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Dimbit 
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Post subject:
 Posted: Feb 05, 2009 - 09:27 PM
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First post: Jan 27, 2009
Total posts: 22
Status: Offline
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I learned to ride at Rossendale close to 10 years ago. I spent many a great evening there as a youth loving every minute of it and watching Steve Bailey, Danny Wheeler and on occasion SCUK's own Stu Brass throwing some crazy shapes over the dendix. Twice a week for nigh on 4 years I was there. The bruises healed, the scars are reminders of fond memories. The freestyle nights were a laugh and everyone got on really well.
As has been said though, the jibby nights are not really where the money is. The freestyle sessions are a way of eeking out some cash when no one else is about. Lessons are the cash cow, and nowadays someone who's never skid before, doesn't know any better, and is looking to learn without having to overdose on vitamin I to kill the pain is going to drive to a fridge in preference to plastic every time.
I remember ski ross was being rescued from the brink of closure every couple of years even back then. Somehow it always managed to scrape through despite crap management (often by the council) and lack of investment. I can't say whether anything's changed because I moved away, but maybe this time, sadly, its time has come.
edit: actually it's nearer 12 years ago. s*** I'm old! |
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DTMVTEC
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Post subject:
Posted: Feb 05, 2009 - 11:37 PM
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First post: Sep 14, 2008
Total posts: 397
Status: Offline
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12 years ago ?
Wheeler wasnt ridin it then and Bailey had prob done with it too. Brass bros prob still about...
I rode there then every tuesday night and started 16 years ago. Wheeler then was hardly riding it as him and moran were sometimes just hangin about as id be starstruck..ha ha.
Stefan warmsley, col mytton and Jonny greenwood were all at it then, Ian from Dalikfodda and Noah ball, Molly and tom percival were startin out.
They were the best days of my life them days, rossy crew on the big ramp all tues come rain hail or blizzard. Pendle was in full effect too, plenty of interest on a thursday night or a sunday.
The current rossy ramp i rate as one of the best and a good scene still up there, new people seem to pop up all the time and all a good bunch. I get butterflies everytime i go up  |
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Slip and Slide, Let it Ride
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DTMVTEC
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Post subject:
Posted: Feb 05, 2009 - 11:38 PM
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First post: Sep 14, 2008
Total posts: 397
Status: Offline
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| PS. dimbit we must have rode togther! |
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Slip and Slide, Let it Ride
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dunx
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Post subject:
Posted: Feb 05, 2009 - 11:52 PM
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First post: Oct 07, 2004
Total posts: 9071
Location: Herts, UK
Status: Offline
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Even the UK snowboard industry is worried about freestyle skiing. If a slope is driven by lessons, then why not concentrate on skiing/snowboarding lessons with a structured progression through to proper freestyle lessons.
I've always thought the winter sports mentality is rather a narrow one for UK slopes. Rather they should be thinking year round skateboarding on skies/snowboard. People encouraging and pushing each others progression (racing or freestyle) is what builds a self-maintaining group of regulars, not a once a year flurry of sessions to learn to ski/ride in readiness to abandon our shores for the Alps. |
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SCUK Editor • Me on Facebook • Neverland
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Ben_M
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Post subject:
Posted: Feb 06, 2009 - 12:32 AM
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First post: Dec 17, 2005
Total posts: 9
Status: Offline
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sheffield was nice and busy the other night, and with uni's coming back the place is starting to busy up again. Permanent dendix rail line got bolted down a few weeks ago too. Rail to rail to 3 halfpipe hits to corner hip/ kicker thing to kicker or quarter pipe, then some flatland jibs all in one line. Cant get that in a fridge.
http://www.vimeo.com/3094965 - it looked nice in the snow too. |
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Branny
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Post subject:
Posted: Feb 06, 2009 - 04:23 AM
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First post: Oct 11, 2004
Total posts: 4559
Location: Is in the U freakin' K
Status: Offline
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the uni market is one that a lot of slopes try and tap into, not always the easist one though as they all expect discounts, booze offers and are high maintennance on slope and in the lodge...you end up nearly paying them to come ride (not all students i know but i'll tar u with the same brush)
as for progression...i agree with dunx, that many slopes have lessons to learn to ride and then it stops, ongoing coaching doesn't happen very often..
the freeskiers have got the right idea, and Pat Sharples Salamon Grom camps seem to be a great step forward and are bringing our youf' 2 plankers on a treat.
The Maverix camps has a similar potential..it'd be nice to see them out of the domes though (5% commision please J  ) |
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http://www.facebook.com/brannyuk
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kieronh
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Post subject:
Posted: Feb 06, 2009 - 07:45 AM
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First post: Oct 11, 2004
Total posts: 2253
Location: Bournemouth - Represent!
Status: Offline
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| Yeah the key to a slopes success is to create a strong community of committed riders. Also not to look at freestyle nights only in terms of direct revenue. The more people who ride week in week out , take photos etc the more of there friends will get involved. Also for people visiting the slope im sure its more inspiring to see people doing tricks. How many times have you seen kids visiting the slope to have a look or go sledging or whatever going nuts to there parents when somebody does a good trick? Thats more likely to stick in peoples head as something they might want to do rather than people just side slipping. |
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www.dismagwi.co.uk .
Big Dreams Snowboard Shop - Dorset .
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Dimbit
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Post subject:
Posted: Feb 06, 2009 - 08:46 AM
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First post: Jan 27, 2009
Total posts: 22
Status: Offline
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DTMVTEC wrote:
PS. dimbit we must have rode togther!
Yeah, we must have. I was the guy wearing all black on a blue simple board then later a shiny lib tech. I wasn't that good but got as far as 360's back when they had the ramp out on the mini-baby-nursery slope. I went off to uni about when they built the 'park'.
You're right, Wheeler was a rare sight as was Brass, mostly only there on special occasions but I remember Bailey turning up now and again. (there were 2 Steve Baileys iirc. One of them, 'bud', was my original instructor)
I remember Stef, Col, Molly and Tom well. Noah (with the massive dreds?) disappeared about the time I was learning to dribble over a ramp.
Were you around when Jonny smashed his shoulder? Put me off for a while that did...
dunx: a self-maintaining group of regulars isn't enough to keep a dryslope going. When you think about it they don't drop that much cash. It's the once a year flurry of lessons who all hire skis, buy lunch and pay an instructor that keeps them afloat. |
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Branny
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Post subject:
Posted: Feb 06, 2009 - 11:32 AM
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First post: Oct 11, 2004
Total posts: 4559
Location: Is in the U freakin' K
Status: Offline
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unfortunatly it seems the only market at most slopes is bloody ringo's
yeovil only lasted as long as it did because of kids ringo parties during the day and metal/punk gigs at night...unfortunately the later also bought drugs busts, h&s fines and vandalism..and the other bought disney movies, ice cream and liability claims....at least i think it was that way around |
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http://www.facebook.com/brannyuk
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vennerfr
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Post subject: After further reading.... and general interest
Posted: Feb 06, 2009 - 02:13 PM
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First post: Dec 31, 2008
Total posts: 65
Location: Nottingham,Notts
Status: Offline
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akaboxy wrote:
ive never really damaged any boards on dryslope, no more than i would at a freestyle night at cas.
yeh it has been quiet recently, apart from this week, but that typical with uk slope, most people go away on seasons.
Im sure if the freestyle nights get going, they will post on here!
Everyone should give dryslope a try, you will find your techique improves sh1t loads when you go back on snow.
Firstly wot a great post!!
I think this last post high lights the main point of the recent lack of riders on UK dry Slopes... advertising!!
I'm spoilt really, living in nottingham i've got (i believe?) more choice of fridges than dry slopes! The nottingham slope has been closed i've been told for years! due to peeps sneaking onto the slope thus them not makin any cash!
BUT!!! wot has already been mentioned about over 100 slopes not replying to be added to the directory is typical of the UK, 'we've built it, so it's now up to you to make it good!...OH and you gotta pay for it too!'
I didnt even know about Halifax of any of the others and i really do take my hat off to the riders who have built it up into great nights! but may i ask wot the organisers(riders who advertised it for the slope) got in return? apart from the "great atmosphere" and good freestyle equipment?
As is also mentioned, When you learn to Race Motorbikes they dont say "ah good for you! now you can turn here's a Moto GP race bike and win!" they tutor you all the way to the top(for a price of course) so this does seem really strange, My first trip oner the pond you could get tutored for everything! freestyle board/ski, off piste, powder, even switch riding!!?(thought that would just be slope time but hay?)
Personally untill recently i was into bikes and i alway thought it would be extremely expensive to get into, I sold my Track/race bike (used to race them you see) i now see it's not expensive to get into it or go away(depending on where/how you go obviously) But on this occasion i'm gonna dig my heals in and say that due to my central location and due top my job i'm able to really take advantage of the deals in the fridges, so i'll be a dry slope virgin for the fore-seeable future.
But again it's just a shame it's up to "US" to do all the hard work for our sport as usual!
BUT can i ask another question... with "SUPER-Domes" like Norwich bein built, wot then for dryslopes??
And secondly, is wot i've been told wrong about dry slopes, about melting the base of boards of used regularly?(i.e. 2 times a week?)[/b][/i] |
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Branny
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Post subject: RE: After further reading.... and general interest
Posted: Feb 06, 2009 - 03:04 PM
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First post: Oct 11, 2004
Total posts: 4559
Location: Is in the U freakin' K
Status: Offline
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Quote:
And secondly, is wot i've been told wrong about dry slopes, about melting the base of boards of used regularly?(i.e. 2 times a week?)
yep complete crap |
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http://www.facebook.com/brannyuk
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Dimbit
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Post subject: RE: After further reading.... and general interest
Posted: Feb 06, 2009 - 03:11 PM
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First post: Jan 27, 2009
Total posts: 22
Status: Offline
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"dryslopes melt boards" = b*llocks. Does a toothbrush melt your teeth?
You do need to wax and sharpen more often, but they're no more damaging to a board than icy rocky pistes. They are more damaging to riders tho. |
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vennerfr
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Post subject: Re: RE: After further reading.... and general interest
Posted: Feb 06, 2009 - 03:56 PM
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First post: Dec 31, 2008
Total posts: 65
Location: Nottingham,Notts
Status: Offline
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Dimbit wrote:
"dryslopes melt boards" = b*llocks.
LMAO! fab! well you learn something new everyday! thanks fella's |
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craignixon
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: After further reading.... and general interest
Posted: Feb 06, 2009 - 04:03 PM
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First post: Oct 07, 2007
Total posts: 3307
Location: Nottingham
Status: Offline
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There's a Notts slope?
Wheres that then? |
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Bok! Bok!
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DTMVTEC
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Post subject:
Posted: Feb 08, 2009 - 01:49 PM
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First post: Sep 14, 2008
Total posts: 397
Status: Offline
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Hmm not sure if i can remember Jonny doing his shoulder... A lot were doing halifax then when we had to ride the baby slope. As the big ramp got broken up by rossendale staff as it was 'unsafe'. Bloody mindless idiots who have no idea. So it killed the main slope for me.
Heres an old pic of rossy when we were young...
L-R we have... Col Mytton, Me, Jonny Greenwood, stefan warmsley at the rear, jamie in front of him,rad rick, Noah and Si Iguchi (yes he looks like bryan) few others i cant remember but your not on it are u?
Them were the days |
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