It’s conceivable that these trucks might work well enough for a beginner. The technology dates back to the 50’s here, and believe it or not, I think there are some dirtboard, excuse me, mountainboarding trucks out there right now that are based on the same design. Still, call me cynical, but have to believe the decision to used these wacky trucks was based purely on profit motive. Maybe at the time these were a dollar cheaper than a traditional truck. May not sound like much, but multiply by thousands and then some in projected sales… On the one hand, the X-Games provide a way for an immediate group of skateboarder to make a living off of skateboarding, and a larger group through association. On the other hand, they peddle crap like this, or at least they used to. I don’t think they make this anymore. – Thanks to Matthijs van Wijk for the tip.

Even at 120 FPS, I’m still not sure what happened here, but Bob Burnquist is not bailing. Check it out after the jump. – Thanks to Neal Hendrix for the tip, via Facebook.

This is either the absolute best or worst skateboard toy ever. I’m leaning towards best, and I actually want one. New from Action Sports Toys, it’s the Ryan Sheckler action figure. You have to check out the videos to see how cool these things actually are, as far as the, errr, simulation tiny skateboarding goes. I’m not sure where this falls in the hierarchy of fingerboarding. I mean, who is the biggest dork, the guy who spends hours and hours perfecting his fingerboarding technique, or the guy who goes for instant gratification with an almost anamatronic action figure? When I get mine, I’ll let you know. – Thanks to GN for the tip.

What does the Dew Tour want to keep under wraps? Behind the scenes in the press room, plus bonus random vert photos after the jump.

Opening today at selected theaters and running for a week is XGames 3D the movie. Freestyle motocross, vert BMX, skateboarding, snowboarding and Rally Car driving are featured and there is plenty of gnarly action. There are featured personalities and highlights from last year’s events as well as memorable moments from previous events. Jake Brown and Danny Way’s mega ramp slams are crazy to see on the big screen. I have not seen any of the recent crop of 3D movies. XGames 3D The Movie is a large scale application of the 3D effect but after a while I forgot about it. I probably would have enjoyed it just as much as a normal big screen experience, although you do get a good sense of the scale of the MegaRamp. It was great to see some of the Danny Way milestones, as well as Matt Hoffman’s BMX backflip and the first moto double backflip in competition, presented at that scale. I was quite moved by the Megaramp finale – with Danny Way continuing to compete after a bad slam – even though I had watched the thing whole thing on YouTube a year ago. I’ll rate it better than Harry Potter…

Starting August 21, 2009 and running for a week Walt Disney Pictures (ESPN Films) presents X Games 3D the Movie supposedly for 1 week only. Check out the preview and order tickets through their website. $13.50 Adults 10.50 Kids and Seniors. Slash thought it was f***ing amazing. I wonder what those asterisks represent, funding? farting? farming?I hope it’s not presented in FEELAROUND. Want a free pass for two for tonight at the Regal Bridgeport 18? I have a few available show is at 7, they have some rules about searches and no cell phones to prevent piracy. Send me a note if you want one. UPDATE: They’re all gone folks.

Portland’s sports arena is now called the Dew Garden. Snorkels are an extra $5 at the door. Unaware of what year it was, Dr. Brad and Grover wandered into the Dew Tour desperate for help. But the English language had deteriorated into a hybrid of hillbilly, valleygirl, inner-city slang and various grunts. Dr. Brad was able to understand them, but when he spoke in an ordinary voice he sounded pompous and faggy to them.

This week’s Shot of the Week is from photog Sk8 D, who snapped this shot outside an extreme!™ sports function in Portland a few weeks back: Favorite moment from the lame ass redbull thing they had a few weeks ago, this guy won hands down in my book he held that manny for almost 30 minutes. Check out the Shot of the Week.

Did you know there was an organization called the Action Sports Environmental Coalition (ASEC)? Me either, until Brian Baade (…that name sounds familiar) told me they were on hand at the X-Games, watching over such green initiatives as fact that all the concession utensils, cups and plates are compostable. What the purpose of ASEC? It’s damn near impossible to find it on their website, since it’s set up more like a social networking site than something informative. OK, I did find it. It’s on the front page past all the videos and user photos: ASEC works to inspire the action sports industry and its participants to value and take action toward social and environmental responsibility. That’s an excellent idea. Their first task ought to be convincing the X-Games (and Maloof brothers) not to build disposable semi-recyclable concrete over wood skateparks. Spend the money and carbon credits on a permanent skate structure that gets donated to the community. I know there will be logistical hurdles in providing the spectacle for spectators, but figure it out instead of just paying lip service towards supporting skateboarding and a green environment. Put that in your Birkenstocks and smoke it. It’s hard to tell what…

This week’s Shot of the Week is from Brian Baade, He mounted a camera the Greek’s board during a practice run for the X-Games skatepark event. If you watched the X-Games yesterday you might have noticed that is is actually a still image from the actual footage they played after coming back from a commercial. Check out the Shot of the Week, Bonus frame after the jump.