For now….

As the old adage goes, “all good things must come to an end.” And a lifetime holds many of these: A school year, a relationship, a career, Lost….

Okay, maybe I’m the only one who’s categorizing Lost up there.

With the end of the semester comes the end of my wonderful blog.

For now, anyway.

A loaded semester – breaking only skin, not bones this semester – calls for a well-deserved vacation. But once I return I will not be posting as often.

However, Team Tastyskates is slowly building – they now have a sponsorship with Kracked Skulls – and there might be a documentary in the making. And I will get out the news – when there is any.

So if you’re new around here or awaiting my return, here are some of my better stories to hold you over:

• Board? Watch movies! – In the midst of Snowmaggedon 2010 I compiled a list of skateboarding movies for your viewing pleasure.
• Team Tastyskates pushing for big plans – My first interview with Team Tastyskates co-founder Tyler Mahool, who gives me details on the new longboarding team at Rowan University.
• Green Banana offers ‘greener’ boards – My interview with James Giberson, the owner and operator of the Green Banana Skateboard Company, located right in Glassboro, New Jersey!
• Tastyskates board to victory – A photo essay of Team Tastyskates’ first event, a 1.5 mile push race held right on Rowan University’s campus.

But fear not! Avenue Q puts it best, and I leave you with that.

Read Full Post »

Tastyskates board to victory

After a rain delay and some scrambling to find another date, the Tastyskates Push Race went off without a hitch.

Over a dozen racers showed up ready to skate, and after a few falls, scrapes, bruises, and a two-person crash that nearly destroyed a longboard, Rich Nelson emerged as the race winner (and new owner of a Green Banana deck). The guys boarded to Beau Rivage afterwards for a downhill skate session.

“Overall, I think it went well for our first real publicized event. We had kids from all over come, a lot of fun was had, and it was nice to meet new people,” said Tyler Mahool, Team Tastyskates co-founder.

The success of yesterday’s event helped spawn new ideas for the future.

“We would like to get a joint event going with The Projeckts, The Green Banana, Evil E Skateboards, and Liberty Longboarders,” Mahool said.

Check out photos from the race below, and keep an eye out here for more events from Team Tastyskates.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Read Full Post »

Green Banana offers ‘greener’ boards

The Green Banana logo.

The Green Banana Skateboard Company is based out of Glassboro, New Jersey. Green Banana currently makes the only 100% post consumer recycled plastic skateboard on the market and they have an exclusive affiliation with Satori Wheels. They were recently featured on the main page of Silverfish Longboarding.

James Giberson, owner of Green Banana

James Giberson, owner and operator of Green Banana, is friendly and easy-going with a have fun, stress-free, positive outlook on life. He has been skating since 1987 and skating seriously with his friends since 1995. I recently sat down with him to see what the Green Banana was all about.

Read Full Post »

Spring cleaning

I love that spring has arrived. It’s so tempting to walk around outside, bike, or longboard. Alas, my homework has crept up on me.

• Longboard Update
  I received an email from Stoked Skateboards on Monday. The email told me that they had some “spring cleaning” of their own to do on their website, and that they no longer had the deck design I ordered. They are mailing me a different deck, but unfortunately I do not know when I can join the rest of the longboarders on-campus – hopefully before Easter. [Update 3/27/10: My board is now en route from Carson, CA!]
• Looking Ahead
  I recently interviewed James Giberson, owner and operator of The Green Banana Skateboard Company, and it went extremely well. Look for that to go live some time this weekend.
• Tastyskates Update
  Team Tastyskates has rescheduled their 1.8 mile push race for Sat., April 10. Meet up at the Campbell Library at 12 pm, and the race starts at 1 pm. Helmets are required. Winner will receive a free Green Banana Skateboard Company deck. I will be around all day so be sure to stop by and say hello.
• Rutgers University
  The Rutgers Longboarding Crew is also hosting their own 2.7 push race on Sat., April 10 at Buccleuch Park. Meet up at 11:30 am and the race starts at 12 pm. Helmets are required. The event is sponsored by Phat Deanz, Daddies Board Shop, Original Skateboards, Central Jersey Skateshop, Knockaround, The 365 Life, Gravity Skateboards, East Coast Core, Loaded Boards, Orangatang, Seismic, and Bustin Boards, and the top three racers will receive prizes. Find updated information about the race on the Fish, and anyone who is interested in submitting pictures from the Rutgers push race should leave a comment on this post.
• Tragedy
  Unfortunately, not all skateboard and longboarding-related injuries end well. Skateboarding Magazine reports that 19-year-old Austin Langhaim has died after sustaining a fatal head injury from skateboarding. My condolences go to the family, and it is a familiar and unfortunate message to skateboarders just what can happen if you do not wear a helmet.

On a lighter note, here is a preview of Green Banana’s prototype deck in action:

Read Full Post »