When I started skating downhill I watched videos of people going fast, hammering huge slides round corners and that seemed like a distant dream. As I began to meet other like minded skaters that is when I realised that we could be skating big roads too and it wasn’t an elitist club or an unachievable dream. We started to attend events and quickly found how friendly the whole community is, how everyone is stoked to see people progress and encourage people to get to a competent level of skating. I feel that for many people it is not about being the fastest down a hill but the experience shared shredding it with somebody else. So it makes sense for everybody to give confidence to new riders and push the growth of the sport. I know myself when I make it to the bottom of the hill there is no way to put into words what I was feeling truthfully but I turn and look at the person or the people that came with me and I do not need words, a fist bump does the job. I see it this way you can nail a corner on your own time and time again, perfect always; but then you throw five more riders into that corner at the same time and it is going to be different every time.
Spotting is important you should all know it. This is why we have to encourage people to get out and skate, so you can lay thane round crazy corners that are not safe unless someone is spotting. It’s key to skating safely and being able to skate where you want without having to organise an event and get roads closed, which is easily achievable for those thinking of organising an event.
Anybody given enough time to practice and to learn the confidence you need to bomb hills, can be shredding with a group of friends. So you all need to get out there and film some gnarly lines down some beautiful roads. Skate safe and remember no helmet no respect.
Ben Woods
