I spotted a pump track video online via Michael Brooke’s Facebook feed, but he was tight lipped about it at the time and I forgot ot follow up on it. Progressive Pumptracks makes modular pump tracks from three different materials, wood, steel, and concrete. The wooden ones seem like they would have a short useful lifespan for a skateboard, even though they are covered with a composite surface. I can imagine the repetitive “thunk thunk” sounds at each seem would only get louder and slower after a season in the rain or snow. The concrete version looks pretty fun though, although technically still reconfigurable, in reality it seems like it would be really hard to move without a good forklift, maybe two. It’s a pretty exciting idea until you realize that ARC is the company behind it. Actually, it’s still a pretty cool idea, just hard to swallow considering who makes them. A pump track is not really a “skatepark” but more like a skatespot. It looks super fun, and I love the idea of plopping these down on a disused tennis court. Videos and pics after the jump, plus a bonus video of an asphalt pump track someplace called…

I have no idea who Oi! Jacko Gym was, but near as I can tell by this picture, he must have been some sort of middle aged, weight lifting Sting impersonator from Australia. He’s not content to just ride a skateboard, he’s got to lift weights at the same time. The box commands you to “Do your push-ups with Jacko.” Can I just skip them instead? Also, I’m not so sure about the “Make & Do” booklet. It sounds like some sort of toddler potty training record. It looks like he may have been the Australian mascot for Energizer.

I can’t remember why I had this bookmarked, or how I found it, but it must have been for a good reason. Must have been because it looked fun. Lots of cool banks.

Andrew Maunsell is a toy designer by trade from Sydney Australia. He’s collaborating with Greg Bennett from Bennett Surfboards (Not affiliated with Bennett Trucks) in Brookvale, Sydney. Bennet produced a skateboard brand called Golden Breed in the 70’s. The result is a series of two old school hybrid skateboards based on old 60’s era shapes and technology, with a little bit of updating. The trucks were originally NOS Fairfax steel wheeled contraptions, but the steel wheels and axles have been replaced with Metaflex wheels and solid axles. The decks are the brand new Fiji White Cedar hand screened. The first 50 “Big Surf” are vintage longboard style, and the second 50 (still in the works) are going to be shorter with a dragster theme. Andrew doesn’t have a web site yet, so if you are interested you can contact him via email, available if you download this flyer. Loads of pics after the jump. I love the aesthetic of this era of skateboards. Andrew says the modified trucks actually turn well too.

Spotted on Frontside Grind “The home of old school Kiwi skating circa ’73-now!” This item, tentatively titled a Jetskate, is pretty obscure. – Thanks to OJ for the tip.

The live stream from the Vans BOWL-A-RAMA™ in Wellington, NZ starts Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. PST and goes to 9 p.m. PST. There’s an embed of the live stream after the jump. I’m sure there will be commercials and whatnot, but hopefully it works. I heard last year’s was pretty good.

Christchurch, New Zealand has been rocked twice this year by deadly earthquakes. I picked up this vid from reader comments, can’t find it now. Sorry, nameless reader. Thanks for the tip. Surreal street skating terrain. Check it out after the jump.

This Hydro commercial imitating a video game is a nice low tech complement to the high tech pinball game we saw earlier with the Mountain Dew setup. Not much for actual skating, but it is a great example of low budget creativity. In one section stuntman Alex Midler is riding one of those led boards. If your autism talent is remembering obscure skateboard marketing facts, you may remember Fruit Shoot put together a beginners skateboarding guide for the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts new (at the time) “Street Sports” merit badge back in 2008. Two versions of the Hydro commercial after the jump. – Thanks to Keith “method” Ayers for the tip.

My first summer on a skateboard was spent on a yellow plastic banana board with red urethane wheels. Soon after figuring out how to roll down the driveway and make a turn onto the sidewalk, the second order of business was drawing obstacle courses and imaginary hazards with chalk on the driveway. In the late 70’s the idea of the skateboard pinball course was commercialized as the facilites known as Skate-Ball, which seemed like an idea that was kind of silly, though I’m sure fun, but it doesn’t live up to the full potential of the concept. Enter this crazy ramp funded by Moutain Dew in New Zealand. (?) It cost about 500k (New Zealand) and has computerized sensors and software to activate the lights and notes and somehow, the scoring. The whole thing was used for an invite only contest last Saturday but will be open to the public for three weeks afterwards. Massive waste of money? You bet, but If i lived anywhere near that I’d be in line to ride it. Videos after the jump. If you’re still in the mood for more skateboarding obstacle course action, check out this old 2008 post on the Japanese game…

He’s Glenn Jones is a graphic designer and illustrator from Auckland, New Zealand who operates under the name GLENNZ, which is derived from ‘GLENN’ and ‘NZ’ concatenated. You can visit his site and vote on which of his designs you’d like to see made into a t-shirt. Currently there are four skateboard illustrations in the mix. I don’t know where they disappear to after voting ends, so I’ve archived them after the jump. – Thanks to Matthijs for the tip