6c - Formal Longboard Design Idea

Since it's my mode of transportation, I have my Longboard with me everywhere I go. Whether I'm cruising around campus, walking through a mall, or just sitting on the bus, my board is always under my arm, or under my feet. -- usually not under my ass.--

Whenever I'm out and about, I can't help noticing that people are constantly staring at me.  I'm pretty sure it's because of my colorful red, yellow, and green board, but who knows, maybe it's because I am devilishly handsome.

Anyway, I feel like people see my board, check to see who is riding it, and will immediately remember me when I coast past them a week later.

I talked to my roommate, Mark, about this strange phenomena, and he couldn't agree more.  He said that on more than one occasion, a girl at a party recognized him as one of the guys who Longboards around campus.  It's pretty crazy that a Longboard can have that big of an effect on people.  I mean, obviously the person riding it makes all the difference, but the board makes you memorable.  Eventually, when I get the time, space, and tools, I would like to design and construct my own boards for this very reason.

Being in the Communication, Culture and Information Technology program at UTM has made me realize that you have to make connections to make a name for yourself.  This can sometimes be very difficult when all of your fellow classmates are trying to do the same thing.  

Imagine you are in a lineup of one-hundred recent university graduates.   These graduates are all applying for your dream job with an environmental company who promotes electric cars and the use of bicycles.  Every person in the line is dressed to impress.  Black slacks, suit jackets, white button-up shirts, black ties, and dress shoes are the most popular attire.
Of course you want to look formal and classy, but how can you differentiate yourself from these clones?


A funny tie?  -Nope. Bad Idea.





 
A formidable scent from an expensive cologne.  -Nope.  Not unless you're going to seduce the interviewer.
 





 A Longboard?
 -Maybe, but who wants to show up with a red, yellow, and green deck that has scratches and chips covering it?









My design idea is to make an affordable set of Longboards that relate to the person riding it, and help attract attention whenever you're skating or carrying the board.

In this particular example with the environmental company, I would want the board to scream, "I am a formal, scholarly gentleman that likes to have fun while reducing my emissions."

This could be done using a design from a Formal Suit T-shirt, and maybe something related to environmental aspects, such as a pin from Green Skate, a company that promotes the use of Longboards as transportation.

You would definitely be the only person in the line with a Longboard, and with an idea for other aspects of business.  You would be noticed, differentiated, and memorable.
 

5d - Hero Distance Boarders - Rob Dyer and Paul Kent

Longboarding has a huge following that has been growing rapidly in the last ten years.

A lot of the boarders that I look up to are constantly in the public's eye.  They are seen online, in magazines, and hosting, or taking part in events.  After winning races or competitions, and getting more known, they have been using their fame to raise awareness and funds for various charities.

 Rob Dyer - Skate 4 Cancer 

At the young age of 16, Rob Dyer, the leader in the Skate For Cancer project, lost his mother and his best friend to cancer.  Devastated by this loss, he decided to do something positive to help other families who are affected by cancer.  Rob started a huge skate marathon to prove that anything can be done with enough determination, and he hoped this would inspire people to stay optimistic when dealing with cancer.



In 2004, he did his first trek, starting in L.A. and finishing in his hometown of Toronto.  It took five months to complete the journey, but when Rob and his team got back, he saw the effect he had made.  He successfully created the newest facet of cancer research- Skate4Cancer.  Whenever his team was not on the road, traveling miles and miles to raise awareness, they held events and concerts to raise money for hospitals.  It is truly amazing to see such a young man taking such a big stance on the issue.


 I simply idolize Rob Dyer, --even though he is a skateboarder not a longboarder-- and I think it is amazing that he is doing what he loves to do, while being completely selfless and helping to find the cure for cancer. 

Paul Kent - skaterpaul.com

 Another boarder who I truly admire is Paul Kent.

Paul is a professional longboarder from Calgary.  He is Canada's top distance skateboarder, a world record holder, adventurer, father, husband, teacher, and writer.

Since I started longboarding, I have been going out riding almost everyday, and going quite the distance.  During the 24hour Ultra Skate 7 in 2009, Paul Kent broke the world record, skating 403 kms in 24 hours.  One day I would like to attempt to break this record.


Paul longboarded 2000 kilometers in 40 days around Morocco with his friends Adam Colton, Aaron Enevoldsen at Long Treks On Skate Decks. They also boarded across Peru, and Bolivia, reaching a top elevation of 4400 Meters.

Kent is also a contributing author for Concrete Wave Magazine, he organizes and judges competitions, and he designs his own websites.





He is a co-founder of an environmental group called Greenskate, a co-founder of the Speedboard and Longboard Association of Calgary, and he runs slide and safety clinics with other Pro riders.



These days, Paul is the owner and head instructor at Learn 2 Longboard riding school, and he holds the prestigious title of "Dad," when he is at home with his daughter, Annik Kent-O'Neill a.k.a. Danger Baby.

I like how Paul Kent and his friends go to distant parts of the world, with nothing but a longboard, a backpack, and a video camera.  When I am finished with my schooling, I would really like to do something like this. I feel like I have a lot in common with these guys, as we all live for adventure and good times.  Check out their documentary style videos to see what a two-month longboard trek is like. --Watch "No Free Guitars" to see them having fun with some of the locals.