Skate and create!

Good morning!

Sometimes before a SKATEYOGI sesh we talk about how skateboarding is rad because there's really no winning or losing. Sure, there's skate competitions that everyone is familiar with but those hold very little currency from within the skate culture. At the heart of it skateboarding is more of a physical art and this is best expressed in the form of the skate video.

Last week's sessions were motivated by recent videos. First we took ques from Torey Pudwill's part in the new Plan B video. Like a skate wizard conjuring never before done tricks with his board, I noticed the amount of full body motions that went into each move. In class this turned into an exercise where we first stood with our feet firmly planted in place and wildly flailed our arms around, trying to keep balance. Next we hopped on our boards and repeated the motions demonstrating how we can control our balance not just with stance, but also fine tuning using our whole body.

In Sunday's shredders class, we drew inspiration from a recent video that featured NYC skaters only doing tricks on what most people would consider trash: discarded objects, garbage cans, etc. So I went into the back room at Skate Brooklyn and pulled out the first thing that looked interesting, two flat-cut pieces of logs, and we proceeded to "sesh" the new obstacle. Given very little direction on what to do the kids were also learning how to take turns and work together to create their own physical art. Below is a video still of one of our shredders blasting over the obstacle. Click it for a link to instagram to see the quick clip!

Little shredder blasting over our makeshift obstacle. Click for the instagram clip!

Sign up for SKATEYOGI classes!
Class sign-ups have been posted for the next two weeks. Then we're taking a break for the holidays and returning January 10th with an updated schedule. Adults today at 11am. Kids tomorrow: Groms at 11am, Shredders at 12:30pm. Sign up here if you haven't already!

Video of the Week: Far East Skate Network
For a completely fresh look at skateboarding check out this rad part from Japan! From watching this you can really appreciate  how all the elements of skate video - the tricks, spot selection, filming, editing and music - all come together to form a final piece.

Namaskate!
Kevin

Upcoming Classes:

Sat 12/13 Adult Beginners 11:00am-noon (at Skate Brooklyn)
Sat 12/13 Kids Saturday Ramp Series 12:30-1:30pm (at Skate Brooklyn) SOLD OUT
Sun 12/14 Kids Groms Class 11:00am-noon (at Skate Brooklyn)
Sun 12/14 Kids Shredders Class 12:30pm-1:30pm (at Skate Brooklyn)