Downhill Motion - DVD - by Future Classic

Downhill motion is both a tribute to the roots of skateboarding, as well as a documentary about the history of its riders and riding styles.

The movie is entirely comprised of older footage, and has a very soulful "feel" about it. Here you'll find the graceful "freestyle" tricks and spins, as well as the all-out insanity hill-bombing footage of riders going in excess of 55 mph on a 30" board with 3" trucks. Barefoot.

Most of the filming is from Southern California, and includes some of the big-wigs in the sport at the time like Bob Neishi.

Some of the riding sequences, as well as the skill displayed during alot of the film are absolutely astonishing. In light of the technology that the skaters had to work with in the 60's and 70's, they easily surpass the ability of most riders today, with better boards, better trucks and better wheels. That alone says alot about the intensity of skateboarding in that era - as well as the intensity and dedication that were a vital and driving element of the very origin of the sport.

The DVD also includes a bonus surf movie, "Ulawatu", featuring Gerry Lopez in Indonesia, surfing alone in big, perfect Indo waves. It's a fairly simple film (basically just Gerry surfing, surfing some more, and then, yet again, surfing). But if you're a fan of the "Endless Summer", you'll love it - it's a classic on its own.

Something that "Ulawatu" does in complementing "Downhill Motion", is it reinforces both the uniqueness, similarites and "lifestyle" of both surfing and skateboarding. Study the stances and movements of Gerry shooting down the face of an 8-foot Indonesian barrel, and then compare that to the general style and posture of the skateboarders of that era. You'll begin to see just how connected the two sports really are - while maintaining a definite independance from eachother simultaneously.

We loved the movie, and will continue to watch it ritualistically before sessions to get ourselves psyched up.

Verdict: If you haven't seen it already, you ARE missing out. Go and see it, or better yet, buy it.

-Chris Rempel, LongboardDirectory.com

Check out these related websites for more information on the Downhill Motion DVD:

www.futureclassic.net

 

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