OK, I haven’t been out since Day 15. That’s not exactly true, I skated for about an hour last Saturday morning, but had to leave just as I was getting warmed up. Seriously. It takes me that long to warm up when it’s a morning session. We hit Glenhaven today for about an hour and some change, but what a difference an afternoon session can make. I felt like I was regressing after Newberg, but even so I was glad to land a few.
Hey, I’m making some!
Of course not every one was landed. It seems like I eat shit on the first couple attempts, no matter how low they are. This was a little bit later. Here I am trying to go a little higher, but when my hand gets closer to the coping I lose all concentration.
Grover got into the act a little. Here’s a guy that can do a nice proper invert at the drop of the hat, but he still does his low on the small stuff.
Hang on, I’m actually going higher than Grover. He’s going to be pissed. Geez Conahan, can’t you hold a camera straight?
This quarterpipe doesn’t exactly go to vert. Hanging up the wheels on reentry, but riding out. Something I don’t want to try on the big stuff.
And here’s why.
Conahan was manning the camera and he started snapping Grover working on his disaster slides. That reentry shot looks like he’s headed for disaster, but I believe he rode out of it.
The problem with these new fangled digital cameras is that any hack (besides me) stands a good chance of taking a decent picture. Grover had the lens pointed at Conahan who was working on reverting these frontside standups over the stairs in the bowl. Click to enlarge.
A bit later in the day I managed to squeeze in another session at Pier Park. I was flailing on the invert attempts in the deep end of the big bowl, low of course, and Grover’s son Jack AKA Skae Ghost Junior started heckling me. Classic. Grover shot some footage of me failing and flailing, including the last shot where I over rotated and did the old colon-blow slam. After he left, I did manage to land two, which was pleasing and made me think I wasn’t actually losing progress. Still, I’m going to need to step on it.
12 comments
zed-word
That first photo looks pretty good. Another foot and a half and it will be at the coping.
colin walsh rules
the frontside grinder is saying “just one more”…..
Rich
Looking good. Might want to grab a helmet for those near deadline attempts that are soon to occur. If only you could rewind 20 years.
bernie o'dowd
all right now…that first pic is reminiscent of a young Bobby Valdez. Don’t give up now the coveted invert is just around the corner. Go! Go!
Dan Hughes
You’re a head of me!
conahan
Looking good. Those newfangled cameras should have a level indicator that you can see through the viewfinder when you’re hanging out over the transition from the deck. Then again it might help if my head was on straight.
kvon
NO PADS??? Silly kid. You’ll nail it. I think you should go back to the Rewind 20 years hair do on Rich’s site… I dare ya! hahaha! 😉
RON O NEIL
Quick progress,man good on ya.
Livmo
Looking good Randy. It looks like your just about at the “unfold” point (arms go from 90deg to 180deg). Keep at it.
I have to give props to Mark for the shallow grind. I could barely get over those backside and was humbled by Donald. Time for some Jersey barrier therapy I guess.
Danimal
i tried an eggplant the other day after watching the Tim Johnson clip, i felt very possible.
skaterdave
They are PHYSICALLY easier on vert – yes, the pain of failure could be worse, but it doesn’t have to be – go ahead, pad up, roll to the top and put your hand on coping on vert, then kneeslide out… do it do it do it I dare ya.
nweyesk8
I think a progress report is WAAAAYYYY over due on this one? Did you get em on vert?