Artifact Skate Shop

Tardy Tuesdays

Ricky — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:57:38 +0000

O.k., So I have been slacking a bit with the web site but I am back and have some exciting news! There are some big changes a foot and I think people are going to be pretty happy. I’m not ready to tell you whats going on, I’d rather leave you wondering the worst that way when it happens we can scoop you up, hold you close to our bosom, and sing to you with our beautiful voice which is a mixture of Fergie and Jesus. (that’s for you Keith) Just keep this in mind, Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right!

-Artifact OUT!

Wisdom Wednesday

Ricky — Wed, 26 May 2010 14:48:41 +0000

This week I want to touch on some of the fads of skateboarding. This is just a short list of things I’ve noticed, and do not approve of. So, if you want my approval, and we all know you do, then look this list over and make sure you make the appropriate changes.

1. Ghetto Gowns- I have no idea how this made its way into skateboarding but it did! We need to get this fad out immediately. There are a few teams out there who embrace this fad and to you I say, ” You look like a F***ing idiot!”

2. Catching tricks with your front foot and not putting your back foot on until the board hits the ground. What the F***? How did this catch on? This is not a stylish way to do tricks so if you do it, stop. And if you see people doing it throw your board at them.

3. Grabs down stairs. Very simple, leave the grabs for the bowl.

4. Attitudes. This is skateboarding, we’re in it together. No one should have a cocky attitude because they are better than someone else. This is for fun and if you’re not you’re taking skating seriously than you have a problem.

5. Trying to get sponsored. Do not try to get a sponsor. If you skate well and look like you’re having a good time they will come to you. There are way too many kids at the parks today with $5,000 cameras trying to film for a sponsor me video. No one will sponsor you because you did a kick-flip down a 4 set at a skate park.

I’m sure there are more but I’ll save them for next week. So I hope non of you fit any of these categories, and if you do there is still time to change. Just go out and have fun.

Monday Madness 15

Ricky — Mon, 24 May 2010 12:41:41 +0000

This weeks Monday Madness is from the Hoodlum demo at Haven. Just want to thanks those guys for coming up. Also, be sure to come down to Haven this sunday for the KeyStone demo.

Thanks to Luke again for filming this one.

Wisdom Wednesday Part 2

Ricky — Wed, 19 May 2010 13:44:08 +0000

Here is part 2 of Daves lesson.
6.) Don’t try tricks that you are absolutely not capable of.
a. It puts your life at risk, as well as the lives of others.
b. It is generally a huge waste of everybody’s time.
7.) Don’t do the same run over and over again
a. This is especially in regards to mini-ramp, or bowl skating. If you are just flowing around the park its cool, but when there are a bunch of people sessioning then you should be skating hard.
b. No rules 6 and 7 aren’t contradictory, you should still not be trying things that you definitely cannot do, you should be pushing yourself, trying to go big and getting some.
8.) Respect the older dudes
a. They’ve put in their time, and paid their dues, so suck it up and keep the order. You may be the hometown hero at your local park, but you aren’t when you are at a session
b. This same rule applies to people that are better than you. When you are new to skateboarding, you should not be in the mix with guys that are really good, you should be sitting back and learning.
9.) Have fun.
a. Yes it’s corny, but skateboarding isn’t about being the best, it’s about getting away from everything and enjoying the people you have met, and the general community. There are only so many years that you get to enjoy skateboarding, so don’t be such a whiner and just have fun with it.
Somehow these principles were lost along the way, but hopefully this guide will help resurrect them.

Wisdom Wednesday Part 1

Ricky — Wed, 19 May 2010 13:40:42 +0000

This weeks wisdom is brought to you by Dave Lewis. Enjoy, and thanks Dave!
A skateboarding etiquette guide for users of skateparks, bowls, or mini-ramps.
Through my years of skateboarding, I have realized that there is no established set of rules for the children to abide by in regards to etiquette. Whether you are at your local park (by this I mean concrete parks where you can actually flow and such), skating a bowl, or having a session at a mini-ramp, there are a few things you should know. In order to help all of you out a little bit (yes, this means you teenager who thinks he is better than he really is) I have put together this list of things to consider when you are about to drop in.
1.) Make sure that you have scoped out the situation at the park.
a. Keep an eye out for anybody younger, dumber, or not as skilled as you.
b. Try to figure out what lines, or tricks people are trying. If somebody just tried to do a killer hardflip down the gap, they are probably going to try it again.
c. WATCH OUT FOR BIKERS. Figure out what lines they are taking, if you don’t, you’re done for.
2.) Try your best to keep a general order, and flow to things.
a. If somebody lets you go, respect it, and get your groove on.
b. If you are generally going after or before somebody, keep it that way.
3.) Don’t play flat ground skate in an area that is essential to the flow of the park.
a. Honestly…
4.) Don’t try a trick that somebody else is trying.
a. We all know what tricks we are capable of, and what tricks other people are capable of, so unless you were already doing the trick before they started trying it, don’t be a jerk.
b. One-upping is the same thing.
5.) Don’t throw you’re board, or break it.
a. It doesn’t make you look cool.
b. It costs you another 50 bucks, because lord knows you are not sponsored.
c. It breaks rule number 2.

Wisdom Wednesday?

Ricky — Thu, 13 May 2010 14:36:09 +0000

This Wisdom is a bit late, but boy is it worth it. Something happened to me recently that made me sit back and think, all my life I have been looked down upon because of skateboarding. As I’m sure all of you have been too. The other day we were skating and got hassled by the police. They of course made a way bigger deal out of it than needed. We had to hand over our licenses, and wait while he ran everything. He asked how old we were and we got that look, the one that says” You’re this old and still playing with these things?”. Yes, I am this old and still playing with these things! Skateboarding has kept me out of trouble, given me something to do everyday of my life, taught me valuable lessons, allowed me to befriend so many great people all over the country, and travel to places I wouldn’t normally be able to go. I’m sure there are tons of other benefits I’m missing but this is a rant and that that type of thing is bound to happen. Whats so bad about having something in your life that you love? How many people do you know ( that don’t skate) that still do something they did 5 years ago? I cant think of anyone. People go through phases, they’ll play basketball for a while, get bored, and pick up a baseball bat. Or there’s people that work, go home and do absolutely nothing with their lives. I feel that us skaters live the best, most fulfilled lives around. I couldn’t imagine not having skateboarding in my life. So I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t let people bring you down because you “still” skate, they are most likely jealous that you actually have something you care about. I also intended this wisdom for those of you who might look down on skating or give others a hard time for skating on a daily basis. Its something that they love to do and it most likely keeps them from doing other things that would be less productive. You know the saying, “Idle hands….”

So go forward with this new found feeling of worth and skate until your knees are no longer good, and your back hurts, and your arms have more scars than Pam Anderson’s boobs.

-Artifact

Monday Madness 14

Ricky — Mon, 10 May 2010 18:22:34 +0000

This Saturday was The Warped Tour Qualifier at Haven Skate Park. Everyone skated great and the event was a blast! Check out the video shot by our friend Luke Ferraro. Thanks Luke!

Video by Luke Ferraro

Monday Madness 13

Ricky — Mon, 03 May 2010 13:05:52 +0000

Peter Ramondetta Scratch off Deck

Ricky — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:18:00 +0000

Coming in to the shop on Wednesday, May 5th is the limited edition Peter Ramondetta scratch off deck. These decks are available only at The Berrics Unified Shops. The grand prize is a an all expenses paid trip to The Berrics to skate with Peter Ramondetta. Tons of other prizes including 10 free pairs of Peter’s signature Circa shoe. Artifact will only have 2 of these decks so be sure to get down there and pick them up. Remember, you can’t win if you don’t play!

Time Trials Video

Ricky — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:43:40 +0000