…it’s the re-premiere of ‘Realise’ TONIGHT – 7.30 onwards, Buffalo.
Should be good this time as Conor has four back-up DVDs, a copy on a laptop, and in case of emergency a selection of skateboarding poems and stories relating to his time growing up as a young buck on the streets of Penarth.
If you can’t wait until tonight for your fix of Cardiff based skateboarding check this edit from Josh Ellis and friends filmed over the course of the Summer.
That’s it for now, there’s nothing else to tell you about the world of skateboarding this week so I’ll sign off. No…wait…what’s this? My Chimpo McDoodle senses are tingling…this can mean only one thing…Welshcakes news! Let me check Facebook in case I’ve missed an update…
How could I forget. Chimpo Ring of Fire at Ferndale.
…but when there is a crowd of experienced BMXers, skateboarders and rollerbladers all fighting for space, it blows my mind that parents think it’s a good time to let their toddler push his scooter into the fray.
The countdown to a serious accident is underway…and at the present time there’s nothing being done to stop it from happening.
Dear scooter-dad – no matter how much you puff your chest out and stand glaring from the sidelines at the ‘irresponsible’ skateboarders who scream in startled panic at your darling child as they wobble, helmetless and unawares into their path…your presence will do nothing to prevent injuries from happening. We know it looks like a great place to practice scootering, but if you’re just starting, you’re under 10, and you’ve never been to a busy skatepark before it is POSSIBLY THE WORST PLACE YOU CAN GO.
The tiny children on scooters aren’t calling the shots here, it’s the parents who bring them. Parenting is about making responsible decisions on behalf of your child.
Nothing has happened yet as far as I know…though I’ve had to catch a couple of kids before their heads connect with the concrete. What do you think? What should be done?
So it’s that time of year again…the time when Cardiff is plunged into gridlock and chaos by the arrival of ten thousand students. For most of them, skateboarding will be forgotten until the student loan has been completely rinsed. In a state of parentally liberated delirium, the lure of cheap alcohol and the lustful urges of youth will compel them to habitually abuse their bodies in a carnal cycle of despair. Months later, alone, poor and dejected…they will turn their attentions to the discarded skateboard in the corner and, with a nostalgic yearning for the simpler days of their recently abandoned youth, they will roll themselves out of the stinking cess-pit they call home and into the big wide world.
So take note of this web-page dear student skateboarder, and return to it when you are ready. Here is your ultimate guide to skateboarding in Cardiff.
Where to shop?
This is easy. City Surf is the only skater owned and run skate shop in Cardiff. It’s in Castle Arcade off the top end of St Mary Street.
They stock a good range of stuff…and if you say you’re a student they might even give you a discount! They’re going to be moving to new premises soon and it looks like it’s going to be AMAZING…so head down to the store now so you can say you knew them when they were old school.
What to buy?
Local brands that are worth spending your hard-earned other people’s taxes on include:
Worth keeping an eye out for stuff from the little guys too. Bakery and us here at CSC put out occasional things…
If I missed your brand or company…SORRY! Post it in the comments below.
Where to drink
There are loads of options…Cardiff is pretty much the UK’s drunkenness capital. Buffalo Bar and Ten Feet Tall are skater friendly venues that are often the scene of video premieres and parties. You can get some great deals at both venues by signing up for an Eats, Beats and Treats card. Underneath Buffalo is Undertone, which is a rad basement club with great nights.
If you want to go mental and rave it up hard. The best option these days is probably Backroom, located in a bank vault in Cardiff Bay.
Regular pub fan? Can’t beat a bit of Dempsey’s for that old man vibe or The Pen and Wig for the only decent beer garden in town and cheap prices on food and booze.
Cardiff Arts Institute used to be pretty mental on the weekends and you could easily save yourself the entrance fee by jumping over the fence at the back…but apparently those days are over and it’s going to be shit from now on because the suits at Brains brewery HQ have taken it over and are gonna fuck it up.
Where to skate?
There’s one real big meeting spot these days, and that’s the Cardiff Bay skate plaza. It’s a really sick park even though at weekends it’s plagued by little fuckers on scooters. You have to get down there.
The new bowl in Porthcawl is progressing very nicely. You have already heard about its highly amusing shape, but the quality of construction looks to be top notch and legendary skate warlock Ally Barr is overseeing it daily. These pics are nicked from his Facebook:
Ok so we only got one edit from Go Skate Day, but this one would have been the best anyway, I’m sure.
James, as the lucky winner you win…well actually I don’t know what you win yet. Any generous sponsors out there want to donate a prize? Anyway, James I’ll get in touch and hook you up with something I promise!
A pretty chilled out Go Skate Day this year…think we’ll have to bring the megaphone back for next year. The treasure hunt was crazy, a race through town to find people wearing clue t-shirts printed with QR codes that took you to secret messages from Pirate Man. Thankfully, it all worked out and Pirate Man was brought safely back from Boxman’s clutches. He would like to say a big thanks to everyone who helped find him and thanks to City Surf and Ten Feet Tall/Buffalo for the support.
If you didn’t make it down yesterday, see how you would have done by checking the clues below. Would you have found Pirate Man?
Clue 1
Clue 2
Clue 3
Clue 4
The winners
Conor, Isaac and Matt were the first to find Boxman, with Katchi being just behind them. Sean Barnes managed to manual the entire length of Boxman’s rope to knock him off Pirate Man’s treasure chest and free the Pirate! He won first pick from the chest and got himself a set of wheels!
Chris Wilson won himself a deck at the Sports Cafe 8 set. His nollie heel held off Katchi who couldn’t quite land his laser flip. Jack ‘Boneless kid’ Isaac landed on a few 360 bonelesses but didn’t quite roll away. Maybe next year Jack!
Everybody then headed to the plaza for a long session in the sunshine.
Some big stars showed up this year again.
Three of the 4 clue guys.
Boxman was back to his old self in the end. Just chilling in the sun with a Red Bull.
27 degrees forecast for tomorrow, so get your sun tan lotion on, get your bearings oiled up, and get yourself down to the Welsh Offices for lunchtime to join the hunt for Pirate Man.
REMEMBER – best edit of the day will win an extra prize after the day is over!
In the meantime, take a ride through time, Jack Carter’s mind, and Scooch’s personal space by watching this edit Jack made of the best parts of the last year.
