Aaron Skippings, SMB's very own downhill skateboarding whizz...

Our technical whizz Aaron Skippings is also a downhill skateboarding whizz!  Last weekend saw the  tremendously successful downhill skate event "Rumble at the Peep", a British Regional event (which adds national BDSL ranking points to competitors' profiles) which was organised by Aaron himself!!

Aaron hard at work at SMB...

The event was attended by 30 national competitors, so there was a really strong challenge for the top spots, but Aaron managed to pip everyone else to the post & came first (boo-hiss to those that say it was rigged!! 👅).

Top of the event, Aaron (pictured left) celebrates & finishes top of the BDSL rankings too!

This small but dynamic sport is always looking for new starters to join the fray - if you're interested in getting into the sport you can start by visiting the BDSL FB page for more information, or just dive straight in & go to HogHill Event at Redbridge Cycling Centre in London (which is specifically designed for beginner riders).

A slight verge detour on the descent - Aaron cruising past on the right of the picture

Hitching a ride back uphill after the downhill! Credit to Kai Menneken for the photos...

Later on this year, Aaron is heading off to Canada to compete in the L'Ultime Descente - Top Speed Challenge - the aim of this crazy game is to skate down the one of the steepest descents in the world, without killing yourself, at around 75 miles per hour - easy, right?!  We'll nervously bring you all the news from this challenge in September...

Aaron in our technical suite at SMB...

Until then, you can see what Aaron's been up to in the last year or so in this little slideshow:

Alex Clark's Kozakov run (filmed by our colleague Aaron)...

Aaron in action at Kozakov

Check out the beautiful scenery & the thrill-ride of a Kozakov downhill run, featuring rider Alex Clark & filmed by our technical colleague Aaron Skippings - you rock guys!

Joe Baldwin bags victory at ‘Shred O Grande Freeride 2′...

Joe took a fantastic win in Spain recently & here he tells us all about it:

Joe on the first corner in the final heat (his race-face is definitely on here)...

"The steep top section sling-shotted you into this right-left combo. The line you hit is between the manhole covers and the massive crack in the road. This road is brutal to race because there is no room for error. Miss your line and you might get bucked off your board by an unruly manhole cover, apocalyptic earth fissure or a random wave in the asphalt. The final corner was the most technically difficult I’ve skated in a long time. Once you linked 2 apexes between a shrub, a depressed manhole cover and a janky curb you had to bank really hard to the next righty where you had literally half a second to breathe before you set up the pre-drift initiation. If you slid to early, you had too much speed to make the corner when you hooked up. If you slid too late you were in the hay. If you slid just right, you still had to hunt for the apex hidden by bushes. I took the win at this event after some brutal knockout racing rules. You had to win your qualifying heats to reach the finals. 

You won or you lost, simple. Amazing roots-style race trace from Shred O Grande. 

I’d give this track a Gnar Factor 8/10 and a Tech Factor 7/10."

Joe at the back of the line-up... he says "Had to make a crazy pass to take the win!"

 Many thanks for taking the time to tell us about it Joe, we really appreciate it & all of us at SMB Bearings Ltd send you our love & congratulations on your success.

Joe's victory even made the papers!  If your Spanish is up to it, you can check out the full story here :-)

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! :-)

Joe Baldwin bags first place at Fumble in the Valley...

Our friend Joe Baldwin was in action at the weekend, racing in Welsh downhill competition Fumble In The Valley...

Joe says:

"I took first place at the first UK race of the year in Wales this weekend!  Racing in a blizzard!!

Horse poo, grit & ice haven't managed to cease your bearings"

Joe styles it out on the podium (pub chair) top spot! Photo by willedgecom.be

Thanks for the big up Joe - I have to stress, we don't normally recommend horse poo, grit & ice as the optimum conditions for bearings maintenance!!  If you'd like to learn how to clean your skate bearings after a hellish weekend's action on the slopes, click here & read on...

In other news, the international sensation & superstar Marie Bougourd (aka SpokyWoky) came second at the famous Guajataca Downhill race in Puerto Rico last weekend - an amazing way to kick of the 2015 race season... you GO girl!!

Spoky Woky (far right) at the starting line in Puerto Rico last weekend

Latest from Aaron Skippings, downhill skater...

Aaron in action in California earlier this year

We had a lovely message from our friend Aaron Skippings at the weekend:

"I wanted to say a massive "thank you" to SMB for helping me so much this year and I am so grateful!   It's done a lot for me and helped me skate as fast as i can! Looking forward to next year!" 

Thanks Aaron!  We are so glad that our skate bearings have helped your 2014 downhill skate season to go with & bang & we can't wait to see how you progress in 2015.

Aaron Skippings video montage...

The lengths a man has to go to to get a good video of himself these days!

We'll let Aaron do the talking - well, skating!  

You can find more Aaron-inspired adventures on Youtube
Aaron's competing is Germany & the US of A this year, we can't wait to hear how he gets on

Busy downhill weekend...

Some of our friends have obviously had a busy weekend... :-)

Awesome pic of downhill adventures by Philippe Dupuy

And Spoky Woky (aka Marie Bougourd) getting ready to ride before Sunday lunch...

Aaron Skippings hitching a ride on Rob Borek's board at the weekend (photo by Erik Derycke) 

SMB Skate Crew welcomes Joe Baldwin...

We're delighted to introduce a new friend - a very warm SMB welcome goes out to downhill rider
 Joe Baldwin - although, given his brilliant results in the last couple of years, you probably know him already!

Joe Baldwin at Eat Concrete 2014

Check out these results & the man in action:

"My 2013-present results are here: 2014 – 1st Place Ride The Dragon Downhill (Wales)

2013 – Highest IDF Ranked Rider in the UK

2013 – 1st Place – Sheepy Outlaw (UK)

2013 – 1st Place – Hogtoberfest (UK)

2013 – 1st Place – Hog Hill – The Crackling (UK)

2013 – 5th Place – IDF WCQS – BoPeep Crash ‘n’ Burn (UK)

2013 – A’ Bracket Rider – IDF WC – Peyragudes Never Dies (FRA)

2013 – 1st Place Hogtoberfest Slide Competition (UK)

2013 – 1st Place Dangerous Decks Mini-Moto Challenge at Hogtoberfest "

Top notch results Joe - hopefully our ceramic bearings will only add to the speed-demon reputation you're already building!  We look forward to bringing you more news from Joe as the 2014 season progresses.

Aaron Skippings, downhill skater update...

What do downhill skaters get up to out of the competitive season?

Aaron at Almatreib '13 - photo by Physco

Well our mate Aaron Skippings has been honing his skills at SourceBMX & looking super-cool & legendary & stuff :-)

Pictures by Ben Carson

When not looking like a skate super-hero, squinting mysteriously into the middle distance, Aaron is in downhill skate competition pre-season planning phase:

"It doesnt stop raining here at the moment but thet gives me time to work out my event plans ! :D

Hopefully planning to go to a race in Belgium in May and also to California in September
(for 2 world cup races)!

If it works out I'll be so happy - we will see. Also lots of skating here in the UK!"

Well Aaron, we're sending your some more bearings & lubricant
to get your season off to a flying start - good luck with all your adventures in 2014!

We'll look forward to sharing more news of Aaron's antics as the year progresses.

Aaron Skippings' Euro Downhill Skate Tour Summer 2013

Thanks to our friend Aaron Skippings for sharing his latest escapades with us!

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!

Aaron Skippings - Team 9.81 at Almabtrieb 2013

Nice to see our friend Aaron Skippings in action - watch out for the yellow peril in the vid :-)

Road Trip! Aaron Skipping's Euro tour...

Watch our Europe, Aaron's on the way!

Downhill skater Aaron Skippings says: "I've been knuckling down with work at the moment and getting ready for my euro trip in a few weeks! Hopefully I'll see Spoky (Spoky Woky - aka Marie Bougourd, an awesome French downhill skater) out there too.  I should do - I'll be skating in Switzerland, then off to Germany straight after for the German championships on the 17th-20th July....



Almatrieb 17th - 20th July...

 Marie's (Bourgourd, aka Spoky Woky) been doing amazing at the moment! Shame about her crash in california but shes always my favourite skater girl! ;D.



The legend that is Spoky Woky showing her moves Stateside...

Did you see the new leathers? I,m loving them! Looking like a sweaty wasp people call me  - haha!

Big love for helping me get them though SMB - wouldnt have them without you guys!"

 

Aaron looking awesome in his new leathers...



 Thanks, always glad to help Aaron - let's hope they keep you safe &

that the skate bearings we've sent you for your trip keep you rolling faster than the competition! :-)



Skate/Scoot videos...

Hey guys!  We've had some exciting new videos from the SMB Skate Crew - check them out:

Shannon Francis, Bristol based scooter fanatic...



Schaeffer McLean at this years 2012 NASS Festival near Bristol in England The World Cup was held here so Schaeffer couldn't enter the competitions but he had fun just messing around. Although Schaeffer couldn't get to skate the Pro Course he skated backstage with all the Girl Skaters from around the world warming up for the World Cup competition including the winners of the Xgames. His friend and girl competitor Anita Arvelo Almonte came 6th place overall. Schaeffer skated the Route One Mini ramp for a bit and got a very quick go on the Pro Course at the very end. The guys throwing themselves down the stairs were trying to win cash for best tricks. This is the video of the fun Schaeffer had...


The awesome French downhill rider Marie Bougourd (aka Spoky Woky) has been having an amazing IGSA season & has been updating her blog - check it out here

Spoky Woky takes 1st at Confortable

We'll bring you more news and updates soon - in the meantime we'd just like to say a big fat congratulations to our skate crew for being so AWESOME!!!!

Toby Newman, downhill skater...

Our friend Toby Newman has put together this little video edit for us...



Thanks for sharing Toby, it's always great to see enthusiastic young talent - keep up the great work!

Spoky Woky (aka Marie Bougourd) & the happy days of Summer...

A gorgeous video edit from number 3 ranked IGSA wonder-woman downhill-skater supremo, Spoky Woky...

Spoky Woky's comment:

"I leave my home 5 weeks to follow Downhill events in europe , awesome trip , nice people ! can't wait to do it again next year !" 

We can't wait to see how you get on next year Spoky Woky, you're a real inspiration!

Spoky Woky (aka Marie Bougourd)

What a busy girl Spoky has been! Check out this awesome interview with Longboard Girls Crew: http://longboardgirlscrew.com/2011/11/spoky-woky/ - it features our very own Spoky & her exploits & quite rightly lists her as an inspiration to many on the IGSA racing circuit & beyond.



And she's just launched her own blog too! http://spokyonwheels.tumblr.com/

You go girl!

SMB Sponsored downhill skaters rampage...

... & their exploits are caught on camera by friend & fellow downhill skate-nut Oliver Slaughter...


Euro Bandito from Oliver Slaughter on Vimeo.


Thanks for sharing guys! The video gives a real feel for the speeds involved in downhill skateboarding - Aaron Skippings looks awesome as he sweeps down giant slopes, even if he is filming his own butt with a camera on a stick... ;0)  And John Griffiths shows us how to do press-ups & make the most of your flowing locks simultaneously - that is a real skill people!