What events would you have at longboard jam?

**jmclure** · 12-03-2006 10:19 PM

I am trying to host a longboard jam/contest for my area (Viginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, All of Tidewater). Our area is notoriously flat, so I'm looking for input on what type of events you'd like to see at a longboard contest other than DH racing. My friend and I are doing it to kick off our company DBAS (Don't Be A Sissy). He makes shirts and stickers and I make boards. He also sponsors a skimboarding team with the same name. The web site will be up soon and I'll post the link when it is.
Here's what we have to work with. No big hills in our area. There is a small hill on a dead end street in Chesapeake with no houses or anything on it. It's a road to nowhere. It's steep enough to slalom and maybe do a slide comp, but not to DH. I thought I'd have tight slalom, GS, a slide comp and a boarder cross type race in place of DH. It flattens out into a court at the end, so we could have a flat land trick contest at the bottom. Any other suggestions on events or other things you'd like to see at such a jam?

**Sherpa** · 12-03-2006 10:22 PM

if you guys have a boardwalk and a sunny day... do a poker run.

**jmclure** · 12-03-2006 10:39 PM

Skateboarding is a crime. On the boardwalk and Atlantic and Pacific Ave. $70 ticket and all Va Beach cops are pricks and there are lots of them. Yes all of them are pricks, it's confirmed by them, it should be their slogan. Or one for Va Beach "our city's so safe the cops have nothing better to do than harrass kids for skateboarding."

**falcon** · 12-04-2006 01:51 AM

Great idea, Jay. I think I need to plan a trip home for this. The slalom events sound like a good idea as does the slide contest. Maybe an outlaw, late-night garage run at the oceanfront? It may be possible with it being the offseason....well, until the cops see 20 to 30 guys rolling from garage to garage anyway.

I think the slalom and slide get together will bring plenty of folks in, and will make for a real good time. Hopefully I'll be able to make it....

**Mister Surly** · 12-04-2006 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by jmclure

I am trying to host a longboard jam/contest for my area (Viginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, All of Tidewater). Our area is notoriously flat, so I'm looking for input on what type of events you'd like to see at a longboard contest other than DH racing. My friend and I are doing it to kick off our company DBAS (Don't Be A Sissy). He makes shirts and stickers and I make boards. He also sponsors a skimboarding team with the same name. The web site will be up soon and I'll post the link when it is.
Here's what we have to work with. No big hills in our area. There is a small hill on a dead end street in Chesapeake with no houses or anything on it. It's a road to nowhere. It's steep enough to slalom and maybe do a slide comp, but not to DH. I thought I'd have tight slalom, GS, a slide comp and a boarder cross type race in place of DH. It flattens out into a court at the end, so we could have a flat land trick contest at the bottom. Any other suggestions on events or other things you'd like to see at such a jam?

if you have slalom, definitely add a longboard slalom; not enough of these going on if you ask me.

**pavedwave** · 12-04-2006 08:09 AM

more cheerleaders...would that count as an event?

you might add a timed, flatland quarter mile, or even a mile, either are somewhat like your idea of a boarder cross, just shorter in scale.

or a timed head-to-head "Trap" -- 176 feet, average the best time in each direction -- which is also great for spectators.

**jmclure** · 12-04-2006 03:06 PM

Actually for boardercross I was going to set up some obsticles like cones and maybe haybails with a ramp over them and have 4 or 5 guys race at once, like snowboardercross. No intensional contact, but you no there will be some accidental contact. Would be fun to watch.
Should I include shortboard events like best trick and highest ollie? Give me some input folks.

**longboardorific** · 12-04-2006 06:58 PM

dude i might come if i can get a ride from richmond. boarder cross sounds pretty cool and so does the garageidea. i might come

**longboardertwan** · 12-04-2006 07:51 PM

well jay if you build it some nova bombers will come. I second the longboard slalom idea because there really is not enough of this going on. All boards with wheelbases 30" and up. Maybe a highjump contest?

**jmclure** · 12-04-2006 11:03 PM

Glad to hear there's some interest. I must warn you though, there really are no hills here, the one I speak of is an overpass, but we make up for it in stoke. The more I think of the boardercross the more excited I am to set up the course. I'm thinking of setting it up so anyone can do it, but if you can ollie or hit a launch ramp you can take short cuts. That would make it fair for a shortboarder to race longboarders. Anyone not willing to go off the ramp would have to take the longer way around. Also maybe have a rail that you either have to ollie or jump over and land back on your board or go around the long way. Helmets and pads would be a must for boardercross, but we can loan them to the folks that need em.

**bean-a-reano** · 12-05-2006 03:39 AM

Most 360s, def a longboard slalom. Longest manual/nose manual

**EBasil** · 12-05-2006 07:43 AM

I'll echo: longboard slalom, a point-to-point poker run cruise, some sliding and a place for everyone to hang out, eat, chill, try out each others' boards and just skate around. Oh, and security to ward off the evil PoPo when they come to harass you.

**kenofseattle** · 12-05-2006 02:56 PM

How about some contests for the boards themselves? Have people vote for Best Homemade, Best Manufactured, Best Paint/Graphic? You can set up a display at the main booth with coffee cans for votes. Cable lock the boards so they don't disappear and hand out some certificates to the winner.

Also, you forgot about boardwalking. Give each rider 3 minutes in a cordoned off area to show off their low-speed walking. Manuals, cross-step, shoveits, etc. This always draws a big crowd of spectators.

Good luck and have fun!

**Louieb153** · 12-05-2006 03:00 PM

The boarder cross idea sounds really awesome man. How long of a course would it be all together?

Man, I'm thinking of driving all the way from MD now to check this out.

**revelation2** · 12-05-2006 03:50 PM

this sounds pretty cool....Jay, I remember you now, the dude with the blue board and crails...my dad liked you a lot too.

Boardercross sounds fun as well

**jmclure** · 12-05-2006 04:15 PM

Thanks revelation2 I was worried I'd be the oldest guy skating untill Brian showed up with his slalom board, but I'm actually proud to be one of the older guys skating. I don't watch sports on TV (not even the super bowl) but I play lots of sports. Well I wouldn't consider them all sports, but their still play. Like Mark Grimis says "You don't stop playing when you get old, you get old when you stop playing."
Louieb the hill is only about half a block long so that's how long the boardercross would be. I've gotta find some shortboarders who have some rails and ramps to help build it. It has to be able to be put together and taken apart fast.
My friend James (DBASmonkey) had a question about what if someone gets hurt. I think since it's a outlaw event on a public street then I won't be liable, and we can have someone drive them to the ER so as to avoid calling 911.
I like the boardwalking contest too. Maybe call it freestyle and give everyone 2 mins. to show there stuff, then judge them. The judging will be the hardest part cause everyone will want to participate. My thought on this is to make a flyer with every event on it and 2 or 3 blanks for each. Each person should mark down who they thought were 3 best in each event. Of course most people will put themselves as 1st but that's ok cause the other 2 they pick will cancel it out. Who ever gets the most votes wins. This way no one has to sit out any comps cause they're judging. What do yall think? As for when to have the event, what does everyone think of Sunday Dec 23? After that I am out of town untill mid Jan16, but after that anytime is cool, but so is the weather.

**bean-a-reano** · 12-06-2006 03:49 AM

Originally Posted by kenofseattle

Also, you forgot about boardwalking. Give each rider 3 minutes in a cordoned off area to show off their low-speed walking. Manuals, cross-step, shoveits, etc. This always draws a big crowd of spectators.

I guess that's why freestyle is so popular.

**brainfartalerts** · 12-08-2006 06:22 AM

How firm is the 12-23 date?
If I promise to bathe and behave, may I join you?

**jmclure** · 12-09-2006 10:34 PM

Nothing confirmed yet, but looks like we're gonna wait till Jan.

**brainfartalerts** · 12-10-2006 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by jmclure

Nothing confirmed yet, but looks like we're gonna wait till Jan.

Otay. I'm willing to kick in the "Homey Board Slawlum Racing Trophy" that comes complete with a crushed PBR tall boy can nailed to it.
The space on the back is reserved for the Rules and the event winners name may be marked on the front in sharpie.
Rules are pretty simple:
Go through the coarse. Decide who won between the two of you. Continue on until there is only one Homey remaining.
No timing systems, judges or any other kinda shtuff - just true outlaw.
Hell, I even bring the ghetto cones (those cups with the base rings I made) for the course.
Put your name on the cones. Crush your cones and you don't get to drink - that simple.
Has been a pretty good incentive for not nailing cones.