Posted at Interstate Skate Blog | Filed under Ask the Pro | Authored by Marko
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April 20, 2008

Ask the Pro; Skate Stoppers

Interstate member Virus of Oxnard, California asked this month’s question. The question is how to make unskate able spots skate able. The answer is really tough because not only is the information illegal but also acquires certain tools for the job. I’m glad to help because there is nothing worse than your favorite spot getting trick blocked.

Lets first talk about spots that are skate able but maybe have a huge crack at the run up or landing. There are a couple of things you can do about this. One, which is permanent and it’s actually for automobiles and called bondo. All you have to do is mix the ingredients apply the bondo and sand it down flat. It takes about an hour to harden. You can purchase this at any local auto part store. If you’re down for a quick fix for a spot shims are the way to go. They are basically flat, thin metal strips. All you need is duck tape to hold them down. If you’re a spot hunter and don’t want anyone else skating your shit shims are perfect, once you’ve landed your trick pull off the tape and up and bounce. They are usually cheap and found at any hard ware store.

Skate stoppers aren’t quite as easy as just filling in some cracks. These things are like skateboarders kryptonite. City architects are one step ahead of us with this. Rails and ledges are already knobbed before the buildings are done being built. To take off knobs on rails a grinder will be needed. If no outlet is assessable you will need a generator for power. As for knobbed ledges there isn’t much to be said. I remember when they first did this about ten years ago the city used the same size allen wrench as skate bolts. The bolts they now use need a certain tool and I can’t help you with this one. A crow bar may work but the ledge will end up in chunks.

The one thing we can do is step our skate game up and learn how to pop over the kryptonite. The illegal factors for these tactics are especially high if at a federal building or a school. YOU WILL GO TO JAIL IF YOU’RE CAUGHT. Remember Interstate nor I told you to do any of this. Skating is against the law but that’s the way we should keep it!!!!!!!!!!

gsmith

Photo by Gary Smith

Posted at Interstate Skate Blog | Filed under Ask the Pro | Authored by garysmith
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March 8, 2008

What Is A Poser?

Webster’s dictionary defines poser as a person who habitually pretends to be something he or she is not. I know this word gets thrown around a lot in skateboarding. Things have changed a great deal since I started skating. Ten years ago the only people wearing skate shoes where skaters and you could’ve told this by the ollie holes in their shoes. Because skating has gotten as big as it has everyone seems to be wearing skateboard clothing and shoes. Not saying this is a bad thing because it’s helped our industry get recognized and pay professionals what there worth.The thing I am saying is that the word “poser” has changed.

So who are the posers now? They are the people who look like us but have never ridden a board, or the ones who just carry their skateboards around? What about the kids who have only been skating a week? You may call them poser because they just started, but who knows in 5 years they could be the next Ryan Sheckler.

That’s what makes this word so vague and tough to answer. I think in many ways we’ve all been posers at one time in our lives. Weather it’s to fit into some group we wanted to be part of or still trying to find ourselves in this vast world of change.

If you’re a true skateboarder at heart you will not let the word poser hold you back. The people yelling it at you are just jealous because they’ll never know the feeling you get from a kick flip. If you are the one yelling poser remember that all of us had to start somewhere so in one form or another we are all posers.

Posted at Interstate Skate Blog | Filed under Ask the Pro | Authored by garysmith
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February 22, 2008

Ask the Pro: So You Want To Be Sponsored?

Interstate member Brad Asked the Pro: Hey guys... ok so here's my question... What can a skater do to get noticed by some companies/skateshops?

Gary Smith (interstate Pro): If you love skateboarding as much as I do and want to live “under the radar” of society, then being sponsored may be the perfect “non” job to have. There are certain requirements for this position. It doesn’t happen the same for everyone.

For me, I rode for a local shop and got hooked up by the rep. I sent him footy and he passed it off to the team manager. This is how I got on Volcom years ago.

This isn’t the only way to get hooked up. You can enter local contest and work your way up to Tampa Am (remember you need to place good in all them). Best trick contest are also good, but be ready to rip and deal with 100 other kids who are just as good as you.

If you’re not a contest skater and puke every time they call your name that’s ok. There are other tactics you can try. Here are a few of them.

1. Fly to California and one up every trick done on El Toro or Hollywood High.
2. Post tons of good footy on Youtube.com
3. Send your favorite company edited footage and be persistent on calling but don’t go overboard with it. Remember to ride only the companies’ products in your footy. (You don’t want to send a video to Emerica and be wearing Vans)
4. Even if you’re as good as Marc Johnson it won’t matter unless you keep a good head on your shoulders. Nobody wants to hang out with a conceded crybaby.
5. Style is very important also. The quality of the trick is more impressive then the quantity of the tricks done.

These are just a few ways to make your dreams come true. If doesn’t happen right away don’t sweat it, McDonalds is always hiring. If you read that last sentence and are laughing, chances are you’ll be ok. Don’t take skateboarding that serious and remember why you do it.

BECAUSE IT’S FUUUUUN!

GSmith

Have a question that needs a Pro's perspective? Post it at Ask the Pro. If we use it Interstate will send you some free gear!

Posted at Interstate Skate Blog | Filed under Ask the Pro | Authored by garysmith
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February 20, 2008

Hello Interstate: A Message from Gary Smith

A message from Gsmith

Hello skaters, info junkies, and anyone else who thinks skateboarding is cool.

My name is Gary Smith and I am a professional skateboarder who lives in Baltimore, Maryland. I’ll be writing a couple blogs a week for Interstate on skateboarding related issues.

First off I just turned thirty and have been skating for 18 years (wow I didn’t realize it’s been that long). I currently skate for Hoodlum skateboards, Krux trucks, Ergophobia clothing, Dakine backpacks, Mobbtown wheels, SOC skatepark, and View skate shop.

Being part of this sub culture and now culture if I may, I’ve seen my fair share of everything from huge pants and small wheels to tight pants and big rails.

Through the years I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world on other peoples dimes and been on skate sessions with people like Mark Appleyard where he nollie front boards a rail 8 times in a row. I was living the “dream” out west for 7 years in Long Beach when 3 years ago I was over it and ready to move home.

Skateboarding has let me experience things in life in which I could not have learned in a math textbook. The best thing about it is the brotherhood we all share from riding a piece of wood. The people who don’t skate will never really understand why we do things we do, that’s what makes us special and unique.

These blogs will be just that, from the fetus who has just realized how cool skateboarding is, to the slasher that has actually hung out with Animal Chin. I would greatly appreciate every ones feedback, questions, comments, etc. I want to write these to keep our lively/brother hood strong and to guide the new generation on the right path. Hope you will all enjoy and happy 2000 sk8!!!!

Gsmith

Posted at Interstate Skate Blog | Filed under Ask the Pro | Authored by garysmith
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February 4, 2008

Golden Age of Skating

Rodney Jones: Stalefish at Cleveland stop of 07 Dew Tour. Photo David Stuck

This week's ASK THE PRO question comes to us by Interstate member Dusty Payne.
His question:

Do you think skateboarding is getting a little too popular and too mainstream? Do you like it better now, or the way it was like 10-15 years ago when it was a little more obscure?

Rodney Jones of Positiv is this month's PRO and had this response.

"Every era has been good to me. Its been one hell of a ride and I made a life out of it.
Now there is more recognition for skating. We are not outcast anymore"

Are there to many companies involved in skateboarding?
More companies in skating mean more skaters, so there are more friends.

What about skate spots?
"If we find a spot and a guards there we just pay him of."

With what?
"Pack of cigarettes or $5,$10."

That works?
"They hate their job as much as we do...its a bonus for them"

"There are so many options now for us that we did not have before. Its only going to get better!"

Since we used Dusty's question we will send him some gear thanks to Positiv.
Remember each week we will answer one members question and each month a new PRO will select the questions. Just go to ASK THE PRO.

Posted at Interstate Skate Blog | Filed under Ask the Pro | Authored by Rowe
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January 25, 2008

How does an AM Become a PRO?

So how does an AM become a PRO? This Question was asked by Interstate member Christian.
Being Pro is different for all companies. Many factors and standards are set to elevate an up and coming ripper to near god status. Timing, image, popularity, and age all play a part in the decision usually made between the owner/financial backer and the team manager/promotional manager.

We asked the Pro Rodney Jones who currently rides for Positiv, how did you turn Pro? Back in 2002 Rodney got the nod from Powell. Here's how it went down for Rodneck. Powell set some lose bench marks. Jones had to enter a lot of Am contest and do well. "I entered everything I could get to." He did well and the skate media noticed. "I got a lot of coverage and when I got the 411 wheels of fortune. It all fell into place. The head of promotions gave me the news and I was stoked." Who made the decision? "It was a joint decision between my Team Manager and George Powell." I had worked hard and it paid off. Powell had faith in me and really hooked me up." Rodney said, "I had finally made it."

Rodneck also gave some insight to how it went down for some other big names.
"It's not the same for everyone and it's not always fair. Look at Lutzka he was an Am for awhile and was killing it. It wasn’t till World Cup in Germany that it finally happened to him. Leo Romero got a lot of coverage and the public almost forced it to happen. Transworld Am of the year has a big affect too. Coverage makes a difference"

We hope that gives you some insight to the unscientific world of pro skating. The Ask the Pro section is a new section on Interstate. We have a few big name Pros who are willing to answer your questions about the skating world.

Go to the Forum section under ASK THE PRO and submit your question. Once a week we select one question and post a response on the Interstate Blog page. If your question is selected we will send you some gear from one of our sponsors.

Posted at Interstate Skate Blog | Filed under Ask the Pro | Authored by Rowe
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