Not exactly hot off the presses, but I’ve got a day job, a couple of kids, a skateboard company, a yard that needs mowing and a house that is falling apart. When I first saw these Element branded portable skate obstacles (AKA Drop Spots) my first reaction was “I wonder how Freshpark feels about this?” Well it turns out they probably feel pretty good since they are the ones manufacturing it. I’ve never actually set foot on a Freshpark ramp, they seem like they are built for a lighter (Err. uhm, younger?) audience than me. These Element branded obstacles seem to be sturdier in appearance. Maybe it’s the fact that some of the obstacles have been raised one order of magnitude (Like the rainbow rail and the pole jam) or maybe it’s just the red paint. Lazy good for nothing kids. Back when I was a kid, a portable ramp weighed 100 pounds and took tow skateboards to roll, and.. uh, well.. I’d like to get ahold of one of those little kickers. – Thanks to Eric Cherry for the tip.

Here’s a nicely shot video of a night session at the relatively new Kensington Park, err, uhm, skatepark, in Vancouver, BC.. – Thanks to Dylan Davies for the tip.

My old friend Evil Tom sent me this link which he subtitled “Why adults should not portray teenagers in their art.” “Fledgling” – All of us feel, or have felt, the awful and wonderful growth of this pre-teen skateboarder. Small wings on his back, he wants to fly yet is not ready to soar. Is he slouching to defy, to define himself, or to bear the weight of wings getting larger every day? Installed in downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin, this life size standing bronze figure reminds us young citizens need community support. Well, at least his heart is in the right place, although I’m worried about his heart on. I’m bummed out at our Wisconsin readers. This tip came from a guy living in Michigan!

Kevin Cann has been spearheading an effort to expand a small skatepark in a town called Notre Dame de L’ile Perrot, a small town outside of Montreal, Quebec. It started off as a DIY-esque park with the blessing and financial aid of the town, thanks in part to Kevin’s hard work and some open minds in city hall. I had forgotten to put this story up, actually, but I’m going to do this part first. The backstory will come later. Here’s the bottom line, the first stage of the park was a success (see picture here) and Kevin used that momentum and good will to add a proper bowl to the jersey barrier foundation the park already has. Pictures after the jump, thanks to Kevin.

This Auction and all the auctions on this Ebay account are to raise Money to Pay off Duane Peter’s Recent Hospital Bills. Last month Duane Peters AKA “The Master of Disaster” took a Bad Slam on his left knee resulting in an infection so Bad that they wanted to Amputate it at the Knee. After many Prayers, Miracles and Several Hundred Thousand Dollars later his leg is Healing Up Great and he will be back Ripping at a Park or Pool near you Soon! So please Throw Money at this Auction “Like a Drunk Sailor” and own a piece of Skateboard History and The Honor and Pride that comes with helping one of Skateboarding’s Great to get back on his feet again and Keep the Dream Alive! Gey your D.P. memorabilia on eBay, an when you’re done check out DuanePeters.net. – Thanks to Egbert for the tip.

This is pretty much an expanded version of an idea stolen from Sk8.net. It’s a roundup, or recap, if you will, of the 2010 Rumble in Ramona from the likes of Thrasher, Transworld and Concrete Disciples.

There are re-issues, and there are, well I’m not sure what to call this. First up, there was the Tony Hawk board with fake scuffs printed as part of the graphic. And not too long ago someone (Antihero?) released board graphics with fake rails on the botom of the deck. This Hosoi hammerhead reissue mates a photograph of one of Christian’ old boards with the bottom of some brand spanking new Canadian maple. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the concept but I like it. When I first saw it in an email from Big Block, I thought it was just an illustration to compare the reissue to. Strange thing is, it’s not on the Hosoi web site. Stranger still, it’s here on S&A.

Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament fully funded a small skatepark in his childhood home town of Big Sandy, Montana. His heart’s even bigger than his wallet. 40k is a lot to spend just to have a place to skate when you visit your p’s. Check out the Great Falls Tribune for the details, and then head on over to Earth Patrol Media to check out some photos of Jeff enjoying some Canadian maple mid-air. – Thanks to Ashley Mott for the tip.

As you can tell, my commitment to the Shot of the Week has wavered over time, but it’s good to get back in the ring again. This week’s shot of the week comes all the way from the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Republic of Cyprus. This actually a detail of a shot of Raphael Akerstrom taken by Rob Mynard at the “King of Skate” competition during the Ayia Napa Youth Festival. Check out the full frame Shot of the Week..

Mischo Erban achieved 80.83 mph on hill somewhere in Colorado on September 30, 2010, shattering his old record of 70.23 mph. This record was sanctioned by the International Gravity Sports Association. I don’t know how they get along with Guiness, who is strangely silent on the subject. At least in as much as their web site makes it impossible to find that information. The only other thing I could find online was a Gary Hardwick speed of 62.55 mph set back in 1998. Video after the jump, but it’s pretty much just a guy flying by at an insane speed. [Source: Push Culture, via Skateboarder’s Journal]