At the Grass roots level.... it is important to find practice spots that are visible to the general public. And for that reason it is important that simple parallel straight slalom not be completely lost as a slalom discipline as the course is easy to be set and can be set on flat or easy slopes where people can see the sport. So you could practice GS on a large low traffic hill somewhere, and tight slalom on another hill and straight slalom could be practiced near shopping malls, public parks and other high foot traffic areas to expose our sport to the public. Without this type of flatland high foot traffic exposure....growth would be at a snails pace and perhaps not be enough to keep the equipment manufacturers interested.
Matt Wilson suggested an informational slalom flyer which is an excellent idea as it would explain the sport and give a list of websites. A simple two sided color flyer could explain the sport and give email addresses so that others could come and try the sport.
I also think some stickers that said "Slalomskateboarders.com" stuck on the cones would be a good idea for passersby to read so that they might tell someone about it- or check in on the website itself. As the moniker is self expanitory and memorable it might be just the thing to spur new growth.
It may not be the contests that get us exposure.... but practice sessions held in the right places.
See a Road Race that is going on in your area scheduled for next week? Find out the route the runners or Bikers will take. All the adjacent streets will be closed off- "prime" for the slaloming. See a street fair or block party being announced? Call the promoter and get a few friends together to do a slalomskateboarding demo. These events might be the only chance you get to ride that "Killer Hill" with "perfect asphalt" that was just repaved and that would be inacessible otherwise. News crews are always at these events. I had a impromptu slalom practice session at the Head of the Charles Crew regatta in Boston... my slalom course was teeeming with skaters the very next week. We grew 5 fold in just 3 weeks going from 5 regular skaters to 30-50 regular skaters and about 20-30 new ones showing up to check it out. The majority were Inline skaters- but within a year the number of slalom skateboarders grew by about 4 fold (and that was when there was no gear available).
BUT- there must be a way for people who see the courses being set to make contact with the existing skaters. The passersby/spectators should realize that
1. Its free
2. It is open to the public (you don't have to join a group)
3. The skaters are friendly, helpful, and would loan gear
4. The courses are set with some regularlity and that there is a website to check if a course is being set and where.
5. The sport is simple and easy to learn nad you can become highly proficent (World class level)in less than a year
Perhaps a sign that said-
FREE SLALOM COURSE- OPEN TO THE PUBLIC- 1ST AND 3RD SUNDAYS OF EVERY MONTH- FREE RENTALS + Instruction -
WWW.SLALOMSKATEBOARDER.COM - TRY IT!
Might work- sounds a little corny...but hopefully it seems inviting enough that people would try it.
So has anyone had success in setting up a slalom spot that has lots of passersby in any place other than a public park? Do you allow inline skaters to skate your course?