Friday, September 7, 2012
Red Bull Circle of Balance Live Broadcast!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Building Skateparks with Rob Dyrdek
Ron Stebenne has been in the action sports game for along time...since before it was even called action sports! He has been a promoter of BMX as well as Skateboarding. Now he is on the east side of America, in Georgia, getting a skatepark built with Rob Dyrdek. Check out what goes on in getting a skatepark built.
DTV: How did the idea to build a skatepark get sparked and how did you get involved?
RON: THE SKATEPARK IN KENNESAW WAS SORT OF ON HOLD AFTER A GREAT GROUP OF SKATERS AND CITIZENS STARTED THE PROJECT ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO. THERE'S LOTS OF SKATING GOING ON HERE AND THIS SKATEPARK WAS A GREAT IDEA BUT THE TIMING WAS NOT QUITE RIGHT. THE ECONOMY WENT INTO THE TOILET AND FUNDING OPTIONS SORT OF DRIED UP. I WAS LIVING IN CALIFORNIA AND HAD A SKATEPARK AT THE CHURCH WHERE I WORKED AS YOUTH PASTOR. THAT CHURCH SKATEPARK WAS MY INTRO INTO THE WORLD OF SKATEBOARDING. I HAD A BACKGROUND IN PROMOTIONG BMX FREESTYLE BUT GOT TO APPRECIATE AS WELL JUST HOW HARD SKATERS WORK AT THIER SKATING. EVENTUALLY I BUILT UP A SKATEBOARD COMPANY WITH FRIENDS IN CALIFORNIA AND WAS LOOKING FOR ANOTHER PROJECT. MY SISTER LIVED IN KENNESAW GEORGIA FOR 30+ YEARS AND SAID HER CITY WAS BUILDING A BIG SKATEPARK. SHE INVITED ME TO MOVE OUT HERE WHERE IT WAS CHEAPER TO LIVE AND WHERE I MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP THE CITY. IT WAS A GREAT PROJECT THAT WAS NEEDING TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE. I MET WITH CITY OFFICIALS AND GOT HIRED TO HELP BUILD THE SKATEPARK.
DTV: What were the steps you went through to get the park approved?
RON: THIS CITY HAD THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND HAD EVERYTHING APPROVED BEFORE I ARRIVED. LOTS OF HARD WORK HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE BY SOME WONDERFUL PEOPLE HERE ON A SKATEPARK COMMITTEE AND I JUST PLUGGED IN TO THE PROCESS.
DTV: How did Rob Dyrdek get involved with your project?
RON: YEARS AGO, I BROUGHT ROB TO OCEANSIDE CALIFORNIA TO BUILD A STREET PLAZA. THE CITY WAS INTERESTED AND ROB WAS READY BUT THE CITY WAS NOT REALLY READY. FROM TIME TO TIME, I SAW ROB AT EVENTS LIKE ASR AND DEMO'S. I KNEW ABOUT HIS STREET LEAGUE AND FELT IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE IF HE WOULD GET INVOLVED WITH OUR PROJECT. I GOT IN TOUCH WITH HIS FOUNDATION TO SEE ABOUT GETTING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS FOR THE SKATEPARK. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP MISSING FOR THIS PARK AND VERY EXPENSIVE. ROB WAS VERY NICE TO US AND ALSO HAD EYES ON CREATING STREET LEAGUE CERTIFIED SKATEPARKS FOR EVENTS. WE FIT HIS NEEDS AND HE FIT OUR NEEDS.
DTV: When do you expect the park to be open?
RON: THE HOPE IS THAT WE CAN HAVE IT OPEN THIS SUMMER. WE ARE WORKING HARD TOWARD THAT END.
DTV: What do you think is the most challenging obstacle to getting a skatepark built?
RON: RIGHT NOW, WE NEED ABOUT $350,000 TO FINISH THE PARK THAT WILL COST ABOUT 1.2 MILLION DOLLARS WHEN DONE. WE HAVE RECEIVED MONEY FROM A SPECIAL TAX, FROM THE LOCAL FOLKS, AND FROM ROB. I'M NOW LOOKING FOR A BIG SPONSOR TO STEP FORWARD SOON THAT CAN SEE WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY THIS PARK IS FOR THEM. THERE'S A POTENTIAL FOR LOTS OF MEDIA TO BE INVOLVED. AT THIS STAGE, WE CAN NOW BE REALLY CREATIVE AS TO HOW THE SPONSOR WILL BE SHOWING OFF THIER LOGO ETC. IN THE PARK.
DTV: For people out there who may not be familiar with the significance of skateparks, what would be the top 2 or 3 benefits that skateparks contribute to the community.
RON: NOT IN ANY ORDER OF IMPORTANCE...
1. IF A SKATEPARK CAN HOST EVENTS LIKE THIS ONE CAN, THE COMMUNITY CAN BENEFIT FINANCIALLY JUST LIKE ANY TOURIST ATTRACTION.
2. THE YOUNG SKATEBOARDERS WILL HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO SKATE AND ENJOY HAVING OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS FROM STAYING ACTIVE.
3. YOUNG PEOPLE NEED A PLACE TO BE ACTIVE DOING SOMETHING THEY LIKE BEYOND TRADITIONAL SPORTS AND JUST HANGING OUT. SKATEBOARDING FILLS THAT NEED.
DTV: Any words of advice for people who would like to have a skatepark in their area?
RON: THERE'S A GREAT MANUAL FOR THIS CALLED "PUBLIC SKATEPARK DEVELOPMENT GUIDE" WRITTEN BY PETER WHITLEY. IT IS BEYOND EXCELLENT AND MAY BE FOUND ON-LINE TO BUY JUST BY SEARCHING THE NAME.
For more information about the Kennesaw Skatepark:
http://californiaskateparks.com/2012/06/city-of-kennesaw-skatepark-design-unveiled/
Fund your Skatepark: http://www.fundmypark.com
Rob Dyrdek with the mayor of Kennesaw.
RON: THE SKATEPARK IN KENNESAW WAS SORT OF ON HOLD AFTER A GREAT GROUP OF SKATERS AND CITIZENS STARTED THE PROJECT ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO. THERE'S LOTS OF SKATING GOING ON HERE AND THIS SKATEPARK WAS A GREAT IDEA BUT THE TIMING WAS NOT QUITE RIGHT. THE ECONOMY WENT INTO THE TOILET AND FUNDING OPTIONS SORT OF DRIED UP. I WAS LIVING IN CALIFORNIA AND HAD A SKATEPARK AT THE CHURCH WHERE I WORKED AS YOUTH PASTOR. THAT CHURCH SKATEPARK WAS MY INTRO INTO THE WORLD OF SKATEBOARDING. I HAD A BACKGROUND IN PROMOTIONG BMX FREESTYLE BUT GOT TO APPRECIATE AS WELL JUST HOW HARD SKATERS WORK AT THIER SKATING. EVENTUALLY I BUILT UP A SKATEBOARD COMPANY WITH FRIENDS IN CALIFORNIA AND WAS LOOKING FOR ANOTHER PROJECT. MY SISTER LIVED IN KENNESAW GEORGIA FOR 30+ YEARS AND SAID HER CITY WAS BUILDING A BIG SKATEPARK. SHE INVITED ME TO MOVE OUT HERE WHERE IT WAS CHEAPER TO LIVE AND WHERE I MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP THE CITY. IT WAS A GREAT PROJECT THAT WAS NEEDING TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE. I MET WITH CITY OFFICIALS AND GOT HIRED TO HELP BUILD THE SKATEPARK.
DTV: What were the steps you went through to get the park approved?
RON: THIS CITY HAD THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND HAD EVERYTHING APPROVED BEFORE I ARRIVED. LOTS OF HARD WORK HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE BY SOME WONDERFUL PEOPLE HERE ON A SKATEPARK COMMITTEE AND I JUST PLUGGED IN TO THE PROCESS.
Ron Stebenne in effect!
DTV: How did Rob Dyrdek get involved with your project?
RON: YEARS AGO, I BROUGHT ROB TO OCEANSIDE CALIFORNIA TO BUILD A STREET PLAZA. THE CITY WAS INTERESTED AND ROB WAS READY BUT THE CITY WAS NOT REALLY READY. FROM TIME TO TIME, I SAW ROB AT EVENTS LIKE ASR AND DEMO'S. I KNEW ABOUT HIS STREET LEAGUE AND FELT IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE IF HE WOULD GET INVOLVED WITH OUR PROJECT. I GOT IN TOUCH WITH HIS FOUNDATION TO SEE ABOUT GETTING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS FOR THE SKATEPARK. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP MISSING FOR THIS PARK AND VERY EXPENSIVE. ROB WAS VERY NICE TO US AND ALSO HAD EYES ON CREATING STREET LEAGUE CERTIFIED SKATEPARKS FOR EVENTS. WE FIT HIS NEEDS AND HE FIT OUR NEEDS.
DTV: When do you expect the park to be open?
RON: THE HOPE IS THAT WE CAN HAVE IT OPEN THIS SUMMER. WE ARE WORKING HARD TOWARD THAT END.
DTV: What do you think is the most challenging obstacle to getting a skatepark built?
RON: RIGHT NOW, WE NEED ABOUT $350,000 TO FINISH THE PARK THAT WILL COST ABOUT 1.2 MILLION DOLLARS WHEN DONE. WE HAVE RECEIVED MONEY FROM A SPECIAL TAX, FROM THE LOCAL FOLKS, AND FROM ROB. I'M NOW LOOKING FOR A BIG SPONSOR TO STEP FORWARD SOON THAT CAN SEE WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY THIS PARK IS FOR THEM. THERE'S A POTENTIAL FOR LOTS OF MEDIA TO BE INVOLVED. AT THIS STAGE, WE CAN NOW BE REALLY CREATIVE AS TO HOW THE SPONSOR WILL BE SHOWING OFF THIER LOGO ETC. IN THE PARK.
For a video of the park, check this link:
DTV: For people out there who may not be familiar with the significance of skateparks, what would be the top 2 or 3 benefits that skateparks contribute to the community.
RON: NOT IN ANY ORDER OF IMPORTANCE...
1. IF A SKATEPARK CAN HOST EVENTS LIKE THIS ONE CAN, THE COMMUNITY CAN BENEFIT FINANCIALLY JUST LIKE ANY TOURIST ATTRACTION.
2. THE YOUNG SKATEBOARDERS WILL HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO SKATE AND ENJOY HAVING OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS FROM STAYING ACTIVE.
3. YOUNG PEOPLE NEED A PLACE TO BE ACTIVE DOING SOMETHING THEY LIKE BEYOND TRADITIONAL SPORTS AND JUST HANGING OUT. SKATEBOARDING FILLS THAT NEED.
DTV: Any words of advice for people who would like to have a skatepark in their area?
RON: THERE'S A GREAT MANUAL FOR THIS CALLED "PUBLIC SKATEPARK DEVELOPMENT GUIDE" WRITTEN BY PETER WHITLEY. IT IS BEYOND EXCELLENT AND MAY BE FOUND ON-LINE TO BUY JUST BY SEARCHING THE NAME.
For more information about the Kennesaw Skatepark:
http://californiaskateparks.com/2012/06/city-of-kennesaw-skatepark-design-unveiled/
Fund your Skatepark: http://www.fundmypark.com
Friday, May 18, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Nate Principato on Sugar Skateboards!
Nate Prinicipato is now skating for Sugar Skateboards. Check the video and interview below.
NATE: I'm from Boston, Massachusetts and have no idea how I started skating, haha. I think I got a board for christmas one year; it had plastic wheels on it and I remember doing ollies in my garage. I broke the wheel and looked at it like wtf just happened, lol. My dad took me to Play it Again Sports and I got a legit setup- it had ants on the graphic is all I remember.
NATE: Is that even a question!? LA COUNTY BABY! Straight skate utopia!..The east coast has epic spots too though.
DTV: When you're staring at that next big rail or gap what's going on in your head?
NATE: I cant wait to smash this trick and make this gap my bitch!
NATE: Umm, I dunno, i used to, but now i feel like there's so many good skaters out there that kids who are amazing just get lost in the crowd. It's sad, honestly, because I know kids who are ridiculously good and don't even have a sponsor.
NATE: My Standards Forsaken part for sure...triple set footy was some of my best, Pasadena High too...and that kick-flip over that 12 and the gate at the bottom, off Wilshire was pretty legit I think lol...
NATE: I would say to keep skating as long as possible, especially if you have a strong passion for it, its molded me to who i am today. Everything i do in my life, I do it like my skating; I try as hard as possible at everything, just like I have always done every single time I step on a skateboard. I don't half ass anything, lol except maybe cleaning my apartment...
DTV: Where are you from originally and what motivated you to start skating?
NATE: I'm from Boston, Massachusetts and have no idea how I started skating, haha. I think I got a board for christmas one year; it had plastic wheels on it and I remember doing ollies in my garage. I broke the wheel and looked at it like wtf just happened, lol. My dad took me to Play it Again Sports and I got a legit setup- it had ants on the graphic is all I remember.
DTV: What is your favorite city to skate?
NATE: Is that even a question!? LA COUNTY BABY! Straight skate utopia!..The east coast has epic spots too though.
DTV: When you're staring at that next big rail or gap what's going on in your head?
NATE: I cant wait to smash this trick and make this gap my bitch!
DTV: Do you think it's better to be in California if you want to make
it in skateboarding?
NATE: Umm, I dunno, i used to, but now i feel like there's so many good skaters out there that kids who are amazing just get lost in the crowd. It's sad, honestly, because I know kids who are ridiculously good and don't even have a sponsor.
DTV: Of all your video clips, what video/trick are you most stoked on?
NATE: My Standards Forsaken part for sure...triple set footy was some of my best, Pasadena High too...and that kick-flip over that 12 and the gate at the bottom, off Wilshire was pretty legit I think lol...
DTV: If you had to give one piece of advice about skating to kids
watching your videos, what would it be?
NATE: I would say to keep skating as long as possible, especially if you have a strong passion for it, its molded me to who i am today. Everything i do in my life, I do it like my skating; I try as hard as possible at everything, just like I have always done every single time I step on a skateboard. I don't half ass anything, lol except maybe cleaning my apartment...
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