I saw this in Concrete Wave a while back but I forgot to post it. I thought it was a gag advert at first, in part due to the fact that you can’t currently find any mention of it on the Venom web site. However, it appears to be aimed at a real niche market… people with downhill gear that wish their boards had tails. My first thought was to goof on it, but this is one of the oddest yet most functional products I’ve seen. I know you’re saying “just buy a board with a tail” but then this isn’t meant for you. It’s meant for guys who typically spend a lot of cash on downhill equipment and like to have their setup dialed in. These boards are not disposable in the tradition of the typical short board that gets ridden until it falls apart in a comparatively shorter time. It is what it is. Goofy but extremely useful for a subset of skateboarders. It sells for about $20.

Merde Skatebaords corporate bigwig Mike Egbert hates Portland, and everyone who skates there. That’s why he’s moving back to Klamath Falls. Actually that’s not true. He is moving, but he loves Portland. He had this to say about his new venture: Basically, I’m just trying to establish a skateshop in Klamath. I’m just starting out with an online shop so kids down there can see what is available, as I’ll probably be selling gear out of my car until I can get a retail space going. I’m from there so I want to help their scene however I can. There are a lot of ripping skaters in Southern Oregon. I’d like to just help those dudes get some coverage/due. I’ve never ran a store, so I don’t really know what I’m doing, but I think I’ll learn pretty quick. I’ll just try and focus on what unheard carries, for the time being. Once i get established, i want to bring in more brands that i’m stoked on. i’m a big skate nerd, so i’m partial to particular brands. Skate Farm is a good name, lends itself to all kinds of imagery. I don’t know how Mr deep pockets is going…

Repost from two years ago. Video after the jump

This is supposed to be the Ministry of the Economy building in Mexico City. It’s kind of hard to tell from this screen capture, but those supports have transition on both sides that meet in a point. Read John Aguilar says this super tight spot used to be sessioned back in the 80’s and early 90’s before there was a fence surrounding it. You can get a sense of it if you go to Google Maps and choose the street view, escept for that damned delivery truck that’s in the way at the crucial moment. I tried doing an image search for the building but came up empty handed, at least in English.

Two bits of reader mail, both from people with the intellect of a 12 year old, only one is actually from a kid and one is an adult. First up, this cartoon from Patrick, whom I think might be Grover’s nephew. The second allegedly comes from the holder of U.S. patent #5161810. For some reason he thinks I design and/or manufacture iceboards. He had this to say: Yo Wats up with you dis-n my iceskateboard! You should first know what the heck you are talking about before you comment negatively on another design. Or at least learn how to read a patent and understand mechanisms (oh thats right I forgot, you only like the pictures). These trucks are not at all like Stoker trucks, and they in no way behave like them either. Of course, I could tell you the differences, but why bother. I made ice blades similar to yours before I made mine, And I can guarantee that your design is lame during turns comparatively. John DeCesare Craftek Design LLC PS. you suk at photoshop What’s he talking about? I compared iceboard technologies and mentioned that his 1992 patent had trucks that were reminiscent of Stroker trucks. I…

Sorry hipsters, your dad was the original hipster and he was killing it back in the day. From the web site Dads: The Original Hipsters. Follow the link to get the scoop. It’s pretty funny, but even better in the context of the whole web site. – Thanks to Greg Baller for the tip.

Above Coping Benefit skate Jam on Friday April 22nd at Ripzu in Vancouver. Official start time is 7pm. Show up and skate, maybe walk away with some schwag, and help out a good cause.

Design Boom has pictures of a sports complex in Podcetrtek, Slovenia. Even if it didn’t have some great looking banks on the outside, it’s worth checking out for it’s non-skateable architecture. Why is so much architecture in the U.S. so boring? – Thanks to Urban Kravos for the tip

I got an envelope from Born Ugly with issue number nine and a Snakebeast comic from contributor James Callahan, courtesy of his collaboration with Carhartt, who has also released some Snakebeast decks, one that looks like it came straight out of Aaron Murray’s quiver. If you love Born Ugly, you won’t be disappointed with issue 9. As for Snakebeast, I gotta say I wasn’t into it at first but I about midway through it I started coming around. By the time it was over I wanted more. It’s short one and only a one off I believe. Maybe it will stoke James to make it a series. Check out the decks after the jump.

I thought Maple XO’s IPhone cases were the pinnacle in recycled skateboard chic, but I have to say these glass frames by brothers Baptiste and Gianni Vuerich are the new winners. I’d wear these if I could afford them. No idea how much they cost, but they have to be expensive. I found them while tracing down a tip from Michel Skart Poulin on a coat hanger these guys made. I kept trying to find a web site for these guys, and running across other items they made. The Vuerich’s are some talented mofo’s but they don’t seem to be able to hold down a web site.