I used to think that things like the Dew Tour and the XGames were sort’ve cool. I’ve known some fairly good skateboarders and I’ve ofter thought if they had the same level of skill in a sport that was hugely professional like playing rugby, they’d be in the money and life would be very much easier for them. I don’t watch them much myself and I think a lot of skaters don’t either, they are more for the consumption of the masses, people who don’t skate. I look at what the level of professionalism has done to other sports like Rugby and I’d be wary of that. I’m also reminded that skateboarding is not a sport, but a way of life. The people who organize those events often don’t get it, but you can forgive them because they aren’t making something for skateboarders but for TV. Business listening to business?

I enjoyed the Wallenberg – Back to the ‘Berg competition that Thrasher put on. I watched a lot of the clips on the Thrasher site and thought it was cool. I also enjoyed the Carlsbad – Last Skate at Carlsbad High School competition put on by Transworld. Both excellent events by people from within the industry, aimed at skateboarders rather than TV. Skaters listening to skaters?

I’ve been thinking about the Maloof Money Cup and thinking it was pretty cool.

Maloof Money Cup - New York 2010

That people from outside would put together an event like that. Take iconic street spots and replicate them for a competition and this year leave them after the competition for all skaters to enjoy. It will be freshened up next year and changed up a little bit here and there for the next Cup. I am looking forward to the New York leg to see how they skate that park. They have skaters advising them. Business listening to skaters?

I’ve been reading a little about Dyrdek’s Street League And Million Dollar Contest in some of the skateboarding media. They use the Instant Scoring eXperience™ to score the event. A device that is more gimmicky than anything the XGames could think of. It makes me cringe. Here is Steve Berra, Per Welinder and Don Brown’s take on Dyrdek’s Street League. They seem to be fully behind it and it’s a bit like my take on the the Dew Tour and the XGames. They are building street parks and hosting the competition there and leaving the parks for the locals when done. Must be good for skateboarding and skateboarders.

Then why do I feel uncomfortable about it. Skaters listening to business? Not sure how that will work out. Here is one of Dyrdek’s other projects.

What’s the difference between the Maloof Brother’s Money Cup and Dyrdek’s Street League? The difference is Dyrdek should know better.

Tags: Back to the 'Berg, Carlsbad, competition, Dyrdek, Maloof Money Cup, Street League, Wallenberg