I spent too much of this week working and getting inappropriately drunk, so I have no clue what was going on in the blading world. Well, less than usual. So, I rant…
“The Ten: The Rise of the Rollerblader”
There’s a lot of talk that 2010 — which I call “The Ten” — will be the year rollerblading will make its much-anticipated comeback.
While it’d be nice if we could all just sit on our asses and wait for something to come along, each one of us has to put work in to see that which we love so dearly move forward.
We need to be zealous about this.
Here’s a non-comprehensive list of what each blader should be doing:
• “Support.” It’s a word used a lot but its meaning can be damn elusive. Maybe it’s taking care of your fellow rollerblader. I’m not sure. But, rollerblading needs its love and support.
• Be seen. If you take public transportation, keep your blades in your hand, not your bag. Almost every time I’m on a bus or train here holding my skates, someone always asks about them because they like the way they look. The more people see rollerbladers, the more new skaters we’ll get. Wear blading shirts daily. Make sure everyone at school and work know you blade.
• Web it. Every skating scene should have a Web site, or at least a blog. Scenes like New York (www.irollny.com), Wisconsin (wisconsinblading.blogspot.com) and Iowa (www.iowa-connection.com) are great examples of places cranking out fresh content on a regular basis.
• Give. Piece together your old skates and give them to someone who wants to blade. Having a stockpile of old parts is cool, but having more people skating is even better. Loan out videos and magazines. The blading population is getting older. All the fresh blood is needed.
• Travel. Go to Winterclash if you can. Go to Bitter Cold. When people — if that’s okay to call advertisers and marketers actual people — see huge events like that it gets them riled up for how much money they could be making. That’s when they start thinking of using blading in mainstream media.
• Spend. Recession or not, blading needs money and it doesn’t look like Gatorade or Nike are going to be pumping money into the sport for shits and giggles. That means its up to us. If you haven’t made your resolution yet, make it one to spend more money on skating stuff than you ever have. Since I’m often accused of doing nothing but talking shit all day, I’ll start:
I really don’t need those parts. My skates are fine without them, but shit, why not? At $116, I have to work about 12 hours to pay that off, so consider that as a statement of passion.
To Honor Those We Lost
Unfortunately, 2009 saw the death of too many rollerbladers. James Short, Bryan Scott, Jason McFadden and most recently, a friend of mine, Michael Garcia.
Roll in peace brothers. You will be missed but never forgotten.
Jogging suits give you sweaty balls
It would be foolish for us to venture into the future without being cognizant of our past, so here’s a look at the “good old days”:
Marc Andre Pellan edited this pretty baby of nylon-infused bladery. It’s the trick names that get my blading boner pointing north.
And some other people too…
Comment of the Week
I agree that some people take blading too seriously with the image they’re trying to put out. It’s blading. It kicks ass. Enough said.
Ubiquitous Item of the Week
Fucking drunk chicks. They’re everywhere, but too often they’re dressed like zebras and want to eat your face.
And not in the fun way.
Fail of the Week
This one from Hoax II never gets old, even when they used it in a Slim Jim commercial a while back.
P.S. — Pre-order Shred Til You’re Dead or Ivan will kick me out of the house.
krans!!!!
i love you
You totally left Sean Callahan out of that list of great bladers who died in 2009. May he rest in peace as well.
Is it weird that the 80’s clip made me wanto to skate so bad? People absolutely do not know what to expect when rollerblading makes it’s come back. BAM POW!! In yo face world!!
yeah marc and gyom!!!
Ho fuck yeah! Thanks a lot bro! That article will give me the smile for the rest of the week! At the beginning, i think everyone started rollerblading for one reason: it’s fun!!! So when someone tell you that you’re giving rollerblading a bad reputation because you having fun with it, you know what to say! Bravo for the article!
haha, that video was awesome, the article was awesome, and that backflip bail was just ridiculous.
Word up Brian!
Well put, Krans. Keep up the truth!
Good ranting!
I never thought of that showing off your skates idea… Nice,
In liverpool though I’ll just get kids asking me if I can do a backflip. Probably the same everywhere…
Just ordered shred til you’re dead, can’t wait!
well said krans and the idea of showing what you represnt and carrying your skates in public view does for a fact work , for example i was in poland on a bus and this random couple were sitting accross and the guy asked, so where do you get these skates… and i simply said try hedonskate they have all you need to get started… and since may 2008 ive probably inspired about 10 mabe even up to 15+ kids from age 12-20 to grab some blades and throw some conference mags here and there as well as giving out grindhouse catalogues and getting them juiced… even if thir just visit from another country weather they be 2 girls on inline skates at a local park…
it really makes you feel apart of the solution the way you want blading to end up getting respected again and known without some outsiders that dont know shit trying to “help the sport” , sure some boost in the right direction is good… with well informed actions taken.
all the best in 2010! keep on rolling and lets get out there and just do it, its easy..
Thanks to the ONE staff for the coverage and thanks to everyone who enjoyed our 80’s ONE PIECE session.
We did it for fun and because everyone on earth need to laught, no matter what happen, keep the smile on your face and good attitude!
If I could, I’ll wear my One Piece every day of my life … or not !!!
love
Roll 4 life
Leave a Reply to Morgan Reed Cancel Reply