These age old blocks and ledges of the Crucible(Tudor Square) have been demolished in the names of progress...(huh).
Before- sweet as they come...
Now- what the...
A face lift for the area some say, more like botox gone wrong!!
Sums it up nicely!
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Saturday, 7 February 2009
Put something back
We're recruiting skaters to teach skateboarding at sessions. As long as you can skate and want to spread the knowledge, get in touch.
Snow-boarding
So we discovered some snow still lurking at one of our favourite spots. Old spare deck from the boot of the car + snowy bank = interesting slant on skate session. I bet you lot have bonelessed into in by now.
Friday, 6 February 2009
The Final Flare -Part 1
I can't believe someone put this on YouTube already... you still should buy it. Check the 'related' videos to see the other parts.
Skate logos for you
Well it's a bit cold outside and wet outside... why not get down with the arts and the crafts and use this nice skateboard logo font to decorate your board with a stencil. Download the font here.
All your favourite brands including Spitfire, Fallen, Baker and lots that aren't shown here... have a look.
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Hooked in The House
Lock in, The House, Sheff
We couldn't say yes fast enough!!
Intermission= Shit, time for a Sk8
Phlegm- Kickflip Transfer
Dave- Heel the Euro
Quote:
By three methods we learn wisdom: First by reflection, which is the noblest; Second, by imitation, which is the easiest; and Third by experience, which is the bitterest.
Confucius
The crew had an offer they couldn't refuse, an all nighter in a skate park!
Our mate Phlegm, asked if the Hooked crew would like to be witness to some arty additions to the internal walls of the park, and to do some skating as well.
We couldn't say yes fast enough!!
Keep active, stay warm.
Still wet.
Day light shot.
Day light shot.
The Finished product, we had a time lapse cam on the murals progress throughout the nite, it took about 4 hours in near freezing conditions and a few problems with the cans, to get it sorted... Big it UP!
Intermission= Shit, time for a Sk8
Phlegm- Kickflip Transfer
Dave- Heel the Euro
5 0 the rail
Rad Dad - Those Blunt Fakies are killers...Ha Ha
End Intermission- Back to the Spray.
And with this being her third piece, she's showing wicked potential... GO GIRL!
Rad Dad - Those Blunt Fakies are killers...Ha Ha
End Intermission- Back to the Spray.
Emma mainly into textiles is now on the can, metaphorically speaking of course.
And with this being her third piece, she's showing wicked potential... GO GIRL!
Check it out in the flesh, at The House.
Quote:
By three methods we learn wisdom: First by reflection, which is the noblest; Second, by imitation, which is the easiest; and Third by experience, which is the bitterest.
Confucius
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Spray..."Between the Lines"... Update- QUAD
Derby Quad Centre-Evolution Depicted in Graf Style
Darwin's theory brushed out in a contemporary theme, thanks to Julie and Deus.
From the Big POW, to us humans contaminating the place, all will be bought to light over the next month.
Show some support, call in and say "hey" to this dynamic duo!
Check Julie's website out at http://juliewest.com/
Quote:
In the long history of humankind( and animal kind, too) those who learn to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.
Charles Darwin
Darwin's theory brushed out in a contemporary theme, thanks to Julie and Deus.
From the Big POW, to us humans contaminating the place, all will be bought to light over the next month.
Show some support, call in and say "hey" to this dynamic duo!
Check Julie's website out at http://juliewest.com/
Quote:
In the long history of humankind( and animal kind, too) those who learn to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.
Charles Darwin
Indoor Skate Park Review-Sheffield
Chewin the Fat with Rob at The House
Hooked: The House skatepark is a renowned Sheffield spot. Are you originally a Sheffield lad?
I was born in Rotherham, grew up in Dronfield, but have been hanging around in Sheffield since I was about 13 and moved here at 18.
Hooked: How long have you been skating and what do you like to skate the most - street, vert or a mix of everything?
I've been skating since I was 8. I've never really skated vert as we didn't have the facilities when I was young and it's not something you get into late, so I'd have to say street.
Hooked: What music are you into and have you got a favourite band? Does this influence the music that we all have to skate to at the House?
Too many to mention, but off the top of my head: The Smiths, The Cure, The Silver Jews, Cinerama, The Wedding present, The Beatles, Bjork, Eels...I could go on but it would take up too much space. As for what we play at the House, you've probably noticed most of that lot doesn't get played. That's because when you have to listen to the same stuff coming through the walls of the office for hours on end it destroys it for you. We tend to play artists who aren't too offensive but aren't worth saving!! Hope that doesn't offend too many of you.
Hooked: What upsets you?
Most things.
Hooked: How long ago did you set up The House and what inspired you to do so?
It was about 12 years ago that we set out to do this thing. I wanted to work for myself and I knew how to make ramps so it seemed like a good idea.
Hooked: Is there one moment in time that you felt changed your life forever - changed your skating / lifestyle / outlook etc?
I was in a band and the drummer really pissed me off. So one day at practice I just packed up and walked out. After that my whole friend group was lost. I always skated but up until then I'd seen it as transport. A few people I knew were getting into the trick thing so I just started hanging out with them full time. Everyone I know these days, my wife included, I met because of skating.
Hooked: Do you have a favourite event that you've held at the House and what memories make it stand out?
The park's tenth birthday party last year was pretty good, from what I can remember.
Hooked: Is there someone famous you draw inspiration from when skating, or if you could skate like them, who would it be?
No not really. I just do what I do, usually very badly these days.
Hooked; If you could alter The House in anyway, what would you change?
Everything, I'd love to close for a month, rip the whole park out and start again. But we'll never be able to afford it.
Hooked: On that note, we've noticed the left hand side ramp section has been ripped out. What are you plans for that area?
It's going to be a big vert wall, facing a low driveway, heading down to a transition hip joined to the wall ride, which will have a kinked block on the other wall, finally hiting an inverted hip flat bank. Although I might change some or all of that before I'm done.
Hooked: Ha Ha...Sounds exciting
Hooked: As skateboarding is constantly evolving, parks change to be more versatile and encourage creativity in skating. Where do you pull inspiration from when refreshing the House?
I try to follow the cycle of skating. About every three years you get a large influx of younger skaters; that's when I build the lower and easier to use stuff. Then as these kids grow up I make the park a bit harder to use. After about three years most of the kids who started have stopped and your left with the ones who don't quit and become part of the scene. As for inspiration sometimes it's suggestions, sometimes it's some thing I've seen either in another park or on the streets, sometimes I just get a silly idea and try it.
Hooked: Who would you like to thank for the success of The House?
Everyone who has ever worked there, all the people who have been nice to us over the years, anyone who has come down, skated and supported what we do.
Hooked: Cool thats a rap, thanks Dude
Hooked: The House skatepark is a renowned Sheffield spot. Are you originally a Sheffield lad?
I was born in Rotherham, grew up in Dronfield, but have been hanging around in Sheffield since I was about 13 and moved here at 18.
Hooked: How long have you been skating and what do you like to skate the most - street, vert or a mix of everything?
I've been skating since I was 8. I've never really skated vert as we didn't have the facilities when I was young and it's not something you get into late, so I'd have to say street.
Hooked: What music are you into and have you got a favourite band? Does this influence the music that we all have to skate to at the House?
Too many to mention, but off the top of my head: The Smiths, The Cure, The Silver Jews, Cinerama, The Wedding present, The Beatles, Bjork, Eels...I could go on but it would take up too much space. As for what we play at the House, you've probably noticed most of that lot doesn't get played. That's because when you have to listen to the same stuff coming through the walls of the office for hours on end it destroys it for you. We tend to play artists who aren't too offensive but aren't worth saving!! Hope that doesn't offend too many of you.
Hooked: What upsets you?
Most things.
Hooked: How long ago did you set up The House and what inspired you to do so?
It was about 12 years ago that we set out to do this thing. I wanted to work for myself and I knew how to make ramps so it seemed like a good idea.
Hooked: Is there one moment in time that you felt changed your life forever - changed your skating / lifestyle / outlook etc?
I was in a band and the drummer really pissed me off. So one day at practice I just packed up and walked out. After that my whole friend group was lost. I always skated but up until then I'd seen it as transport. A few people I knew were getting into the trick thing so I just started hanging out with them full time. Everyone I know these days, my wife included, I met because of skating.
Hooked: Do you have a favourite event that you've held at the House and what memories make it stand out?
The park's tenth birthday party last year was pretty good, from what I can remember.
Hooked: Is there someone famous you draw inspiration from when skating, or if you could skate like them, who would it be?
No not really. I just do what I do, usually very badly these days.
Hooked; If you could alter The House in anyway, what would you change?
Everything, I'd love to close for a month, rip the whole park out and start again. But we'll never be able to afford it.
Hooked: On that note, we've noticed the left hand side ramp section has been ripped out. What are you plans for that area?
It's going to be a big vert wall, facing a low driveway, heading down to a transition hip joined to the wall ride, which will have a kinked block on the other wall, finally hiting an inverted hip flat bank. Although I might change some or all of that before I'm done.
Hooked: Ha Ha...Sounds exciting
Hooked: As skateboarding is constantly evolving, parks change to be more versatile and encourage creativity in skating. Where do you pull inspiration from when refreshing the House?
I try to follow the cycle of skating. About every three years you get a large influx of younger skaters; that's when I build the lower and easier to use stuff. Then as these kids grow up I make the park a bit harder to use. After about three years most of the kids who started have stopped and your left with the ones who don't quit and become part of the scene. As for inspiration sometimes it's suggestions, sometimes it's some thing I've seen either in another park or on the streets, sometimes I just get a silly idea and try it.
Hooked: Who would you like to thank for the success of The House?
Everyone who has ever worked there, all the people who have been nice to us over the years, anyone who has come down, skated and supported what we do.
Hooked: Cool thats a rap, thanks Dude
Monday, 2 February 2009
"Get Your Bearings" - Jensen
A View with Nick Jensen of Blueprint Skateboards
Hooked: Ok here we go...
Hooked: So, how are things on Blueprint these days; you've just got back from your annual Mallorca trip, tell us a bit about that... Any trouble,
Yeah recently back, it was rad, I haven't been for like 4 years so it was a real treat. No trouble other than self inflicted pain.
Hooked: You've been on Blueprint for ages, is it strange to see new faces join the family and
long serving guys move on?
Its more strange to see the older guys still keeping the younger ones in shape, there is not much moving on for most of them!
Hooked: On that note, what is Scott Palmer doing these days?
Good point, I should know more, he is a dad and lives in Hull, he has a job I think he is self employed? I am sure he is still ripping!
Hooked: You went pro in 2004, has that changed your skating - do you find you're skating mostly under pressure during filming now, rather than just everyday practice for example?
Well once you have done a video or 2 having been pro, you start to relax because you generally feel deserving of professional status. I mean, I am always hard on myself, I don't think being am or pro would change that its just the way I skate.
Hooked: Now, you're pro on the Print, and you've been to Uni and got a Degree - proving to the young rippers out there that you can do both. You're known for your art, exhibitions and installations, how does that side of your career balance with your skating? Have you ever had to turn down a skate tour due to art commitments?
Yeah, I have had to turn down skate tours because of art related things. I just make a decision at the time, what is the most important thing, and then try and do that. Its all about finding grey areas.
Hooked: Have you been involved with any of your Blueprint deck graphics?
No
Hooked: So back to your skating - you said banks were your favourite thing to skate... what's the newest trick in your bag, is it something that works nicely on banks?
Did I?
Well I have been trying to skate stairs more, and new spots that look good in photos. I get stoked on thinking about the composition of a trick in photos. Recently its been basic tricks, like 50 50's, kick flips and noseslides.
Hooked: You've got some big name sponsors under your belt - Not only Blueprint, but Spitfire, Thunder, Four Star and Lakai to name a few. Is it difficult having US sponsors, or do you mainly deal with the UK distribution side of them more?
Its all American distributed stuff, it is difficult, because the skate industry is orientated by America, so sometimes I feel like I am missing out on more opportunities that I could fulfill in the states.
Hooked: We heard your favourite video part is Jerry Hsu in Enjoi, do you have an overall favourite skater? If so, what is it about them?
Anthony Papalardo because he thinks about skating in an interesting and original way, more than the average person.
Hooked: What's been the highlight of your skate career so far.. front cover of Doco (RIP), Lakai vid, designing Thunders etc?
I think just being asked to ride for American brands because of Blueprint videos. Its the videos that stoke me out the most, I am really lucky to be involved in them.
Hooked: Is there any advice you want to give to young rippers starting to get noticed?
Think about why you like skating and then do it that way. You can still be ambitious! You will be recognized for the right reasons if you are recognized.
Hooked: Here's your Thanks slot.
Thanks to my family, girlfriend, dog, blueprint, thunder, 4*, lakai spitfire, slam crew. pwbc and Domingues (come home)! Jack, Alex. And everyone else.
Hooked: It's been a treat, cheers Nick.
Check out Nick's artwork and sculptures here http://www.nickjensen.co.uk, and check his regular lurkings on http://www.blueprintskateboards.com/
Buy British, we're in a recession don't you know!
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