Annette’s got the hits, and EPM has the park slalom coverage, as well as links to more coverage. First off, I’m surprised that the city of Aumsville agreed to host another contest. Perhaps there is a new administration in this notoriously skater-unfriendly town. Skater-unfriendly? How could that be when practically the only thing in that town is the skatepark? I think they got more than whatthey bargained for. They probably thought they were getting a playground instead of a world class skatepark that attracts traveling skaters. They have been hostile and inflexible towards competitions in the past, ultimately rejecting the Trifecta after two years. Not to mention the predatory behavior of local law enforcement towards visitors from out of town. I actually haven’t been to Aumsville in a long time, but just thinking about it makes me smile. It’s a really fun park. Aumsville locals, how is the surface holding up? i’ve heard it is getting pitted. Aumsville public servants, protect your investment! Star sealing that park annualy before it’s too late. Second point of interest: What is the social hierarchy in slalom skaters? Do the regular slalom skaters dismiss park slalom as a gimmick or fad? Do park slalom skaters think conventional slalom is for Barneys?

Team Pain sent in a few pics of the Englewood Florida skatepark that is under construction. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because we covered it in January when a woman donated 200k to the mysterious project. I say mysterious because the only web presence for the city seems to be owned by a newspaper conglomerate that publishes for several small towns in the area. There is vague, limited information about the community. If I lived there I would find it kind of disturbing to have my town’s official news dissemination in the hands of a private company. But I’m getting way off track here. There are more pics and enlargements after the jump.

OK. Time to clear up a few things from yesterday’s post about the progress of Vancouver Washington’s Pacific Community Park Extreme Sports Park. I was totally off base on the BMX track. Somehow I got it in my head that there was going to be a dirt track for BMX at the Pacific Community Park Extreme Sports Park. That is not the case, and BMX will be allowed on the concrete. Before you start complaining you should know that according to the Parks Communications Specialist, the turnout of BMX riders at the public meetings significantly outnumbered that of skaters, especially in the early planning and design phases. Although the whole complex will not open until 2008, they are going to open the skatepark section after it is finished, and the street course is scheduled to open at the same time as the bowl. More information, including the projected opening date and a sneak peek at what phase 2 might look like after the jump.

On the way home from the Battle Ground grand opening we decided to check out the progress of the Vancouver Washington skate park. Looks like we weren’t the only ones with that idea. Follow the link for way too many pictures of the construction site. Looks like they are holding out on pouring the flat. Or if you just want to see the incredible street course, you can skip ahead. Battle Ground pics coming tomorrow.

Innes Clothing and Black Label Skateboards is teaming up to roll the Innes RV up the I-5 corridor for some in-store “Meet and Greets” and to skate all the sweet buttery spots they can locate. Skaters confirmed are:
Chris Troy
Shuriken Shannon
Peter Raffin
Steve Reeves
Donovan Rice
Shaun Gregoire
Woody Butwolski (Aussie)
And a few suprises along the way. TWS is going to run some coverage, but I’ll be there too, so it’ll be a double whammy.

TIMES TBA! CALL THE SHOPS LISTED FOR MORE INFORMATION!
July 12th Jacks Boardshop in Medford OR
July 13th ValleySSS in McMinnville OR, EXIT (Bridgeport Mall) and Skate Legion in Milwaulkie OR
July 14th PlanZ in Kelso WA, IandI Boardshop in Olympia WA, SkateBarn in Renton WA.
July 15th Drive Day to Boise Id.
July 16th The Boardroom in Boise Id

Jake Feranti (No relation to Ferrante and Teicher) sent in some pictures of an no defunct ramp built in a condemned house, which may I say is an excellent idea, provided the house isn’t condemned for asbestos or black mold. Look closely and you’ll see duct tape on the ramp, which was originally garbage picked. It just goes to show that there are small scenes hiding out all over the place. Keep your eyes open and your thinking cap on.

So the doctor returns with some new insight about a local skate park the people who ride it and the government, who would of thunk he was so smart. He is truly insightful listen to him. Peace off.

Revolution in Nicaragua! Nicaragua now has it’s first transition in a skatepark thanks to Nathan Curry and his team.

The quarter pipe was the focus of all the skaters’ attention and it was great to see all the guys throwing themselves at it trying to figure it out. After all, it’s the first transition that most of them have ever ridden. Needless to say, I had to answer a lot of questions about how to do axle stalls and rock-n-rolls. It was great!

Stefan from Placed to Ride sent in a couple pics of the newly finished skatepark in Seaside Oregon. The grand opening is June 9th. This one kind of slipped in under the radar. We are spoiled here in the Pacific Northwest. But not spoiled enough I say! There should be more pics on the PTR site tonight. That Sunset Empire park district sign looks like it belongs outside a church parking lot.