Michael Stefaun's new Pro Deck from Pool Kings is bringing the bling! Look at that thing! Click it to visit the site.
Stefaun's roots are in street skating. Therefore, it's only natural that his pool shape closely resembles the traditional, double-end, twin tip shape that so many street decks incorporate. Michael's Pool King deck is constructed using polymer composites and 5 plys of hard rock maple veneers. Pool Kings claim these are 8 ounces lighter than standard 7 ply wood decks of the same size and shape and retain their "pop" for a longer time as well.
Recently we met Chris Yandall at ASR. We'd heard of this enigmatic skateboarding legend, a slalom, downhill and bowl skate star from the 1970's that remains a daily skater and a mellow, humble, friendly dude. We had spied him on the Mission Beach boardwalk practicing his craft, but we had never gotten a chance to learn firsthand of his latest love; the art of "skogging". A mixture of fitness, transport, freestyle and power-training, it's easier than it looks, but an intensive workout and skill-builder. While chilling with Yandall on the sidelines of the Encinitas Open, where he clearly demonstrated the benefits of strength and balance training on a skateboard, we asked and he offered: a beginners' guide to skogging.
In 1975, I wrote an article for Skateboarder Magazine titled, "Cut the Jive and Jog". What spawned this article was actually a bet made between my old skate buddies Neil Graham and Dan Trailer. The small wager was based on who could switch pump and push with opposite legs first. They gave up quickly and preferred to surf instead while I mastered the pushing motion. Switch pump is still in development. As even with most contemporary skateboarders, the "why bother" attitude prevails. Is it more blessed to "air" than "skog"? I say, do both! The long distance cross country skateboarders have to alternate legs but most do it out of necessity where skogging deems a personal love.
Would you travel in a car or an airplane if you knew that these vehicles did not have adequate brakes? So why would you ride a skateboard if you didn't know how to stop safely. Stopping a skateboard quickly and safely is equally as important as learning how to push and turn.
The slick steppers of whoisadamcolton.com in association with longboardlarry.net are releasing on a semi regular basis some boardwalking trick tips. Well worth taking the time to study with these masterful walkers. Read more to check out the trick tips which will be updated as they are released.
a re-edited version of Dan’s classic how-to article, written way back in 1989 when almost nobody in the skateboard world cared about this subject!
Propelling yourself with turns (“pumping,” “power-turning,” or “gyrating”) is an extremely subtle technique, based on very precise, balanced, and rhythmical weight shifts. Beginners often overlook the skill involved because it seems almost effortless when done well. Yet power-turning is one of the most difficult techniques you can learn on a skateboard. It’s also one of the best teachers of true style, and probably the finest example of using a skateboard to “skate” in the purest sense of the term — to glide powerfully.
Power-turning is sometimes known as gyrating because, when done properly, your body and board gyrate relative to one another – your hips rotate elliptically in one direction, while the skateboard below rotates in the opposite direction. In biomechanical terms, pumping is one of the most complex techniques in skateboarding. An elaborate explanation is required. Read carefully, and try to visualize what your read.
1) KEEP DRY, STAY AWAY FROM WATER. Water will destroy your bearings immediately. If for some odd reason you need to ride your bearings through water you should lube the bearings with grease. Grease will protect the working components longer then oil. Oiled bearings are faster but will also rust if exposed to water.
Longboard 101 
