Apparently, the Discovery Channel did a short feature on the downhill longboard scene in Canada, more specifically, the Rayne Longboards team and operation. I tried to find out some information on the context of the piece (what show was it on?) but the web site was mum. But they do sell a pintail longboard for some reason. That and those twisty boards. They would also like to recommend a jumping skateboard, or a Flowboard alternative skateboard. Turns out they’ll sell you anything but an actual, regulation length skateboard. Sorry, I got distracted. Watch the video for Discovery Channel’s take on downhill, including some extended Coleman slide action in the rain. Cliff needs to work on that web site. – Oh yeah, thanks to Skategeezer for the tip.

Not sure how I feel about this one. Although one of the twelve nominations, the skateboard was not one of the 2007 inductees to the National Toy Hall of Fame (Housed at Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, NY). This year’s winners are the Atari 2600 Game System, Raggedy Andy, and the Kite. Roller skates, and by extension, inline skates are already members, and so is the bicycle. Raggedy Anne was already in the Hall of Fame. Did you know the Hall used to be in Salem, Oregon? Yeah, me either. Dr. Brad, this G.I. Joe is for you! [Source: Priced Nostalgia – pissed that My Little Pony didn’t get in! ]

It’s that time of the week again, making up for lost time and pushing the envelope of freshness dating. The Los Angeles Times has a nice historical piece on the Signal Hill Speed Run that has a lot of interesting tidbits of information. For instance, I had read that one year a previously non-skating longshoreman showed up to enter, but I wasn’t aware that he blew off his daughter’s baptism to compete. This article also goes into more detail on some of the hair raising crashes that took place. The amount of mayhem that took place is pretty amazing. In today’s litigation heavy insurance risk climate, that race wouldn’t have made it past the second run of the first year. Yes, this is skateboarding. The picture on the left is John Hutson from Thrasher Magazine of January 1981. The shot of Hutson was actually taken at a different race on the Laguna Seca road racing course in 1980, (Signal Hill officially ended in ’79) Hutson was a first place finisher at both. The shot on the right was poached from Vetter design. Check out the L.A. Times article Board out of their minds. Free registration may be required. [Source: SkateDaily]

Appearing as Corey Webster: Sebastian Stigar. As Chrissy: Ida Elise Broch. As Hook: Espen Klouman Høiner Yeah, I looked up that “ø” code, although he looks more like a James Spader in Pretty in Pink than he does like Hook in Thrashin. What’s the point? Oh yeah, some Swedes Norwegians have remade Thrashin into a snowboarding movie. The hero of the movie is a hotshot skater who moves to the mountains where nobody skates, so he has to take up snowboarding to fit in. Then he falls in love with the village badass’ girlfriend, who beats him up. Wait, the village tough guy beats him up, not the girl. Actually, this is sounding more and more like Better Off Dead. I don’t know what kind of crazy aspect ratio this film was shot in, but the trailer seems really wide. It helps with the skate stunt double since they never show him from kneecaps up. Hey, want to fit in at your school? A good way to blend in with crowd and not draw any undue attention to yourself is to skate through the hallways at school busting kickflips. This may be just another one of those sports genre Romeo…

I love it when science fiction type technology becomes real, and so do you. A cheeky brit (uses the F-word in interviews!) has invented a polymer foam that is flexible until the molecules are excited, and then it get harder faster than a 13 year old boy slow dancing. So far it’s already in use in some sports equipment like shin guards and goalie gloves for soccer. Quiksilver has reportedly made a beanie with the material, called 3do foam, although a web search of the site reveals nothing. (Update: Here’s a buy link, but 6500 Euro is $9,595. That can’t be right. ) Globe shoes has an exclusive action sports footwear license for the material, and is said to be using it for absorbing heal impact without sacrificing flexibility. It sounds like an amazing breakthrough for street skaters, and even bowl riders who have been known to get a bruised heal. Suddenly, knee and hip pads can be totally unobtrusive as well. The foam only works where it is up against a somewhat rigid surface, so it won’t protect you against getting a board to the nuts. Now if they can just get this technology into trucker hats and hoodies,…

In solidarity with the striking writers, all the adorable animals on the Internet are going on strike. From Colbert Report writers Frank Lesser and Rob Dubbin.

Films by skateboarders. www.underskatement.com Portland, OR December 8th 7 p.m – All ages / 9:00 p.m. – 21 and over Clinton Street Theater – 2522 SE Clinton St. After party at DOTS cafe 2521 SE Clinton St. 21 and over. Seattle, WA December 12th 7 – All ages / 9:30 – 21 and over Central Cinema – 1411 21st Ave. Vancouver, B.C. December 15th 2:30 Pacific Cinematheque – 1131 Howe St.

I love iStockphoto. I’ve even purchased a couple of pictures for use on Skate and Annoy, non skateboarding pictures, mind you. The big picture on the left came up on a Google alert today, and all it said was “Extreme Skateboarding,” so I had to check. A cursory search for other “Extreme Skateboarding” images brought up 44 inages total, a couple of which were also funny. Funny in that they aren’t very, well, you know, Extreme!™ There’s standing guy on the top right, and my favorite, a kid doing a slide of sorts with his hands planted. In thumbnail view it just looks like an eviscerated torso.. Hold on, that’s not right. The torso is missing, so it’s just a couple of legs and an ass on a skateboard. Wait, the photog has labeled it Headless Skateboarder. Gawd, what a great post I just made.

I kept hearing that Dave Chapelle skated, but I never saw it. Now I have, sort of. Looks like he’s more of a street skater, but someone at RYE Airfield got him on the vert ramp. – Thanks to Chip Jones for the tip.

New issue of This is Fly is out. Another skateboarding connection-coincidence? Issue five includes the video Fish Tales inspired by a Jeremy Fish fish shaped board from Element. Crazy urban fishing highjinks and a little skateboarding.