"Built without permission, by skateboarders and later sanctioned by the city, Burnside is the preeminent example of action.... Like a magnifying glass in the sun, Burnside can witness a concentration of skill level unmatched anywhere. You can see crazy, crazy things there. Go, watch, learn, be humbled, excited and inspired. It is amazing."Don't forget the old guys
Friday, July 2
I've talked to quite a few people about the upcoming Burnside Blowout and realized that I've left something out. The old men, which I'm one of. So I am reorganizing the structure of the nontest a bit. Originally the plan was to give away money to the top 3 skaters that were killing it and random product to others. Well, we are still going to do that but the money is going to be distributed a bit thinner. I think I am going to split it and have two different divisions. One for under 30 years old and one for over. So now this is how the prize money will be broken down - Under 30 $125 for 1st - $75 for 2nd - $50 for 3rd
Over 30 $125 for 1st - $75 for 2nd - $50 for 3rd
Judging will be done by everybody skating. I know that I've set it for a long ass time, 12-6 but that doesn't mean that you have to skate the whole time. As long as your there when the time comes to kick down the money, you have a chance. But if you don't skate, you can't win. This isn't going to be a popularity contest. I'll be breaking down the days events and times in a few weeks so everybody will know what's going on.
Make sure you don't forget to be at Burnside on August 21st, if you do, you'll be missing one hell of a session.
Too Many Fools
Monday, June 28
In the past week or so, the skatepark has been getting on the bad side of one of the neighboring business's. With all of the work that has been started lately to get everything cleaned up and fixed, you would think that they would be pleased. But, our neighbor sees it differently. The problem seems to be that the fence that runs along the top of the elbow and along the side of the pyramid has been torn down. Also, one of the "No Parking" signs had been painted over when the park was painted a couple of weeks ago.
I can understand why they would be upset about the fence. I think that they paid for it to be installed a number of years back since that side of the park borders their property. I think it was for liability issues. But what they don't understand is that the fence had deteriorated into a death trap for anybody not paying attention. If you weren't paying attention you could end up with a pipe in the forehead. The fence was torn down to be replaced, at the skateparks expense, with a safer, new fence. Unfortunately, the fence was taken down a bit earlier than the money or supplies could be rounded up. This weekend a few of us put back up about half of the old fence on the top of the elbow. I think that should be good until the new fence is put up in a week or two.
And about the "No Parking" signs, I couldn't really tell what the problem was. One sign was painted over but it was on a side wall that you really never see. The two that are easiest to spot are still intact. So I'm not sure what the deal is but there is one thing that will help.
PARK ON THE STREET! DO NOT PARK IN THE PARKING LOT! YOU WILL BE TOWED!
If the tow truck gets your car lifted it costs something like 75 bucks just to have them set it back down, and that's if they don't speed off before you notice. You've been warned.
What is it with these fools who think it's cool just to do random vandalism? Sometime on Friday, I think, some fools pushed a highway divider off of the ledge above the park into the parking lot below. The divider ended up out far enough from the wall to cause a problem. I recruited the entire park to help try and move it and, I don't know how many people have tried to move a highway divider but they are very heavy, it took about 6 or 7 guys to just stand it up and then we had to try and push it up against the wall. At first we all just tried pushing and pulling it but it wasn't moving. Then somebody found a pole and brought it over and we kind of walked it over by leverage. It got put against the wall and everything should be cool. Whoever pushed it off the ledge is a fool. No matter how hard we try to keep the park and it's surroundings in good shape, there's always the few who are just plain stupid.
Other than all that crap, the skating was good and fast. Just how I like it.
Who are these guys that kill it at Burnside? The plan is to interview a different local each month to get different views from the people that skate one of the best parks in the world.