Wednesday, July 18

Stealth Skate Mission

By Keith Eric Davidson

Given the popularity of modern skateboarding, finding places to get your shred on is becoming increasingly difficult. If you happen to live in Southern California, that magnitude is increased ten-fold. Of course there is always the abundance of skateparks that are popping up everywhere on a daily basis, but for most kids that isn't going to satisfy the urge for the raw streets.

Anyone who's watched any good skate videos in the last couple of years might have noticed that a substantial portion of them have been filmed when it's dark out, or in easy to understand terms: Nighttime! Of course! Why would you want to hang out indoors sulking over homework assignments or fighting over the TV remote with your little sister when nighttime is actually the best time to get your skate on and get busy!

Brenden Fitzgerald says be sure to wear nice bright colors. Or black.

Summer time is actually the best time to head out into the night. The days are usually too hot (especially anywhere east of the Mississippi) and bright, and unless you're Chad Muska or Andrew Reynolds, sunglasses are not, I repeat not cool to skate in.

Think about it. What happens at night? Your parents come home from work and start laying into you about your ripped up jeans and messy room, wait a minute did I say come home from work, the place they go during the day where those perfect ledges are out front, but are unskateable due to the very- concerned-about-your-safety receptionist directly inside. Well guess what? That receptionist (along with your parents) don't actually stay at that building 24/7. They come home and watch television reruns of "I Love Lucy", leaving those buttery ledges unguarded and ready for your trucks to grind and your nose and tail to slide.

Most of the major cities in the country have a central downtown area where a majority of the good skatable terrain is located. Due to paranoia and legalities, this terrain is not going to be a go when the businesses are open. Nighttime is a very different story, so grab your dawgs and head into the city for some nighttime hijinks. If you don't live near a big city or if you live in the middle of Kansas, find an industrial section of town. These places also hold the goods such as loading dock bumps and rails (they are usually blocked by trucks during the day) for clocking some nighttime hammers. Take note however, heading into the city at night tends to be a bit hairball so pay attention to where you park your car, and make sure your board setup is in good shape because skateshops are also closed at night, and you don't want to be sidelined while all your boys are gettin' some.

Yes, it is dark out...and yes, that's Than Brooks' skateboard covered in carpet. Mr. Grab, how soft you are.

This is the part of the story where we talk about the dreaded security guard. You know, the guys who were teased as children and didn't ever get any candy on Halloween. Their jobs are to make our jobs as skaters as difficult as possible, but there are ways to avoid these silly little people as well. If it's a large building you're attacking, try memorizing the security guard's schedule, and skate the 20 stair rail when the rent-a-jocks are on the opposite side (or are on donut/toilet break). If this fails, cold hard cash is always a bribe option so bring along that nerdy skate buddy whose parents drive a Lexus SUV.

Of course if you're on top of your game you already know all this, but if you were still wondering how the filmers find such well lit spots, they actually make them well lit, and so can you fairly inexpensively. Head over to the hardware store, go to the electrical section and hook up some of those yellow halogen workstand lights that cost about $15 bucks a pop. You'll probably need three of them and a three way cord to patch them together, ask an employee if you need help. Most buildings have external power outlets, so borrow a couple of your dad's extra long heavy duty extension cords, or if you happen to have an extra $500 weighing your wallet down, a gas powered generator is even better, then light that dark hubba ledge up in all it's glory.

Remember that skating at night also means dealing with the other elements of night life so go out in groups and make it happen!

Check out some great session photos in our gallery