What can be said about the Mobash Skatepark in Missoula, Montana? It is in the heart of a recreational wonderland, close to a river, close to hiking trails, close to the University of Montana and close to the Downtown shopping district. Whether you are visiting Missoula, or you live here, this is a skatepark you won’t want to miss.

Mobash Skatepark – Missoula, Montana

The Mobash Skatepark is a 15,000 square feet and found near a recreational development just across the Orange Street Bridge in Missoula, Montana. You can find this skatepark on the corner of Orange Street and Gregs Lane. This is a concrete skatepark with a great selection of bowl and street course features. You will be required to wear a helmet, but pads are optional. However, if you value your knees and skin, wear appropriate padding.

The highlight of this park is its bowl features. Here you will find one large bowl that has depths that vary from about six feet to about eight feet and a kidney bowl. Inside the main bowl formation, you will find a cradle, bank walls and pool coping. The kidney bowl also offers coping and easy in and out banking. If you are a street course aficionado, you will love the one at the Mobash Skatepark. This course offers a granite surface, terraced inclines, rails, ledges and a long back wall.

Boarding and Skating at the Mobash

This park was designed specifically for skaters and skateboarders. Bikes aren’t allowed in this park, which makes things safer for all involved. This park is a great place to host a birthday party or just hang out with your friends. The community loves this park, and it is the site of many thrilling free skating and boarding demonstrations. You will even occasionally see extreme sports stars make guest appearances at these events.

So, while you are taking a break from hiking, rafting or visiting the University of Montana, pull on a pair of board shorts and stop by to dive into a bowl or practice riding rails at the Mobash. It’s not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Sexy Charlotte Dutton of London, with bleach-blonde bangs to her eyebrows and maximum red lipstick , has never been a big winner in pro snowboarding. She knows that her main meal tickets will be something else: modeling and fashion design.

How can primping and riding be connected? We shall let Charlotte explain: “Modeling and snowboarding did conflict at times because I’d come back from skiing with tan lines, or sometimes even a broken arm, and the agency would have to wait until I got rid of my goggle marks or out of the cast.”

The young lady nicknamed “Sugar Charlie” (mmmm!) still enters a few half-pipe competitions. She also makes some snowboard cash as a coach, both with celebrities and with the common clay.

On the fashion front, she has designed snowboarding gear for Topshop, “Moto SNO by Charlotte Dutton.” Once she was asked why such a high-street name as Topshop would be interested in mere snowboarders, rather than the real fashionable people. Sort of like, “Take that, all of you raggedy-butt snowboarders.” She now is preparing designs for her new venture, Misticom. She aims to accommodate her two lifestyles, such as designing a jacket “that looks casual enough for the gym but also nice enough to wear to a casting,” such as when she must speedily traverse “from a snowboarding competition in Austria to a casting in Paris.” Ah, yes, a dilemma to which all the ladies can relate.

Sugar Charlie has competed a few times in Europe, but mostly in the United States and Canada. She says she has found her second home at Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, a popular spot for youth camps. “It’s great for kids whose parents are going away somewhere and don’t want to take their kids,” she says. Seriously.

Charlotte also explains, in a politically correct manner, why she has extra affection for summer snowboarders: “I like it when it’s hot and sunny. Don’t get me wrong, I love skiing in powder, but the people who go in summer are those who are really into snowboarding, as the rest of the world seems to head off on summer holidays to relax on beaches rather than get the adrenaline pumping up a mountain.”

Wait. Sugar Charlie isn’t finished. Back to the modeling mode: “And, it’s hot so you get the best tan, which is great for me who is really pale.” You go, girl!

SOURCES

charlottedutton.com
coolermag.com/blogs/charlotte_dutton/
femalefirst.co.uk//travel/Professional+snowboarder+gives+her+top+tips+for+summer+snow-668.html

Don’t you think it’s only fair that Valdez, Alaska should be known for something other than the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill? Well, how about some fantastic snowboarding ?

Valdez hosts the King of the Hill Snowboard Championship, along with the World Extreme Skiing Competition. In the 1995 movie “ Endless Winter ,” audiences were thrilled to see a quartet of snowboarders descending the slopes of Valdez. In the 1997 Teton Gravity Research film called “Harvest,” Valdez again was the primary location. So it seems that if you liked or flat out loved either or both of those flicks, you might want to head up toward Prince William Sound and see for yourself.

Promoters of Valdez Heli-Camps proclaim that they are “the logical choice for your next snowboarding vacation,” featuring the steep lines and dry powder of the Chugach Mountains. The lodge is right in the center of the village, which means you can feast on a home-cooked meal before walking out to enjoy the nearby nightlife.

Valdez has five glaciers. Can you beat that? The mountains get 600 to 900 inches of snow each season. And you can get there by highway, air or cruise ship.

The folks in Valdez are big on history, with several museums to visit. Settled in the late 19th century, it was rooted in fur trading, salmon canning, and gold and copper mining. They didn’t quite yet have snowboarding back then, but you get the picture.

Then, of course, came the lower portion of the 800-mile Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline during the early 1970s, and we know what happened in ’89. The Valdez Chamber of Commerce advertises that “seawaters abound with sea otters, Dall porpoise, harbor seals, Stellar sea lions, & Humpback and Orca whales.” The folks of Valdez deserve a break, and so do you. You can e-mail info@valdezhelicamps.com or call (907) 783-3243 to learn more about Valdez Heli-Camps.

Sources:
www.evostc.state.ak.us/History/index.cfm
www.valdezalaska.org
www.valdezhelicamps.com/heli-snowboarding.html

When you think of Las Vegas you naturally think of the Strip, flashy light displays, casinos and world class entertainment. However, Las Vegas also has another side, one that is skater friendly. Las Vegas has one of the largest selections of free skateparks in the United States. It has at least 11 free skateparks that are perfect for beginners, five skateparks that work well for intermediate/advanced skaters, as well as one of the West’s largest skateparks.

Beginner/Intermediate Las Vegas Skateparks

Las Vegas is actually a great place to visit with your family or by yourself if you are a skateboarder. In addition to adult only entertainment, the city/county also offers numerous concrete parks where you can skate and develop your boarding skills. Below is a list of 11 free concrete parks that offer a variety of terrains and obstacles for you to practice on.

▪ Cambridge Rec Center, 3930 Cambridge Street

▪ Durango Hills Park, 3521 N. Durango

▪ Garehime Park, 3901 N. Campbell Rd.

▪ Martin Luther King Park, 5439 E. Casey Avenue

▪ Police Memorial Park, 3250 Metro Academy Way

▪ West Flamingo Park, 6255 W. Flamingo

▪ Duck Creek Park, 8650 Pollack Dr.

▪ Freedom Park, 850 Mojave Road

▪ James Gay, III Park, 197 W. Harrison Ave.

▪ Patriot Park, 4050 Thom Blvd.

▪ Winchester Park, 3130 S. McLeod Dr.

Intermediate/Advanced Las Vegas Skateparks

The free skateparks that are best suited for intermediate and advanced skaters include more features than the concrete parks that are advertised for beginners. These parks can have ramps, rails and bowls. There are six skateparks in Las Vegas that work well for experienced skaters and they are:

▪ Desert Breeze Park, 8275 Spring Mountain Rd.

▪ Silverado Ranch Park, 8650 Pollack Drive

▪ W. Wayne Bunker Family Park, 7351 W. Alexander Rd.

▪ Mountain Ridge, 7151 Oso Blanca Rd.

▪ Sunny Spring Park, 7620 Golden Talon Ave.

▪ Doc Ronco Park, 7400 Peak Dr. (Biggest and best park in Vegas!)

As you can see Las Vegas is a city that is set up for skateboarders. No matter if you are traveling with your parents, or planning your own vacation, Las Vegas is one of the best vacation destinations for skateboarders. So remember to pack your skateboarding shoes and gear before you leave for Sin City!

A review of several of the top spots to surf in Australia.

The best surfing in the world has long been associated with the country of Australia. Known for some of the most incredible waves as well as some of the most talented surfers, Australia, the land down under offers surfers of all levels of surfing skills the sports opportunity of a lifetime. Where surfing definitely looks like a cool sport with the chic shades, and comfy board shorts, deciding to take on the type of waves available in Australia is more than an afterthought.

Australia not only offers some of the best surfing in the world but also some of the most talented surfers in the sport come from Australia. Several of the greats have trained in the more popular spots in Australia. It is here where novice and true talents bring their laid back surfer style to test some of the most incredible waves in the world. In fact, surfers looking for an incredible experience will find just that in Australia.

Known as the Land of Oz, Australia offers an endless coastline with water that offers heavy and hollow waves and awesome barrels. Oz is a great place to plan a surf trip with high season being in August, though most surfers headed to Australia tend to want to take this journey alone, surfing tours are still available for the faint of heart. News of a swell generally draws large crowds though there is certainly adequate coastline for surfers headed west, east, or south. The popular areas in the east include Kirra and Burleah Heads. Those headed towards the western coast of Australia generally surf in the area of the Margaret River and Rottnest Island. The popular spots in along the southern coast include Bells Beach and Torquay. Anyone headed towards the north coast should beware of crocs and jellyfish that dominate the area in the north.

To get to Australia fly a major airline from the west coast with flights generally going out daily from either Los Angeles, San Francisco or even Honolulu. One of the main cities to fly into is Sydney, Australia with surfing opportunities all along the pristine coastline of the Land of Oz. If you are prepared for a real surfing experience, man up or woman up, and then gear up with your beach shoes, board shorts and shades and head to Australia for some of the best surfing in the world.

Anyone been there or no of the best surfing in your opinion? Comment below!

Learn all about the coolest skate park in Moorestown, New Jersey, the Moorestown Vans Skatepark.

Moorestown, New Jersey is known for a couple of things. First of all it is known as being the home of the Perkins Center for the Arts, and secondly it is known for its ghosts. If you live in this city or will be visiting it soon and you are a skater, then you need to visit one of the city’s best skateparks, the Moorestown Vans Skatepark. This park has everything you could ever want in an indoor mall based skatepark.

Moorestown Vans Skatepark – What it Has to Offer

The Moorestown Vans Skatepark is know for its well rounded collection of skatepark terrains and features. If you are a fan of street courses then you will have a lot of fun ripping down their finished birch wood street course. This street course not only has straight aways and curves, but it also has obstacles that you would typically see on the street. For example, there are fire hydrants, gaps, wall rides, planters, ledges, stairs and ledges.

In addition to the street course, Moorestown Vans Skatepark also has a great collection of ramps and pipes. They have a vert ramp, a ¼ pipe and a ½ pipe. This skatepark even has a kid’s course, however, according to the locals this skatepark is better suited for intermediate and advanced skaters. If you are a beginner/newbie, you are better off developing your skating skills off-site before you attempt the rides and ramps at Vans Skatepark.

Gearing Up for Moorestown Vans Skatepark

Like most other skateparks in the country, Moorestown Vans Skatepark is a skate at your own risk park. This means you are responsible for keeping your body in one piece while skating there. To protect yourself from injuries you need a helmet, pads, a good board and a decent pair of skate shoes . A little common sense is also good to use, especially if you are a novice skateboarder or if there are less experienced skaters running the course when you are there.

Brazilian surfer Raoni Moneiro has the surfing potential to become his country’s first world champion.

Brazil is known for producing the world’s best soccer players, not the world’s best surfers, but Raoni Moneiro breaks the mold.

At 26, the former World Junior Champion hopes he still has his best days ahead with the men. He has a flashy and electric style – think of Pele and all of those other Brazilian soccer greats – but his daring approach has led to some injuries now and then. He also focuses on family life, missing a big World Pro Surfers event in Japan several years ago when his first child was born.

Life in the pro surfer ranks can be difficult, he says, because travel from coastal Brazil requires thousands of miles. Still, he says he is overjoyed with his success, and with the opportunity to make many new friends worldwide.

Moneiro grew up in the small town of Saquarema, about 30 miles from Rio de Janiero. Surfing was not a major part of the city’s culture, and so he did not have a whole lot of company as he pursued his childhood dreams.

“At the school, the teachers would ask, ‘What do you want to do?’ I would tell them that I wanted to become a pro surfer,” he recalls. “Anytime I would say that, they would laugh. Every time they laughed. But I decided I want to be someone, and here I am. I just do my job.”

Saquarema does not have the highest tides, either. The result is that Moneiro is best known for his work in small, punchy waves. He has devoted himself to catching up on his skills in big-wave surfing. One of his best recent performances was during his freesurfs at Chile’s “El Gringo” during the Rip Curl Pro Search in 2007.

He burst onto the pro scene in 2003 with a standout season in the World Qualifying Series, and now he is pushing to regain his peak performance. Many of his fellow competitors are rooting for him. He is among the favorites in the pro ranks, known for his humble and laid-back style. One writeup described him “as relaxed as a hammock.”

Still, there is a fire inside. Moneiro’s half-circular tattoo across his upper chest rides a wave toward both shoulders. It states: “Think it. Feel it. Do it.”

SOURCES:
ripcurl.com/index.php?raonimontiero
worldprosurfers.com/outspoken_surfers_interviews.htm

Enjoy warm water, and awesome ocean breaks year round surfing the Philippine Islands.

Daring and avid surfers looking for one of the best tropical climates and definitely some of the best surfing in the world will find many unique and exotic surfing locations, and warm water year round in the Philippine Islands. Though a controversial location, the Philippine Islands are also one of the most awesome places to surf with surf seasons running from November to March and from July to September. The tropical climate and incredible breaks make the Philippine Islands perfect surfing territory and one of the more desirable destinations for surfers of all levels of expertise.

Located north of San Ferenando La Union, Philippines lays one of the top Surf Resorts. The San Juan Surf Resort caters to surfers and offers a great deal of flexibility regarding accommodations. Surfers can rent anywhere from one night up to a month. The nightly rate for two people ranges from 550.00 for a budget from up to approximately 950.00 pesos. The San Juan Surf Resort also offers premier accommodations from condominiums that accommodate up to four surfers as well as offering a penthouse unit that accommodates up to four people. Fly into Manila, Philippines to get to San Juan Surf Resort and take a bus, taxi, or car to the resort. Vans are also available for surfers arriving with personal surf boards though board sales and rentals are available at the resort at the onsite Surf Shop. Reservations and information for the San Juan Surf Resort can be obtained by emailing landrigan@sflu.com or by calling +63 72 720 0340.

Siargao, which is famous for the Cloud Nine break is another one of the top spots to surf in the Philippines and definitely offering some of the best surfing in the world. From Manila surfers will need to take other transportation including buses and ferries to get to Siargao, which offers some of the best surfing in the world.

Other great locations in the Philippine Islands which offer the best of the best surf breaks include Horseshoes, Pancit Reef, Pilar Point, Ventura, Tuason Point, and Cantanduanes, which is the closet break point to the main city of Manila.

Air service is provided by several major carriers to the main city of Manila, Philippines. Do check the travel advisories into the Philippines prior to travel just as one would for any other international destination.

Sources: www.sanjuansurfresort.com