Status update:
Well... I hate to say it, but summer is about 1/2 way over.
Although another anniversary is coming up quick. The Oregon Trifecta. This is a 3-day, 3-park skate contest.
Last year Noah and I went to the one in Tigard so I could see some professional skaters rip it up. It was at that contest that I heard of "Old Man Army." It's a company and website that is made up of skaters 30 years old and older. I signed up in the forums and eventually met up with some of the Portland/Vancouver members.
This was last August.
Last August, I didn't skate ramps and parks very much. I grew up skating street and big ramps terrified me. The thought of skating a vert ramp was laughable.
But here I am, one year later. I've put in a lot of hard work and have pushed myself to try things I've never tried before. I can drop into a vert ramp like it's nothing now.
My goal is that over the next few months to a year I'll start being able to get air out of ramps. I want to get up and above the lip and be able to fly.
I've learned this last year that I'm capable of so much more than I think I am capable of. I can still surprise myself. I can still grow and do things I've never done before.
If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. -Marty McFly
I've still got a checklist of things I need to do this summer, though. Here's a few of the highlights.
Glenhaven: Grind deep end of pool + grind big wall in bowl
Pier Park: Drop into 12' vert end + backside slash grind deep end.
Hood River: Grind over mousehole gap + Grind deep end of big bowl
Burnside: Grind big bowl + drop in on wall
Vancouver: Backside air in 6' end
Don't worry, I'll be filming all of these tricks (plus more). There's no point in doing them if they're not documented!
Failure is not an option.