Razors Australia Korey ‘Sneaky’ Waikiki SL Promo featuring Martin Gade and Tom Scofield

Martin Gade Razors SL

Just ahead of the Australian Rolling Open this weekend, Thomas Dalbis has dropped a killer new promo for Razors Australia to promote the new Korey Waikiki SL Pro model skates.

Featuring Razors Australia riders Martin Gade and Tom Scofield shredding the streets of Melbourne, the edit is a killer showcase of the new skates, which many are saying are the most stylish Razors to drop in a long time. The Korey Waikiki SL Pro by Razors are available in Australia now. They feature new harder and stronger boot materials, new faster soul materials, a redesigned liner exclusive to the pro skates, a 1 inch shock absorber, new canvas skin design, razors cuff, GC Featherlite 3 frames, GC 57mm 90a wheels, ABEC 9 bearings and GC 42mm nylon Anti-Rockers.

Check out the official Korey Waikiki SL Pro Model launch edit below. Check out more from Razors here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YUwNskKT98

K2 officially announces new Unnatural and Front Street skates for 2016

K2 Unnatural 2016

[K2 has officially released its 2016 collection of skates including two new aggressive models, the Unnatural and Front Street.

While we’ve been privy to the release of the skates for a while thanks to “leaks” by Mushroom Blading and Super Cool Blading, the final products are now ready to ship and available for pre-order from retailers across the globe.

For the first time in a long time, K2 has put in some serious work into their aggressive offerings instead of rehashing the Fatty Pro and Varsity models.

Innovations include a brand new frame (looking a lot like the Kaltiks) that accommodates a flat setup of up to 61mm wheels and the return of the Teflon soul plates last seen on the classic King 55s.

Love ’em or hate ’em, it’s great to see one of the original rollerblading manufacturers putting in the time and money to come up with something new and fresh, instead of rehashing the same old tired designs some of us had been skating since the ’90s.

The end result is something that diehard K2 fans can finally get excited about and perhaps the rest of the blading community as well. The Unnatural are K2’s top of the line skates, retailing at $300US. They feature all the new innovations from the K2 lab in a stylish black, white and orange colour scheme.

FEATURES
Aggressive Cuff
Aggressive Base with Teflon® Inserts
Rockered-Optional Aggressive UFS Frame with Integrated H-block Design
60mm Wheels (frame can accommodate up to 61mm)
Adjustable Shock Absorbing Footbed
ABEC 5 Bearings

The Unnaturals obviously hold the most appeal for the core aggressive market and we expect to see quite a few rolling around when they finally hit the streets. The Front Street is a more budget-friendly option ($250US) for those who don’t want t spend the earth but still want a quality pare of skates for ramp, park or street.

Coming in a black and grey colour scheme with blue and maroon highlights, they don’t look quite as nice as the Unnaturals but still pack plenty of features including the new-look frames (but not the Teflon inserts, unfortunately).

FEATURES
Aggressive Cuff
Rockered-Optional Aggressive UFS Frame with Integrated H-block Design
56mm Wheels (frame can accommodate up to 61mm)
Adjustable Shock Absorbing Footbed
ABEC 5 Bearings

While we don’t expect the new line will set the industry on fire, it’s a solid return from one of the blading game’s original companies. Coupled with the singing of Dave Lang after the collapse of SSM, they are certainly off to a good start. To check out the full catalog for 2016, click here.

What do you think of the new K2 range of aggressive skates? 

 

Initial reaction. Thank you @k2skates! #k2skates #blading

A video posted by Dave Lang (@thedavelang) on


Valo VA.1 Light: The long awaited new Victor Arias pro skates are looking super tight

Valo Victor Arias 1 Light

Valo have just the first look at the new pro skates for veteran rider Victor Arias and they are looking super tight.

Victor Arias has long been known for having incredibly smooth, effortless style and making the most complex switch ups seem easy.

Growing up skating with legends such as Vinny Minton, Victor is a true legend of the game and is very deserving of his debut pro model.

The VA.1 Light feature leather skin a brand new pattern with brown and tan boot laces and white two-piece souls. Underneath the skin is a carbon fibre “open” shell design to accommodate a wider foot (and in some cases, allows for downsizing) because it is around 5mm wider than a standard Valo shell.

The VA.1 features wider hardware to eliminate any issues associated with the previous incarnations of the lights.

Additionally, the foot board in between the liner and the shell helps to dampen vibrations making for a more comfortable ride.

The Victor Arias Light Skates are topped off with improved Valo Light liners with a new Apache design custom tailored to Victor Arias taste.

They come standard with Valo frames with 8mm axles, Valo 58mm 88a pro team wheels, ABEC 5 bearing and Valo 42mm anti-rockers with bearings. VALO VA.1 LIGHT FEATURES:
Carbon Fiber shell, PU cuff with memory buckle
Skin made from real leather
New improved thicker “light” model liners
Valo 2 piece soul plates
Valo symmetrical frames with sturdy 8mm axles
Valo 58mm 88a pro team wheels with ABEC 5 Bearings
Valo 42mm anti rockers with ABEC 1 bearings
Made in Italy

What do you think of the Valo VA.1 Light pro models? Let us know in the comments below. 

For more from Valo, check valo-brand.com

SEBA Street present the official CJ Wellsmore Pro Model interview: edit by Dom West

CJ Wellsmore 10th anniversary

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/139586767″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]CJ Wellsmore has just dropped a new video interview to celebrate the release of his 10th Anniversary Pro Models from SEBA Street.

The new skates are basically a re-skin of his original pro models, with an updated liner, side protector and green graphic details.

Filmed and edited in his home town of Sydney by the master that is Dom West, it doesn’t feature a whole lot of tricks but does provide insight into what CJ has been up to in 2015 (including his serious hand injury), alongside heaps of spectacular scenery of Bondi with plenty of epic aerials courtesy of Dom’s new DJI Phantom Vision drone.

I don’t know about you, but it definately whets our appetite for the long-awaited Chapter II of Vine St. Bring it on!

For more from SEBA Street, check their Facebook page or Vimeo channel.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.rollerblading.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/sebacj.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Blizzard’s new game Overwatch features a rollerblading character straight from the 90s

lucio overwatch

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.rollerblading.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Lucio_012.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”false” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”40″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″]The latest game from World Of Warcraft creators Blizzard features a character who glides around on lightblades while knocking out enemies with his speaker gun (complete with obligatory “drop the beat” references).

Overwatch is a new team-based shooter from one of the most successful video game studios on the planet. Featuring both first-person shooter and MOBA influences, it is set in the “world of conflict”. Lúcio is a South American “DJ turned freedom fighter” who uses sound to destroy enemies, heal teammates and boost his team’s speed.

According to the Blizzard website: “Lúcio Correia dos Santos grew up in Rio de Janeiro, in a poor and crowded favela that was hit hard by the financial upheaval following the Omnic Crisis. As Brazil began the long process of recovery, he wanted to find a way to lift the spirits of those around him. He found his answer in music and its power to bring people together and even help them forget their troubles, if only for a short time. He performed on street corners, in block parties, and as he got older, at a string of legendary underground shows.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywTNgR3ldFc”][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”20″]”But Lúcio’s close-knit community was thrown into chaos when the multinational Vishkar Corporation secured a contract to redevelop large tracts of the city. Lúcio and his neighbors had been told that the development would improve their lives. However, that promise never became a reality. Vishkar imposed controls on the residents in the name of building a more orderly society: enforcing curfews, cracking down on what the company perceived as lawless behavior, and exploiting the populace as a cheap labor force.

“Lúcio wouldn’t stand for it. He stole Vishkar sonic technology that had been used to suppress the people, and he converted it into a tool to rally them to action. In a popular uprising, they drove Vishkar out of their neighborhoods. Lúcio’s leadership made him a star overnight and a symbol for positive social change. His music skyrocketed in popularity. Whereas he had once performed locally, he was now filling arenas across the world. With his new found fame, Lúcio realizes that he has an opportunity to make a difference and change the world for the better.”

Despite looking like he was created by a 1990s focus group gone wrong, Lúcio looks like he quite fun to play – if you can put up with the cliche overload. For more information on Overwatch or to sign up for the beta test, check battlenet[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j6vpuRfdfU”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Shima Skate Manufacturing is reportedly out of business according to pro Dave Lang

Shima Skate Manufacturing

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”http://www.rollerblading.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/shima.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”false” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Shima Skate Manufacturing is reportedly out of business, according to a post on pro Dave Lang’s Instagram.

While no official announcement has been made by Shima or SSM, we’re guessing this is the end.

Owned by Brian Shima, the company enjoyed a long history in the blade scene after rising out of the ashes of Nimh Aggressive Skate Tech.

Despite releasing their last line of skates in April, it seems we will never see the long-awaited Dave Lang pro models pictured below on his Instagram page.

Vale SSM, we’re sad to see you gone.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]

On the upside, Dave has released his 666 section, originally released as a VOD, for free.

Check it out below.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=47&v=isa7BBueOac”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Melbourne’s Hayden Golder and Brad Watson test the Circolo Paisley Grey 72mm wheels

Circolo Paisley 72mm grey

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzZHbfCpF4I”][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]The big wheel revival is in full flight, with most major companies upgrading their lines to include 70mm-plus wheels in recent times.

Circolo have been leading the charge since they launched a few years ago and their latest big wheel is the 72mm Paisley Grey (pictured below).

Aussie legends Hayden Golder and Brad Watson recently put the wheels to the test in one of Melbourne’s bowls and have dropped an edit of all thefun.

As usual with both Golder and Watson, it’s on point.

For more of Brad Watson’s videos, visit his YouTube channel. To grab yourself some of the new Circolo range, check out Bayside Blades.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.rollerblading.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Circolo-Wheel-72mmG-3T_edited1.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

ZIGZAG Zine and DVD by Jarrod Thackeray and Robbie Pitts available now on Big Cartel

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/130928014″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Jarrod Thackeray and co-conspirator Robbie Pitts have just dropped their new zine and DVD ZIGZAG at the Parallel Big Cartel webstore.

Featuring a huge cast of both Aussie and international skaters filmed in Melbourne and New York City, including Tom Coley-Sowry, James Godbehear, Jarrod Thackeray, Andy Plumridge, Matthias Ogger, Gav Drumm and Robbie Pitts, the project is not only a great showcase of skating, but a piece of art as well.

ZINE:
– A5 / 32 Page / 120 GSM Uncoated Stock
– Full Colour Laser Print
– Saddle Stitch
– Edition of 50

DVD:
– Running Time: 10 mins
– Filmed on Location: Melbourne, Australia & New York City, USA

We highly recommend grabbing yourself your limited edition copy of ZIGZAG for only $20 at parallelstore.bigcartel.com[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.rollerblading.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/rsz_1zinefinal12.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”false” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Aussie legend Hayden Golder tests the new Sic Urethane Fritz Peitzner pro wheels

Hayden Golder SIC Urethane

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZBD4ptrpbE”][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Brad Watson has just dropped a new edit of Aussie OG Hayden Golder testing out the new Sic Urethane Fritz Peitzner pro wheels.

While it’s a short edit, it’s definitely sweet, with Hayden getting some serious airtime. The wheels are available at Bayside Blades now.

For more information on the Fritz Peitzner pro wheels or the entire Sic Urethane line, check sicurethane.com

For more of Brad Watson’s edit, check out his YouTube channel[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.rollerblading.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/sic.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Matt Caratelli drops edit and review of the Seba aggressive frames for Bayside Blades

Matt Caratelli frame review

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/123479634″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Melbourne shredder Matt Caratelli has just dropped an online edit and review of Seba’s aggressive frames for Bayside Blades.

Alongside some killer skating at St Kilda, Yea and Newport parks, Matt has plenty of nice things to say about the Seba frames, which were launched in conjunction with the CJ Wellsmore pro model skates last year.

Matt said while the frames were heavier than the last frames he was riding, they were much more solid. The side H-block groove meant they have great centre of gravity for H-block tricks, meaning he can lean back on tricks and landings a bit more than usual and helped him air more on ramps/bowls. The downside was he had a reduced turning circle.

The frames are slightly wider than others on the market, which helped with cess slides and meant you couldn’t wear your wheels down as far. He also noted that he previously rode medium frames on a small boot, but compared to his previous frames, the length was definitely noticeable.

The Seba Frames are available in Australia now via Bayside Blades.

Filmed by Kev San Jose, Brad Struzycki and Mark Kowald.
Song: JJ DOOM – Guv_’nor (BADBADNOTGOOD Remix)

For more of Matt Caratelli’s videos, check out his Vimeo page.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”http://www.rollerblading.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/caratelli.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”450″ crop=”true” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”25″][/vc_column][/vc_row]