The Derby Skatepark Project: Feeding back the feedback

So, we had a meeting tonight to discuss the findings of the feedback from the consultation. We prepared a document to present our thoughts on what definitely needs changing, what could be changed and what should definitely stay.

With a group of BMXers, Daz and Rob from Rollersnakes, the Council and us Hooked reps, we briefed John from Freestyle as to what needs to be done.


Got our heads around it


Marked it up


It will be reformed into a new park


Keeping some, and changing some

Freestyle will come back to us with a new layout from what we've all said, hoped for, wanted and hated. The good bits are in, with new good bits, and the bad bits are out.
It's going to be sick...

We'll keep you posted.

Don't forget to subscribe to The Derby Skatepark Project Blog, it's got it's own you know.

When Lakai goes boom

You might have already seen this, but Spike Jonze & Ty Evans have been working with the Lakai team on their Skate & Create edit to produce something that 1ups Fully Flared's intro.

It's all about the burn... have a look

Skating stairs and rails while they are engulfed in flames

MJ is just one of the reputable names on there

As well as Rick Howard, Mike Carroll and... England's finest Danny Brady

Check the video here, it's epic

LAKAI: LAKAIROMANIA from kevin brown on Vimeo.

House comp 2010... better late than never!

As we know we got some Derby reps winning stuff at the House comp 2010... here's the results.

12 and Under

1st Lewis Mottishaw

2nd Ryan Kirk

3rd Ryan Ordale

16 and under

1st Luke McManus

2nd Josh Glossop

3rd Lewis Murtagh

Over 16

1st Rob Southen

2nd James Hewit

3rd Oli Glossop

Pro/sponsored

1st Eddie Belverdere

2nd Craig Smedley

3rd Rowan Murray

Here's some footage of the day, cheers for filming and editing this guys. Thanks to the House for putting this on!

The House Comp 2010 from James Cruickshank on Vimeo.

Your feedback counts

We've been busy sifting through the report of skatepark feedback that you've given us. We had a copy of every sheet and every scribble that came back from the consultation. This, compiled with all of the information we've received in other forms, will help to craft our new Derby park into something special.

Got the green light and the park is coming

We zipped over to this new place to do business

Looking through the report of consultation and background of the project that the Council have put together for us

Some good statistics of the people who came to have their say

Becca analyses the scribblings

Data is recorded

Some great ideas logged from the consultation

Keep some, change some

We got a report on the feedback from you lot

Case closed, until the next meeting and visual... thanks for the input, we'll all make sure it's right, and we'll all see a visual after Freestyle have met with the Council, Rollersnakes and Hooked to feed back. Can't wait!

Keep you posted.

Brady pushes it

You may have seen this already, but the new Nokia N8 is getting some major coverage.

The new PUSH technology apparently allows you to to anything you want with it - for example scoring your tricks as you do them in real life, not just on EA SKATE.

The good news is everyone's favourite Blueprint rep Danny Brady has got himself on the cool TV spot.

Watch the ad!

Late Skate Lock-down

Sad news - Westfield have decided they don't want to get their floor scuffed again in what was the best thing that happened to the Westfield Centre, 2009's Late Skate Lock-in.

Rad news - Hooked are still going to organise a mega game of skate, we're currently just finding a space to host it where rain / authorities / other problems can't stop the tournament.

It just means that it won't be in Westfield. We all love a good game of skate, especially if there are prizes (and good ones) so be ready for the news of location and date when it drops.

In the mean time, look back with rose tinted glasses at last year's Late Skate Lock-In...

- Photos and write up blog entry

- Footage of each game in order

Get practicing, it's getting cold outside... no hibernating...

You lot are famous

The Derby Evening Telegraph has posted up the article on their site... check it out and add some positive comments, don't let the haters get away with it!

-------Article ---------

A SKATEBOARDING park in Derby city centre could deter anti-social behaviour and attract skaters from across the region, say planners.

A design workshop showcasing the planned park was held at Rollersnakes skating shop, in Mansfield Road, where scores of skateboarders and BMX enthusiasts gave their opinions.

The £200,000 skate park would be on Bass's Recreation Ground and would allow activities like skateboarding, rollerblading and BMX.

Darren Pearcy, team manager at the shop, said people currently have to travel outside Derby to use a skateboarding park.

He said: "We've got a growing BMX and skating scene in the city and a lot of people have to travel around to use good skate parks.

"There isn't a central location where people can socialise.

"But a skate park on Bass's Rec means it is central to everyone in Derby. It will be near the bus station and the train station so people can travel from outside the city to use the facility."

Rob Johnson, who also works at Rollersnakes, said that, instead of attracting anti-social behaviour, a skate park would deter it.

"Most cities in the country have one and they are very popular with young people," he said.

"It would deter anti-social behaviour because, for skaters, their main focus is to enjoy their hobby and to encourage each other.

"And if it is on the Bass's Rec, then it is an open area, meaning it won't attract the wrong people."

Becca Hall, a manager at local skating organisation Hooked, which is working on the plans with Derby City Council, said the plans had been almost three years in the making.

She said: "Derby is crying out for a skate park. This will be one so good that it won't just attract people from the city but from across the region.

"This means more tourism and more business for local hotels."

Tom Ball, 21, of Allestree, said he and his friends currently travel as far as Yorkshire to visit skate parks.

"There aren't that many amazing skate parks in Derby, so we go out to Sheffield, Leeds and Chesterfield to use ones there," he said.

"This one would be more accessible and it would definitely get used a lot."

Tom Wynne, 19, of Littleover, viewed the plans with friend Dan Brown, 20, of Findern.

"It's good for skaters to be recognised as a group and to be allowed to give input into the plans," said Tom.

Consultation is being undertaken over the next few weeks, with the intention of submitting the project for planning permission next month.

If planning permission is granted, then construction is due to start in December 2011.

Check the article and leave some comments here

New Build at The House

A New Hip has sprung up in Sheffield... Nice!

Pics courtesy The House Sk8 Park.

6 Tricks on the Sabbath: Hubba hangout with your friend Dave

We paid Chesterfield a visit to put 6 down the hubbas, we got more for this but we're saving it for the Hooked video... this stuff was still fun though.

Put some paint on it

Mantis style

Guess the trick

Or watch the video

Derby skatepark project: Consultation episode 1

The first design workshop happened at Quad today, with the Council, Rollersnakes and Hooked - as well as one of the design team from Freestyle to discuss the designs with the people.

Well the initial concepts were revealed to everyone, and we had some great thoughts and feedback. If you couldn't make it, here's what was discussed.

Scheme initial concept 1

Scheme initial concept 2

Everyone has looked over the concepts, filled out a form with their ideas / comments / criticism / scribbles. If you've not had a say, don't forget there's another session on Wednesday 15th of September at Rollersnakes. 5pm - 8pm.

Loads of the skate crew gave their thoughts

Really busting out the ideas... over tea

The BMXers had some ideas

Sizing it up to scale

This part is rad

Discussions over sandwich

Steve from Freestyle chats through some build options with visuals

Checking out the concepts

Cut and paste ideas

Rob from Rollersnakes gets his ideas across

There were too many thoughts and ideas going round to chat about here, but once Wednesday's session is over, Freestyle will collate all the feedback and see what elements and ideas we're dealing with, and how they can be incorporated to get us the best park around. It's hard to please all user groups, as we all have different size wheels.

One thing to note is that the quality of Freestyle's finish came under question, and they'll be putting down a sample to check we're all happy with it. We don't want it to be too smooth like Chesterfield and Steve from Freestyle is more than happy to ensure we get a finish we're absolutely stoked on.

Keep your eyes peeled - remember your thoughts count, so get them heard by coming on wednesday to consultation number 2.

Cheers to everyone who came today.

Get your bearings: Jody Smith

Long time DC rep Jody Smith chats to Hooked about his twin, tricks and tactics on FIFA.

Hooked:

Alright Jody, we've been seeing you around sidewalk mag for a few years with no sign of slowing down. I remember looking up to you back in the day when you were on Reaction with Rodney Clark...

Tell us who your repping and the mo and what you've been up to.

Jody:
My current sponsors are DC shoes and clothing, Nomad skateboards, Haze wheels, Venture trucks, Nixon and Sjz skateshop. This year has been a hectic one for me, lots of trips with the DC european team filming for the new DC european video. And in between these tours I've been piecing together some footage for my Nomad part which should be finished in a month or so. Fingers crossed!

Hooked:
Who do you look up to in the skate world, who do you love to watch to get you psyched?

Jody:
If I'm going to watch a video before skating which I rarely do these days it'll usually be a Keenan or Gino clip, usually if the weather is good, and I've had some good food, and my body is feeling good I'm hyped to go skate.

Hooked:
What other stuff do you do when you don't skate?

Jody:

I'm a huge Fifa addict! Usually I'll play against my brother or Sean (Smith), both are super good players. Hey if anyone wants to step up to the challenge here's my ps3 name - jodyRYANsmith. Prepare for a beat down! haha.

As well as geeking out playing footy games I also like to play it for real, a group of us get together every week and have a 6 a side match on this astroturf pitch.

Hooked:

If you could do only one trick for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Jody:
Tough decision.... either one of the three - switch bs tail, switch flip or nollie fs flip.

Hooked:

Yeah we've noticed a good few nollie fs flips in your footage! What's your favourite skatepark, and favourite street spot?

Jody:
Definitely the Truro skate plaza, I always have super fun sessions there.

Hooked:

Have you ever skated Derby? If not, where in the Midlands have you skated?

Jody:

I'm pretty sure back in the day when I was touring around with the Reaction and the DC UK team we hit up Derby, Lincoln, Nottingham and probably Leicester but my memory is so bad for places, I couldn't tell you what spots we hit up.

Hooked:

What's your favourite kind of stuff to skate?

Jody:
I tend to skate ledges, mannie pads, street gaps and stairs. Not too keen on rails or transition. Ialways said to myself if I had the money I'd have a mini ramp in my garden and learn how to skate the bloody things!

Hooked:
Who wins at skate, you or your brother?

Jody:
50/50. It usually takes us awhile to start the game because we always choose the same thing when it comes to the row sham bow! haha

Hooked:
What are you learning at the moment?

Jody:

I'm learning this trick at the moment called 'how to not hurt myself everytime I go out skating', probably a trick that I'll never get dialed!

Hooked:

Yeah we know that feeling. Have you ever considered quitting skating but the fact your twin skates pulled you back in? Or has Leo ever needed an injection of mojo and you supported him?

Jody:

I've only ever wanted to quit once and that was when I broke/dislocated my elbow a few years back, it really messed my head up, I just didn't think I'd ever get my confidence back but luckily I did. I suppose having leo around definitely helped me get hyped to be back on more board again. Leo kills it!

Hooked:

Got any tales of wild times or berserk antics on your filming trips?

Jody:
It's hard to think of one because there has been quite a few! haha Oh I've got one, me and the whole DC UK team had a big fight with these utter bellends in Bristol on the DC Lace 'em up Tour. We basically all went to this club on a boat, I forget the name of it, was a really goodnight until one of these chavs decided to throw a drink at me while I was on the dance floor, probably jealous of my funky chicken, anyway obviously being a bit confused and slightly annoyed I asked him why he did it which is when he went mental! 'WHAT THE F**K YOU GONNA DO?!!!' haha That's when it all kicked off, I think Sean and Keith got hit first, I took a blow to my ear which stung for days! Leo got hit too I think, Josef managed to connect with one of them. The funniest part for me was when the nights got turned on in the club it was me and leo stood side by side squaring up to this guy, I felt like Van Damme in Double impact! haha

Hooked:

Or a scene from Double Dragon on the megadrive ha. What trick do you have in your bag that always gets people a letter in skate?

Jody:
It really depends on who I am playing, if I'm playing my friend stu (titmus) then I'm f**ked because no matter what I do he always seems to sketch it. Me and stu have had some epic battles!

Hooked:
What advice have you got for someone who wants to get noticed for their skating and take it to the next level?

Jody:
Well me and Leo put some footage together on a tape and sent it off to a distributor and then slowly we started getting hooked up with products and then going on tours. I would definitely say just have fun with it.

Hooked:
What's your current favourite shoe?

Jody:
DC have come out with some absolute gems recently, my current favourites are the Tonik, the Match and the Trust. Go try them out!

Hooked:
What's the best thing about getting coverage being well known on the scene?

Jody:
I guess the best thing is hooking up with locals and getting taken to some of there secret spots!

Hooked:
And what's the worst thing?

Jody:
Probably the pressure of trying to do something that hasn't been done before.

Hooked:
What do you think of all these skateparks popping up lately - do you think it will hinder street skating / force it to die out or just make kids super gnarly super fast?

Jody:
No I definitely think it's a good thing, it'll definitely push the level of skateboarding to higher level, I wish I could have had the Truro Plaza back when I was first starting out. I do believe kids will still want to go out and search for street spots, at the end of day people will always get bored of skating one spot however perfect there skatepark is.

Hooked:

True, and no spot or park is ever perfect for everyone. Finally, tell us what have you got coming up‚ trips, demos, ads, or anything exciting?

Jody:
Just going to keep filming for these video projects, got my first board on Nomad coming out for christmas which I'm hyped on, also I have my second DC colourway shoe coming out next year which again I'm excited about. I'm hoping people will like it also. And maybe I'll squeeze in a couple more trips in before the end of the year.

Hooked:

Awesome, we'll look out for the board when it comes out. Thanks for doing the interview, we'll keep our eyes open for your footage and photos dropping.

Check some footage of Jody getting gnar with some bolts landings and switch tech lurkings. Awesome.