Canadian Slalom Growth and Organisations

Claude Regnier · Post by **Claude Regnier** » Sat Jan 25, 2003 2:10 am

No problem Pierre, I'll go down ahead of time to look at it and talk about what you want to run.

We'll set it all up, it'll be a blast. heck if I find a set-up I may even enter the Downhill.

Pierre Gravel · Post by **Pierre Gravel** » Sat Jan 25, 2003 1:35 am

A slalom jam is in the works for the day before the Top Challenge, wich is a downhill race in downtown Montréal, down Camilien-Houde street. The dates should be august 9-10, 9 for the slalom, the location could be the big O, but no confirmation yet. I'll keep you posted, and i will need some help/ideas to setup the courses...

Claude Regnier · Post by **Claude Regnier** » Fri Jan 24, 2003 12:10 am

So your coming back soon scott. Let ma know there is a chance i may go to Vancouver in July to do a sk8 camp with one of my shop team riders.

Shnitzel's race is also in July so I may try to take in the downhill as well. I don't think I'll compete in it unless i get leathers, Ouch. I seen the vids of the course. Looks like a lot of fun.

I wonder of he could add a little Slalom into the contest that weekend it would be fun.

Dan Dem Sens had to go and have a bad game. Then they got upset and made their next opponents look like pylons to take over fisrt again, EH!

Pieere any more news on a Montreal Contest? Is it ant warmer there? We've been averaging -15 this week, that's celcius for our American buddies.

Any other Canucks lingering around go ahead and register, so we can get things going, EH!

Scott Yano · Post by **Scott Yano** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 2:13 pm

That may have been it. I remember two board spinning, but not who or Why? ha, ha. Those things underwhelmed me because I was into speed and a lot more style than trickery. I do remember the name Kevin Harris, but haven't recognized any of the pictures I've seen of him.

My Roe and I are getting along fine; and the turner cones I just got are, as well as providing my kids with endless possibilities for amusement, also a welcome addition to the streets of Hiroshima. I have found, though, that orange cones are much better in low light (dusk) and may help in after work late fall/winter/early spring riding in Vancouver (sorry to you guys who probably won't get much winter riding in...har, har).

Won't be able to do the gathering this year (it'll be right in the middle of my move back), but my wife wants to go to Vegas for her birthday in August, so If I can get into enough shape where I feel I won't make an idiot out of myself, there is the possibility I might make it to something down there. At least to see some of the action and take some photos would be great (skateboarding got me into photography a long time ago).

Good luck down there--I'm always rooting for all of you. Too bad about the Senators, Claude...

Scott
ps. Go Canucks! (um, that's Bertuzzi and the boys, too, eh...)

Neil Gendzwill · Post by **Neil Gendzwill** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 5:00 pm

I was at the 79 contest (if that was nationals). Took 7th or something in the slalom. Had one look at Harris and a couple of the other guys and didn't bother entering the freestyle. In Saskatchewan we didn't have a sniff compared to those guys. I just watched and was amazed.

Claude Regnier · Post by **Claude Regnier** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 6:39 am

Hey Scott, was that the 79 contest where Kevin Harris set was setting the 2 board spin record?

I just got an e-mail from one of the organisers they are looking for some info to try and get it recognized by Guiness World records.

On another note as of a few minutes ago there were 4 Canucks entered at the gathering in May of this year. It should be fun. I just hope things start to fall into place so i can make it.

I also forwarded Neil an e-mail address he may be able to make contact with Rick.

I hope you and your Roe are having a good relationship.

Scott Yano · Post by **Scott Yano** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 3:15 am

I've spaced it right now, but I saw Rick Ducommun in something (movie or TV) the other day. Actually, that's what made me bring up his name.

In the seventies, there was a competition at the Pacific Colosseum. I remember Howell there spinning 360s, WWW there with some bigass boards and eight wheelers, and seeing the GNC guys visiting for the first time. Corey Campbell was ripping up the halfpipe with some other East Van guys all day (organizers kept trying to chase them off).

Slalom was a drag. Slick floor, and a flat course from a ramp. I didn't bother entering for that reason (and after having read John Hutson's comments on the same was glad I wasn't alone in my dislike for those courses). I was a kid and just hoping somebody would throw a race on a big hill with courses that we liked to set up (or a freestyle competition that was held on a hill with some speed and style--was never much into tricks).
Scott

Neil Gendzwill · Post by **Neil Gendzwill** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 5:20 pm

I saw most of the freestyle and halfpipe stuff, including some of the practices and the finals. Wasn't even aware of the slalom event.

Claude Regnier · Post by **Claude Regnier** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 6:46 am

I'm not sure Neil, I'll ask around and check it out for you. I never met him but seen Rick in Vancouver in 81.

By the way, how much of the Expo contest did you see?

[ This Message was edited by: Claude Regnier on 2003-01-08 00:59 ]

Neil Gendzwill · Post by **Neil Gendzwill** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 7:38 pm

On 2003-01-04 11:58, Scott Yano wrote:
Guys like Rick Ducommun were always more open and anti clique/club

Where is Rick keeping his big ol' self these days? He still got an acting/comic career going? He got his start with skateboard stuff here in Saskatchewan with Great North Country skateboards before moving to Vancouver and the whole PD/Skull thing.

Claude Regnier · Post by **Claude Regnier** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 7:07 am

It's too bad you didn't enjoy the events and I am also very sorry we never had a chance to meet up.

Someday soon.

Scott Yano · Post by **Scott Yano** » Sat Jan 04, 2003 5:58 pm

Happy New Year to you, too.

I suppose it wasn't the unfairness I was suspecting, but that in-crowd, some racers can go here /sit here, others stay over there, star-bellied sneetches only feeling that I got from them that bugged me. Guys like Rick Ducommun were always more open and anti clique/club and seemed to care about opening things up for all--PD is still open and lasted the test of time because of that attitude, I think. Forunately some of the others have gone.

I'm glad you enjoyed the racing in BC--I wish I'd been doing it as well, and had met you and the others that could've offered the valuable experience and learning that comes from doing things together. Here's to 2003, and steps toward that end...

Scott

Claude Regnier · Post by **Claude Regnier** » Sun Dec 29, 2002 5:24 am

Happy New Year everyone and may you all be able to get something going in your are or at the very least get out to some of the races.

Maybe we can meet at some event someday.

All the Best

Claude Regnier · Post by **Claude Regnier** » Fri Dec 20, 2002 6:57 pm

Well some of the local neibourhoods here have enen gone through some of the "hockey on the street battles" an it sucks.

That, however is society nowadys. As far as the "Pepsi" thing in the Van arera in the 70's. I'm assuming these are the same people that ran Expo and everything else I got to compete in through the 80's.

I don't know what happened to give you the impression of mistrust but having competed as a mewcomer in '81 for the 1rst time and several future events (even worked on every other) I never seen anythung like that go on.

It does happen however I have seen it at other comps and it hapens in everything walk of life. Some people have to make sure thay and their own look good. I hope this makes sence.

Scott Yano · Post by **Scott Yano** » Fri Dec 20, 2002 6:45 am

That should read "..._their_ best places robbed from them..."

Scott Yano · Post by **Scott Yano** » Fri Dec 20, 2002 6:41 am

I was watching a baseball documentary the other night. The particular segment was centred on Willie Mays. So he goes into a neighbourhood in New York to play stickball with the kids there. They are playing on a wide avenue in New York, IN TRAFFIC.

Remember? CAR! GAME ON! No reason slalom should be any different. I think we should be working on neighbourhoods to give the streets back to the kids and adults who live along them. Who the hell said that streets were for cars only? How many moments a day are most residential streets travelled by cars? What about the rest of the day? Why do we want to waste perfectly good tax money on empty space we're not allowed to use, then even more on parks we ARE allowed to use? Everything we need is already there, and I can not see any good reason why we shouldn't be able to use it as we please.

Did you read that Washington newspaper report (somebody brought it up about a year ago at ncdsa) about hockey being banned from the street? Who are these tight asses anyway? If people aren't ruining private property (shooting in from some guys' ten thousand dollar lawn/ leaving garbage and wheel tracks all over people's kentucky bluegrass boulevards, what damage is there to riding a plank in front of somebody's house? That they have to look at you? Like those people who complain about music being too loud if they can hear it at all?

While UBC may have some hills, SFU is obviously better (in every way, possibly). Not to mention the hills of Coquitlam, Port Moody, New West (!), and North and West Vancouver. I'm not saying I think we should be setting up cones in heavily trafficed areas, but what is the problem in less busy areas? We, as older more "respectable" citizens (I'm 39), have to fight against the ridiculous infringement on our basic rights to use the environment we live in in a healthy way, and go up against those who would take that right away (they're probably people you went to high school with, with some ancient axe to grind).

This should not be only for us, but for street guys as well, who've had they're best places robbed from them because some suits want to eat their lunches there, and some rent a cops (as well as the real variety) have nowhere else to flex their power hungry muscles. What better thing to do, by the way, than watching those guys perform while you eat your lunch, anyway?

I missed the slalom in Vancouver in '86 because I was driving the frigging monorail for the evil empire of the socreds at the time. I did hear at some point that some downhil, GS and slalom races were held on Burnaby mountain around that time ('85? '83? can't remember), but it was another Pepsi thing and I'd had some problems with that whole incestuous scene in the late seventies and didn't trust the races were going to be run fairly.

Anyway, for what it's worth, that's what I think we should be doing. No reason why slalom can't exist on wicked hills in residential areas the way hockey always has on the flats.

End rant here.
Scott

Claude Regnier · Post by **Claude Regnier** » Fri Dec 13, 2002 11:54 pm

Then they've done everything right so far. It's the skaters that have the problem.

Having designed several parks, I found out that you can't please everyone. Just like the FCR series. Regardless of what Jack, john and Don did and went thru, peolpe bitched and complained.

That's life.

Neil Gendzwill · Post by **Neil Gendzwill** » Thu Dec 12, 2002 9:07 pm

On 2002-12-12 12:56, Claude Regnier wrote:

Would they put soccer field, baseball diamomd or tennis courts there? They have to stop hidding skate parks in corners.

Actually they've got tennis courts there and a public swimming pool. So I'm kind of on the council's side on this one. It's not a really marginal area, it's just on the edges. It shouldn't really be a problem during daylight hours.

Claude Regnier · Post by **Claude Regnier** » Thu Dec 12, 2002 6:56 pm

Thanks neil, the skaters have a point. What the politicians have to understand is that it should be treated like a real sport.

Would they put soccer field, baseball diamomd or tennis courts there? They have to stop hidding skate parks in corners.

It's been a tough deal tryingto get municipalities to understand but get the skaters to show them. Most of the regulars that go to skate just wnat to skate.

It's the guys that don't generally skate that cause the probelms at parks.

Good Luck

Neil Gendzwill · Post by **Neil Gendzwill** » Thu Dec 12, 2002 2:44 pm

On 2002-12-11 19:16, Claude Regnier wrote:
Well Neil all we can do is try. The kids are probably kicking up a fuss because the politicians want to provide something shitty.

Naw, actually the fuss is over location. The politicians want to put the park in a fairly rough area of town as part of a commitment to sprucing up the area. As skaters already get hassled by gangs there they feel it's not viable. So now the skaters' committee has told the council they're not going to be involved and will do something themselves. It's all a big mess. As far as construction and contents go it should be OK as long as the two groups start talking again, but if the city goes it alone they're threatening to do a phone poll to determine what goes in there. So I'm thinking, great, 100 randomly phoned kids all say "uh, dude, I want a box and a rail".
I know the committee had retained a good consultant (the guy that built the Kelowna park among others) and that they were planning a vert bowl as part of it, so I'm hoping they pull their collective head out of their ass.

Claude Regnier · Post by **Claude Regnier** » Thu Dec 12, 2002 1:16 am

Well Neil all we can do is try. The kids are probably kicking up a fuss because the politicians want to provide something shitty.

I've seen that soooo much. Do they have a website or something I can send some info or something too.

I'll let you know if I'm heading that way I'm still trying to put some Sk8 related things together. Cab is awesome. I guess you seen that small riot whe he tossed his prototype in exitment after his run on the half during the Vert.

What about Rodney's perfect score in the Frrestyle. The Slalom was rum at UBC.

Neil Gendzwill · Post by **Neil Gendzwill** » Tue Dec 10, 2002 10:10 pm

I was at the Expo comp in 86 (as a spectator). Lots of fun, although I wasn't even aware that there was slalom happening. I saw the half-pipe and the freestyle. My favourite memory is going to that snake run park in North Van and seeing Cab tear it up. He is so impressive in person.

Anyways, I don't really have any big ideas. We're supposed to be getting a concrete park here next year if the council and the skaters can stop bickering. That will be a good opportunity to set some cones up and try to encourage by example. I set a few up at an indoor park and got a lot of interest, mostly from the really young skaters. If I had had a board they could turn handy it would have been great (mine's a little stiff for an 8 year old).

Claude Regnier · Post by **Claude Regnier** » Tue Dec 10, 2002 7:35 pm

Hi Scott, couldn't forget about you. Other then neil you were one of the 1rst Canadian contacts I met up with (e-mail wise) that is.

I haven't heard about anything on the West Coast yet. some of the guys that used to copete in the Nationals are still somewhat involved in skating and were informed of morro and other goings on.

I do expect to have some more involment from the West Coast. UBC has a nice sot and they allowed some national and the Worlds in 86.

Hi Cabbage, getting more people up here is a work in progress. Thanks for the good wishes. I hope everything is well for you and yours.

I'm not sure what my plans are for next year at this point, i'm still trying to pay of Morro and the trip.

C-YA

Cabbage · Post by **Cabbage** » Tue Dec 10, 2002 3:38 pm

Claude, hey its cabbage, I just found the site yesterday,stoked to see your name, just wanted to say hello to my friends up north..You all rock, hope to see your board get bigger... Will you be back down for bridge day again next year? and what events are you planning on attending this comming year?

Cabbage

Scott Yano · Post by **Scott Yano** » Tue Dec 10, 2002 10:04 am

Hey Claude,
Thanks for remembering...I'm still over here and healing. Anyway, just found this site and will look in as much as I can.... Anybody found anywhere to set up cones on the coast (The one with the mountains)? I hope so.
Scott

Sorry screwed up registering (just habit, I guess) and thought I'd have a place to put my real name. I tried to edit my username, but couldn't...
Scott

ed note: no worries. I deleted the other account.

[ This Message was edited by: Adam Trahan on 2002-12-10 09:17 ]

Claude Regnier · Post by **Claude Regnier** » Mon Dec 09, 2002 5:55 am

We'll with Civ having joined us of late that makes 5. When Brad (bohika) from Calgary joins will have provinces from half the country on board,Eh!

We can't forget Scott Yano who is currently in Japan.

Some of you guys can chime in anytime with some ideas.

Claude Regnier · Post by **Claude Regnier** » Sun Nov 24, 2002 5:58 am

Hi Neil! I'm glad you found the site. Brad Kasha is the guy lurking in Calgary. He was the guy on NCDSA posting under Bohika.

He ran the 1982 Nationals. We e-mailed each other a couple of times. He's working on a few things I would expect him to join in, in the next while.

[ This Message was edited by: Claude Regnier on 2002-12-08 23:56 ]

Neil Gendzwill · Post by **Neil Gendzwill** » Fri Nov 22, 2002 7:43 pm

I'm lurking around Saskatoon... I've been riding since 1976 and went to nationals in 79, that was the last slalom contest I rode. I think I heard from someone from Calgary over on NCDSA.

Pierre Gravel · Post by **Pierre Gravel** » Fri Nov 15, 2002 3:49 am

Hellloooo! anybody out there??
Man! this feels like we need to get more canadians to stop curling and try slalom...

Claude Regnier · Post by **Claude Regnier** » Thu Nov 14, 2002 6:28 am

So Pierre and I have been talking since early summer. Is there anyone else out there north of the boarder.

Pierre Gravel · Post by **Pierre Gravel** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 7:05 pm

Hello fellow slalomers, i ride mostly in the Montreal area, started riding cones in 77 but stopped and i just got back at it this spring.

An association is a good idea and i hope this forum will help us canadians ride/race together. I'm tryin to organize a race or a demo for next summer during a speedboard comp in Montreal, any help or ideas will be welcome. Later, Pierre

Claude Regnier · Post by **Claude Regnier** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 5:25 pm

Welcome to the Canadian Slalom Forum.

There are not many of us at the moment and were miles apart. I have been doing Slalom in Canada since I started skating in the early 70's.

If you are interested in trying to develop an Association locally, you can start with a GRS or GRASS Branch.

We will also want to get a CSSF Canadian Slalom Skateboard Federation going to coincide and work with the USSSF in the United States and the eventual Associations and International Governing bodies.

This can be time consuming and I know most of you just want to skate. Well this will definitely help you find others to skate with.

It would be nice to see Provincial Championships and also the return of National Championships to Canada.

Many Happy Pumps

Claude Regnier
Former Canadian National Champion
1981 - 1990

[ This Message was edited by: Claude Regnier on 2002-10-30 11:26 ]

[ This Message was edited by: Claude Regnier on 2003-01-08 00:57 ]

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