Belle likes Norfin and Norfin likes Belle

Since we went to the MOTH event in January people have been more than a little bit impressed with the fact that Belle got a podium finish on the Norfin Manta. I flicked the Norfin people a quick mail outlining that they should be proud that their chariot, with Belle aboard, did so creditably.

A big surprise came when a month later there is an offer from Norfin to make Belle a custom Longboard. She can even get involved in the advertising and distribution of boards among her friends. This could be a good arrangement for both. Call it sponsorship....so at 13 years old Belle has her first sponsorship deal, albeit unofficial.  

Shameless exploitation of the Media**

I did not write this but hey, it's good press....some of the detail is a bit sketchy. Like.....I got my first skateboard in 1960...very resourceful procuring a board before I was born.

We managed to cover some stuff off:

1. Safety aspect - helmets...check
2. Advertising sponsors....we did our best to sticker up
3. Publicity for Skateboarding and Downhill, particularly Girls on Longboards
4. Good press for Mt Panorama
5. Notification to the public at large that the aging porn star look is BACK!

In addition, I think we showed it is a family pursuit which we can all enjoy together. That's how we roll.






MOTH aka Master of the Hill 2011

At 6am on Saturday 29th January 2011 we had piled into the car to get to our first ever downhill skateboard racing event. The Master of the Hill event was being run at the pump Station in the Blue Mountains.Belle had her trusty Norfin and a full face helmet borrowed from Robbo. Brittany had the Loaded Vanguard which, we discovered, was not going to be able to do the downhill job. I had my Demonseed and an old motorcycle full face helmet from years ago. As it happened Brittany and I had to share equipment which was a nuisance, but now we know.

When we got there we found a locked gate and a lot of young people making their way down to the campsite. The hill is around 800m of beautiful hotmix, a few catseyes, a couple of fast corners and a lot of fun. This was going to be a day where we would get some fitness because what flies downhill has no choice and must walk back up it.

I encouraged the girls to get some practice, but got none myself. In the qualifying I pushed off very fast down the hill not knowing what to expect at the big corner...short story, I met the gravel. I lost my dignity, my pants were wrecked, bleeding from my arm, hip and knee but got back on board to do the honourable 'Cool Runnings' thing and finished the race before getting patched up.

Belle and Brittany were in a group of 5 women and were learning very fast and they continued to get better and better. In the Grand Final of the womens I was at the half way point when Lea Robbo came around the bend with Belle on her tail, Brittany behind her with Imogen and Deanne in pursuit. I was so pleased for them. They took podium spots 2 and 3 in their first ever event. What an absolute blast.

It was a wonderful day with the entire skateboarding fraternity making it like a big friendly family day. The top World Cup riders were engaging the grommets and the girls to make them feel welcome and the mood relaxed and friendly. Thanks Bugs, Haggy, Robbo and ASRA and to Benbro and Steve Daddow for keeping the girls stoked. What a buzz, what a great sport - we'll be doing more of this.

Belle in Second

Britt 3rd

Brittany stylin'

Aussie Podium

   

   





How to brake on a Skateboard

It is sometimes said that there is no way to slow down a skateboard; it is also said that due to the absence of visible brakes that skateboarders can not brake or stop. I am here to tell you that is a myth. Watch the video and check Patrick Switzers technique for braking at high speed.....hmmmm around the 100 km/h at the Dipper braking for Forrests Elbow. Forrests Elbow, incidentally, is not related to the shape of the corner but the fact that Jack Forrest, a motorcycle racer scraped his elbow away after laying down his bike – it is a fast, descending left-hand turn that leads on to Conrod Straight. The video shows Kevin Reimer, James Kelly and Patrick Switzer having some fun on Mt Panorama. If that is fun, then adrenalin is brown....

Top Guns at Newtons 2010 - brake before Forrests Elbow

Newtons Nation Bathurst 2010 is over......

We were very lucky to have met and solicited autographs from some of the best Downhill skateboarders on the planet. The chicks were a real blast for Belle. Katie 'Skatie Katie' Neilson gave Belle a Sector 9 cap which now has the autographs of Katie, Dom and Bri which she wears with cool pride. I was fortunate to have been able to take an old but beautiful longboard for signing. Kevin Reimer, James Kelly, Patrick Switzer, Mischo Erban and Jackson Shapeira all legends, along with Skatie Katie, Brianne Davies and Dominique Vukorep put ink to board with best wishes to Belle. A special thanks to Hop for his part in bringing this talent to the country and rounding them all up in his shop for the locals. Hop, you and Robbo are unsung heroes....it does not go unnoticed. Respect.

One thing of note for the punters is a bit of video of a run involving the top men in the sport going off the top of Mt Panorama....check the smoke coming off Patrick Switzer's shoe as he footbrakes in anticipation of Forrests Elbow.

Legends take a run down Mt Panorama

Belle meets the legend that is Skatie Katie.

With Newtons Nation happening on the weekend all of the World's Best are in town to take on the motor racing circuit that we know as The Mountain. Mount Panorama in Bathurst is the cauldron where the world's best will line up for a shot at the title. The top girls will be there. Brianne Davies (current World Champion) and Dominique Vukorep (World speed record holder) along with Skatie Katie Nielson. This is absolutely epic and the girls are happy to chat and sign autographs which will certainly allow the younger girls to draw inspiration and follow the cause. I know that Belle is in awe of these girls.

Belle's Custom Grip Job on the Nemesis

His life is going downhill seriously fast....

Today I met Mischo Erban (2009 World Cup Champion, Current holder of the World speed record 130 km/h). I got his autograph for Belle and Britt. He is a seriously fast dude.

The Downhill Skateboarding fraternity are in town for Newtons Nation where they will be skateboarding off the top of Mt Panorama. Check Mischo doing his thing in the Youtube clip - jeezus. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvR3OReRTb4