So, the skate industry recently published a 32 page guide about the negative affects on our industry because of the sales of blank decks. In my opinion it was actually about shop boards and blanks, but it was presented as if it was just about blank decks, because it's not smart to get in the faces of the shops that keep you in business, so that slap in the face happened on accident--oops!!  Oh, and irritating more than a few skaters by telling them they were doing something awful to skateboarding--well, that didn't help.

This put me in a weird spot as I am on the board of directors of the organization who put their name on the guide, and that was embarrassing as the organization had done a lot of other great stuff and I've worked hard to do good things for them and for the future of skateboarding. This was and will be a major setback for them, but I will continue to do what I can to help them accomplish good things in the future and avoid stupid mistakes like this.

I warned the board of directors what they were doing was not very smart, and I will admit that I signed off on the guide, with many comments, but none the less, I should have just said no, even though it would not have stopped any of this! It appeared to me that the guide was trying to get all the skaters and shops to think they were going to leave all the poor neglected pro's out on the street and without food. Actually, I think the major forces behind this guide were more worried about themsleves being out in the cold. I feel that there were a few people lurking in the background pushing buttons too. Anyone with a brain realizes that real pro's will never starve, but this agenda in my opinion did lead things down a really dumb path. Sadly enough, it can be argued that this guide was used to get the industry to promote the latest agenda of a few.

We'll never know the entire story, and let's face it, no one could know the entire truth when you've got conversations and emails taking place outside of the realm of the organization being used to front the agenda. In the end this guide really caused the shit to hit the fan, and the backlash has been pretty strong. Shops are pretty pissed about being accused of trying to ruin the industry when they are just reacting to issues caused by the skateboard industry itself. They should be the pissed at the industry, not the other way around. A lot of skaters are unhappy because they been supporting the pro scene forever, buying videos, magazines, clothing, and while they may have bought a blank or two or a shop board here and there, most have also spent money on pro boards. Now, skaters are being told that they are doing something evil to the pro skaters, and it's eluded to that they should spend more money because that company spent money to promote it’s brand--Damn, I’d be pissed to. The industry shouldn't be running ads with pro's with diamond neclaces on, and fancy cars if they are gonna cry poor to the people paying for it. Hell, if Pepsi told me I should spend .25 more per can to buy their brand because they ran lots of ads and had to pay superstars to be in them, I think I’d buy the generic brand too. Some things are best left alone, and this issue was one of them. There will always be pro skaters, because there will always be awesome skaters just aching for their chance to step up and prove it, and in todays world they are going to make their money off of clothing and shoe sponsors anyways. 

Okay, so part of me is just laughing. From a marketing standpoint, I'd love nothing more than to have this guide point out the fact that there are only a handful of real skateboard companies that make their own boards (Sorry I don't count Chinese factory partnerships as making your own boards-first can't you can't really own it 100%, and 2nd cause you can't really touch it unless you get on a plane and fly there). This misguided attempt at making people feel guilty accidentally shined the light on the fact that the industry went to China for low costs and big profits and not for anything beneficial to skateboarders who buy the product. Most prices on Chinese products are not lower to you! In fact, many companies have lied to you and sold you boards made very cheap in China and you didn't even know they came from China. I guess these guys are the ones you should be trusting--right! Vote for me--I mean pay more for my stuff--politicians or skate brands? Who cares, I don't want to support someone who is lying to me to get my money. 

Thanks guys, I couldn't have asked for a better issue for you to put out into the press, and I didn't have to pay for it the way many paid thousands to run their empty minded ads in the misguided publication to support the weak cause of why skaters should give them money for boards that are often worse than many shop decks.  The whole thing was just weak as hell as far as I am concerned and I hope those behind this thing learn their lesson and not take skaters for granted any more. If they skated or hung around those who bought there products more frequently, maybe they'd be in better touch with who their customers are and what they want.  

You can make up your own mind on the whole blank board, shop board controversy, and don't let anyone tell you what to buy--find out some of the truths and think for yourself. Support those you feel good about supporting--your local shop, your favorite brand, your favorite woodshop, or some toy factory in asia. It's your choice.

I may add a little more to this section when I get time, but I just had to say something about this whole stupid can of worms that was opened up by a greedy, manipulative, and misguided agenda. 

Others have spoke and you can find their opinions at www.aworldwithoutpros.com, www.aworldwithoutceos.com, www.aworldwithoutskateshops.com, and many, many bulletin boards throughout the web. 

Make up your own mind, and don't be told what to do by anyone. That goes against the very nature of skateboarders!!!!

If you want to know who made your board, and want to support skaters that are making boards, not just using skaters to front for them, then we’ll be here. 

Thanks for reading my first blog. There will be more to come for those who care.  

Jim Gray