Easy Skateboarding

Iconoculture: Yep. Skateboarding’s popular, but not everyone’s ready to stick the sick tricks. Garage Manufacturing’s Softrucks practice (non)wheels for skateboard decks that let newbies learn, practice, and perfect tricks without wheels (or the outdoors) getting in the way. Made from flexible urethane, these stationary trucks simulate actual skating conditions to let the rider master footwork while maintaining balance.
Skateboarding is attracting the little dudes. Experts estimate that some 12 million Americans skateboard, and Tony Hawk Foundation member Miki Vuckovich notes that tweens are the sport’s fastest-growing segment (AP 8.16.04). Which means that the sport’s developing a side stream of safety and coaching products – from helmets, learning ramps, training videos, electronically enhanced boards – for mini–Tony Hawks to ollie up … not ollie-oops.
On Deck [Iconoculture]