Freeboarding Mount Olympus
It was only at the last minute that we spotted the wild horses by the side of the road. Enough to make an epic ride down the newly paved hairpins of Mount Olympus even more awesome…
While Freeboarding has been around for a while now, it’s never really grabbed mainstream attention, for a variety of reasons depending on who you talk to. The purists say it’s too much like snowboarding and not similar enough to downhill skating, where higher speeds and full body participation play a major role in defining the sport. Others say it’s just a style thing. Whatever your cup of tea might look like, I can only tell you what it felt like while I filmed Lazaro sliding down the powder pavement, around the corners and precariously close to the edge of the turns. Hanging out the side of the car, one hand was on the roof rack while the other one holding the camera had gone completely numb from the cold. Still, watching Lazaro switch between regular and goofy, adjusting his speed coming into the hairpins, the whole while keeping his balance perfectly aligned with the akward looking wheel setup was fascinating. Admittedly I had never filmed it before, and probably only seen a freeboard up close a couple of times, so there was a uniqueness factor to the whole thing, but throw the scenery and the horses into the mix and my heart was melting by the time my fingers regained feeling later on in the refuge.
If you freeboard in Greece or want to get started talk to the boys from NGR (North Greece Riders) for info on spots, boards and maybe a few tips.
This video was filmed on the West side of Mount Olympus by the KEOAX military ski facility.
Special thanks to Lazaros Kotakidis for shredding and Giannis Giannopoulos for the nifty driving skills.
Jacket Drop – ATHENS – Latraac NOV 5
Last Sunday we managed to get a ton of warm winter clothes donated for refugees. The clothes have already arrived and are being distributed by TruckShop in Thessaloniki, and hopefully some fingers and toes will be a bit warmer this winter!
Huge thanks to Katerina Soldatou and her amazing aerial dancers, LATRAAC Skate Park and Canteen and everyone who came down to enjoy a tasty beverage in the sun!
Missed the event? Don’t worry, you can take your warm winter B Sides to the donation program at Khora in Athens. Find them here – www.khora-athens.org/donate/
Stay tuned for more mini-events on www.thethingaboutgreece.com
Ευχαριστούμε και το Βαλάντη Χατζίας για τις φωτογραφίες σκέιτ!
Also check out
Katerina Soldatou at www.aerialeverafter.gr
Latraac at www.facebook.com/LATRAAC/
Truckshop at www.facebook.com/freedomofchoiceproject
Riders Fro Refugees at www.facebook.com/ridersforrefugees
Skate Greece – we are all made of stars… dkms at #latraac
1. Fruit salad or beefy steak?
I guess both… I can’t decide!!
2. What bowls have you ridden in Greece and what’s your favourite one?
I’ve ridden most of them but my two favourite ones are latraac and the blue enigma bowl which is super hard to ride!
3. Do’s and Don’ts for bowl riding
l’m gonna talk about the (Don’ts) only. If you are not feeling hundred percent your body do not drop in the ramp, just let it go. There is always next time. That’s my first rule to everything.
4. 4 down?
Yeah! I started riding 4 down last year and it’s way better than the usual grind wheel setup. You can turn really fast and it’s perfect for bowl and stuff l think.
5. What does dkms stand for?
There is not any deep meaning behind it, it’s just my last name. (Diakoumeas) hehe!
