You didn’t quit skateboarding because you got old. You got old because you quit skateboarding.
I don’t know if he coined this himself or not, but here’s some inspiring words from my friend Ed Fickert, on his 45th birthday.
I haven’t been on my boards for a while and I’ve definitely seen a difference. That’s going to change this weekend.
Thanks, Ed. 🙂
— updated with correct quote attribution. Thanks!
Image – Ed 50 50 @ Laurel, image by Jimmy Smutek
Lansdowne, since the 70’s
I hit Lansdowne one January morning by myself then met up with my friend Ed for a session at Laurel skatepark in the early afternoon. The pad nanny wasn’t at Lansdowne and I was able to ride that park without full pads for the first time in many, many years. I opted to wear my helmet but even so, skating Lansdowne without pads really reminded me of the old free-for-all days of the 80’s and 90’s.
I remember back in the day there used to be a lot of tension between BMXer’s and skaters, especially out at Lansdowne. Things got crazy, they got tense, and they even came to blows on occasion. Time went on and eventually a lot of the knuckleheads quit skating and a lot of the knuckleheads quit riding bikes. Tensions subsided, friendships were forged, and rad sessions were had. Those of us who were left, BMXers and skaters alike, realized that it didn’t matter what the other guy was riding; We were all in it together and we were all after that same feeling. That feeling was all that mattered.
Twenty years later and it’s still all that matters. I’m stoked that on that day at Laurel I got to skate with, and photograph, a rad BMXer named John Burnie.
Skate video I shot while on a road trip to Northern Virginia’s Arlington & Fairfax skatepark’s with my friends Bill, Ed, Justin, and Rex. Great day with great friends.
This was my first time out with my D5100 and my first time seriously trying to edit, and my first real video! I have a ton to learn and I’m stoked to learn it. Available in HD (720p) if you click through and view on Vimeo.
Tunez: Iggy Pop, The Passenger
A great day of skating and friends, hands down.
Day trip with Bill, Ed, and Harry down to Waldorf skate park in Charles County, Maryland. This was an amazing park. I got a little overzealous and took a pretty nasty spill, tweaking my leg. It didn’t ruin the day but unfortunately I’ve never really recovered from that bail and my knee has continued to get worse over the last year.
Regardless, this was a great trip and I definitely recommend checking out Waldorf.
2 More killer Maryland skateparks
Greenbelt with Bill and Justin. Justin showed up too late for photos but I was able to get a quick shot of him napping in the bowl. Also some shots from Bowie skate park the following weekend with Bill and a couple of locals.
Bowie’s bowl is sick – shallow end is like 6 ft. with 4ft of vert. That’s a little bit of an exaggeration, but it’s def pretty gnarly and definitely outside of my skill set. Bill and the local cats ripped it up! There’s a cool bank area at Bowie as well, that was a bit more my level of mellow.
Another fun day at Laurel
Fun day with Ed, Bill and a few others out at Laurel skatepark.
Ahh, good old Lansdowne.
One of the oldest skateparks on the Beast Coast from what I understand. I’ve been skating here since around about 1984 or so, I learned how to do a kick turn here. I have tons of fond memories at this park and things have definitely changed since the old free for all days. There’s fences up, official hours, papers to sign, and full pads required.
It’s all good though, I’m grateful to still be able to ride this amazing piece of skate history.
Jimmy Smutek 