ISSA - International Slalom Skateboarding Association

ha! I knew I couldn't speak for you... but I wanted to hear what you had to say about "formalizing" some mentorship for juniors.

Looking forward to next year.

JG

John, You really should've been coming to The Gatherings all along, and your comments reveal that you've definitely missed more than you've made.

There is racing at The Gatherings and there always has been. At the same time, I never wanted The Gathering to be perceived as "a race", particularly not a race with any importance to the rest of the competitive season. The original concept for The Gathering was for an early-season social mixer for the slalom skateboarding community.

When this slalom re-birth first started, it was primarily fed and fueled by our communications with each other over the internet, and we all know how this environment can distort the impressions we get of each other. Suddenly, in the end of '00, it became clear there was actually going to be some sort of slalom skateboarding season in '01, with a World Championship event and several other notable slalom racing events. Then it occurred to me that if we all showed up at the first "important" competition with our game-faces on, we'd continue to not really know each other. There might've even been people who, because of some internet incident or argument, were angry at or disliking each other without even really knowing each other.

So, the intent of The (1st) Gathering was a weekend with lots of racing, clearly acknowledging our common interest, while emphasizing cameraderie and a sense of community within the sport, rather than who won and who can kick whose ass. There have been timers all along.

Having said that, I thank you for your suggestions. Many of the things you've suggested or something similar are already happening, either formally (like starting the weekend with a junior race or ending the weekend with a race) or informally (like learning-slalomers adopting the veteran or veterans from whom they feel they can learn the most). In some ways, the whole weekend is also like a slalom and pumping clinic, where any newer slalom skater, in the process of learning to pump or run cones, will be surrounded by a panel of eager commentators offering suggestions and observations. From this group of potential mentors, the novice will often instinctively pick that teacher whose suggestions are working for them.

Now, having said all of that, as much as I don't want The Gatherings to be perceived as an important competitive event, I also don't want The Gatherings to be perceived as a slalom school or beginner event. It is what it is. It's a gathering... a get-together. I want it to attract the best, as well as the newest; the old and the young, fast and slow, with the purposes being to celebrate and revel in our mutual passion for slalom skateboarding and to know each other better. Show up.

Speaking as someone who missed G1, G2, attended G3 and missed G4 I certainly can't speak for GBJ - but I think his original intention for the Gathering was a non competitive event and ...likely a less competitive environment.

So strictly speaking.. the gathering should not be a race. I think cooperative learning starts to recede as soon as the timing systems come out of the bag. I missed out on the gatherings without timers. When racing starts the focus shifts from the group to Focusing your energy on lowering your time.

There have been night outlaw races prior to the gathering...which I think is a good way to get people psyched for what they about to learn. I also think perhaps that the Gathering should end with a race. In that way people could jump into a race cold on friday night- and then after learning over the weekend- see how they improved on their racing before they go home. To make it more interesting- you could have qualifiers on the same course as on Friday and skaters could see their times improve.

I'd like to see a beginner race at the end of the gathering- ideally a newbie skater would skate for a bit and then select 2-3 skaters who he wanted as coaches who would switch off to help him. The 2-3 skaters would work together to try and make this newbie fast in just 2 days- they could discuss what worked and what did not. They could work on pumping, gear, line, whatever. At the end of the gathering at the Newbie race automatically the newbie would have a fan club. Good for mentoring as it gives the new skater someone he knows is familiar with his learning curve.

Not every skater has to coach- you'd volunteer for it. Hopefully the newbies would reciprocate by bringing beer and taking the coaches out for dinner at the end of the gathering. Or the newbies would get together and throw a party on Saturday night for the coaches.

As a helpful separate suggestion I think a "Pumping clinic" would be a great way to introduce people to slalom- and draw more people to the gathering. The idea behind it would be to have a good smooth wide open area- a few boards specially set up to make learning to pump easy, and a few skaters helping explain and demonstrate how they learned and what they did to increase their pumping speed.

As was the case with attending my first Gathering in 2002 it is a great all around weekend.

Racing from every level racer. Camaraderie is second to none. It was great to see the level of local racers develop so much over the last few years. This is the case Worldwide however and not restricted to any one area.

A BIG Thanks to Brian, Mike, and Dave for stepping in and doing such a great job to pull it all together so we could enjoy such a great time. Andy Thanks for starting it all way back then.

Brian the Outlaw series is so good, you can see it everywhere.

Yvonne Gamble, What would we do without you? You are just so great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, Thank you , THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

Take Care evryone, till the next time.

PS- A special Thanks two my two Little handstand doubles partners.

Sorry it so long to say thanks to BP, Mike O., the Gambles and everybody else that helped make the 4th Gathering so much fun. I wish Mark and I would have been around for Sunday skating.
It was good to see so many new and old faces. I had a blast.

Later Keith, Teams Radikal & RoeRacing.

Dan,

Thanks for keepin my stoke going with the photos!
You too Vlad at your Fotki box!

I'm kickin myself for not just getting in the car and going...won't balk again!

Congrats to all who raced!

It's 4:45 AM. Goohoohooohdmorning DC! I just woke up...and it's not a hotel!!! Where's everybody? Slappy...Slappy...They won't sell me anything; it's too early.


Cool pictures! The Northern Bad Boyz inc should have tons more. As well as the guy who knows where turtles come from and where they are going.

I can host an unlimited amount of your pictures on www.fotki.com site with all rights reserved and all that.
vladislavpopov@mail.ru - unlimited space mail box. Send your Gathering pictures and more.

These are most of the "good" pictures that I got as I was using my receptionist's camera and was screwing up most of the shots I took.
These were from Saturday's course at the Pheasant area. The hill had a bit more of a pitch than Cardinal's coming around the bend, then flattened. The course was fast and fun with most having trouble with the three tight stingers midway through the turn. (I "criddled" a few more.)

I had a great time and hope to see you all again soon.

Dan

ps: PA Dan, She hasn't noticed yet!

I was at the Gathering site today and the place looks empty. Where did everyone go? Slappy, what happened at the bar last night?

Oh well...it's raining now. I hope everyone has enough rest before our big race tomorrow.

PA, SC, FL, FU

Ohm sees so much of me he forgets it's a 1,000-mile round trip.

I'd write more, but why bother? Mike wouldn't read it anyway.

Hey, 5,600 miles logged to date in 2004 to various skate races. And it's only May.

So I saw a ton of people Saturday with Cameras and DV cams....yet few photos have been posted (vlad and Dave Morris and Dr. Dan I've seen)....who else has photos?

You forgot PA! (Dan & Mr. & Mrs. KMG)

Q

G4 was once again a great time. There is nothing better than meeting and seeing other racers from all around the country. To say the least, I am still stoked to be a skateboarder (been one since 1975), and have no plans to retire anytime soon. Texas Eddy and his crew, Michigan roundwallers, OH Canada Claude and CIV, NY, NJ, OH, AZ, CT and if I missed any........ thanks for coming and hope to see you soon.

Also, It was cool that everyone dug my Friday night course. I though it was kinda tame from what I usually set. You just had to check your speed. And Saturday was finally my day. The course liked me. Maybe a little luck. Whatever, i'll take the W!

I had nothing left for sunday but I really didn't care. Still stoked from saturday.

I just wanted to say thanks to all who made my first Gathering an absolute blast!!!! Next year I'm taking a personal day so I can stay Sunday!

Hopefully I'll be able to make a few more races this summer, but if not, I'll see y'all definitely at MSSS3 in October!

Jeff Boswell drop me an email (davmo@aol.com), I need you email address.

Slappy, your a sick puppy!!

<whining>Slappy that picture doesn't show up on my 1995 low-resolution Crapintosh screen. Please e-mail me your latest in like X4 the size and resolution thankyou.
Wizout poop in my board I'd be dead meat on Saturday. I now know the secret of the Gilmourian high-speed overpump!
Insect doesn't make shortboards. When I ordered my board I was under the impression that it's a longboard company. Their 36'' board fits the rules. Please hold your orders for at least 2 weeks. I have another major international order with them coming. Thankyou verymuch.</whining>

I have a dialup connection due to economic depression, shallow job market, and kitchen renovation related expenses, so the G4 pictures are s l o w t o u p l o a d, but they're coming.

It was nice to see so many new bagged faces at the Gathering this year.

Vlad Popov wrote:Today’s “Collective Effort with the PSR backbone” Longboard Slalom course was faster and more open then last year. More speed. More space to pump. KMG hybrid was fun. It brought out the best in the young and the younger Canadians. PSR “GS” was very tech. Too bad there didn’t seem to be enough interest for a race on that course. OHM Friday’s course was definitely tight (0.5-inch narrower front truck set-up = a full second off). BP red course was insane…a muscle killer. One qualifying run leads to an interesting bracketing in the early rounds and even more interesting A/B class seeding.

I gotta agree the one qualifying run did make the brackets interesting. Not sure if i "love" the idea but it definately can shake things up. You gotta be ON at the word go.

I didn't like the no cone penalty rule...BUT again it did change up the racing, if anything it made you push harder...interesting.

The G4.........Longboard course all day sunday, woo hoo. Thanks Guys.

I swear Ill be good and practice with the lil funny boards more this year,nnnK?
That was a great weekend, sad to see so many bugged out early, sunday was great.
It was so cool sat seeing 11 kids race, Kyle (Bozi 2.0) had a blast & is really starting to do well, if he'd ever practice itd be scary.

ILVA- I have your lil black gloves,send me an addy,seeeeeeee, it didnt rain

RENE'- I have your stone slide gloves (had a small lost & found in the bozi area)

Really cool to meet more Detroit guys, what a flippin crew. Chris, I like many others must have a Kill City Racing shirt, please get car wreck guy on that, go fo long sleeves, hoodies, beenies.......itll be like the West Coast Choppers shit, nobody will even know what it is, theyll just want them as soon as they see them, youll be fabulously rich in days.

Eddy Texas Outlaw, wow, what a gentle giant, I wish Id seen Noah tackle you, Nobygot that on film? Eddy, I hope we meet agian & can BS longer.

Civ, that superman dive to palms & knees was killer, I think 3 people got that on tape, eh?
Rob, glad we finally cuaght up.......

Lisa's grils, so glad your mom let you guys come, sorry we missed her. You guys are great for the sport, rival sisters, way cool.

Steve from AZ.......you finally got one, about time.

Vlad....LONGboard Make Pink Racing Tees please, refer to above.

Everyone else, it was great getting to kill sat gabbing since I had no hope riding sat, tried, sucked, felt stiff as a board, nice to watch & meet people, thank you all.

The G4 had a MUCH more mellow vibe this year than it did last year. I think that is a good thing. Last year was about 14 fast guys against the other 40 people. We ran our hard courses and it got into a heated race. Not the sorta vibe to get newbies stoked on racing. This year people were just having a good time, relaxing and riding skateboards. The racing was fast but I can't say it ever got intense, at least on sat or Sun.

The other thing I noticed is more than half of the people there were people i had never seen before. it is great to see new people into slalom, especially some of the younger kids. Also it was cool meeting some people I have only ever seen on the msg brds.

Ohm rocked saturday. He was on freakin fire, nothing was going to get in his way, plus his setup was perfect!

Civ, when he isn't busting his sac or getting his hose sucked is FAST...one to watch in ANY race. If you can work on running cleaner everyone needs to fear the guy from Canada. Give them hell in Paris.

Jeff Boswell. For someone who said he was sketched out by the courses you looked pretty damn good on Saturday. I caught the Cali race in MRN on my way home in PA, they do have good coverage!

Noah...dominating as usual!

vlad...poppy boards have their uses, but wood is still good.

BP, LBK, GBJ...thnaks for stepping up this year, running the race and getting the ball rolling all those years ago now (respectively)

KMG and yvonne.....without the two of you coming down to rac ein DC wouldn't be half as fun and the events wouldn't run half as well!!!

Aarron Morris....move your front foot forward about 3 inches and stop riding the Roe like a Turner and you will drop a second from your times over all AT LEAST. You are fast.

Eddy M. good to meet you, nice smooth style....keep at it.

Katie and Elisa...smooth riding...keep at it, you guys are fast.

Bozi...great support of DC racing, thanks for everything.

Ilva....it is the shoes,..those shoes!!!!! haha.

PSR remains the best coach for skate/snow EVER!


I had fun last weekend. Glad to see the G4 vibe mellow and the stoke up......

Jack no worries at all about that, driving around town brought back memories form last year. Thanks a ton for picking us up. Hope to see you at the Farm

Team Q had a great time. Met lots of cool people. Didn't get to race as much as I wanted to, but family stuff had to take front seat.

For TG5, I hope to blockade the weekend from Family Obligations so Bertleboy can get to the Junior stuff.

Elissa and Katie, sorry to have Kooked out on the hotel location and given you a little tour of Gaithersburg. Worked out OK, I guess, seeing as Keith and Mark arrived at the same time...

Now, I need to practice, practice, practice, and see if I can scam my way into visiting relatives for Da Farm.

Q

Naw, Keith had a blade but no pop.

Chris...YUP. I ran the Sims Team Turner twice...both DQ'ed. I could only clean the course with the plank and the orange wheels or the C62's. The TP Krypto Project II's were just too fast and without the footspace, I didn't want to risk hurtin' the other thumb.

Even after two (almost) cross-country flights, three runs and lots of fingerprints, the Sims is in no worse condition than when I brought it.

I do have a new perspective on some of my "stuff", in that I certaintly don't need it all. I'll be selling that Red Needle that PD re-filled'n-drilled for me.

ETO: I tell you whut, I'll race you around LP tanks for laughs. Propane is my life.

-=S=-

Uhhhh. Chris B. Keith Hollien wasn't in your crowd was he???

Hey Steve, did you actully ride that Sims Cutaway in the vintage race??.....tell ya what...you know i'm not a big fan of "wall hangers", but if if had that board in my clutches, i dont think it'd see the street!
For anybody who read Eddies comment about the gun....
Saturday at that Mexican restaurant (whatever it's name was), the lot of us were sitting outside eating, drinking, laughing....when this very serious cop walks up saying he got a complaint that a group of guys out front of the restaurant, wearing black shirts, were causing trouble and one of them was carrying a handgun.
After explaining to him that the worst thing to do while riding a skateboard down a hill is to have a loaded handgun packed in your drawers and convincing him we werent causing trouble, he left....
Which leads to this question:
Which one of you other skaters wanted our outside table so bad that you called the cops and tried to get us booted?
It was a stroke of genius....better luck next time.

There is allways next year Stevo, and yes you were alot faster on Sundays course. Im not worthy, Im not worthy. Then again there is 66 race in Joja. Rematch Perhaps? Just wanted to send out a big thanks to PSR for patching up my leg after my tumble, loved the course you setup on Sunday. Things I heard at the Gathering

One of these days kid one of these days.

Uncle Eddy are you O K?

I did not know those wheels came in Mango.

What time is it Dude, Uh 3:OO AM Bro.

No officer we do not have any guns or weapons, we are slalom skateboarders.

" Civ who had him bro".

Are'nt you a nurse Dude.

Do as I say, not as I do.

I could have been a contender.

No that is not Miko Biffle.

That was a sick run MAN.

I tell you what that boy aint right in the head.

Its the trucks man, its the trucks. Later Eddy Texas Outlaw.

Yup. Turns out the Canucks had the advantage in Beer consumption (followed closely by KCR), as well as the currency conversion rate; When their runs were 10.00 seconds, that converts into 7.2993 Canadian Seconds. /:>}

Made it back to AZ and got 3 of the 4 hours of the flight back in the time difference alone. Still sore & my thumb is all kinds of purdy colors...like the new 3dm wheels. Olive, Mango, Tomato and Eggplant.

For those who left late (most of you), you missed the hillclimb, won by Claude. I beat Geezer by 4 inches, and that kinda made my weekend. I gotta wonder what he's gonna do with my truck hangers now. hehe...

Wes took 3rd in the Vintage race on my 28" 1974 Oakie with Bennett Pros on Cal.Slalom bases with C62's. I took dead last of the non-DQ'ed group. But I did get even with Eddy the TO in the timed runs by only a few tenths. Still no match for our practice runs on Saturday at Pheasant run...I'll let him post that. UUUUGGHHH!! iMuy Bueno, me Loco Amigo!

Kev, Yev, Brian...great job. I'd list everyone, but you were all there...and I would literally list EVERYONE. Looking fwd to getting some of the pix/mpgs to show wifey that I didn't die or go to the hospital. This time, anyway.

-=S=-

Canada slalom has been fast. You won't find much info on it anywhere (there are reasons). They were pretty active in the 1980s. It's obvious that their slalom school is strong. There shouldn't be any suprises to those who follow slalom history..and are able to think outside the US boarders.

What the heck happened in Canada this last year???

CIV is flying and Claude won the longboard slalom????

now that's something I really missed!!!

"Serpentine Shell, serpentine!"
The In-Laws; Peter Falk, Alan Arkin



Super Serpentine ©KMG

It’s always different, but it’s always fun. Thanks to Brian Parsons, Mike Ohm, and Dave Riordon for your efforts that gave each day of the weekend a flair of its own and thanks for a non-paid job well done.

I feel bad for the people that traveled long distances and the first-timers, who each missed Sunday due to either the threat of rain or any other reason. The lack of rain and the original Gathering site on Sunday allowed for multiple course/race types that everyone seemed to enjoy. I hope to see you all again at more races, and at The Gathering next year!

And to all the people that did stay...I’m sick of you. Ha ha just kidding! We know how much fun it was!


Anthony Smallwood and Eddy,
If your video cameras are the DV type and the footage that you shot turned out to be just blank, it could be caused by a dirty recording head.

Hey Anthony, ...we didnt print any extras the first time thru because we didnt know how they'd turn out, but they're rad as hell, aye? (Gregs design)... They werent ready until the night before we left so they were a mystery to us too.
Also, being the new kids on the circuit (we didnt really get organized until this past winter), we didnt want to be the newbies coming out selling merch without at least getting to meet folks first.
We'll be printing off more and i've got your name down for sure, bro.
Should have them at the next event at the latest.

Dave G, i've got one here for you but i need address again.

By the way...is the Vans Longoard/Vintage/Banked Slalom day going to happen again this year?

FTW
Chris B
KCR

Big thanks to GBJ and Brian Parsons for throwing a very cool party.

It was nice hanging out, riding and filming with everyone.
I must say though, in response to Eddy's mysterious loss of video footage, my camera did some strange things today and I got home and realized I lost about 15 minutes of golden footage. Must be a camera gremlin lurking in the park. I DID manage to get a few money clips. Hopefully we'll get them up on Bozi's site in the coming weeks.

Hey, I'm wondering if it's possible to buy one of those rad Kill City shirts?

The 4th Gathering reminded me so much of the first gathering except that I can't place who would be considered the stand out like Simon was at TG1. Could it have been Ur13 with probably one of the best solid styles in today's slalom. Noah looking fast. Vlad looking faster. Ohm being the fastest on Saturday. Civ blazing so damn fast. Aaron showing that the young guns are going to kick our ass. Claude showing that the young guns have a thing or two to learn first. KMG for setting some fine courses (Sat & Sun). The Florida crew and all who traveled the distance. Newbies like The NoVa Bombers & Seth for embracing skateboarding for other than just kickflipping.

Maybe the stand out for the 4th Gathering should go to all the skateboarders, their families and friends that showed up either to ride, help out or just hang out.

Well here are some more results to look over......


Hybrid Slalom Jam Session (Best of as many runs you could take in an allotted time w/ a bell lap run at the end)

1st Vlad 16.671
2nd Civ 16.75
3rd Claude 16.978
4th Noah 17.381
5th WesE 17.597
6th Ohm 17.684
7th Aaron 18.042
8th PSR 18.803
More Results to be announced....

Longboard Slalom
1st Claude 17.01
2nd (tie) Aaron & PSR 17.93
4th John Dillon 17.97
More Results to be announced

Slalom (head to head on Saturday)

A Division:

1st Ohm
2nd Vlad
3rd Keith H.
4th Civ.

B. Division:

1st Mark McCree (huffing and puffing by the end)
Brian Parsons has the results of the results.


Peace,

lbk

PS, It is hours after TG4 and it just starting to rain.

Same course, modern S...(tuff) in no particular order. Best unofficial times.

Ohm 17.684
Geezer 21.346
Noah 17.831 correct time is 17.381
Claude 16.978
Dan P 22.376
PA Dan 19.182
John D 20.076
Vlad 16.671
Adam S 20.737
Civ 16.750
Rob 19.960
PSR 18.8 correct time is 18.803
DaveMO 20.869
Ed TX 23.702
Steve M 22.358
Aaron 18.042
Wes E 17.597
GBJ 21.615
Slappy 19.773
Kevin 20.335
Jeff B 22.770

Old S...(tuff) Race Results from my photos, i.e., not official.

1. Aaron M 18.66
2. Eric W 19.831
3. Wes E 20.125
4. Erik B PSR 20.310
5. Kevin G 20.784
6. Adam S 24.222
7. Dan P 25.801
8. Jeff B 25.812
9. Steve M 27.479

What a riot...we spent about 20 hours in the car there and back...about 1200 miles round trip ...and the G4 was worth every minute....
Mike and Brian, you guys did a great job putting Friday and Saturday together...I know you had allot of help from other as well, but you guys shouldered a ton of work...and to everybody who pulled this off, thanks....this was a great way to kick off the summer. I finally got the chance to put faces on the names i see on line and that was way cool too. It was a trip, everybody has their own style, their own attitude, their own edge and everybody gets along ...i'm completely stoked. Outlaw Eddie...you're my bro...i'll see you again in Fayetteville for sure...hope to see the rest of ya there too. Mark, thanks for the Av's; Keith thanks for the great stories; DC crew, thanks for the great time; Canadians, lookin' to hook up again with you guys some time soon (Civ, you were THAT close to pullin' it off brah, you're fast as hell); Jeff Y, you rock...too many others to list and i'm way tired to clear my head.
Till next time
Ride it like ya stole it
Chris B
KCR

Today’s “Collective Effort with the PSR backbone” Longboard Slalom course was faster and more open then last year. More speed. More space to pump. KMG hybrid was fun. It brought out the best in the young and the younger Canadians. PSR “GS” was very tech. Too bad there didn’t seem to be enough interest for a race on that course. OHM Friday’s course was definitely tight (0.5-inch narrower front truck set-up = a full second off). BP red course was insane…a muscle killer. One qualifying run leads to an interesting bracketing in the early rounds and even more interesting A/B class seeding.

All I can say is that I am still very stoked!!!!! Elissa and Katie I love you gals. Mark thanks for hooking me up with the shaved Avalons and tweaking my Radikals. Keith thanks for showing me how to get through that tricky offset on Friday Nights Outlaw event. I had a blast. Learned so much thanks Dudes. Geezer,Andy,Wes E thank you for sharing your slalom knowledge with me. Claude thank you for being my Amigo and my coach this weekend, I shaved 2 seconds of my run after you worked with me. Freaking AWESOME MAN. DC crew you guys rule. Chris Bara and the members of Killer City Racing a force to be reckoned with. Sid and Siv VIVA LA CANADA you bros ROCK. Joe I agree you and I are very simpatico. Davemo and Arron slow down and wait for me. I met so many cool people this weekend. Too many to mention. I am exausted right now and sore. Time to go watch the Sopranos and kick back. I love you guys. Eddy Texas Outlaws.

I took a couple of pictures of today's score boards in every timed race.

No rain today. Bummer.

Who has results?

Great weekend all! Best of luck easing the pain to all those going home sore. I tried to name all the people that fell, but then I lost count. Thanks so much for helping us make it down Jack and Brian. Eddy you're the best uncle there ever was. All you Canadians it was great to see you, Rob we missed you, Civ you shocked us all, Claude . . .what would I do without you. Mark and Keith, thanks as always for taking us in just like family. Mike Ohm you rocked the place and your daughter is absolutly beautiful. See you all soon.

Anthony Flis wrote:...never make desicions when you're tired, sore and...wet outside...

People end up married doing that.

Peace, love and precipitation