So I live about 30 minutes from a beautiful concerte park right outside of Wheeling, WV and I’d like to share.  The park has plenty of parking and fast, smooth concrete.  It’s street section is fairly worthless and definitely not a reason to take a long trip there, but the transition is definitely worth a visit.  There really are lines for days and a variety of heights/hips/waterfalls/pockets to choose from.  Here’s three photos, taken left to right, from on end of the park.

And this shot is from the other end, click on it to see a blown up version

two parks. two different nights. two tricks. by two (very) different skaters. 

austin - cruising the bowl at Interskate (ZanesvilleOH)

and Sava, wallriding from tranny to tranny at the AthensOH park.

insert really witty and insightful outtro right here.

One of the most famous spots in San Francisco is 3 up 3 down.  It sits in front of an old armory in the Mission district of the city that was abandoned for several years.  Not long ago, a company that films porn bought the building as their production studio.  Everyone thought that meant the end of skating there, but the new owners were able to think like mature adults.

 http://news-data.behindkink.com/resources/default/items/2008/07/24/5460_s01_Armory_3up_3down.mp4

Aaron Lomax, aka “Scary/Scary Monster/Scaaron/Monster,” in DLXSF’s video “In Memory.”

 Aaron’s been gone from here in Louisville for years now, but if you ask any of the OG dudes around, they’ll tell you that he had skills.  And then they’ll probably tell you about the time he almost broke his leg trying to skate a rail in Germantown.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyYlC41hGNQ

An illustrated guide to breaking your collarbone in 3 easy steps as performed by Tony Manfre.

Same kid, different video clip.

 It’s rad to see people still skating spots that i grew up skating nearly 15 years ago. 

 And Zack (I spelled it right this time), the offer still stands to come down this way and skate.

Zack Debrular (and a couple friends):
http://www.vimeo.com/1146817

A few years ago I was visiting family back in my hometown of Parkersburg, WV and ran into a kid named Zach Debrular.  He was 12 or so years old at the time, and he was fully ripping already.  I got his name and phone number that day, but subsequently lost it.  I’d always hoped that he didn’t give up skateboarding because he had the “it” that I like to talk about when referring to kids with honest talent.  You know they’ve got it before they even skate…there’s just something about them that tells you they rip.  Anyway, like I said, Zach had it.  And you could tell even at 12. 

Anyway, my friend Jason Bash (who should be posting more often on this damn blog) shot a few photos of Zach a few months (maybe even a year) ago and I was so stoked because it was apparent that little homey was still ripping.  Although, he’s not very little anymore.  He still had “it” and it came through in photos and what little bit of bro-cam footage I’d seen on MySpace and the like. 

Well, I was steady-lurkin’ on Mr. McKowen’s blog again and he has an edit (not done by Ryan) of Zach up on his latest post.  It’s more bro-cam filming, and teeming with horrible radio rock, but you can tell the kid rips.  I wish he’d get out of WV and move somewhere where he can experience skating with other naturally talented rippers.

 Zach, if you’re reading this…I’ve got a guest room, and you’re welcome here as long as you want.

Here’s the edit:

 http://www.virb.com/1901768627086564/videos/50140

my friend from BITD (that’s “back in the day” for you noobazauruzz), ryan mckowen lives in pittsburgh, pa and films a good deal with his friends.  i just happened across this video earlier and i got a bit stoked.

 http://www.virb.com/ryanmckowen/videos/46123

 and then he also had this posted on his blog:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQN1REc5-oE

You probably have no idea how much skateboarding history came out of the small backwoods state of West Virginia.  It’s crazy, really.

 http://www.mumblemagazine.com/littlegiants/

anyone else wanna go?