Blackcrossbowl: Basel, Switzerland
Pontus Alv and the locals of Basel built the Black Cross Bowl in 10 days. What did you accomplish this week?
European Skate Championships (Basel, Switzerland) 1/2 Pipe
Generally speaking, I wouldn’t travel to a different country for a half pipe (or indoor wooden street) contest. However, pay my transportation and give me a 5 star hotel to crash in for 3 days to photograph and party with some of the best skateboarders in Europe, and without hesitation, I’m there.
Under the Bridge: Köln – Built It… & They Will Come
A month after the city had a brief but futile attempt to destroy the under the bridge DIY spot built by the skaters of Köln, the Yama Skateboards team from Austria were passing through town on their way to Belgium. We had planned a mini-ramp session at the Lohse Ramp, but Germany’s sketchy summer time weather canceled that plan with intermittent rain throughout the day. Our only option was to hit up the DIY spot…
Under the Bridge: Köln, Germany (building): PHASE II & III
Under the bridge in Köln, Germany, a DIY skate spot had been started a few years ago, and then lay stagnant. With some motivation from the Köln skaters, Phase II was underway, with a pump bump and quarter pipe. Money was gathered for bags of concrete, tools were purchased, trowels were customized, and even a concrete truck made a delivery of fresh ‘crete.
Oostende “Velodrome Bowl”, Belgium: Opening day
k in Oostende Belgium is located in the old Velodrome (bike course) next to the harbor, a few kilometers from the ocean. Built by Concrete Dreams. a Belgian skate park company started by Bruno, which is collaborative effort with Mike and other guys from Brusk Collective, locals in whatever city they’re building and assisted at times by Matt Grabowski from Minus Pools. The final product in Oostende came out super insane. The opening party had punk bands, DJs, graffiti “jams”, no real contest just people skateboarding, and a lot of spectators who it seemed were quite impressed with what Concrete Dreams had created for the city and visiting skateboarders. There’s not really much to say except another great skate park in Europe, BUILT BY SKATEBOARDERS.
Pudi’s Pool Coping – “Concrete Dreams”
Pudi lives in Southern Germany and makes pool coping for various concrete park and DIY projects around europe. Recently he got extra creative and made some “mosaique works” as a surprise gift for Bruno who was working on his new Concrete Project: CONCRETE DREAMS and building a new park in Oostende, Beligum.
DIY Spot Berlin: GHETTO
Daniel Schmid and Sven Daubenfeld built their own skate spot in Berlin. The ground was too sandy, the wood wasn’t good enough to get enough speed. Two slams, one make. They agreed they efforts were a failure and moved on to the next spot. Better luck next time dudes…
Danger!…Sean Gutierrez in Germany
CONSOLIDATED SKATEBOARDS riders Ryan “DANGER” Carruthers and Sean Gutierrez came through Köln, Germany for a week and tore up everything in sight. Hagen Mickey Mouse Pool, Siegburg, and Lohse Ramp.
Adam Benson @ backyard D.I.Y. spot: Grandpa’s – Santa Cruz, California
Adam Benson tears it up at a backyard D.I.Y. spot in Santa Cruz, California: GRANDPA’S
Malmö, Sweden – DIY WEEKEND (Part II): Bryggeriet + Sibbarp
…I awoke on the hardwood floor, my neck severely tweaked from my short but heavy slumber on the floor. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee thickened the air, enough to motivate me to my feet. Outside the sky hung neutral grey, a dense wet mist, leaving the ground wet. Outdoor skateboarding was canceled for the day so it was off to the indoor wooden skate facility of Bryggeriet for the day’s activities.