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| Q&A: The Gong Show with Kenny 'Nature Boy' Mollica (6869 Posts)
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Skatedepression
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On 2/28/2003 Glen D.
wrote in from
(216.102.nnn.nnn)
The depression hit this last summer.
Most skate companies sales were down 20%. They came back a bit in fall but were still down. Most of the products made are basically the same, the decks trucks and wheels have very little different about them that the general kid can tell other than the graphic. Companies are shifting production to China which is making the small company have a hard time competing with manufacturing costs.
The surf companies that bought skate companies are starting to realize that they purchased something that looked good , but in reality was a ballon. The skate market has always been about popularity, one company or skater who is popular today is labeled as tomorrows sell out. I've heard a bunch of kids who think Tony Hawk sucks. They think he's an overrated sell out, they have no clue that he's been doing this all his life, and that he's still one of the best skaters ever. He's just making money at it, God Bless him, it would be cool for more skaters to make the big Baseball/footabal/basketball bucks.
I predict that there will be a major thinning of the herd over the next year or so. You are starting to see more board companies adding glass and stuff to their boards, doing different profiles on their wheels, etc. trying to make something fresh for the market.
I think we will see more pool skating although it will be done with a street skating influence, and I think we will see a return to the all around skater as Hackett stated a while back.
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Next Storm
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On 2/28/2003
Steve
wrote in from
(24.48.nnn.nnn)
Its seems that that skateboarding popularity has about a 8-10 year cycle. Just be glad it's never gone forever (Can we remember Big Wheels and Furrbies) guess there gone forever.
In favor of Skakeboarding this time around is the maturity and age group involved. Skateboards are more than toys and most riders will spend good money on products to keep the industry healthy.
One thing that alarms me is the absence of air time with gravity sports from major mainstream events (X Games).
Not Having Ludge and Standup is hurting One side of Skateboarding. But the popularity of shortboard and major
pros like Hawk and others will keep the kickflippers attention. This exposure as I see will only continue and may help the next Skateboarding Ice Age from comming again....
Just my Thoughts,
Steve
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Downfall
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On 2/28/2003
Arab
wrote in from
(24.24.nnn.nnn)
Cabbage-Its already started, ASR had many big name manufacturers/dist pull out this year. Only the strong will survive!!!!
Several smaller well established Flipper companies have fallen by the wayside.
Its time for another 5 year cycle.
Lets hope we wont get stuck haveing to buy Chinese made Boards(World Ind)
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when do you predict the next storm
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On 2/28/2003
cabbage
wrote in from
(216.83.nnn.nnn)
my topic on free fourm friday is: When do you think the next sk8 industry depression will come? I'm look'n for a future prediction, like a year.....
I'm not wishing it by far, but history shows it happens every so often, so I thought it might be fun to see what all you gong shower's think/////
remember this is just for fun.....
sk8 everythinG,
cabbage
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helmets,pads
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On 2/28/2003 cfavero
wrote in from
(64.12.nnn.nnn)
yea,literally knocked myself out at a park last fall in front of my kids(they were wearing helmets,i ,the hypocrite,was not)seeing my blood and hair embedded in the concrete has now led me to wear the helmet,at least its a flyaway.you know the funny thing is i always wore my stuff when i was younger,i dont know how i fell off the wagon,but glad to be back on,cf
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pads?
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On 2/28/2003 gskunk
wrote in from
(195.92.nnn.nnn)
yeah sure i pad up when i ride vert, but i got to say they do resrict movement so i dont use em on the mini. Also many years ago i watched a guy make like bucky at holywell bay, an ancient crete pool + park in cornwall( ithink only the 2nd park in europe built circa 1976). the surface at this place was like sandpaper (it had rained on the final skin messing the surface up) so knee sliding was not an option, yer pads went straight to yer shins and you slid on yer patellas tasty style. helmets are another thing altogether, you just got to wear one period.
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Pads or NOT!
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On 2/27/2003
Antti S. Brax
wrote in from
(193.65.nnn.nnn)
Ah, but Bucky was wearing his knee pads when he got that wound. They got stuck on the ramp while he was doing a knee slide: pads stop, skater doesn't. Ouch.
And this is not an anti-pad post. I've got water in my knee and wear full pads whenever I'm skating.
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FTF
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On 2/27/2003
Arab
wrote in from
(24.24.nnn.nnn)
FTF
Free Topic Friday
Talk amoungst yourselves!
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Pads or NOT!
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On 2/27/2003
Arab
wrote in from
(24.24.nnn.nnn)
Even the pros wish they had wore their pads after an accident like this, Check Bucky Lasek after not wearing his knee pads, If you are a bit squimish dont look.
http://www.b-house.com/hospital.html
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bring back the rude behavior
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On 2/27/2003
Stevie
wrote in from
(67.120.nnn.nnn)
Arab, sorry brother but this TOTD format is boring. It was a lot more fun with you coming out swinging at everybody and all of them hissing and fussing in return. Everyone is just getting so damn polite and that's plain wrong! This is the Gong Show With A-Rab for god's sake, not a prissy little polite chat for little old ladies sipping tea.
OK, kids Saturday, polite, but how many of them will there be?
BTW, I wear the gear, my kids wear the gear, my wife wears the gear. That is except on those late night runs down the hill when I'm checking out a new rig and don't want the neighborhood bad boys to laugh too much.
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Key-BoardBoard
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On 2/27/2003 StinkyVonStinky
wrote in from
(12.65.nnn.nnn)
Arab
I 've got a killer new keyboardBoard. I was wondering what wheels work for keyboardboards ? Mine is the new SCABS model.
Its got a awesome control/alt/delete button.
Also do you recommend taking off the cord or leaving it on ?
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Pads
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On 2/27/2003
Brian
wrote in from
(68.193.nnn.nnn)
When I slalom, or longboard in the neighborhood I only wear gloves and knee pads, I only wear the helmet at the park, serious practice, and in competition. Lately, Ive been wearing the helmet more often, to coushin my head while doing headstands on my longboard.
Cheers,
Brian
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To pad or not to pad....
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On 2/27/2003
Dave - Skaterbuilt/SSS
wrote in from
(66.75.nnn.nnn)
I'm WAY over getting hurt-nowadays, I wear all my gear to skate no matter what. I think it's a great way to keep the park uncrowded-at least while the man is lurking. It's all personal preference.
A R A B is da' man!
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fences and guards
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On 2/27/2003
john airey
wrote in from
(63.113.nnn.nnn)
guards are lame, but something that warns people there
is a big hole in the ground with heavy objects going
mach 1 is good. it's not to keep skaters in or out,
it's all the other things in the world mostly.
little kids, dogs, and old ladies and soccer balls
end up in the darndest places.
fences buy you some time. a thorny
hedge would do the same job tho and look friendlier.
I agree the guard monitor situation is misguided at best
but don't get prematurely defensive about a fence.
the fence is kind of a courtesy to non-skaters primarily.
I wear my pads. the more you wear them, the more you know
how to use them. knee sliding saves old guys ankles and
feet. those kids don't learn to do it, and they will
pay for that like arab does now. fat 41 year olds can
only run out so much. (arab, at least I didn't say
ugly too cause I seen a picture of you)
I taught myself to knee slide at 38 on the
big vert ramp at vans after not skating for 20+ years
and not having good pads back then. almost habit
6 months later.
pads do cost money, but the doctor costs
more. If you got green, get two sets, one in the wash
or getting repaired, the other set for wearing.
I got more than one set of underwear, why not pads?
actually sometimes I wear the pads, but not
the underwear. with the kilt and the handplant, it's
a bit much for some. just kidding about the k+hp part.
I demand my kids use their helmets when biking and if they
start skating they will have to use them there too.
as for pads required BY LAW, I don't think they should be
required for anybody. people just don't like to do
what they are told. more would probably wear pads
if they didn't require them anyway. spend the money
on education not enforcement.
goes for stuff besides pads too.
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totd
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On 2/27/2003
JOE
wrote in from
(198.107.nnn.nnn)
Personaly I don't like the helmet and pad rules at many of the contests. I mean I understand them what with insurance and all, but most of the time you have to sign a relese form any way. If it's downhill it's one thing, but with slalom it's another. I mean how fast are you going 20mph seems to be the fastest and that's top pros right. So if I have never worn pads, just want to get in to salolm racing it's another what like $70 or so for a new set up of pads? That is a bit of green for an underemployed skater guy like me. So what can I do borrow pads? Some one's sweaty ecky pads. Even if this didn't gross me out not many people are going to let you borrow thier gear so I guess I am screwed till I get my own right? What ever I know this may sound trivial but I am just chiming in so there. If I sign a relese I should be able to take my saftey in my own hands.
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bream's list
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On 2/27/2003
cabbage
wrote in from
(216.83.nnn.nnn)
hey bReamo, Iwanna be on your list.....I need Flow, tell J to put the swinger life on hold, for a week or 2......
my 2 cents 18-under wear'em
18 and over your choice....Pro choice
my kids always...
Arab, I like money, but I'm always on the bubble, so I always watch my friends win it. But it helps to add a certain aggression to the event that a regular event lacks. I'm in it for fun, fame, and glory, but most importantly, I'm in it for fun. But the green stuff makes the world go round, and makes fast racers, a little faster...
charge everythinG, ( not with your credit card )
cabbage
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Glen D's List
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On 2/27/2003 Michael Bream
wrote in from
(64.156.nnn.nnn)
Glen,
I want to be on that list.....please.
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Arab and his video
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On 2/27/2003 Glen D.
wrote in from
(64.171.nnn.nnn)
Arab, you are already on the list for a free FIRM video. The list is written in magic marker and can't be erased so just accept the thing.
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SSSafety
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On 2/27/2003 Early Release Canyon Jump
wrote in from
(192.45.nnn.nnn)
I'm sure if there was a fashion police that we would have all been arrested by now for resembling star wars troopers while skateboarding. But there is no way I would be skating today if I hadn't been wearing pads up to this point. I will be surprised if even half of today's 'new school' will be skating when they are forty. Like many of you I've seen my share of carnage and have stories to tell. I personally witnessed Mr. Olsen CRACK is head beyond belief in Lakewood's half pipe in the early eighties? Anyways, he only lost a few pints of blood, got a free trip to the emergency room and now look at him...perfectly fine, well behaved gentleman? anyways, he probably wouldn't be here today to heckle you if it wasn't for his flyaway helmet...Eighteen and under you need some rules to help keep you alive. But after that you should have the right to decide for yourself even if it is the WRONG decision.
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protection
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On 2/27/2003 Dave G
wrote in from
(63.188.nnn.nnn)
ARAB,
i'm w/ you on this one!! Any parent/gaurdian who allows a youngster to skate w/o at least a helmet, should be subject to neglect and or wreckless endangerment charges!
I have done a LOT of silly stuff in my life w/o proper pro. equiptment.. And have been cited by the "authorities" for doing such.. When it comes to my kids however, it's up to me to protect them from all unforeseeable mishaps!
Any parent out there that allows their kids to subject themselves to harm, when it could be prevented, aint much of a parent!!! Don't let the youngsters harm themselves in an un-curable /lifelong situation..Cause ,greater than your guilt, they will have to live with it!! Forever!
Did I just agree w/ Arab????
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The TOTD
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On 2/27/2003
Geezer-X
wrote in from
(149.2.nnn.nnn)
I've had my hide (and skull) saved by helmets, pads, motorcycle race leathers and street gear, karting suits and neck collars enough times to have formed an opinion, which is that if you care about the people who depend on you or care about you, wear the stuff. Try to learn to kneepad slide. I bailed at the bottom of a course a while back and slid like 25' on my kneepads, with just a little rash on my shin, and a bruised heel. I knew a guy, a fearless DC bicycle courier who always wore his helmet. He went to run an errand, and didn't wear his bucket, and he got doored by a car, landed on his head, and lingered in a coma for a couple weeks until he died. I smashed the back window of a fullsized american car, went over the roof, and landed 10' in front of the car, back in my courier days. I crushed the foam in the front of my helmet down to like 1/8" thick, and the attending physician said I would have died on impact if I hadn't had it on.
Right on Annti, 18 and under free is how it should be. I think the fences are to keep kids out when they should be in school. Landsdowne in Baltimore is a cool old concrete snake and bowl park that was abandoned and open 24/7 for years and it was finally fenced not so long ago...
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Ambiguities
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On 2/27/2003
Antti S. Brax
wrote in from
(193.65.nnn.nnn)
Skater might not need the grass but the people who look at the park and only see a concrete hole need it. And builders need to get their work done without skaters gettin in the way all the time. The fence only sucks if it has a lock on it. All basketball courts I've seen have 8 foot fences around them.
Children under 18 should get to skate public funded parks for free. Children over 18 should pay and get a few "18 and over only" sessions each week.
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OFF TOPIC
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On 2/27/2003
Arab
wrote in from
(24.24.nnn.nnn)
Lee yer off topic!
Thats a good question for the Slalom Forum.
go there for my response!
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TOTD
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On 2/27/2003
Arab
wrote in from
(24.24.nnn.nnn)
TOTD by Brad stands, Thanx Brad, I'll be the first to chime in, As a parent my kid always wears his pads, I think it is irresponsiable of me if I didnt, Besides Nathan skates like the big boys and hasnt learned to take a fall like them yet.(Dont tell him I said that he will slug me), Pads Rules at the local parks, Well heres a story maybe we all can relate to, a Friend I work with is a Hells Angel straight out of the San Bernadino Chaptor, He is involved with ABATE, this is a group that is lobbying to get the helmet law repealed, He recently got sideswiped and about lost his leg, He hit his head very hard and was in an induced coma til the swelling went down. He came very close to dieing, his helmet saved his life. he is a father of 4(that he know of by 3 different women) he works his but off to take care of his family. He realized had he died if he wasnt wearing a helmet, his Grave Stone would have said "Stupid Moron" He quit, Abate and is now a proponent of Helmet Safety, as is several of the Chapter that had to scrap him off the freeway in the middle of traffic. Helmets save lives, Slaloming I always wear it, I dont know how to knee slide(I still run and roll) so knee pads dont do me much good, Backyard Pools, I'll wear one sometimes, depending on the pool.
Rules were ment to be broken, so are bones! 18 and under is a good idea at the parks, as for you?, You have 3 choices
1. Get a ticket
2. Get Brain Damage
3. Get stuck with a bucket on yer head.
I use to laugh at people for wearing pads/helmets, I encourage it for kids now, I tell kids
"Dont ever let anybody tell you Helmets arnt cool, How cool is sitting in a Hospital bed with tubes and wires coming out of every part of your body, as yer Family sits listening to the Doctor tell them that you will never walk,talk,see or do anything without the help of someone to do it for you. That aint to cool!"
Lead by example, I enjoy telling kids at the races
"Look even the Pros wear their Pads and Helmet."
HB has a 3rd park in the works, it sucks and I dont ride the other 2, Talk about wasting my tax Dollars.
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RE: Stuff
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On 2/27/2003
lee
wrote in from
(195.234.nnn.nnn)
Ok heres a few questions to start off the day.
1. What is the tighest slalom race and how wide are the cones?
2. Do you think its better to have a start ramp than to use your foot push to start?
3. If there was a world championship in Europe would people travel for it?
My views on the push start is it would make it alot more interesting as it always means a more aggressive start. Maybe im just bias because i have a very strong push start.
The world circuit i feel is split big time between usa and europe so if there was one championship in europe would you americans travel, we do so why wouldnt you?
later sk8ers
lee
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