Surprise guests at Pier Park
July 3rd, 2008 by Kilwag
Yesterday I had plans to meet up with an out-of-state friend of mine who was in town to skate some Portland area parks. I had assorted obligations for most of the day, but I definitely wanted to hook up for his last session at least. I got a text message that he was headed from Gabriel Glenhaven to Pier Park, so that’s where we were going to meet. A short while later I got the text message above. I have to be honest, my first thought was negative. I wanted to skate with my friend and not watch the Indy tour circus. That’s not a dig at Independent or their team, I just figured the park would be jam packed full of onlookers and there would be a heated session going on - meaning we’d have to stick to other parts of the park or go elsewhere if we wanted to actually skate. When MC showed up for the carpool and said he hoped the Indy team wanted to skate street… So how did it go? MC via email:
Any good shots? That was fun, much better than a Trifecta style blowout.
First of all, there were barely any spectators. It was weird and fun. The weather was muggy and there seemed to be a lot of pollen in the air. There was some amazing skating happening, but it wasn’t full-tilt all the time. It seemed like the Indy guys were working on a few specific lines for the photographers or for themselves, generally taking their time and at their leisure. The session was mellow in that sense. Locals of various talent levels took runs in between the heavies. Everyone was friendly and supportive. The tour had been there the previous night and enjoyed it enough to make a point of coming back the next. The tour was due in San Francisco the next evening. The tentative plan was to drive to Southern Oregon that night and possibly check out Matt’s private bowl before moving on to Fogtown.
Who was there? Lance Mountain, Jeff Grosso, Al Partanen, Sam Hitz (I think) and possibly other guys whose names I don’t know because I don’t have those magazine subscriptions. Hang on Lance Mountain? He rides Fury Trucks if I’m not mistaken. Also, The San Francisco date of the Indy tour is July 4th. So I don’t know what the occasion was, but the van had an enormous Indy cross logo on it. As we were walking up we just missed David Gravette trying to ollie from the small bowl into the 11 1/2 foot end of the big bowl. I guess he didn’t land it, but he didn’t eat shit either.
I’m going to break this down into two posts. Not because my shots are so great (cause they aren’t) but because… well you should know by now that I can’t edit myself. The horizontal pics can be enlarged.
Lance Mountain. He was doing this weird sweeper variation where he was actually planting his foot on the tile. I think he tried going to tail on them too. So what is that combination called, lien to tail sweeper? Leeper? You can see the rain spots on concrete.
Right after he landed this he slid out on the opposite wall and left a big smear. I think I heard someone call it a “Sweeper to Zamboni.”
Jeff Grosso tweaking pointing the frontside invert. I’m not sure if this one was a make or not.
Al Partanen
Another view of Grosso. Notice the empty park in the background.
Al Partanen
This is a (near) local. I heard this kid lives over the bridge in Vancouver. UPDATE: Local’s name - Taylor Ruiz
Here is is again. What’s your name? (Taylor Ruiz)
Jeff Grosso
Lance Mountain rock and roll board slide around the corner. This was his setup for the move in the first photo.
Possibly Sam Hitz?
Lance Mountain
Jeff Grosso
More pics tomorrow.
July 3rd, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Well, it was fun. At least my email made the cut.
July 3rd, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Thanks for the shots!
“I got a text message that he was headed from Gabriel to Pier Park, so that’s where we were going to meet.”
Oh reallly? Gabriel good to go or VIP only?
We ran into the same crew last Friday at Irrigon, I was assuming they were headed to Lincoln City. Then last night I also ran into them at Pier as the sun was setting, I thought maybe they’d hang around for the Gabriel opening but then I realized they probably have already had their fun there! Tosh Townend was also there in the evening.
July 3rd, 2008 at 3:10 pm
siiiick
July 3rd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Sorry, mixing up my Gabriels and Glenhavens. Gabriel might open early before the grand opening, but MC has not been able to get a confirmation.
Conahan - you’re in part two. Luck of the numbering system.
July 3rd, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Thanks Kilwag, maybe if I start biking over there from nonopo at sunrise it will be open by the time I get there!
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I went to Glenhaven, and Tosh Townend, Anthony Pappalardo were killing the street section. There was a raging session in the bowl, but I didn’t know who the guys were. Most of the heavy hitters were taking heavy hits in the shade, though. Lance Mountain and Gravette were just kicking it, watching the bowl skaters. I guess that they were saving their energy for Pier!
July 3rd, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I cant believe I missed that session, I almost went over there but let my bruised knee talk me out of it.
July 3rd, 2008 at 6:47 pm
We started in Hood River monday morn, on to Pier, Newberg, and finally Tigard at about 7:30 that eve. When we got there Lance was done and hanging with Chet, watching Gravette absolutely rip the entire park. Tosh and Grant Taylor were ripping as well. Locals all gawking. The groms got plenty of runs in and had some fun. Gravette can skate!
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
yes that is sam hitz, and randy, bonus points for the long lens shots
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Wow! That is cool! Lance looks tired.
July 4th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Those fs inverts look insane! Thanks for the shots!
July 5th, 2008 at 11:05 am
I want to know why Grosso isn’t riding one of his own boards. That looks like the Black Label longboard he’s riding. Was he really doing those fs inverts on a longboard?
July 6th, 2008 at 7:47 am
That local is at the end of the GVK 12 the pier park one. He works at a pizza place. YUM
July 13th, 2008 at 8:26 am
That local is Taylor Ruiz. I watched him tear up the Denver and Westminster parks in Colorado two summers ago. Your’e sure to be seeing more of his flying skills in the future!
July 13th, 2008 at 9:08 am
The local kids name is Taylor Ruiz he is my grandson
July 24th, 2008 at 3:17 am
That is Sam sHitz you have it correct Creature kills it!!
July 29th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Lincoln City was fun Sunday it was chill around 20 people skating the snake run on and off but casually taking runs. A lot of people had not hit it before so it was mellow & exciting with a lot of Portlanders also etc..! The other parts of the park were semi buzy.. The onlookers stopped by later in the afternoon, and it got more traffic in the park also.
I think I heard L dropped Fury and is back on Indy obv..
Monday was hella chill and they hung out there was 7 people skating the snake run and only 20 others or so around the other parts of the LC complex. It was really fun, pretty much epic glad I got to hang out and skate. They were all ripping it plus some others. The Indy tour killed it.. fo sho.