Behind the scenes with 4Sqair at the G20 Escape Tour across Northern New South Wales

[vc_row][vc_column][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/jamiesims.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″ desc=”Jamie Sims with a styled out topacid around the extension.”][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]The recent G20 conference in Brisbane brought the Queensland capital to a stand still, with the world’s top politicians in the Sunshine State and more police than you can poke a stick at. What does the Brisbane rollerblading community do in a time like this? Hit the road and get as far away as possible, of course! 4sqair Australia’s Nathaniel Rawlings gives rollerblading.com.au the lowdown on the G20 Escape Tour across Northern New South Wales.

Three days, a convoy and a plan to escape from the mayhem that was Brisbane’s G20 Summit and Back Sav our way through NSW’s northern towns and beaches. The 20Gs included Pauly Hackk, James Williams, Daniel Yoeman, Benny Granero, Dale Travers, Paul Williams, Rob Kellet, Jamie Simms, Glenn Payne, Chris Morris, Lachlan Burke, Levie Hicks, Josh Heathcote, Gerard Ahrens, Dave Wilcox, Luke Stonebanks, Sam Bradley, Craig Banks, Nat Ogden, Lui Burke and a cameo by Roger Cole… this is our story.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/sambradley.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″ desc=”Sam Bradley ripping the bowl with a fishy all the way on the large quarter.”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”true” color=”#393836″ size=”25″ font_weight=”bold” letter_spacing=”0″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”18″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]DAY ONE: NIMBIN[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]The bus was ready, the day was early and the juices were flowing. Not many of us got a good night’s sleep the night before, mostly due to the anticipation of finding that new bowl with perfectly set, winding pool coping, made from 1000 year old elephant tusks that slid faster than a hungry hippo squashing Jamie for his kebab.

We didn’t have long to wait, Nimbin was the first stop and gave us a swift reality check with an impressive snake run that started at the top of the park and led down to a 9-10ft bowl that flexed some real muscle.

This bowl was like nothing else, pool coping for days and after a lick of wax we were reminded why amateur skateboarders are amateur skateboarders. After it was explained that he wasn’t actually skating or even capable of skating the bowl, his life as he knew it was at an all time low, and we grinded the sh#t out of the bowl till we’d had our fill.

We then left Nimbin and made our way down to Coffs Harbour for the night where we managed to get 20 beds in the backpackers next door to the only nightclub in Coffs. Planned or coincidence? You be the judge.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Rob-Kellett.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″ desc=”Rob Kellet, Air. Fresh off his China demos, he was lovin’ the smooth bowl.”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”true” color=”#393836″ size=”25″ font_weight=”bold” letter_spacing=”0″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”18″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]DAY TWO: COFFS HARBOUR[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]It started earlier than anticipated with the park located just around the corner and everyone was keen to see what $1.5 million looked like as a skate park. We were not disappointed, with a cool little warm up street course, P-rail and a bowl.

But his bowl was nothing like the Nimbin bowl, it linked spines, vert walls, extensions, curved sub boxes, transfers and corners like they were planned by some autistic algorithm genius.

But we were not the only ones drooling over it that morning; a group of skateboarders that could actually skateboard, (yeah I know right? They could actually grind waxed coping and land tricks first try and sh#t) were tearing this bowl to shreds.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/g20-crew.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″ desc=”The G20 Escape Tour crew chillin’ at Coffs Harbour Skate Park.”][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]That’s when we spotted a curved ledge near the park that wasn’t designed to be skated. It was about 20-30 meters long in the shape of a C and slid like KY Jelly. If you are thinking you like a good curved ledge challenge go to Coffs and bring your A game, your B game and a bottle of rum to drown your sorrows. This ledge was hit about five or six hundred times, and still remains unconquered.

The few that came close were Lachlan Burke, Chris Morris, Rob Kellet and Luke Stonebanks, among others. It’s been affectionately named C#nt Ledge.

We then regrouped on the beach for lunch and a swim and went back for round two in the bowl. Having it to ourselves this time, Levi Hicks showed us why he is Australia’s most underrated roller, Sam Bradley is just SAM BRADLEY, Rob Kellet showed what skating every day for 6 months does to you and as for Benny G… well Benny G is back.

The second night was much the same as the first, 20 skaters, one club, on tour, fill in the blanks… But if Jamie Simms asks you for a high-five, don’t get smart…[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/levihicks.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”1000″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″ desc=”Levi HIcks going big on the vert wall with a parallel grab.”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”true” color=”#393836″ size=”25″ font_weight=”bold” letter_spacing=”0″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”18″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]DAY THREE: BALLINA[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Day three was a little dusty… There were good intentions to skate some streets around Coffs, but after warming up at the park it was clear that it wasn’t gonna happen. We made our way to Ballina and realised the best thing about the Ballina skate park was the beach next to it. So after going a bit gorillas, provocatively, Dave Chappelle got in the bus and steered us home…

Shout out to Daniel Yoeman and Dave Willcox for sharing the driving duties, to Dale Travers for catching some nice snaps, to Jamie Simms for pointing out some exquisite picnic spots and to the Sydney lads, Lui Burke, Nat Ogden and Craig Banks, for making it a sick possie!

Heads up: There is another tour in development for July 2015.

Tour and Words by Nat Rawlings from 4Sqair Australia.

All photos by Dale Travers, except the one below by Gerard Aherns.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/g205.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″ desc=”Benny Granero, alley-oop fishbrain. “][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Bayside Blades welcomes Melbourne’s Josh Doey Toofreshh as new team rider

Josh doey toofreshh

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.rollerblading.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/joshtoofresh.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Melbourne rolling powerhouse Bayside Blades have welcomed Melbourne shredder Josh Doey Toofreshh to their team and to celebrate, have dropped this awesome edit.

Filmed by Bradley Watson, Thomas Dalbis and Kev San Jose across both Melbourne and around Australia, it shows off Josh’s stylish and technical skating at its finest.

Big ups to Josh for making the team, it’s definitely well deserved. Respect also goes out to Bayside Blades for supporting Australian talent.[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”JOSH DOEY TOOFRESHH WELCOME TO BAYSIDE BLADES: EDIT BY BRAD WATSON” link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFAi3dfenRQ”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

CJ Wellsmore, Richie Eisler and more in Roskilde Festival 2014 – The Blading Version

Richie Eisler Roskilde Festival The Blading Version

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.rollerblading.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/496660955_1280x720-1.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Every year, the world famous Roskilde Festival in Demark invites some of the best rollerbladers from all over the globe to skate shows and be a part of the incredible non-profit festival.

Danish videographer Karsten Boysen has just released an awesome official edit of the music, partying, skating and fun from the rollerblading crew over the week of the event.

Alongside Aussie hero CJ Wellsmore, the edit also features a huge cast of the world’s best skaters, including Richie Eisler, Dave Sizemore, Dave Lang, Dominic Wagner, Eito Yasutoko, Alex Broskow, Chris Farmer, Montre Livingson, Kare Lindberg and loads more.

With Roskilde attracting over 100,000 people annually, alongside some of the world’s biggest names in music, it’s awesome to see a festival that still places the rollerblading competition at the front-and-centre of attention. Who’s down for next year?

Camera & Editing: Karsten Boysen and Benjamin Büttner
Sound: André Klar
Music: Moderat – A New Error (live version) plus New Order – Age OF Consent

For more of Karsten’s work, check out his Vimeo channel. For more from Roskilde Festival, check out their official website.[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”Roskilde Festival 2014 – The Blading Version: Edit by Karsten Boysen” link=”http://vimeo.com/111876090″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Aussie legends feature in Dom West x The Booted: Mates, Beers and Bunnies in Sydney

Dom West x The Booted Mates Beers and Bunnies

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/craig.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]UK-BASED blading website The Booted celebrates one year on the scene this month and to celebrate, they’ve just dropped a killer edit by the one-and-only Dom West featuring Sydney’s Vine St crew.

Filmed in only one day along the Sydney coastline, Mates, Beers and Bunnies is an insight into the awesome lifestyle enjoyed by rollerblading crew in Australia’s largest city. Who wouldn’t want to live in a place with so many beaches, awesome parks and amazing skaters?

Alongside skating from some of Australia’s best from the current generation, including Gav Drumm, CJ Wellsmore, Tien NguyenCraig Brocklehurst (pictured above by Adam Kola), Alan DickRian Arnold, Jamie Knapp, Josh Butler and Toby Yau, the edit also features a rare glimpse of Australian legends Blake Dennis and Scott Crawford in action.

Anyone who has been around in the blade game for a while knows these two are true bona fide legends of the Aussie scene and will be truly excited to see them back on the roll.

This is what The Booted’s Adam Kola had to say about the edit: “We would like to take this moment to thank everyone that has supported The Booted and our features. We endeavour to put forward an eclectic mix of the very best that blading has to offer in a mature and tasteful fashion This especially wouldn’t be possible without our correspondents, contributors and bladers, so to everyone that has provided us with content, The Booted and rollerblading are thankful!”

Big ups to The Booted from rollerblading.com.au for the awesome content and edits over the last year, you’re doing everything right. Here’s to another big year in 2015!

For more from The Booted, check out their official website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr.[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”Dom West x The Booted: Mates, Beers and Bunnies” link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ05AFRLcK8″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Victorian Rollerblading Titles 2014 locked in for Prahran Skate Park on November 29

Victorian Titles 2013

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/vic-titles.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”305″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Outside the Australian Rollerblading Open, there aren’t many competitions in Australia that attract the same excitement as the Victorian Titles.

Held annually at skate parks across Melbourne, the Vic Titles are one of the country’s longest-standing and best-loved events, with a turn-out that even rivals ARO. The crew from Rolling Victoria have recently announced the date and venue for the 2014 competition, which will take place at the iconic Prahran Skate Park on November 29 from 4pm.

If you’d like to compete, registrations are now open, with categories including Under 14s, Under 18s, Opens, Over 30s, Mini Ramp, Vert and Best Trick Registration is $20 to enter one category, or $30 if you’d like to enter a few. The fee is payable with cash on the day, or via credit card/PayPal. To register, simply sign on at rollvic.org.au by November 27.

For full information, check out rollvic.org.au or RSVP at Facebook.[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”Victorian Rollerblading Titles 2013: Edit by Kal Crew” link=”http://vimeo.com/71302141″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Check out all the videos from The Blading Cup 2014 in California in one place

Blading Cup 2014 logo

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/bladingcupthumb.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]The Blading Cup 2014 went down for another big year in 2014, with some of the world’s best skaters hitting the streets in Santa Ana, California, for a huge day of fun across an awesome custom-built street course.

At the end of the day, Australia’s CJ Wellsmore added another impressive jewel to his already heavy crown, taking out top spot in the Pro Competition ahead of Julien Cudot (France), Dave Sizemore (USA) and Antony Pottier (Belgium).

It was his second win at The Blading Cup, after he took out the competition in 2012.

With most Australian skaters unable to make the trek over to the states for the comp (except Robbie Pitts – see if you can spot him in the edits below), we’ve put together all this year’s videos in one place, ensuring you relive all the action from halfway across the world.

Included are edits from One Blading Magazine, Daniel Scarano, Filthjuice and Eldente. If any fresh edits hit the streets, we’ll update this story to ensure you don’t have to look too hard.

For more from The Blading Cup 2014, check out their Instagram or official website.[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”Blading Cup 2014: Edit by One Magazine” link=”http://vimeo.com/110967030″][vc_video title=”Blading Cup 2014: Edit by Daniel Scarano” link=”http://vimeo.com/110955943″][vc_video title=”Blading Cup 2014: Edit by Filthjuice” link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8Vh2DzWtbg”][vc_video title=”Blading Cup 2014: Edit by Eldente” link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l0OeKv_3Y0″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Summer is already here at the Melbourne Rollerblading Prahran Sessions

Gavin Drumm Melbourne Rollerblading

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Screenshot-2014-11-10-11.01.09.png” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Summer might not officially be with us in Australia just yet, but the Melbourne Rollerblading crew are already taking advantage of the good weather with their Wednesday night Prahran Skate Park sessions now in full swing.

Taking advantage of the extra hour of sun that daylight savings time provides, the Wednesday sessions are a great way to meet the tight-knit Melbourne Rollerblading crew and throw down in one of the city’s oldest and best-loved outdoor parks.

All rollerbladers are welcomed with open arms and here at rollerblading.com.au, we can attest that they are a friendly bunch!

To celebrate the return of the warmer months, Melbourne legend Brad Watson has put together this cool edit of the Wednesday Daylight Savings sessions, featuring skating by some of the Victoria’s best skaters including Gav Drumm, Thomas Scofield, Josh “Doey” Toofresh, Rob Ham and loads more.

If you’re in Melbourne and would like to hook up with other rollerbladers for a skate, make sure you join the Melbourne Rollerblading Facebook group. It’s a closed group, so make sure you send them a message letting the crew know who you are and you’ll be added to the group.[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”Melbourne Rollerblading Prahran Summer Sessions: Edit by Brad Watson” link=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPUOXonptZc&list=UUgSo-N9E__j23psCykPBgWg”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

CJ Wellsmore takes out his second Blading Cup in 2014 in Santa Ana, Califorina

CJ Wellsmore Blading Cup 2014 Winner

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.australianblading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/cj-wellsmore-blading-cup-edit.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]The world’s top rollerblader in 2014 has added another jewel to his already impressive crown by taking out The Blading Cup for 2014 in Santa Ana, California.

Riding a wave of success after the release of his pro model skate on Seba late last year, Australia’s own CJ Wellsmore is the undisputed No.1 of the competition rollerblading scene in 2014 after another huge win against some of the world’s top skaters.

Created by rollerblading icon Jon Julio, The Blading Cup is regarded as one of the world’s premier competitions and features an epic course designed for and by bladers, with a big focus on the creativity and amplitude only our sport can achieve.

Here is what CJ Wellsmore had to say after the win on the day: “What an incredible feeling it is to win The Blading Cup! Today with the amazing atmosphere we had, Everyone put there body on the line to feel the beautiful joy that inline skating brings to all of us. Thankyou for all the support! Fucking love it.”

CJ took the top spot ahead of France’s Julien Cudot in second, the USA’s Dave Sizemore in third and Belgium’s Anthony Pottier in fourth. It was a great result for CJ’s boot sponsor SEBA, with their team riders taking out first and fourth.

Check out the first edit by Eldente below and stay tuned for more Blading Cup action as it comes through. Congratulations CJ!

THE BLADING CUP 2014 RESULTS
1. CJ Wellsmore
2. Julien Cudot
3. David Sizemore
4. Anthony Pottier[/vc_column_text][vc_video title=”The Blading Cup 2014: Edit by Eldente” link=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l0OeKv_3Y0″][/vc_column][/vc_row]