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| Q&A: Michael Brooke - Publisher, Concrete Wave Magazine (7141 Posts)
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Girls vs. Boys
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On 8/1/2006
Mike Moore
wrote in from
United States
(69.153.nnn.nnn)
Modern vert skating is partly where it's at, because Tony Hawk was too skinny and unmuscled to skate like the other guys...he took what he had and refined it to MTV Cribs, McDonalds, Bagel Bits, Huck Jam Tours, etc. (please don't start the "sell-out" drama)
It ain't what you got...it's what you do with it.
Other than pure POWER moves...which are what? in skating...there's no reason that a woman, given a level playing field, shouldn't be able to compete with anyone. (by level playing field...I mean start at the same time, given the same support, put in as many hours, etc. etc. EQUAL...NO BREAKS)
Put a plank under Nadia or Olga or someother female gymnast...and push her to excel like gymnastics...there would probably be lots of excuse making men.
F*ck it. Shut up and skate.
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Girls vs. Boys
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On 8/1/2006
Bud
wrote in from
United States
(68.57.nnn.nnn)
A couple of summers ago, I was asked if I would spare some time to work at the local skatepark, as their in-house "skateboard expert/instructor". Why they asked chain-smoking, cussing 'ol me to steer and enlighten the hearts and minds of children, I do not know. And, of course, I'd have to question this whole "expert" bit, as well. But, it was a noble enough of a request- so, In any rate, I put my best foot forward, and gave it a good-natured whirl.
My main job was to show total newbs the basic ropes of our pastime. Now, being that they were all newbs, with virtually no prior experience in skateboarding, I didn't bother to separate out the boys from the girls; I figured, just being newbs put them all on the same page, more or less. Close enough for me, at least.
The only people, oddly enough, that had any real probs with this were some of the girls' moms. They were like, "You mean to tell me that you're making My Princess skate with all these BOYS?!?!" Yeah, that's the plan, alright. Why would that seem so odd? It's not like it's sex-ed or something, it's JUST SKATEBOARDING. Yeesh.
Once that was set straight, everything went quite well. I was quite amazed that, once you put girls on the same level as boys, they all do seem to learn the same things at more or less the same speeds. Some girls excelled verry quickly, as did some of the boys. Others didn't, and that's fine, too. It seemed to me that basic balance skills, and the intellectual ability to grasp some fairly complex physics concepts, were the important prerequisites to quick progression- not so much gender. You learn something new every day, don'tcha?!
The really, really amazing thing was that, gender only played a role in percieved acceptance- like, socially. And, that was the HUGE disparity. Like, all the boys just assumed that skateboarding was their God-given birthright, and they just accepted that as fact, and went with it. The girls were way more worried about, How will my parents react? What will my boyfriend say? Yadda yadda yadda. The girls basically assumed that skateboarding was only for them, IF, and only if, they happened to get good at it. Pure hogwash, I thought. So, I'd ask them, Hey look, do y'wanna skate, or don't you? Yes, or no. Simple as that.
"Yeah! Of course I want to!" They might as well have added, "Or, I wouldn't be here in the first place, now would I, jackass...?"
"Good. Then, go f*n skate, and leave the semantics to someone that cares." And, not a single girl ever quit. Not on my watch, at least.
I say, support all skateboarders, and leave it at that. The little s#@! that doesn't matter is just the little s#@! that doesn't matter.
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male vs. female
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On 7/31/2006 cappy
wrote in from
Germany
(82.83.nnn.nnn)
If there would be no different class for male or female, there would be no trouble.
Everyone starts in the same class, fastest racer, best run/trick wins. Point!
Skateboarding is not a sport about the body or your strength, its what you do with your board and whats happening then!
The skill and level are in every persons own hand, when he does skating (practice).
Just remember, when a young skater comes and ask you for a trick, he can be male or female, he will never do that trick like you do it or nail it first time (well sometimes it happens ;) ).
He have to do it its own way, a human with many muscles dont have to pump that slalom board much, or kick that ollie much.
A human with less muscles have to pump more, kick more etc. . The same goes for height, weight etc.
Humans are different. So is skateboarding.
You can only put them in one class or you have to put them in many many classes!
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Re: Rain
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On 7/31/2006
Sumdumsurfer
wrote in from
United States
(71.107.nnn.nnn)
Correction: The word "rain" in the third sentence should've read "wind."
Carry on.
SK8/SURF 4 LIFE!
Sumdumsurfer
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Re: Skating In The Rain = GOOD!
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On 7/30/2006
Sumdumsurfer
wrote in from
United States
(71.107.nnn.nnn)
Skating in the rain is very much like surfing in the rain. Except with skating, the presence of wind isn't a bother. Whereas surfing during rainy weather without rain is pure bliss. Why? Well... no one's out there, you're all alone. It's very quiet, except for the sound of raindrops hitting the water's surface. The only bummer about skating in the rain, however, is doing so at the skateparks. Wheels need to grip on dry 'crete in order to have fun. But, skating the streets, banks, and ditches is quite FUN! I have a board setup strictly for rain skating. Sliding on mellow hills and flat streets in the rain also makes for some good times. Of course, like surfing, people's reactions are great:
"Mark, why are you going surfing? It's raining."
"Well, surfing is done in the water. Rain is water."
"Mark, why are you going skatin? It's raining."
"Please show me the rule book that states where I can't skate in the rain, and I'll gladly quit. Kindly pardon me... for I'm off to skate. It's pouring, now."
Steve C. posted:
"Who likes to skate in the rain? I am getting ready to go out and bomb through downtown a bunch of times. All the roads are blocked off. There is a storm coming. So who likes skating in the rain and why? I like to go fast when it starts raining hard. Rain? Good or Bad?"
SK8/SURF 4 LIFE!
Sumdumsurfer
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everyone feel better
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On 7/30/2006 a.cat
wrote in from
United States
(68.49.nnn.nnn)
uh, only those in professional skateboarding are allowed an opinion??...sounds like the taliban.
If this silly talk inspired someone to throw big money, glad to do my part.
Now I gotta go. Feel like dragging my girlfriend around by her hair.
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Soul!
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On 7/30/2006
cad
wrote in from
United States
(206.135.nnn.nnn)
skateboarding is supose to be fun?
I thought?
Q & A:
what 1970s (late like 1975-79) had a team?
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good for the Soul Bowl
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On 7/30/2006
Michael Brooke
wrote in from
Canada
(65.94.nnn.nnn)
Good that the Soul Bowl did this.
Perhaps it will encourage ESPN to follow suit.
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Girls and Money
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On 7/29/2006
Dafney (Andy)
wrote in from
United States
(71.108.nnn.nnn)
Here is the $ breakdown for this weekends Soul-Bowl pro vert contest.
As you can see, 13 yr old little girls will be making the same amount of money as seasoned verterans like Mountain, Grosso, Schroeder and Magnusson. These same little girls will be making more money then the forefathers of vert with the likes of D.P., Hackett, Hiromoto, Kasai, Duncan, Grisham, Salba, Malba.
Pros:xxxxMasters & Girls:xxGrandmasters: $7,000
1.$3600__1.$2600___________1.$2400
2.$2400__2.$1500___________2.$1200
3.$1500__3.$1000___________3.$800
4.$800___4.$700____________4.$550
5.$500___5.$400____________5.$350
6.$400___6.$300____________6.$200
7.$200___7.$100____________7.$100
8.$200___8.$100____________8.$100
9.$100___9.$100____________9.$100
10.$100_10.$100___________10.$100
11.$100_11.$50____________11.$50
12.$100_12.$50____________12.$50
This would not have been possible without the help of a bunch of guys that have no part of professional skateboarding whining about something they know nothing about on a message forum.
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Skating in the rain.....
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On 7/28/2006
Steve C
wrote in from
United States
(71.32.nnn.nnn)
Who likes to skate in the rain? I am getting ready to go out and bomb through downtown a bunch of times. All the roads are blocked off. There is a storm coming. So who likes skating in the rain and why? I like to go fast when it starts raining hard. Rain? Good or Bad?
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Fast women
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On 7/28/2006
Yorck
wrote in from
Germany
(84.56.nnn.nnn)
Last week at the IGSA worlds Jolanda from Switzerland beat Werner Bücherl the 2001 worldcup champion in the time trials.
So women can beat real fast guys.
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pervert
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On 7/28/2006 alleykat
wrote in from
United States
(68.49.nnn.nnn)
I don't remember anyone saying anything about seeing a woman racer hanging with the boys. The whole topic was in regards to X-Games vert competition. People will see it as they want.
I think you just wanted to make the "ass in leathers" comment. Not that there's anything wrong with that!
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girls who race as fast as the top guys
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On 7/27/2006
dprice
wrote in from
United States
(68.167.nnn.nnn)
a little late in the discussion here, regarding the statement of the guy who asks to see a girl who can compete with the top male racers...well dude go to europe(or canada) for a downhill race and get smoked by some girls.Betina from swizterland, angelina nobre(sp?) from france, katreen wilkstrom, erica and sandra from sweden.not to mention brianne davis and carly aka midget from BC, canada. they are quite good and beat some guys when they are allowed to race together.
there are a handful of women there who are consistently in the middle of the pack out of a bunch of really fast (male)skaters. if i got beat by a woman in a downhill race, i would be stoked! then i would try and get her phone #...if a chick smoks me in a downhill race, thats hot!, plus i get to see her ass in tight leather!
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Women Slalomers
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On 7/27/2006 Paul Howard
wrote in from
United States
(64.5.nnn.nnn)
Speaking of Lynn Kramer, I was a ahead of her by a good margin in the Tight Slalom(that's my strong card) at Hood River 2006, but she SMOKED me BIG TIME in the Giant Slalom (Judy Oyama was fast too but I don't remember how she finished). On a General slalom course that isn't on the tight side and maybe a little more open bit still technical I'd love to go against Kramer, especially now that she's cut the fat and built up the muscle and has improved her slalom form 100% in the last 2 years. That would be a good race. And for that, I say pay the women better. -Adios, P
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You've got to be kidding me...
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On 7/27/2006
Bud
wrote in from
United States
(68.57.nnn.nnn)
C'mon, man. Does anyone here really think that a huge, uber-conservative corporation is going to do the correct, ethical thing, and actually take a substantial monetary risk in order to take a stand, and show some "leadership" on a pertinent, wide-ranging social issue...?!??!
Dream on, brotha.
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Speaking of wage parity...
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On 7/27/2006
Karl Wagner
wrote in from
United States
(216.191.nnn.nnn)
A few years back I read an article or six about the men talking to the NHLPA about helping them get a fair deal from ESPN and Disney.
PLG's quote from an article in the New York Times kind of says it all:
[quote]"We're getting ripped off by ESPN," Gagnon said. "They're using us to make money for them. At first, I could understand. No one knew who we were. But now we're big enough to get paid a decent amount. All these other sports, they negotiate deals where the talent splits what the network is making, 50 or 60 percent. In skateboarding, we get 1 or 2 percent of that figure." [/quote]
Click here for link
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I think that's what is so maddening
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On 7/27/2006
Michael Brooke
wrote in from
Canada
(67.70.nnn.nnn)
I think that the sun would still come up and the moon still go down even though ESPN increased their prize purse for the females. I also think viewers would still watch if there was a little bit more variety (holy crap, you mean you can actuall MEASURE accurately who a winner is????) and I certainly think the sky WOULD NOT FALL if they showed a few more female skaters.
ESPN is owned by Disney...they have made a FORTUNE off of action sports and an extra 20 or $30,000 would go a huge way to correct what many of us perceive is a pretty big imbalance. I know damn well and you do to that women skaters are not giving 10% out there. Like the men, they are giving 100%.
So, when CB says that she doesn't want parity, but something more than what women are receiving, I think that is more than fair.
Ironically, more people skate because of things like the X Games...but I am sure for years, folks at ESPN debated whether or not to get involved. Sure, there were political issues with the NSA (and that's a whole other story) but the bottom line is that they can take the lead here and demonstrate some leadership again.
The more women who get involved with skateboarding, the better.
And yes, Lynn Kramer is truly amazing...
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CB's quote
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On 7/27/2006
Bud
wrote in from
United States
(68.57.nnn.nnn)
"We don’t want what the guys are getting,” she added. “But we want something respectable..."
Apparently, I'm the only guy that noticed this bit in the article.
In any rate, it seems fair enough to me.
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The Need for Speed!
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On 7/26/2006 David V.
wrote in from
United States
(24.119.nnn.nnn)
For Mr. Chaput or anyone else who cares to field this: My son and I are on a downhill speed kick sort of thing as of late. We are both riding Landyachtz Evos with RII's and Gumballs. Now, while the Gummies are awesome on the hills we are currently bombing, we are curious about stepping up to a larger wheel. Will the 83mm Flywheels provide a noticeable increase in speed over 76mm Gummies or should we go straight to the 90s or 97s. Our bombing runs are relatively straight with only one long sweeping right hand curve and pretty decent asphalt. Thanks in advance for any input gang!
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prize money
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On 7/26/2006
Steve C
wrote in from
United States
(71.32.nnn.nnn)
As far as prize money goes, how big is the female class in these contests in regard to the male. I would imagine that the male class is much larger, more competitive and is just plain more gnarly, technical and dangerous. If the female class is equal to the mens then yes they deserve the same money. But if a guy has to beat 100 other people and the females have to beat 10 why should the money be the same?
I am in no way knocking female skaters, but if they want the same money as the men then they really need to step it up. I realize there are tons of chicks who could out skate me or most of us on here, but in regards to the prize money why should they get the same as the men? Unless they want to compete against the men. If they keep going in their own class there are a bunch of factors that say "no they don't deserve the same money." If they want the big money, step on up and compete in the big money class. In skating there are women like Lynn Kramer stepping up in slalom. There are women racing the men in downhill. But this is not vert. The top vert guys are killing it so far beyond what the females are doing that it is like apples and oranges. When a girl can take a run like Jake Brown, Danny Way, PLG, Bob Gnar or Bucky(to name a few) then I say the prize money should be equal. In fact, they should compete against each other.
Let's look at some other sports: auto racing, golf, dogsledding. These are sports where women who feel they have what it takes are stepping up and taking on the men.
10% is pretty screwy though, maybe more like 50% or 60%,but not equal, unless they want to step up and compete with the men. Especially when the X-gaymes has so much cash to begin with.
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CALGARY RACE AUGUST 26th
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On 7/26/2006
Speedboard and Longboard Association of Calgary
wrote in from
Canada
(24.71.nnn.nnn)
CALGARY RACE AUGUST 26th
2.4km long course 3000 haybaild MAX 250 racers BZZR GARDENS
Prize money TBA on july 31st as well as other details.
There will be a very large Cash prize with money 1st through 8th place, beside the beer gardens from 10am till 10pm there willbe 12 local punk and metal bands playing live music.
SPONSORS NEEDED, VENDOR SPACE AVAILABLE IN THE COP FESTIVAL TENT. FOR MARKETING INFO E-mail speedboard.calgary@gmail.com
THIS RACE Is Being Presented by the SPEEDBOARD AND LONGBOARD ASSOCIATION OF CALGARY A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT CORPORATION DEDICATED TO PROMOTING SPEEDBOARD AND LONGBOARD SAFETY AND EVENTS IN CALGARY AND ALBERTA and ABROAD!
Cheers,
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Teemwork
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On 7/26/2006
Chris Chaput
wrote in from
United States
(66.116.nnn.nnn)
Here is one of those male skating "teems". Not that there's anything wrong with that...
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my, that was fast
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On 7/26/2006 alleykat
wrote in from
United States
(68.49.nnn.nnn)
I was wondering how long it would take for someone to drop LK's name. It just goes to show how lame slalom can be. hahahahaha!!! Just kidding, unknot your panties. I loved watching Lynn kill it at La Costa in 2004. If she can beat 'em and take their money, I'll be the first to cheer.
No offense, but somehow slalom, fast or slow, doesn't seem nearly as difficult as riding a half pipe at a world class level, since that was the discipline discussed.
Sorry, I don't ask for autographs.....OK, I did ask Elvin Jones for his.
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Fandom
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On 7/26/2006
WT
wrote in from
United States
(152.163.nnn.nnn)
On 7/26/2006 alleykat wrote in
"When there is a woman who skates at the level of the top males, I'll be one of her biggest fans."
Want Lynn Kramer's autograph?
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women
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On 7/26/2006
alleykat
wrote in from
United States
(68.49.nnn.nnn)
"The pay should be the same for ALL competitors -- regardless of gender -- and the competition standards should be equally the same as well.."
I love women. Stand up for 'em every time it's justified. Sorry NYC AS, when the performance levels are the same, the prize money should be equal. Until then, what's the point? To boost self-esteem? No doubt many of the female skaters would destroy me in a contest, but I'm not in the X-Games. When they can beat Bob B, Bucky and the like, they will be deserving of the big prize.
It's like tennis and basketball. Men play 5 sets of tennis, women play 3. Consider the fact that a women just recently dunked a basketball in the WNBA and it made headline news shows the difference between the delivery. People aren't pouring into arenas to watch the WNBA because it's not on the same level as the NBA. Should they get NBA money as well?
When there is a woman who skates at the level of the top males, I'll be one of her biggest fans.
Danica Patrick IS beating the boys and taking their money and since the playing field is level, deservedly so.
I like mine medium rare, so don't flame TOO hard.
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