skaters.com

And so we say goodbye to autumn and hello to winter — this means that it’s time, too, for the renowned Rockefeller Center in New York City to open its doors and welcome the skaters.

Not really.

On Saturday, the 22-acre center officially started its run for the season, so to speak, but there were still revelers at Coney Island. That meant that not everyone was really busy dusting off their ice skates and testing the huge space in Manhattan. No one can blame them, that’s for sure — the temperature was more like autumn still and had none of the makings of winter.

“I have a swimsuit in my bag just in case,” joked ice rink guard Manny Bedigan, 28.

“Obviously the weather is unbelievably warm, but it makes sense for New York. New York does its own thing and so does the weather - and why not the skaters?”

Why not the skaters indeed - as people from virtually all walks of life still managed to hobble their way to the famous rink — photos of which, by the way, can be found HERE. Some even expressed their joy that they did not need to bring their huge sweaters and wear their heavy (and, more often than not, unflattering) winter clothes.

“I never miss the first day. As long as the ice is frozen, I’ll be here,” said 35 year old Kate Hollanda, 35. “It’s actually nice to be skating without all the paraphernalia. It’s hard to skate with a big sweatshirt,” she added. “It’s nice to be on the ice because there’s a cold breeze coming off, it’s a nice way to stay cool out on a hot day.”

Stubborn New Yorkers who instead opted to go to the beach thought otherwise. “It’s warm, it feels like summer, the water’s really nice,” said 10-year old Victoria Vortman, who ran in and out of the Coney Island surf

“It feels like summer - I don’t want to go to school.” Yup she said too much.

Nonetheless, we’re sure you guys can’t wait to go and show off your top form on the ice. There may not be any ramps for you to showcase your always-perfect half-pipe but hey, you do need to be one with the amateurs sometimes

Not bad, eh? Considering that there are still quite a number of towns and cities that still stand firm on their ground that they’re better off without skate parks — which reminds me of this entry a few years ago. Indeed, so much has changed.

With this new development, skaters from nearby areas or even from the town itself need not travel just to test their equipment…or even their existing equipment, for that matter. (Can you imagine people traveling to another city just to skate?) Plus they need not risk using the railings at the Illinois State University.

Things are truly gonna get easier for skate fanatics!

According to news reports about this development: “The upgrade will include a new surface, grind rails, a skate bench, a bank-to-bank, a mini half-pipe with bank hip, a launch box and quarter-pipes. Four old pieces also will remain…Dozens of Twin City skateboarders were asked to help choose the equipment for the park upgrade and also helped design the layout.”

(Hey guys I hope you chose the best equipment there is! Tell us you suggested the mini ramp, please! :D)

Normal Parks and Recreation Department Assistant Director Doug Wiggs said that they initially had three versions. At the first of three meetings, the teens were asked what they liked and didn’t like and what was missing from the plan. Then, as soon as the revised plan was drafted, the “consulting committee” (doesn’t it sound better than “just a bunch of random skaters”? ) then went to the existing skate park, which has now been a victim of wear and tear. A request for the purchase of everything that’ll be needed for the new skate park will be lodged before the City Council on the 15th of this month and as soon as it gets the nod of approval from solons, the equipment will be ordered and the resurfacing will begin.

Ah, we smell something really, really good here!

We’re pretty sure other people from other towns will BE the ones who’ll visit Fairview to test their skating skills!

This is yet another reason why graffiti and skates don’t mix well together - SOMETIMES.

A Glen Ellyn skate park is being shut down early because of “substantial” and repeated vandalism - much to the dismay of a lot of skaters in the area.

This is, of course, sad news.

Reports say that sometime between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, unknown individuals vandalized the said park, which opened in 2002, by spray painting vulgar comments across the ramps at Newton Park. The spray painting incident is the third in recent months.

Surveillance cameras will soon be installed because of the incident and the park will be closed.

“Unfortunately, it’s not fair to the kids that are using the park in the proper manner,” Superintendent of Parks Dave Scarmardo said.

“You get a few bad ones and it hurts the good residents, but we’re just not going to allow this kind of behavior at the skate park.”

A spray painting incident, which happened last month at the same park, cost the town $6,000 just for clean-up. The park was also closed for three weeks for repairs.

Which makes me think — can’t skate parks exist without vandalism? (And by vandalism I mean vulgar words and comments)

Do these two really have to go together?

While I applaud all graffiti artists who so want to share their talents with the public (and for free!), shouldn’t there be an appropriate time and place for them to showcase their skills? Does one really have to resort to doing things that could only affect everyone in the end?

The said sportsman is set to make a record-breaking bid: to skate from Venice to Beijing along the old Silk Road.

The 5-month long trip will begin early next year and will reintroduce the said road as well as Iran’s other natural and historical sites as the oldest Asian civilization and historical works.

It’ll be quite an impressive trip for sure.

Ebrahim-Zadeh has actually traveled twice across Iran. The first time, he traveled 2,750 kilometers during 37 days last year. Meanwhile, during his second try, he was able to cover 4,000 kilometers in 80 days. How’s that for a feat?

His record-breaking Venice to Beijing tour next year will pass through so many countries including Turkey, Russia, Kashmir, India , Mongolia as well as China.

Let’s just hope Ebrahim-Zadeh receives all the possible support for his bid — financial, mental, emotional and spiritual support. After all, this skating trip won’t just be his own triumph — it’s a triumph for all mankind.

Our man Tony Hawk’s “Proving Ground” really IS gaining ground, much the happiness and excitement of skaters and game aficionados all over the world.

Are you as excited as I am???

Nobody can blame you, buddy. In fact, even the skate photo exhibition in line with the video game launch is something to look forward to.

Activision’s hosting a photo exhibit dubbed “The Art of Skateboarding” at the Second Space Gallery from Monday, October 29, to November 2 (I wonder why the exhibition will only run for a FEW days? Shouldn’t they allot at least like a week or somethin’?)

Anyway, there will be a lot of photos courtesy of fashion photog and skateboarder Tony Taglianetti. So if you’re interested to know the behind-the-scenes stories and snapshots of London-based skateboarders and their fancy tricks, the exhibit’s the place to be.

“Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground lets players choose their own path as a skater, so that they can tell the world who they are,” commented Gary Sims, Brand Manager, Activision.

“This art exhibition will take that concept and bring it to life outside of the game, allowing skaters to tell their own story for the first time. It’s not often that games and art come together in any meaningful way, so we’re particularly excited about this project.”

Just by the sound of THAT, you can’t help but plan your itinerary and head on down to London.

To our Brit friends - holler!

If you guys are going, do send us photos, will ya? The gallery’s located at 117 Redchurch Street, London.

Meanwhile, I still have a few days to save up for Tony Hawk’s new game. It’ll be out November 2 for Xbox, Wii, Playstation, among others.

Canada’s flying real high these days especially in the world of sports. Proof of this is the recent victory of Francois-Louis Tremblay of Montreal, Canada at the men’s 500 meter short track speed skating World Cup Sunday.

Tremblay, a pro speed skater who also got a bronze in the men’s 1000, snatched the gold. His win also added to his country’s six-medal haul over the weekend.

The guy managed a very impressive 41.492 second run. The runner up, Si-Bak Sun of South Korea, came in second with 41.566 and national team rookie Alex Boisvert-Lacroix of Sherbrooke, Quebec came in third with 41.743.

Talk about REAL need for speed, eh?

“My strength is my speed but I added this new skating line I’ve been working on to make sure the others didn’t pass me no matter how close they got,” said Tremblay.

“It’s nice to see new techniques come through for you in competition. It shows we are continuing to improve.”

Yup, continue to improve fo’ sho!

South Korea managed to defeat Canada in the men’s 5,000 meter relay, though — a pretty good feat as well especially since the Asian team clocked 6:55.504 as opposed to Canada’s 6:55.834. Italy was third in 7:02.843.

“We knew the Koreans would be our top opponent and we prepared ourselves to be in good position for my final two laps,” said Tremblay.

“But I simply couldn’t reel them in. Korea is consistently strong in this event so we have a challenge on our hands to catch them.”

Which is good, my man. Challenges make all of us better competitors.

I must admit, it’s really good to see all these exciting things happening in the world of speed skating. Only shows the world of sports is alive and kicking. Now if only all of us sports fans should just focus on clean and honest sportsmanship.

Hey, if you’re in Japan, consider yourself lucky as the second stop on the World Cup runs Friday to Sunday in Kobe.

News items like this can truly make any skater’s day.

Midvale, Salt Lake, Utah is preparing for a new skate park in the said county’s Copperview Recreation Center. Located at 8446 S. Harrison St. (300 West), the skate park is sure to serve as a mecca for all skating aficionados in the area.

Salt Lake County and Midvale Mayor JoAnn Seghini are reportedly going to lead the groundbreaking ceremonies, which will happen today at 11 in the morning.

It will still roughly be a 7-month wait, though, since the skate park may only be finished by April 2008. However, it will truly be worth the wait - the skate park will roughly cover 14,000 square feet and will be a street style plaza featuring ledges, bowls and rolling transitions.

Both skating neophytes and intermediate skaters will have a grand time at this $535,000-worth place!

“We listened to our youth and will build the skate park where they wanted it,” county Mayor Peter Corroon said in a statement.

“The skate park will encourage our children to stay active, and [it will] promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.”

Hear ye, hear ye!

In fact, during the release of limited edition Nikes at his store, mile-long lines formed outside his shop.

“We had Pee Wee Herman Dunks, but the [MF] Doom Dunks have by far been the craziest,” said Barkow.

“We had people waiting out at seven in the morning.”

Embassy is located at the Clintonville area in Columbus. It’s by far the only shop that carries the fast-selling Nike SB Dunk line and one of only five shops in the state of Ohio to fit Nike’s criteria for selling the shoes.

Truly a great feat and definitely good news for the skateboarders and the community.

Embassy also has skateboards and other shoe brands like Vans, iPath, DC and other shoe brands. Barkow’s store also carries clothes made by Quicksilver, Mighty Healthy, Habitat, Rogue Status and Diamond.

What’s really cool about news pieces like this is that we see the growing number of skateboarding aficionados all over the world. Despite the existence and continuous development of other games, skateboarders are somehow assured that in the many years to come, their favorite sport will always be there. Good to know as well that the “big guns” like Nike et al continue to come up with footwear, apparel and other stuff needed for skateboarding. Only goes to show that these companies feel confident in the skateboarding community and its potential to pinch in hefty sales and profits.

Now if only Nike and the other “big guns” will send us freebies, eh?

I hear German speed skater Tina Struver is revving up female power in Timaru these days. The professional speed skater is currently training with world champ Nicole Begg.

You guys know what this means! *hint - the female competitors are up for quite a challenge and the boys may soon find themselves awestruck with far better skaters soon!*

Okay, I’m not out to scare ya fellas

Anyhoo, Tina’s routine is apparently done twice a day, six days a week to help improve her speed and stamina.

The 22 year old Halle-based pro is also getting a lot of advice from Nicole’s dad, Bill, one of the world’s top coaches, who as it happens is also in charge of the German team.

Tina, who describes herself as a “workhorse,” made her debut in Nicole’s own SsangYong Jesa Bont World Inline Cup team this year. Unfortunately, Nicole’s season in Europe did not quite go as she planned - she only finished fourth. Still, the fact that she was among the early favorites and is still a force to reckon with in the speed skating world is still quite a feat.

Nicole can also be a great source of inspiration for Tina. In the 2006 Halbergs, Nicole was nominated but missed out as a finalist to Hannah McLean, Farah Palmer, Valerie Vili and Sam Warriner.

“Obviously I don’t think I’ll win as Valerie Vili got the title last year after winning the Commonwealth Games gold and this year she’s won the world championships,” she was quoted as saying.

Speaking of raising one’s own reputation and profile, Nicole next assignment maybe a full bodypaint for the cover of a New Zealand magazine.

Hmm…didn’t I just say that I wasn’t out to scare ya fellas?

Coming up soon: Bluetooth-enabled skateboards!

Dubbed “The Groundsurf”, it is a three-wheel motorized skateboard with a unique selling point - it’s Bluetooth-enabled. That means that this thing of beauty can be controlled via mobile phones.

How cool is that?!

Ratleads, the Paris-based company that created this dream for a lot of skaters out there says that the downloadable software will initially be available for HTC phones.

The user can then increase or decrease their speeds by sliding their finger up or down the screen of their phones.

Here’s the catch, though: the Groundsurf retails for $1,770 to $2,040.

Ouch.

Will you still buy one, though?

What do you get when you mix Hollywood actor Stephen Baldwin (yup, of the famous Baldwin brothers) and six-time Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum selling rock band P.O.D. (“Alive”, “Boom” and “Youth of the Nation”) together for one whole day?

Well - you get nothing but one fun AsSALT Tour! The event, which will be held on December 15, 2007, will take place at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, Arizona.

According to the event’s press release, “The AsSALT Tour is a free, radical, action sports event that will pierce the darkened hearts of today’s hard to reach youth with the truth about God. This venture, a part of Baldwin’s Global Breakthrough Ministry will reach the youth through a means that they understand – extreme sports.”

Sports + religion + a bit of Hollywood + rock music from most, if not all, skaters’ favorite band and you get everything great and good.

Who’s going?

The tour will feature performances by some of the extreme sports world’s most famous Christian athletes defying the laws of gravity. Performing will be icons such as : Skateboarding legends Christian Hosoi, Lance Mountain and Steve Caballero ; Freestyle BMX - Dew Tour medalist, Mike Mancuso ; Motocross – 2007 X-Games medalist for “Best New Trick”, Kyle Loza ; Element pro skateboarder – Chad Tim Tim ; Birdhouse pro skateboarder – Brian Sumner ; Foundations skateboards pro – Sierra Fellers and many others.

Here are other stuffs to look out for: a $5,000 skate competition, a pre-event custom car show and multi media entertainment that the organizers say would make you on a high up until Christmas.

What does it take for you to be part of this event? Nada. Zilch. Except perhaps for your will and interest to learn all about religion, rock and roll and sports.