Tag: Tony Hawk

Skate for the Gold

SkateboardingWe can only wonder what Pierre de Coubertin would think? He was the founder of the International Olympic Committee and it was his vision that resulted in the modern Olympics, but he was also very much a product of the late 19th century. So perhaps the news that skateboarding might be added to further Olympic Games might not have sat well with de Coubertin – yet he also knew that the games had to evolve with the times.

At any rate, Tony Hawk told Larry King – as reported by ESPN – that he’d like to see skateboarding in the games and that it was likely that the IOC would add the sport to the 2020 Games. Given that the Hawkman will be 52 if and when this happens we’re not sure he’ll get to go for the Gold, but it would be interesting to see how the Summer Olympics might evolve.

[Via ESPN: Tony Hawk Discusses Olympic Possibilities]

Weekend Reading List (08.03.2013): Serrota Off the Road, Be the Coach, Hawk and Games

Serrota Off the Road

Serotta

From Bicycle Retailer: Serotta lays off 40% of workforce, planning shutdown
Serotta has laid off 40 percent of its workforce and is planning to shut down production in the next two weeks, CEO Bill Watkins told BRAIN on Wednesday. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (08.03.2013): Serrota Off the Road, Be the Coach, Hawk and Games

Hawkman Deck Goes to the Smithsonian

Tony-HawkArt is something that remains subjective, but the Smithsonian Institution isn’t just about fine art – it also is a chronicle of the influence left by pop culture. To this end it is fitting that skateboard legend Tony Hawk will be donating his first skateboard to the Smithsonian this Saturday.

Tony Hawk Instagram Site

Tony Hawk “Teaches” Physics

We knew the Hawkman could catch some air, but now comes word that Tony Hawk is teaching science – sort of. Actually Tony Hawk: Rad Science is a new family-friendly exhibit at Lawrence Hall of Science on the UC Berkeley campus.

This presentation teaches visitors about physics through skateboarding of course, and re-creates the typical skate park or empty pool while including footage of Hawk doing what he does best. The exhibit features more than 20 interactive experiences where visitors of all ages can understand how a man on a board can do what he does. Some of these allow parents and kids to “ride” stationary boards – and this teaches how center of mass needs to be placed to perform those tricks. Safety is also emphasized at the exhibit in the experience called “Wipehout Ambulance,” which details how inventions such as helmets, kneepads and wrist guards help keep riders from taking a ride in the meat wagon.

The exhibit will run through early September.

Lawrence Hall of Science Official Website

Shred in the Mall with Tony Hawk

While many shopping malls and other community establishments have banned skateboarding, this fall you’ll be able to grind your way with Tony Hawk during an upcoming tour. The Hawkman won’t be making personal appearances however, but this could be the next best thing as Activision is taking Tony Hawk: Shred on a national mall tour – but totally unlike those old mall tours with Tiffany and Debbie Gibson.

The 10-city Mall Tour kicked off this past weekend, and is giving fans a chance to jump on the game’s unique board controller and experience the thrill of skate and snowboarding. The best part is that no one will chase you away for being possessed to skate.

Upcoming dates include:

  • Rockaway Town Square, New York, NY – October 23 – 24
  • Plymouth Meeting Mall, Philadelphia, PA – October 30 –  31
  • Virginia Center Commons, Washington, DC – November  6 –7
  • Orland Square, Chicago, IL – November 13 – 14
  • Mall of Georgia, Atlanta, GA – November 20 – 21
  • Katy Mills, Houston, Texas – November 27 – 28
  • Irving Mall, Dallas, Texas – December  4 – 5
  • Brea Mall, Los Angeles, Calif. – December 11 – 12
  • Stoneridge Mall, San Francisco, Calif. – December 18 – 19

Shred will be in stores on October 26.

Tony Hawk Shred Official Website

Skateboard Controller Improved for New Game Says Hawk

There is the timeless question about building a better mousetrap, as most of the time simple is usually the best way. The same can be said when it comes to building a better game controller. The team behind the upcoming Tony Hawk: Shred video game realized this as well, and addressed the numerous flaws with the game’s skateboard shaped controller. The device had been developed for the previous title in the series, Tony Hawk: Ride.

Many of the reviews suggested it was more like Tony Hawk: Crash and Burn, as the skateboard peripheral failed to deliver. But the flaw it seems was the result of the game’s code, not the device itself says the Hawkman. Continue reading Skateboard Controller Improved for New Game Says Hawk

Tony Hawk Flies Again New Game

After the last game it looked like the Hawkman’s wings were clipped for good, as Tony Hawk Ride wasn’t so much a thrill ride as outright spill. But you can’t keep a good skater down, and the champ of the board is rising from the ashes, proving he’s a video game phoenix. All indications say it looks like he’ll back in full video game form with the upcoming Tony Hawk: SHRED, in part because this arcade style game isn’t just about the usual sidewalk surfing either. This time the game includes both skateboarding and snowboarding action, and more importantly puts players on a truly revolutionized controller to get the wannabes off the couch and on a virtual deck. Continue reading Tony Hawk Flies Again New Game

Big in Japan: The Robo Skateboard

The Segway is really just a grown-up version of those annoying kiddie scooters – a fad that we keep hoping will finally run out of steam. So we’re skeptical about the still very much in development robotic skateboard that is currently being tested in Japan. Why do the Japanese need a robotic skateboard would be the first question to ask, as the island nation is rather crowded to say the least!

But that doesn’t seem to stop the designers at the Shibaura Institute of Technology in Tokyo from working on a very high-tech board. The Robo-Skateboard prototype according to online reports weights about 15kg, is about 30cm wide and 60cm long and about 25cm thick. It works much like a regular skateboard, where you stand on it and lean to make turns. Your shifting body weight will thus let you steer, but lean forward and you’ll get to pick up some speed. Put your weight directly on your feet and you’ll be flying like Tony Hawk – almost anyway, as this board can hit speeds of 10kph.

Continue reading Big in Japan: The Robo Skateboard