I can’ get enough of these Cold War era Russian skateboards. Here’s a board from 1986 courtesy of a cat named Jah Fish of Facebook. Translated text says the price was 26 Rubles, or about $34 possibly, according to some speculation found in various discussion on the internet. It’s impossible to say because you could not legally trade Rubles for dollars then. I have no idea what the buying power of 26 Rubles would be other than this skateboard. I’ve seen sources claim average monthly income in Russia would have been anywhere from 190 to 266 Rubles, so this skateboard would have cost about 12% – 14% of that.

These aren’t the first Devo skateboards, there was a possible bootleg as well as an official model from Globe circa 2008, although I never actually saw them for sale anywhere. It’s all moot now, as we dance the pool to these six new official Devo decks you can pre-order a the official Devo merch site. Five of the boards feature art based on the first 5 album covers I can see omitting Smooth Noodle Maps and even Total Devo but what about Shout! and definitely Something for Everyone? Oh yes, we have to mention the truly devolved Energy Dome model! All the boards feature different top graphics as well. These look great, and they should because they cost $120 (!) each except for the Energy Dome model, which is $150.

Another board from the old Canadian company Dominon. It’s no Rood Dood, but it’s still kind of interesting. This one almost looks like they licensed the likeness of Looney Tunes character The Road Runner. Who knows maybe they did. There’s an artist signature that looks something like T. Pailot or T. Millot, and other small text that could be a copyright, but doesn’t look like it says Warner Brothers. – Thanks to Blis Jo Toen for the pics.

It turns out that The Turf isn’t the only legendary 70’s skatepark being dug up. There’s another park in Glasgow, Scotland known as Kelvin Wheelies (more on that name later) that is scheduled to be unearthed. The BBC reports that Scotland’s first skatepark is going to be dug up by archaeologist, to what end? Even they aren’t sure.

Kape Skateboards is the latest in the long line of alternative skateboard manufacturing techniques. These boards are a combination of fiberglass and recycled ocean plastic, which is super cool. How much of the materials are recycled ocean plastic is hard to tell because the closest the web site comes to being specific is to say that they are “largely” made of recycled plastic sourced from the sea. These things are supposed to feel like wood for the life of the deck without getting spongey. Waterproof too… They only make one size because they are molded and not laminated, so each deck would require a different mold. Curiously, the size they came up with is an 8.25″ wide deck with a 14.13″ wheelbase that is supposed to “fit most skaters just right.” That’s an odd claim for a board that is likely wider than most kids are riding and probably has a shorter wheelbase. What do I know, I’m still riding the new old stock from my mostly dead skateboard company. You might expect to pay a premium for a long lasting deck that can’t delam and slides like everslick, and you will. It’s about $120 USD, which is the price…

A couple of weeks ago I flew to Colorado Springs for a wedding. There are plenty of proper spots to skate in Colorado, none of which I saw during my short allotted time there. I did see an interesting banked curb setup in Colorado Springs, and street skating in Manitou Springs.

The age old tale… The session looks good, the concrete has dried and cured but the park is closed until the landscape architects are done with the finishing touches. Enjoy some over-the-fence pics that I took after leaving the soft opening of Parklane a month to the day from today. Is it open now? Head over to Berrydale park in NE Portland and find out. Those are giant sacks filled with something heavy to keep people from skating it. Is it rocks or sand? I don’t know because I stayed behind the fence like a good boy. That bowl looks fun to me, not very deep. Public skateparks are popping up like weeds in Portland.

Summerboard, the board with extra caster wheels, skyhooks, motors, and batteries! The only thing missing is a speaker! ( I’ll stick with my Soundboard, thanks. ) I know you’re thinking “This thing probably weighs a ton. I hope it costs a lot.” Don’t worry, they have models starting at $899 and $1699! Oh no, those base models don’t come with skyhooks, “Freshies” or “Launch Pads.” Thankfully, they’ve got packages that range from $1799 to $1899, as well as financing. Success!

From Surfin’ Turf to Bell E. Buttons, to The Turf, to buried, to resurrected and buried again, to dug up and re-poured. The Turf is now open again! This areal shot is from drone footage circulated by the Mayor of Greenfield Wisconsin, Michael Neitzke, who was instrumental in making this momentous occasion move from just a dream to a reality. Midwesterners of the 80’s and skaters of today, rejoice!

I went to the soft opening of a brand new Parklane skatepark in Portland Oregon with a bunch of old men, all of them better skaters than me, one of them probably better than you.