We (Portland group) will be riding this weekend 2/22/03 at WSU. 10:00am on Saturday, 1pm on Sunday.

Make your own judgement about the dryness of the asphalt (I have my doubts about Sat AM).

-- Pat Chewning

http://www.slalomskateboarder.com/events/2003/Portland/pgrass.JPG There will be 3 races this summer in the Portland Oregon area. The exact format, venues, sponsors, and other details are TBD. The dates are: Weekend of 26 April 2003 "Spring Thaw" Weekend of 28 June 2003 "Midsummer Burn" NEW: June 29...

I agree with Andy's point about NOT using pre-published courses for races. This will stagnate slalom. Pre-determined courses are great for teaching new racers what to practice, and for things like the Cyber Slalom. But a course setter should have artistic license to try different things on a hill --...

We had a session in Portland on 2/8/2003, six racers showed up. The hill we used was in good shape and we all had a good time. This was some of the best weather ever in Portland for February. Usually even if it is not raining, the humidity is so high that the streets don't dry out, so this was a rea...

The question is: Where will the new blood come from for slalom skateboarding? One answer: Jr High and High School ski racers. They are very receptive to the idea of slalom skateboarding as a means to keep in shape, enhance skills to be used for ski racing, and as a new fun activity. They pick it up ...

An inclinometer is very easy to make. All you need is a good reference to vertical (or horizontal) -- e.g. a plumb bob or a float. Then measure the angle of your surface (road) to either vertical or horizontal and do the appropriate math to convert this angle to %grade. I found several sources for i...

After the ARA race in Vail (1976?) a friend and I skated the newly-paved 9 mile 6% grade of Vail pass (now I-70) which was under construction. Fresh asphalt 2-1/2 lanes wide. We had a friendly CO state patrol escort for about 1/2 of the run. That was a blast! I have some photos of us skating at Red ...

Good price on soccer cones at: http://www.aysostore.com/cones1.html You can get them as low as $.55 each. Quantity 1 50 100 400+ Unit Price $0.75 $0.70 $0.60 $0.55 You will have to cut off the base (square base) to make them safer. These are the exact same cones I bought at a local soccer store. The...

On 1st inspection it looks much like a regular truck. Certainly nothing earth-shattering on their web page. However, if you look up the patent, there is a much better picture: http://patimg1.uspto.gov/.piw?docid=US006367819&PageNum=4&IDKey=2A9066F8D5E9&HomeUrl=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Pars...

We skateboarder's have it so easy compared to setting a slalom course for skiing. Consider: Skiing: A slalom pole weighs about 2 lbs. You need 2 for each gate. Skateboarding: A cone weighs about 4oz, 1ea per gate. Skiing: Drill a hole in the snow, screw in the slalom gate. Skateboarding: Place the c...

I would really like to get some regional/local slalom events going in my area (Portland Oregon), but I need help. I am familiar with running contest events for other organizations (model aircraft contests), and the national association (Academy of Model Aeronautics) makes this very easy to do. They ...

No race in Hood River, OR for 2003? I was really looking foreward to attending.

Is there a reason? Is there something that I could do to help make it happen?

-- Pat Chewning
Beaverton, OR

A Santa Cruz slalom board (w/carbon fibre) with Tracker trucks. Bought it in 1977 or 1978 when on spring break (went to California from Colorado). I still have it. Here's a picture: http://www.sendpix.com/albums/021125/1916160000036c2918286c05155f9b/ <font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Pat C...

OK, what you are describing is very much how slalom is done in ski racing: Using the best features of the hill to set the line appropriatly. This could include setting "fall-away" turns (turns to the left when the hil angles to the right), setting a tough series to slow the racer down just before a ...

Another useful exercise is the Bongo Board.

http://www.bodytrends.com/ftrbongo.htm

Beaverton Oregon (west side of Portland Oregon) I am starting to regularly practice in the HUGE EMPTY parking lot of the Hillsboro stadium (near Corneilius Pass and Hwy 26). I'd love for someone else to join me. I have cones, a tape measure, and chalk to mark the course. Pat Chewning pchewn@attbi.co...