempts to convince shy riders to participate, some of them were finally ready to play and gave us a show full of good vibes.

The second game, which was somewhat sadistic, was proposed by Adam C and was called The Squat! In this game, each player puts their back to the wall in a sitting position with their hands on their shoulders and remains in this position for as long as possible. Ouch!

After ten minutes or so of suffering, Abu and Clement were the last to let go.

Co-winners, they played a final game of balance to break the tie. Abu won the game and Adam’s full Bhangra, which was well deserved!

THE PROPOSAL Ethan Cochard proposed a one-push race. The point was to push once and stay on the same position until the finish line without pumping or carving. After

several races and final selections, Charles went back home with Ethan’s complete Tesseract: the kid was over-stoked!

THE FINISH Once the session was finished, we all headed to a bar by the docks on the other side of La Seine for the last part of the event.

6:30 pm – We arrived at the bar. Some went inside to enjoy the photo exhibition set up around the dock session. The exhibition plunged people back into the dock session atmosphere by showing photos that had been taken since the first sessions.

7:00 pm – Daniel Fissmer decided to offer his complete board to the winner of Rock, Paper, Scissors. After a few minutes of intense, competition the winner (who used to snake-board!) won a complete Tesseract! It was a great way to be introduced into the longboarding family.

7:45 pm – The raffle began. There was a lot of swag to give away: Pony shoes, Herschel bags, Loaded Overlands, gloves, wheels, caps, Dock Session T-shirts, and a Bhangra donated by me.

SUMMARY This day was memorable for all of us because all the required elements were there: perfect weather, generous and active guests, a strong community, and positive energy.

A huge thanks all attendees for their energy and commitment, including those from Paris, other parts of France, and neighboring countries.

Thanks to the Ambassadors Adam Colton, Ethan Cochard, and Daniel Fissmer, for their commitment and generosity.

Thanks to our friend Omar (DJ Wattfutchureez of Ness Radio) for the sweet music that accompanied us throughout the session.

Thanks to the guys from the bar Les Nautes who welcomed us with open arms and let us discover an awesome skate and chill spot.

Thanks to the talented Seb Skate for the beautiful photos.

Finally thanks to Loaded boards, Orangatang wheels, Board-Z, Pony, Herschel Supply Co. of Dunes, France for the awesome prizes!

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PART TWO We are proud to present another feature on rider setups. No matter what type of terrain you ride, there is a perfect setup waiting for you.

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RIDER:

KENT NISHIYA SETUP: I’m a surfer as much as a skater, so I ride the 9” Carver CX truck set because it carves like my surfboard.

For big ditch surfing I use the 31.75” Carver Kerrzy because it’s an inch longer than my regular surfskate for that extra stability, and I swap out the boardside conical bushing for an 87a barrel bushing on the front truck for a little extra rail support. On this day I was testing out the new 69mm Roundhouse GlueSticks, which have a concave contact patch and flexible lip for insane grip. It really helps me maintain traction on the face, and when I hit the transition at full speed I can bottom turn without sliding out and ride back up the face for another few snaps.

Photo - Lance Dalgart

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RIDER:

DILLON STEPHENS SETUP: I compete in many races; you never know what other competitors are going to do. This is why my pro model board (Landyachtz Triplebeam) has a small amount of drop that I can jam my feet into and feel secure in those holy sh*t moments. It also has rear W concave to lock my foot on pre-drifts, but none in the front, making for easier pushing. The Bear Kodiak trucks are forged so they will stay straight despite all the beating I put them through, and they fit tall bushings, giving them lean. I use fairly hard Venom bushings (double green in the front and pink and glow-in-the-dark white in the back) because most of my riding is fast. The Biggie Hawgs have a lot of grip in the skin when they are fresh, which is perfect for racing. Once they are broken in, they have a nice sugary slide while still having enough grip to handle any hill.

Photo - Jacob Lambert

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Photo - Mark Callanan

RIDER:

MIKE SCHEIN SETUP: I ride the Omen Minisugar 2.0 because it is one of the most versatile, do-everything boards out there. It’s got enough concave to hold you in, with a small drop in the front, and yet the concave doesn’t get in your way. I ride the Free Willies on it. They are predictable and leave fat thane lines.

They kill just enough speed to give you the confidence to skate faster every run, and yet they don’t slow you down incredibly - which is surprising considering their thaneable abilities. When the board and wheels are combined with my 40* PNL Joey’s, life’s a dream!

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Photo - Danny Strasser

RIDER:

REBEKKA GEMPERLE SETUP: I am from Bern, Switzerland and in 2012, I was IGSA World Downhill Champion. My Abec 11 wheels on a Fibretec Flying Pan ensures my skate smile keeps growing! From racing to fast freeriding, nothing comes close to Abec 11.

For racing, I usually go with Reflex Formula. They combine grip and roll speed to perfection. Out of all the Abec 11 freeride wheels, I have always felt incredibly comfortable on the Pink Series. Ever since I got to know the Blue 81a Sick Sicks I know what tops the smoothness scale over again!

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Photo - Heidi Lemmon

SETUP: The longboard I choose to go fast on most of the time is the NeverSummer Reaper. It locks my feet in perfectly. I always know where my feet are and I can take this board from ditches to the mountains. My Reaper also has P-tex on both ends to keep it from exploding on impact. I use Riptide Bushings and Footstops. My Ronins turn dip and dive when I want without wheelbite. I love the stable feeling, yet can turn sharply if needed. I ride RAD Design wheels. I feel as if I know and can predict my slides.

RIDER:

NEIL WIELAND CONCRETEWAVEMAGAZINE.COM | 71

BY MARIA AND RICHY CARRASCO

he first World Championship of slalom racing in the modern era was held in Morro Bay, California in 2000. I was there that year and have attended every annual world championship ever since. The first five events were held in the U.S. at Morro Bay until the organizers decided to alternate the location between North America and Europe. So in 2006, the event was held in Brixlegg, Austria, then returned to the U.S. one year later in Statesville, North Carolina. In 2008, it was Gothenburg Sweden’s turn, then Hood River, Oregon in 2009, Hradek Kralove, Czech Republic in 2010, Ottawa, Canada in 2011, Stuttgart, Germany in 2012, Houston Texas in 2013, and finally returned to the Czech Republic in 2014.

Over the years, each event has offered something unique with its location, culture, venue, and community support.

The hosting crew does an amazing job accommodating racers from all over the world.

This brings us to the most recent racing event in 2014. This race was not only a highlight of the year for the over 130 racers who attended, but also a high point for slalom skating. Petr Matous, one of the world’s top junior division racers, was the main force in organizing the 2014 World Championship in his hometown of Policka, Czech Republic.

This country has a long history of slalom racing and is home to several hardcore racing groups. The hard work from this group in Policka was evident as they presented one of the best world-class events ever.

Petr Matous. Photo: Michal Skavrada

Right up to the starting of the event, Petr worked overtime to ensure that all the competitors were brought from the Prague airport to the remote medieval village of Policka. He even arranged for low-cost lodging and free shuttle buses to and from the race site every day.

Day One The Giant Slalom event was held on a 6% grade hill with terrific views of the Czech countryside. After signups and warmups, everyone was treated to an air show with a vintage style airplane divebombing and buzzing the racecourse, which got everyone fired up for racing!

The single lane course had large offsets with everyone digging in all day trying to keep their traction without reducing their speed.

Day Two Heart-stopping head-to-head hybrid races were held on the same hill with large offset courses. Just as on day one, wheel traction and body placement were important factors that the skaters needed to move through the eliminations and on to the finals. Each day, LED time displays were set up showing the raw time and cone penalty, then flashed to display the adjusted time for each lane.

This information was key for racers and spectators to keep track of what was happening during eliminations. There were awesome battles in every division.

Lynn Kramer charges the course Photo: Michal Skavrada

Day Three Head to head tight slalom races were held on a riverside road just outside the village walls. They offered drag-racing style courses with center cone spacing of less than six feet. Crowds of spectators lined the courses to cheer the racers on.

The last event in this three-day marathon of racing had everyone digging deep to go that extra mile.

Joe McLaren of the U.S. won his fifth consecutive overall Men’s Pro World Championship title; his teammate Lynn Kramer won her eleventh overall title in the Women’s Pro Division. Their victories are unprecedented in the history of slalom racing.

Very special thanks to the organizers who kept the events running efficiently to finish on time each day. There were parties held each evening with live bands, cheap food and drink, and Olympic-style award ceremonies complete with fireworks. Every detail was covered, from race site hospitality tents with free meals and wi-fi, to having professional TV crews covering the events. You can see the complete results, photos and videos on the ISSA website listed below.

The resurgence of slalom racing starting in 1999 has been one of the best times in skateboarding for me. Traveling to incredible places, meeting and racing

Slalom legend Richy Carrasco Photo: Maria Carrasco

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Over 130 skaters enjoyed the experience of slalom racing in the Czech Republic. Photo: Maria Carrasco

with people from all over the world, and sharing a special camaraderie with my team and racing family is amazing; it’s what keeps me coming back each year.

It’s great to see more countries and new people getting on board with racing.

This is definitely a sport that is fueled by the enthusiasm of the competitors who also organize the events to help keep the racing movement moving forward. The same goes for California. We’ve started So Cal Racing, hosting regular sessions and five race events for 2015.

Globally, 2015 is packed with events from local outlaws to major championships.

The World Championship is returning to

North America, this time to the mountain resort town of Antrim, New Hampshire, from September 18-20. Antrim has much community support and always offers a warm welcome to the visiting racers. Other main events include the US Nationals in Oceanside, California from July 11-12, and the European Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden from August 28-30.

The scene is always open to newbies with local racing crews hosting friendly regular events all over.

Find out more at slalomranking.com

The slalom world is unified by the International Slalom Skateboarding Association (ISSA) that maintains the master calendar and world ranking system for events, and also tracks individual racer ranking stats by division.

RACE RESLUTS: GIANT SLALOM WINNERS

HYBRID SLALOM WINNERS

TIGHT SLALOM WINNERS

Pro Men – Joe McLaren, USA Pro Women – Lynn Kramer, USA Masters – Radan Knobloch, Germany Amateur – Edijs Jermacenko, Latvia Junior (17 and under) – Toms Dreiblats, Latvia Junior (14 and under) – Max Thiele, Germany Junior (11 and under) – Mare Erika Belta, Latvia

Pro Men – Joe McLaren, USA Pro Women – Lynn Kramer, USA Masters – Scott Hostert, USA Amateur – Jakub Knettig, Czech Republic Junior (17 and under) – Toms Dreiblats, Latvia Junior (14 and under) – Lukas Knobloch, Germany Junior (11 and under) – Mare Erika Belta, Latvia

Pro Men - Viking Hadestrand, Sweden Pro Women – Lienite Skaraine, Latvia Masters – Salvis Skarainis, Latvia Junior (17 and under) – Jakub Knettig, Czech Republic Junior (14 and under) – Toms Dreiblats, Latvia Junior (11 and under) – Max Thiele, Germany Junior (11 and under) – Mare Erika Belta, Latvia

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RIDER INTERVIEW 76 | CONCRETE WAVE - SPRING 2015

Interview by Katie Nielson

Katie Nielson: Tell me about yourself and your sponsors?

Elena Corrigall: I’m 21 years young and from Calgary, Alberta.

I ride for Landyachtz Longboards, Bear Trucks, Hawgs Wheels, Royal Board Shop and Predator Helmets.

Congratulations on two women’s world cup titles in a row.

Was one year harder than the other, or was there a notable difference in the competition between the two seasons?

Thanks! The women’s field is progressing significantly each year, which is unbelievably awesome. I see it as more females realizing that they can do it too, and that we too belong in the currently male dominated sport. It’s really hard to compare the past two years. The combination of my personal progression accompanied by the mental pressure of feeling as if I needed to fulfill the expectations set out for me made it quite an experience.

What is your proudest racing accomplishment?

I was fortunate enough to hit up the circuit in Europe this year.

While I was in the Czech Republic at Kozakov, I had one of the most fun races of my life while racing repêchage with the boys.

I had just narrowly missed qualifying for the A bracket in Open and was put into the last-chance race to try and get back in.

At first I wasn’t too stoked to have missed it by so little, but as each heat progressed on the fast, narrow and technical track, I was having so much fun getting tight with the boys. Next thing I knew, it was B class finals and I, along with the three other finalists, were all smiles on the start line. We had such a rad, clean, tight heat, and as I took the final pass coming out of the last corner, I was filled with such a beautiful feeling of accomplishment and happiness.

The other guys in the heat, as well as everyone waiting at the finish line, were so supportive - it really made the moment so special! For some reason, that feeling has stuck with me more than at any woman’s race, and I think it’s because no one was expecting a girl to win repêchage. But in that moment, I felt as if I was being seen as an equal, a rider, and not just a female one.

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It comes up in almost every story with an individual who consistently finds themselves on the top; the pressure is real.

Some definitely deal with it better than others - what should be taken as a compliment in that they believed you had it from the start is easy to interpret it as a slap in the face for letting everyone down. Looking back though, I wouldn’t change any outcomes even if I could, because it’s those times that I’ve learnt the most from and that have fueled me to strive my hardest.

“There was never a thought of ‘I can’t do that’; it was more ‘well if they can do it, I can do it!”

Enjoying Vancouver’s amazing terrain. Photo - Jon Huey

What are your three favorite race tracks and why?

Kozakov in the Czech Republic. It’s fun, narrow, fast and technical. The Festival de la Bajada in Columbia (the track previous to the one in the 2014 season) is extremely challenging; quick transitions at the top of the track paired with a fast bottom section makes this track so fun!

Skylands Downhill in Kelowna, BC. Each corner on this track is so unique, it really keeps you on your A game to perfectly dial in your lines. Topping it off with some fairly serious cooking into a flat hairpin finishes off a solid course.

What is your favorite place to skate when you aren’t racing?

Who skates in your regular crew?

My favorite roads to shralp on with friends are definitely the ones in the French Alps that I was introduced to this year.

Unfortunately, I don’t get to hit those up on a regular basis, but here in Vancouver, I have some amazing options for every type of riding. Sessions usually consist of my Calgary homies and my G’s who work or ride for Landyachtz.

When you occasionally don’t win, how does it feel when people ask you why?

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Do you want to continue racing? You have accomplished a lot in downhill and come from a very competitive background in ice luge. Does the pressure to stay on top make you want to sideline yourself and continue having fun without any expectations of being the fastest? How do you balance your own feelings towards competition with the expectations felt by others?

I’ve been competing on world cup circuits for eight years now between ice luge and longboarding. That’s a huge chunk of my life, nearly 40%! I’m such a competitive person by nature that it’s just what I wanted to do. I wanted to push myself to my limits, fueled by the love of progression, and see what I could amount to. I think I’ve reached a point where I know that it’s not about proving that I’m the fastest; I don’t need to be. I feel so fortunate to have experienced every moment of it and I want to use it as an opportunity to have people hear what I have to say. I want to be there for others and help spread love and confidence. I’m honestly not certain about what my future racing career holds!

You’ve been cutting and chopping your Landyachtz boards for a long time. Are you working on anything special right now?

Everyone is unique and your foot size, weight and technique really affect what is the right board for you. It’s pretty obvious that an amazing setup for someone might not be the best for another. I’ve always been really into customizing my boards to fulfill my own personal needs. I think it’s something that everyone should play around with to find out what works for them. I’ve been working on a board with Landyachtz that is geared towards a smaller niche of riders, so I’m really excited to be given the opportunity to help create a board for those out there whose needs may have been overlooked.

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t skating?

Have you been inspired by any new hobbies lately?

I’m always wrapped up in some new and exciting activity that thrills me. I’ve been doing a lot of rock climbing lately, taking crash pads out to remote areas with untouched boulders, and really getting amped on continuing to learn more with transition skating. Whenever I can, I love to create, usually some pretty

Elena is working on a board with Landyachtz that is geared toward a smaller niche of riders. Photo - Jacob Lambert

kick ass arts and crafts. Last but not least, I try to cram as much tree climbing, cliff jumping and getting lost in the complete wilderness as I can.

Combining your past accomplishments with your future goals, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave behind? Is there any stage or age of people that you want to inspire the most?

Out of everything that I’ve been fortunate enough to experience or accomplish through this sport, I have realized that what I take out of it and the message that I want to share is that girls can do anything. If that’s to be competitive with the guys, push yourself or scare yourself; there is nothing holding us back!

Growing up with my brother and our friends, being the only girl didn’t change anything for me. There was never a thought of ‘I can’t do that’; it was more ‘well if they can do it, I can do it!’

Often that ended in minute disasters with scrapes and bruises, but there wasn’t an activity or task that I wasn’t going to throw every ounce of my being into and see how I could fare with my companions. There wasn’t a chance that I was going to miss out on the adrenaline or fun just because some stereotype told me I was less capable, and I still live with that mindset every day.

I feel so fortunate to have been brought up in an environment that never limited me because of my gender. If there is any lasting mark that I can make in the downhill scene and as far as my words can reach, it’s that I want to help eliminate the negative connotation behind being a girl and ‘doing things like a girl’.

At 21, Elena has captured two world cup titles in a row. Photo - Jon Huey CONCRETEWAVEMAGAZINE.COM | 79

THE BRIDGE

by Kurt Hurley When the incomparable 1970s ended, it was becoming quite clear to nonskating skate park owners that their wasn’t as much money to be made off of skateboarders as they originally thought. Some skate parks were shut down because of lawsuits filed against them, and other parks closed due to mismanagement. The best parks were so difficult to skate that only the pros skated them. Unfortunately for the owners, most of the pros didn’t have to pay to skate. It therefore wasn’t as lucrative a business venture anymore. There were other reasons, but these, along with a general fading popularity certainly led to the demise of skateboard parks in the early 1980s. As a result, skateboarders created a terrain of their own: halfpipes.

The Eighth Wonder of the World:

THE TURNING POINT RAMP Photos by Craig Snyder (unless otherwise noted) From A Secret History of the Ollie by Craig B. Snyder (Black Salt Press, March 2015). Copyright © 2015 by Craig Snyder. All rights reserved.

V

ert, pool riding and park riding were definitely in vogue as the 1980s began. No doubt, the previously mentioned Alva, Jay, Ollie and many more rippers were inventing new maneuvers on any walls that could be found. Pools were getting gnarlier and larger, but unfortunately, these parks were disappearing almost as quickly as they came about. The park I rode in Florida had two fairly decent pools, one round and one peanut-shaped.

We even had a waterslide to attract more customers.

Then, out of the blue, and with very little fanfare, a very strange looking, never-before-seen Giant Capsule appeared in the parking lot. I don’t know if I can put into words just how incredible this monolith of skateboarding appeared to me at the time. One thing is certain, no-one had ever seen anything like it. The following is my conversation with the inventor of possibly the greatest skateboard ramp ever made: “The Turningpoint Ramp”. His name is Scotty Senatore. He was not only a very good skater, he was also somewhat of a “skateboarding shaman” who played an integral part in pushing skateboarding to the next level.

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Kent Senatore, inside the ramp, riding a Turningpoint Punkture Madness board, Cocoa Beach, Florida, September 1979.

The Turningpoint ramp made its public debut at Solid Surf Skateboard Park in Fort Lauderdale during a major Florida competition in May 1979.

The ramp and Solid Surf are now long gone, but the Taco Bell sitting opposite on the other side of Oakland Park Boulevard still remains.

Interview with Scott Senatore by Kurt Hurley: In 1979, I was getting the feeling that the skate park boom was losing steam. What is your feeling about that time, and about skate parks in general?

They weren’t designed by skaters. Back then, you had to pay to get in to all the parks, good or bad. They were poorly run and no-one knew what they were doing. The owners were only in it to make money, and to most of them it was a get-rich-quick scheme. The owners were greedy!

What was the inspiration for the building of the Turningpoint Ramp?

A few ramps already existed, and I rode for Vans who had a plexiglass ramp. Firestone had one too. One day, I was approached by a major basketball team to build a ramp that could be moved in and out during halftime of the games for entertainment.

Why the capsule shape?

The capsule idea was so that a person could ride the ramp like it was a long pool with a dome at the end. It would then have a variety of applications including a half pipe, full pipe, or oval for going over vert or doing loops.

But no-one had ever done loops before?

In my mind, it seemed like it was inevitable that someone was

going to go upside down. I was going for something no-one had ever done before, but I knew it had to be possible.

How was the TP Ramp funded?

My mom’s boyfriend was the President of the team and I was the VP. He had to launder money that he was making from dealing drugs, so that’s where the money came from. He was part of a group of smugglers from back East that worked in South Florida.

They were also involved in a skate movie called “Skateboard Madness”, and they wanted to include the Turningpoint Ramp in the movie. The movie originally was going to be a documentary on skateboarding, but ended up being fictional and the ramp was only in the final scene. It was spectacular, so they saved it for last. Unfortunately I got sucked into all of this.

Can you tell me more about the construction of the ramp?

My mom’s boyfriend went overboard on everything. I wanted it to be made of plexiglass and steel so that it wouldn’t be too expensive, and easy to take apart. Instead, he made it out of lexan and aluminum. It ended up being very expensive and hard to make repairs or get replacement parts. I got into arguments about the construction, and really they made it too good. I wanted it to be less expensive, so that it could be mass produced.

They made it bullet-proof and it didn’t have to be. But it worked!

Even the hydraulics worked, but not the way I wanted. The ramp was designed so you could go beyond vertical, creating CONCRETEWAVEMAGAZINE.COM | 81

The Turningpoint ramp being disassembled in Cocoa Beach, Florida, before its travel up the coast to a state fair in the Northeast, September 1979.

Sections of the cradle are being neatly stacked in the foreground.

weightlessness. I didn’t want there to be any limits to what you could do. It definitely did all of that, but financially, it just wasn’t feasible.

How did the TP Ramp ever get to Solid Surf Skatepark in Ft. Lauderdale?

My mom lived in Ft. Lauderdale, and her boyfriend who funded it also lived there.

Bob Spence’s Solid Surf was the logical place to park the ramp because it was the best skate park in Lauderdale. Also, the filming of Skateboard Madness was going to be done around there.

That was a really fun time, and also a time of change in society. I remember you getting me in to The Police and punk rock.

It definitely was. Kent (my brother) and Jerry Valdez brought punk rock music to me from England. They got turned on to it when they were over there riding for Arrow Skateboards with Tony, Jay, Hackett, Paul Constatineau. That was before Turningpoint got real.

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Loading In - Photo by Lance Smith

Steve Lipman - Photo by Lance Smith

“I got into arguments about the construction, and really they made it too good” Who did the first full loop on the ramp?

Who else stood out in your mind?

Kent Senatore, my brother, was the first to do it. Kent and Jerry would do doubles in the ramp. Jerry had it down really soon after Kent. Other guys who ripped the ramp were Brad Bowman, Steve Lippman, Jim “Graystoke” Gray, Steve Caballero and, of course, Tony Hawk.

What happened to the Turningpoint Ramp after that?

We went on tour with it up the east coast of the U.S. doing demos from Florida to New Jersey. Then it ended up in the

Marina Del Rey skate park in southern California for a while. Not long after that, my mom’s boyfriend was indicted for drug trafficking and they had to sell everything, including the ramp, piece by piece. I heard the capsule end is now a greenhouse in Washington state.

What was the greatest compliment you ever received regarding the TP Ramp?

That would definitely be Shaggy from Grindline. I was contacted by the people building the skate park in Maui where I live now. They had contracted Grindline to build the park there, and introduced me to them. Shaggy told me that the cradles that they implemented into their designs were all inspired by my Turningpoint Ramp. I thought he was bullshitting me, but he certainly paid me a compliment. He said they wanted to make a cradle here in Maui, and he wanted me to check out the design on Facebook. I didn’t know that cradles were being designed into parks because I have been isolated over here in Hawaii for 20

years. Shaggy said that my Turningpoint ramp was the inspiration for all of them.

A few things have happened to my visionary friend Scott Senatore. No doubt his incredible creation was the first ramp of its type ever built, and was far ahead of its time. It ushered in the building of many ramps in the 1980s and is a part of skateboard history. Neither Turningpoint or Scott got any credit in the movie “Skateboard Madness.” Scott drifted away from skateboarding for quite a while after severely cutting his wrist in an accident.

Now, he rips on a regular basis over in Hawaii and is one of the over 50 year-old skaters who do.

Scott Senatore

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L.F.P.

LONG BOARDING FOR PEACE VIETNAM by Anna-Selina Kager DING FO AR

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It’s been just over a year since Viet Shred, a project to support skateboarders in Vietnam, started changing lives of Vietnamese skateboarders. The project started slowly in Ho Chi Minh City, but then exploded in Mui Ne. There, I met VIETNAM three guys who were completely frothing on skateboarding: Binh, Cuong, and Quoc Khanh.

The guys invited me over for the best Vietnamese BBQ and some fun skating near Mui Ne’s white and red sand dunes. We had a fantastic and unforgettable time, but I soon realized that the guys’ equipment was limited. They used old gear that was useless for their style of riding, not to mention preventing the guys from advancing their skills. They simply needed better gear, but had no idea how or where to get it. They had no financial resources and there was no longboard shop in Vietnam.

The solidarity in our community makes it easy for skaters to travel the world, learn from each other and provide support to grow the sport and facilitate an international platform.

Longboarding For Peace, the Concrete Wave Magazine, Landyachtz Longboards, Singapore’s Longboard Love Boardshop, Vietnam’s The Bike Shop and private donors supported Viet Shred with boards, wheels, safety gear and logistics. Thanks to all of them for their help!

Viet Shred is building a platform that enables skaters to explore Vietnam together with local skaters. Last year, we led Arto Rohde

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(Bastl Boards, Cloud Ride Wheels), Deen Mondt (Sickboards Longboards, CTD Pucks, PNL), and Dani Gaislerova (Sickboards Longboards, CTD Pucks, Steez Distribution, Rey), and others through the concrete jungles of Vietnam. They have all been having an amazing time over there!

Viet Shred has been growing rapidly after receiving international support. Binh, Cuong and Quoc Khanh go skating and scouting for new spots every day until sunset.

Still, Viet Shred needs even more support. Just recently, Nguyen, our project manager, started planning the first official Viet Shred slide clinic. We can’t wait to welcome some more international riders in Vietnam to shred down roads between rice paddy fields, slurp coconuts, and grill fresh seafood on the BBQ together.

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Roller Pride skating school and Nevsky Surf longboard shop are offering regular free master classes for adults and kids in Saint Petersburg to promote the longboarding movement in the city.

The initiative started several years ago RUSSIA as a slide clinic in Saint Petersburg and gave a push to many riders, resulting in some of them getting sponsorships from local distributors.

The instructors who hold these master classes are longboarding pioneers and prime movers in Saint Petersburg, and are all skilled and experienced coaches truly devoted to their work.

“More and more people are coming to us in order to learn basic longboarding skills. Not so long ago, we could hold one master class for all of them at the same time, but now we have to divide them into several groups, as our indoor rink cannot accommodate them all any longer!”

We are teaching such basics as: the correct stance and balance, gravity centre control, working with the knees and the body, take-off, slowdown, and making a turn. This is usually enough to start surfing in such a flat city as Saint Petersburg.

However, we are also looking for talented youth with a thirst for knowledge, offering them additional and more intense classes with elements of style and stunts. This way, we are forming the basis for simple recreational longboarding, with further style and skill development,” says Ivan Pankratov, director at Nevsky Surf and senior instructor at Roller Pride.

DING FO AR

KIDSPEACE Kids at KidsPeace Residential Treatment Facility are rolling strong with the help of Longboarding for Peace. Under the supervision of Brian Fitch, Facilities Coordinator at KidsPeace and team rider of Faceplant Boardriders, clients who live on campus and have worked through various treatment goals are rewarded with the opportunity to skate. One rider said the class “made me strive to behave to have the opportunity to skate when I had nothing else to look forward to.” KidsPeace will be hosting the third Annual Skate for Peace as a continued fundraiser for the program on May 16th in Orefield, PA. Kidspeace.org

COUNT ME IN Count Me In is the world’s largest youth-led movement, helping teens find their passion through local volunteerism. LFP has teamed up with Count Me In for their conference in Toronto in April. Through innovative programs and broadcasts, the organization provides youth with tools, resources and mentorship.

Their goal is to inspire local involvement, leadership, and grassroots social innovation.

Cmimovement.com

RADNUTS At the ISPO show in Munich, Germany, we collaborated with Non Universal Nuts. These custom-bearing protectors were strictly limited edition.

Nonuniversalnuts.com

NATHAN BISHOP The griptape master has come up with another inspirational piece of art. This is his tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

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by Alexey “Ganjev” Romanov

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contact: buddycarrdesign@gmail.com photo: donez