Hood River Downtown Showdown

USASA Hood Series Rail Jam Tomorrow...Hood River Downtown Showdown registration starts at 8am...practice 10am...Comp Noon...4th Street and Oak Street...LIVE WEB CAST at www.sk8ips.com click on "LIVE WEB CAST"

Winter is around the corner!

Well it's been sometime since I have posted anything. We is around the corner here in Hood River, today has been rainy and cold. Government Camp reports 6 inches in the last two hour, it's 1PM as I write. Timberline will run lifts tomorrow. The kids are out of school for the next 5 days starting tomorrow so I guess we should go up and make some turns.

Sean in Neff video edit

I can across this vide on the Neff blog site. It's Neff at Windells this summer. Sean and Tucker FitzSimons have a few clips skating Windells. Also IPS Rider Dylan Thompson killing the snow. Check it out.

Neff Windells 2010 from Neff Headwear on Vimeo.

IPS Skate Shop Sold

Here is a shot from our first Snowboard / Freestyle Ski Camp held at Timberline on Mt. Hood. Autumn Inouye doing her first rail.

Well I sold the shop to Mark Partain. Mark skates for Old Man Army, Bones wheel and bearings and Indy... He has deep roots in the industry and still kills it skating. Mark will change the name to HRSS (Hood River Skate Supply) and the new phone number is 541 436-0676.

It's been a good ride for the last 4 1/2 years but now it on to my next project: IPS Academy. We will be concentrating on skate and snow camps as well as private coaching. Also I will be running all the USASA Mt Hood Series Snowboard comps the coming winter season.

I would like to thank all of you who have supported us over the years and hope all you go in and say hi to Mark.

IPS Go Skateboarding Day 2010

Father's day !

Come on down and pick up your pop's a new skate ! He would be stoked !

Our first all girl skate camp with a couple little guy's

IPS skate Academy, Session#2, Day 2 (basic, push and balance, clinic)

skate camp is going strong !

Roasting coffee at the HR Coffee Company

Well every so often I fill in at the Hood River Coffee Company roasting coffee for Mark and Peggy. This time it's because Mark is on a solo climb of El Capitan. Mark is 54 years old and will become the oldest to solo this route. It has taken him a total of 13 days which he will summit sometime today. When you solo, you need to carry all your supplies like a gallon of water for each day (gallon weights 8 lbs.) so thats almost 100 plus pounds in just water. Then you actually climb your route twice, you climb a pitch setting anchors along the way, haul your bag with all your gear, repeal down and clean up all your anchors you set before moving on to the next pitch. Quite a feat! Way to go Mark.

What's next in Snowboarding?

The Triple Cork from torstein horgmo on Vimeo.

Skate camp session 2, day 1, IPS style !

Here a video from our Session 2 camp. It was a two day camp but the second day got rained out. It rescheduled for Sunday June 13th. Thanks Mark for putting this video together.

Skate Camp Session 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybN72aHQkz8

If You missed It

If you missed watching the live web cast of this year ProTec Pool Party. Here just some of the highlights of the finals.

New Site

Well Wally has been working hard on a new site for IPS Academy which will replace our shop site. Don't worry the shop site is still up and there is a link from the Academy's site. We are focusing our attentions to running more camps in both skate and snow, as well as clinics, bus tours and events.
check it out at www.sk8ips.com

Massive Front Flip

Sorry for the language at the end of this video.

IPS , First Friday Rocked this year ! Thanks Wally and O.A.C. also The IPS Sk8 Crew

New Jump at Timberline

IPS to carry new roller blade suits!

Roller blading is making a come back.

Order your suit or suits today!

Actually this is nuts, I just wanted you to say:

"What the F*&%K is this guy doing and why?"

upside down f-side carve !

Partain made his Mom a video for Mother's day !

Huge Gap Ollie By Corey Duffel

we sale Corey Duffel stuff at IPS this is one reason why !

Everyday Choices For Hood River

Well spring is finally here after few early spring snow storms. Summer is around corner and school is almost out. The wind and salmon/steelhead have begone coming back from the west and the mud is beginning to dry. So what we have here in Hood River is daily choices to make.

NOW WHICH ONE? Maybe make two or three or hell do them all.

Should Mountain bike Post Canyon or Skate the Hood River Skatepark?

Maybe we should climb Mt. Hood or Mt. Adams?

Or should we just hop on the lifts at Timberline and hit all the terrain parks?

But I hear the wind is going to NUKE!

Swell City? The Hatchery? Sandpit anyone? The Wall?

Hell let's do a downwinder Viento to Hood or Cellio to Maryhill?

A bunch of guys/gals are getting ready to launch the White Salmon, the fall is in full swing from the winter snow melt. Hey but the salmon and steelhead have begun running all the rivers.

We could fish then go do some of the other sports here and finish off with some beers/wine and a BBQ. Choices, Choices, Choices What to do today?

Neil Blender Art Show

This is one of my favorite shots of me taken by Grant Brittain in the keyhole of the Del Mar skatepark back in 1981. Those were the days we would surf in the morning, skate in the afternoon, surf again before the sun went down and skate again at night...

West Linn Skatepark Slalom

Anders M. crosses the finish line with a 24.85, good enough

to take 2nd place in the 8 and under group.

Treavor P. goes through the last gate before the finish and

take 3rd in the 8 and group with a time of 26.29.

Tucker FitzSimons on his way to winning the 9-12 expert class by

almost 4 seconds with a blistering time of 32.97 seconds.

West Linn Skatepark Slalom

Third place Justin E. in the 9-12 expert class navigates one of the hip gate

8 And Under winner Ray S. with a time of 24.85

Evan P. places 2nd in the 9-12 expert class with a smooth turn.

Greg making sure 'waivers' and entry's are paid. Thanks Greg!

This man, this is the guy we all can Thank- West Linn Park And Rec's Ken Warner. Fresh from a Mexican Cruise and peeling like an onion he helped run the timing system and certified the results. Seriously- this event would not have happened if it wasn't for this man. Thanks Ken!

West Linn Skatepark Slalom

The Start box. Practice was interesting to watch- those who know the course had no problem charging around- those 'first timers' had bulging eyeballs and butterflies were booming. Some guys tried it twice- and said- forget it. This event challenged everyone who entered.

Course went up quick this year- A few minor tweaks here and there- Wally added his complicated 'Brokeback' turns in the deep bowl but made the finish fast. Thanks to everyone that helped out.

Everyone waiting for the results and awards to be given out.

The awards. Handcrafted and customized. 1st, 2nd and 3rd received some glass.

For the first time at this event- we had a massive 8 and Under class- so I quickly set a course on the deck of the West Linn skatepark that wasn't 'intimidating' is the now dubbed 'Peewee Course' and it hosted some really good racing. These little guys were jazzed on it.

West Linn Skatepark Slalom Winners

50+

Tom Inouye 31.39

40-49

Mark Partain 29.75

Rich Burton 32.72

Chuck E. 45.11

West Linn Skatepark Slalom Winners

30-39

Tim Eberly *Fastest Time of the Day! 29.57

Dave Arpin 36.15

Jason B. 36.39

13-15

Jake R. 34.67

9-12 (Expert Class)

Tucker Fitzsimmons 32.97

Evan P. 36.31

Justin E 37.46

9-12 (Beg Class)

Joey Villa 21.66

Brennen P. 33.56

8 And Under

Ray S. 24.85

Anders M. 24.85

Treavor P. 26.29

Damon H. 31.08

Peter M. 33.37

New EA's Skate 3 promo video

West Linn Skatepark Slalom

More Lost Photos

These are some shots of Trent Walker from a few years ago.

Mark Partain

Help my buddy out; Bill Billing and Family

To all my friends, family and business associates,
Some of you may know about the work that my family has been blessed to have the chance to do over in Egypt. If not, I’ll give you a quick rundown. Since 2006 we have made three trips to Egypt to volunteer at the Wadi sports camp where we are coaches to Muslim kids in all types of sports. The first year I brought some skateboards with me because, well I’m a skater. That first year I built a little ramp and it sort of took off from there. I have since left almost 50 skateboards there and skateboarding has become one of the most popular “sports” at the camp.
Here are some links to blogs I have done about our trips over there.
Please take a moment to check them out.

http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/showthread.php?t=2053&highlight=egypt

http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/showthread.php?t=4467&highlight=egypt 2nd year

http://discussion.socalskateparks.com/showthread.php?t=7713 Last year.

All of these trips were only made possible by people like you who donated money or product that we either used to raise money to get us there or that we brought with us to give away to the kids. In the past, companies such as VANS, theSkateboardmag, Powell, Forest, SocalSkateshop, and others have donated product or funding.
It costs us $7,500 as a family to go over there for two weeks and work at the camp and we are tasked with raising all of that money ourselves. If you can, please donate to our cause! No donation is too small because they all add up and they can be made by either writing a check made out to;
North Coast Calvary Chapel C.O. the Billing Family
And sent via snail mail to;
Billing Family
4796 Hillside Drive
Carlsbad Ca.
92008.
Or you can make a donation through Paypal to my account bray760@roadrunner.com
Or by going to the following link where you will find a drop down menu for “the Billing Family”
https://public.serviceu.com/payment/default.asp?OrgID=1700&PaymentID=
This is a secure site and all information is kept private.
Any product that you wish to donate whether it is skateboards, clothing, shoes or safety gear can be sent to our home address.

If you see it in your heart to become a part of this good cause then we thank you very much! And if you are unable to at this time then please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we prepare for another amazing journey.

Thank you,
Bill, Pat and Mariya Billing.

Montana Skateparks

From time to time I find photos on my computer that have been lost in hard drive hell so to speak. This from a Rep trip loop Tim Eberly and I took through Washington, Montana and Idaho. Shots of some of the parks we skated Sandpoint, Missoula, Polson and Kalispell.

Lance Mountain

Lance is the man! I had the opportunity to skate and talk story with Lance in this pool. I think he getting better with age.

Jackie Chan Skateboarding

Jackie Chan does all his own stunts, just look at the way he is standing on the board. I also think he use a stunt double. What do you think?

Kevin Pearce Is Finally Back Home

It has been along four months since snowboarder Kevin Pearce’s injury while training in the Park City halfpipe, but he is finally home in Vermont according to a story in the New York Times.
Kevin Pearce was on NBC’s The Today Show this morning (May 4, 2010). And it’s so good to see him back home, back communicating, and apparently on his way to a full recovery.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Sunday Skate Session

Sean FitzSimons airs the big bowl.

Tucker FitzSimons working the big bowl.

Dylan Flecther caught doing a big O kickflip.

Mark Partain airs out of the quarter pipe.

Well it's a Sunday afternoon and quite a session was going on at the Hood River skatepark. It might just be the last dry day for awhile because a winter storm is about to hit Mt Hood. Here is the mountain report for the next few days with snow level to drop to 2000 to 3000 feet.

Today: Snow showers. High near 32. Windy, with a west northwest wind between 34 and 41 mph, with gusts as high as 65 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 12 to 18 inches possible.

Tonight: Snow showers. Low around 20. Windy, with a west wind between 26 and 36 mph, with gusts as high as 49 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.

Tuesday: Snow showers. High near 24. Breezy, with a west wind between 17 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Tuesday Night: Snow showers likely, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Northwest wind between 11 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Skate with the boys

Well after Community Work day and doing a little redesigning of the shop, we all went for a skate. Mark, Tucker, Derrick, Sid and I hit the Old Highway also known as the tunnels. We grabbed a few of my slalom boards and headed out.

After a leg warming push up hill and a fast shorter downhill we hit the park. All in all it was a fun session.

Windells Camp

Spend the day touring the new concrete at Windells... Jamie Weller and crew have been busy this winter, summer camp should be off the hook.

We Love Steven Reeves at IPS

Here at IPS we love Northwest Skater Steven Reeves. He an all around skater..he skates all terrains..he just kills it.

VIMBY - Steven Reeves

Da Kids In Da Hood" part 2-mini groms

Here another video produced by Mark Partain...The groms of Hood River minus Tucker FitzSimons because he was at Lacrosse practice.

New Video of "Kids In Da Hood"

Partain Video

SPRING POW

Powder day!!! It's still snowing!

Very calm winds at the base,

light to moderate up higher.

33" of new in the last 2 days.