The big book of british smiles

The tiny country of England occupies square mileage smaller than the state of Oregon. However, it rains more and there's less chances of weather dry enough to skate. Luckily, there's South Bank. This is one of the most famous spots in the world. We were only in London for a short while, so this is the only spot I skated. Next time, I hope to visit Meanwhile 1 and 2, and some of the great skateable architecture around London. It wasn't all skating, though. Most of the standard tourist stuff was done too in our adventures around England and Scotland. Here are some of the 911 pictures we took.

Me doing something other than a kickflip. 80's style Wallride at South Bank...

Out of focus ollie to ledge.

Boardslide.

Bank bomb.

Next, it's off to Bolton skatepark (near Manchester, in one of the 4,000 holes in Blackburn, Lancashire), where boards get waterlogged, wheels slide when you don't want them to and ramps get rendered useless. This would be a nice prefab park if it had a cover over it.

Powersliding, not by choice.

Opposite view of the hump and ramps.

Slam City Skates is in London, and it's a cool shop, cool people.


My new drug of choice, the china white one in the middle. This particular fix costs 40 quid, somewhere in the neighborhood of 70 US dollars. Too much for a deck? Yes, but the grip was free.


Loads of spots to be skated, like this school.

Now for the tourist stuff:


I'm on the phone, do ya mind?


Waiting for tickets. Just kidding.


Tea time.


Tolerated but still not legal.


That's when the hurdy gurdy man came singing songs of love.


Well, well, what's all this, eh son?


In the poob.





All within a stone's throw of South Bank.


The local filth.


Wembley at night.


Shame train.



Loser's limo.




Abbey Road crossing and studio.


Tower bridge.


Too damn expensive.






Edinburgh, Scotland.


The Black Rose, coolest pub in Scotland. They have Slayer on the jukebox.


Haggis.





Glory, glory Man United.


Hey Beavis.


Long trip, ready to go home.


British influence.

Beat it, ya val jerk!

The 10th Annual Tim Brauch contest went down at the local skatepark today. It was like watching old skate videos live in person. Ray Stevens II was playing old Drunk Injuns & McRad songs, Dave Duncan was calling the contest, Mofo was taking pics, and Hosoi, Cab, Mike Rogers, and Aguilar were there. Oh yeah, and Duane Peters and Salba too! The pictures are mostly groupie shots since I am not a good action photographer.
I stayed for the girl finals and the masters comp...didn't hang for the pros, although I did see Jimmy The Greek. I was just waiting for the Daggers to throw some jacks into the pool when Corey Webster was taking his winning run. Here's the results.

Salba looks on while Cab tears it up in the deep end.

Salba, frontside air.

Mike Rogers, survivor.

After a hang up on a backside air.

The masters Hosoi and Cab.

Hosoi after nearly slamming on a body jar.

Julie discusses Hannah Montana with her peers.

After talking about Hannah Montana, Julie gets into deep thoughts.

Carving to first place.

Always gracious to his fans, Cab signs stuff.

The Master of Disaster in the flesh.

Duane still rips to this day.

Dave Duncan, judges, and Joel Gomez from Sessions.

Salba carves up the shallow.

Cab in a long 50-50.

Feeble grind.

Frontside gnarliness.


Cab still skates like he's 20. Elguerial...



I got my Skate Rock Volume 2 album signed by Julie Kindstrand, RS2, Cab, Hosoi, Salba, Dave Duncan, Mofo, and Duane. If you ever wondered whose legs those are on the front cover, it's Spidey. Mofo told me all about this album-he designed the cover. Rad!