Ryan skated in a statewide competition yesterday. He took 2nd place. Not bad for a 15 year old with big dreams ...

He wants to skate in the Xgames next year. He's hoping to be sponsored by Razors, or Senate, (but, he wouldn't turn down any manufacturer)

I'm hoping he gets sponsored too! When they sponsor a skater they pay him to compete and they pay for all the gear.

Wheels are $8.00 each and we replace them once a month, then there's frames at $99.00 replaced every 6 weeks or so, soul plates - every two months he needs new ones, heel plates, liners, boots, etc. His skates altogether cost about $500.00 -

and I can remember straping roller skates on to my shoes that we rented for $2.00 (to skate in the gym.) I think they cost like $15.00 at Sears - we didn't even have rollerblades back then!

Street skating is not the same as rollerblading. 1st there's no brakes, and you don't rollerblade off handrails and down walls.

I've posted pictures of Ryan skating in a normal park, but you should see the video he and his skaterboy friends made.

I have to stop watching when they get to the "Nutcracker" scenes...(that's what the boys call it) these guys skate down handrails without helmets or pads and sometimes they miss and...... Let me know if you want to see the video.

One of Ryan's "hero's" Murda - a skater on the Razor's team - was supposed to be at the comp yesterday. He and Ryan are friends but, they haven't seen each other in months. I hope Murda can help get Ryan sponsored.

2nd place is pretty good for someone who was skating against 16 year olds and up. Although it's not a "normal" sport like soccer or football - I have to remind myself - " Normal is a setting on the washing machine" (Pam taught me that).

~V