Graham Marsden

Portsmouth, United Kingdom

Scott Wagenblast Yeah, I've tried various ways of going through the bends, eg coming in on the inside then heading up to the "lip" before dropping down again or staying high on the entry etc, but I've not yet found one that reliably works for me or that I can get the timing right on ☹️

Posted

10 Jul 03:59

I got down to the Pump Track again and this time, although it was sunny, it was a hell of a lot less humid!

I'd been checking out videos on technique and it took me a few goes to get sorted, but, eventually, I managed to achieve a new record distance 👍

Ok, it's not perfect, I'm still too much on the back foot and not getting my head low in the corners (and it was only on this run that I managed to just get over that last big hump!), but I'll take the win 🙂

https://youtu.be/JcSwEbqkzA4 

2

09 Jul 19:06

I believe Clay recommends CX trucks, but if you already have C7s I doubt it will be a big issue.

To find your stance length, put a tape measure on the floor and stand on it with your feet together at 45 degrees and the zero mark on the outside of your front foot.

Pivot your back foot 90 degrees on the heel, then 90 degrees on the toe and stack on your front foot, then compress and extend a couple of times and let your back foot move to a comfortable position and record the measurement on the outside of your back foot.

You might like to do this a couple more times just to check.

The "Wheelbase" of a skateboard is the distance between the rear bolts of the front truck and the foremost bolts of the back truck and that should be approximately the same as the length of your stance.

The board should be wide enough that, with your feet at 45 degrees, your toes and heels aren't hanging over the edges and, if you prefer, should have a slight "dish" shape between the edges which helps the feet stay in place.

A nose kicker isn't necessary, but they pretty much all come with a kick tail.

Personally I'd recommend the Carver Triton range which are reasonably priced and have the CX trucks and 89a wheels (fairly soft, good for streets and rougher surfaces), although I swapped mine for 95a Park Wheels which are harder, so a bit faster, but more suited to concrete skate park bowls etc.

Reply

01 Jul 18:15

Yes, it says they're reopening, but I have to wonder if there will be more disruption ahead with all the legal hassles... 🤔

Posted

01 Jul 08:28

Latest news about The Wave in Bristol.

It's getting messy... ☹️

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/wave-bristol-surfing-lake-sold-10305983

3

27 Jun 16:10

I hope they get the situation resolved soon because I was thinking of going there next month ☹️

27 Jun 16:08

1751004505612_Screenshot_20250627_070743_Firefox.1751004505.jpg

Here's the link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7vrzgp5d58o

The Wave CEO Hazel Geary said: "This decision has not been driven by operational failure or lack of customer demand - but for a financial technicality completely unrelated to commercial matters."

Posted

26 Jun 04:10

I finally got to have another try at the local Pump Track today.

I had hoped to improve my performance as I had been working on my compress and extend when surfing last week.

Unfortunately, even though it was overcast, it was *way* too humid and after about 10 tries and getting less far than I'd gone in the past, I had to quit ☹️

At least I'd just got the air conditioning in the car fixed, so I could cool off on the way home... 🥵

2

26 Jun 04:03

1750874628933_Screenshot_20250625_185905_OMBE Surf~2.1750874626.jpg

Nice wave, but it looks like you're waiting too long to do your bottom turn so you end up in the flats and then try to force a top turn halfway up the face.

I think if you looked and got onto the rail earlier, you'd be able to get up to the lip and do a much better turn 👍