Megaramps. Giant wooden launch pads that professional aerialists like Danny Way and Bob Burnquist make their livings off of. As a longtime skateboarder, I have always resented the megaramp trend. Why? It reduces the subtleties and variety of skateboarding to mere spectacle. Who can launch the farthest from the biggest roll in? It turns skateboarders into mere stuntmen. Xtreme Action Sportz Broooo! But despite what ESPN and Mountain Dew would have you believe, skateboarding is about more than just the adrenaline rush.
Unless we’re talking about 12 year-old Tom Schaar landing the first ever 1080 on a skateboard. That is. That one made me smile. And made me glad he had a megaramp to launch from.
I was watching back in 1999 when Tony Hawk landed the first 900. It was pretty exciting. And while he did it the old-fashioned way, on an actual half-pipe, Tom Schaar deserves some serious kudos. He went for it and landed clean. That always feels good. [Red Bull]
