Slalom was hijacked...........

Jani Soderhall · Post by **Jani Soderhall** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 1:20 pm

In a way the smaller races may be more beneficial to the development of slalom racing than the high level pro races - strangely enough. But if you want to encourage a new skater to come along, for sure he won't be tempted to enter a Pro race, but when he sees a bunch of guys just having fun he might likely be tempted to try it out.

At the same time if there are no Pro races there's not going to be any grass roots events either (no media attention, no equipment, nothing to look up to).

The cool thing right now is that we have both. There might have beeb less Pro races in the FCR series this year, but they're as important. The US is also doing fine on the grass roots level. I can't keep up with all your races and this is only the beginning. There is a lot more potential!

Europe is taking its first steps in terms of race development which could turn into a Pro series for next year, and so far the races that have been great in terms of encouragement of new skaters and also for bringing out a few of the old guys.

A good mix of small, medium and top level races is what we need.

Or ...

A good mix of local, regional, national and international races is what we need. When you start feeling comfortable at one level it is time to take the next step and meet new challenges!

Howard Gordon · Post by **Howard Gordon** » Sat Aug 09, 2003 4:24 am

Lack of top level competitions this year in the US has certainly seemed to slow things down, but in fact, I think we've participated in more races this season than last because of the mini-series that have emerged or continued - e.g. JPL, WLAC, Mid-Town Racing (SF Bay area). These events have been more like grass roots racing, though perhaps at a higher skill level, with 20-30 entries as the norm, kids classes, womens classes, and entry fees in the range of $5-$25. The availability of affordable timers and cones should encourage continued development of these types of events.

John Gilmour · Post by **John Gilmour** » Thu Aug 07, 2003 6:03 pm

We hooked another one!

Well, I think we may have topped out in terms of unearthing newer skaters. We had a fast growth rate (dig up rate) initally.

I picked up a copy of Metrosports today. I paged through it. Talk of triathalons, bike races, running, mountain biking, kyacking, swimming- a little Inline skating.

No Skateboarding...and no slalom.

Well I can see that for some disciplines of skateboarding...contests aren't all that needed.

Certainly for Vert the person you compete against is mostly yourself. Sessioning with freinds is always good- but you really don't burn out sessioning withthe same group of guys. Slalom is a little different. You practice with the same group of guys....but you really want to travel to race new people.

For slalom- when the contest coverage stopped- people far away stopped practicing. When the contests stopped- people after a while felt like they had no reason to slalom... a few might do it for exercise..but many stopped.

Slalom is all about competition.

So perhaps what we really need are more grass roots events. We need coverage in teh local freebie sports mags...not necessarily some televised event 1000's of miles away...but a place where people can go an compete and know that they can travel to other places to compete easily.

For instance...in this totally hypothetical scenario.

Lets say slalom practice spots existed in towns near me.

On different nights.
Mondays slalom in Boston
Tuesday Slalom in Wellesley
Wednesday Slalom in Cohassett
Thursday Slalom in Hyannis

well I might just mostly slalom at the spot closest to me...but I certainly would drive the 20 miles to slalom at one of the other spots to race new people.

Even if the slalom practice was like only the first and third Monday for Boston, The 2nd and 4th Tuesday for Wellesley, etc...

I guess we need more regular practice spots. And not to always use the same spot for fear of "burning it out" .

So (to everyone) if you were to announce regular practice spots...do you have any? Would it be so bad to just choose 1 weekday evening a week for a spot?

Lets say I chose to slalom every Tuesday. I picked two spots. The Boston Common 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, and The Arnold Arboretum (a more advanced spot) ever 2nd and 4th Tuesdays.

Then any passersby skaters that saw me at either spot would learn that I also had another spot to skate at.

We won't ever regain control of the hijacked plane- but we might just take off out of the back of the plane with our deltawing packs.

Brad Odland · Post by **Brad Odland** » Wed Aug 06, 2003 8:39 pm

Very interesting thread. My long reply....

I have to relate to you my story and why I have managed to hang onto my slalom board all these years and have recently returned to active skating. Including ramp, slalom and surfstyle flatland.

First let me do some background. I am from the midwest and skating for me was multi-diciplined. My friends and I all practiced flatland freestyle, rode pools (we found one concrete kidney pool that we could ride in) and I did slalom. I was was drawn to slalom and bought a rig because it was much like DH skiing which I was just getting into at the time too. I used the board for many years as a method of pre-season training for skiing. I used a parallel stance for training and used rubber tipped ski poles. The sliding & gliding sports have always been good to me over the years.

THis year my daughter turned 13 and a new skatepark opened up three blocks from our house. My daughter learned to ride on my slalom board and when she was able to stay on it and was comfortable I said we would buy her a quality board. Which I did.

We used to skate in the underground garage in our apartment complex befroe we moved and and I showed her that skatebaording is not just about the ollie. It is about staying on the board and manuvering around the pillers of the garage with as few of dabs as possible as fast as possible. It is about using the skills you have and flow and be creative.

Shortly after we saw Dogtown and Z- Boys and she said..."that's you dad..." and I thought yeah alot of that is (and was) me. (Not as good as they were mind you..)

WI went to the grand opening of the public skate park this summer and brought my Hobie-Flex cutaway with gullwing HPG IV and hobie XX's. The kids were all amazed. Many have never seen "old school" surfer moves outside of the Dogtown video or those huge red-orange wheels. It caused quite a buzz.

They would get on my slalom board and discovered a whole new way to relate to the pavement. All in all the kids think it is pretty cool that they have an "old schooler" at the park. One kid I saw the other day had a long board and was crusing around on it dowing some low tight carving turns...

I bought my daughter a newer deck and wheels and she got some new trucks (new-school steet board) So I got her older street board. I use it on the 1/4 pipes at the skatepark. (very small park) 2 1/4 pipes and a fun box.

My daughter hangs at the park all day nearly. She is the only girl that can ollie, drop in and heel-flip. She is pretty amazing. I told her that to really get good and separate yourself from other skaters you have to learn some old-school techniques.

So she now shares a dream I once had at her age...Pro Skater...

Why was slalom highjacked? Probably poor promotion and insurance cost in the early 80's. Whatever the case now the kids who have started skating at 7 and 8 are now pre-teens and they are the ones who need to be convinced that skateboarding is a lifetime sport. To me slalom was the more advanced and "adult" dicispline. It is up to us 40 somethings now to make sure that the kids realize you aren't a complete skater until you are competent in all aspects of skating.

Most kids have just one now. they need more choices and they thrive on competition.

Hey I can slalom, turn and do berts, kickflips, 360,s, nose wheelies, rock and roll on ramps most of these kids can only grind a rail and ollie. They can't even do a backside 180 or a fakie 360...

I think for slalom to grow into the future is to make sure these kids know that to be a solid skater requires getting to know all the aspects of the sport and that includes slalom. Slalom got highjacked by those of us who turned inward and skated for other reasons or put the board up in the garage for years....(both of which I am guilty of)

I feel as though I never really quit skating as I still would drag the board out and take a trip around the block every so often...

Now I see other graceful and chubby slalom skaters and I want to fly out and allow you the opportunity to read the back of my t-shirt on the race cource...(as you pass me..haha)

Need to invest in some new equipment first...the Hobie is going to end up on the wall soon....

[ This Message was edited by: Brad Odland on 2003-08-07 13:47 ]

Don O'Shei · Post by **Don O'Shei** » Fri May 02, 2003 7:40 pm

John Gilmour said:

Don's injury was not related to slalom as it was from stopping. A good runout might have helped.

My injury had nothing to do with stopping and was totally related to slalom. I have no idea what John is talking about but I hope his facts are more accurate on other things.

Don O'Shei

-jg
my apologies Don- I had heard it was caused during a footdrag. I did not realize it was from a wipeout in the course.

[ This Message was edited by: John Gilmour on 2003-08-06 13:22 ]

George Gould · Post by **George Gould** » Mon Feb 10, 2003 5:27 pm

last night i re-assembled the board i rode at La Costa 2001. it was a Comet Don O stiff (the last one solid skate had in Sept 2001, i couldn't buy a Cross they were out with no know re-supply date) Indy 101's (Bones blues front, Indy reds rear from longskater) G&S wheels from Poolskater, Bones bearings from SideWalk Surfer Phoenix. when Henry announced the race at La Costa i didn't even know Morro had happened. i was reading the NCDSA months prior and logged on when a guy tried to buy all my old skateboard stuff and i didn't know the value...LOL now I kept it all a stack of SkateBoarder mags hahahaha... at any rate it was a freakin search just to find that slalom stuff then. now i look around, i never saw a ROE until La Costa that year. i couldn't believe how light it was. today sitting next to my new Ick Stick, a tricked out Cross fat ass, and with new Tracker Trucks all kinds of wheels. Howard was selling Turner La Costa wheels out of a box on the hill. i paid poolskater and picked em up from Howard that fri night. nobody new anybody, the Knuckleheads were there in force, dave gale and Arab were friendly ..ROFL.. we have come a long way. these little seeds have stayed in contact, put on a great racing season, got a couple of websites. man look at the new equipemnt, PVD's, Trackers, ROE, Ick, Turner, G&S, Bahne, Abec 11, at least four competetive bearings, new bushings the list grows everyday. so maybe things are getting better.

Vlad Popov · Post by **Vlad Popov** » Fri Feb 07, 2003 12:54 am

Slalom is an essential kind of skateboarding.
Life begins with

slalom.
TNC media monsters hijacked slalom.
There parts of the web that are immune to their business.
Slalom is surviving because of the web.
As the web (accessibility) grows on a global level, so will slalom.
We only need to water the seed that has survived.
With the "gardeners" like John, Andy, Jani, Jack, Brian, Adam and many others, slalom and slalom! will slalom into the future.

Slalom Israel! (or was it Shalom Israel?)

Vlad Popov · Post by **Vlad Popov** » Thu Feb 06, 2003 6:05 pm

Banked slalom is no slalom. It’s banked slalom. Two different differences.

Injury rate and skill progression rate lines eventually cross. It’s good to be to the right of the crossing.

The higher you are the further you fall. Protection can do so much.

Brian Morris · Post by **Brian Morris** » Thu Feb 06, 2003 5:50 pm

I know I'm not pro, and pretty far from it, but add me in on that list on injuries. I know me breaking my femur really didn't do any good for skateboarding in my area. Living in a small town EVERYBODY knew about it really quick, so I have a funny feeling when I mention the word slalom to the town council, their first comment will be, oh that thing you broke your femur doing?? I don't think low injury rate is a good reason to start any sport, because as soon as you say that you get jinxed.

TheBrain

John Gilmour · Post by **John Gilmour** » Thu Feb 06, 2003 3:59 pm

Arab...If I set a course where the kids are going slow through it and there is a cone Way way out of place, such as in some courses we have seen, all the pros will push that cone to the limit of a slide. A bunch will fall.

So the kids can't generate enough speed to slide out yet the pros can.

The course is a "good course for kids". Not for pros.

A course should be set with the surface in mind as well as the speed of the fastest riders going through it.

[ This Message was edited by: John Gilmour on 2003-02-06 10:20 ]

George Gould · Post by **George Gould** » Thu Feb 06, 2003 3:19 pm

i am not John, but i would change the cone... it seems obvious, but i know that isn't what happened. sometimes a course wants a better line, i almost wonder why (it wasn't done), who cares if the course is made easier and or more fun when you are racing a clock or another person and a cone is changed for everyone. i hear it all the time if a person is a pro they ought to be able to make it.... i also believe there can be course made that no rider can make or enjoy making. i want to race not an obstacle course. my statement has nothing to due with my performance i was on a learning curve and i learned a lot, but i believe i get the gist of this course arguement.

Eric Groff · Post by **Eric Groff** » Thu Feb 06, 2003 3:34 am

John-I guess all the FCR courses last year were Begineer courses because the surface was so bad that they had to set easy courses?

John Wrote:"I realize there were a lot of injuries but I would think most of them were related to things like the surface quality and the course setting."

Your comments and backpedaling about what a course is and isnt is getting pretty funny, A pro should beable to run any course I thought?
so if there is an offset cone that is set on a bad surface and injurys keep happening because it is set to far off the falline. What should happen to that cone?
The kids and girls can make that cone just fine, but the pros seem to be going to fast and cant make the cone, and keep DQing and getting hurt, What type of course is this?

Add Joe Woodman, Vinnie Lopez, Bobby Boyden, Sean Mallard to the list of injurys

Whats a Pro Course John
Whats a Childrens course John

All the Pros and Children want to know.

John Gilmour · Post by **John Gilmour** » Wed Feb 05, 2003 9:33 pm

I realize there were a lot of injuries but I would think most of them were related to things like the surface quality and the course setting.

Since we used one course a few gates were likely too extreme for some newer participants and because the course was relatively easy for the faster guys they were hitting offsets at pretty high speeds causing slide outs.

Jack's injury was a unusual occurance and I doubt we'll see that type of injury happening again. Don's injury was not related to slalom as it was from stopping. A good runout might have helped.

Floyd slid out- likely because of the use of the wax pencils used to mark the course which made the course progressively more slippery. Which I think also contributed to Slappy, and Brian Parson's falls.

I've been setting courses now for a very long time and IMHO there is a direct correllation between safety and the surface. If a course is set such that the traction will be exceeded for a speed within the releam of the riders....there will be slide outs and falls. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Falls add color and excitement on film... but when you are there and see someone you know fall...you just get this sick feeling in the pit of your stomach for that person until he moves and motions that he is alright. This to me is not excitement nor good entertainment.

For a well set course on a good surface there are almost no falls and no injuries. Chris Stepanek would be a good example of a person who typically slaloms within his limits on good surface. The only time I saw him fall was at Da farm 2 and it was against his better judgement to run on a damp surface ...which we should not have. (I set the courses at Da farm 2 and had to consider not to exceed the traction-speed thing...even so we still pulled difficulty out of the course after I set it. The courses were difficult/challenging, but well within a safe margain.

I have seen people fall on my slalom courses, but for the most part they just get right back up- at most a small abrasion. I have never had any head injuries...nor even have someone hit their head. And certainly no broken bones.

The problems arise when a course is set that exceeds the traction-speed possible. Or when a skater is asked to do something well out of the skaters ability level.

For example at MB 2002 slalom the surface did not have great traction, but the course was set well within the traction-speed possibilities for the participants. It's likely there may have been a fall, but any injuries?

A good surface that is clean and free of imperfections goes a long way to reducing injuries and accidents. A course set within the limits of traction and speed also reduces the likelyhood of accidents.

Bad surfaces have the wheel abruptly breaking traction and pulling it back in is not an easy task at speed. Having a large soft wide wheel does not prevent this from happening and sometimes traction will break away in a less controlled fashion with a taller wheel. IMHO Nothing replaces a good surface.

A good surface allows you to add challenge/difficulty/thrill without adding danger.

In this case you are not worried about falling... a DQ perhaps or having to criddle, but not injury.

[ This Message was edited by: John Gilmour on 2003-02-05 15:35 ]

Howard Gordon · Post by **Howard Gordon** » Wed Feb 05, 2003 7:44 pm

Hey John - you might want to check your statistics on slalom injuries. Surgery or casts last year - Don O'Shei, Jack Smith, Brent Kosick, Tiger Williams, Steven King, Sasha LaRochelle (broken arm at Avila), Marvin Kory, Alan Sidlo, Dave Hackett, Floyd Reid, Slappy Maxwell ... just off the top of my head. The percentage of injuries is actually higher than any other sport I can think of. So safety is perhaps not the best argument for the appeal of slalom.

George Gould · Post by **George Gould** » Wed Feb 05, 2003 6:16 pm

John were on the same page, AR/Grado Gold Bryston and some tubes too! i like Urban Racing, the underground sounds good. when i have taken out youngsters it has been on very limited hills. some of the louder mouths i have maybe taken out for a scare, go for it dude! maybe slalom can support limited growth. maybe some exclusivity keeeps it kind of special. one kid i showed my Ick to likes to drool over it like a Ferrari, he won't ride it as to him it is like sacred. he likes to look at it hold it and watch Mollicas videos and he does want to try some slalom when he gets a chance. i still think the media has hi jacked slalom, just like they did vinyl when they stated cd's were perfect sound forever... look hard and publications like the Absolute Sound exist just like this board and the NCDSA.

John Gilmour · Post by **John Gilmour** » Wed Feb 05, 2003 5:51 pm

vinyl kicks ass over CD. Tone, harmonal richness, soul, but only when played through a great front end.

I had a Wadia 860 which really did the best it could for the 44.1K red book standard. Still great Vinyl....kills great CD. Don't believe me.....get educated.

In a sense now we are fringe enthusiasts like audiophiles who were once the audio mainstream as they converted their tube amplifiers from WW2 into home rig hi-fi's.

So if you understand that our slalom was left for dead without any media support and that slalom will always be considered a nearly "non skateboard sub set" of skateboarding, then you may come to terms with the fact that Slalom will never get anymore than marginal media coverage ever from the traditional skateboard press. I would say we would be lucky to get 4 pages out of every 5000.

So in that regard it is likely we are wasting our time trying to get slalom into traditional skateboard media. It can be done, has been done recently, but I just doubt it will do much to help the sport.

NOW a few well written articles sent into the Local Sports freebie giveaway papers would help the sport massively.

There are a few of these freebie papers in nearly every metro area. In Boston and NYC it's Metrosports. I don't know what they call them in DC or CO or CA but they are there.

We need to have a few courses set regularly in these metro areas, post "slalom scheduled times" in the free papers and follow with a few articles about the sport and some announcement about local competitions.

That is the way to get this ball rolling.

But of course FIRST we need good course areas. And no you won't getsome new guy to start out roaring at 25 mph down a hill. You need flatter areas running simpler courses and tech tight. Then you take the newbies to the bigger hills.

Names came to mind.

STREET RACING (sounded dangerous)
POOR MAN'S FORMULA 1 (could be more positive)
URBAN RACING (Sounds dark and dirty)
METROPOLITAN RACING
METRO RACING
CITY LIMITS

Slalom skateboarding hasn't been a great moniker for our sport. Few know what slalom is.

George Gould · Post by **George Gould** » Wed Feb 05, 2003 3:25 pm

Gary may be right. not long ago I had a conversation with another midpack guy who does seem to think this is it. if it is so what? i am truly sorry that some of you aren't getting rich off it. i mean that because some of you are fine atheletes and good companies and deserve more. but just like wooden boats are still being built and vinyl is still being played on turntables we may continue to exist in a small venue. there are still albums being pressed you gotta look for em. the sound is argued among audiofiles as being better than cd. but i digress. i hope slalom grows but if it don't we can still race. i would like another year on El Fuerte, i would like to see Morro Bay so i congradulate the FCR guys and anybody else busting their ass to try. since i started racing L/C 01 life has gotten a lot more fun and interesting. and perhaps in keeping that perspective it will grow one rider/racer at a time.

Dan Hughes · Post by **Dan Hughes** » Wed Feb 05, 2003 4:33 am

Someone commented that we need to show the kids that racing is fun.
Rather, I think that we just need to get them involved, racing is fun all by itself. The fun of racing will keep them coming back. Why else would we keep doing it, if it wasn't fun?

John Gilmour · Post by **John Gilmour** » Wed Feb 05, 2003 2:13 am

Slalom is safe Gary, it's just that you won't put out less than 130%. Man I never saw anyone go so hard at it like you.

You are one of my favorite racers to watch- because you never know what to expect. You have everything it takes to be the best. Racing Experience, strength quickness, agility, form, power, speed, endurance, aerobic fitness, skill. You were flying at Breck- call me up....have I got some killer rehab for you. Did you get a full bankhardt reconstruction? Capsule...what? My arm now is better than before I injured it.

"We can make him better than he was, better, stronger, faster".
-------------------------------------
As for giving up.....nahhhh I could have assumed at WLAC 2000 that that was all there was. Same for MB 2001. This is the best old mine by far..... and I'm still digging. Sooner or latter I'll find a good vein.

Vlad Popov · Post by **Vlad Popov** » Wed Feb 05, 2003 1:48 am

Gary, I’d love to be wrong.

Gary Fluitt · Post by **Gary Fluitt** » Wed Feb 05, 2003 1:30 am

Gotta disagree with you Vlad, otherwise there would be millions of downhillers and luge skaters.

My previous post was in jest you must know.

There is plenty of room for slalom to grow. Couple of things have to happen though.

1. Equipment- Starter set-ups are key. And lots of them. Bahne is suppliying the Colorado Slalom Series with some decks for beginners.

2. Events- Grass roots, FCR, Colorado, East Coast, Da Farm. The more events the better. Once people race head to head - they're hooked. USSSF will be instrumental is helping this I believe.

3. Exposure- Sometimes I think we give too much credit to the media to spark the next wave, but it does help despite my response to Vlad. But let's not whore ourselves to the media in an attempt to swell our numbers. It hasn't worked for Luge or Downhill. They've been media darlings for years now but there are few Chris Chaputs who will strap on a fairing helmet and bomb a hill. I know, slalom is safer. As I sit here with a big ass sling on my arm, 2 weeks post operative rotator cuff surgery, I might have to disagree. Slalom is not much safer then Vert in my experience. Look at DonO. Poor guy is nearly a peg leg. Hey Don you gonna race this season?
Arab never falls. What's his secret...I want to know. I'm rambling. Must be the Vicodin.

_________________

[ This Message was edited by: Gary Fluitt on 2003-02-04 19:32 ]

[ This Message was edited by: Gary Fluitt on 2003-02-04 19:34 ]

Vlad Popov · Post by **Vlad Popov** » Wed Feb 05, 2003 1:03 am

Seems like slalom is a "freak show", but if the transnational media supports it, there will be millions of freaks all over the world. The norm today is what TNC media makes/creates/establishes the norm.

Gary Fluitt · Post by **Gary Fluitt** » Wed Feb 05, 2003 12:37 am

JG - give it up man. This IS all there is to slalom. We're it. We're the last remaining souls interested in wiggling around little plastic cones. Somebody ought to pack one of us up in a cryogenic freezer for safe keeping lest we disappear again.
Oh sure- there will be the occaisional freak who comes out of the woodwork and has the audacity to challenge one of US, the last keepers of the wiggle. But those guys (Siale comes to mind) are nothing but a genetic anomoly in the 2 Million skaters popping and flipping across this great nation. It's vert, x games, and fear factor. That's what the masses WANT (not to be confused with DO).
We're doomed. You are the Omega Man.

Mike Gorman · Post by **Mike Gorman** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 10:16 pm

What Hackett did with the Deathrace was a great start towards introducing the concept of racing to skate world in general. The crowd was very diverse, and they were all stoked on the idea of racing. Now the race itself called for exactly none of the specialized skills we associate with slalom except going fast. It was for people with extremely advanced vert skills. But I handed out flyers for the JPL Outlaw race and got what I could consider a good response. Jesse Martinez and the Z-Cult boys from Venice have shown interest in racing, and they have competed at JPL and WLAC. Their involvement could be very beneficial to the sport, because they have a large following of young talented skaters who idolize anything they do. Jesse gets regular coverage in the magazines, and is widely acknowleged as one of the founding fathers of hardcore street and vert skating. Chris Cook raced as well and is well known as member of the notorious Alva Posse. Though they couldn't make it, Juice Magazine expressed interest in covering the event. With these guys racing, coverage will happen and our sport will be seen as a hardcore and acceptable part of the sport. I am working to keep these guys involved and to hopefully influence their young followers that racing is cool. Jesse's young teenage son could definitely become a threat in the junior division.

George Gould · Post by **George Gould** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 8:34 pm

i am not going to agree with the fact that slalom racers aren't spending the money. street skaters are busting boards daily. we don't, but one Comet board costs a hundred bucks. i have learned that i can't race slalom and have just one board. same goes for wheels and trucks. so no one is making money? unless more people than i care to think about are getting floated a lot of gear. you can't sell equipment if nobody prints it. it can't grow unless we get more people doing it. if it isn't recognized by the BIG skate industry maybe we'll just go away. screw the big industry. i hunted for soft wheels for years (YEAH! Turner and Abec 11) Tracker is back on board. i think the print media doesn't want to be associated with us, i cannot understand it. if a magazine put it out in a way that was made to look good things would change. the whole media image and heroes being picked off by "no-names" scares the shit out of them. some current riders (Note i said some) are extremely one dimensional. these companies make more selling t shirts than equipment. that is exactly what kills skateboarding every few years but for the core.

[ This Message was edited by: george gould on 2003-02-04 15:31 ]

David Eye · Post by **David Eye** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 7:22 pm

I just think its cool getting new people
to start skating, or to return to the sport say, via longboarding, even if they never touch a slalomboard. My feeling though, is that the more longboarders out there, the more likely some will try slalom, since it seems to me the two are more closely related
than other types of skating.
Bombing hills on todays equipment at 30-35 mph is actually fairly easy; running todays slalom courses on any pitch for these same
folks is not,it takes practice and work, some will like the challenge of it,
others will not. So it goes,..I think we have to be willing to work with these people
and help them out, with gear, technique, etc.
It important they get some satisfaction from trying and not get too imtimidated.

On the other hand, we have some oldschool
freestyler-types who on borrowed set-ups
pretty much rip the course right -off,
which tells me that some of these guys really have that all-round ability thing going and thats encouraging to go find more of them. Last Sat, one of our crew Ric Weidenour from Boulder brought his young Vert-riding Team out to the course for some runs since they where already at Vans in between seesions. Thats cool and I'm anxiuos to hear what they thought of it and whether
they'll be back.

One thing Brian brings up is key; every local scene needs to find a good permenant home for their practices and races. Places that are not only good as far as pitch and surface,
but also OFF public streets and roads. Unless, maybe its some undustrial-park type place that has exceptionally low traffic count.
Even then, thats not good. There needs to be permission from the developer or land-owner,
etc. that ensures that when folks show for a race or practice you will not be harrased or run-off. Tell them you'll sign a waiver releaseing liability, wear your helmets, etc. and clean the place up, it all helps.
Here we have established a few good private locations and we are always looking for more.
This is super -critical, setting up cones in the street is just asking for it and will not sustain the sport. Around here, some guy with in an F-250 club-cab and a gun rack will harrass you, maybe even try and hurt you
if you're in the streets. At my local spot at the CSU BW Pickett Equine Center rodeo arena, the local cowboys and competitive teams leave us alone since we're way out of everyones way. We've also had alittle talk
with them.

I guess I just do not buy the slalom was hijacked mentality, it died because alot of guys stopped doing it and the mags will focus on it again when it appears that this thing is really taking off, right now the numbers are so small and 90% of the riders in the racers are 35-45 in age, way below Thrasher and Transworld readership age group demographic, so I'm sure their limited resources will not be allocated for it, until it that appears to be changing.
just my opinions thanks for reading.
DE

Brian Parsons · Post by **Brian Parsons** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 5:45 pm

I feel like I should add to this discussion. I started slaloming not because I wanted to race or because I had some past connection to the sport. I started as a way to get back into skateboarding in general. I am a 80s generation skater. My influences were Cab, Mountian, Gonzales, Natas. I didn’t ride in parks I rode in my driveway and in a drainage ditch. Once I was old enough to drive I traveled to back yard halfpipes and the rare pool. Mainly I was a street skater due the lack of acceptable skate terrain. I am not sure I even knew what slalom racing was, all I knew was I liked the feeling I got from turning a skateboard without using the kick.

Now that there are parks all over the country we are attempting to convince the new generation of skaters to go back into the streets. We all have been hassled trying to run slalom courses. Non-skating parents like to idea of being able to drop their kids off at a monitored skatepark. No worries about traffic, crime etc. all of the bad elements most late 80s era skaters were exposed to. What we are doing and trying to promote has very little in common with the current skateboard culture. We really must accept that.

Little did I know after I first stepped foot on a slalom board that I would develop a huge passion to race and compete. Slalom to me is not a connection to the past or to the golden age of skateboarding. Slalom skateboarding is a new sport that I approach as a pioneer to see how far we can develop this into a mainstream activity. This is not a resurgence of slalom skateboarding but an introduction to slalom skateboarding. Traditional skateboards, surfers, snowboarders and skiers all make up our focus groups.

One common theme I have noticed in this introduction to younger kids is the same thing that occurs in other cutting edge sports. Is it cool? Am I going to be ridiculed or made fun of because I want to do this? Typical stereotypes are what we should focus on breaking down and building up. Breakdown the stereotype of old has beens and wanna bees and build up the image of new exciting sport for all ages.

I am saying the same thing that everyone else has already said. Rick, Arab, John and Pat all made very valid points and they are all correct. There is no right and wrong. And in reality the entire slalom community has done a great job in the last 2 years. We made chicken salad out of chicken shit. So eat up.

George Gould · Post by **George Gould** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 5:24 pm

I agree with John, slalom was and still is hi-jacked. until the media, meaning Transworld and Thrasher give us a little space for real it isn't going to change. of the few kids who "talk" the most about downhill and who have tried my slalom boards (3 Comets and 1 Ick)most of em freak out. many have claimed that they "haul ass" but when given a chance to prove it, don't. I am not talking about downhilling, i am talking about slalom on a little hill. i have heard many skaters talk about "forty five miles an hour" but when faced with a small hill and a slalom deck really embarrass themselves. of course they are not trying this on their twin kick with Grind Kings either. so i don't know what the answer is. I reckon eventually the mags will distance themselves so much from what the stunts are that some kids will want to go back to riding and turning???? this goes for surfing and snowboarding too. every stinking ad and video (other than Mollica's) show railslides and these jumps over and over. it is redundant. oh and to me a guy who can't ollie, i find snowboarding air quite easy to come by, you feet are freaking strapped in!

Rick Stanziale · Post by **Rick Stanziale** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 5:16 pm

For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, "Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.' His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, "Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.' His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, "Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. "And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.' But his master answered and said to him, "You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. "Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. "Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.' For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth

-

We'll all go about growing our individual and collective scenes differntly, the point being to get out there and do SOMETHING. I took all the comments regarding ski clubs and figured ski clubs in the deep south might not be a bad place to find people who are not only interested in slalom, but can afford the gear. I'll report back the results.

David Eye · Post by **David Eye** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 8:52 am

One thing that we do here in N. Colorado (mainly Fort Collins / Boulder) is find a night on or around the full moon of any given month that seems to work for the most people and schedule alittle night-time hill
cruising, maybe a little parking garage- action (lift -service, security-dodge,run from the cops, type stuff)little stop for refreshing food-like beverages, etc. Plenty of time to talk skating and get to know new people and to talk alittle slalom. This is something we normally do as friends who have skated together for awhile now,but from time to time there is always someone new and if we made a point to involve more people we could, and will try to this year.
Anyway..some are oldskoolers rediscovering the sport, some are younger vert / park-riders who snowboard (who "get it"), some are longboarders, who may / may-not be into racing, etc.)and some are skiers who have not skated in 10-15 yrs or more. The point is, to keep it fun and safe,not get too big as a group. (well, mostly safe,..
back to the story,..)

so we find some long cruisers that every one is comfortable with, do a few runs here and there, moving around through the wee-hours,
with stealth -like precision, till we've all got our fill.(read; or until the hall-pass expires).Again the emphasis is on red-lining the fun-meter for everyone, not racing. (o.k.maybe alittle racing).

While we're mainly busting-out with the long-
bore stuff ,here(ie massive wheels), I highly recommend doing some runs on the slalom board and thereby demonstrating the amazing turning potential you have over the big lumber.Give them a try on it, I've been amazed lately; guys have liked the slalom boards better than I thought they would.I
was able to get a number of guys riding cones here this way, not many of whom are active currently, but I have hopes they'll return (time doth tell)
So, its not like we've got a lot of new riders this way (atleast who've kept at it, YET) but it seems like one way to spread the word and potentially grow the sport alittle more. Along with the influence of our core group of freestylers / vert and park-riders;
the longboard angle continues to show promise for growing the slalom group here in CO.
DE

Dan Hughes · Post by **Dan Hughes** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 5:00 am

You know John everytime, well almost every time, I'm at the Bowl, I talk to a couple of guys who are interested in slalom. But, these are older guys my age, anyway. So, who knows, maybe this next season, we'll have a couple more slalomers riding with us in the NW.
However, Mike Dong had an idea. He thought that he could set up his tape switch, in the street area of the park, and a few cones, and generate some interest by running cones and keeping track of the times, in the street area. Thereby, attracting some of the young kids to the sport.
I think it's a great idea, so we'll see if it works.
dan

Brady Mitchell · Post by **Brady Mitchell** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 3:37 am

JG,
Your point about the new gear is a clicker for me. I offer my boards to guys that pop into the local surf shop while I`m there. They are amazed at the ride. Unfortunately I don`t have a lot of spare time to get a regular session going. And not too many places to slalom at either (read HILLS).

There`s nice hills in West Palm as you know and the dump out in Davie that needs resurfacing (working on it) that is being turned into a park.

I think Rick has the best idea in offering slalom to the popsicle park riders. That probably either means banked slalom on park boards, flatland slalom on park boards, or flatland slalom on slalom boards (29-32").

Maybe just a little effort with flatland slalom in our local parks, with reasonable priced decks (Bahnes??), we can generate some interest.

I`ll talk to Mike Rodgers of West Palm Oelsner skatepark and see if he`s interested in something. Maybe all it`ll take is a couple of boards and cones?

[ This Message was edited by: Brady Mitchell on 2003-02-03 23:22 ]

John Gilmour · Post by **John Gilmour** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 2:41 am

Right on David Eye! 25 skateboarders doing slalom is big number. I know about how difficult it is to move about in CO. So that makes it even more impressive.

I think our sport would appeal to the general snowboarding community as well- not just to the Alpine racers.

Could you imagine what it would be like to step on a 36 inch Pocket pistol with Avalons and RTX front and Indy offset rear.....after say...... your last slalom board was a 28 inch Fibreflex Pro slalom with camber with California slaloms and Road rider 4's?

I mean it would blow your mind. The smoothness, cruisability, easy ride, fun factor. All for about $300. (double the cost of a typical skateboard).

I would think that the idea of doing slalom again in most "old blood slalomers" minds is the feel of the Road Rider 4 set up. (Your memories might make it seem fun- but ride a setup nlike that today and it is blah city). There is just no comparison.

And of course the gear is going to get better.

Hopefully we'll get more of the 30-40 set into it because they are the ones with the friends in high places that will get the sport what it needs.

Right now 2 things are like two wet bags of cement on the back of slalom skateboarding.

1. Lack of visibility to the public (few consistently set slalom spots with high visibility in recreational pedestrian traffic areas).

Translation - we don't exist.

We may as well be doing this in Guam. (

TV is a help, but if you saw slalom on TV (that was more than a 2 hour drive from you)and like most people, channel surfed into the middle of it, caught a few minutes, it would take a lot of times before the concept that Slalom was really going again sunk in to your head). Streetluge had to be televised many many many times- along with inclusion into the X-games and Gravity games before people recognized it. But hopefully every successive TV slalom appearence will reinforce the sport more than the previous one.

2. Cones. Cones get us thrown off hills. Cones attract the ire of police and neighbors. Cones scatter into opposing lanes of traffic. They are heavy, and have to be reset. I have no solution at this time.

****** dedicated slalom areas? Better to have a coordinated effort by USSSF and GRASS to establish permanent slalom venues in high visibility areas this summer. And if there is no big hill in a recreational pedestrian area..... it might not have to be GS....which is fine as GS speeds might be intimidating for Newbies.

Nothing we do now would help more than for the coordination of all the slalomers to try to consistently set a slalom course every other Sunday at the same visible place. And once people got used to it...every Sunday.

David Eye · Post by **David Eye** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 1:23 am

John; I believe there are a large number of downhill-oriented skaters in Colorado riding longboards, the problem is that they are also very caught up in other sports, like snowboarding, rock-climbing, mtn-bike racing,
kayaking, etc. as there "first" sport. Some are just not into competitve-type sports and the appeal of skateboarding in general is that its an anti-sport sort of thing, you know? Its just so hard to grow a new sport right now, everyone is so involved in something, already. Another issue for us, is that these same longboarders are scattered all over a state
divided by several mountain ranges and alot of rugged driving conditions. Also the skating season in mtn towns is very limited!
Here at least we can skate almost all year
(it was 60 degrees sat!!, but snowing last night)and we have alot of population/ pavement and dry conditions (too dry actually).

Around 4 yrs ago here in Fort Collins I had about 25 people running cones that did not include the current Denver/ Boulder / Longmont guys, many of whom stopped after we lost our main venue (which we have returned to). Some I hope to get back. We'll see once the snow melts, but that will not be may-june for this crowd. There are others I am working on all the time.
I, too, believe the serious alpine snowboard crowd and some skiers are a better target than the kicky-flippers, but I am not giving up on them. Even if we get 2-3 to join us,
hey thats more than we had!!

Sat. we had another long session at Vans Skatepark / Westminster; great TS hybrid locale and we always have an easier course set for newbies to try. Alot of onlookers,
but few takers, typically. The only ones who really took it on were (dare I say it) inliners! (one was ripping). One thing I feel strongly about is having slalom boards for kids / parents to try. I need to get more. Running these courses on pop-sickle stick, tight trucks and 55mm/ 99a is just not fun or enticing.these kids can afford this stuff, many of them anyway.

I just believe we have to be patient, these things take time. Slalom skating is too fun and has too much going for it not to succeed.
I think just good marketing and getting the word out (that this sport even exists at all) will help. That takes $$$.
lastly, stay tuned we are having a race series here this spring / summer/ fall ; including one thats a tandem event with flat-land-freestyle, high-jump and maybe some vert.

Hey Troy; you'll get over the "40 as a divide" thing in about 5 yrs.

David Eye 43, father of twin 1 yr olds, skating almost daily.

Troy Smart · Post by **Troy Smart** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 12:33 am

Oh, I get it now.

The tall stick man with the handlebar mustache, parallel stance and small shorts and kneepads is a terrorist.

Right?

Terry Kirby · Post by **Terry Kirby** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 12:09 am

I don't understand this thread. What does it mean. Help me. TK

John Gilmour · Post by **John Gilmour** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 11:47 pm

Enough.

Please stay on topic guys. The topic is "Slalom was Hijacked....

Or would we all prefer to just race the same racers ad infinitem.

And don't bother "defending" the previous statements, just please stay on the topic of this thread.

So my question is this- We revived a few slalom "hot pockets" and I can safety assume there are lots more- based on the demand ($$$big bucks$$$) for vintage slalom gear on Ebay prior to 2001.

Slalom was left for dead by the Skateboard Media in the 1970's. It won't happen now because we don't rely on traditional skate media and still we have managed to grow our slalom scene several fold in the past three years.

The suggestion that high school ski clubs would be interested is a good one for new growth. I also know of a few snowboard racing academies that might be interested.

There were so many skaters in 1978 left with 2 year subscriptions to skateboarder magazine, slalom decks and downhill decks in hand, waiting to see the next slalom coverage and none was forthcoming. Most of them rode freestyle and vert as well- but many were left "half practiced" for competitions that would only come 24 years later.

A little "concentrated attention" in California (WLAC), and in DC got some older skaters going again. Where else might a little "concentrated attention" bring out more skaters? Having good prize money put some more excitement and commitment into racing.

I can't help but wonder if there are tons of skaters in parts of Colorado (who may not have fast internet access) who haven't clued in yet. I can not believe this is 80% of who is left given the sheer numbers of Fibreflex decks sold alone.

Troy Smart · Post by **Troy Smart** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 11:45 pm

I think there's a bit of a gap between the over 40 crowd and under 40 crowd.
I'm 37 and slalom meant nothing to me as a kid.
I was vaguely aware that it happened a bit in the 70's but no one I knew was doing it and I sure did'nt see it in the mags. (very much anyway).
My earliest exposure to slalom was looking at a picture of some extremely tall stick man with a handle bar mustache (blond), with tiny shorts and even tinier knee pads.
Riding parallel.
I thought he looked like the biggest geek I'd ever seen. (If you're out there fella, sorry).
I wanted no part of that.
Granted, I grew up in the middle of nowhere, in a state that's probably at least 15 years behind the times but I did have the mags, and the mags WERE skateboarding to much of America, outside of a few choice places in California.
Slalom was definately not mainstream.
I get a different sense from the over 40 crowd. Seems like they were all into slalom.
Is this an over 40 thing?
Or maybe just an over 40 California thing?
I don't know. It's no surprise to me that the older guys don't want to take it up again.
40 has some kind of mental stigma to it.
The guys who seem the most receptive to me are those right around my age group. The guys who grew up idolizing Olsen, Andrecht, Bowman, Alva, Alba, etc.
They've never done slalom before but it's appealing because they're finding that with this resurgence in skateboarding, going to the skatepark after a ten year layoff is f*cking painful!
Slalom looks like a less painfull alternative, and it is.
I'm not sure what exactly my point is but I'll hit submit anyway.
The wife and kids are'nt home and I'm killin a little time before they get back and once again, all hell breaks loose. (I have 3 boys).

P.S. No real offense intended but, lighten up Arab. Do you really have to be so negative? You're posts are bringing me down.

Eric Groff · Post by **Eric Groff** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 10:17 pm

Brady-you can go to the guest book else where and read my response to Dougy as to why I chose to race whwere I do. I race where the competition is, and it sure is hell aint at any race on the east coast.

Attending events and participating in them is 2 different things Brady, so how many events have you participated in?

Brady all you are is a slalom board owner, Why you try and talk about racing I just dont understand. You should just spend your time on the buy sale trade section here and you can talk about all your killer equipment that has never been used.

Howard Gordon · Post by **Howard Gordon** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 9:48 pm

Realistically, it's not just skateboarding that has experienced loss of attention of some subsegments because of the spectacular nature of other segments. Take snowboarding for example - pick any magazine, and count the percentage of photos that should boarders who AREN'T airborne (maybe 10% ?). Perhaps with the exception of Surfers Journal and Longboarder, the percentages aren't that much different in the surf magazines now. Add some aerials to dual slalom racing (how about a nice launch ramp), and I guarantee you'll get press coverage. FCR actually talked about trying that last season.

Brady Mitchell · Post by **Brady Mitchell** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 3:38 pm

Arab,
I didn`t mean for this to be the "dark side" but was only commenting on recent posts by you.

I did not say you started the East vs West thing, only that you single handedly perpetuate it.

And after rereading my own post, I want to clarify that I`m not knocking the FCR Series as not being Worlds worthy but with perpetuated ideologies like yours, it can easily go that way. the slalom community is greater than "Arab`s inner world".

And what events did I attend in the past 2 years? LCO `01, KOK `02, FB `02. But injuries and finances made me stay closer to the home front.

Isn`t that what made you stop luging and stand up downhilling? A neck problem? And you also stated that $$ is why you won`t come east because you are gonna concetrate on the next FCR series?

And what 8 slalom events did you attend in the east in the past 2 years?

The point being that the name of this thread is "Slalom was Hijacked". Generally what it would take for it to grow. And all too often you keep saying "Come out west and see if you can run with the big dogs" and I think that`s too calicentric and susgest we need more west coasters to "Come east and show us how it`s done" And more often.

Wesley Tucker · Post by **Wesley Tucker** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 5:38 am

It's also obvious that one of the big difference between slalom skateboarding now and when it first got off the ground back in 2000 is . . . me.

With my brilliant insight and wealth of experience, it's pretty much guaranteed that everything will go much smoother and with less controversey in 2003.

Just listen to me. That'll make everything better.

Opinions? Comments? Lavish praise? Feel free to jump in anytime.

Eddy Martinez · Post by **Eddy Martinez** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 5:25 am

I recently have been looking up my old high school friends I used to skate with. Most of them are married with kids,some of them look like they have been on a pizza and beer diet for the last 24 years. Most of them think I am inmature because I still skateboard. I have offered them to come out and ride with me but most are afraid of falling. As for me I will continue to ride. Unfortunately I have to travel out of the state to compete. So be it. I still get a hell of a rush when I skate. Eddy Martinez,TEXAS OUTLAW

Eric Groff · Post by **Eric Groff** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 5:15 am

Brady-Theres those that actually race and then theres those that dont, useally because they dont know how, you would fall in this catagory of DONT KNOW HOW.
Since all this East West shit started before I got here how could you make the stupid accusation that I started it.
Brian P rocks, I would love to go to the farm but it doesnt fit into the schedule.
What good would a gathering do me? I race I dont gather and wouldnt waste my money to gather, I'll spend my money on racing which all racers having to decide will do.

I traveled to 6 states in 3 different time zones to compete in more events then I can count on my 2 hands last year, How many have you attended, in say the last 2 years.

Exactly 2 you have been to.

I have competed in over 25 events in that time, not includeing the Street Contest that I help promote and Organize once a month for the last 4 years, and occasionally compete in.

Its people like you that dont do anything to help promote Slalom that will kill it, I have spent on average $700.00 on 20 slalom events to compete, Thats $14,000 in the last 2 years. On my Entry fees alone I have spent more then you have on all your races and equipment.

before you start throwing crap out there, learn the facts, learn to skate, learn more about whats happening in the current state of slalom. then you wont make yourself look like such an ASS all the time.

Pat Chewning · Post by **Pat Chewning** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 5:11 am

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 right away too.

-- Pat

John Gilmour · Post by **John Gilmour** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 4:50 am

not to read malice in my remarks- as the riders in the minority at the time had a revolution of sorts. And a small number of riders took a direction of the sport and with the help of the media concentrated an undue emphasis on vert while neglecting the downhill and slalom roots of the sport.

The first thing a skateboarder learned to do was to turn and go downhill. Now the first thing a skater learns to do is ollie while standing still. Skateboardings roots were pretty much dead and buried and Peralta's Z-boys helped shed some history on the sport- but again not much time focused on it.

I can't believe that this is all there is. There are more skaters out there. But as WEsley points out being single or "teenless" Ie no kids over the age of say 15 would make areas where people married young less likely to have slalomers willing to participate. The two coasts statically marry later and have fewer kids than the middle of the country.

Well what about ALL of the midwest- gotta be some? Not to mention the Carolinas (certainly surfer community)- there's a big gap.

Obviously we can't change what has happened- and vert/street will always be identified with skateboarding as skateboardings heritage. In fact the true heritage of skateboarding was sidewalk surfing- not vert. But we will not be able to sell that concept to the masses.

UR13's experiences are real- and certainly not uncommon.

My question is....What concept can we sell to the masses?

And in regards to the other post it was more of what we would expect equipment to look like in the future...had we had a lot more years of R & D under our belts. Slalom was essentially the abandoned child of skateboarding.

[ This Message was edited by: John Gilmour on 2003-02-02 22:58 ]

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 4:24 am

Something I see, kinda sorta related to this post...is this. I have been approached at my practice spot many times by kids and adults asking me what I am doing. 95% of the reactions are positive. i explain my age (28) and what the sport is and where we compete blah blah.

One of my practice spots in right next to a little league stadium so there are parents AND kids around me often when I run cones there.

I have had a few parents, dads mainly...early to mid 40s. That know what I am doing and are excited to see slalom back, they were slalom skaters in the 70s. However as soon as I offer my board for a test ride (I'll hold your hand or make you go uphill) I find no one wants to try and they are all concerened with A) falling and getting hurt B) looking stupid being 40'ish riding a skateboard C) looking stupid infront of their country club friends D) Looking lame in front of their kids/wife. No "adult" has ever taken me up on my offer of a demo. Not one. Even after I tell them of names they might remember (Hester, etc) are out skating and racing with us.

Then...the kids. Usually kids are interested in what I am doing but as keep their distance, even if their parents bring them over. The skater kids that come up to me are a bit more adventerous and are interested in my board and how fast i am going (compared to their flipper decks) but when i offer a ride they all back out. A) they seem scared of the wheel that actually roll and the speed B) don't want to look like a goof infront of their friends C) Have no clue what to even do with a board that has no kick tail/nose. Only twice have I been harrassed by tough guy skaters who steal of knock over my cones of throw shit at me. Usually confronting them they back down like the spineless fools they are, especially when they realize I am an "adult".

just my observations....

So I agree. i think 80% or so, maybe more, of skaters who skated way back when (not just pros) have been found and are somewhat aware of slalom being around again.

Brady Mitchell · Post by **Brady Mitchell** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 4:05 am

Where will slalom grow? I see a great potential for a big burst on the east coast. Why? Because of those who are pouring thier heart in souls into organizing events and making them newbie friendly....GBJ, Brian Parsons, TK and Tway, and now Rick down south.

What bothers me though is the lack of participation of west coasters to the events these guys on the east are putting out there.

As an east coaster, I read Arabs posts that diss the east promoters and events as not being worthy to attend. I then question how events on the west coast can be true worlds if these guys won`t partticipate at events over on the east coast? Might as well call them West Coast Championships.

I am also alarmed at Arabs posts where he keeps saying why are the east coasters making it a E vs W thing and on the other hand he is guilty of just that more than any other.

And on those FCR courses of `02? JG was spot on and called it like it is...easy courses that didn`t really require advanced slalom skills. A good course is faster period, BUT,,,,it can be a FAST technical or tight course

Arab, come over to `da Farm, The Gathering, Boston, Georgia, and make your presense known in an effort to promote the sport.

FACT,
More easties traveled west then westies traveled east.

Without an effort from westies to make a showing east to support the burgeoning slalom scene, I can forsee another death to this resurgeance.

[ This Message was edited by: Brady Mitchell on 2003-02-02 22:09 ]

Wesley Tucker · Post by **Wesley Tucker** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 3:50 am

Whadda 'ya mean you and Nick? Didn't you go to the world's WITHOUT him?

Hmmmmmm?

Eric Groff · Post by **Eric Groff** » Sun Feb 02, 2003 10:35 pm

66-My son is 8 yrs old and rides slalom, far from 21

JG-the first banks I rode were ditches or Truck loading docks, I drained pools to skate, I was skating pools long before there was any droughts in california.

Your point was pointless.

And it was your previous post to this ridiculess post I was refering to as being a good post.

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