Kris Vile annihilates the Ideal mini ramp one more time in this latest edit from Get Lesta.
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Author: Zac
The internet has just made way for Richie Jackson‘s very own TV show this weekend so sit back and get ready for skateboarding’s most loved moustache, a bag of tricks, some goading, a 360 flip tutorial and general good times.
This weekend, the Save Southbank event witnessed thousands of people coming through to skate the legendary banks at the Undercroft to primarily raise awareness that Britain’s most cherished skateboard spot is not relocated in 2014. Signatures poured in, the skating was on point and everyone who walked past got involved and backed the cause.
We are in the process of putting together a photo gallery and video feature so expect a feature this week and take in the overview from skate filmer Henry Edwoods-Wood who was one of many local skateboarders behind the campaign this weekend.
Many thanks to Dan Joyce for filming this weekend.
Manchester’s skate scene are looking forward to a new indoor skatepark opening this Sunday 5th May. The layout of the new 27,500 sq ft indoor Beast Rampz Skatepark has been designed by the good folk at Four One Four Skateparks and is located inside a warehouse just outside of town in the Eastern quarter, two minutes from Ashbury train station.
The project has been built by a team headed up by long time skater Dave Arnold, whose ongoing commitment to building pools, bowls and parks in the North should be commended. We spoke to him this week to get the lowdown on the new build:
“The guys behind this project have a background in building rollercoasters and worked on the infamous ‘Son of Beast‘ in the USA, that’s where the name comes from. The project has been simmering for the last two years but it all came together this January. The preliminary design was drawn up by Sean Scarfe (Four One Four) and then myself and Tim Stamp from Uniform Skatepark Construction were drafted in to carry out the ramp construction and tweak the design alongside ‘The Beasters’ themselves.”
The Manchester scene seems to be spoiled with options right now. The completion of the new Projekts Plaza from Freestyle has handed locals another fantastic dry spot to skate in the winter months in addition to Black Sheep’s indoor Central Skatepark. Drive out of town though and you are surrounded by other options too. This area of the country is awash with fantastic parks right now including Liverpool’s Rampworx down the M62 who are also looking to develop further to push their park to a whopping 70,000 sq ft.
“Beast skatepark is certainly living up to its name!” says Arnold. “Although there are bigger parks (sq footage) in the UK this place looks huge! the actual structures look like they are on steroids, the sort of place The Thing and The Incredible Hulk would skate.”
Beast Rampz has been designed to cater for everyone. The impressive 60ft wide hipped Midi-Ramp stands at 6.5ft high and rises to 10 ft at one end. There’s also a 24ft wide Mini Ramp and a 20ft wide Micro Mini Ramp alonside a beginners area for the nippers. Add a 16ft high x 24ft wide Vert Wall into the equation, a Taco Wall-Ride plus a huge BMX Rhythm Section (also very skateable) and a lavish split-level street course with bowled corners, hubbas, driveways, steps, gaps, pyramid, ledges, rails and more, you start to get the picture that this place will bring something special on the opening day.
The Beast would not be as beastly without the addition of a vert ramp though. The North have always enjoyed being part of a very strong vert scene so its inclusion in the design seemed like a no-brainer. Heathen Skateboards rider Riess Johnson made a plea for local vert skaters to help in funding this and with great support it became a reality. Nobody is more stoked on this than Arnold himself though due to the legendary history that is involved in the erection of this ramp:
“It’s 36ft in length and 12ft high, made possible via online donations. This ramp has been built by the skaters for the skaters, the way it should be. The funny thing is, that this ramp is a stones throw from the site of the original Ardwick Vert Ramp also built by myself and Tim Stamp back in 1985. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy that we have built yet another skate structure for a ‘minority’ group 28 years later.”
Ph: Tony Alva skates Ardwick back in 1985. Dave’s sister and Mike Pardon in the background.
You can find Beast Rampz at www.beastrampz.com and on Facebook. Address is Montague House, Matthews Street, Ardwick, Manchester, M12 5BB.
Great news from skater owned brand Etnies this week, Nick Garcia and Willow are both promoted to the pro team after loyal service. Watch this amazing Earn Your Stripes promo and scroll down this page to view their pro models.
etnies EARN YOUR STRIPE from etnies on Vimeo.
Garcia:
Willow:
New Balance have announced their new team with a welcome teaser this morning put together by the extremely talented Russell Houghton. Teamwise, Levi Brown, Tom Karangelov, Arto Saari and PJ Ladd all feature so far. Scroll down for a look at the first skate shoes they are expected to roll out. The New Balance Numeric’s. Like or Dislike?
Enjoy this bowl jam from Florianopolis with Pedro Barros, Rune Glifberg, Grant Taylor, Raven Tershy, David Gonzalez and Alex Perelson during the Red Bull Skate Generation contest at the infamous R.T.M.F. Bowl.
Toby Batchelor has unleashed footage of Dan Leech from back in 2006 overnight. Not seen Dan in ages but he always repped hard. Check this out.
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Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman dead
Slayer have announced that guitarist and co-founder Jeff Hanneman died yesterday after suffering liver failure. Hanneman was 49 years old, and passed in his Southern Californian home.
“Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11am this morning near his Southern California home. Hanneman was in an area hospital when he suffered liver failure. He is survived by his wife Kathy, his sister Kathy and his brothers Michael and Larry, and will be sorely missed.
Our Brother Jeff Hanneman, May He Rest In Peace (1964 – 2013)”
Hanneman was bitten by a spider 3 years ago and had a bad reaction to it leading to complications as explained on Slayer’s website: “There was talk that he might have to have his arm amputated, and we didn’t know if he was going to pull through at all. He was in a medically-induced coma for a few days and had several operations to remove the dead and dying tissue from his arm. So, understand, he was in really, really bad shape.”
Since then, he had several painful skin grafts and had joined the band onstage for his last show at The Big Four show at Coachella whilst continuing his rehabilitation. Unfortunately his liver gave up on him.
This is extremely sad news. RIP. Our thoughts go out to all family and friends. Long live Slayer. We hope that this allows the band members to pull together and work together following what has been a difficult year for them all. Skate to Slayer all weekend for Jeff.
Backyard wall jams, curb shredding, axle breaking wallies and much more can be found in this new edit of Death Skateboards pro Zarosh, Israel Forbes, Mike Crabtree, Oliver Henrikson and friends having fun in SF.