SMB Bearings' Aaron Skippings downhill skating in Granada...

Aaron (aka Nutty Professor) Skippings with technical manager Jeff Petrash in SMB's technical suite

 Check out this stunning video of our technical colleague Aaron Skipping downhill skating in Granada a short while ago - this run filmed by friend of SMB Joe Baldwin.  It shows why both are world-class skaters & why Joe has chosen to re-locate himself to such a beautiful part of the world to skate on a permanent basis.

Aaron says "A while back I flew out to Granada in Spain to visit my buddy Joe Baldwin, who also happens to be  a SMB bearings team rider. I’ve know this guy a while and skated with him across Europe and America. 

The fabulous Joe Baldwin - England's loss was Spain's gain :-)

Joe Baldwin & Aaron Skipping pictured together at Pike's Peak a couple of years ago.

Before I flew out I thought I would hit the Welsh hills but crashed pretty hard and that really ruined me for my Spanish trip. Even though I felt like I was frail and ready to retire as a pensioner we cracked on and Joe took me around all the hills Granada has to offer, including some pretty beautiful spots to chill out. Most of the trip was spent chilling but the skating we did get done was pretty damn awesome and the scenery is always breath-taking. This footage is from a chilled run we did earlier on at the start of the week".  

Aaron hard at work at SMB Bearings

Thanks Aaron, it sure is breathtaking scenery (& a sight more hilly than we can offer in Oxfordshire)! We hope to bring you more of Aaron's adventures soon & news of his IDF events as & when they take place.

Aaron Skippings IDF Lillehammer adventure...

Our friend Aaron Skippings has just got back from the IDF world cup event in Norway, check out the footage of his shenanigans below:

A busy weekend on the downhill/longboard race circuit...

A frenetic weekend of international downhill skateboarding/longboarding action awaits us & we can't wait to share the results with you next week!

IDF's 2014 world number 2 Marie Bougourd (aka Spoky Woky) is in action stateside, competing in California at the Catalina Island Classic 2015...

Marie getting in some training for the Maryhill Freeride last weekend...

And closer to home, our friends Aaron Skippings & Joe Baldwin are heading to Belgium to compete with a great international field at Eat Concrete 2015.

Joe & Aaron chilling at Pike's Peak last year...

Check out the highlights from last year's epic Eat Concrete event...

We wish everyone the best of luck, a safe & speedy ride!

Downhill skate season 2015

As riders contemplate the forthcoming IDF downhill world cup races for 2015, some people are ahead of the game & have already started!!

Spoky Woky (aka Marie Bougourd), who placed second in the world rankings for 2014, has already kicked off 2015 with a bang & fitted in two competitions in Puerto Rico - check out some footage here, filmed by fellow competitor Emily Pross:

Marie (pictured far right) wins El Guama race in Puerto Rico this weekend 

Can Marie make it to the very top of the world rankings in 2015 - we really think she can!  You can read full race reports & rider profiles at the IDF website, also a valuable source of information if you're thinking of giving downhill skateboard & luge racing a go.

As the IDF race season gets well underway, we'll be sure to bring you all the news from our friends on the international circuit - our very best wishes to all the competitors for 2015, but especially big wishes go to Aaron Skippings, Joe Baldwin & Spoky Woky! :-)

Marie Bougourd (Spoky Woky) is 2nd in 2014 IDF rankings...

Spoky Woky chilling out during her American tour earlier this year

We'd like to send massive congratulations to our friend & downhill skater Marie Bougourd (aka Spoky Woky), who has had an exceptional 2014 downhill skateboard race season, & it's not over yet... :-)

Race action from the Catalina Classic 2014

Several important victories have seen her bag a mightily impressive 2nd place in the IDF world rankings for the 2014 race season to date.

IDF rankings showing Marie (Spoky Woky) with an astounding season points tally

Could Marie now top the season standings?  Maybe!  As she is now jetting off to South Africa for Hot Heels Africa 2014 - a world cup event that could see her on top of the world, so GOOD LUCK!!

Wishing Spoky Woky every success at this event...

Everyone at SMB Bearings is so pleased to be a small part of Marie's success & we look forward to continuing that success into the coming 2015 race season - you ROCK Marie!!!!

Marie Bougourd's American adventure flies her up the IDF rankings...

We are delighted for Marie (aka Spoky Woky), as her 2014 IDF downhill skateboard race season continues to see her advance up the international rankings & who knows, as she continues onto the final leg of the race tour in South America next month, maybe she'll even make it to the top?!

Marie is flying up the IDF rankings after her US success & she's hoping to continue the rise
on the South American leg of the IDF tour...

Good luck Marie & big loves from everyone at SMB - we're with you every step of the way :-)

Spoky Woky/Marie Bougourd in action at Pike's Peaks last weekend...

Epic skate videos from two of SMB's favourite people...

We're thrilled to share the French delight that is Spoky Woky (aka Marie Bougourd) with you.

Spoky Woky with her 3rd place board at the Almatrieb after party...

 Spoky has just clinched a brilliant 3rd place in the finals of IDF's Almatreib event this weekend.

See her in action here...

And here we have the incomparable wonder that is Schaeffer Mclean, only nine years old but already a legend on the international skate scene...

Aaron Skippings, downhill skater update...

Our friend & SMB skate-crew member Aaron Skipping has already had a hectic start to his downhill skating season.  Aaron is competing using our ceramic hybrid skate bearings this year & it sounds like he's getting pretty impressive results with them.

Aaron says:
"I am in love with the ceramic bearings! Sooooooooooo fast!  I've been really busy lately with my skating! Just been in Belgium for the championships and did really well - I had 7 qualifying races to determine a position and I never finished below a 3rd place.   Unfortunately, because of time pressures they cut it down to 16 people bracket for the semi-finals so i didn't qualify!! Bit lame but hey, I had fun and the UK kicked ass in Belgium! 

I also just booked my flight to California for September!!! Exciting! I will be doing the Angies Curves in California and the famous Pikes Peak in Colorado! 2 of the gnarliest races on the IDF World Cup tour!  Too excited!!!"

Thanks for the update Aaron, it sounds like you were robbed in Belgium, but we're sure you'll make up for it during your US invasion later this year!  We can't wait to bring you more updates from Aaron as the downhill skating season progresses...

Aaron Skippings, Downhill Skate season round-up...

 Aaron Skippings & his exploits (both on & off his board) have been keeping us entertained for years now, so we were delighted to receive a 2013 skate season update from him - he's been pretty busy on the European downhill circuit this year:

"As I type this memory from summer and everything floods back to me I really do realise how much I love skating. The best parts of my life so far have been skating and the friends I have met through it. Also the countries i have visited because of skating - stuff like this makes me feel so good about myself . I've done something that I can look back on in 30-40 years and say that was my life then and it was sick!

Aaron, pictured left

But anyway enough of that! My summer was sick and this was what I did...
The plan was a skate tour. Hit up Switzerland and shred for a bit before heading off for Almabtrieb skating championships in Germany host by the awesome Stephan Risch (makes awesome helmets). we travelled there in a rented minivan - the crew was Josh Monk, Oli Jepson, Kami San, Dan Shinnie, Duncan Kay, Oliver Slaughter, Chloe Blount, Estelle Solkhon,kessa.  Some of us travelled in the mini van and some others in Oli Jepson's car.  Pretty much the Newtons Shred crew!! (sick skate shop!) . Switzerland was a dream!  I had been here in 2010 and was itching to go back. The skate spot we hit had so many turns I lost count. It was really good for skate progression i.e. speed,slides etc.  Our camp location was truly staggering, a campsite with mountains surrounding you everywhere - what's not to love ? Also a massive lake, complete with diving board....this was heaven.

After a few days in Switzerland it was time to leave for Germany . Again I had been to Almabtrieb in 2010 and loved it . 60 m.p.h. hills with sweeping turns is what its all about . A good track for beginners who really wanna hit the big bucks and shred a fast hill. The race format was really well thought out as we had to race to qualify, instead of doing 1 or 2 timed runs and not qualifying and feeling crap the next day as everyone raced and you did nothing. We had around 9 races to qualify which for 200 odd riders is a hell of alot of riding. I managed to finish 2nd in all but 1 of my heats so I placed pretty high up and secured my place for the finals the next day.   The finals didn't go so well but I wasn't too bothered.  The race to qualify was what it was all about . Everyone got to race and gain experience for next time. It truly did set the bar for how skate events should be run. Stephan promised and didn't disappoint. The euro trip was over and everyone was shattered. The only bad time was coming home and it was 800 miles over 5 countries in 17 hours!!!

Thanks to my sponsors:
Newtons shred, PSD Footstops, Riptide Bushings, 9.81 Swiss boards, crash test dummie pucks  & BANDITOS.

Also massive thanks to SMB Bearings for keeping me rolling down them hills! Truly awesome bearings!
Aaron over and out".

Thanks so much Aaron, we're thrilled to be supporting you 

& glad to have been a small part of your European tour in 2013.

We're looking forward to keeping you rolling harder & faster in 2014!

Marie Bougourd (aka Spoky Woky) is on top of the world!

Marie Bougourd (aka Spoky Woky) tops the international IDF rankings...

We are so pleased that our bearings have played a part, however small, in Marie's massive success! She says "but for feed back your ceramic bearing are still super awesome ! I love them"

Why thank you, that means a great deal coming from the World Number ONE!!!

Good luck defending your title in South America Spoky Woky!

Congratulations Spoky Woky, Podium Finisher at Peyragudes...

A massive congratulations to our friend & downhill skater Spoky Woky (aka Marie Bougourd) who, despite a knee injury, managed to bag a podium finish at the IDF (international Downhill Federation) event in Peyragudes last weekend. What an AMAZING lady!!

Spoky Woky says: "Check that awesome movie about Peyragudes Finals !! That event has the most surprising event of the season for me , i was actually at the point to not attempt to it because of a knee injury at Grim Mountain , and finally Sickboard convinced me to join them just to be there and enjoy watching the race and finally my knee get better and i did it to the final and took the second place ! 

That was not even expectable for me ! 

Thank you Lisa Karina , Martijn Schrama , Annemiekje Nogwat (and congrats guuuuurllll ) , Kevin Reimer for pick me up on their way to Peyragudes , Sickboards Longboards is killing it ! Thank you Koma Kino for the event and his support . RipTide Bushings have been killing it on that track , Aera Trucks, Orangatang Wheels team always around to help , SMB Bearings can't stop to get me faster and my Classic pan still here to make me feel like home on every roads.

 It was so a huge joy to meet again my french friends which were screaming for me in the hairpins (i heard you ) , and what else than come back home and know that my best friend Pommy Hwwod who is also my exroomate and the OG of the Lyon Longskate Crew became a dad this week end !!!! I'm so happy right now , i just wanted that you know it" 

 Well done Spoky Woky, we are so, SO, SO proud of you & your fantastic achievements this season - the IDF rankings show what a mega star you are!

Spoky Woky's downhill skate tour continues...

French downhill skater Spoky Woky (aka Marie Bougourd) has been road-trippin' around the US of A in recent weeks.  The inaugural Angie's Curves race, set in beautiful Pala, California USA, took place a couple of  weekends ago. 

See some of the action here:

Angie's Curves is a certified event on the International Downhill Federation's pro circuit and set the precedent for all other races to come. The race was a three day event that started on Friday, June 21st & it was clear from day one that Angie's Curves would provide one of the fastest, most challenging, and strategically demanding courses to date. The Angie's Curves event culminated in finals between Sector 9 team riders Ricardo Reis and Chance Gaul, as well as Arbor riders James Kelly, and Duke Degen. James Kelly ended up claiming victory with the fastest time of 1:50.404. Duke Degen took 2nd and Ricardo Reis came in 3rd.



Spoky Woky (aka Marie Bougourd) competing

 Our friend Spoky Woky took part in the Angie's Curve melee, but the course wasn't kind to her & she crashed out. She did really well at Maryhill Festival of Speed last weekend however, placing an awesome 2nd in the women's competition...



Check out the lovely Spoky Woky (pictured right) taking 2nd place at Maryhill - YEAY!

Of the Maryhill competition Spoky says "Well here was the thing - 20 girls would be fighting on that road called Maryhill Loops . I had no idea on how the race will go on . All the girls felt pretty comfortable on that road - the few things you have to do is close the doors if you’re in front and draft and take the line if you’re behind … looks simple but not that much when you’re racing aggressive ladies !!  To be honest i was super happy to be in the final - I said to myself, keep going , stay safe , wait for a open door". 


Part of the imposing Maryhill course...

There was a big crash on the final race but Spoky managed to keep clear of the danger... "At the start line the heat was a its top , all girls breathing hard , feeling heavy … i thought i was in a nightmare waiting for the start.  … girls were riding super close to each other , it was very hard to find a room to pass them , then suddenly in a straight line i saw Georgie and Amanda just throwing themselves on the ground , taking katy down in the same time. I just had the time to slide and avoid the girls which were sliding their leathers on the asphalt , while Elena who was beside the crash passed through and get a large advance to take the win. Me and katy pushed after that violent stop , the other girls searching their boards on the road side. Well , that was not what i expected as final heat but this is racing babies! you never can say what would happen in each heats , even more when the level is super tight like this!" 

What excitement & what skill to finish on the podium in such a strong international field.  We hope that Spoky Woky has even better luck at the Whistler Longboard Festival in Canada this weekend.

Go Marie, we love you!!

 



Spoky Woky (aka Marie Bougourd), Downhill skater extroadinaire!!

Great video featuring our friend Spoky Woky,

showing the boys how downhill skating should really be done...




You can see Spoky Woky competing in the IDF summer series this year

We are sure Spoky Woky will achieve world domination very soon!

Check out her IDF page or see her blog for more news, results & antics :-)