Author: rickcurran

The Sidewalk guys have post a couple of videos from both Aberdeen and the Dumbarton legs of War of the Thistles:

There was so much awesome skating going down all over the place!

Aberdeen

Dumbarton

---

____________________________________________________

Congratulations Bill Bailey! Winner of both heats of’Thor of theWhistles!’

Well done lad… “WOTT a performance.”

The BBQ session kind of went down at the park today but it started to rain after a while, here’s a wee clip from the session that went down. Weather permitting the BBQ will happen Sunday 30th instead / as well.

War of the Thistles 2008

Don’t forget about WOTT08 on 19th and 20th April at Transition Skatepark:

• Day 1 (Sat Apr 19th):
  Transition Skatepark – Aberdeen.
• Day 2 (Sun Apr 20th):
  Unit 23 – Dumbarton.

Chick from Unit 23 has been very busy building a new bowl so there’s gonna be some awesome stuff to ride!

Before many of you reading this were even born skaters were shredding plywood in a disused warehouse up in Stobswell, Dundee.

Andy posted this link in a comment on the previous post which just had to be shown here. Skaters appearing, amongst others are Smod, Craig McKnight, Simon (from Stirling), Aljo, Sean Goff (SS20 skateshop owner), Pete McNeil, Ploppy, Scott Malcolm (I think that was you Scott!) and many more.

Check out these links for some more of Dundee’s skate history:

• Anarchy Skateboard Jam – Dundee Factory Skatepark Competition 1989 (Part 1)
• Dundee Factory Skatepark Competition 1989 (Part 2)
• Dundee Factory Skatepark Competition 1989 (Part 3)
• Dundee Factory Skatepark Competition 1989 (Part 4)
• Dundee Factory Skatepark Competition 1989 (Part 5)

---

Update: Photos from Stobswell Factory, Perth Road Factory and Broughty Ferry.

I came across a bunch old photos the other day so I’ve posted them to my Flickr account, there’s too many to post on this site so you’ll just have to check them out there. A blast from the past!

• Broughty Ferry ramps
• The Factory 1 – Arthurstone, Dundee Terrace
• The Factory 2 – Nethergate, Dundee
• RAD Magazine Factory Comp Article

Recognise the skater above?

---

P.S. Can we please have no more arguing in the comments, people are trying to talk which is cool, just absorb the vibe from the video above when everyone just got along and skated!

_____________________

Edit:

Sigh….

OK! no more battles about various shops etc.

Everyone can go and MyFace themselves to a frenzy about whatever it is, but please leave it off here.

We here at DundeeConcrete admit ot our own political views on the matter but are tired of the comments board being used as a boxing ring.

We love LowriderzNEW-ERA, Frontside and The Listbecause thethe people that run them are all ancient mates, but we are tired of the divisionsthat are being created.

As the old Zorlac Sticker sez: Shut Up and Skate.

Buy from whom you want to, and who you feel ethical in supporting.

HERE ENDETH THE LESSON.

(yes the weather is crap this week… go up to Aberdeen like we used to when we was young and the weather was pants… except we never had a park like this!)

Just a quick reminder that War of the Thistles 2008 is on track for April 19th & 20th at Transition Extreme and Dumbarton skateparks. Check out the info about it over at SkateboardScotland.com.

The guys at ApeMedia were on site at WOTT07 and they’ve edited a short video with some highlights from the event:

The skatepark now appears on Google Maps, the image looks to have been taken fairly late in the day with long shadows. There’s quite a few people in the park too, seems to be quite a few people sitting around the bench area but there’s not enough detail shown in the image to see who they are.

I bet there’s high-resolution images somewhere though 😉

View Larger Map

The cold damp weather at this time of year means that the skatepark takes a long time to get dry. A partially dry park was enough to get a few people sessioning though.

This just in from Transition Extreme HQ:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON

World famous skateboarder returns to his aberdeen roots to deliver skateboard masterclass

30 year old Professional Skateboarder John Rattray, born and raised
in our very own Aberdeen (pronounced Eh-burrdeen) is “comin home” –
to Transition Extreme on Friday 14 December at 4.00pm . Currently
in the UK filming for American Extreme Sports channel Fuel TV – John
has kindly agreed to drop into Transition, see all his buddies and
show the kids just what a world class skateboarder can do on the
iconic Transition skatepark.

John has gained respect from skateboarders worldwide as an all round
“ripper”. He can literally skate anything! Now based in California
he travels the world putting on demos with his team mates from Zero
Skateboards and Osiris shoes.

John Rattray is also one of the digitised characters in the 2007
video game for the XBOX and SONY play-station entitledSKATE.

John will give some tips to the Transition beginners session at 4pm,
maybe organize a wee competition and undoubtedly put on a show for
the older skaters also.

An opportunity not to be missed by the skaters of Aberdeen City and
Shire and undoubtedly some fantastic photoopportunities of?. lets
face it ? one of only a few North East loon’s making it on a world
stage.

For further information please contact Craig Mitchell, Duty Manager
on 01224 626279

See you there!
Transition Extreme

Maybe we should try this out at Dudhope?

______________________________________________________

THE THURSDAY ANGRYEDITORIAL:

It has been strongly rumoured that Finlathen skatepark is now to ringed-in by a totally unnecessary metre-an-a-half high fence, which is mainly designed toprop up the public image of a local politician-wanna-be. A jerk who, incidentally,was actually kicked out of all the politicalgroups in the area for being a first-class bell-end.

This fence is SUPPOSEDLY meant to stop children from randomly rolling around all over the shop,and thusly into the road 20 metres away… (as if)… and getting hurt by speeding drivers who don’t see them in time.

… this fence will of course not do anything to ‘increase safety’ but will in fact make it both:

A. Harder to SEE kids approaching the road because of the wall of steel it presents at an angle (look at any playpark fence from an angle and you’ll see how difficult it is to see through it.)

and

B. FAR more difficult for the smaller kids who visit the place to escape from thevarious “thugs” from various nearby schemes who come and cause hassle / beat-up little kids.

Question: If the only gate out of the skateparkis blocked by violent chav-idiots,where do the little kids go?

Answer: To hospital.

The place was designed to be OPEN and freely accessable… not caged-in like an animal pen.

A big [very sarcastic] ‘thank you’toa certain MrPetrie for putting his own warped political schemings before the genuine safety of the local community.

If you are a local skater / biker, please feel free to call up the’The Hub’ – library/ community centreon Pitkerro Road, Telephone438646and ASK FOR A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ‘Community Safety Panel’ for Linlathen,tell’em what you think.

Heck… maybe you think this is a good thing.

________________________________________________________________________

Andy Dobson just sent us a wee message to give a heads up on a video premiere for the new Nike SB video called “Nothing but the truth” at Transition Skatepark in Aberdeen. The Premiere takes place on Wednesday the 24th of October (next week!) and starts at 7.30pm till late, entry cost is £7.

As well as the video premiere there will also be an Old School old skool game of skate (pre ’pressure flip’ era); king of the lines; prize giving, all in all it should be a good night of both couch potatoing and skating!

Just to confirm date, time, cost etc:

• Wednesday 24th October
• 7.30pm – 10pm
• £7.50 entry

Also take a look at the website for the movie, http://www.nik…arding/v3/nbtt/

Sorry, bit of a last minute post here but I just wanted to give a heads up on the fact that the Skateboard Scotland Annual General Meeting takes place this weekend at Transition Skatepark in Aberdeen.

There’s a few new faces involved with Skateboard Scotland including Craig Mitchell from Transition and Sam Paterson of the Edinburgh Skatepark Project, but it would be great to have more people on the committee!

Why not pop up to Aberdeen for a skate and also come along and get involved with Skateboard Scotland? The AGM takes place at 2pm on Saturday 29th September, Transition Skatepark in Aberdeen.

Block Jam Challenge at The Factory

Mark from the Factory passed on the following info about a series of Block comp on Thursday 4th October, 2 – 4pm:

Lead by UK pros, Vaughan Baker, Neil Smith, Boots, Horsey, Danny Brady and Chewy Cannon will tour the country visiting all 7 skateparks over the course of the last week of September. At each location we intend to have a block jam / challenge, where the pros amp up a local comp to win £200 in cash and a copy of the game. The timings are as follows: Thursday, 4th October – The Factory Skatepark, Dundee, 2 – 4pm. Also the best filmed trick performed by an over 18 and sent to EA will win a trip for 2 to San Francisco. So someone from the factory will go to the U S of A.

___________________________________
LAST MINUTE PETITION DRIVE:

if you have not signed this petition to ask the council for lights at the park:

http://www.petitiononline.com/dudhope/petition.html

Do it NOW!

(please)

No ‘singing in the rain’ today, just standing around at Dudhope hoping that it would stop raining (it was indeed a ‘Dud’-hope! Har har…).

Yep, unfortunately today’s Coalition Of Moving Projectiles was a washout, despite the BBC Weather’s 24 Hour forecast declaring that it was going to be cloudy and sunny. We’re hoping that the Combined Orchestrated Mental Parade will take place next Saturday instead, weather permitting.

Despite the elements a few young and foolish hardcore skaters tried to session the park in the pouring rain. This resulted in a few slams, soggy boards and waterlogged bearings, but we took a few photos and filmed it just for kicks. Hopefully next weekend we’ll get some better weather for a skate!

The guys over at the Park Life music tent were giving out free water, which was meant to prevent people getting dehydrated 😉

Guess who’s been skating in the rain?

The view of Dudhope park from Daryl’s studio, not a very nice day…

We’ve also got a video clip to come, I’ll edit it and upload it later on.

Let’s hope it’s not raining next week!

Here’s a little video clip too:

Ryan Miller sent in a few pictures from a recent session at the a park.

Um, so here they are…

This is not Dale doing a big air out the hip on his BMX.

Don’t forget, FUNDEE DAY 07 you know when…

Good news is that the grass that has been planted seems to be growing quite well, hopefully it won’t get trodden down too much. The dirt area behind the wallride at least is starting to look a bit better.

Grinds

In case you hadn’t noticed, the flatbar is now installed and getting a lot of use, it’s a square section box rail about 3 metres long. Here’s a few pictures, not of anyone skating, just the rail itself because it looks cool 😉

FUNDEE DAY 07

For various reason we have been forced to change the poster… don’t ask. Still come along to Dudhope parkonSaturday 11th August for a bit of music etc. Also Sunday 12th is the Perth comp, so two days of Gnarly Gnonsense!

Also: work building Dundee’s SECOND CONCRETE PARK in Linlathen gets started on August 6th… stay tuned to this channel for details.

Ok, finally getting around to posting some more pictures from Go Skateboarding Day!

The pictures are fairly big so you may have to wait a wee bit to load if you’re not on a fast internet connection.

Wow, how much can a policeman over react to some people skateboarding?

I especially like the bit where he sprays the girl with mace, what a tough guy…

Thanks to Sod for the link to this in the comments in the previous post.

-Rick

---

…and on a happier note: the updated graph!

Phil from the Ferry Inn,(I’ve had a very nice pint there)wasskating the park yesterdayand thrust a sweatytenner into my hand, to help pay for the flatbar. Whoo-hoo! That’s £80 folks!

We’re getting there!

– daryl

______________

Fundee Day News: We have a date! Comp now probably gonna be on Sat August 11th, this will tie in with Perth which is the next day.

ATTENTION! Will a member of ‘The Floors’ get in touch with us… there is agig possibilityalso happening on the sameday, in the park right above the skatepark.

Hey Rennie! You guys wanna play too?

_________________

Here’s some photos from the action on Thursday’s “Go Skateboarding Day” activities. I’ve got a few more I’ll post in the next day or so. The park was kind of over run by an attention seeking rat for some reason, look closely and you might spot it in the photos.

The files are fairly large so they might take a wee bit to download if your broadband isn’t so fast (if you’re on dial up, go make a cup of tea!).

No pictures, or news really but there is a gig at Glasgow Academy on Sunday June 24th by the band Devo. If you don’t know Devo then check them out on MySpace or on www.clubdevo.com. They’re a band that started in 1972 (the year I was born!) so they’ve been about a bit.

I’m hoping to go and check them out so I thought I’d give a heads up in case anyone else is interested.

Oh yeah, The Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art Degree Show 07 opens tonight (Fri 18th May) in case you want to go and check out some ‘ert’…

~Rick