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.

Slingz and the Sk8rstrap are two brands of strap that are designed to help you carry your skateboard instead of ride it. Slingz is more of a professional operation, with a somewhat professional looking website, while Sk8rstrap is pure amateur hour. Slingz has some funny videos, kids strapping on the skateboard inside just long enough to brush some teeth, run downstairs and walk out the front door to skate in the driveway. I think they advertised in Concrete Wave once or twice. Sk8rstrap doesn’t have much of a website. They’ve also got one of the most convoluted and arcane e-commerce setups. I dare you to try and figure out how to buy one. Note: I’m not daring you to actually buy one, just try and figure out how to do it. They’ve been in business since 2007 if you believe the copyright on the web site. Skateboard accessories… you can’t beat ’em with a, uhm, strap.

The alleged Gleaming the Cube prop that sold on eBay was a hit, so if you missed out on that you don’t have to blast a dookie, just head on over to Overstock.com where you can buy a shirt for $18.99, which doesn’t seem like much of a deal, especially since they sell for $15.99 over at the vendor’s site, Defuncte.es. Even with shipping it still comes out a couple bucks ahead. They also make one with the Rad logo from the BMX movie. – Thanks to Andrew Wahl for the tip.

Skate Dog Studios makes dog bowl holders out of skateboards. $75 isn’t that bad if you consider these are new boards and not used ones. Still though, it’s just a skateboard, four legs and two holes. And the bowls. Actually, that’s a good deal, except that some things just don’t need to be made out of skateboards. Maybe that’s just me, my kitchen is just too small. – Thanks to Matthijs for the tip

This a pretty cool shirt available over at The Quiet Life, which is something that Andy Mueller started in the late 90’s. You may know him from such art directing endeavors as Girl Skateboards and Lakai Footwear, but around our house he’s known as the guy who never paid rent when he lived in a house with my wife while in college.

Maker Carry Goods makes errr…. goods out of wood, metal, leather and canvas. There’s the usual fare like wallets, European carry-alls (like Grover used to rock) and assorted bags, but then again there are metal hooks, stools and skateboards with leather riser pads. These could be huge in the metal community. I kind of like those riser pads actually, I just don’t want to buy a skateboard to get a set. – Thanks to MC for the tip.

Skateboards made from recycled wood? Cheaper but still guaranteed? Yes. Shop logos and donations to DIY spots? Yes. Sound to good to be true? How is the recycled wood used, and how much of the board is recycled? No details whatsoever, so it’s hard to evaluate. However, the lack of information is usually telling. If it actually works, I’m for it. Has anyone out there rode one of these Real Renewal boards?

People keep trying to innovate trucks these days, but you rarely see anything that makes the accompanying wackiness worthwhile. These Alpha Skateboard Tucks are pretty standard fare for the most part. The big marketing point is the screws on the side that you can use to set a maximum tilt point in order to prevent wheelbite. That’s all well and good, maybe it works, but honestly, wheelbite isn’t a big deal, is it? They do love to go on and on about geometry and stability. They have an interesting theory about riding a low truck with extra risers being a better option for those that prefer high truck. The one thing they have innovated that stands out is the placement of the mounting holes. It’s such a simple idea I can’t believe nobody has done it. Instead of leaving the new school mounting pattern offset towards kingpins, they center them in the standard footprint of the baseplate. Of course, this makes the wheelbase of any given board shorter than the same board with standard trucks. The upside is a potentially stronger baseplate and lighter too, if you cut off the corners. So… it’s interesting at least. They’ve also got a…

Not exactly hot off the presses, but I’ve got a day job, a couple of kids, a skateboard company, a yard that needs mowing and a house that is falling apart. When I first saw these Element branded portable skate obstacles (AKA Drop Spots) my first reaction was “I wonder how Freshpark feels about this?” Well it turns out they probably feel pretty good since they are the ones manufacturing it. I’ve never actually set foot on a Freshpark ramp, they seem like they are built for a lighter (Err. uhm, younger?) audience than me. These Element branded obstacles seem to be sturdier in appearance. Maybe it’s the fact that some of the obstacles have been raised one order of magnitude (Like the rainbow rail and the pole jam) or maybe it’s just the red paint. Lazy good for nothing kids. Back when I was a kid, a portable ramp weighed 100 pounds and took tow skateboards to roll, and.. uh, well.. I’d like to get ahold of one of those little kickers. – Thanks to Eric Cherry for the tip.

But not the bad kind, like Joanie Loves Chachi, the good kind like… Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law. Grojack Industries is a joint venture from GVK and MC, and they’ve got a sharp looking first offering in the Roller Derby vein of 60’s era flatland competitions. Check out the official Errand Boy skateboard.