I’ve been to a lot of local events recently and I really love to see the community supporting skateboarding and the kids who come out are great. Blockstar took place in the heart of Brooklyn and the entire neighborhood came out to help out.
Blockstars one was one of my favorites.
Early on, before the food and refreshments were set up, a woman came out of her house with a pink plastic cup of water for me. I grew up in a place where the only time you saw your neighbors was when you happened to drive by them.
Blockstar is a backyard barbecue in the middle of the street.
Here it seemed that everybody knew everybody and if they didn’t know you the greeted you as if they did and people of all ages were huge fans of skateboarding cheering on and collecting money prizes for the kids who were killing it at the competition.
A local band came out and this girl just ripped the drums. I don’ t know how old she was, but man she was cool. And the frontman, very talented indeed.
Skate date
Get things rolling with the aid of Uptown Skate School(646.462.3929, uptownskateschool.com; two people $100, if you mention TONY $65), whose instructors will come to the location of your choice for a one-hour, semiprivate skate- or longboard lesson. At Hudson River Park’s Skate Park(30th St at the Hudson River, hudsonriverpark.org; daily 11am–7pm), you can practice what you’ve learned on the bowl, street course and mini half-pipe for free—you just need to sign your life away in a waiver. (How romantic!) Afterward, take some of the edge off with $2 cans of Schlitz and PBR at badass dive Blue Ruin(538 Ninth Ave between 39th and 40th Sts, no phone), where shots like the Cherry Bomb are served aflame.
Rock climbing and relaxing
Relationships are filled with ups and downs, so get yours started on the right foot scaling the 30-foot indoor rock-climbing wall at The Rock Health & Fitness Club(22-15 31st St at Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, Queens; 718-204-1400, therockhealthandfitness.com; day pass $20 per person, includes equipment). And if things don’t work out, well, that’s what the helmet is for. After you’ve reached the summit and back, stroll on terra firma to Himalaya Teahouse(33-17 31st Ave at 33rd St, Astoria, Queens; 718-777-7450, himalayateahouse.com), which has less to do with Mount Everest than with Zen. Order a large pot of organic rooibos tea ($5.95) and Tibetan steamed momo dumplings ($8.95) to share with your little dumpling while you chill.
On the water
If you’re looking to impress your date with something new and unexpected, perhaps an activity on the water with skyline views, then we’ve got two words for you: kayak polo. With a small boat as your trusty steed, join members of New York Kayak Polo(Pier 66, 26th St at the Hudson River; nykayakpolo.org) for an intro session on the last Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm. Games that day are open to anyone—and boats, paddles, life vests and helmets are provided at no cost (first-timers just need to pay a $5 insurance fee). Stick with the boat-in-the-water theme and head to Pier 66 Maritime(Pier 66, West Side Hwy at 26th St; 212-989-6363, pier66maritime.com), a former railroad barge–turned-bar, for white sangria ($8) or a Blue Moon ($6) on the roof deck. Since the most exotic marine life you’ll see floating in the Hudson is cigarette butts, get your fill of the real deal at Bongo(299 Tenth Ave between 27th and 28th; 212-947-3654, ongonyc.com) and suck down a half-dozen oysters ($18) from its extensive selection.
Skatopia is an Appalachian farm where hardcore skating, punk rock and hillbilly culture collide. Mad-Max style demolition derbies and spontaneous car burning accompany all night skate sessions. Pain is a badge of honor. Tony Hawk calls Skatopia a “rite of passage” for hardcore skaters.
Skatopia’s owner, Brewce Martin, grew up dodging the skateboard-hating cops of Parkersbug, WV. With his explosive energy, he knew he could never survive in a 9 to 5 world. He dreamed of a place where he could live and breathe skating… a place where people could forget their “outside” lives by plunging into high-energy craziness. In 1994, he bought 88 acres of land in rural Ohio. With a volunteer labor force of locals and underground skaters, he began building his dream. Skatopia was born.
**Sooooo not appropriate for children whose parents are paying attention:
Ten years later, Skatopia has become a mecca for skaters who want to live outside society’s rules. Brewce, the self-proclaimed dictator, presides over the mayhem like a modern-day Jim Jones. His secret weapon is a free labor force of itinerant skaters and local hillbillies. They come for the freedom and the skating and end up pitching in: doing laundry, picking up garbage and building new skate terrain. They may stay for hours or linger for months in shacks and abandoned cars.
But despite Skatopia’s infamy, Brewce must scramble non-stop to keep the farm solvent. Now turning 40, he is determined to create a monument to freedom and skateboarding that will outlast him.
As filming begins, Brewce has hatched a grand slew of plans to get out of debt and build crazy new skate terrain. His infectious optimism persists through the first set-backs of the year.
But the misfortunes pile on and the movie follows him as he staves off bill collectors, mobilizes his free labor force and struggles with his own rebellious son. Finally, his ambitious plans grind to a halt when he is sentenced to 60 days in jail.
Brewce frantically tries to direct his work crews from the jail phone, but progress on the farm slows to a crawl. “My totalitarian skills will be demonic,” he declares the day before he bursts out of jail. He returns to Skatopia bent on salvaging his income, his relationships and rest of the skating season.
The movie celebrates the freedom from everyday life that Skatopia offers, but it also takes a hard look at the flip side of Brewce’s energy and charisma. The audience won’t find a story-book hero – Brewce can switch from inspiring visionary to bullying cult-leader in seconds. But his fierce, unapologetic pursuit of his dream will inspire even those who have never touched a skateboard.
Ever wondered what to do in Yorkville this spring with two energetic kids? Well, stop scratching your head. Being my self the proud mom of two adorable (but never tired kids), I have it covered.
Since spring is back, Carl Schultz Park offers some skateboarding classes every Sunday at noon on their basketball court or in the shady alleys of Central Park (entrance at 76th and 5th). No need to show up with an all-geared-up-kid; they’ll provide the boards as well as the knee, elbow and wrist protection. You will just need to bring a helmet. And believe me, they’ll need all these. If there’s just one garbage can in a half mile radius, your kids will crash into it.
The classes are super fun and laid back, taught by Jennifer and David, two pros who will really get your children hooked up from class one. From belly board races to balancing boards, your kids will be able to skate in less than five lessons and master that cool street dude attitude. You’ll need to call ahead. Jennifer Willis, the owner of the uptown skate school, takes reservations so she’ll make sure there’s a three kid per instructor ratio.
But don’t try to get on one of these things yourself; I almost broke my wrist while trying to impress my kids, ending up embarrassing them and getting that “what on earth were you thinking???” look from my husband.
WHEEL FUN: Tony Hawk tours the White House yesterday.
Last updated: 2:58 am
June 20, 2009
Posted: 2:25 am
June 20, 2009
WASHINGTON — World-famous skateboarder Tony Hawk went to the White House yesterday to celebrate Father’s Day, but it was his inner boy that made the biggest splash.
After getting permission from White House officials, the rad dad shredded around America’s most famous residence and the office building next door.
Skating through the famous Grand Foyer in the White House and down the hallways of the Old Executive Office Building, Hawk, 41, took hip to a whole new level for an administration already among the hippest in history.
Sending Twitter messages to fans, Hawk wrote: "Hi, I am inside the White House gates eating Frosted Flakes and about to do press. You heard it here first. Yes, I brought my skateboard."
One of the shots of Hawk shows the pro-skateboarding pioneer — the star of a series of skateboarding video games — with his hands above his head as he cruises down one of the corridors of power.
"And here is my exit," he wrote on Twitter. "Supposed to return at noon for the First Fathers event if they let me back in."
Gathered with other famous fathers, including Mesa Grill chef Bobby Flay, NBA players Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat and Etan Thomas of the Washington Wizards, Hawk also wrote: "Tweeting live from the Diplomatic Room. Unbelievable."
"The Prez addressing all of us fathers before we split up to visit DC charities," he tweeted. "D Wade & Etan T make me feel short."
A father of four, Hawk has been skating since he was 9 years old, when his brother — on a whim — gave him a skateboard.
Hawk wrote on Twitter that he briefly talked skating with Obama.
"He did apologize for not having any ramps to skate on the grounds during our brief chat."
At 8 p.m., Hawk posted a picture of himself doing a "nose dive" trick on a driveway outside the White House.
"Last shot," he wrote. "This really happened. Thank you for the invite, President Obama. It was an honor."
Rental Included: Always wanted to try longboarding, but don’t want to invest the $$ in the equipment first? Come try out one of our Bustin Boards! If you want to try a specific board, ask us.
Want to perfect a particular slide or technique? Tell us what you want to try!
Here’s your shot at the best deal ever. For one whole day you can take advantage it. Don’t miss out, you have until Midnight tonight!!!
If you have purchased a Groupon lesson, please fill out the registration form.
This One Day Only offer is brought to you Groupon, an ingenious little idea, created by Andrew Mason, a really clever guy who knew; The best way to make things happen was to do it collectively. Check out: The Point
Japanther and Ninjasonik and Skateboarding at the Whitney Museum
July 11th, Free music and bowl skating show for New York City Teens in front
On July 11th, the WhitneyMuseum is hosting a teen program in conjunction with the exhibition Dan Graham: Beyond. Japanther and Ninjasonik will play free shows and there will be a bowl in front of the museum and a skate demo. No word on who.. yet.
Uptown Skate School co-founder Jennifer Willis works with some young clients at Carl Schurz Park on Upper East Side.
Alessandro Procaccino slowly rolled across the hockey rink at Carl Schurz Park on the Upper East Side, eyes fixed on his skateboard as he lined up his shoes with a chalk outline.
Jennifer Willis walked slowly behind the 6-year-old, offering advice on balance and foot placement — at $65 an hour.
Owner of a graphic design company, jlwDesign, Willis, 32, and her younger brother David, 20, started Uptown Skate School out of their apartment on E. 76th St., last year after hearing parents asking for lessons at a nearby skate shop.
"Our industry is getting kids on skateboards," Jennifer said.
Skate Jams and Skate Camps are a great way for local kids to meet other kids to skate with at some of the city’s coolest skate parks. This year Uptown will be conducting Skate Camp at Hudson skate park on the water.
Available in a stores in the city, the Earthwing Superglider Complete is one of my favorite boards. Designed by a local guy who used to work in a skateshop on the West Side, Brian Petrie.
If you don’t get the board get the wheels. - Earthwing wheels are sick for any board. I recommend them regularly for beginners because they are bigger and grippier, and can be used on a short deck, but not super gummy and soft.
Bustin Boards – The only custom longboard designer in the area.
The crew at Bustin are SUPER cool! They live amid their work in a warehouse where they constantly toil with improving their designs, to meet their customer’s needs. Colorize any which why you like using their slick and easy online system, but also you contact them, real people will tell contact you back and tell you everything you need to know about longboards.
Though I haven’t spent a lot of time riding it, The First Strike is one of my favorites, simple because it uses drop through trucks that make the board super low to the ground.
My other pick for city/campus life is the Spliff. At $90 this little baby is a steal. It’s small yet rides like a super long board and it’s fast!
Original Skateboards – The best technology you will ever find in a set of longboard trucks.
Put a little spring in your hard carves with Original Skateboards. The have the sickest trucks I’ve ever seen and they’ve evolved quite a bit over the years, raising the carving longboard bar yet again.
In its third longboard re-incarnation the Custom 35 is back with a vengence. Taking advantage of the same ultra-light, super flexible, H-Vlam longboard core as the Apex 37, the Custom 35 is a more carving specific performance alternative to the dropped-low Apex. If flowing carves, full mahogany rails and a snowboard inspired ride play into your longboard style, the Custom 35 should be your longboard of choice.
Upcoming Skateboarding Events in New York City (Courtesy of 5Boro.com and
May 16th- Battle for the Bronx Skate Jam
Bronx Park Skatepark
12-6pm Click Here for more info
May 30th- Manhattan Bridge Park renovation Grand Opening
(more info to come soon)
June 5th-5boroNYC 13 Year Anniversary Party
15 Watts street 2nd Floor
Manhattan, NYC
7-12pm
June 6th- 5boro presents "Back to the Banks"
At the Brooklyn Banks in NYC
You know the deal, anyone can enter, 4 best trick contests and an overall MVP prize
Thousands in CASH and prizes
June 7th- Red bull Manny Mania(tentative)
(more info to come soon)
June 13th- Rooftop Rampage
(more info to come soon)
June 20th
Solid Foundation Demo
445 Godwin Avenue
Midland Park, NJ 07432
1pm
June 21st- Go Skateboarding Day
(more info to come soon)
June 22nd-July 2nd
Domincan Republic trip
*info coming soon*
July 3-7- Afropunk Festival
(more info to come soon)
July 12- Bastille Day Jam
(more info to come soon)
July 18th – Block Star 1 in Brooklyn
(Skate, Bands, and Food)
Park Place near Brower Park
3pm-9pm
(more info to come soon)
July 24th-27th
Am Getting Paid
Montreal, Canada
Akers, Driscol and Mcdonald will be entering.
August 29th- NYC Summer Games Jam
(more info to come soon)
There’s nothing quite as fun and unique as when a community comes together, supports, entertains and feeds each other…. and skateboards.
Uptown Skate School co-founder Jennifer Willis works with some young clients at Carl Schurz Park on Upper East Side.
Earthwing – the go to off the shelf complete
Bustin Boards – The only custom longboard designer in the area.
Original Skateboards – The best technology you will ever find in a set of longboard trucks.
