_Badass Roundup Of The Week

Halfway through August already, and the weather is only just starting to show the kind of heat people tell me Toronto experiences every summer… hmm, did I break it by moving here? Personally I’ve loved the 20ish breezy sunshine we’ve had up until now, but I’d rather not deprive you all. I assume that this late bloom means it’ll stick around until October.

This weekend is pretty busy for Toronto rollers, with our own Blade Jam in High Park tomorrow from 1pm. The turnout looks pretty amazing so far with Mike D booked in and ready to rock, Blair Lougheed and Taylor Ritchie representing a certain skateshop (oooh, gossip!) and some old school rollerbladers back from the dead. This incredible afternoon will be followed by MobbMedia’s Sunrise Skate Battle at Iceland skatepark in Mississauga, starting from 7am on Sunday. We’ll be there, but my legs (and liver) are going to be knackered!

I’ve been literally sitting on an awesome photo of Dave Ghent for a couple of months now, trying to decide what to do with it- but I’m bored of waiting for the right time to use it, so here it is… Dave Ghent, rugged topsoul on a joined wooden handrail with gravel runup and landing near Rosedale subway. Bloody purple pants… I blame AJ.

Since Shop Bladr sadly closed its doors and ceased trading in Ontario, local skaters have been asking themselves what’s next for the average roller? What is left to aspire towards? Fortunately for us all, original Grillz roller Leon has stepped up and offered potential spots on the Shop Task team to three lucky Ontarians, which including existing team members Mike David, Jon Craig and Aaron Mcinnis could take the GTA Task What rollcall to six… Good looking Leon, its great to see money being put where mouths are.

So who are these three illustrious skaters you ask? In no particular order they are Taylor Ritchie, Blair Loughead and Erik Foster. Jammy bastards! Good work gents, I look forward to taking awkward and out of focus photos of you soon, then apologising and asking you to do the trick again. Congratulations, friends! You deserve it so much. Now get to promoting!

Gatsby loves Hey Dude v3. He says that the Toronto section is the best section in the video, and probably the best crew section he’s seen since BMC2. He says all this while looking adorable. To pick up your copy of Hey Dude v3, bring $5 to the Blade Jam or the Sunrise Skate Battle and pester Dave Ghent for a copy. Five Bucks! Do it, or Gatsby will be sad. Do you really want him to be disappointed in you?

Dave Ghent made some alterations to his xsjados, adding Razor buckles to the cuffs for a little more support by drilling a new hole just forward of the xsjado cuff holes and shortening the buckle strap.

Dave says he’s cautiously optimistic; they’re a lot more supportive but he doesn’t know if they’ll take abuse that well, or missed soul grinds. They look like they’re doing a pretty good job to me, good mod Aslan.

Taylor borrowed my skates to get a photo- True Topsoul in skates two sizes too big. Good lad.

Last but not least, here’s a photo I took on Wednesday night at the waterfront, relaxing at the end of a funny photoshoot. Considering that I’m a complete novice, I’m really happy with how this photo turned out, and more than a little surprised!

That’s it for this roundup, I’ll see you all tomorrow afternoon!

_Roving Reporter 2 – Erik Burrow

Our special friend from Northern Toronto (Aurora to be exact) is currently living the life of riley in one of the world’s best and most famous skate tourist destinations- Woodward East skatepark, PA.

From the looks of things, he’s been KILLING it- Mike Bennet seems to take all the photos coming out of Woodward East at the moment, so we’ll assume these are also his.

And finally my favourite shot- Total balls to the wall hardcore vert skating! Top Acid over the channel. You do good work, buddy.

Keep sending us shots, Erik! They’re badass.