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| Speedboarding (19049 Posts)
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Speedboarding |
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Trash Talking
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On 2/12/2001 black vs. white
wrote in from
(64.12.nnn.nnn)
I think the only peolpe who have room to say which way things should be, are the peope who have obtained at least one gold medal. Does anyone still have anything to say? Kudos to Kludy, I love the attitude, shut up and ride, have fun, maybe even win. I think a "rider" who can't use a speedsuit or kevlars, and whines about it, isn't a true rider in the first place. If I had a lot of money though, I would have the best gear in the world, but would stil love to race and ride all the same with or without it. Jeez, this is speeboarding, no matter what, not everyone is going to be 100 percent happy. I can't wait until Barrett, I might even have to beat a few people in qualifying, and dodge rolling white speedsuits on the pavement again, while my "welfare" butt is making it down the hill faster. Anyhow, we'll just have to wait and see. Who knows, I could crash and crush myself, but at least I will have fun, and be known as a competitor, and not a whiner. Later guys.
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DHX + speedsuits
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On 2/12/2001 Craig
wrote in from
(196.34.nnn.nnn)
In Cape Town we have a downhill racing community which has grown from ZERO in three years...thanks to Red Bull and their race. Until very recently, most guys had no clue what was going on. At the first race everyone raced shortboards and street wheels. Lucky people got Slammers. Very very lucky people had old krypto 70mm. I was the only guy on a longish board (38"). It was only the luge category, all guys shipped over from USA and europe, who were proffessionally organised. It was the same at the second race, except that about 4 or 5 Capetonians got their act together and got decent boards, wheels, trucks, and a FEW sets of leathers. Otherwise the second race was dominated by 150mm trucks and slammers again. Red Bull is putting on a major event here, but everyone would call them F***ers if they pushed out the local competition. And that is true. I ride with guys regularly who are going to be shit hot competition for all you americans. But they have only had about 3 years to get into the sport. Our currency is worth shit. Our postage costs the moon, and a very long wait. Getting good equipment and material here is very very hard. So, these shit hot riders are begging, borrowing, stealing and getting sponsored (as Chris put on the DHX site) as much as they can!! We are trying our damned hardest to get up to date on equipment. What all this effort amounts to in your average serious rider is a set of cherry bombs or 2, a set of Randal trucks, a home made deck, and a set of crappy leathers if they're really lucky. Actually our equipment standard is very high after such a short time. But speedsuits and aero helmets are a totally different ball game. They are really expensive for the slight speed difference and poor durability. Additionally, most of our best riders are either at school, or are slaving away at tertiary studies...everyone knows it is not easy to get a decent job when you're a student.You can call it a sad story if you want, but Red Bull is only trying to ease in the local competition.
Those IGSA rules that DHX posted were not the official rules of the DHX. They put them there just so that the riders could see the sorts of standards they should be aiming for in terms of safety, safety equipment, and other gear. As i already said, most of the riders don't have that much of a clue. Last year I saw riders who were surprised that they had to wear knee pads. I know guys who didn't think helmets were necessary. There were loads of bummed skaters because they weren't allowed to race in their baggies and t-shirts. That is why IGSA rules were put there. They should have been more clear about their intentions with regards to those rules!!
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The love of the sport
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On 2/12/2001 KLUDY
wrote in from
(64.12.nnn.nnn)
There are a lot of guys who race because they love to go fast and try to beat each others down the hill. We do it for fun not money.You dont get paid , I pay for all my stuff and alot of times we will get four or more riders to go together and share gas , rooms , and food.I DONT look for a rule before I race , I just race and have the time of my life when I do.Yes the sport will get big and guys will come out of the woodwork to race for money, thats COOl !if I can race three times a year I am happy , going to cape town or france or to race the swiss is a great dream for any rider to have ,but I dont need to race for pride , I have that in my family. I race the races I can get to without breaking the bank.Racing is not my job it is my passion.This site is great for people to share feelings and rules ,or what ever is on a racer mind. Thank you web master. I do have a speed suit but it is tight and not as much fun as without, racing. Thats the other side of the coin. SEE YOU AT THE U.S RACES , LATER - ps - If money is your game you can have it, just work hard.
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Juicy reading here
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On 2/12/2001 Herbn
wrote in from
(216.107.nnn.nnn)
Downhill racing is downhill,just take the rules of downhill skiing just a bit more abrasion protection,however you get it Kevlar or leather,money should not be an issue either way.
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HORSE FEATHERS
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On 2/12/2001
JON
wrote in from
(212.1.nnn.nnn)
Hey Chris had you noticed that most racing organisations actually limit the speed of vehicles to keep them in classes? Even F1 top speeds have been cut in the last few years. Sure there should be full on balls out speed races, but the DHX is not like that. As far as I can make out, a lot of riders dont even have leather. Think about that.
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The Point
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On 2/12/2001
Chris Chaput
wrote in from
(63.168.nnn.nnn)
Do you know what the "I" in IGSA and EDI stands for? International is the answer. The only problem is that as soon as an international competition is put together, the rulebook goes out the window. On the IGSA website, the rules state that speedsuits are allowed provided that the rider have leathers or a kevlasr race suit under them. If you want to read it yourself go to: http://www.gravity-sports.com/rules/safety.htm. EDI's rules can be found at the bottom of: http://www.downhillskateboarding.com/brd_spec.htm.
The point is not whether or not someone can win with or without a speedsuit, the point is that rules are written so that riders have an idea of what to expect at a race. We spend a lot of time and money doing R&D on equipment that falls within the rules, spend thousands more traveling to get to races, only to find that someone has changed the rules without notifying the racers. You have to go to the DHX website and read the IGSA rules, or I should say, this latest version of the IGSA rules.
There are some great riders who may not be able to get there (Kludy and Freeman) due to the cost but we are supposed to accept a rule change so that other riders don't feel at a disadvantage? Give me a break. The guys who want the rules changed are the same guys spending their last paycheck on the new car payment, partying and other toys.
I'm not exactly sure when it became cool to be broke. I've been there but it was anything but cool and I wasn't pre-occupied with how others made their money. A racing organization is not a welfare department and shouldn't act like one. We are talking about able bodied males in the free world here. There is an abundance of wealth on this planet and when some have plenty, it doesn't take anything away from others. I can't think of a single sport that you can race in where the equipment is any less expensive than in skateboarding. Cycling, inline skating, boats, cars, karts, airplanes, windsurfing, skiing and snowboarding all cost more money. When people get sponsored and have equipment, travel and expenses paid for them I think it's great. I don't sit around and think about how unfair it is that I've paid for all my stuff or that somehow life owes me. I can't afford to race NASCAR and I don't expect them have everyone drive pre-1970 VW bugs so that I can compete.
The only thing that I ask is that there are rules published and adhered to, not changed on the fly to accomodate some riders or to hold others back. I want to see everyone reaching higher instead of lowering the bar.
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speedsuits
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On 2/11/2001
hugh r
wrote in from
(205.216.nnn.nnn)
Chris,
I'll be real honest with you bud... you (personally) don't need a speed suit to win. You need teammates. Plain and simple.
A lone solider has a very slim chance of consistanly beating a "team" of riders. There are lots of factors that go into the team dynamic. The least of which is a sacrifical "fall"... blocking, drafting, boxing... and many others.
My two cents... HR
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$$$
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On 2/11/2001 DT
wrote in from
(24.4.nnn.nnn)
or you can marry into money
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Speedsuits
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On 2/11/2001
Chris Chaput
wrote in from
(63.168.nnn.nnn)
MikeZ, Speedsuits have very little effect (if any) when pulled over bulky, wrinkled leathers. When they are combined with smooth, tight fitting kevlar suits or leathers they can help pass a lot of clean air around the riders body. The faster the course the better. You can't rely on them to help out much (if any) on technical courses where rider ability and wheels play the biggest role in overall speed.
DHX just put a rule in place which prohibits speedsuits in their competition. This is contrary to IGSA rules and EDI rules (EDI just banned my kevlar leathers but not speedsuits, yet) and probably means that one of the following is true:
1) Riders who want the sponsor patches all over their leathers to show, but don't want anyone else to have an edge have lobbied to have speedsuits banned. This of course sucks for me and anyone else who spends money to have sponsor logos placed on their speedsuits, and now has nothing on his leathers.
2) People are whining about not have the money to buy fast gear and some bleeding heart do-gooders think that we should lower the bar to help out poor impoverished skaters. Get a job.
3. They plan to have riders wear some stupid bib (with advertising) on it and know that the nature of these defeats the purpose of speedsuits.
4. Some don't like the look of speedsuits thinking that we should try to avoid looking like athletes, and should all look like bad boys in leather instead.
If you can't already tell, I think this is a bad, unnecessary rule and that politics by a few plays a big role in holding this sport back from being all that it can be.
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DOWN TO MY LAST BUCK
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On 2/11/2001 KLUDY
wrote in from
(152.163.nnn.nnn)
Hay Darryl , Iam in with the low on funds thing , If you have agood plain I am in for that , running out of time. $1300.oo is a good deal.
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speed helmets & speedsuits
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On 2/11/2001 mikez
wrote in from
(196.2.nnn.nnn)
How much difference do these actually make?
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S. Africa
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On 2/10/2001
darryl freeman
wrote in from
(38.28.nnn.nnn)
Hay Head here, on a quick visit to cyber world. I'm looking for tickets to Cape Town. I know, a little late- but I am also struggling for funds. To those who have tickets, what prices are good? I found one for $1,300. I just dont know what bank to rob. KLUDY any low security banks in east county? I got us a plan.
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X-GAMES
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On 2/9/2001
Leo
wrote in from
(200.44.nnn.nnn)
I think if they cut out the skateboarding they suck....i know that x-sports have their own time, maybe it isnt our now...
btw...i saw a few of you on a telivised RED BULL event on sanfrancisco, i saw DR.GO FAST, Chris, dreggs team....it was the competition where Doc got disqualified for starting sooner......
WAY TO GO GUYS!!!
leo
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X-GAMES in BRAZIL
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On 2/8/2001 Felipe
wrote in from
(200.226.nnn.nnn)
falaí bando de gringo haule, vai rolar x-games esse ano aqui no Brazil e vai ser o bicho....
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If not X, then Who?
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On 2/8/2001
Chris Chaput
wrote in from
(63.168.nnn.nnn)
chesirepus, As far as I know, NBC's Gravity Games are the only currently developed media package that includes standup and streetluge. Thanks in great part to EDI's Biker Sherlock and Grace Quinn, we still have one nationally televised event annually. NBC's audience is larger tha ESPN's. We show do our best not to blow it. Red Bull events are marketed and televised, and IGSA is onboard with them. Personally, I'm going to show up at every race that I can, regardless of who's putting on the race. You never know where you will become a credible racer. That's the only way you can become the "undisputed" king of the road.
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E-MAIL ME ASAP
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On 2/7/2001 KLUDY
wrote in from
(205.188.nnn.nnn)
GOOD TO HERE FROM YOU MANU PLEASE E-MAIL ME @ KLUDYCREW@AOL.COM. LETS TALK.
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world cup event in France
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On 2/7/2001
Manu
wrote in from
(193.250.nnn.nnn)
For those who came to zurich last year, you can tell how good are the euro events !
this year my surprise is to organize an international race on the french riviéra,
the event will take place in Nice, and the track is really good and technical.
1.2 miles long with 5 turns and 3 long straight parts.
more infos should be posted soon...
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X-Games
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On 2/7/2001
cheshirepus
wrote in from
(160.227.nnn.nnn)
Okay, so what are the other prominent organizations which have the potential of evolving into a large figure head like ESPN has? Apparantly rolling down a hill at 70 mph on a skateboard isn't "extreme" enough, so who else out there is willing to take us under their wing. Now, I know there are some out there, but what organization dominates over the rest of them. In short, who should most of our focus be put on in order to make speedboarding a world class event?
Sadly, my faith in humanity diminishes the more I learn about the X-Games and their willingness to create an unsafe environment in order to increase the probability that someone will crash, and that someone WILL get hurt. I see this everytime there's a collision on the freeway... What the hell is it that makes us want to see a fellow human being's life ruined so damned much?
So then, the X-Games are a thing of the past for all of us? Should we be focusing on the IGSA, then, or is there someone else?
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X-Games
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On 2/7/2001
Chris Chaput
wrote in from
(63.168.nnn.nnn)
There will be no standup or slalom skateboarding at the X-Games in Philly this year. At the risk of sounding too gloomy, it is likely that we will never see these events any time soon and the writing is on the wall for streetluge. There have been Dual (2-man), Mass (4-man) and Super Mass (6-man)luge events in the past and now, in addition to the Super Mass, the Dual is being eliminted leaving only the 4-man event and a single "King of the Hill" 6 man race for the most decorated X-Games riders of all times. The public doesn't want to see great racing, they want to see great crashes and the 4 and 6 man events deliver. The downhill events are the most difficult to organize and cover, the most expensive and crowd control is also hard. I think the luge event may disappear altogether soon. I hope I am wrong.
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X-Games
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On 2/7/2001
doeggespeedus
wrote in from
(195.24.nnn.nnn)
Will there be any stand-up at the next X-Games?
ride on
doeggespeedus
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X treme games
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On 2/7/2001 Herbn
wrote in from
(216.107.nnn.nnn)
I saw an ad for summer x games;in Philadelphia,where are they gonna have the luge.Any close hills?
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So-Cal races
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On 2/6/2001 cheshirepus
wrote in from
(160.227.nnn.nnn)
Apparently, there will be a nice race down here in San Diego in March. If you've been frequenting this site, then you've heard of it. Beautiful Barret Junction, my friend. It's been postponed 'till March and I think IGSA is promoting it. I'm sure if you wander around ncdsa a bit, you'll find more information on it.
See you at the bottom of the hill.
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California races
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On 2/6/2001
Todd
wrote in from
(64.12.nnn.nnn)
I was wondering if anyone had any word on any races in the Nor-cal or So-cal area. I'm from the bay area but would love to go down to So-cal to see a race any time. Thanks
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Homemade...
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On 2/1/2001
cheshirepus
wrote in from
(160.227.nnn.nnn)
What up Homes?
Hey, I got that pintail back and it's up for grabs if you want it. Trade maybe? Me thinks it will make a fine racer indeed.
Other than that, does anyone know what the entry fee will be for the Barret race this March? I will be at that hill this year!
Thx my friends,
See you at the bottom.
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DIE TRYING
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On 1/31/2001 KLUDY
wrote in from
(64.12.nnn.nnn)
THANKS GUYS I WILL TRY EVERY NITE TO GET TO THIS RACE !TOP 16 OUT OF 70 RIDERS , I DO HAVE A SHOT AND I FEEL GOOD ABOUT MY RIDING.
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