2021 unpopular opinion thread

[Mean salto]

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Ventures are ugly and grind like shit.

Not a bad choice if you want a heavy pop feel and a good baseplate to slide on though.

But they're definitely ugly and grind like shit.

[close]

don't the hangars snap easily?

had this happen to me and a friend in our stair jumping phase.

also Aces grind smoother than Indys and have better stock everything.

[close]

No idea about the hangars, Aces grind slow but do have a sort of soft feel that could maybe be described as "smooth" at least the classics anyways. Ace pivot cups suck, and stock indy bushings tend to blow out but i skate the hard ones, they don't do that.

[close]

Rode ventures between 04-07 and every single baseplate broke. Probably broke 20+ baseplates but never broke a hangar

[close]

I don't quite know the timeline but Ventures used to be distributed by Street Corner and I think that is when the quality was iffy. They have been back at DLX for awhile and this thread is the first time since the Venture resurgence that I have heard anyone bring up their shitty quality. I think they have pretty well ironed out those issues based on how much you see them in the Set-Up thread. Ace on the other hand stay dicey.

I don't know if it was so much poor quality but more poor design. Switched to indys and also probably broke a baseplate every couple weeks back when it was stage 9. Both brands baseplates had extra holes in the centre to save weight. Indy has changed their design but ventures look the same.

[RichardBarkley]

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Ventures are ugly and grind like shit.

Not a bad choice if you want a heavy pop feel and a good baseplate to slide on though.

But they're definitely ugly and grind like shit.

[close]

don't the hangars snap easily?

had this happen to me and a friend in our stair jumping phase.

also Aces grind smoother than Indys and have better stock everything.

[close]

No idea about the hangars, Aces grind slow but do have a sort of soft feel that could maybe be described as "smooth" at least the classics anyways. Ace pivot cups suck, and stock indy bushings tend to blow out but i skate the hard ones, they don't do that.

[close]

Rode ventures between 04-07 and every single baseplate broke. Probably broke 20+ baseplates but never broke a hangar

[close]

I don't quite know the timeline but Ventures used to be distributed by Street Corner and I think that is when the quality was iffy. They have been back at DLX for awhile and this thread is the first time since the Venture resurgence that I have heard anyone bring up their shitty quality. I think they have pretty well ironed out those issues based on how much you see them in the Set-Up thread. Ace on the other hand stay dicey.

[close]

I don't know if it was so much poor quality but more poor design. Switched to indys and also probably broke a baseplate every couple weeks back when it was stage 9. Both brands baseplates had extra holes in the centre to save weight. Indy has changed their design but ventures look the same.

The think the common denominator here is you.

Not the 30+ baseplates of various brands you obliterated.

[Mean salto]

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Ventures are ugly and grind like shit.

Not a bad choice if you want a heavy pop feel and a good baseplate to slide on though.

But they're definitely ugly and grind like shit.

[close]

don't the hangars snap easily?

had this happen to me and a friend in our stair jumping phase.

also Aces grind smoother than Indys and have better stock everything.

[close]

No idea about the hangars, Aces grind slow but do have a sort of soft feel that could maybe be described as "smooth" at least the classics anyways. Ace pivot cups suck, and stock indy bushings tend to blow out but i skate the hard ones, they don't do that.

[close]

Rode ventures between 04-07 and every single baseplate broke. Probably broke 20+ baseplates but never broke a hangar

[close]

I don't quite know the timeline but Ventures used to be distributed by Street Corner and I think that is when the quality was iffy. They have been back at DLX for awhile and this thread is the first time since the Venture resurgence that I have heard anyone bring up their shitty quality. I think they have pretty well ironed out those issues based on how much you see them in the Set-Up thread. Ace on the other hand stay dicey.

[close]

I don't know if it was so much poor quality but more poor design. Switched to indys and also probably broke a baseplate every couple weeks back when it was stage 9. Both brands baseplates had extra holes in the centre to save weight. Indy has changed their design but ventures look the same.

[close]

The think the common denominator here is you.

Not the 30+ baseplates of various brands you obliterated.

Im willing to take 50% of the blame. I definately broke more trucks than most I'm a big guy who did things that would break trucks. But everyone broke shit constantly back then. Skateshops would often have boxes full of broken trucks that they were supposed to send away for the guarantee but never did so you could usually just scab bits out as you needed them.
When the stage ten and first theeves came out I didn't break a single truck and I skated the exact same way.

[cosmicgypsies]

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Ventures are ugly and grind like shit.

Not a bad choice if you want a heavy pop feel and a good baseplate to slide on though.

But they're definitely ugly and grind like shit.

[close]

don't the hangars snap easily?

had this happen to me and a friend in our stair jumping phase.

also Aces grind smoother than Indys and have better stock everything.

[close]

No idea about the hangars, Aces grind slow but do have a sort of soft feel that could maybe be described as "smooth" at least the classics anyways. Ace pivot cups suck, and stock indy bushings tend to blow out but i skate the hard ones, they don't do that.

[close]

Rode ventures between 04-07 and every single baseplate broke. Probably broke 20+ baseplates but never broke a hangar

[close]

I don't quite know the timeline but Ventures used to be distributed by Street Corner and I think that is when the quality was iffy. They have been back at DLX for awhile and this thread is the first time since the Venture resurgence that I have heard anyone bring up their shitty quality. I think they have pretty well ironed out those issues based on how much you see them in the Set-Up thread. Ace on the other hand stay dicey.

[close]

I don't know if it was so much poor quality but more poor design. Switched to indys and also probably broke a baseplate every couple weeks back when it was stage 9. Both brands baseplates had extra holes in the centre to save weight. Indy has changed their design but ventures look the same.

[close]

The think the common denominator here is you.

Not the 30+ baseplates of various brands you obliterated.

[close]

Im willing to take 50% of the blame. I definately broke more trucks than most I'm a big guy who did things that would break trucks. But everyone broke shit constantly back then. Skateshops would often have boxes full of broken trucks that they were supposed to send away for the guarantee but never did so you could usually just scab bits out as you needed them.
When the stage ten and first theeves came out I didn't break a single truck and I skated the exact same way.

you went through 20 baseplates in 3 years of consecutively skating the same truck brand and didn't think "maybe i should try something else" ?

[elbarto]

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I think if you are over the age of 20 with no sponsors/connections but are still actively trying to make it in the skate industry you are pretty much fucked.

[close]

I had a friend who was similar to this. Was on flow for a few big brands really was insanely good, but still not good enough to make it. Dude tried until his early 30’s and gave up. Lost his identity and everything, very sad to watch.

[close]

no other career path?

[close]

Have kinda known some people like this. I guess it's hard to have a career if you're trying to make skating work. Constantly hurt or trying to travel you basically have to put all your eggs in one basket.
I don't know about 20 being the cutoff I think Jake Hayes went pro in his very late twenties and Gabriel summers was in his 30s. Altho I'd rather give up and take any job over doing what gabbers does

There are for sure exceptions but both of your examples had already made a decent name for themselves and were on very reputable companies long before going pro. I’m talkin fools who are maaaybe shop flow, maaaybe a weird smaller local board sponsor, but still think they’re gonna be a big name in the industry. They all do illegal ass fucking tricks too lmao

[Mean salto]

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Ventures are ugly and grind like shit.

Not a bad choice if you want a heavy pop feel and a good baseplate to slide on though.

But they're definitely ugly and grind like shit.

[close]

don't the hangars snap easily?

had this happen to me and a friend in our stair jumping phase.

also Aces grind smoother than Indys and have better stock everything.

[close]

No idea about the hangars, Aces grind slow but do have a sort of soft feel that could maybe be described as "smooth" at least the classics anyways. Ace pivot cups suck, and stock indy bushings tend to blow out but i skate the hard ones, they don't do that.

[close]

Rode ventures between 04-07 and every single baseplate broke. Probably broke 20+ baseplates but never broke a hangar

[close]

I don't quite know the timeline but Ventures used to be distributed by Street Corner and I think that is when the quality was iffy. They have been back at DLX for awhile and this thread is the first time since the Venture resurgence that I have heard anyone bring up their shitty quality. I think they have pretty well ironed out those issues based on how much you see them in the Set-Up thread. Ace on the other hand stay dicey.

[close]

I don't know if it was so much poor quality but more poor design. Switched to indys and also probably broke a baseplate every couple weeks back when it was stage 9. Both brands baseplates had extra holes in the centre to save weight. Indy has changed their design but ventures look the same.

[close]

The think the common denominator here is you.

Not the 30+ baseplates of various brands you obliterated.

[close]

Im willing to take 50% of the blame. I definately broke more trucks than most I'm a big guy who did things that would break trucks. But everyone broke shit constantly back then. Skateshops would often have boxes full of broken trucks that they were supposed to send away for the guarantee but never did so you could usually just scab bits out as you needed them.
When the stage ten and first theeves came out I didn't break a single truck and I skated the exact same way.

[close]

you went through 20 baseplates in 3 years of consecutively skating the same truck brand and didn't think "maybe i should try something else" ?

Don't want to make the whole thread about my breaking baseplates but as I said I'd scab baseplates out the bin when I needed them so it's not like I was buying new sets of trucks everytime. The fact there were boxes full of other people broken trucks means it wasn't just me and there were only two shops within an hour of where I lived and they only sold ventures and indys so there wasn't other trucks I could be trying.

[Joe Davola]

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The Koston 3 is a powerfully ugly shoe.

This is coming from a man who loves the Koston 1 and even has love for the K2.

I don't understand the nostalgia for this abomination.

[close]

Where’s the nostalgia? Are they coming back? I want to try a pair sooooo bad.

[close]

They don't seem to have the same following as, say, a DC Lynx or whatever, but I've met plenty of people who love them.

There's also that terrible Es model, the Evant, which seems to be a knock off of the original.

Koston was my favourite skater as a kid but I can't even watch his footage when he's wearing K3's. It just looks fucked.

[close]

K3 always looked like the wearer is standing flat footed and pointing their toes up.
I'll have to go even more unpopular opinion and say the only good Koston shoe was his first Nike one. I don't even like nikes but to me that's what a cupsole skateshoe should look like.
But I also don't like the og DC lynx. I have a pair of the 2014 re release that is slimmed down and they're perfect

Are we talking about Es or Nike Koston 3? Anything Es to me is about as meaningful as a fart in a paper bag.

[dustyassrocketswitchv]

Ventures are ugly and grind like shit.

Not a bad choice if you want a heavy pop feel and a good baseplate to slide on though.

But they're definitely ugly and grind like shit.

[Loki700]

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I think if you are over the age of 20 with no sponsors/connections but are still actively trying to make it in the skate industry you are pretty much fucked.

[close]

I had a friend who was similar to this. Was on flow for a few big brands really was insanely good, but still not good enough to make it. Dude tried until his early 30’s and gave up. Lost his identity and everything, very sad to watch.

[close]

no other career path?

[close]

Have kinda known some people like this. I guess it's hard to have a career if you're trying to make skating work. Constantly hurt or trying to travel you basically have to put all your eggs in one basket.
I don't know about 20 being the cutoff I think Jake Hayes went pro in his very late twenties and Gabriel summers was in his 30s. Altho I'd rather give up and take any job over doing what gabbers does

[close]

There are for sure exceptions but both of your examples had already made a decent name for themselves and were on very reputable companies long before going pro. I’m talkin fools who are maaaybe shop flow, maaaybe a weird smaller local board sponsor, but still think they’re gonna be a big name in the industry. They all do illegal ass fucking tricks too lmao

Exactly, using those few exceptions is like saying that because Alan Rickman, Samuel L Jackson, and Harrison Ford made it later in life that all hopeful actors should tough it out, because that could be them!

Overwhelmingly the main indicator of success in both acting and skateboarding is starting with some amount of privilege.  Usually that’s money so that you can afford to do more and you’re not worrying about making ends meet, sometimes it’s in who you happen to know. 

If you’ve been at it for around 5 years, not skating but like actually getting sponsored and trying to move up, and it’s not happening, it’s probably time to start seriously considering other options.

[Rattus Localis]

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The Koston 3 is a powerfully ugly shoe.

This is coming from a man who loves the Koston 1 and even has love for the K2.

I don't understand the nostalgia for this abomination.

[close]

Where’s the nostalgia? Are they coming back? I want to try a pair sooooo bad.

[close]

They don't seem to have the same following as, say, a DC Lynx or whatever, but I've met plenty of people who love them.

There's also that terrible Es model, the Evant, which seems to be a knock off of the original.

Koston was my favourite skater as a kid but I can't even watch his footage when he's wearing K3's. It just looks fucked.

[close]

K3 always looked like the wearer is standing flat footed and pointing their toes up.
I'll have to go even more unpopular opinion and say the only good Koston shoe was his first Nike one. I don't even like nikes but to me that's what a cupsole skateshoe should look like.
But I also don't like the og DC lynx. I have a pair of the 2014 re release that is slimmed down and they're perfect

[close]

Are we talking about Es or Nike Koston 3? Anything Es to me is about as meaningful as a fart in a paper bag.

I was talking about his Es shoes.

[swanronson]

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I think if you are over the age of 20 with no sponsors/connections but are still actively trying to make it in the skate industry you are pretty much fucked.

[close]

I had a friend who was similar to this. Was on flow for a few big brands really was insanely good, but still not good enough to make it. Dude tried until his early 30’s and gave up. Lost his identity and everything, very sad to watch.

[close]

no other career path?

[close]

Have kinda known some people like this. I guess it's hard to have a career if you're trying to make skating work. Constantly hurt or trying to travel you basically have to put all your eggs in one basket.
I don't know about 20 being the cutoff I think Jake Hayes went pro in his very late twenties and Gabriel summers was in his 30s. Altho I'd rather give up and take any job over doing what gabbers does

No nothing as a back up plan.

Yeah gabbers is an insane case. He looks like he is walking a tight rope between life and death. How long can you keep that up?

[Dwyck]

Ventures are a slappy truck

[Dwyck]

I think i yelled at him in the Tk thread but romain batard is the best filmer out rn by miles

[kilgoret]

that goofball trunk boy that said "what is even skateboarding these days" in a negative way wasn't really wrong.

[pizzafliptofakie]

I dunno if this is unconsidered as unpopular here as it is in my peer group, but I don't get the Dylan Jaeb hype. And I'm genuinely trying to.



Yes, obviously he's very good at skating. But like, so are a million other kids on the Explore Page. But people talk about Dylan as if he's an all time great when all I see is him skating that same boring California skatepark. And of course the clips at that skatepark are very good but I don't get how he's already held at such a high regard and already sponsor hopping when he's put out nothing. And I don't wanna dog on him too hard cuz he's young and I'll gladly eat my words if/when he puts out actual footage that he worked hard for. And I'm assuming that's gonna happen seeing that he was at Pulaski/other places. But people act like I'm crazy for not considering him to be some kinda legend already. Then when I compare his clips to actual pros they're like "ohh lighten up it's just Instagram", but that's all he has. People love comparing him to top tier pros until it comes down to actually comparing their footage and I don't get it.

[munchbox]

I dunno if this is unconsidered as unpopular here as it is in my peer group, but I don't get the Dylan Jaeb hype. And I'm genuinely trying to.



Yes, obviously he's very good at skating. But like, so are a million other kids on the Explore Page. But people talk about Dylan as if he's an all time great when all I see is him skating that same boring California skatepark. And of course the clips at that skatepark are very good but I don't get how he's already held at such a high regard and already sponsor hopping when he's put out nothing. And I don't wanna dog on him too hard cuz he's young and I'll gladly eat my words if/when he puts out actual footage that he worked hard for. And I'm assuming that's gonna happen seeing that he was at Pulaski/other places. But people act like I'm crazy for not considering him to be some kinda legend already. Then when I compare his clips to actual pros they're like "ohh lighten up it's just Instagram", but that's all he has. People love comparing him to top tier pros until it comes down to actually comparing their footage and I don't get it.

i feel like everyone is kissing ass ahead of the expected street part. his cult definitely treat him as if he is the chosen one of the generation, without any real footage.

not hating but its beyond me how anyone can care when 90% of the content is in that dusty ass skatepark

[LebowskisRug]

Louie Barletta is fun to watch skate but isn’t funny. Most skaters that try to be comedians aren’t.

I also agree with Pops on most snarky things he says. I’d buy a Pops deck

[SneakySecrets]

I always crack up at that noseblunt pose on the barrier in the Bag of Suck part.

[pizzafliptofakie]

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I dunno if this is unconsidered as unpopular here as it is in my peer group, but I don't get the Dylan Jaeb hype. And I'm genuinely trying to.



Yes, obviously he's very good at skating. But like, so are a million other kids on the Explore Page. But people talk about Dylan as if he's an all time great when all I see is him skating that same boring California skatepark. And of course the clips at that skatepark are very good but I don't get how he's already held at such a high regard and already sponsor hopping when he's put out nothing. And I don't wanna dog on him too hard cuz he's young and I'll gladly eat my words if/when he puts out actual footage that he worked hard for. And I'm assuming that's gonna happen seeing that he was at Pulaski/other places. But people act like I'm crazy for not considering him to be some kinda legend already. Then when I compare his clips to actual pros they're like "ohh lighten up it's just Instagram", but that's all he has. People love comparing him to top tier pros until it comes down to actually comparing their footage and I don't get it.

[close]

i feel like everyone is kissing ass ahead of the expected street part. his cult definitely treat him as if he is the chosen one of the generation, without any real footage.

not hating but its beyond me how anyone can care when 90% of the content is in that dusty ass skatepark

Yeah, this is exactly what I'm getting at! Like of course he's good at skating, but when people talk about him I feel like they've seen something I haven't.

[DanCorteseFromMTVSports]

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I dunno if this is unconsidered as unpopular here as it is in my peer group, but I don't get the Dylan Jaeb hype. And I'm genuinely trying to.

Yes, obviously he's very good at skating. But like, so are a million other kids on the Explore Page. But people talk about Dylan as if he's an all time great when all I see is him skating that same boring California skatepark. And of course the clips at that skatepark are very good but I don't get how he's already held at such a high regard and already sponsor hopping when he's put out nothing. And I don't wanna dog on him too hard cuz he's young and I'll gladly eat my words if/when he puts out actual footage that he worked hard for. And I'm assuming that's gonna happen seeing that he was at Pulaski/other places. But people act like I'm crazy for not considering him to be some kinda legend already. Then when I compare his clips to actual pros they're like "ohh lighten up it's just Instagram", but that's all he has. People love comparing him to top tier pros until it comes down to actually comparing their footage and I don't get it.

[close]

i feel like everyone is kissing ass ahead of the expected street part. his cult definitely treat him as if he is the chosen one of the generation, without any real footage.

not hating but its beyond me how anyone can care when 90% of the content is in that dusty ass skatepark

[close]

Yeah, this is exactly what I'm getting at! Like of course he's good at skating, but when people talk about him I feel like they've seen something I haven't.

He was at Pulaski with a bunch of DC Shoes Co. dudes. I imagine it was an east coast trip.

Will preface this by saying I'm old. But when dudes got out of the van it looked like all of them were well known skaters but just a little different/off. Kind of like this meme:

Seemed fine tho.

[Hinna]

idk if hes still on zero boards but jamie thomas initially saw talent in him. good hardflips but hes just another boring cali kid who doesnt leave parks

Louie Barletta is fun to watch skate but isn’t funny. Most skaters that try to be comedians aren’t.

I also agree with Pops on most snarky things he says. I’d buy a Pops deck

yep

[LebowskisRug]

I think having an entire team from a “big” skateboarding era can dilute a team. I still can’t get into a lot of the Girl/Chocolate pros of old because many of the videos are the same spots and some dudes do easier/sloppier shit and it just looks like throwaway from the other guys.

[Mean salto]

Skateboarding in China sucks.
If the spots are perfect and you don't get kicked out why not just film at a skatepark. The main difference is only a few people have the time and money to go there.


Dumb opinion #2: it should only take a year max to film a video part. Just film shit you can actually do instead of spending a hundred hours trying to fluke a trick you'll only roll away from once.

[EXTRA SPICY]

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I dunno if this is unconsidered as unpopular here as it is in my peer group, but I don't get the Dylan Jaeb hype. And I'm genuinely trying to.



Yes, obviously he's very good at skating. But like, so are a million other kids on the Explore Page. But people talk about Dylan as if he's an all time great when all I see is him skating that same boring California skatepark. And of course the clips at that skatepark are very good but I don't get how he's already held at such a high regard and already sponsor hopping when he's put out nothing. And I don't wanna dog on him too hard cuz he's young and I'll gladly eat my words if/when he puts out actual footage that he worked hard for. And I'm assuming that's gonna happen seeing that he was at Pulaski/other places. But people act like I'm crazy for not considering him to be some kinda legend already. Then when I compare his clips to actual pros they're like "ohh lighten up it's just Instagram", but that's all he has. People love comparing him to top tier pros until it comes down to actually comparing their footage and I don't get it.

[close]

i feel like everyone is kissing ass ahead of the expected street part. his cult definitely treat him as if he is the chosen one of the generation, without any real footage.

not hating but its beyond me how anyone can care when 90% of the content is in that dusty ass skatepark

[close]

Yeah, this is exactly what I'm getting at! Like of course he's good at skating, but when people talk about him I feel like they've seen something I haven't.

I'd imagine two things are happening;

-He is sandbagging footage and using that to get on teams he wants.
-Sponsors know that a 17 year old at that tier of skating is only going to go places and thus are thirsty accordingly.

I got no bark on the tree but I'm looking forward to that part.

[jgonzalez]

Bring back the academie to stop skate art

[Lou Strux]

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I think if you are over the age of 20 with no sponsors/connections but are still actively trying to make it in the skate industry you are pretty much fucked.

[close]

I had a friend who was similar to this. Was on flow for a few big brands really was insanely good, but still not good enough to make it. Dude tried until his early 30’s and gave up. Lost his identity and everything, very sad to watch.

[close]

no other career path?

[close]

Have kinda known some people like this. I guess it's hard to have a career if you're trying to make skating work. Constantly hurt or trying to travel you basically have to put all your eggs in one basket.
I don't know about 20 being the cutoff I think Jake Hayes went pro in his very late twenties and Gabriel summers was in his 30s. Altho I'd rather give up and take any job over doing what gabbers does

[close]

There are for sure exceptions but both of your examples had already made a decent name for themselves and were on very reputable companies long before going pro. I’m talkin fools who are maaaybe shop flow, maaaybe a weird smaller local board sponsor, but still think they’re gonna be a big name in the industry. They all do illegal ass fucking tricks too lmao

[close]

Exactly, using those few exceptions is like saying that because Alan Rickman, Samuel L Jackson, and Harrison Ford made it later in life that all hopeful actors should tough it out, because that could be them!

Overwhelmingly the main indicator of success in both acting and skateboarding is starting with some amount of privilege.  Usually that’s money so that you can afford to do more and you’re not worrying about making ends meet, sometimes it’s in who you happen to know. 

If you’ve been at it for around 5 years, not skating but like actually getting sponsored and trying to move up, and it’s not happening, it’s probably time to start seriously considering other options.

Harrison Ford was only 33 when Star Wars was released; is that really all that much “later in life?”
Maybe he was no spring chicken but he wasn’t exactly a stewing hen at that point either.
I take your point, though.

[Brguy]

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I think if you are over the age of 20 with no sponsors/connections but are still actively trying to make it in the skate industry you are pretty much fucked.

[close]

I had a friend who was similar to this. Was on flow for a few big brands really was insanely good, but still not good enough to make it. Dude tried until his early 30’s and gave up. Lost his identity and everything, very sad to watch.

[close]

no other career path?

[close]

Have kinda known some people like this. I guess it's hard to have a career if you're trying to make skating work. Constantly hurt or trying to travel you basically have to put all your eggs in one basket.
I don't know about 20 being the cutoff I think Jake Hayes went pro in his very late twenties and Gabriel summers was in his 30s. Altho I'd rather give up and take any job over doing what gabbers does

[close]

There are for sure exceptions but both of your examples had already made a decent name for themselves and were on very reputable companies long before going pro. I’m talkin fools who are maaaybe shop flow, maaaybe a weird smaller local board sponsor, but still think they’re gonna be a big name in the industry. They all do illegal ass fucking tricks too lmao

[close]

Exactly, using those few exceptions is like saying that because Alan Rickman, Samuel L Jackson, and Harrison Ford made it later in life that all hopeful actors should tough it out, because that could be them!

Overwhelmingly the main indicator of success in both acting and skateboarding is starting with some amount of privilege.  Usually that’s money so that you can afford to do more and you’re not worrying about making ends meet, sometimes it’s in who you happen to know. 

If you’ve been at it for around 5 years, not skating but like actually getting sponsored and trying to move up, and it’s not happening, it’s probably time to start seriously considering other options.

[close]

Harrison Ford was only 33 when Star Wars was released; is that really all that much “later in life?”
Maybe he was no spring chicken but he wasn’t exactly a stewing hen at that point either.
I take your point, though.

33 for a career defining move is nothing, he also had his fair share of movies before he got there, it isn't like he just popped out of nowhere.

[Loki700]

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Harrison Ford was only 33 when Star Wars was released; is that really all that much “later in life?”
Maybe he was no spring chicken but he wasn’t exactly a stewing hen at that point either.
I take your point, though.

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33 for a career defining move is nothing, he also had his fair share of movies before he got there, it isn't like he just popped out of nowhere.

Ford was admittedly on the low end of the spectrum as far as people I mentioned, but all of those people had to have a second job while pursuing acting.  It wasn’t until later that they could support themselves on acting alone.  They’re exceptions though.

You surely can make a career move later in life, especially if you have money saved up to support the transition.  But if you’ve been at something for years and years and still can’t support yourself with that alone, statistically it just makes sense to stop pursuing that as a career because so few make it at that point.

[versacekid420]

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I think if you are over the age of 20 with no sponsors/connections but are still actively trying to make it in the skate industry you are pretty much fucked.

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I had a friend who was similar to this. Was on flow for a few big brands really was insanely good, but still not good enough to make it. Dude tried until his early 30’s and gave up. Lost his identity and everything, very sad to watch.

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no other career path?

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Have kinda known some people like this. I guess it's hard to have a career if you're trying to make skating work. Constantly hurt or trying to travel you basically have to put all your eggs in one basket.
I don't know about 20 being the cutoff I think Jake Hayes went pro in his very late twenties and Gabriel summers was in his 30s. Altho I'd rather give up and take any job over doing what gabbers does

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No nothing as a back up plan.

Yeah gabbers is an insane case. He looks like he is walking a tight rope between life and death. How long can you keep that up?

yeah and jake hayes was just beginning to get deathwish flow at 24

[cky enthusiast]

chet childress is sick