I’m going to miss this dude. He passed away a few days ago. I will make a bigger post about Jason at some point. But for now, watch this part again. He was the best.

I met Dave right after work. I’m not supposed to be skating yet, but I really felt like it. We met at a nearby parking lot. It had some ok red curbs with cracks in front of them. They would be great without the crack. I felt so awkward for awhile. Dave seemed to be struggling a bit too. I had done a couple slow kickflips, Dave had done a few grinds and then we moved on.

I had seen this spot years ago and made note of it. It was close so we did it. Dave was not hyped at first. It ended up being pretty fun. We skated it a few ways. Bank to curb, boardslides the curbs, bonk the crack into it, Dave manualled the stair into the bank (crazy), etc. I felt the best on my board I had in months. The stiff shoes still felt too much, but they allowed me to skate so if that’s what it takes I don’t care. I had a few slow kickflips, posed boardslide transfers, posed b/s flips over the curb into the bank and was 1.5/30 on beanplants when Dave was 1/1. Dave also did a crazy back 180 nosepick transfer. It felt great to skate for real and like I wasn’t damaging my body. It’s been awhile since I’ve had that little knee pain. I hope it keeps up. Oh yeah, I had put my old pink Spitfires on and they felt way better than the hard Bones.

(setup 8.25 null future board, venture 5.8 wides, 3 washers outside each axle, Venom 88a bushings, 52mm Spitfire F4 conical 99a pink/purple wheels, bronson bearings, NB# PJ 533 black/gum 11.5 superfeet insoles)

Went to Saul’s later in the afternoon and it felt warm even though it was only in the 40s. It was more crowded then usual, but still mellow. Dave was shredding. My first few runs were basically me just sliding out and falling. I guess them Bones STFs aren’t so good for this. Saul was skating fast and doing longer grinds. Dave and Wrex were totally shredding in their different ways. Dave did a pogo. It looked so fun. Wrex was doing big airs over the hip, such casual long grinds, etc. There were a few people I didn’t know, all had some moves. It was a really good vibe. I skated bad for awhile, but near the end had a couple alright runs to make me feel better. Skating in the stiff shoes with orthotic insoles is hard, there is almost no board feel.

After the session Dave and I went to the nearby school. We waxed up a little curb and did some slappies. Even though we both first try kickflips (and they were so perfect ha ha) I felt even more awkward on my board here. The super hard wheels and super stiff shoes and the fact that I hadn’t skated in awhile got me. Dave had some great slappies and a sick back 5-0 back 180 out. I ended up getting a couple slappy crooks, but I felt so weird on my board.

(setup 8.25 null future board, venture 5.8 wides, 3 washers outside each axle, Venom 88a bushings, 52mm stf v5 wheels, bronson bearings, NB# PJ 533 black/gum 11.5 superfeet insoles)

Went to Sauls on a cool day. It was just Saul and Bren which perfect since I hadn’t really skated in so long. Things were going ok. I felt super rusty, but it was fun. Saul was having some gout pain and a little timid too. Bren was linking some good grinds. Then my phone started blowing up. My friend Jason passed.

(setup 8.25 null future board, venture 5.8 wides, 3 washers outside each axle, Venom 88a bushings, 52mm stf v5 wheels, bronson bearings, NB# PJ 533 black/gum 11.5 superfeet insoles)