Finding great places to skateboard is a top priority for skateboarders. However, it is not always easy to find a skate park that is open when the weather is less than cooperative. Fortunately, if you live in or plan on visiting Bristol, Connecticut, you have an indoor option that will give you a place to skate even when there is snow and ice on the ground. It is called the Connecticut Bike and Skate.

Connecticut Bike and Skate - The Basics
The Connecticut Bike and Skate is an indoor skate park that can be found at 86 South Street in Bristol, Connecticut. Being an indoor skate park, it isn't the biggest or most versatile skate park on the planet, but it has enough variety to keep you entertained. It offers mini ramps, a basic street course and a few vert features. This is not a free park, so there are fees and membership requirements that will need to be met before you can use this park to hone your skating or biking skills.

Dressing for an Indoor Skate Park
When you dress for skateboarding, you are normally concerned with protecting your body from abrasions and weather hazards. However, since Connecticut Bike and Skate is an indoor skate park, your clothing needs to focus less on the elements and more on keeping your body from overheating and being soaked by your own sweat.

To dress for an indoor park, you will want to start with a great pair of skateboarding shoes. The soles of these shoes need to have good traction, as well as be slightly flexible. You will also want to pull on a thick pair of cotton socks. Runner's socks work well, because they will keep your feet dry and prevent chafing. If you are opposed to socks then you can prevent moisture problems by sprinkling talcum powder on your feet before putting on your shoes.

Next, you will want to select clothing options that cover your vulnerable areas like knees, elbows and back. Finally you will want to look for clothing options that are designed to wick away moisture from your skin and allow your body to breath. Natural fibers like cotton are always a good option for skateboarders.

Brazilian skateboarder Bob Burnquist has come up with so many fantastic original tricks, even Bob can't name them all. For example, in his childhood hometown of Sao Paolo last December, he clinched the 2008 World Cup Skateboarding vert season championship by performing a backside 360 stale fish and an indie 540 over the gap.

Although 32-year-old Bob Burnquist has many career claims to fame, most of his skateboard fans look first to the vert contest at the 2001 X-Games. Burnquist knocked off two-time defending champ Bucky Lasek with a final run that included "multiple tricks that had never been seen before." He received 98 points, still an X-Games record. Part of the memory is that Tony Hawk, as TV commentator, was screaming so loudly in disbelief that he nearly lost his voice. This is part of the reason why Bob Burnquist is featured in so many of Tony Hawk's video games.

If Bob Burnquist is from Brazil, why does he have two names instead of one, such as Pele? His mother is Brazilian, while his father is Swedish. His full birth name is Robert Dean Silva Burnquist. Bob Burnquist took up skateboarding at age 11, turned pro at 14 and has never looked back. He was 18 when he showed up at Seattle's 1995 Slam City Jam as a virtual unknown, dazzled the judges (and fellow skaters) and won first-place.

Burnquist now lives in Vista, California, as a dual citizen of Brazil and the United States. His significant other is pro skateboarder Jen O'Brien, and their daughter's name is Lotus. They have a world-class vert ramp in their backyard.

To make the most of his fame, Bob Burnquist spreads his personal social messages as an environmental activist and a vegetarian. The Bob Burnquist Foundation reaches out to schools with information about organic farming and gardening. These activities may seem down to earth for a high-flying skateboard trickster, but Bob Burnquist's motto sums it up: "Live your life, and be in control, by learning to let go."

Sources:
http://www.bobburnquist.com/
http://www.bobburnquist.org/
http://oakley.com/sports/skate/athletes/2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Burnquist

Ashley Fiolek is an 18-year-old who just can't stop sending text messages to her friends. She's slender and pretty, with long blonde hair well past her shoulders, and she's not really into makeup.
A typical teen? Yes. But Ashley Fiolek enters 2009 as the defending champion of the World Motocross Association, and she accomplished this without being able to hear.

"There's no one in motocross quite like me," Ashley Fiolek says. "I was born deaf, so when the engines are revving, I can't hear them. I learned to ride by feeling the bike's vibrations - they tell you loud and clear when to shift gears."

Ashley Fiolek's father is a motocross racer in the area of St. Augustine, Florida. He took her as a tyke on what she called "big girl" rides. When she was 3 years old, she received a PW50 bike. Soon the training wheels were off, and Ashley was on the go. She still writes and blogs about "Dad" over and over, describing him as her "coach, mentor and communicator." He has her racing number, 67, dyed into his hair.

In 2004, Ashley Fiolek won the Loretta Lynn's national championship for girls ages 13-and-under, and ever since then she has been viewed as a star in the making. Still, Ashley never envisioned that she would become last year's WMA champion, defeating a field that included five-time winner Jessica Patterson. She says she simply wanted to be consistent, but that early in the season, she could tell that she had the speed to keep up with top riders.

What's the difference in riding with no hearing? "I think as far as advantages, I don't have as many distractions," Ashley says. "The disadvantages are that I have to hold my line a little more than the other riders

Ashley Fiolek is popular with her peers, and a number of them have learned some sign language so that they can communicate. Still, this willowy young lady does not extend friendship to the racing surface."My vibe is pink hair and the nickname 'Rude Pea,' because I never ride like a sweet pea," Ashley Fiolek says. "Being deaf has never slowed me down for a second. I may not hear, but I make a lot of noise."

SOURCES
http://rudepea-racing.com/files/about_me.html
http://oakley.com/women/uniquely/ashley
http://oakley.com/sports/mx/athletes/188
http://www.amasupercross.com/ViewPost.aspx?postId=75

Skateboard legend Tony Hawk is considered one of the world's greatest skateboarders, the only skateboarding guru who successfully completed the front side "900." This stunt consists of 2.5 midair somersaults (900 degrees of breathtaking action) and was witnessed at the ESPN X Games in San Francisco, California in 1999. Since then, daredevils and skating enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels have attempted to replicate the amazing act, but few have managed to pull off the stunt as flawlessly as the great Hawk.

The 900 was executed when Hawk launched approximately 5 feet from the rim of the half-pipe on the U-shaped skate ramp and then did two and a half flips on the board before landing back into the half pipe with both feet and the board intact. For Hawk, it was one of his greatest personal achievements; for spectators, this was history in the making. And for scientists, it was just another trick made possible by the laws of gravity.

Skateboard stunts like the 900 depend entirely on the laws of physics; gravity allows the skater to accelerate, control their speed, move at different angles while airborne and control exactly where they will land. The faster the skater moves, the higher they can launch themselves above the rim of the skateboard ramp. The best way to pick up speed on the ramps is to use a technique called 'pumping,' where the skateboarder uses one foot to launch forward on the board and then quickly bends his or her knees while moving in order to accelerate. After launching off the rim, the skateboarder must curl up into a tight ball so that their body weight is as close to their axis of rotation as possible. This may sound very technical and complicated, but it's the blueprint for skateboarding stunt success for many experienced skaters such as Hawk.

Skateboarders also need to consider wind speed and temperatures when they're approaching a new stunt; the wind can affect how quickly the skateboarder is able to accelerate when on the ground and how long they can be airborne. The climate dictates what type of clothing the skateboarder will need to wear and whether the skateboard's wheels need to be warmed up before the event.

Hawk's execution of this amazing 900 stunt is just one of several legendary tricks and stunts to make headlines in the skateboarding world; he officially retired from professional skating in 2000.

Source:

Science World, Feb. 2001

Skateboarding is not just a sport; it is a lifestyle, which means skaters want clothing choices that make a statement. Some skaters prefer eclectic and vintage fashion, while others just want something that is comfortable. If you are a skater looking for a t-shirt that will move, breathe and make a laid back statement then take a look at the Element Detention Tee.

Element Detention Tee - Specs
The Element Detention Tee is a men's t-shirt that comes in four different colors: black, espresso, red and white. It also comes in five men's sizes: small, medium, large, extra large and extra, extra large. This t-shirt has a regular fit cut and crew neck and is made from 100 percent cotton.

Element Detention Tee - Layering
There are several ways you can incorporate your Element Detention Tee into your skating wardrobe. First you can wear it simply as a t-shirt. It will work well with jeans, khakis or shorts. Your second option is to wear it as a layering piece. This option works great for cooler skating conditions. To layer this t-shirt, you will want to put on a single-color, long-sleeved shirt under your Tee. You can select a shirt that has a contrasting or complimentary color to your Tee.

Making Your Tee Last
Skating can be hard on your clothes. To keep your t-shirt looking great you will want to set the color when you first get your t-shirt. You can do this by washing your shirt by itself without soap. Instead add in about a quarter to half cup of vinegar. Next, instead of putting your t-shirt through a dryer, hang it out to dry. This will prevent the fibers from fraying and wearing. Finally, wash your t-shirt with similar colors. This will prevent color bleeding and even prevent some fading.

The Element Detention Tee was designed to be a relaxed piece in your wardrobe. It is a great Tee to pull on when you want to have fun or when you want to hit the local skate park.

Alabama is a great state to be in if you love to skateboard. The weather here is perfect for skating year round. This means that unlike skate parks in the north, skate parks in Alabama are generally open year round. If you are in or near the town of Decatur, Alabama, you will want to bring your board and skating gear to the High Wheels Skate Park. This park offers some of the best ramp skateboarding in the state.

High Wheels Skate Park - the Basics
High Wheels Skate Park can be found at 2052 Terry Way Parkway in Decatur, Alabama. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. While it is not a free skate park, you can skate or bike at this park all day long for only $5, which is not a bad price. Bikes, roller skates, inline skates and skateboards are all welcomed here.

In order to use this park, you will need to follow a few basic rules. First of all, you will need to sign a liability waiver. This waiver basically states that you are responsible for your own safety while using the park. Next, you will be required to wear the appropriate padding for your sport. This means elbow and knee pads. Finally, if you will be riding your bike in the park, you will be required to wear a helmet with a chin strap.

High Wheels Skate Park - Features
High Wheels Skate Park is known for its extra wide ramps and skating surfaces. One of the best features at this park is their 6-foot-tall half pipe. This half pipe is elevated to seven feet, has 7.5-foot roll-ins and is 40 feet wide. This park also offers a 4-foot-tall spine ramp that is twenty feet wide. If you like street courses then this park has one of those as well, however, it is located on gravel and basically intended for bikes. Other skating and biking features found at the High Wheels Skate Park include a mini ramp and various skating obstacles. While this is not the most elaborate skate park in the world, it has a lot of good features that you will enjoy.

Gailea Momolu says he is a skateboarder first and a rapper second, and one fan says he is "more of a dancer than a rapper." Indeed, Gailea Momolu has a great pair of feet.

Gailea Momolu's parents are from Liberia, although he was born in Boston and he grew up near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Now 28, he makes his home in Vancouver, British Columbia. He lived for some time in Los Angeles, the informal capitol of skateboarding, in order to make connections and find sponsors, but he says he likes Vancouver better. "It's a good skate scene out here," Momolu says. "There is a lot of focus on the talent, but the scene could be a lot better when it comes to kids getting hooked up and getting their names out there." Besides, Momolu has a girlfriend in Vancouver. That might explain why he doesn't like L.A. as much as other skateboarders.

As for favorite places to skateboard, Gailea Momolu picks Shenzhen, China. Yes, China. "People in China really don't know what to do when they see me skate," Momolu says. "They just crowd around and watch. It's a new sport to them." He explains that his love for Shenzhen "is because it's all unique marble, the 10-out-of-10 top marble."

Gailea Momolu describes his skate style as "raw and relaxed." These two words may not seem to go together, but Momolu insists that he can remain relaxed and still get raw. "I'm a handrail skater, I guess, but pretty much I try to skate anything and everything," Momolu says. "The reason I say 'raw' is because of my pop. I don't like to flaunt myself too much, but I've heard so many people say that about me."

Gailea Momolu has a comparatively late start in skateboarding. He was more interested in basketball as a youngster, and he didn't get his first used skateboard until he was 13 years old. But he fell in love with that board and remembers taking train rides to Toronto and Montreal in order to get in on the action during the winter months. "I'll stay in skateboarding for as long as I can," Gailea Momolu says. "I just want to be a household name. I just want to keep doing what I'm doing."

Sources:
http://www.skaterrap.com/features.php
http://www.colormagazine.ca/print/feature/view/gailea-momolu
http://goskateboarding.ca/gailea_momolu?news_id=359&uniqid=
http://www.inqmnd.ca/site/#tableOfContents-more_39

You watch a motocross or supercross event, and you say, "Great riders." Indeed. But "great athletes" applies as well in motocross and supercross. So does "best-conditioned athletes."

Motocross enthusiasts still point to a 1980 study by the National Sports Health Institute in Englewood, California. Athletes in various athletic endeavors were tested for levels of physical conditioning. Motocross riders scored higher than athletes in sports ranging from American football to basketball to track and tennis. Overall, motocross riders placed second only to soccer players.

More recent follow-up studies have yielded similar results, from sources that include the medical schools at the University of Florida and the University of Pittsburgh. On a typical day of motocrossracing, riders must participate in qualifying heats in order to qualify for the real races, also known as "motos." A typical moto lasts about 40 minutes, and there isn't just one, there are two. The rider must keep complete control of a bike that weighs more than 200 pounds, while maintaining top speed and fighting for top position among competing riders. Fans see thrills and spills, but riders feel the muscle strains and the injury pains.

The University of Florida researchers, in cooperation with the Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute, reported, "Supercross and motocross are physically demanding sports. The cardiovascular demands are higher than have been reported for professional road cyclist during similar duration events and for professional mountain bikers during events on similar terrain." That's saying a lot!

A physical fitness web site, hyperstrike.com, asserts, "At first sight, motocross racing is a spectacular and entertaining game, but the physical demands of this sport are beyond what a mere spectator could imagine." As a result, motocross racing requires a unique blend of strength, power, flexibility and endurance.

Former motocross star Brad Lackey was part of the historic study by the National Sports Health Institute. Lackey recalls that the motocross riders who were in the best shape had body fat ratios of less than 10 percent. Even though the riders are not muscularly "sculpted" like athletes such as gymnasts, they are noted for having extremely strong arms and legs, with cardiovascular systems similar to marathon runners. "The muscles are endurance muscles, and they're really strong, but you can't really see that," Brad Lackey observed. "When you're doing 45-minute motos, you're not big and bulky. The body just doesn't show how good physically you are."

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motocross#Physical_demands
http://www.racerxvt.com/virtual_trainer/Dr_A_heart_rate.html
http://www.articlecube.com/article.php?id=268521&act=print
http://www.motocrosscanada.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1800&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

Las Vegas, also referred to as Sin City, is a great city to live in or visit if you are a skateboarder. This city is filled with great skate parks. One skate park that you can use for free while in town is the West Flamingo Skate Park. This park, which is located on the corner of West Flamingo and Jones, is a concrete skate park with a lot to offer the street course aficionado.

West Flamingo Skate Park - The Basics
While the West Flamingo Skate Park doesn't have a bowl park, it does have a great street course. A street course skate park offers skating features that reflect urban obstacles and surfaces. You will find curbs, stairs, rails, planters, benches, boxes and other obstacles. The skills that you can practice in this type of park including balance tricks, weaving, jumping and skidding.

Skating a Street Course
Each type of skate park has its own hazards and advantages. If you are new to street courses then there are a few precautions that you can take to make sure your day at the West Flamingo Skate Park is a good one. First, you will want to stretch out your lower body including your ankles, calf muscles, quads, knees and hips. Street courses require you to do a lot of squatting and twisting, so you will also want to warm up your mid-section with side stretches, lunge stretches and a little walking. When you warm up your muscles prior to entering the park they will be more flexible and less likely to get pulled or torn. This strategy will also help you skate better.

Skateboarding in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is known for many things, including its heat. Generally, you will want to avoid skateboarding during mid-day. This is when the sun is at its most brutal. When skating in Las Vegas, you will want to wear clothing that is breathable, wicks moisture away from your body and provides your skin with adequate coverage to prevent sun burn. You will also want to wear a heat and sun block with an SPF of at least 30.

In 1999, skateboarding legend Andy MacDonald delivered a speech in then-President Bill Clinton's White House. Then Andy MacDonald skated across the marble floor. True enough, Bill Clinton as we know was a permissive sort of president, but still? You might have thought that by doing this, Andy MacDonald was on drugs. Actually, Andy MacDonald had just delivered an anti-drug speech.

Andy MacDonald, 35, is the Big Mac of skateboarding, an eight-time World Cup champion. Do you want to talk about a fan-friendly guy? Skateboarders are not exactly known for having highly literate web sites. Most often a skateboarder web site viewer is steered to videos of the skater doing all kinds of tricks, while learning little about the skateboarder as a person. But if you go to andymacdonald.com, you are greeted with this: "Welcome to Andy MacDonald's web site. If you have a slow Internet connection, click the slow button. If you have a fast connection, click the fast button." Well, of course we clicked the "slow" button, and sure enough, we received fast access to many of Andy MacDonald's writings and musings. Dang, thanks, Andy!

Just for a sampling, Andy MacDonald writes about his adolescent years in "All 80's All Day." He speaks of attending a recent retro 1980s skateboard event: "In the 1980's, the more accessories you were rocking, the more styling your kit: I had my boom box from high school, a neon FreeStyle watch as well as a Pop-Swatch on my shirt, suspenders on my Don Johnson pants with neon green Maui and Sons short-shorts to skate in, OG Airwalk Disaster's with the mud flap and paint splatter as well as a set of Airwalk prototypes to skate in complete with Smith lace savers, a custom made red Flyaway helmet, blue Rector elbows and Pain Cheater knee pads, oh and a radical 'flop' hairdo I did it myself with a set of buzzers the night before ... All this gear made it almost impossible to skate, but it didn't matter."

Andy MacDonald's next web site section explains how he joins Tony Hawk in raising funds for public skate parks. This guy is such a real deal. Respect Andy MacDonald! And to the younger skaters: Learn how to put something on your web sites besides videos.

Sources:
http://www.andymacdonald.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Macdonald

Ricky Carmichael is giving motocross and supercross fans a reason to become fans of NASCAR. Will Ricky Carmichael possibly achieve so much success in NASCAR, that he will cause more NASCAR fans to become fans of motocross and supercross?

This season, *Carmichael*'s main focus is on the NASCAR Work Truck Series campaign. He's sponsored by Monster Energy and will drive for the KHI team, sponsored by legendary NASCAR racer Kevin Harvick.

"I believe he will put the same effort toward his stock-car career," Harvick says. "He knows how to race, and he takes care of his equipment. Every time I've seen him race, he has shown great promise."

Carmichael, 29, hails from Clearwater, Florida, and he helped to put motocross and supercross on the map while he earned the enduring moniker of G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time) and became a multi-millionaire. He was a five-time champion and winner of more than 150 races in the AMA, American Motorcyclist Association.

However, Carmichael also ended up needing a different AMA, the American Medical Association, because of his various injuries. Motocross and supercross can be even more risky than NASCAR.

Ricky Carmichael blew out a knee during the 2004 motocross season. He returned in 2005 and for two seasons he had a series of memorable battles with his heir apparent, James "Bubba" Stewart, who aims to follow Carmichael's steps to NASCAR some day. Then Carmichael had another terrible crash, this time messing up his shoulder. In 2007, Ricky Carmichael decided to take comfort in his motocross legacy and retire, while he was still in one piece.

Motocross won't forget Ricky Carmichael, and Ricky Carmichael won't forget motocross. He has formed a company, Ricky Carmichael Signature Course Design, and for the second year in a row he will lay out the course for the Daytona Supercross By Honda on March 7. Carmichael won the event five times.

But think of Ricky Carmichael's motocross injuries. Who else but Ricky Carmichael can say they moved over into NASCAR for safety's sake?

Sources:
http://www.scenedaily.com/news/articles/truckseries/Ricky_Carmichael_lands_Monster_Energy_as_primary_sponsor_for_2009_Truck_series_.html
http://www.racerxonline.com/article/ricky-carmichaels-plans-for-2009.aspx
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky_Carmichael

When it comes to performing the ultimate wheelie on a dirt bike, the crown goes to the Wheelie King, otherwise known as Doug Domokos. Domokos is a Guinness Book of World Records holder, a Michigan native who began fueling his obsession for motorcycle mayhem at the young age of 15.

He practiced his now world-famous stunts at abandoned railroad roundhouses for years, riding for hours until he had worked up the skills to enter a motocross racing competition. He first began to do wheelie performances at the races he attended in Michigan and soon became the center of attention with his amazing bike stunts that left the crowds wanting more. He traveled the country to perform the ultimate Wheelie, every motorbike enthusiast's test of bravery and courage.

The wheelie is performed by lifting the bike up during a speedy ride and navigating it across a course or different types of terrain without touching the ground with the front of the bike. Domokos not only performed the wheelie by sitting and standing on the bike but also executed the stunt by navigating the bike with one hand and doing acrobatic tricks right on the bike while in motion.

The Motorcycle Museum's Hall of fame reports that the record-setting event that got him into the Guinness Book of World Records took place in 1984 at the Tallageda Speedway in Alabama. He set the wheelie record of 145 miles at the event, and this record stood for almost a decade. To date, Domokos' stunts have been recreated for Hollywood feature movies, and he also published a book called "Wheelyin' with the King."

Wheelie and motorbike enthusiasts of all ages can learn a lot from this talented stunt master; today's biking enthusiasts perform similar acts on BMX bikes, mountain bikes and the classic dirt bike, and there are dozens of variations of Domokos' jaw-dropping acts.

Wearing the right shoes and gear is a must; the right shoes ensure you have a strong grip on the bike pedals, all while navigating in style. Then you need to practice your body control and balance as you shift your weight to different parts of the bike; when you feel the power coming into the bike as you accelerate, you'll need to open up the throttle quickly to full blast so that the front of the bike lifts upward.

And that's it! With the front of the bike in the air, you can start performing a balancing act like the Wheelie King himself.

Hawaii has been known for surfing for decades; however, most of the focus is generally on Oahu. But there is an awesome spot in Maui that offers some of the best surfing in the world. Known as "Jaws" and located off the far north shore of Maui, surfers go to this spot to find the best surfing in the world. The surf spot known as Jaws was made famous by Laird Hamilton, Dave Kalama and other surfers whom developed tow surfing in order to take on Jaws.

There is a phenomenon behind the famous Jaws surfing location and what is now known as one of the spots offering some of the best surfing in the world. Known as Peahi by locals, incredible walls of water are created in this specific location in Maui as a result of storm swells that originate as far away as the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. These walls of water are beautifully and artistically shaped by a barrier reef. Surfers are towed into the area and literally dropped into the waves. Jaws barrier reef is most definitely for expert and kamikaze surfers. Beginners and mediocre surfers are strongly advised not to attempt Jaws. Even expert surfers have taken the time to meditate, study and contemplate the fearful waves before finding just the right method to ride these monster waves.

Surfers planning to attempt jaws will have to contract drivers with watercrafts to tow them out to the wave, generally on special short boards with straps or 10 to 12 foot rhino guns. Again, it is suggested that visiting surfers not take Jaws lightly, and that they seriously consider the ferocious waves as deadly. Generally, the waves are about thirty miles an hour or more with a total surf time of approximately a minute on waves that are up to approximately 70 feet. The swell direction is generally north, and the wind direction is south. Seldom crowded, the dangers at Jaws include a steep, rocky trail that requires trainers. As far as the actual surf, beware of rips, rocks, undertow and severely, dangerously fierce waves.

While Chicago is a hot bed for cultural and urban attractions, sometimes you just need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Champagne, Illinois is a charming city south of the Windy City. Here you will find a great little skate park called Spalding Skate Park. This park is a public skate park and free to use.

Spalding Skate Park - the Basics
Spalding Skate Park is a concrete skate park that offers about 18,000 square feet of skating terrain. It can be found at 900 Harris in Champagne, Illinois, and is open to both skateboarders and in-line skaters. Here you will find both vert park features and street course features. In the vert park, you will find three great bowls with easy bowl-to-bowl transitions and several quarter pipes. The street course offers a snake run, rails, stairs and obstacles.

Spalding Skate Park is open all week long from dawn until dusk. It is a part of a larger park called Spalding Park. This park offers open, grassy areas, ball parks and other recreational attractions.

Staying Safe in Spalding Skate Park
Skating is a lot of fun and is a good way to stay in shape, however, it can be hard on your body. To keep yourself from getting injured, you need to wear the proper clothing and the proper safety gear. During the hot months of the year, you will want to wear clothing that is breathable and that will wick moisture away from your skin. During the colder months of the year, you will want to dress in layers and wear the proper outerwear. Regardless of the time of the year, you will want to wear a well fitted helmet, elbow pads and knee pads. You will also want to wear a pair of skating shoes that will give you good traction on your board.

In addition to dressing properly for skateboarding, you will also want to take steps to stay safe on your board. First make sure the skating zone is free of hazards like broken glass and trash. Clear these things away before you start rolling. Next, check out who else is using the park. Get a feel for how they are skating and their skill level before you try to share the skating space. For example, if you notice a skater is wobbly on their board, you will want to keep a larger gap between you and them while skating as they obviously are a newbie and most likely will have troubles keeping their board under control.

Skateboarder Ryan Decenzo of the Greater Vancouver area in Canada's British Columbia province is one of the stars of "Shoot to Thrill," a unique production organized through the Red Bull energy drink.
Ryan Decenzo is among Shoot to Thrill skateboarders who formed 10 teams, with three skaters each, in 10 Canadian cities. Each Shoot to Thrill team was given a limited 10 rolls of film and 72 hours to record their best productions. Ryan Decenzo's team captured top prize money, and the compiled Shoot to Thrill footage made its debut shortly before Christmas in Vancouver.

Film for Shoot to Thrill was precious for Ryan Decenzo and other participants, because it would go to waste with a botched routine. "Sometimes it was hard to try and land a trick with the pressure of the 16mm film," recalls Decenzo, 23, who is among a rising tide of Canadian skateboarders who are cracking the world scene. "Or it was hard because sometimes tricks take an hour and you have to think like, 'OK, how long is this trick gonna take and when should I ask for these guys to use the 16mm?' There was pressure for sure. I think it only sprinkled for a minute during the mini-ramp session, so we got lucky weather wise."

For Shoot to Thrill, Ryan Decenzo came up with a skateboarding storyline based on a race. "The acting was minimal and funny, plus the story is sort of comical so it doesn't matter if we sucked at acting," Decenzo says in his usual modest and lighthearted way.

Greater Vancouver's winters are mild, compared to most of the rest of Canada, and so Ryan Decenzo says that as a youngster, he was a skateboarder for all seasons. "If I'm somewhere where I have some free space and my board, I'm definitely gonna be rolling around jumping on and off stuff or kick flippin' all over the place," Decenzo says.

See him in Shoot to Thrill, and in an array of other videos on YouTube.

Sources:
http://www.redbullskateboarding.com/articles/ryan-decenzo/2008/12/
http://www.push.ca/blogs/franksk/archive/2008/09/26/on-the-horn-with-ryan-decenzo.aspx
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=ryan+decenzo+skateboarder&ygmasrchbtn=web+search&fr=ush1-mail

The Japanese are known for adopting popular American culture. Think movies, TV shows and baseball. Snowboarding is another example, and the most popular site is Myoko, which features a main mountain elevated at 2,450 meters (about 7,400 feet) above sea level that annual draws about 14 meters (44 feet) of snow.

Myoko would be referenced as a ski destination, but the younger generation of Japan is really into snowboarding Japan has a number of modern snowboard and ski destinations, but Myoko is a small town with old-time Japanese culture, having served as a ski resort town since the 1930s, which makes Myoko one of the world's oldest established ski areas.

Myoko's snowboard and ski area is made up of 10 mountains. They are Myoko Akakura, Shin-Akakura, Ikenotaira Onsen, Myoko Suginohara, Seki Onsen, Kyukamura, Myoko Ski Park, Myoko Pine Valley, Madarao Kogen and Tangram Ski Circus. Each has its own distinctive features. You can get a combined lift ticket or "Myoko Big-4" season pass to the four largest resorts, which are Akakura Kanko Ski Resort, Akakura Onsen Ski Resort, Ikenotaira Ski Resort and Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort.

The Japanese enjoy evening activities, which means snowboarders will encounter numerous opportunities to try out flood-lit terrain parks in Myoko. While the Japanese are getting more and more into snowboarding, there still is a work ethic which frowns upon taking leisure time during weekdays. This means vacationers on weekdays find themselves with virtually no competition for fresh tracks.

Bars and restaurants are within walking distance of the Myoko village and feature both Japanese and Western food and drink. You can opt for sushi and sake or burgers and beer. If you wish to mix some big city life with the remote Myoko experience, well, Myoko is not so remote. Nagano is 40 minutes away on Japan's bullet train, and Tokyo is within two hours.

Sources:
http://www.myokokogen.net/index.html
http://www.myoko.tv/foreign/english/
http://www.snowseasonjapan.com/myoko/
http://www.myoko-nojiri.com/myoko.htm
http://www.snowjapanforums.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/298476/Re_Snowboarding_the_world_s_be.html

"Crazy Dan" Jackson is one of the world's most famous freestyle motocross stunt masters, a 25 year old from Kansas City who's already earned top titles at the XSBA Street Freestyle Championship and opened up his own stunting school for motorcycle daredevils around the country. He's become a master at the wheelie, the ultimate freestyle stunt, and there are actually several variations of this seemingly simple maneuver.

What are Wheelies?
Wheelies are performed by revving up the bike to certain speed and then lifting the front of the bike up; the biker is then riding on one wheel, and the longer they can ride and maneuver in this position, the more successful the wheelie. According to Crazy Dan, there are two types of wheelies: the power wheelie and the clutched wheelie. The choice rests on the shoulders of the rider; experience and confidence play a role in which type of wheelie to execute on any given day, but both techniques deal with a lot of power, and, of course, require lots of practice.

Types of Wheelies
Crazy Dan recently interviewed with super Street Bike, an online magazine, to explain the different types of wheelies that a biker can perform. These include:

High Chair - standing up during the wheelie and then kicking both legs out to the side while sitting on the tank.

12 O'clock - controlling the speed of the bike by shifting the body weight; bikers must use their shoulders to rock the bike and maintain balance.

The Standup - a wheelie that's performed just like a classic sit-down wheelie, except the biker stands up when the front of the bike is lifted up.

The Can Can - a standup wheelie where the biker lifts one leg off the bike, then the other to do a "Can Can" dance.

No-hander - standing on the bike and controlling the front tire with your body.

Frog - getting up on the tank and then pulling the front of the bike up (not for amateurs).

Anxious to hit the motocross trek to practice your wheelies? Just make sure you're well equipped for the event with the right clothing and protective gear. Even professional bikers wear helmets, sunglasses and lightweight layers to protect themselves from falls and accidents. Remember safety first and then follow Crazy Dan's footsteps to perfect your own wheelie maneuvers.

In Alabama there is an indoor-outdoor skate park that is calling your name. It is the Ramp-N-Speed Indoor/Outdoor Skate Park. Here you will find a great collection of indoor and outdoor skating structures that allow you the chance to learn new tricks and prefect old ones. This park can be found at 1200 Alton Drive in Birmingham, Alabama.

Ramp-N-Speed Indoor/Outdoor Skate Park - The Basics
Ramp-N-Speed Skate Park offers the best of both indoor and outdoor skate parks. The interior park offers boxes, a 15-foot vertical wall, a 6-foot mini ramp, a hip to a 6-foot mini ramp and a 4-foot spine. Outside you will find a twelve foot vert ramp, several launching ramps, rails, boxes, a triple hip and quarter pipes of various sizes. While this park is packed with great skating features, it is not a bowl park.

Ramp-N-Speed Indoor/Outdoor Skate Park - Rules and Hours
During the school year, Ramp-N-Speed Skate Park is closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. During the rest of the year, the park is open Tuesday through Thursday from 1 p.m. until 10 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 1 p.m. until 11 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m.

This park only has a few simple rules. To start with, you will need to sign a liability waiver before you can skate here. Next you are required to wear a helmet while skating. Pads are option, but recommended. If you don't have your own helmet and pads, you can rent them here. To prevent rashes from the pads, wear a long-sleeved shirt under your elbow pads and long pants under your knees pads. Also, don't forget to put on a pair of shoes that have skid-resistant soles.

In addition to skateboarders, bikers and rollerbladers are also allowed in the park. Since there is a mix of sports going on here, you will want to keep your eyes open and be aware of who and what is around you. Also make sure you don't try to cut anyone off while skating. This can be dangerous and bring the fun mood of the skate park down.

Morocco is an interesting, exotic place to visit, but imagine the best surfing in the world being in Morocco. There is an incredible place to surf in Morocco that offers surfers awesome waves and offers the best surfing in the world. Surfing Anchor Point in Morocco is a great choice of spots for surfers looking for unique surfing adventures regardless of the time zone.

Anchor Point in Morocco, also known as "Anka Point," is known for its world-class waves. Anchor Point for experienced to kamikaze surfers. On average, the swells start working at 3 feet up to 5 feet and hold up to approximately 12 feet. The swell direction is north to northwest, with the wind direction southeast to east. Surfers should be aware the bottom is sandy, with rocks and no mention of sea life issues. In terms of access, Anchor Point is situated north of Taghazout, which is a small surf village just north of Agadir, Morocco. Surfers can rent a car or take public transportation to the bus stop near Taghazout and walk to the point break, which takes about five minutes. During the week, the beach is fairly empty, and on the weekend, it's only slightly crowded.

For surfers visiting Morocco to experience the best surfing in the world, visit Surf Maroc. Surf Maroc provides a guided tour, surf camp and a variety of accommodations based on one's preference and need. Their surf camp is ideal for beginners or experts. Accommodations include Tigger's Bay Luxury Apartments, which were just completed in July of 2008. Surfers staying at Tigger's have access to the world-famous surf break Draculas, as well as Boilers.

Killers Bay Apartments, which is also part of Surf Maroc, offers surfers access to the right and left reef break of la Source, the point break Killers to the right and the long waves of Mysteries to the left. Two minutes down the beach from Mysteries is the famous Anchor Point. Surfers headed to Morocco can fly RyanAir into Agadir from the UK or France.