Just Cruisin’

            On the east coast, we skateboarders are all too familiar with rough asphalt strewn with potholes to cobble stone or hard packed street surfaces, and the potential hazard they pose. However, in recent years a highly technical style of street skating, consisting of flip-in flip-out manual and ledge combinations, has come to define many east coast skateboarders, and our set-ups reflect that. East Coast skaters often ride narrow set-ups with small wheels to be able to spin and catch the board more precisely, but lets face it:  little wheels aren’t cutting it on most terrain.  Some skateboards are looking back to the old style of skateboarding of the 1980’s, in setting up a wide deck with 70mm soft urethane wheels and riser pads to boot.

One of these skateboarders is my brother, Abe Dubin. This summer, Abe started experimenting with bigger wheels in an attempt to unlock a new realm of tricks and potential obstacles. Large and soft wheels are such a dyeing trend, even most skate shops did not carry them. Abe ended up finding the wheels he was looking for at a surf shop, which happened to have some extra long-board wheels in stock. With the additions of an eight inch board and about half an inch worth of assorted riser pads, Abe’s ultimate cruiser-board was born (although Abe rejects the term “cruiser-board”).

While many long-boarders or similarly-minded people who buy pre made “cruiser boards” are mostly concerned with a smooth and stylish form of transportation. My brother is simply trying to apply the modern aspect of skateboarding such as finding spots and performing quick definable maneuvers, while beefing up the skateboard to make a plethora of new tricks and obstacles available.

So, if your sick of falling on your face in front of a group of attractive coeds, in the campus parking lot, consider some “cruiser-wheels” whether you call them that or not. 

The Plank Sets Sail

            Last Sunday, the Plank sailed the highways to relatively new Hingham Skatepark. My roommate and captain Collin Boisvert  and myself (navigator) woke up at sunrise and awaited the new members of the crew, first mate Nick Petkauskos, and the cabin boy, cinematographer, and team waxer, Justin Foley.  We bellowed punk-rock shanties for the forty minuet voyage, with stops to plunder fast food.

             Within the first twenty minutes of ravaging the smooth concrete ramps and rails, our cabin boy fell injured, attempting to ollie the step-up. He has twisted, and possible sprained, his ankle. Fortunately for the rest of the crew, this left Justin’s schedule open to documenting our concrete carnage.

            Captain Collin and I spent much of the day in the bowl.  It is about five feet in the shallow end and seven feet in the deep end, divided by a spine ramp.  Collin’s backside grinds around the corner were impressive visually, but not actually as difficult physically, as with all the tricks in this bowl.  This ramp is a lot more intimidating than it looks.

            The pirate of the day was really Nick who is the main subject of the montage that Justin released to YouTube the day after filming. The handrail next to the five stair may not have much life in it now that Nick did almost every conceivable grind on it, ending with a stylish front side blunt slide to fakie, into the camera. You can check out the edit here, and make sure to subscribe to Justin’s channel and keep following Nick on his journey to fame and skateboard sponsorship.  

Your guide to Shredding Autumn

Summer’s gone and Autumn is here but to a skateboarder, especially in New England, the changing of seasons comes with some anxiety as well as excitement. We’re packing away the cut-off jean shorts or classic basketball shorts for a pair a Dickies or jeans and replacing the tank-top for a flannel or hoodie and we love it. It’s time for those nice sixty-three degree, crisp, and breezy days which it seems you can skate for hours on end (and without the need for a full gallon of water or “blue drank”). But alas, it may only feel as we have the energy to skate all day and night because, most of us can’t. The changing of seasons mean the changing of lifestyles for many young skaters, such as myself, who find themselves leaving the pool and headed to school. Bummer? No way! The Plank is going to give you your guide to shredding autumn.

Tip #1: Get it in while you can.

While the autumn weather can seem, at times, too chilly to motivate to get out and push try to remember: the impending, benevolent, skate-stopping force: the winter.  Sure, staying up to date on the fall, cable television programming and raking the falling leaves are great autumn past times. But, in the depths of winter you may be kicking yourself when the only thing to skate is a salty parking garage.

Tip #2: Shameless self promotion.

Documenting skateboarding has become an art, hobby, and lifestyle in its own whether it be through cinematography, photography, or a humble blog. Why not take advantage of this beautiful season and get some “artsy” pans from leaves to the obstacle being filmed. Or better yet, crumble up some leaves and sprinkle them in from lenses while a trick is being performed in the background. Why not even skate a spot you know has great trees? The bottom line is: leaves, and a lot of them.

Tip #3: The “Ryan Galant”

Any avid skate fan from Boston has seen the video “P.J. Ladd’s Wonderful Horrible Life” featuring the now skate-star Ryan Gallant. Before his part he is seen ironing everything from his skateboard to a slice of pizza. This is a great fall time tip that translates right into winter When wearing layers isn’t enough, iron your clothes just before a session and be all toasty warm, in classic Coliseum style.

That’s all for now land lovers, now go hop off this plank and on your plank. 

Welcome to "The Plank"

Arrrrrgh! Hey matey's and welcome to "The Plank" a blog about skateboarding as well as the lifestyle and culture surrounding it.  I have found other websites with similar subject matter have much too heavy of a focus on the competitive aspect of skateboarding (i.e. comparing tricks, and figuring out who is "better" than who) and so I will try to add a breathe of fresh air to the subject with light anecdotes regarding skate culture and articles that emphasis the overall experience of being a skateboarder and not just the fraction of a second we are on a ledge, rail, or in flight.