Yes, he’s one of my favourites for sure, would love to see that. He’s not young, so people hoping for young pros won’t be satisfied but I think it’s also beneficial to have just new names on pro skates, especially when they offer something different at a high level
The UK needs more pro riders across all levels of blading, park, street, vert, bowl. So more competition, more money. Old or new they need to be paid. So right now be thankful for those that do entertain us. ♥️
I would love to see a Seoul Skaters x THEM Collab. I feel like doing collaborations with the intention of growing a community is a great idea that celebrates a scene; Both Junkyu and Kevin along with their students, their brand, their scene, skatepark/skateshop, etc!
Spot on analysis! Some of the best skaters on the planet are teenagers so it's high time more brands do their part in raising these new stars instead of taking the lazy option of milking the nostalgia cash cow.
Shima has had enough skates. He is my favourite skater or at least top 5 but yeah man look to the future. Sick of nostalgia thank you very much Hollywood 😂
I still remember tricks when hearing certain songs… Millencolin are heavily associated with Tony Hawks for most people, but for me it’s Brian Bell (RIP) hucking stale grabs in Fast shoes. Or my introduction to Big L (and the use of sweatbands outside of tennis) through Jimmy Schudas Makios on throat high ledges (icon.) Theres countless soundtracks, skits and cod philosophy I still hold dearly from these formative years. I feel sorry for the young’uns. Freddos also used to be bigger and wham bars didn’t cost 70p (genuine price).
Great deep dive, into the murkey waters of pro riders and pro skates... Tbf I brought the Dead Roadhouse wheels based on nostalgia alone.. I had the original Senate ones
I really like the Dead x Roadhouse drop, thought it was very cool and really well done. I also trust the Dead would put that profit back into skating and support their current team. I think playing into nostalgia works and can be really useful! Are you skating them or collecting them?
"You can tell people what trick it is, just by listening to the grind noise." True! My friends and I knew every nuance of Holy Rail from repeat viewings. "The butters," a phrase uttered by the skaters, became an inside joke. And I liked the soundtrack so much I made a cassette recording of it to listen to. Also on soundtracks, love when a skate video uses some old classic rock my dad introduced me to, like Buffalo Springfield or Van Morrison.
Maybe it is time for brands to redefine and evaluate the concept of "Pro" so that young skaters might find better chances, and current Pro riders could be supported and motivated through different methods.
ilya savosin got me to nut up and buy a pair for real this summer. I legit said "damn that ad for the 5th's sold me" 2 mins in im checking it out online. the COLORS TOO! the youth have the vibes down to grow the sport.
I totally needed this video man, thank you 🙏 I’ve been thinking about this situation for a while now. You expressed some interesting perspectives about the current situation in blading
Bro, I've been arguing this for the longest time. I love the Broskows and Farmers but there is clearly enough young homies out here that need it. We are the only action sport that doesn't put money on our young bucks. If we want this shit to be forever we need to push up all our young ones like JK Yoon, Chiro, and Savosin. So many others in each country. Seriously, I've been blading for 20 years I'm sort of tired of OGs getting pro skates
Nailed it! I just turned 41 and I just ordered a pair of 2023 USD Sway Team 60's an hour ago. I haven't been on skates in 20 years. My last skate was Razors John Elliots. My first skate was RollerBlade Box Cars. My first memorable skate vid was Hoax 3 and my favorite was VG11 followed by Brain Fear Gone... After that adult life stopped everything.... What am I getting myself into.... Subscribe... Cheers!
On the comment of heroes I think a standardized pro contest circuit like street league would help elevate the youth as well since they could be winning. I think having some OGs is valuable too. Just needs balance with new avenues to become a hero.
I feel like there needs to be 2 categories of pros. You can have a a category of pros like farmer and Broskow, who should recieve a salary. They deserve a reliable wage from their years of skating. But leave the pro boots to the next generation of pros. That would give people the incentive to work towards pro status, along with pro boots, which leads to the money they can get from the sport. Then, over time if you have proved yourself, lead to a salary but no pro boots. To me that seems fair.
Im 22 and have been riding since i was 12. Got into when i saw some older guys shredding a north carolina skatepark while i was out east visiting my grandparents. Ive only met about 5 other bladers in my entire life not counting the dudes in NC. I feel like thats the real reson there isnt more new pros! I mean i still have people making comments about how they've never seen it before and ive been shredding my local for years.
Looking at this from my perspective of having skated from 2002 to 2012 and coming back early last year, a lot of the pros are people I never heard of. And the pros that were around in those 10 years, with the exception of Broskow and Farmer and others, have retired.
Good vid - ya it’s a bummer that the Broom skate is a Shift…it’s a great skate if it fits your foot, but it doesn’t fit many feet! Your point about us being almost drowned with content is well-taken…at the end of the day, a pro is someone with full control over their skates who you instantly recognize by their movements when they show up on screen-there’s no age requirement/restriction on that. Key thing is that if a skater can’t differentiate themselves from the next person, they can’t sell shit!
Thanks mate, tried to emphasise with all angles. There is a lot to consider, other stuff I left out as well so it wasn’t too long and boring - there is no cut and dry answer and I don’t think they current situation is totally diabolical ha
This is great, because as soon as you said, everybody knows the section by the song. Oh, I know that section I knew that section immediately. I love this channel. 37 year old ex skater. I used to skate with Albert Hooi and Irish guys around 1999-2004. I’m often tempted to get back into it. Especially as there is an amazing outdoor skate park near where I live in North Carolina now. The problem is I have a very expensive super body (like a super car but a super body lol). I broke my spine in five places, jumping on skis in 2011. So it’s not like it’s not possible. I really enjoy this show ! I have been trying to get some new skates because my xshados broke 🤦♂️
[Very obviously IMO]. One thing I can think of is companies sponsoring prizes etc at smaller comps [be it country or whatever] and getting [a] their name out there, but [b] supporting young kids etc coming in to the sport. I know with coaching multiple sports, the biggest push needs to be in supporting and developing the absolute beginners so we retain them and, often, that's not through another pro rider/ skate; it's once we've got them hooked [in whatever sport] that the aspirational aspects of skate/pro come in to play. When we talk about numbers [of participants] being fewer that the glory days, you would think that working on encouraging the development of a wider participation base would be key component on growing that base - frankly, I'd rather see companies names everywhere at comps than I would seeing yet another pro skate/ pro skater. Your future pro skaters are more likely to emerge from an expanded base. As you correctly note, Tom, we're niche, I would think the first step would be to expand the niche.
I would be very very curious to see interviews with modern skate companies discussing the criteria they use for pro skates. Existing sales and marketing data has to play a role, but I wonder what is going into the considerations like you said. Is it influence, following, competition wins, general skill, seniority, and if its a combo what is prioritized.
“When your knees functioned properly” that feels like a direct attack… Also I scorpioned my ass after over leaning on a P-star on a ledge a few months ago and I’ll tell you what…the concrete hits back harder at 35 than 19 for sure.
Awesome video as always fella 👍 😉 I was waiting for the Toon reference 😂 😂 I was just going to say would you really eat a Chicken just back from Ayanapa I mean it'd be full of all kinds 😂 😂 😂 I'd love to see more UK Pro's Damo for starters, we have Billy Murton who's absolutely sick who's on the Blank Team but we could do with more UK and more youth Pro's. Blader jakob is outstanding actually I think he Skates for USD 🤔 as for what gets Pro maybe contest wins and Content put out would be the way to do it 🤷🤷
We do need a younger generation of pro skaters to bring in the new gen. Most of the blading community as whole already know each other because it’s small. It’s not gonna grow too much if we aren’t pushing new talent to draw in more people in the same age group to join.
In 20 years I have bought a single boot based on the name on it. Make the skate simple and comfortable and itll sell. Just release a team skate, and then sell pro variants. Like this is our black team skate its all black. Well pro a puts hot pink soul plates on his so boom pro a skate. Pro b uses white buckle and laces... ect ect.
There is plently of young skaters that have the respect, but the industry is too small and run on too tight margins that brands take the safer route, which is understandable. You’ll see changes in the next five years though
A Fabiola skate? From who? It’s about time!! For sure, new pros are needed, by all means, but there’s a few who are well deserved, based on their contribution to the sport.
Not mentioning that the two most versatile skater ever Cudot and Atkinson don't even have a sponsor 😢 Regarding older pro skaters I don't mind them as long as they bring something to rollerblading. No need to argue Kelso's bring a lot, Broskow keep getting more technical, Bolino still is the best of Mesmer's team. Now regarding guys like Farmer, or Eisler they really give the impression they are just here for the paycheck.
Cudot and Atkinson have both had pro skates before. Them not having a boot sponsor is probably their own choice. I imagine no-one is offering what they think they are worth. That's a much bigger convo and so hard to say without them actually giving the details. Agreed there is older skaters still smashing up, i would also argue Farmer is as well, there is very few on his level, he still puts out social media clips and edit.
Im still a firm believer that rollerblade pros should have some kind of lower cost, higher margin product like soft goods alongside skate models. I can only fit a few skates, so im already limited by that. Then if the color or design isnt to my liking, I'm not going to wear those for the next 2+ years until i can retire them. Id love to support pros, but i can't justify a pro boot that i wont actually wear. Shirts? Absolutely. Socks? Gimme. We arent like skateboarding where you get a new deck every few weeks/months. Boots last. My skate shirts sure don't though haha
I feel everyone really out there ripping is pro... and I'm speaking today atleast. I'm still gutted Geoff Phillip never got pro on Valo cause he still is pro. Everyone flipped when Walt Austin Stepped away... I feel the same now Phillip slowed down on filming. He's one of the BEST ever in America no question
There's not a step by step guide to be a pro. but Ive noticed it's about hype, skill, and how much you get up in rollerblading. there's people that have been skating for years, have #1 hype, #2 skill. #3 getting up. Those people lack a marketable view by a sponsor, so in turn they have to make their own companies to be seen as a viable person beyond flow. And flow, how many people did you think were pros that were just flow? how many peoples life goals was to have a pro skate, and had style, hype, marketability, tours, pro tour status, got up consistently, and a lifetime of skill and still never had a pro skate? too many to mention.
Yes. A huge restriction on agg rollerblading is the size of the market. It can’t give pro skates to all of those that might deserve it. It’s must be a nightmare for brands trying to navigate it all
for me, skatemodel, design and 3rd name or promo video, gets me to buy a skate. like the eugen enin shadoe video... or the 2... shadow video. after i saw these, i had to get myself a pair or two
was funny and cool to see my comment included. I’m really biased because of my boyfriend but it would be nice for these companies to abandon their old cash cows and give some props to the new guys working hard on proving themselves! more incentive to keep revolutionizing/grow the sport
Love “the hauntology” haha amazing. Yea I think we will be seeing a change in the next 5 year. It’s good to see brands like Mesmer, THEM, USD and Roces with you pro riders
i don't give a fk whose name is on the skate I only buy skates after color if your skate is red or white chances are way higher that i buy it than if it has a name on it...
U know Tom that alien needs some milk lol😅 another banger bro but the truth is whit new pros a lot of people cock block new skaters I’ll give u a good example no lie true story ,I think it was 2007 imyta in the upper Manhattan I got into a comp I was in the first heat an did 3 way switch ups giving my best the judges in there scrap me to the side an put skater’s that can nearly do a front slide a lot of people wanted to know why I did not make it to the second round , plus one of the judges was saying in the morning who ever does this kink rail gets this nob aka money right now I told him let’s do this he told me oww save it for the comp me an my friends was like wtf is going on the funny part is that the last people that skated was always the same last 4 people it’s like they wanted that money to go to the main skater few hours later I received a email on Facebook ow a lot of people say we did not put u in the second heat so we can refund u the money it was not a bout the money it was a bout how u don’t let new faces come up witch case it was a set up from that day I did not take that sport seriously any longer I do love it an love all the people that skate but some times pay very close attention to the comps Tom u see what I mean by it like what happened it quad skating whit montrey ? My bad if I miss spelled the fellas name but cheers Tom keep up the great work
I think blading is missing big personalities these days. While I do like the modesty of most we do need some big mouthed wankery dudes to entertain. I don't know it's just me 😂
We’ve got enough of them. I think what happens is that you’re seeing so much content from so many difference people a lot of the time is just blurs into one. It’s also hard to tell what a persons personality is when it’s just short social media post. We need people committed to longer content
@TomMoyse I don't do social media. RU-vid is all I watch. When I say personalities I mean like rachard Johnson now. Or like Chris Edwards back in the day. Someone with a voice and charisma that can get the average person involved. Probably wasn't the right video to make my first comment on. Vids like jumbo blow up because it shows the boys being boys. Would be cool to see more women doing this too. I'm too old broken and poor to blade now but I try to support it any way I can. I love this culture and respect all aspects even if today's style isn't my thing. But yeah I think if a younger dude has an impact like that for example bobbi spasov we would have a safer future. Also we need a vice president Jon Julio can't do this all on his own!
@@jasonotto9126 Agreed, i've talked about it a few times in various videos that we need to utilise RU-vid more. We have little to no presence that reach beyond our niche. Edits are great, interviews are cool but we need more people diving into the history and culture, which in itself creates more culture. Rachard has a great wholesome channel, I really like what he is doing, Jumbo is great and i hope they continue to grow. I often reference Storror who do parkour as a great example, if a crew could replicate what they do and keep it authentic, I think that would be amazing. Bobi is in his 30s and I think you overestimating his impact, he couldn't even shift his pro skate. We need more brand like Mesmer and THEM that really feel like the core but also USD are amazing at providing their team with opportunities across various style of rollerblading which can only help.
@TomMoyse I love what Billy is doing but he doesn't have diversity in his team everyone dresses and skates the same pretty much. But giving Jon Bolino what he earned and quite frankly deserves is great. But yeah we need more people to transcend the sport like Haffey doing Nitro circus. I know I keep referencing older guys 🤦♂️ but I am branching out to younger skaters content. I'm old. Aussie and stubborn so it's taken a while for today's style to grow on me. I don't like faddy skating like back when people would do 20 switchups on a rail or everyone would throw themselves of the biggest gap to be in a vid. I like someone for their style and personality like from Stockwell being so smooth and sexy to shima to guys mad slept on like Connor obrian and Mark wojda and especially Yandriel. He has an infectious personality we need more of even if I hate how he dresses 😅 but God damn I'd love to spend a week with the guy I'd use up the last of my cartilage to skate with him!
Strange one. Saying his clips out loud and you think why would he be sponsored, but watching him skate makes you want cults and go back to mucking about prails like you did 20 years ago.
@@cdifff643 exactly! I think his style of skating and the things he skates looks pretty accessible to beginners and the older lot that dont want to do big hammer style tricks anymore. He just makes what he does look so good! Plus he’s been skating for the brand for years. About time they had a currant pro cult model that isn’t a Shima.
Coming from the Shima heyday, it seems everyone is doing curbs and wizard stuff. People want something to look up to, like the gods, not a super techy heelie to a nardo grind finger twisty out. BRING BACK HAMMERS AND SKATES WILL SELL!
@@chrisonskates I say we take a poll; what’s harder? Disaster on double kinks, or whatever you call it when you roll on on wheel in and out of a curb? I appreciate the creativity of both, but in regards to selling rollerblading, it seems that go hard or go home sold more than I’m now nearly 40 and can’t do that anymore. YOUNGINS’: BRING THE HAMMERS AND YOUR PRO SKATES WILL FOLLOW!
@@mfng3839I agree, and also about 38 yrs old and after I got back into the sport again now 2 yrs ago, I only focus on and want to do as big banger of tricks I can while as smooth and style as possible. I guess maybe it's in the DNA from the 90s skating and also my freestyle skiing that ive stayed on so I just only get hyped when I can be doing some big stairdrops, rails, down ledges and things just all I focus on is trying to go bigger and bigger and faster, the old school ways. I wish the best for your blading in the future as well. I know I feel best when I'm blading.
