A Flex-trol skateboard, apparently the first one on the Interwebs, as I couldn’t find a single image of one anywhere. I’m guessing the name is combination of “flex” and “control.” Yeah I know, wild guess.

This skateboard is fitted with a tension and torque control bar. The trucks are held at a fixed distance by the bar and as result:

1. Has a sharp turning radius. It takes less lean to do a turn.
2. Fewer skid-outs. The control bar tends to keep all 4 wheels on the ground during maneuvers.
3. Board flex is controlled. As the flex increases, the board stiffens. This eliminates any “mushy” feel.

Manufactured by the good folks at A.E. & Co out of Tarzana, Ca. I’m tempted to look it up and see if that patent ever got awarded. List of possible subtitles for this post:

It takes less lean to do a turn.
Fewer skid-outs
As the flex increases, the board stiffens?

Danimal picked this up recently at a Good Will!

Here’s a eulogy for Brooklyn Street Skate Spot, no words, just photos from some of the last sessions. As I write this, I don’t think the actual demolition has begun yet. Fence hopping is a reality. Thanks to Shawn Reinert for the photos.

This is snake run is the first pour from Dreamland Skateparks at work in Eugene, Oregon. I’m not exactly sure if the entire park is already funded, but Skaters for Eugene Skateparks managed to raise $57,000, and look, work has begun! Additional shot after the jump.

– Thanks to Sarib Khalsa for the pics.

Brooklyn Street Skate Spot being sessioned as the demolition fences go up. It’s too late now… Quick vid after the jump. [Photo: Shawn Reinert]

Sam Abbot designed and modeled this skateboard deck. He printed one in three pieces (too big for his printer) and fit it together with a dowel system and some epoxy. He’s the first to admit that it’s not super sturdy. Sure, it’s nothing more than a novelty right now, but there are some things you should do, just because you can.

Off Camera has quite a lengthy interview with Stacy Peralta that you can read, watch or listen to. Best quote: “A professional, unprofessional activity.” You might think there’s no need to hear the story of Stacy Peralta, as told by Stacy himself again, but the interview extends beyond most of what you may already know. Stacy talks about his personal life outside the realm of being known as a skateboarder as well as some interesting insight into the distribution of independent media. After reading a little bit it becomes apparent that photographer/director Sam Jones is/was a skateboarder, so the interview starts from an informed place, even though the introduction is a little bit of a stiff retread.

UPDATE: Back in issue 6 there’s an interview with Tony Hawk too.

I love the packaging from 70’s era skateboard parts. These parts are shrink-wrapped on a display card for hanging up on pegboard hooks, as if you could go to your local grocery or toy store and pick up a few items for your skateboard. Check out some goods from GT, aka Grentec Leisure Products.

Brooklyn Street Skate Spot has known since inception that it’s days were numbered. Even when it went from a renegade pour to an officially permitted project (in a very short time) The Portland to Milwaukee (Oregon) Light rail project was always looming in the murky, but not too distant future. To make room for the expanded rail commuter service connecting Portland to the suburbs, the property on either side of the rails  is expanding, and the pedestrian bridge has to come down. You might be able to fight a road, but you can’t fight the railroad. This means BSSS will be destroyed in the process. In talks with the city and construction company, tentative plans allowed for only partial destruction of BSSS during the removal of the pedestrian bridge. Unfortunately, circumstances have changed.

[Photo: Pete Lewis]