Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Embarrassed to Scooter?

Basically, after seeing the poll that I made a week or so ago, I have to admit, I wasn't shocked to see that so many people are embarrassed that they ride scooters. I've seen "Pros" get embarrassed for scootering around certain people as well. I got an email from Andy Wegener, owner of Sunshine Distribution which contains, Elyts, AO, 841, and Raptor, and he had this to say.

Just wanted to know what your guys' thoughts on the matter are.





"I was surprised to see that according to your survey on IS almost 40 % of the riders are embarrassed around some people to ride scooters. I'm not sure what people these are but my take is these are members of other action sports that sometimes look down on our sport.

This actually targets a very sensitive topic as it can ruin our sport if we don't do anything about it. Scooter riders have to become self-confident about our sport plus there is absolutely no reason that we have to hide. Scootering is already huge in some countries and once it will get into the X-games in a few years the sport will explode and will blow every other action sport out of the water. We will get there without the support from skateboarders or bikers and there is no reason to jock them but have every reason to be proud of our own accomplishment. Most of today's riders will be opinion leaders then that all the new kids will look up to. The more important it is to hold the flag up high and only support brands that fully support scootering and prominently showcase scootering on their web sites. These are the ones that will re-invest their money into the sport, sponsor events and riders and will pay them enough salary so they can make a living of scootering. The more money they make the more companies will get on and compete for riders. Competition is good and the more the better -- it keeps everybody on their toes and puts more money into the riders' pockets. Skateboard or BMX companies will never do that and I have yet to see a Nike or DC logo on a flier of a scooter contest or a scooter rider on their web sites.

Another reason why we have to find our own identity and should try to stay away from skateboarding as far as we can is that we will alienate them if we try too hard to copy them and their lifestyle. When rollerblading came up in the mid 90's they made the mistake that they copied the style, clothing and even logos from skateboarding which triggered a massive wave of hate against them. What made things worse was that skateboarding was in a crisis while rollerblading was exploding (due to the X-games) and companies were throwing money at them. Skateboarders then started a massive hate campaign, told every kid that came into a skate park how gay their sport is and that skateboarding was the only cool thing to do. If an older guy tells a younger kid what he's wearing or doing is gay he will most likely believe it. And boy did it work: One weekend you saw a kid on rollerblades and the next week he was on a skateboard. Rolllerbladers shifted in droves to skateboarding which eventually helped to turn their sport around. But skateboarders did not stop there. They told every sponsor, TV network, marketing agents, contest organizer and their mother how uncool rollerblading is and that they would pull out if they would touch inline. From then on rollerblading was nowhere to be seen, it only went downhill and never recovered.
Skateboarding is in a steep decline again today and we have to be extremely careful not to trigger their hate again. They know very well what to do to get kids on their side.

Some riders might argue that skateboarders might respect them more if they wear clothing from skateboarding companies. Wrong. I had a fairly big snowboard clothing company in the early 90's when snowboarding was huge. There was quite a rivalry between skiers and snowboarders and they prohibited snowboarding and many ski resorts which we hated them for. Snowboarding eventually took over anyway and became the cool thing. Many skiers even went so far that they were wearing snowboard clothing which made it even worse and we lost any respect. By not wearing their own clothing they obviously admitted that skiing was gay. We had more respect of skiers that stuck to their own thing than to a follower that wanted to be cool. Skateboarders hate everything new and it took years until they even respected bikers. Most still think of scooterers as little kids in full body armor that drop in or don't understand the concept of taking turns. On the other hand we experience all the time that when our pros ride new parks skateboarders stop skating, watch in awe and even cheer when they see what a scooter pro can do. It will come.


It's better to stay away from skateboarding (and BMX) as far as possible and find our own identity. There are plenty of companies in our sport that are fully committed to scootering and make great products. Buy their stuff and clothing - that's the only way our sport will grow.

Andy
Sunshine Distribution, Inc."
President

134 comments:

  1. That all seemed like 100% truth

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    1. Listen, I have absolutely nothing against scootering. But seriously stop blaming all your problems on other action sports. You can have your own identity it's alright, but just know that some people might look down on you. Maybe it's because of the little kids that ride them because they are easier, or just because it's easier than other action sports.

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    2. That was gay

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    3. In my Country - you cant find any scooter rider older then 14... this damn Kids are everywhere - and i know this Hype will be over in the next 2 years... why is it so popular --> because it is easy as shit (i took a scooter from one of this small bastards and after a couple of tries i coud do this Gay-360-Scooter-Spin - i guess you faggs call tailwhip....try to learn 360 flip in a couple of tries ...hahahaha) - even the small fat Kids can do it... even some parents are riding around. --> doesnt that make you think?

      anyhow - this Kids scream around insult to eachother who can do a better Smith grind... Smith Grind seriously: That was invinted by a Skateboarder(Mike Smith) !!! Why the F*** can´t you guys not find your own names. Tailwhip - hello BMX...

      Thats another reason why this Sport has no future - it will die faster then inline Skating.

      I know i hate around here - but back in the days at least the kidds had respect from all the older skate dudes - but nowadays this small kidos with ther gay-scooters give a shit - knowing we cant harm then...

      Just happy to hear that the sales are decreasing !!!

      ok - time for some hate answers...

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    4. Ok what you just said there is pathetic. How can a 360 flip compare to a tailwhip. I'd say a tailwhip is the equivalent as a pop-shuvit and that is easy as shit. You cant just compare a little trick on one sport and compare it to another harder trick (e.g. I can Ollie on a skateboard, it took 3 attempts, try doing a 360 backflip on a bike)

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  2. To bad you destroyed roller blading

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    1. skateboarding as well. Certainly because kids find scooter easier to ride than a skateboard. They don't need to learn how to ollie to enjoy theirselves.

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    2. Fuck you sunshine i piss on anything you will ever make.

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  3. I agree with this. We have to establish our own Identity and support brands and retailers who give back and contribute. We cannot expand and grow by copying other sports. We need to unify within and create our own identity.

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    1. I'm a scooter rider too but what you said there was pretty bent. no offense

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  4. I agree with most of this, but im cool with most bmx and skaters..So yeah, I dunno.

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  5. It's funny how his argument is against supporting his own company. Stay true to the core, support rider owned, not sunshine.

    and blading's back anyway. Valo for lyfe.

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    1. Postema- IT isn’t against his company. Being someone who works along side him, I am Co-Owner of Elyts where he leaves me in charge of a lot of power moves made regarding products, tours, and team members. The rider presence is here, there is just money and as you can see years of business experience behind it.

      PS: Valo is bomb. Very artistic vids, got madd respect for the team.

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    2. B!tch please! aint no strings over here. If i had some i'd prolly strangle yo a$$ wittem if you aint post anonymous. You looking like a puppet the way you be hangin off deez nuts. Ahem! Anywayz... - Ziggy Betta-Cappa-Nikka

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    3. I don't make my scooter riders wear rollerblade clothing or vice versa. The only overlap is that I give my scooter riders a deal when they want skates for filming.

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    4. Rollerblading didnt ever recover? I still blade everyday. Mabey if you didnt ditch blading for lame ass scootering it woukd be doing better. Razors just lost any respect I had left for it. Any blader who buys razors is supporting scooters n not blading

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    5. You start scootering at the early age of 11. Things are cool, it's fun having that little thing at the skate park. Eventually you get older. At the age of 15 it's still all right, it doesn't seem weird yet. You notice you get a lot better and have great times with your friends. As you get older time passes faster and all of a sudden your about to turn 18. Then things start to feel strange, you start to feel embarrassed and realize you carry a kids toy around all day. The "scooterboom" finished years ago and everybody eyeballs that stupid thing you carry around, it seems like something from the past. In your early 20's you have to quit scootering because you can't take the embarrassment anymore. The sad thing is that you were pretty good, but in the end you realise you picked the wrong sport. You are too lazy to pick up a new one and end up as a fat tv watching fag.

      So kids, people still love extreme sports when they get older. Make sure you choose one that you don't have to quit because it is ridiculous seeing a grown man on a kids toy.

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    6. i agree with the supporting of the sports you love but that doesnt mean i disagree with wearing anything else you respect.(cuz im sure no one in here ever wore or still wears jerseys of the teams they like though never being a part of the team to begin with whether football,baseball,soccer,etc...) extreme sports r just that. extreme. none being harder than the next due to the fact that there r no rules and is no end to where anything can be taken and that just cuz u can do one thing good doesnt mean you can do the next thing as good or anywhere near, and anything else said is a matter of opinion.(usually by those that r not happy with themselves whether it be cuz they feed on other peoples outlooks,a.d.d-"look what i can do", or it be that its an industry owner scared of the business they might lose cuz they r comsumed by greed of money instead of something that makes them truly happy,etc...) and im not saying all industry is bad but you have to do the research,in my OPINION,before you join one or do things that help them out. and fyi, people change too, so you should be more open to keep asking questions, reading between the lines and stop holding grudges. i rollerblade. i love it. but it doesnt mean i dislike anything else or dont respect them. ill get on a bmx and bust my little feeble grinds,n i love boardsliding little rails at skateparks when others cant(n not to be like in your face but to show how much i appreciate all things even though i love rollerblading the most),n i cant deny i love doing tailwhips on scooters. its fun, it all is. im pretty sure most professional athletes love to go play 18 rounds of golf,other than golfers,just to get out of there head n enjoy something else,even without golf sponsers helping there sports out.(even though some of them carry a lot of the same sponsers, but you get the point...i hope)anyways, i have no problem with anything that anyone else chooses to do cuz its there choice to begin with n who am i,or u, to judge them. my name is laurence garnsey n im not scared if this bothered anyone or not,fairfield california,so if it did come to my neck of the woods(skatepark) n see exactly how many extreme sports equipment you get beat up with for messing with our diversity. im out. peace. (challewalletv on youtube if interested in seeing any of our rollerblading edits,n feel free to send yours as i would love to watch)

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    7. Dude I'm 27 and still scoot. I love it I can't put it down. Everyone has a hobby. Or a few it doesn't matter. Just do what u love and the rest of your life will be happier as well. Ima scoot till my bones are jacked. Fuck that guy who says it's ridiculous to be a grown man on a scoot. 6ft 170lbs 27 years of age and I love my Lindworm

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  6. Yeah lets create our own identity. I suggest everybody wear big osiris high tops or crocs (you choose), then we can wear overalls. Oh and lets only skate pools (filled with water, none of that takin it out bullshit)

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  7. Well, i am "gay", I skateboard, I longboard, and now, at the ripe old age of 31, i couldn't resist getting a scooter (no neon colors, i am too old for this, haha). I think the article is spot on, but please point out that being gay ,queer or whatever you want to call it shouldn't be a negative term. I know that's "how kids talk", but please...it is hurtful, whether you are butch, effeminate, out or closeted. Especially considering the article itself, which is pointing out how hurtful it is for scooter riders when they have to "out" themselves as scooter riders. I know the article is written with good intentions and I agree with everything else. I am just tired of insecure young lads calling everything that is bad "gay" ,thinking it will make them more masculine and badass.
    Anyway, i am an old fart and am going to shut up now and wish everyone the best!

    Frank Wenzel

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    1. Glad you made this point. I'm not gay, but I live in NYC where you can't be respected by a diverse group of people if you refer to things you don't enjoy/agree with/respect as "gay".

      In regards to Rollerblading & Scootering being under the same Distribution company... Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the only reason Sunshine Distribution has anything to do with scooters because Razor (scooter brand) lost a law suit to Razors (rollerblading brand)???

      I think the moral of this story means well, and some kids do need some positive reinforcement and direction.

      But just fuck whatever anyone tells you. Do what you love and don't get offended easily. I've seen plenty of kids on skateboards/bmx/rollerblades/scooters with shit attitudes and no style or tricks.

      Do kids at the playground hate on those who choose the monkey bars over the swing, or vice versa?

      No, because IT DOESN"T FUCKING MATTER.

      Place your concerns within your family, health, or dying children across the world.

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    2. Frank Wenzel - sounds like a German-Name if so: Schäm Dich Alter !....how can you Switch form skateboarding to scootering ??? was skateboarding too hard :) - no Progress - be happy with your scooter and hold it tight...

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  8. Without the support of skateboarding, or at least respect from skaters...scootering is going to always be a kids sport. Nothing more than a toy.

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    1. and Skateboards can not respect 12 year old scooter riders....

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  9. "AnonymousNovember 14, 2012 4:03 PM
    Without the support of skateboarding, or at least respect from skaters...scootering is going to always be a kids sport. Nothing more than a toy."

    The Scooter Community shouldn't and doesn't need the respect nor support of skateboarding to be considered anything more than a kids sport.

    How we present ourselves and how brands present their images will in part determine weather or not we're deemed as a "kids sport". In any case, being mature and humble will help to chance and promote a better image for the scooter scene.

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    1. Well said CG!

      WE DON’T NEED NOBODIES APPROVAL to be ourselves. That’s like saying Basketball needed Football’s approval to be an official sport. IF you want a skateboarders approval so bad… go around and try to one them up on the scoots. Insane tricks and Creativity is a universal language between extreme sports. And Real Pros in all sports understand determination, trick difficulty and consistency.

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  10. haterz are gonna hate. i never got to much hate because i also skate longboard bmx scooter inline snowboard and hand ball. after awhile skaters started showing respect ,also the bmxerz, because i believe scootering is the best combination of a skateboard and bmx., so other could relate to me. so many videos inspired me to ride in certain styles if it were flowy bmx airs to tech grinds like nowaday skaters are doing. i merged these tricks and styles to express my true feeling while riding a scooter. peace love unity respect [PLUR] life!

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    1. Damn... Sancheezy commenting. Word on the street was that you quit riding a while ago? Good to see you on IS.

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    2. ahah yea i stopped riding for a while i broke my pinky finger downhill longboarding and it was pretty bad. i couldnt pick up my scooter or even ride without the pain shooting thru my hand, its been over a year and im feeling alot better and ready to get back on my scooter again. i still have my bag full of tricks and passion for this sport! in 2013 i will try my hardest to move to the west coast.

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    3. Jean-Yves RandriambelsonNovember 15, 2012 at 11:56 AM

      WORD UP SON !!!

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  11. I agree with this for the most part, but it's hard to stick to the "scooter image" when we don't have a good one, or even one at all. I think Boxes is the only apparel brand for scooters that i actually think is acceptable to wear. I'm hoping Elyts will make shoes that are more taylored to my style at some point as well. It's also hard to make scooters seem mature when big companies only target little kids and make scooter parts in neon colors that look like they came straight from a Barbie scooter. That's how I feel anyway. -Stefan

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  12. People need to get over the whole "neon colors" and colored shit in general thing. If you think riders should only ride black, white, raw, etc colors..that's your opinion. It has nothing to do with being mature or what not. BMX riders like Aaron Ross and some other guys prefer flashy colors, I mean shit, I'm sure everyones seen Aaron Ross's set ups.

    And there are too many skateboard deck graphics to count that have tons of neon colors as well.

    Don't get me wrong, neon colored, and flashy colored scooter parts are not my thing at all. But I don't think that has anything to do with me being more mature than a rider who does choose to have crazy color parts. Who gives a shit what color it is...that's like saying Dylan Kasson's riding would suck if he had a neon green set up.

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    1. Steff got a point tho. We are still in the midst of establishing who our representative images are.

      And Steff, i got you bro. Being that I am apart of the scooter company i have gotten the feedback from many riders and I am currently in the midst of adhering to the sneaker fetish needs of all my scooter homies. Sneakers do take 6-months to a year for me to make at a time from scratch so the changes everyone wants to see will be seen sometime next year!

      and regarding neon scooter parts. I have to be blunt with this... Im sure alot of ppl would be intimidated if black male dressed in all black with a black scooter saying What's goodie?! I can literally feel a whole different vibe from people when i am wearing more... uh friendly colors. as much as i would like to keep it G'd up. Colors are eye catchers. I just aint with that pink and light purple stuff. unless its breast cancer awareness month or something... gotta show love for them boobs.

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  13. Agree with this so much, I wish people would start doing their own thing, not following every skater trend, and it's annoying when people follow every word out of kassons mouth, what he says is his opinion not yours, and company's like let's aren't "gay" because they're not rider owned when they're helping the sport way more then anybody realizes

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    1. U madd brah? street elytis lyfe!

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    2. I'm not mad, I ride street but I think if you wanna ride park go for it, it shouldn't be talked down upon, do what you have fun doing not what you think is cool or accepted by the "cool street riders"

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  14. I kinda see right through this, especially coming from a guy who is dipping his hands into multiple extreme sports, it is hard for me to believe he truly cares about our sport or the riders in it. It also upsets me that he calls it "OUR" sport since he has never truly been a scooter rider or ever known what scooter riding is truly about. I have nothing against Sunshine distribution or Andy. And Zig is the biggest homie, but I feel like this is a ploy to demonstrate that he cares about the sport, when he most likely doesn't. He doesn't care about the riders, he cares about his source of income, and the sport of scootering is just his latest business venture. As for his opinion on riders being embarressed about scootering, I think that if that is how riders feel about their sport then they should express that in order to make a change/difference in the sport. After all it is OUR sport to change, so if we want to try to make a change then we have the right to try. This comment might stir up some controversy, but fuck it, thug lyfe.
    -Blake Bailor

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    1. fucking spot on answer.

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    2. Got madd respect for that Blake. And I totally see where you coming from on that. Him having his hands in multiple sports may have you question how much he cares about the sport. I cant knock his hustle tho, when we get older we will all be doing something called "investing" when we get too old to actually be in a sport. To say he dosnt care about the riders, well, i tell you what... I wouldnt stay anywhere that dosn't feel comfortable. And Im sure many riders that have been on tour for sunshine can say they are arguably some of the best tours they have ever been on.

      And Scooter homies should always feel comfortable to say something about another scooter homie. After all being in this industry i would like to think of many of you as brothas. If we disagree on something... its all good, call it sibling rivalry. But if someone outside of the sport tries to dog you out... best beleive i got your back no matter what.

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    3. It's simple: the goals of a company and a rider are aligned: Our goal is to help them become stars, the bigger their star status the more products we sell. And doesn't it only make sense that a company only wants the best for the industry it's in? Besides this I've been an action sports athlete all my life, share their mentality and enjoy hanging out and developing new projects with them. The way is the goal.

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  15. It's not that neon colors are bad on their own. I rocked a pink deck for some time myself and it wasn't a big deal. It's just the fact that a lot of kids seem to care about having a scooter that's up to date with the coolest new color or cheetah griptape or whatever, and they don't even seem to care about the actual riding. I work at a scooter shop and all kids talk about amongst each other is who has the best scooter and they pick on kids who have an ultra pro even if the kid on the ultra pro is a way better rider. It just seems like the neon colors in that aspect kind of do affect the maturity of the sport. People need to just have fun riding no matter what scooter they have. Just look at Big Ron. -Stefan

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  16. If you want skateboarders’ respect don’t copy them or wear their brands. Otherwise they will think the same way as snowboarders thought about skiers that tried to be like them. But don’t hold your breath, skateboarders are not going to change their mind unless kids switch to skateboarding. The opinion is made by the top skaters or industry people. My neighbor Bucky Lasek has 16 sponsors and receives a check in the mail every other day. Trust me, he and none of his peers want scootering to do well and see these checks to go to scooter riders.

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    1. Dude, Bucky Lasek could give a fuck about scootering or any money going to scootering...it is literally the gayest thing. Even when I see someone who is really good it still looks whack as fuck. No flow or style.

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  17. Bust through and through. We'll be fine.

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  18. why should we stay away from skaters and bmxers? where i'm from we all ride together i just don't understand why it can't be like that everywhere else

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  19. If we want to be so independent then why would we shoot for Xgames? I dont see how that will effect the sport that much other than "joining" the other sports in a weekend competition. What our sport should thrive for is ISA and IS... Companies and groups that bring exposure to our sport showing that we can do our own thing; which brings in more riders, leading to the cash flow. Most of all, if you are riding for the real reasons, this is a small problem in your sport and you are fine if it never gets big.

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  20. http://www.youtube.com/user/ADVCTscooters/videos?view=0

    Blowing up..

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  21. His argument is valid. But the way he delivered it was extremely unprofessional. You have to be either insensitive or unknowing (ignorant) to substitute the word "gay" for a negative word. Its like he is 14 years old or something. Come on get your shit together.
    On another note, if riders are embarrassed to be riding a scooter then they shouldn't be riding it. If you don't have the balls to wear what makes you stand out with pride then why are you still doing it? Own it. There are so many (way too many) people that do things because of the opinions of other people. I can guarantee there are numerous skaters out there that would want so badly to hop on a scooter and shred the hell out of a bowl but are too timid because of the other people at the park. Think about how many things people miss out on from being too scared of the opinions of other people. Most of which are bullshit opinions that they picked up from someone else and speak them as if they are their own. No one actually hates scooters, they hate the idea that surrounds them. Little kids getting in the way, unprofessional, young, not willing to push the limits. If we choose to blaze our own trail (which is much more difficult than following someone else's trail) we will achieve our own niche, and our own success. I believe there are a select few companies, some of which are not getting the recognition they deserve, that will lead this sport in the right direction. I love scootering with my whole being and would never feel ashamed to ride one. I have learned so much from being an outcast at the skatepark and having people yell and swear at me. Through all that shit you start to realize how scared people are, how much they let other people define them. If this helped at least one person who was tentative about riding a scooter then I will be happy. Do what you love. Keep scootering and wear it with pride.

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    1. Im all against the word Gay being used as derogatory, but i know that he was using it because thats what skateboarders say isnt it. I cant count how many times i heard a roller blader called gay (what do you think fruitbooter means!) and now this wave of "scooters are gay" facebook pages and general sentiment. Andy is an enlightened and profesional guy. He was just using the vernacular actually used by the haters

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  22. bikers copied what skaters did too, skaters dress how they dress and film how they film because it looks amazing and is the way it should be done. i have a skate style and i get respect from skaters all of the time and most of my friends are skaters.

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  23. I feel that having your own identity as a scooter rider is really important, but it is also important to understand that scootering derives a lot of its style and form from skating and BMX. Scootering is basically a combination if them both and while that makes it a new and different sport, there will also be some overlap. I think alot of skaters and bikers see that to and can respect that. It only becomes a problem when kids start trying to copy skaters at their parks and in their style. I think having a "scooter identity" is important and repping our companies is a good way to build our scene, but lets not forget where we came from.

    - Michael Y

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  24. Bikers copied what skaters did too. Look at Fit, Cult, Fiend, etc. their riders have such a skate style and have gained the respect of great skaters like Chris Cole. Skaters dress how they dress and film how they film because it looks amazing and is the way it should be done. Look at Matt McKeen all of his friends have respect for him and they skate. I have a skate style and I gain respect from skaters and the friends I ride with are skaters

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  25. Its the best idea for our sport and community for right now that's why Donatelli tried to start up The Emp and that's why we have Elyts and all the other brands making their own shirts

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  26. agreed Blake. Unless i have heard of the company owner being a relatively established rider at some point, i really cannot believe they understand what us riders are aiming for. There is money in the sport, and if we give it to the wrong people scootering will eventually fade out (once the money isn't there any longer). IMO.

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    1. Like I said above I was an action sports athlete all my life and never into team sports. My big thing was windsurfing when I was 16. That's all we did and we talked about tricks, spots, riders products 24/7 and the best thing was wherever you traveled in the world you knew somebody and he knew who you were. My biggest goal was to one day travel to Hawaii the capital of the sport, ride those amazing waves and hang out with the pros.
      Today I'm making this dream come true for countless of my scooter riders by flying them out to Cali and meet the other riders on the team. I never asked them but I'm sure they enjoy it as much as I did back in the day.

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  27. I've been in the sport for like 5 years now, since 07, and the only thing i have seen since i started was progression. We just need to keep on doing what we are doing. I agree with supporting the rider owned companies, totally about that. But we shouldn't be worrying about what skaters have to say, we should be worrying about having fun and sticking together as a community. I know i am not the best rider out there, but i also know that scootering is what i love to do, and i hope to have it in my life forever. Where ever the sport goes i know that i will continue to ride, and thats what im about. I've gotten too much hate about me riding a scooter to really even care anymore, if we all love to do it, then whats the problem. As long as we all think scootering is the coolest shit out there, everyone is going to as well. The shit that people do on scooters is fucking mind boggling, and i'm sure that when skaters, BMXers, or any other extreme sport get rid of their ethnocentrism well be accepted. For now we just gotta keep on doing what we are doing.

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  28. just fuckin shred gnar or die

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  29. This is why we really need to manage our spending habits better, and only buy from companies that we know will no matter what, hold back the sport from falling out like rollerblading. (Proto, addict, ethic, etc..)

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  30. It was quite an interesting article to read for me as things are totally different around my place. I think it can only refer to the Western countries where the triumph of individuality and self-expression had reached some new levels. In Russia where extreme sports aren’t as popular as classic sports like football or basketball most of the extreme riders act friendly towards each other. Even though the things are changing, we are still seen by folks as little punks destroying city’s architecture, so we stick together to shield such adversity. However, the ones that openly hate on scooter riding here are usually little kids which are, just like the author of this letter said, easy to influent about what’s cool and what’s not. So basically we need to continue doing what we do to show potential scooter riders that our sport can be awesome as well. And it is totally impossible when you have no confidence in yourself and when you are ashamed of what you are doing. Ride with pride!
    On a side note: I… don’t think Elyts DVD was a great example of showing the potential of our sport. Don’t get me wrong, it featured an amazing riding from top riders of the world but the way it was filmed, edited and presented… I dunno, I just wasn’t digging that vibe. So even though you get the idea there is still a lot of hard work
    on its way to realization.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Do you guys relise that the guy who wrote this "Andy" is the very person that single handedly brought down inlining. Just ask Richie at Woodward or any past pro inliner like Dave Jones and they all blame Andy/Razor for the sport imploding. So Andy please leave the scooter scene alone you have done enough damage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You do "relise" that some of the best skaters in the world ride for Andy right? Why would they support him and ride for him, if he killed their sport?

      Delete
    2. Everything dies. People, Groups, Trends, and Im sure sports are no different. It's what we do with them while they are around that will be the ever lasting memories for us. It's who we captivate in the process that determines how long we live on.

      Neglecting the youth of the sport only shortens our future, and failure to finance the older riders result in them quitting and fading away and younger groups having nothing to look forward to. There is nothing wrong with appealing to the ALL of our age groups. This is what will determine our longevity.

      Everything else in my opinion is working backwards. I'm a rider, and i appreciate Rider owned companies, but we eventually have to grow up and combine efforts with mathematicians, chemists, etc. to get the necessary results to continue to grow and advance.

      Delete
    3. If you are the Yankees in your field it's only natural that you have foes too, especially from riders that didn't make it to the very top on your team.
      I'm doing nothing than aggressive inline since 1999. Do you think anybody in his right mind would torpedo his own business and the livelihood of his family, friends and emplyees? You might want to re-read the article above where I outlined the primary reasons for the decline in rollerblading. I tried from day 1 to convince them not to copy skateboarding but even today some companies are copying skateboarding shoes designs to the T.
      I know a lot of influential skateboarders including my neighbor Bucky Lasek and I sometimes ask them what their problem is with rollerbalding. They always say the same thing: you guys are not orginal and have to find your own identity.

      Delete
    4. They ride for him because he's the only one in their sport who has the money to pay them anymore, even if it's menial. Hopefully he has learned from his past mistakes and will exploit scooters just the brink of destroying them instead of going all the way. Clearly taking out a sport is not good for business.

      By the by, Andy, is your neighbor Bucky Lasek? I feel like I've heard that somewhere.

      -Anonymous because fuck

      Delete
  32. I agree 100%. I have been against supporting certain BMX and skate brands. Simply because WE now have the option to support brands that will support us. Skate brand bearings, forget that, half the brands have bearings now, support THEM! You shouldn't be troubled with going into a bike or skate shop to buy a product for your scooter when there are scooter retailers supplying you with scooter brands producing the products we need! Grips are a big thing for us. Sadly, there are only a few companies who understand how a grip works, and how it should be designed for a scooter rider. We have INFINITE potential to grow these markets with the brands we already have in place. But as long as you still go to a bike or skate shop, our sport will take a hit in the long run. Those profits add up over time.
    I know Andy personally. We have sat down and have had conversations for hours. And believe me, he is not a snake in the grass. He genuinely wants to help our riders. As well as help drive our sport in the right direction, and not too quickly. He also has the resources to making practically anything happen. This can only help our sport in a positive way.
    Colors, please, get over the "I need to look mature like a skateboard." Get over emulating others and the way they present themselves. To be honest, 1/2 of skateboarders and BMXers are in the same molds, looking and riding the exact same way. That is the problem with our society. Just like Stefan mentioned, kids worry about the scooters appearance and if it's "dialed" far too much. Just remember, the scooter doesn't make the rider, the rider makes the scooter. And yes, look at Big Ron. Sketchiest scooter you could ever see, banana'ed Ultra Pro, all stock, grinder so much that the bottom of the deck has a lock-in location, rounded like an inline grind plate. But he still goes out and murders huge rails and ledges with consistency. You have no idea how many times I've offered up a new set of metal core wheels and he refuses to run them til his plastic cores break.
    I've been riding for half of my life. It's crazy to say that, and really think about it. I love this sport, so much so that I drive my wife nuts by always talking about it. I will be damned to support a company who doesn't support me or our sport. Hell, I put up with it for ten years at Razor before bein fed up and realizing there are better options. Don't let the corporate companies control what WE have built. And if that ever happened, I would do all in my power to try and take it back to its roots. The countless hours of riding with friends, not giving a rats ass what anyone thought. Just going out, exploring our surroundings, and creating the memories that will last a lifetime.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thats amazing that you are a married man and self professed scooter rider...

      Delete
  33. ok, honestly, when there are so many people that are embarrassed of riding scooter, it think something has to be done. let's just stop buying and supporting the companies that makes scooters look like shit, and rather support companies like proto, tilt and boxes. it's up to us, no one else.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Those saying Andy single handedly destroyed Inline, Show some solid proof yeah?

    Mitch Baldry

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    Replies
    1. Just talk to any Pro Inliner if you can find one anymore. They don't exist. Why did the X Games drop inlining? Because of Andy and greed. Get your head out of the sand and ask around it won't be hard to find the answer. Put its funny how the whole inline community blames him for the sports fall.

      Delete
    2. It wasn't Andy. People think it's because he bought out a bunch of companies, and some of which haven't been back since. He bought those companies out AFTER the sport died. But the reality of how it died, two factors, the market was saturated with knock offs and cheap products. Not showing the true sport, but just simply corporations banking off it's ideals. Another reason, the pro's were pricks. Cursing and mooning hecklers in the crowd, and even fans. This is as unprofessional as it gets. Andy and I have had this conversation a couple times. It's not only because of the market, but the "pro's" were a HUGE part of the failure in the sport. You put a bunch of mid-teenage kids in a spotlight that big, throw them a lot of money, and they act out like spoiled brats. A lot of pro riders today don't realize that when you're in the limelight, if you know nothing of the sport, they hear pro and automatically see that person as the face of the sport. And when you're acting like idiots during an event as big as X-Games, you're not exactly setting the best example to the kids coming in behind you.

      Delete
    3. sounds like the elyts team

      Delete
    4. WHY in the world would anyone in the scooter industry be against any new companies? You all sound so spoiled. You guys are really at the birth of a new era for your sport and industry. So many companies and brands with different styles and personalities. LET there be companies directed towards park riders and young kids, LET there be companies directed towards street riders and older kids. It's only going to help it grow and allow your friends and peers to be supported and get the shine they deserve.

      Hearing all these comments about Andy/Sunshine/Zig makes me fucking sick. You're so blessed to have people trying to push boundaries and make PROGRESSIVE products. None of you obviously know enough about the history and industry of rollerblading because you're predominately scooter riders. I've been doing both and interested in both for awhile. You have to realize, when rollerblading got bad, EVERY SINGLE big name corporation with money pulled out of the sport, but Andy continually poured money into it and if anything single handedly kept it alive and thriving, not killed it.

      ROLLERBLADERS killed rollerblading. Not skateboarding, not one company, not one person. Don't kill your own industry and potential by all this hate and shit talking. Rollerbladers continue to kill the industry and any chance of it getting big again by anonymous online shit talking and taking sides with everything instead of supporting everything and anything involved with the sport and each other.

      Coming FROM EXPERIENCE, I can't tell you how lucky you guys are to have anyone at all supporting your sport and praising you on how great it is. You have so many great companies that are so different from each other. You get new kids on scooters every day. Don't take it all for granted, stop talking shit, support each other. If you don't like something, then support what you're into. Not that hard of a concept.

      Delete
  35. Josh Toy speaks truth. keep up the great work man (and buy parts if you can from scooter companies). thats the moral here.

    - Andy B.

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  36. Oh my good i cant agree more! all i do now is rep and buy off companys that i know will give back to me in the long run, tsi, proto, tilt, advct, dailed mag, boxes limited, pheonix and i know im missing some but if your embarrased to ride a scooter then quit untill your truely ready to get on your scooter around anybody and at anytime... i honestly feel soo much more comfortable around anybody WITH my scooter, it makes me feel secure that even if this person doesnt like me i still have my scooter(not that i would really even care if they didnt like me but still). scootering is my life im proud of it and WILL NEVER STOP and WILL ALWAYS BE THERE TO HELP IT GROW! Michael Hohmann

    ReplyDelete
  37. I am the father of Mike Montgomery, pro rider for Lucky. After reflecting on the artical, I have to say I agree to some degree with the premise, but maybe not all the detail. Being so intimately immersed in the sport (by proxy) I have seen the incredible growth this sport is experiencing, and I feel that there is nothing to worry about. Maybe scateboarders are feeling a little intimedated, and are pushing back, maybe not. When I drive through the area we live, I am seeing a lot more kids riding scooters than I am skateboards. Acceptance is up, there was a demo this year at X-games, Woodward scooter camp. Mike did a camp at Ohio Dreams, etc. Stay positive, these are exciting times for the sport of scootering.

    ReplyDelete
  38. and i also wanted to say that to people who think there true scooterers and hate on mgp for there park riders getting more little kids involved and how they dont ride street blah blah blah.. STOP HATING ON COMPANYS, DO YOUR OWN THING, RIDE STREET AND OR PARK, HAVE FUN WITHOUT BEING A TROLL TO YOUR OWN SPORT! to me MGP is legit, if you want to hate, hate on district, there blood suckers they WILL KILL OUR SPORT, MGP makes it grow dont hate on them because they ride park, actually dont live your life with hate and negitivity, live your life with love and passion because thats when you will become real and true with no cares for what people think.

    ReplyDelete
  39. It shouldn't matter who is making this statement, it's 100% spot on.

    Support companies that support you, stop buying products from other industries that spread hate and ignorance.

    and 'fucking shred gnar and die.'

    -Geoff

    ReplyDelete
  40. I agree we need to take hold of our own sport and image, kind of like Josh said, have our own companies for every piece of a scooter so that we don't have to go into a skate shop for parts. Bikers rarely if ever have to go into a skate shop for parts, so I think Josh is definitely on the right track there.

    I don't necessarily agree that we need a "different" image from that of skateboarding or bmx. Quite frankly I just think we need a more mature image no matter what it looks like. I'm tired of skulls all over everything, and flourescent green everything. Sure color shouldn't matter, but when you go to a skatepark and every kid has the exact same elyts shoes, the exact same green madd gear scooter, and do the exact same tricks, it's no wonder we catch some grief from the other sports.

    I definitely understand companies targetting little kids, I mean that makes money there's no doubt about it, plus they are the future. If kids want green scooters and skulls and that's what sells then by all means, make it. But we should also be putting some effort (I think majority of the effort) into bringing older, more mature people into this sport. This is where I agree real strongly with what Proto and boxes are doing, proto has some crazy colors for younger kids, but the majority of the parts look much more professional and mature. Same with boxes, there are some shirts targeted more toward the younger kids that I would personally never wear, but the rest of the clothes are fucking brilliant, I love it all, it's enough for me to want to wear it without being boring.

    As long as this sport is fueled by little kids, it's going to look immature to everyone else. Half the kids I talk to are way more concerned with how dialed their scooter is than what they can actually do with it, it's absolutely absurd. The more effort we put into more mature looking products, the more mature the sport will appear to outside viewers.

    Another important aspect is creativity, and I know this point gets beaten like a dead horse, but for christ sake it's no wonder every single kid on the planet wants to learn only briflips when one of the biggest companies (MGP) targets younger kids and also only sponsors briflipping machines all with the same style and bag of tricks. This is another thing about proto, boxes, ethic, that I agree with strongly. All the riders (not to toot my own horn) are creative and unique from one another while maintaining the company's image.

    I don't pay a ton of attention to what the new trends are or where the sport is going mainly because I don't have the time, but I do think we need some serious changes if this sport is ever going to be taken seriously, and it's up to the smaller companies with true passion for the sport to push through and make the shift. I don't know Andy, but my gut feeling is that any company with that much money behind it is going to be more concerned with what's making the most money, not what will provide the best image for the sport as a whole.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The comment about Andy, I don't really agree with. Think of it this way, even inlining went through a phase of looking kiddish, but now look at it. It's not full pads and neon color clothing. It's a core sport, no matter how underground it is. Andy is putting forth his efforts to fix the mistakes that inlining had made. To lead us in a better direction. The better part of it all to me also, is he is giving the riders the voice in everything he produces. And from time to time he throws in some of his own considering his years of experience in product development. Like the AO Decks. Some people call that a "cheater deck" which I think is just ridiculous. Nobody hated on companies who made plegs for scooters, shouldn't they be called cheater pegs?! That whole take on that was ignored because bikers did it first, so nobody saw a problem with it. But the reality is, he took the idea of a soleplate on inline skates and put it on a deck to 1) allow us to grind anything and everything, and 2) to allow the deck to last considering the deck isn't getting the drop outs ground down. If he truly wanted to just cash in, he would have made a cheap product that's easy to produce with large profit margins. But he took a chance, made a deck nobody had even thought of before and hoped for the best. A business man wouldn't just take a shot in the dark like that.

      Delete
  41. Jean-Yves RandriambelsonNovember 15, 2012 at 12:12 PM

    Allis Possible, Boxes, Uniun, now ADVCT. Apparel scooter brands are already here what are you waiting for, just GO SUPPORT !!

    What you guys think we spend all our energy for ? Support rider Owned aswell.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oh cummon mate. those are not brands. they are dreams with no chance of becoming brands. the only chance our sport has to become the default sport of choice is when real business managers help guide product and apparel business. most often, "rider owned" is short hand for "idiot owned."
      -Terry

      Delete
    2. obvious troll bait is obvious

      Delete
    3. Hey fuck you Terry, I'm not an idiot.

      Delete
  42. A lot of people make really good points. We're all very opinionated and passionate about this subject and the sport. If we take this passion and unify, there isn't anything we can't do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well said Chris...unity, not hate or power trips! Work together not against one another...that is what finally put skateboarding over the top!!

      Delete
    2. but i thought we werent suppose to follow skateboarding haha.

      Delete
  43. A lot of the people on here (IS) Steven, Jasa, Josh Toy and others are the ones filled with hate for other riders, type of riding street vs park and have done as much damage to scootering and companies involved as the skaters and BMXers. Yet you take their money in advertising. You guys should start with yourself to repair the damage within. Your known in the industry as "Eating your own young" Pretty sure this comment will be deleted as all opposing comments on IS are.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're funny. I invest my time giving back to the sport by teaching younger riders at Woodward and SkateLab scooter camps. To lead these kids down the right path and to give them knowledge of not only past, but what they can do to improve the future. I guess that would be considered as "eating your own young."

      Delete
    2. I never understood why people think we delete comments. I have always been anti-censorship and always will be. You're just showing how ignorant you are- Steven, Josh, and I are have had some of the biggest positive impacts and influence out of anyone in the scooter community.

      I haven't stated my opinion on the real subject here but I will say that if you really love freestyle scooter riding, you'll buy from brands like Tilt, TSI, Proto, Boxes, Ethic, etc. So long as you remain respectful of everyone, and just ride your heart out, our image will improve and scooter riding will become more recognized. I've been saying for years all we truly need is time, no one thing will drastically improve our conditions.

      Delete
    3. Hey JJ, i love you bro but seriously..tilt, tsi, proto, boxes, ethic? laughable.

      Delete
    4. Hey Jordan mate you and steven own this blog so why are you promoting/recommending certain brands while taking money from lots of others? Doesn't strike me as very professional. Should we pull our advertising?

      Delete
    5. This is not the place to discuss journalism ethics, please email me if you have any issues, thanks.

      Delete
    6. I kinda agree...If this sport stopped bashing each other and saying stupid things like "I only support rider owned companies" then this sport will grow. If we support those that care about the sport rider owned or not, this sport will grow. people know nothing about how we got into this sport, but continue to talk crap!! We care about our riders, the sport and are getting ready to open a shop. If you so called groupies that think you own the sport because you were around when the sport started would start showing more respect, this sport will grow faster!! I respect all the riders that want to give this sport a good name not a power trip.

      Delete
    7. Ok, Check it out. If you only support rider owned companies and most rider owned companies are wholesalers and not retailers...who the is going to sell your products for you?? Hello? Is every bike shop a rider owned company with over 5000 bike shops nation wide, Is every shop that sells skateboards a rider owned company? NOT. I like Andrew and have tremendous respect for him, But some of Proto products are a success and some are not. Some are becoming outdated, such as the Proto SCS. Sometimes riders get wrapped up in what they think is best and don't listen to others ideas. You do not need to be a rider to be innovative or sell your products. Just love and support the sport and thats what I try to do.

      Delete
    8. There's loads of rider owned shops, Dissidence, Rebel, Dogg etc. Supporting rider owned companies is not stupid. People who 'care about the sport' and aren't riders only care about the sport so they can make more money. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, it's supply and demand, no need to sugar coat it though.

      Delete
    9. Of course there are rider owned shops. But not enough of them to help the sport grow at a rapid rate. If I was in this for the money then I would have quit doing this awhile ago, because we are not currently making a lot of money. All our money is reinvested and spent on our riders in comps...ride days etc. Reason I got into this is because my daughter wanted a specific type of bar and they were out of stock. So, I thought I would just go buy them somewhere else...there was no where else close by to get them. I designed a bar for my daughter and the rest is history. I enjoy this kind of business, it's fun and not mundane. My grandfather was an engineer for Ford motor company and I enjoy coming up with designs, as he did. I support rider and non rider owned companies! I would love to be a part of this sport getting on the map and yes eventually making some money! Hard work deserves dividends!

      Delete
    10. There are plenty of rider owned bike shops, and plenty of skater owned skate shops. Those are the only ones I buy from, because I'm trying to support fellow cyclists and skateboarders who care about their sport. Am I hurting their sports by doing this? No. There are still thousands of people prepared to buy a skateboard from Tilly's and not think twice about it. Would any legit skateboarder want to do that? Definitely not.

      Supporting rider owned companies isn't some absurd pipe dream, it's possible to do and, in my mind, the right thing to do. But again, I think differently than many people and am hard set to supporting what I believe is good, and turning people away from what is not.

      Delete
  44. "Yawnnn" is the reason in the industry your not taken serious. Maybe around your small number of groupies but out in the real world your not as big as you think you are.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So YOUR obviously a little kid who doesn't know the difference between YOUR and YOU'RE. Keep trying little keyboard warrior. YOUR failing..quite badly.

      Delete
  45. Why just those brands? Why Ethic?

    ReplyDelete
  46. your fucking retarted if your embarrassed to ride a scooter, but the little kids need to stop snaking and dont let bitches talk shit sock them in the fucking nose what the hell is this identity crap just go put on what you like and go ride who cares if we look like skaters are if we look like bmx its fucking clothes


    -NoNek

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    Replies
    1. soooo true just go do your own shit and if you want respect then EARN IT, go do crazy shit at your local that skaters and bmx'ers have never seen and just go hard as fuck, if somebody is disrespecting you and or your sport that you love stick up for it or dont but i know i always do respect wont be given it must be earned.

      Delete
    2. I'll say that it's not only scooter kids that snake at the park, any sport with little kids do it. It's a matter of them being naive to the idea of park etiquette. But it's just an easy ignorant way of a skater or biker to talk trash on scooters. Hell, even some skaters and bikers snake scooter kids at the park to try and be funny, how redundant is that?!

      It's not just clothes, it comes down to even the way videos are edited and as Andy said, logo's. I recently saw some of the 5 Star Scooters guys at Woodward, and it upset me to see their new t-shirt logo. They took the Alpine Star logo and just replaced the A with a 5. That is a prime example of how we get a bad rep, copying the likeness of another sport/brand. Another thing that bothered not only me, but some of the Woodward East staff, was a branding issue from Micro. They had a brochure which had a full page dedicated to BenJ doing his gnarly disaster on a huge wallride. And there was a small picture to the left hand corner of some of the team riders standing in front of a pot leaf for a dispensary in Europe. If you don't think about these sorts of issues, it can do more harm than good with companies like Woodward who are giving us the chance to become a part of their great little world. And companies like Woodward are taking a huge risk giving us that chance. But when a well respected brand like Micro releases something like that, it really bums them out and makes them rethink why they want to support us. Ignorance is NOT bliss when it comes to this kind of thing.
      I could go on all day about issues like these, but I'll leave you with these for now.

      Delete
  47. with 90% of riders, there's always this competitive mind set, i have no idea why or where it came from. im always intrested to see how these discussions go. theres never a end, middle or a agreement... sport, lifestyle or hobbie, scootering is just a big compition and thats why its a joke to most. when i when im around scooter riders, i take the scooter away n look at who the person really is AND alot of them are core scootering and it shows in industry, Sure you can shred but do you know how to keep a company afloat? theres way more to it then the team that riders for you. every sport needs the big "corporates" to crunch the numbers and know those offal possibility's of bank bankruptcy and the sport dying. Sure they will step out if it dyes out but they will fight because they see the money comming in and no1 complains about money these days. they're the the ones who bring scootering up to the highest of levels and feed the progression and then theres.. rider owned who will always be there no matter what and will learn more about business each day and will always be the proudest of the sport and it will show, they deserve alot because thats real tough stuff. the sport is still young and we still need those big heads we dont all enjoy too much, to learn from them and see the wrost without much risks cause... they have a shit ton of cash and they will take the risks. so sit back and watch, enjoy this fucking awesome metal structure we call a scooter n chill. were doing great.

    Alex Peasley

    ReplyDelete
  48. there are very few things that im hyped about in scooter riding. thats why i worry about the companies that i work and or ride for and i stick with my homies when i go out and film. do your own thing and support the companies you believe in. I dont understand how people can ride for companies that they dont stand behind 100%. Being sponsored is more than getting free product and going on trips for free. I also dont like how a kid can film a shitty web edit and get sponsored and overnight be "Pro". theres more to it than that. idk.. scooters have a long ways to go i feel like. i also feel that scooters are not ready for the xgames.. its not time yet

    ReplyDelete
  49. Hey man, I agree with a lot you have to say and I not homosexual but I find it very unprofessional to use the term "gay" in your descriptions. It just shows immaturity in my opinion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't understand how you can think he himself is using the word. He is not. He is quoting others. It's not unprofessional. What is he going to say to sound professional?! "scooters are homosexual"? "Scooters are happy"? That's not right and it's not what anyone says. So don't get it twisted.

      Delete
    2. I'm not trying to prove you wrong but I disagree. Read the part about skiing and how he talks about how skiers admitted their own sport was gay. And to answer your question theres many other options to describe something you think is uncool. No need to completely exaggerate out my point.

      -Austin Renfree

      Delete
  50. Well... He took that way too far.
    I think I'll stick to 'haters gonna hate' and keep wearing my skate shoes thank you very much.

    ReplyDelete
  51. The sport will create it's own identity and is already growing in it's own unique way. The threat of skateboarders ruining the sport won't have the same influence as it did to inline in the 90's. Inline failed for many reasons.

    My personal opinion is stop bashing each other and have fun. In my opinion skateboarders have got a rep for hating and people are getting bored of it. Scooter riding is becoming more and more expected as it develops and people see it.

    The problem this sport has right now is all the negative shit and the bashing that people get for what style they ride. You may hate street or may hate park or hate comps.....but it's all part of the same sport and all has it's fair share of dedicated rider support. Look at the final that just happen in the UK, many may hate the comps but there were 50 something international riders and it was sick to watch and see it was actually fun not serious. Something like 30k watched live so are all those people wrong for liking a comp? No because I bet most of them do street too and love to create an edit.

    Enjoy the sport, lifestyle, way of life, street, park, dirt what ever you want. Just don't fight each other.

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  52. Way to perpetuate the use of gay as a negative word synonymous with lesser than. As a 31 year old gay skater I will be sure that my 7 year old never owns any of your products. You came across like a 13 year old boy rather than a business professional, shame on you.

    ReplyDelete
  53. You start scootering at the early age of 11. Things are cool, it's fun having that little thing at the skate park. Eventually you get older. At the age of 15 it's still all right, it doesn't seem weird yet. You notice you get a lot better and have great times with your friends. As you get older time passes faster and all of a sudden your about to turn 18. Then things start to feel strange, you start to feel embarrassed and realize you carry a kids toy around all day. The "scooterboom" finished years ago and everybody eyeballs that stupid thing you carry around, it seems like something from the past. In your early 20's you have to quit scootering because you can't take the embarrassment anymore. The sad thing is that you were pretty good, but in the end you realise you picked the wrong sport. You are too lazy to pick up a new one and end up as a fat tv watching fag.

    So kids, people still love extreme sports when they get older. Make sure you choose one that you don't have to quit because it is ridiculous seeing a grown man on a kids toy.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Be careful guys,

    I'm a rollerblader, and stumbled across this page due to a link about Andy , so I came to read his bs. I think its great that your pros are being paid, and going on tour, that's dope, they should be. BUT, to those who think Andy really gives a crap about them, like REALLY gives a crap about them, do you really think he'll never back out of the scooter industry? C'mon, he'll pull the rug out from underneath you guys so fast, you'll be making your own scooters yourself in your dad's workshop (hey!! Why not, go start a wheel company too)and its all aluminum and sourceable materials, seriously go start your own company. Why give it too a snake like Andy?

    His entire pro team for Razors stayed at the "razors house" for free as well as got there monthly checks, now they all live in their own apartments on whereever because that house was given to the scooter pros. Sounds like pulling the rug to me.

    So trust me, when rollerblading started, there was big bucks, and huge companies backing it, they all left and it fell hard because of that, not because its "gay". You think Andy cares, but he's talking about how much bigger scootering is gonna get, and stay proud of your identity!!, and just wait til its in the X Games!......all things someone that is making a buck off you and wants to continue making bucks off you would say.

    Andy had been making Razors skates since at least 98 that I know of, and I never once saw him campaigning to get Rollerblading back in the spotlight, back in the X Games. He, does, not, care.

    C.R.E.A.A.W.

    Love Zek W.

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    1. Zek,

      It's clear you don't know a thing about Andy or his contributions to rollerblading. At least you got one thing right in your post - 'Andy had been making Razors skates since at least 98 that I know of' and he continues to do so, and he still pays AMs and Pros...AND supports a ton of contests and events, worldwide. (this goes for scootering as well)

      Rug pulled out argument - INVALID
      Not supporting blading/scootering argument - INVALID

      I agree that the use of 'gay' is most definitely an immature move, but I also agree that he was using the 'hater's' vernacular to express his point.

      People are digging way further into this post than need be. The main point that is trying to be made - If you want your industry to prosper, to have a solid future for all involved, then SUPPORT THOSE THAT SUPPORT YOU AND YOUR SPORT, STOP BUYING PRODUCTS FROM COMPANIES THAT SPREAD HATE TOWARDS YOU AND YOUR CHOSEN ACTIVITY.

      Zek, I'd do a bit more research on someone before puking hate all over the internet, that's just 'gay'.

      -Geoff

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  55. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egv2K4tLeHg

    Now go and fuck yourself hater. No matter what you roll!

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  56. ya'll need to stop all this pussy shit talking aboyt how were embarrised. Its an action sport not a new dance style.STOP BEING SCOOTER FAGS and go scooter. whats gunna kill scootering are these gay as conversations. How bout ya'll get some self-respect and confidence and throw everyone else a middle finger if u like it, fuck 'um.

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  58. I really can say that I understand why skateboarders always hated rollerblading now that this scooter thing exists. At the end of the day I really dont give a shit though. Just do what you like doing and stop caring so much about why people dont like it. That is the problem that hurt rollerblading. Too many little bitches crying about how popular it should be instead of going out and getting shit done.

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  59. I'm a skater, blader, scooter, longboarder. I do it all. Like, one day, maybe my friend and I skate together. Then the next day I blade or scoot with another homey. Then the next day we all do our thing together. There's no point in disrespecting another sport. I mean, can't it just be a friendly rivalry?

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  60. Get a life!!! Omg! I bmx.. I don't hate scooter kids cuz they ride a fucking scooter... None of us hate them for that fact.. We all hate them because they crowd the skateparks.. Have no self awareness in what they are doing and people around them.. They get in the way because they have no etiquette.. I'm honestly glad kids get out and they aren't just sitting at home playing video games.. We all just hate them because they sit at the tops of ramps, crowd ledges and rails for no reason etc... Not cuz they are on scooters.. And on the fact that skaters respect bikers... Its because everybody has a common understanding of where you should and shouldn't be crowding around in the skatepark..

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  61. Get a life!!! Omg! I bmx.. I don't hate scooter kids cuz they ride a fucking scooter... None of us hate them for that fact.. We all hate them because they crowd the skateparks.. Have no self awareness in what they are doing and people around them.. They get in the way because they have no etiquette.. I'm honestly glad kids get out and they aren't just sitting at home playing video games.. We all just hate them because they sit at the tops of ramps, crowd ledges and rails for no reason etc... Not cuz they are on scooters.. And on the fact that skaters respect bikers... Its because everybody has a common understanding of where you should and shouldn't be crowding around in the skatepark..

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  62. Really seems like you scooters are embarrassed, I mean purposefully moving in front of someone's line to get noticed...

    That's totally what an embarrassed person does.

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  63. All this shit comes off as problems that 12 year olds would have... who cares if some 15yo things your a Fag for scooting or blading chances are they will never amount to anything and all they do is jerk off to the fact that their sport is concidered cooler in their own little circle of ppl...
    In the big picture we are all playing around with Childerns toys... hell even the big mainstream sports do or do you think a fucking ball or stick if manyl.. haha I hate people.

    The only thing you can say about scooting is the general age is so damn low that almost all of them are to stupid to understand park etikette but who cares once you smushed them a few times they will stay the fuck away because they are generally 50 pounds lighter than anyone else in the park... Bodychecks and getting grinded over are the best and fastes way to lean how to behave in parks...

    I Blade and i look down on everyone unless you can session. then you cool in my book and i dont care what you use even if its a fucking unicycle...

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If you're going to bother to comment anonymously, think about what you're saying and what credibility you'll have without a name. Besides that, please keep the comments constructive, thanks!