Illinois

**skaskater** · 07-17-2008 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by Altair

Not sure why we need a sponsor, we could become a crew. And just board monthly together. Like the chi-town crew, I know lame name just an example. I guess bi-weekly might be ok it could accomidate a larger segment of schedules. Just a thought.

Yea that would be cool, get a regular group going

**Altair** · 07-17-2008 09:06 PM

I am sorry, I misunderstood what you said, I thought you were talking about a casual ride, where we all show up to a nice run and ride it, have some fun, talk shop, go home, do it again next month.

**Altair** · 07-18-2008 08:33 AM

But we can't call it the chi-town crew, because that is a horrible name, I am sorry I even posted it. Lets start organizing it now. I think we should post the days we can go, and where we can get to.
I don't get home from work until 6 during the week, so unless it is night boarding, which is fun, I can't do it on a week day, the weekends are nice though. If the train goes out to the suburbs or someone can give me a lift out there, then I can skate out there, but I have no car in the city, not necessary imo.

**Altair** · 07-18-2008 12:30 PM

I am going boarding later today, like 3ish if anyone is down. Send me a PM, I will check when I get home, leaving early, thank god.

Cancel that, where did that rain come from. That was random.

**VANILLA GUERILLA** · 07-23-2008 06:01 PM

Hey everyone. I see there are starting to be a few guys on here and it's nice to see more longboarders in the area. I've been at it for a while and if any of you happen to live in Chicago you might have seen me. I have been LDPing all over the fine city and wonder if any of you like to pump your boards for any distance? I live in Wicker Park and usually start off by skating down to the lake then up to where LakeShore ends. Then I turn around with the wind at by back and see if I can LDP all the way to Navy Peir without touching foot. I usually wind up around Hyde park are. It's rad and feels like surfing. I get a lot of crazy looks and can sometime hear people over my music. don't be surprised if you see more and more people picking up on it. I get stopped all the time and point people in the right direction. I read somewhere in here you guys were talking about starting a crew. How does the "Chicago Longboard Society" sound? I hope you like it cause that's what my gear says. I welcome anyone who's interested in rides and yes we do like other things than LDP. It's just being in the city is perfect for zipping in and out of cars, passing bikers, and it gives me an excuse to get out and leave the car at home.

**Altair** · 07-23-2008 08:49 PM

Not a bad name, simple and to the point, I kinda like it. I am down for some boarding, none of my friends skate, so I go at it alone, kinda awkward.

**popz41** · 07-25-2008 03:15 PM

Someone should make a facebook group.

**urbancurbsurfer213** · 07-25-2008 03:54 PM

hey ive been away for a while but does anyone know if the video was posted for the lake front labomba. if anyone wants to ride just hit me up

**VANILLA GUERILLA** · 07-26-2008 01:59 PM

I've got Sunday off so I'm down to rip it if anyone is interested. Maybe pumping the lakeshore winding up at soldier field. Anyone?

**Altair** · 07-26-2008 04:59 PM

Can't this Sunday, wish I could, though.
Not sure how necessary a facebook group would be, but if you want to create one you can, we do have this place, which might suit us fine. We could just create a thread independent of this thread, much like the people from Minnesota did. If you do make a facebook page send out the word and I will join up.

**phil6x** · 07-26-2008 08:56 PM

hey guys
i think that Chicago Longboard Society sounds perfect
or "CLS"
i spent a couple hours today makin like a team sig for chicago area riders
(hope u dont mind but i put pics of speed boarders on it even tho we dont have mountains)
so anyone in the the chiago area here it is

**VANILLA GUERILLA** · 07-26-2008 09:37 PM

NICE! Me likey. If you'd like to post the code that'd be great. Let me know if you want some stickers. Oh yeah, please post on the CLS thread your info so you can hook up with us for sessions. I am available to pick people up as well.

**Altair** · 07-26-2008 10:02 PM

Still not sure why we need sponsors, maybe I am missing something, but I thought the point of starting a crew was just to find some people to skate with. I enjoy longboarding and thought it would be fun to skate with other people who like boarding as well. If you all think we need sponsorship and events then I am with you, because I just want to skate.

**phil6x** · 07-26-2008 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by Altair

Still not sure why we need sponsors, maybe I am missing something, but I thought the point of starting a crew was just to find some people to skate with. I enjoy longboarding and thought it would be fun to skate with other people who like boarding as well. If you all think we need sponsorship and events then I am with you, because I just want to skate.

we can have a crew,
but tehn when we paln bigger events, then we could use sponsers

**phil6x** · 07-26-2008 11:16 PM

here is the url code

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...l-iconcopy.jpg

**VANILLA GUERILLA** · 07-26-2008 11:20 PM

It's not that we need sponsors. It's that skating with your friends is cool, but finding people to skate with around these parts is far and few between. A lot of people don't get what we do...even short boarders. We have to cultivate a scene here like it has been done on the East and West Coasts. You don't think it would be that big over there if there wasn't so much exposure to it. There is so little going on here that I freak every time I see someone on a longboard. The only reason I suggest using my sponsors is that they're down for it. It benefits them to widen their customer base. To them it's cheap advertising. For the price of an 1/8 page ad they can plaster their logos on everything in a high visibility atmosphere to future patrons who live in their area as opposed to internet-only sales. I understand where you're coming from, and I feel the same way you do. I never asked for any companies to support me, but once they got to know me and what I do they're all stoked! They are all middle age and they vibe with what I do more so than the short boards they sell. They carry longboards but who's buying? I admit I have been short boarding for 27 years and probably wouldn't be skating right now if I hadn't found longboarding. So I found something that's special to me and every day I try to spread the stoke. I don't get paid or ask for anything for free. As far as sponsors go, I was only letting you guys know what is possible.
If a solid crew forms, and after a great deal of time, if we have something special that people want to spectate or be a part of, and we need outside assistance to maybe obtain a permit and block off the soldier field run. We Can. If we want to expose a mass audience to draw more Chicagoans into the sport. We Can. That's all I'm saying. They pull all the strings and supply us with swag to give out. And in exchange they can advertise and promote there shops while they promote our functions. If by sponsorship you mean free boards and clothing? Nope. Probably not. "I don't want a cent for what I do for fun. But I do want a whole lot more people to have fun with." I fully appreciate your concerns, and CLS makes decisions as a whole. If we all go out and skate that's all I ask. But I'm sure there's 200 kids out there in Chicagoland who already rip longboards...by themselves. And I have visions in the near future that, with a little help, I might see longboarders all over the city. Since I have been riding I notice more and more people picking it up. Probably by seeing people like us having fun. It's way easy to do. Girls love cruising too. Lately i've benn converting a lot of bikers and runners I've met at the lakeshore. They see me pass them and disappear from there sight without touching my foot down. You know just pumping? And it stokes them. They instantly see what a great core workout pumping is. On my return route I usually get stopped a few times and grilled about pumping. Now I've started bumping into them on the trails. See? Spreading the stoke. That's what this is all about. Anyway sorry to ramble, I just want you guys to know CLS has all the right intentions and we're not little kids trying to get sponsored. Believe it or not people believe in what we do. And they want to support us. Chicago once had it's place in the longboard community. It was called Chicago longboards. They made some of the most beautiful decks ever made and are highly sought after. The owner Julian disappeared into obscurity last November leaving a ton of orders unfilled. Rumor has it that corporations were wanting him to go international and he couldn't take the rapid growth. I love my City and don't want to move to skate a big session with a lot of people. They're already here. They just don't know it. Chicago will someday be on the map. It's just a beautiful city. The beauty of longboarding is it's so obtainable. You don't need hills to pump and carve. More people might actually stop through if we had something to offer them. People travel from states away for the Friday RIP sessions put on by Earthwing. CLS is by no means an Earthwing, but like Field of Dreams, "If you build it they will come". Thanks for getting to the end of this longwinded ramble, and i hope to rip it up with you and everyone else very soon. I'm hitting up the lake tomorrow and I'll check here before I go out if anyone wants to ride. Peace ...Justin

**crosstepit** · 07-27-2008 12:12 AM

i didnt read all of that essey but i agree sponsors are sooooo good. it attracts soo many more people to longboarding when sponsors are involved. and it provides the legitamacy aspect making us not just a bunch of punk kids on skateboards. and its sweet to win free stuff.
when sponsors get involved its so easy for a weekly skate session to turn in to a huge event.

**crosstepit** · 07-27-2008 12:13 AM

by the way im coming out to the chicago area for college at the end of college an neeed people and spots for riding. pm if ur not too selfish to share your hillls.

**Altair** · 07-27-2008 01:17 AM

I wasn't ragging on your idea, the sponsorship thing. Like I had stated if everyone is down then I will join in. It just seems like a lot of effort, that was kinda my point. I enjoy skating, new to long boards ex-short boarder, and I am teaching my girl how to skate now. I am getting a little to old to run from the cops for skating where I am not supposed to though so a permitted event for a good run might be nice. I would still like to ride on a bi-weekly basis, and I hope we could get together for fun rides as a crew.

**VANILLA GUERILLA** · 07-27-2008 12:15 PM

Crosstepit. welcome and we look forward to meeting you when you get here. there aren't that many good hills here but I've have found a few. And people always hit me up with new ones so it shouldn't be a problem. In the city we do a lot of parking garages. there is only one hill in the city and it's at Soldier Field. It's an under 35 hill that sort of winds around. At least a 1/2 mile though. But that's no problem. I have the CLS war wagon which can take us to some nice bombable hills. Hit me up.