ISSA - International Slalom Skateboarding Association

Posted: **Sat Mar 19, 2005 12:24 am**

Ehm...I bought me a slalomskateboard when I was 12 and used it to get to primary school.
Gradually I started skating in my free-time. We (Manuel and me) were just in to freeriding - we didn't know about events/competitions. One day there was a "boardercross" in our neighbour town where we decided to participate. So we got into the "racing-scene"
But I've never skated street or park.

Here in Switzerland there are many of "hobby-slalomskaters" who just use their board to get from A to B.

I guess that Jadranko has already explained the (whole) backgorund....

rmn

Posted: **Sat Mar 19, 2005 6:50 am**

Switzerland is longskaters' paradise.
it's like Nederlands for bicycle.

Posted: **Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:30 am**

Etienne de Bary wrote:Next step might be: setting up easy races, on easy spots with easy starting ramps.

...and often (at least regular).

I really believe this is a good way to get a local scene started, but it takes a lot of time and energy.

/Jani

Posted: **Sat Mar 19, 2005 1:29 pm**

Hehe, easy starting ramps!

I'll tell you: Yesterday was the "Sport Total" event in Zurich where about 750 kids were.
First we had to give a little performance to show for what you are able to to on a slalomskateboard. After the kids could try themselves on a board. We got our starting ramp there. Some 9 year old kiddies got down the ramps without any problem!!! I was surprised.

rmn

Posted: **Sat Mar 19, 2005 4:03 pm**

slalomers' paradise too...

However acceleration in a ramp results of a multiplication of the weight, and friction is about constant, which means if a 80kg person take a speed resulting of a X cynetic value minus a Y value of friction, a 40kg person will take half of X, still minus about Y of friction.
For instance lets give arbitrary hypothetic values : if the 80kg big guy would have taken a speed of 60km/h in the middle of the ramp, but, because of the air resistance and the imperfection of bearings and wheels, he only goes 50km/h; in the same situation the 40kg kid will take [60/2=]30 minus 10 (or quite) = only 20km/h...
i have really no idea how realistic the figures are, but it gives a notion.

Posted: **Sat Mar 19, 2005 8:05 pm**

Etienne de Bary wrote:Next step might be: setting up easy races, on easy spots with easy starting ramps.

Then we'll be able to go through the courses backwards. Easy,easy...

E-goes... skating...

Posted: **Sat Mar 19, 2005 9:37 pm**

if you keep training as hard as you do... Even on an easy spot you still have to beat opponents.

Posted: **Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:51 pm**

I set up http://slalomspot.com in order to be a resource for young and new skaters. Right now I am working on a totally new version that will have a large collection of articles on everything from pumping to equipment and course setting. I am looking for some support from people sending in articles Karl@slalomspot.com, and I'm gonna have some free banner space available for anyone who helps out at all. I'm just doing this to encourage new skaters.

Sorry for the shameless promotion I do think it's on topic.

Posted: **Sun Mar 20, 2005 4:09 pm**

Seeing as a good portion of the prize money still comes from entry fees.....

I'd like to see a world championships that nearly anyone could afford.

So looking at some of the ways the ISSA saved money in the past.... As I recall the copies of SLALOM! magazine used to be printed in the Former Eastern Block countries as the cost of printing was much cheaper- they were mailed out using postage from that country as well. Cost for this was likely pennies compared to dollars per issue.

So here is my very unusual proposal.

Why not have a World Championship in a country with a "Soft " Currency?

I say this for a few reasons.

Lets say we had a World Championship in Eastern Europe....say The Czech Republic.
Last time there was one there...it was a big deal.

Hotel rooms would be inexpensive in a country with a soft currency- you could live like kings.

Slalom would likely seem newer and more exciting to the crowds.

IF the entry fee was paid to the organizers in HARD currency- they could purchase Airline tickets for the athletes In SOFT currency making air travel cheaper. Also hotels and food would be inexpensive. Many more skaters could afford to go to a race if say the entire package cost say only (just a wild guess for a package deal) $390 USA (AIRFARE, FOOD , ENTRY FEE, AIRPORT TRANSFERS etc.)

AS entry fees make up much of the prize money....to the local crowds..the purse would appear to be larger. Also it is possible that some of the local domestic companies might want to sponsor an event...and also say....an American Distributor of say PEPSI or COKE might be interested in our event (Happened in Russia before).

Even South America might be a possibility.... Mark McCree told me Gasoline costs only 15 cents a gallon in Venesula. I could afford to pay for the diesel for the bus that picks up the athletes at the airport.

Could you imagine slaloming in CUBA?

I'm very excited to go to Klang's event in Germany... though I'm sure I'll be just as shocked at prices as Canadians were to USA prices 2 years ago.

PLEASE don't "discount" this as an irrational thought....let it mill around in your head for a bit. It may start to make sense.

Posted: **Sun Mar 20, 2005 4:55 pm**

Would someone care to inform Mr. Gilmour that the softest currency right now happens to be . . . the AMERICAN DOLLAR?

So, the World's in California is ideal in JG's scenario.

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2005 2:54 am**

Gilmour wrote:I'm very excited to go to Klang's event in Germany...

John, the European Championships are in Stockholm, Sweden. And it's not as expensive as it used to be 10-15 years ago. What is it that they say... A Big Mac is a good comparison. I'll check out the nearest McDonald for the Swedish price.

Code: Select all

[b][u]BIG MAC prices in the world[/u][/b]
Sweden     : EUR x   USD x   (local currency SEK x)
USA        :
France     :
Switzerland:
Germany    :
England    :
Russia     :

Mail me you local BIG MAC prices and I'll make a table. It could be interesting...

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2005 10:05 am**

i'm afraid Wes is right, John: your description of "living like kings" is actually the present economic strategy of your government.

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2005 11:44 am**

Etienne, That doesn't seem to be what Wes is saying at all. This site is about slalom, and this topic about places to bring the (slalom) people of the world together. Please keep your hateful, divisive, political, anti-U.S. sentiments to yourself. You've long since made it clear you don't like the U.S. We've heard you. Now grow up and stop jumping on everything that even vaguely seems an opportunity to bash the U.S. It's really, really tired at this point, it doesn't contribute anything positive to the situation and it just makes you look like an idiot when you agree with something that somebody didn't even say. (Notice: no insult or slight to the nation of France was made in this post)

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2005 12:19 pm**

Andy, french dislike euphemisms, on the other end, US people tend to overinterpret things while they have to always translate PC language, then we get to complete misunderstandings. i can be terribly critical toward the french people, not to talk of french governants (we are actually in a disastrous situation here).
i DO NOT hate US people, nor french, nor any other nation. i am afraid this apparently paranoïd reaction of yours is really an out of place attempt to sensor a VERY BENIGN comment, that a very liberal republican economist would probably agree to.

We are not however very far of the discussion Jack, Ramon, Jani and i had a few posts before: The problem with welcoming young adults in our sport (not children that is), is you have to take them with their ideas, leave them a part of position that was yours previously, accept that they are going to reshape your sport and, and eventually as you get along, they might even change you !

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2005 1:11 pm**

What actually happened is: i confirmed that Wes' comment looked also quite as valid from a different point of view, and you tell me "- it is forbidden to view from your point, since you are a bad person."

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2005 3:54 pm**

Brand Hatch, Brand Hatch, Brand Hatch, Brand Hatch, Brand Hatch, Brand Hatch, Brand Hatch, Brand Hatch, Brand Hatch, Brand Hatch, Brand Hatch.

There is no better place in the World

Remember i do not joke.

Chris

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2005 5:31 pm**

how does one go from London to Brand Hatch ?

Posted: **Mon Mar 21, 2005 7:06 pm**

Etienne de Bary wrote: i DO NOT hate US people, nor french, nor any other nation. !

I'm glad to hear it, for I had over-interpretated some of comments...

Are my posts too short or what???

Posted: **Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:29 am**

too short to get me really hating you ? well, probably, yes, if that's what you mean... O:-l

Posted: **Tue Mar 22, 2005 11:36 am**

Brands Hatch is in South East London, near Dartford, nearest town Swanley.
It is just off of the M25 and about half way between Gatwick and Stanstead airports.
If you key into Google Brands Hatch you will get their web sites.

We use the F1 track and have a valley, so you do not need to brake. It is very fast and we can hold two races at the same time if needed.
30mph +

Hopefully if I can get some firm commitment I will build ramps and hold a big event there.

When the time comes I will post transport details and accommodation.

Chris

Posted: **Wed Mar 30, 2005 11:04 am**

9 world class US Boy's are coming to Paris.

Dave HacketT
Richie Carrasco
Steve Olson
Jason Mitchel
Cbark
Nature Boy Mollica
Keith Holien
Bobby Mandarino
Mark McCree

and all world class Europeans will be there as well.

Maurus Strobel (SUI)
Luca Giammarco (ITA)
Chris Hart (SUI)
Paul Price (UK)
Michael Stride (UK)
Marcus Seyffhart (SWE)
Peter Klang (SWE)
Jani Soderhall (SWE)
Pierre Samray (FRA)
Ramon Königshausen (SUI)
Aki von Glasow (SUI)
Gints Gailitis (LAT)
Janis Kuzmins (LAT)
Salvis Skarainis (LAT)
Cristoph Baumann (GER)

That is the only true World Championchips !! No one has answer why the Worlds move to Morro.

The question is: What is the important factor ?

to have a course about 70 Cones ?
or
the world best skaters at the event ?

Shure, there are other's criteria as well. But what is, when there are no Europeans at the World's ?

Makes it sense to have the world's in Morro ?

If not, than it's now the time to change it !

If the scene is not able to manage this now, than i think we needn't a World Championschip. We can have an European Championchips (Major) and an US Championchips (Major) and the other big races (Main) are World Cup's !

And if we want a World Championschip than we have first thinking about and working some guidlines out. There would never be a true World Championchips without compromisses between the meanings of WEST - EST / old skaters - young skaters !

The new ISSA will be a joke if we continue like we have started with the setting of the World's for 2005.

And when we do this, than it's time for the ISSA to define the criterias for the Major / Main Events as well.

think about the future of our sport...

J-Rad

Posted: **Wed Mar 30, 2005 2:58 pm**

You can count me in too...

A 340 Homeboy who says no to localism.

Posted: **Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:44 pm**

With all due respect.

If you want to be crowned "WORLD CHAMPION" then you should show up at the World Championships.

Paris will be great for sure. I am only a little short $$$$$$$$ to book the flights then you can add a Canadian as well.

Posted: **Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:49 pm**

I am only a little short €€€€€€€. And school holiday starts one week after...So I won't travel to your WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

rmn

Posted: **Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:32 am**

Ramón Königshausen wrote:I am only a little short €€€€€€€. And school holiday starts one week after...So I won't travel to your WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

rmn

I believe you mean THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!

Posted: **Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:24 am**

Their weither "the" nor "our", their your WC since....ever.

rmn

Posted: **Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:06 am**

is this happening here and now?
us vs.euro?

man did i wait for this to happen,bring on the good stuff boys.

what a drama

Posted: **Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:43 am**

Chris Linford wrote:Brands Hatch is in South East London, near Dartford, nearest town Swanley.
It is just off of the M25 and about half way between Gatwick and Stanstead airports.
If you key into Google Brands Hatch you will get their web sites.

We use the F1 track and have a valley, so you do not need to brake. It is very fast and we can hold two races at the same time if needed.
30mph +

Hopefully if I can get some firm commitment I will build ramps and hold a big event there.

When the time comes I will post transport details and accommodation.

Chris

I would love to race over the channel !!!!!

Chris, I've seen some videos of Brand hatch... seems to be a great place !!!!!

Posted: **Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:54 am**

HUYNH BACH SAC Frédéric wrote:
Chris Linford wrote:Brands Hatch is in South East London, near Dartford, nearest town Swanley.
It is just off of the M25 and about half way between Gatwick and Stanstead airports.
If you key into Google Brands Hatch you will get their web sites.
Hopefully if I can get some firm commitment I will build ramps and hold a big event there.
When the time comes I will post transport details and accommodation.
I would love to race over the channel !!!!!

A real website with very precise transport indications, based on french riders coming in the Eurostar train, would make sense.

Posted: **Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:57 am**

brands sounds very good

besides that,etienne,look at the paris website,before you start to demand anything at this moment.
i don't want to attack you personnally,just stating the facts.

Posted: **Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:00 pm**

maybe it's also time for some americans to see the future of the sport.
hey wax....donate a bit cash and import ramon to "YOUR" world championship.
you won't regret it.
he's not old but old enough to kick some serious ass...

Posted: **Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:09 pm**

Donald Campbell wrote:maybe it's also time for some americans to see the future of the sport.
hey wax....donate a bit cash and import ramon to "YOUR" world championship.
you won't regret it.
he's not old but old enough to kick some serious ass...

I second that... Ramon is very, very impressive !!!!

ps : I'm not sure that I would love to pay to have my ass kicked by a half-my-age-racer...

Posted: **Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:12 pm**

yep, old timers should be happy to know we're building up some skill everywhere, we'll give you a run for your money this year !

and regarding the flat / steep debate. i for one like to pump on flat ground from time to time, but nothing beats the thrill of the hill... fast courses pumping at speed, all that jazz.

and as for the "daredevil" argument, who cares ? many of us have raced on skis or snowboards, and that looks dangerous too does it scare public away ? doesn't seem so.

Posted: **Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:32 pm**

Jadranko Radovanovic wrote:9 world class US Boy's are coming to Paris.
[...]
and all world class Europeans will be there as well.
[...]
That is the only true World Championchips !! No one has answer why the Worlds move to Morro.

This reminds me something

Nice to read one's own arguments. Don't forget however that it takes US riders to actually come to make this actually true and convincing. Morro Bay is older and it ends the season. There always was a paradox, as it was both "World Championship" and the conclusion of the "Fat City" series, so it was just logical to declare the winner "Fat City World Champ" -just joking-
My feeling now is that there is not much need for a controversy as the age pyramid of the US racers community is actually talking for itself...

My only hope will be that we, Europeans, can help the US racing scene stepping over the age gap, just as the US renaissance of the 90's helped us to restart a french scene, with the notable help of Jani's, of Howard Gordon, and of the Riderz' forum animators (initiators and of the 21st century PSWC), without whom no such thing could ever have happened.

i was thinking of that the other day, watching the new Pocket pistols decks:
When Sc8 shaper Stephane Chaperon came to the Jeudi sessions for the first time, even in my own (quite terrible) standards of the time, he really could not ride thru the cones. He had built a deck specially for the occasion, it was not too good either...
A few month later though he did honorably in amateur class at the PSWC, on his weird
concave prototype... Well it seems the idea of using concave on a short slalom deck has made its way quite well since then...

So i'd say a bit of tolerance makes every effort more useful.

Posted: **Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:23 pm**

Donald Campbell wrote:besides that, etienne, look at the paris website,before you start to demand anything at this moment.
i don't want to attack you personnally,just stating the facts.

Well i have nothing to do with PSWC website, that's one fact, and once you get to Paris, that's it, you take whatever metro, bus or cab to get to the racetracks within minutes (is Brands Hatch inside London ?) no need to travel any further.

i've had a look at the PSWC site, it's not that bad, is it ?

Posted: **Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:52 pm**

Etienne your grammar is getting better, though one must say it reminds me OF smthg.

Question: Is the use of capital (grosses) letters still GROSS these days, or have I changed the trend ?

Jean Paul : almost on top of the Parisian pyramid...

Posted: **Thu Mar 31, 2005 9:40 pm**

all-caps is like shouting at who's reading, in your post using italics for "of" would have been correct, bold do good too. Italics goes for what's underlined in a manuscript.
You're not so much on the top of the pyramid.

Posted: **Wed Apr 06, 2005 7:36 pm**

'CAUSE I SAID SO...

Posted: **Thu Apr 07, 2005 9:39 am**

just meant to answer your question, my young friend...

Good to see you back longskating the real world

Posted: **Thu Apr 07, 2005 8:15 pm**

Never stopped, never stopped...

P.S. : My board is shorter than a C81 therefore it is not a long board.

Posted: **Mon Jul 18, 2005 4:56 pm**

I hope to have confirmation soon of a date for Brands this year if you want to come and try it out.
I will post a new topic for this when I get it.

Chris

Posted: **Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:57 pm**

Yes, we would love to come to Brands. Let us know about the dates as soon as you get them.

CU mate.

Posted: **Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:49 pm**

make sure you pick up vince

germany will also be there
full support for our friends from the uk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted: **Sat Aug 20, 2005 6:51 pm**

Jack Smith has proposed that the World Championships should be in Europe in 2006. It's time to start looking at suitable alternatives for this race.

Any candidates?

/Jani

Posted: **Sat Aug 20, 2005 10:10 pm**

The idea is: not race that were Euro Championship nor World Championship in 2004 and 2005, is it ?

Posted: **Sun Aug 21, 2005 12:07 pm**

Etienne de Bary wrote:The idea is: not race that were Euro Championship nor World Championship in 2004 and 2005, is it ?

Well, you're right about WC as Jack proposed it be held in Europe this time, so effectively that excludes Morro Bay this time.

As for Euro Championships 2005, the Stockholm crew has expressed wishes to do a lower status race in 2006, so they've excluded themselves.

Any other race organization and lcoation would make a good candidate.

/Jani

Posted: **Sun Aug 21, 2005 1:29 pm**

Jani, as we were both at Latvia you know what I mean when I say they had good organisation, quality timing gear with large displays, the support of the local council (a newly tarmaced road!) and a great location with beach, cheap accommodation and food etc. Free bus pick up for the racers, organised a cheap holtel. They even played each countries National Anthem at podium time. There was a brochure of the event featuring all entered skaters! Posters all around town!

If they had some good hills (maybe they have?) it would be a top venue.

Also airfares from around Europe (easyjet Ryan air) can be cheap if booked ahead.
I flew London - Riga - Stockholm - London with Ryan Air for 160 euros.

Or is Paris a possibility?

If we can negotiate with Brands Hatch F1 track in London that would be the best hill to race on.

Posted: **Sun Aug 21, 2005 1:52 pm**

What about Switzerland ? Wouldn't it make sense to invite the US top crew in the other skateboard-addict country, the United States of Helvetia ? It would make sense as it's the only country in the world where slalom skating NEVER went out of fashion (and therefore a disproportionate share of the best riders come from there).
Also Switzerland has overconcentrated exotic european qualities (like: it's allowed to ride the mountain roads, but you must wear a helmet and have lightbulbs mounted, a licence is not requested tough

), in a generally quieter fashion than the french.

Posted: **Sun Aug 21, 2005 1:57 pm**

Paul Price wrote:is Paris a possibility ?

Of course if everybody wants to do it in Paris, we'd be very proud. i'm sure Pierre-Yves will completely agree.

Posted: **Sun Aug 21, 2005 2:25 pm**

Paul Price wrote:They even played each countries National Anthem at podium time.

That's why we avoided it, ours is so terrible !

ISSA - International Slalom Skateboarding Association

Future World Championships locations

SHOW ME THE SOFT MONEY. Here's a bizzare thought.....

Hater

Brand Hatch

too short Jean-Paul

Worlds

World Champioships

Re: Worlds

Brands Hatch