braille made skateboarding look fun and inviting to new people, soooo many comments of people saying they just bought their first Board because they were inspired. it seems a lot of the hardcore skate channels make skateboarding too serious where as braille and revive made skateboarding fun and for everyone but thats just my take
Good comment! I can really appreciate that. Other people are saying they're the alternative to the cheap Walmart board. So they're actually taking money from the knockoff Chinese stuff, not the real skate brands.
Miles4lyfe Why? Is this some elitest club? Considering how skateboarders have had a history of being social outcasts, I think you're being a bit disrespectful to those who worked so hard to make skating an accepted and publicly recognized sport/hobby.
hel lo So Skating is only for "poor", "inner-city" types, is that your point? Considering that skateboards from brands at skate shops cost easily over $100, how is that for poor people? So if I happen to live in a small town or in the country, skating isn't about or for me? Is that your point? That would mean only an insanely small percentage of the population should be allowed to skateboard, thus reducing profits from the sport/hobby, thus reducing brands, shops, and groups to lobby against anti-skateboarding legislation. Stop the Skateboarding snobbery. People of all types and locations like skateboarding for more than just an 'escape'.
hel lo Thanks for the reply. In your post, you mention "suburban", thus implying that skating is based on where one lives. You also mentioned that skating is only for those who have something "shitty going on". So if one doesn't struggle, skateboarding isn't for them? My point is that often Skateboarders complain when their Skateboarding community struggles and complains when it grows to be more inclusive. I tried to learn Skateboarding growing up, but didn't succeed. Revive kinda inspired me to try again. I get your point about Skateboarding being raw and punk, but can't skateboarding mature or evolve to be more than just raw, punk attitude/mindset?
I agree as well. We get the occasional TED talk by Rodney and we get this channel. But more importantly I think a good argument can be put forward that skateboarding is an art form (apart from a sport and a mode of transportation). If that is the case then it is an art form that is undertheorized and lacking methods of critique that analyze styles and tricks within a historic context. Rad Rat is starting this process and might just end up the Lester Bangs or Roger Ebert of Skateboarding.
Thanks a lot! I'm doing my best to grow, but it's been a slow process. I average less than a thousand views on my videos, but still, that's like talking to a huge auditorium of people every week! It's an honor to be able to get out there that much
Rad Rat Video You could always buy advertising on UA-cam. Not sure how pricey it is though. Those ads would show on other, larger skating channels, and boom, there's 10,000 subs. Then again, if you want to get a large sub count through effort, it's much more of an achievement (no offense to anyone who buys ads).
I believe you deserve more too.You work hard to make those videos.I think you know the way to become more famous but you just dont want to do that with those means(clickbaiting,collaborations).I think those videos is somethin you love and intersted in doing and you dont wanna take advantage of it for money.Although collaborations arent a bad thing sometimes it changes your way of thinking.Anyway I like your videos you have points that many forget to point out in the internet when they say their view.Keep doing what you doing,i believe you are voice needed.
two questions: Revive IMHO serves as the introduction to skateboarding that most skateboarders as they progress will begin purchasing different products. In fact Revive was a big reason why I picked up skating after 12+ years from when I was a kid. The name Revive I think is to re-create the 90's boom because the elite brands are hard to identify with for novice/beginners. I bought 1 Revive deck and now have moved on to Almost and Zero. My second question is do you still skateboard? how often? for fun? Another thing is that Aaron Kyro brings back the element that skating should be fun, and most people who skate do so just for fun. I know that I will never be sponsored, and that is not even my goal. but learning how to skateboard has many positive elements similar to people who love to go to the gym or workout, or whatever. The major brands like Almost and Zero are very elite with the best skaters, and it is fun to watch the rockstars of skating, but for most people, they work a full time job, and skateboard on Saturdays for fun.
I get why alot of kids out there are so into fingerboarding. Not everyone has the perfect cali weather like we do. They get snowed in or it rains too much in some places, so they use fingerboarding to stay entertained.
Cheeto Oteehc I was never good at skating I like fingerboarding at 24yrs old I just got my first real wood deck n set up. always been fun to flick with my fingers so I enjoy it,just tricks off of little things or use a book wen I was in school was fun for me. fuck it
I do both for about 16yrs off and on I’m 29 I bring a tech deck to work and skate when my kids are with my ex wife after or before I go to work.. I can skate faster and pop higher than rad rat but he has a massive flip game I can’t touch .. much respect !!! I look so stupid on a skate board but I just keep going off and on the weather is unpredictable in Colorado..
I think big skateboarding companies benefit from Braille, you could say that they are indirectly helping big companies sell products. For an example, some kid wants to get into skateboarding after watching a couple of braille videos. he goes out and buys an Element deck, Venture trucks and Ricta wheels.
Open the Light AUA no he goes to the braille or revive site and gets ripped off when shipped shitty products just a step above a Walmart setup in fact that will push more kids away which we never said we wanted a bigger audience skaters don’t care if a lot of people skate we care about what we got going on I couldn’t care less about do a lot of people skate do a lot of people like to watch skating to me i don’t want more people getting into it because then it get commercialized and turned into another fade that comes and goes
Saying Revive / Braille are ruining skateboarding because they're "opening skating up to the masses" is like saying Tony Hawk ruined skating by making video games
Yeah but people knew who hawk was before the games and his name spoke for itself by his skating. Plus he never has to brag about being sponsored or living in the bay area
Rad Rat Video dude kyro has been sponsered by various companies since he was in highschool. he has been in the industry for a long time and I think Braille is doing wonders in getting more people into skating. I'm curious why you aren't a big fan, is it because of pre convinced notions? I suggest giving them another shot. I would argue that they and Andy are a good thing for the skate industry. I like the videos man!
I think he's just more of a scholar and hardcore history guy when it comes to skating. Braille is silly and for newer people typically (though Giger is dope).
I don't think they are ruining skateboarding, it just seems like OG skaters find a good portion of what they do lame. People from an era with zero and black label skate videos can't relate to Braille, Andy Schrock, or Josh Katz.
yet you are in here watching skate stuff...adapt it fall behind my friend, I know it can be lame, and trust me I roll my eyes a lot...but instead of looking at the stuff that is embarrassing, let's use this connection ability to help share good info
Doesn't change the fact that Revive as a whole is not pro level skating. Giger is the best, John Hill (is he part of them?) is good, but it's honestly not yet pro level. Giger can do crazy technical flips, but that's it. And all other guys aren't close to that, so yeah.. "they're not the best skaters" is 100% true.
@@staxstix Jason Park is on Revive also and you would be lying to yourself to say he's not "Pro Level" and John Hill has amazing style and is super consistent, if you haven't seen the finals of the quarantine game of skate on braille, Hill Vs. Giger you're missing out, it was one of the craziest games of skate ever played.
@@adamcuthbert9498 Well, I'm not gonna argue on here. Look at pro skaters and then the average level of Revive and you'll notice the difference. Even if you count that as pro level, then it's very low tier pro level or whatever, who cares about the terminology. And there's nothing wrong with it, they make their money doing youtube, not being at the top of the game in skating. If you want to see what decent pro level skating looks like today: ua-cam.com/video/vGLTbyMRCBA/v-deo.html and this is isn't even the top yet. different world, no?
I agree with you. I don't understand how Revive can ruin skateboarding. If anything, it has the potential to bring it to a larger audience. Anyways, businesses need to change their model to keep up with times. That's just... business.
Anthony Tran a larger audience isn’t a good thing especially when the large audience is a bunch of people with 15 pairs of perfect vans that match there cloths and there deck matches there eye color we don’t want people like that making what real skaters do a joke Andy sucks money out of people that don’t really skate making the world think this is what a real skater looks like... he’s the aggravating guy at the skatepark that is loud and obnoxious and wants all the attention on his rocket flip off the manny pad
Bryan Barefoot fucking gatekeeper. There is nothing wrong with making skateboarding more popular, as you'll always be able to tell a poser from a real skateboarder. Why would you care about what people think about you if you enjoy what you're doing? Besides, skateboarding has never been super serious. The whole Animal Chin video from way back in the day was cheesy and light hearted, and it was hard to take the Bones Brigade seriously. And what would you say about someone like Ali Boulala? That dude looked like Sid Vicious had decided to go skateboarding, he definitely didn't fit the standard skater look (which you want everyone to fit), but he absolutely killed it before the accident. People like you is what's ruining the skateboarding scene.
Professional: engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation rather than as an amateur. Similarly: paid , salaried. If they are earning money through skateboarding they are professional. The discrepancy is on the level of talent a professional demonstrates, in comparison to his or hers competition in such field.
They're not shitty skaters by any means. The scientology aspect of Braille & Revive absolutely tarnished they're cred but that doesn't mean they're bad skaters. Aaron Kyro has a one of few casper slides on film, do you? Doug Des Autel can nollie double laser like there's no tomorrow. Jonny Giger is so talented he literally just started breaking down and landing Rodney Mullen tricks. Saying they're shitty skaters is such a close minded thing to say
In the Rodney Mullen biography fingerboarding is brought up. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it wasn't technically a fingerboard - I think it was a necklace or keychain or something. Still, Mullen played with it and it gave him ideas for tricks to learn on an actual skateboard. Also, Lance Mountain was into fingerboarding in the 80's or 90's. I believe there was an early-to-mid 2000's issue of Skateboarder Magazine that ran an article on "15 Things You Didn't Know About Fingerboarding". Also, here's a question I have: What are your thoughts on DIY (do it yourself) in skateboarding - not just building skateable obstacles with cement and wood, but also things like creating your own videos, printing skate zines, pressing and shaping and painting decks, screening your own shirts, starting teams with friends, etc.?
The Jenkem article I mentioned talked about Lance Mountain too. I think it's a great way to get to know the physics of certain tricks and wrap your mind around how they work. Haha, I have an idea about how you might feel about zines... I'm really into all of that stuff. I've never tried making my own decks, but I've definitely made my own videos before! This is a good topic. I'll make a note of it and maybe I'll be able to make a full video about it
they were keychains. you had to break a little metal piece off before you could use them. i still have a couple of the first ones ever made. Santa Cruz: Skateboarding is Not a Crime
I started skateboarding about 3 weeks ago. Literally the first video I ever saw was the “what size board” video talked about here. I started watching some of his videos and I started skating 100% as a result of these halfway pros. I couldn’t care less if they aren’t “real” pros. They’ve taught me more than a real pro ever has
I've felt very deeply about this topic for a while now, and here are my thoughts. Andy, like a lot of people who achieve success, started out as a normal guy. He didnt set out to be famous, and he certainly didnt start making videos to get rich, but he wanted to have fun with his friends. UA-cam was an extremely fast growing way to reach out to people, and people wanted to see more from him. He didnt even want to make decks when he started, the idea of it came up long after he started making videos. His whole career has been based off of responding to the wants and needs of fans/customers. All the while he was able to do this and still have fun with his friends, which is important to him. As far as his pro selection goes, you're right, he doesnt necessarily have a 'stacked' roster, but he doesnt care about that. He wants people who he can get along with and who also align with his values and personality. Instead of going to demos and contests, which are kind of an dated way of promoting your team, he takes full advantage of the big ol' internets. He can have team members all over the world and they can all represent him through their very popular youtube channels. But thats not to say he doesnt do demos, he has done several meet and greets at Ollie's Skatepark and Im sure other places. I think people get upset and say Revive isn't a 'Real' team and his riders arent 'actually pro' because he is doing things completely differently than any major skateboard company up to this point, and he is able to do it right out of his home. I think he is still representing skateboarding very well, especially to the youth, which I think he attracts more than other demographics. He's a very positive person, always happy, always supportive of people around him, and he is doing what he loves. He isnt forcing his business model on anyone, he is following the desires of his fans, giving them what they want. And hes lucky enough to collect a paycheck while hes at it.
and this is why I love RadRat. I am 29 still fingerboard lol I just bought my first real skateboard in over 7 years a couple months ago.. gotta relearn im super stoked keep the amazing videos coming!
Would like to see an updated version of this. Especially since skateboarding as a whole has been on a rise since then and is more popular now than it has been since the early 2000s
Braille/aaron got me to skate again after not being on a board in 7 or 8 years. Maybe they aren't the best but they are fun and reminded me of what it was like hanging out with buddies and skating.
Revive/Braille is good and bad for skating. Yes they are making it alot easier to get into skating and making it more accessible to more people. So they are great for the "business/sport" of skating. But for the overall culture/art of skateboarding it is not a good look. For me having skating in my life for 18 years its something that I have watched grown significantly in the past 2 decades. I feel like its cool that its something that people can just get inspired by watching a couple youtube videos, but also it takes from what makes it magical to begin with. For me when I was a kid you couldn't watch a video on where to get a board,step by step videos how to do every trick(except for tony hawk trick tips or 411 videos),go to the mall get a board,go to a park etc etc. You had to look for a skateshop or order from ccs,search for a skatepark (Thrasher would have a directory of every skatepark in the US/canada made it slightly easier without the internet),travel,link up with some friends or talk to some OGs,go through some trial and error of products,wait months just to see one team's video,run from police,build obstacles,wait til it gets warmer to street skate(I'm from Ohio) etc etc. Its almost like skateboarding has turned into an organized thing like basketball,or football. Skateboarding is a lifestyle, a love,a passion. Something that means more than just views or likes or status. I feel like thats my problem with the whole Braille like skate channels. Its like the rawness,hi-jinks,vulgarity,blood,sweat,tears, happiness that skating comes with is being watered down. Which I understand comes with something being presented to a larger audience but skating isn't something that sound be contained. Its like trying to make UFC more kid friendly. It defeats the purpose. I don't want to just blame these youtube skate channels either. Its things like seeing all these mainstream artists now wearing Thrasher. Or people trying to school me on brands and riders that I have invested my time to for decades now. Brands like puma,new balance,addias taking from brands like es',emerica,DVS.I really don't want to come off as some bitter skater who doesn't want people to enjoy skateboarding. I'm super for that. I'm just trying to put it in perspective for people who haven't been familiar with skate history/culture for the past 30 years. Or who wonder why skaters feel some type of way. Its because its not just skateboarding to us its life. But great video none the less very well researched.
+Clarence Gordon Jr Thanks for the great comment! I've had a lot of the same experiences growing up in Michigan... but I can't say a lot of that stuff is good. I remember there being a ton of confusion about basic stuff back then, like frontside and backside, or what a hardflip is. Having more access to skateparks and shops and stuff is great
It really has nothing to do with Revive or Braille. What you mentioned happened due to internet, and it would've happened regardless whether it was them who did it or not.
I got back into skateboarding at 43 after almost 30 years because of Braille and their videos. Gotta say Revive and Braille are growing skateboarding in a big way. I've never bought anything from them (except Skateboarding Made Simple), gotta support my local shop, but they got me putting money into the skateboarding community.
I actually think the Revive business model is the new-in. The huge brands with real pros will die out and although hardcore skaters will be disappointed and angry at Revive, what Revive actually does is pushing the new wave in skateboarding, kids will be buying decks and skating for pure fun and entertainment, rather than the kids who are just trying to get sponsors. The "trying to get sponsored" era of 2000s-2010s will die out soon, and the next generation of skating for fun will come about, it's just natural evolution of skateboarding with the advent of quick/easy video sharing, skate vlogs, and skater-owned brands all competing for the young skaters' wallets- you got Revive, Sometimes, Cakemuscle, Progress Daily will eventually sell decks. You see the shift away from real skate channels such as NKA towards skate vlogs Luis mora, Garrett Ginner, Lamont Holt, and recently Chris Chann made the switch to vlogs. Vlogs used to be once per year deals called ADIML or "day in the life" etc, now it's basically ADIML EVERYDAY (and in all caps), skateboarding is evolving.
that might be true, but sponsored by whom though? Baker? or will it be Revive? Who'll be the biggest name in 4 yrs? If it's Revive, I don't think people will want to get sponsors anymore, and the olympic USA team is probably gonna contain today's already-pros, not any newly sponsored in 2018 skater or anything.
i think its crazy people believe you have to "prove yourself" or "put on" to be good at skating, as if having fun is completely thrown out the window. as long as you're staying pretty grounded and don't claim to be better than anyone else while being barely able to kickflip, who cares what you're doing? its like core skaters are so insecure they have to keep impressing everyone else and if some other kid enjoys his 180s down 3 stairs and isn't holding his standards to the same ones as the core skater, he's automatically trash.
I'd say Revive is actually making things less about fun and skating at its core and more about how far one can take monetization and perfecting a formulaic cornball UA-cam personality. If you really wanted it to be more purist you're much better off watching people's homemade montages and raw footage from filmers' channels, not the people who best exploit the UA-cam algorithm/popularity snowball. This is really the problem here- Revive is about ultra-commercialization. Every minute can be made into money. Not only that, but they exploit up and comers to a much greater degree than the traditional company model, especially w the live show stuff, and absolutely do not compensate the company outsiders they use fairly considering the amount of money one live stream can generate. I remember being bummed out when Nike steamrolled it's way into skateboarding a decade ago, but could never have foreseen this. On one hand, you could view this as totally harmless- not everything about Revive/YT skaters is bad. It's just that the bad greatly outweighs the good. I'd be hard pressed to find a strong argument for clearly prioritizing a persona and viral promotion over skateboarding itself, and further turning the culture over to the whitewashed greed that characterizes social media driven business models. Ruining is a stretch, but having a net negative impact? Sure.
Dude, I hope your channel blows up soon. You deserve some serious numbers with the content you're putting out. I need to be up for work in 7hrs and I can't stop watching. If I lose any clients tomorrow, it's your fault
I love these videos so much, your analysis on different people, events, etc. in skateboarding are so detailed and well done! And I watched like 15 of your videos before I realized that you're the same guy who made skate tutorials on youtube 10 years ago, the videos that got me into skateboarding! Back then there was no braille to learn how to ollie or kickflip, so I watched all of your videos to learn. Thanks so much for that, and keep up the good work!
i noticed people say u deserve more veiws and subs, and i agree but... i believe you are reaching all your viewers which is important, as in u have 5000 subs and get an average of 5000 views a video. flat out i love your videos. {idea of my demo; im 23 been skating nonstop since i was 7-8 ish so 15 years} ive seen many fads, heard many opinions. you talk like a true fan of skateboarding, like a truly passionate individual and are not afraid to call out the sometimes questionable(..pun intendended) politics of skating and just bring up any topic no matter how "old" or "lame" and i respect and love that about your channel. its rare to find content about skating like yours, its so fresh and unique! keep it up please! remember 3000 happy listening ears is better than a million people watching on their phones, bored while taking a shit, just to pass the time. and im sure u already get and know that but yeah, happy skating, subbed, liked and will tell my friends about you
I enjoy all your videos, especially the retro coverage on pros and stuff, been skating over 25 years and started fingerboarding 2 years ago and appreciate the positive comments on that. Keep the vids coming
Andy is a great dude he wants people to skate and have fun he doesn't say " go buy a revive board and skate or don't skate at all" he just wants people to fall in love with skateboarding and enjoy it with some good friends and he's a huge supporter of supporting local owned skate shops and he's definitely inspired people to start skating for the first time and also start skating again
Braille Skateboarding and Revive have done so much for skateboarding. Pro's don't inspire people to take up skating and stick with it. They are impressive to watch yes, but most people like to begin somewhere and get proper help in getting better, not how to Ollie 15 stairs. Starting with 2 is a big enough challenge for some people. Also showing how much practice it takes to learn a trick, makes beginners not lose hope.
I thoroughly enjoy your videos and agree with pretty much everything you have to say. I think younger kids and newer generation of skaters tend to follow the trends of what's cool and what's not and though the stuff that Andy and the dudes at Braille do might not be mainstream, they enjoy what the do and it has made them successful. I say, "bravo!". They're not trying to exploit the sport or lifestyle. They're just doing it their own way. I can also say that if I was ten years younger I'd probably talk shit and say stuff in regards to "revive ruining skating" because that's how the mind of a 19 year old skateboarder works most of the time in my experience at least. Have a great holiday my friend and I can't wait to see what videos you have in store for 2017!
Thanks for the comment! I think you're right, I probably would have had something a lot different to say 10 years ago when I was 18! But now that I've gotten out there in the world and gotten some experience, I realize there are much worse things than building a team the way they did.
Aaron Kyro is a low-key Scientologist. I saw a recruitment video (or an ad, because that's what religions do, right?) where he was talking about Scientology making him a better skater. Xenu be with you, Aaron...
One think I like about Andy is that even though he not be the best skater in terms of skill, he still has fun doing it. for the type of channel that he has, it ma be an advantage as some people may feel intimidated by someone who is appears too far out of reach in terms of skating. They have a mix of guys all varying in skill level and stye, and that seems to be working quite well for them.
I agree here alot. For me Rodney Mullen is a rockstar and it would take me months to learn the impossible. but I can identify with Aaron Kyro's videos on the learning process. His videos especially with Lance show how to progress, and that progression is what every skateboarder wants. I know I'll never be like Muska, but I can progress. Actually seeing Lance progress his skateboarding is really great to see. We know Lance won't get sponsored, but we can all have fun at the local park.
I've loved skateboarding since Tony Hawk 1. I've adored every game all the way to Proving Grounds and all of the Skate titles. I've had a dedicated interest in the sport's culture and world, but never picked up actually skateboarding until Revive and Andy came along. Because of them, I got inspired to learn and actually pick up a board. I don't know why, but that's my case.
It's so funny you mention aaron kyro cause we all know who was doing trick tips first ;) I love that you're doing videos again dude. You were a huge part of my growing up skating and you even showed me my favorite band!! (Minus the Bear) Can't to see if you"ll put out some skate footage at some point!!!
I used to watch braille, I don't even skate, but I grew up with the Tony Hawk games and have always had friends that skate, so I've always been into the culture. I mostly just watched the skate everything series, because it was entertaining, but there's only so many times you can watch someone put trucks on shit before it gets predictable. A lot of my friends that skate hate braille, and I definitely understand the criticism of Aaron not working nearly as hard to become pro, but the dudes got talent and has definitely earned a following. Now that the video games aren't pushing skating to the mainstream anymore, I am happy that braille is still inspiring kids to skate and helping kids understand skating.
Andy is in it for the kids following his channel. He's genuinely for skaters. He's a cheaper, non mainstream brand that's high quality. Brands like creature and plan b could care less about us, they want the money. So Andy is doing more to make skating cool for all types of people.
Hey dude, good point about fingerboards. I was never a fan personally but I never really thought less of anyone who used them. In fact I was kind of impressed with people who could kickflip or even ollie consistently on one.
Jonny Giger is one of the innovative skaters of today imo. he pushes the limits of flatground almost weekly, landing some of the most insane tricks (or at least coming close to it)
revive and braille got me back into skateboarding. got one of those fancy new almost decks with the carbon fiber thingy in it. That thing kicks ass. Never thought I would ever have such a nice skateboard. Got 2 more ready for when I wear that one down.
I have this discussion with my friend all the time. Do you think the big shoe companies (Nike, Adidas, Vans) will eliminate the other skate shoe companies out there?
Good question! I'll try to make a video about it soon. In general, I don't think they can because there will always be core support of the legit skater brands.
I'm 25 and I still fingerboard every now and then. It costs pretty much what an actual set up would. But all the parts are high quality and last ridiculously long. I've had my current set up for years. It's like skateboarding, if you're a beginner buy tech decks but if you want to get more serious buy from Yellowood or Flatface
Wow you're seriously good with the fingerboard! Also, I agree with you on the Revive question. Revive doesn't have the power that would be needed to "RUIN" skateboarding. I don't even think anybody could do that.
This is my "Ask Rad Rat" question: What is your opinion on pushing mongo while switch?" Do you find "mongo while switch" acceptable? I believe it can definitely cramp the style some really talented skaters, including pros. Look at Eric Koston in 'Yeah Right.' Just those HUGE mongo pushes between tricks in dope lines. It's sort of an eyesore to me. Like, Eric, you can nollie back-noseblunt handraills first try, but you have to push mongo? What are your thoughts? Thank you.
Oh my gosh. I almost forgot Stevie Williams. Yes, I love him and truly respect everything about the guy I know his personal story and he is a branding genius with his success with DGK and that is all wonderful. But however, THE DUDE PUSHES MONGO ON SWITCH SO MUCH. ...All of those Love Park lines... Yup, mongo, mongo, mongo. And I'd say about 50% of his tricks in video parts are switch or fakie, which means TONS OF MONGO. ...I'm sorry y'all not hating, just observing skateboarding and what it all means. :)
I started really skating in 1990 at 12 years old. But before then I had a Nash board and really wanted a “good” skateboard. Around that time I’d be buying every skate magazine I could get my hands on for a few reasons. One, the Internet really didn’t exist yet and two there would be pics of skateboards, graphic side up in ads from companies. So what I would do is cut those out and tape them to cardboard bend the nose and tail and MAKE my own finger boards I was in middle school and I can’t tell you how many hours I spent playing with those.
I think of it like this, Mike V had a quote on Lance Mountain about how kids watching videos of pros would be like "man, skateboarding is hard." and Lance made it look fun and easy. It's almost like that, but for a new generation. It's more accessible and is friendlier to beginners.
i started skating thanks to andy, i was like 16 or something, kind of chubby kid who would get ashamed at the park. i had a skateboard because my friends recommended it, but i was always kind of shy to use it, until i saw this goofy guy with a red shirt, who had this weird fantasy of building his own skate company, and he would just goof around with his friends, skating, putting revenge stickers everywhere (yes, before the revive era), and it just made me wanna go out and have fun, and forget about sponsors, pros and people in general, and just have fun with my friends. Thanks to andy i still skate today (maybe i dont have much time as when i was younger since i go to college and shit, but i still ride my board), and i still enjoy it. Andrew Schrock is the man, he deserves more respect, but you know, there always will be haters, even if you have the best intentions. Just my opinion
I remember watching Andy Schrock wear a cape and purposely fall off his skateboard in front of people for laughs. And that's the last I heard from him. I think it's pretty cool that he's still involved in the skate world a decade later.
Braille is like a gateway drug; I watched them, saw Andy Anderson, learnt of Powell Peralta, learnt of Thrasher, learnt of King of the road, learnt of Evan Smith, started watching skate parts and now I bought a board.
When i was a kid, finger boards were actually key chain things put out by like Vision, and Santa Cruz. . As little as things, like stickers are. . They were plastic boards, the wheels barely rolled. . But they were still fun to mess around with. Todays finger boards that are like real skateboards, with 7 ply wood, and trucks that work are a whole other thing that I know little about. Except they can cost as much or even more than a , "real" skateboard
I think people are just jealous that they came up with their business first. But you have spot on analysis on this video. I bought my first legit skateboard because of Braille / Revive because they made it fun. Fingerboarding is whatever to me. Do what makes you happy. I personally probably never get into but who knows.
this is why i subscribed to you. you give us the info and what people are thinking on it and then you give us your opinion which isnt ridiculous. you use a lot of logic and dont let others opinions sway yours revive not my thing but its cool like it if you like it it doesnt hurt to have it in skateboarding so let it be fingerboarding same thing
All I see is a bunch of kids who couldn't hack it in the pro circuit, trying to cash in by any means possible. It's all good, don't get me wrong, but at the end of the day I'd rather watch a real skate video. The whole 'oh, I feel like I'm back at the spot with my old clique'-argument I simply don't get: If you miss skateboarding and hanging out with other kids, go to the park/spot already. Chances are what you left behind back when skating wasn't cool is still there.
I don't usually comment on these kinds of things, but as someone who's been skating since the late 80's, I've seen lots of trends come and go. I don't think companies like Revive, and channels like Braille are bad for skateboarding. The fact that they are getting more people into skating, is actually a good thing, in my opinion. Back when I started, there were no public parks to be found. I grew up in a small western Massachusetts town of about 10,000 people. There were so few skaters that I could count them with my fingers, maybe even just one hand. Why would a town build a park for the maybe 5 kids who skated? They wouldn't. We had nowhere to go to do what we loved. We did it anyway. That's where a big part of the "punk or outlaw" part of the sport came from. Since around 2000 or so, I've watched tons of parks pop up all over the place, and it makes me think, "man, this is a great time to be a skateboarder!" I only dreamt of skating the things that are now ordinary, everyday staples of skateboarding and skateparks. Sure, more people getting into it might make it less of a rebel's sport, or whatever the fuck you want to call it, but people need to ask themselves this: "why did I start skateboarding?" Was it because it furthered your punk rock rebel kid image, or because you honestly LOVED the feeling of rolling on 4 wheels bolted to a piece of wood? I don't claim to be punk, or anything like that, but isn't punk about not giving a fuck? So what if you don't like UA-cam skaters, or how accessible skating is for other people? If you don't like it, don't buy the products, don't watch their videos. If skating isn't obscure enough for your hip image anymore, go do something else. Jump out of a plane and weave a basket during freefall. I bet you'd be the first person to do that, imagine all the cool points that would get you. Part of what I always loved about skating was that I didn't need a team to play, or a field or court. I didn't need to wait for my mom to come home from work, and take me somewhere to play. I could walk out my front door, and skate up to the curb, and pretend it was a big vert ramp, and I was whoever my favorite skater was at that time. It was very accessible, and I loved that about it. The more people who skate, the more accepted, and more accessable it becomes to other people. If you truly love skating, and the feeling it gives you, why would you not want other people to feel that same joy? That's just idiotic. Skating isn't going to die because of a small portion of companies like Revive. And if skating isn't going anywhere, and you're really so into it, just fucking shut up and go skate, and ignore the people who you perceive as kooks. As for fingerboards, again, who cares? I personally think it's kinda lame, but if someone has fun doing it, who fucking cares?!? I bet a lot of people think it's lame that I'm 38 years old, and I still go out and skate, side by side with people who are 20-30 years younger than me. I roll around a concrete playground with a bunch of little kids. I don't give two shits if people think it's lame, because I FUCKING LOVE IT. When it comes down to it, the one thing that I think is ruining skating, are all the kooks who actually give a fuck about stuff like this. If you love what you do, just ignore the bullshit and keep doing what you love, because it's not going anywhere, and the days of it being outlaw were over before most of you even set foot on a skateboard.
I used to love Braille skateboarding but I feel like I've outgrown it. I'll watch Andy's Revive stuff because it reminds me of just messing around with buddies.
I know some people including Ed Templeton that are upset because they cut out the middle man and sell directly to consumers. That means they can sell decks at half the cost of their competitors. It also could shutdown skate shops if more companies do what Revive does when it comes to selling decks.
To be honest. People at revive get ME back to skateboarding. And I think that the reason why I get back, was finally seeing someone "not killing spots" and still had good time,be successful , popular, sponsored, etc. So for ME Revive saved skateboarding.
i think they do motivate kids to skate i see it completely differently. sam tabor is a prime example he is obviouslt not that good but he has fun and he is surrounded by talent and still has fun. revive is for the introvert kid who always wanted to skate but thought they werent good enough and than they see revive and it gives them hope. i still love your channel and you deserve more subs and recognition
i think revive and how they have "youtube skaters"on their team is pretty cool. i see it as they give a chance for people who might not be good enuff or just dont wanna able get sponsored by big names like Zero, FLip and so on to do the tours, demos contests a chance at sponsorship while still skating & doing youtube at the same time while in return they get their brand out there. I think revive is cool. Plus my cousin grew up with John Hill (and is also a youtuber) who Skates for them. and knowing him, he wouldn't have gone from Birdhouse to Revive later down the line if they weren't good or the company wasn't ran well.
I love revive, I skate revive decks, as do I love Braille skateboarding. They’re both good skate related people. Revive in my opinion is one of the best and Braille is helping people skate and get into skating so people who skate should understand that revive are doing things right
im 30 years old, and probably would not have gotten back on my board had it not been for Kyro and the Revive team. Of course my 15 year old Powell Angel Boy deck broke after 7 tries at a pop shuvit, i still credit them for resparking my love for skating.
same here... just got a Giger deck and now I'm trying some trick I didn't even know was possible. I'm trying to do the body varial first then flip the board.
I used to skate a lot as a teenager. In my opinion the skateboarding culture is very superficial. It is alot about "woaah this brand is cool because this skater i using it." They are also very "hipster" and call people "sellout". Since it is often kids that skateboard they are easy to affect by this kind of marketing. Because all kids want to be cool. I don't think this Revive type of business is bad for skateboarding. People who says it is ruining skateboarding are just too set in their old ways. On another note I love your videos how you combine both real life skateboarding and the skateboard games, also very high quality content.
I always liked revive especially when I was younger, just cause Andy was always such a positive guy. Maybe he only acts like that on camera, I doubt it but even so, him and his buds were good influences to a young skater.
Braille has done way more for skateboarding's future than 24 pros put together have done. I love watching video parts, watching a skater not only destroy a crazy complex line but do it with his (or her) own unique style is the most motivational thing ever for me. But I think it takes a while to get to the point where the impact of a skaters part is really absorbed. You need to get on a board and grind out your first tricks to have the context that what's going down in video parts is mind blowing. Without Braille, thousands, maybe a million young kids will start skating, and get to the level where Pros have a big impact on them.
I think Braille brings skateboarding to a more relatable level for most skaters. It could be a bit discouraging in my earlier years after watching pros on the old VHS tapes, then struggling to do even the basic tricks.
Andy Schrock understands where young skater's attention is and figured out how to use that to run a business. Why wouldn't he empower his team to make vlogs and video content to build their brand as well as revive? It's a much better business model to have guys like Jonny Giger make daily videos than it is to send a team on the road to make a movie.
100% agree with the business analysis. And thankfully youre right that if one company decides to try to follow that model the other companies would pick up the dropped pros. Unless everyone tries to follow that model, which i doubt will happen, we should be fine. Revive and that group make skateboarding very friendly and interest poeple who dont skate to start. They got me to start skating at age 27
I would argue that Revive is helping to grow skateboarding. Big companies sell boards for $50-$60. Revive sells boards for like $30. So now the typical customer who can't afford a board made by a big company can afford a board from revive, not to mention get 2 revive boards for the price of 1 big company board. Also think about how expensive it is to constantly break your board and have to go buy a new $60 deck...if revive is selling boards for half that they are definitely helping grow skateboarding.
tuttifruttiskalle yeah, I was wondering why the kickflip took the spotlight instead of heelflips, many people who don't skate can't tell the difference
Its pretty simple. Skateboarding to most people is about style and doing what looks cool and feels stylish. Heelflips are cool looking don't get me wrong. But a clean kickflip has a lot more style than a clean heelflip. Unless you're Neen Williams. He's the only one that makes a godly heelflip.
I think revive is making skateboarding available to a wider audience, and making it way more down to earth than some of these big name guys. make in fun, less than a sport or lifestyle. ... that's why I like them anyway
in argentina we have 2 kinds of wood, of course maple, and sometimes is fake here, and guatamba, most of us buy guatamba because is more cheap, and maple here is very very expensive, and i think that guatamba is ruining the argentina skateboarding, i just want to hear your opinion, keep doing videos you're amazing!
That's really interesting! I haven't heard anything about that, but I know there's a similar issue in Romania. Pro skateboards cost about a month's pay and everyone is forced to ride really cheap boards from China
Its because traditional Skate companies are still living in the 90's. You know film a video part over 3 years and have a release every 5 years. So are people telling me Jonny Gieger does not have talent? He is pretty much the Swiss Rodney Mullen. John Hill used to be on Birdhouse flow untill he realised the preasures of being consistsntly good. UA-camrs go at their own pace they sketboard as friends not to comepete to see who can do the biggest tricks down El Toro. Yes they do help skaters because they watch UA-cam videos then get people buying their decks etc to go learn to skate. You telling me a company like Baker, Almost etc is getting new people into skating. I am all for good narly skating however kids these days want easy accesible content. I feel their not going to ask parents to buy them video parts when they can watch UA-camrs skate and vlog about their lives. Heck even The Berrics does silly stuff and has UA-camrs on their BOTB series. Jonny Gieger nearly beat Paul Rodriguez using late flips but only lost because he knew P Rod couldn't do them and didn't wanna win that way.
from my uninformed perspective, I think revive is what America needs. Andy's an entrepreneur and his crew is good but not robotic like nyjah Houston. More relatable and more realistic goals for me to set. Plus they have decent trick tutorials. With this said, I still just buy blanks from my local shop.
The thing is your average dude or chick can relate to a guy like Johnny Giger. Until running into his channel I hadn't thought about skating in almost 30 years. But because he shows you video.. of 8 minutes of messing up.. with 30 seconds of him landing a trick.. and then you see this personal satisfaction and joy!.. And now I'm looking to buy a new board! Lol Watching 45 of epic perfect shots makes you impressed but doesn't inspire anyone because who sees themselves at that level. But all the big players would have to do is sponsor amateurs on UA-cam and they would draw even better attention than revive.. revive would become the new "Nash" brand quickly.
If i'm gonna be honest, I feel like everyone on Revive is trash, and andy wears a red shirt which reminds me of blood and blood scares me.
John Hill blood also scares me
ikr
John Hill I love you John Hill fudge the haters
John Hill if they suck I have seen you in Andy’s videos and why are you there.
John Hill Just seeing this. Revive makes Skateboarding accessible. That's what makes it great.
braille made skateboarding look fun and inviting to new people, soooo many comments of people saying they just bought their first Board because they were inspired. it seems a lot of the hardcore skate channels make skateboarding too serious where as braille and revive made skateboarding fun and for everyone but thats just my take
Good comment! I can really appreciate that. Other people are saying they're the alternative to the cheap Walmart board. So they're actually taking money from the knockoff Chinese stuff, not the real skate brands.
NotAsian skate boarding isn't for everyone
Miles4lyfe Why? Is this some elitest club? Considering how skateboarders have had a history of being social outcasts, I think you're being a bit disrespectful to those who worked so hard to make skating an accepted and publicly recognized sport/hobby.
hel lo So Skating is only for "poor", "inner-city" types, is that your point? Considering that skateboards from brands at skate shops cost easily over $100, how is that for poor people? So if I happen to live in a small town or in the country, skating isn't about or for me? Is that your point? That would mean only an insanely small percentage of the population should be allowed to skateboard, thus reducing profits from the sport/hobby, thus reducing brands, shops, and groups to lobby against anti-skateboarding legislation. Stop the Skateboarding snobbery. People of all types and locations like skateboarding for more than just an 'escape'.
hel lo Thanks for the reply. In your post, you mention "suburban", thus implying that skating is based on where one lives. You also mentioned that skating is only for those who have something "shitty going on". So if one doesn't struggle, skateboarding isn't for them?
My point is that often Skateboarders complain when their Skateboarding community struggles and complains when it grows to be more inclusive.
I tried to learn Skateboarding growing up, but didn't succeed. Revive kinda inspired me to try again. I get your point about Skateboarding being raw and punk, but can't skateboarding mature or evolve to be more than just raw, punk attitude/mindset?
time to go jump on my piece of wood and nail some twirly doos
kyro scientology ad is ruining skateboarding
Haha yeah I used to see that all the time! It doesn't seem like they're playing it much anymore
xDORITON x just look up Aaron Kyro Scientology
wtf scientoolagy has invaded the skate world
Arcade nah, they promote anarchy. Big difference.
Steve Berra is a Scientologist and Jason Lee used to be (he left)
i love braille. the only thing tarnishing it is the fact that Aaron Kyro is a scientologist. :(
Yeah, I was shocked when I saw that ad of his pop up.
That, and they suck out loud. Oh, and the obnoxiousness.
so is Steve Berra
Jason Lee too I'm pretty sure
Mason's. That's why this dudes face is every where. Fuck him
You should be much bigger than you are. Your production values are great and you clearly put a lot of effort into the research. Love watching.
this, love seeing sophisticated speaking on the topic of skateboarding.
I agree as well. We get the occasional TED talk by Rodney and we get this channel. But more importantly I think a good argument can be put forward that skateboarding is an art form (apart from a sport and a mode of transportation). If that is the case then it is an art form that is undertheorized and lacking methods of critique that analyze styles and tricks within a historic context. Rad Rat is starting this process and might just end up the Lester Bangs or Roger Ebert of Skateboarding.
Thanks a lot! I'm doing my best to grow, but it's been a slow process. I average less than a thousand views on my videos, but still, that's like talking to a huge auditorium of people every week! It's an honor to be able to get out there that much
Rad Rat Video
You could always buy advertising on UA-cam. Not sure how pricey it is though. Those ads would show on other, larger skating channels, and boom, there's 10,000 subs. Then again, if you want to get a large sub count through effort, it's much more of an achievement (no offense to anyone who buys ads).
I believe you deserve more too.You work hard to make those videos.I think you know the way to become more famous but you just dont want to do that with those means(clickbaiting,collaborations).I think those videos is somethin you love and intersted in doing and you dont wanna take advantage of it for money.Although collaborations arent a bad thing sometimes it changes your way of thinking.Anyway I like your videos you have points that many forget to point out in the internet when they say their view.Keep doing what you doing,i believe you are voice needed.
two questions: Revive IMHO serves as the introduction to skateboarding that most skateboarders as they progress will begin purchasing different products. In fact Revive was a big reason why I picked up skating after 12+ years from when I was a kid. The name Revive I think is to re-create the 90's boom because the elite brands are hard to identify with for novice/beginners. I bought 1 Revive deck and now have moved on to Almost and Zero.
My second question is do you still skateboard? how often? for fun? Another thing is that Aaron Kyro brings back the element that skating should be fun, and most people who skate do so just for fun. I know that I will never be sponsored, and that is not even my goal. but learning how to skateboard has many positive elements similar to people who love to go to the gym or workout, or whatever.
The major brands like Almost and Zero are very elite with the best skaters, and it is fun to watch the rockstars of skating, but for most people, they work a full time job, and skateboard on Saturdays for fun.
You need to look up the history of Revive. That has nothing to do with their name.
They undercut local shops with their online store. That's the main issue nobody sympathetic to Revive will talk about.
@@shimes424 Andy has even said in multiple videos to buy from your local shop!
I get why alot of kids out there are so into fingerboarding. Not everyone has the perfect cali weather like we do. They get snowed in or it rains too much in some places, so they use fingerboarding to stay entertained.
Cheeto Oteehc I was never good at skating
I like fingerboarding at 24yrs old I just got my first real wood deck n set up. always been fun to flick with my fingers so I enjoy it,just tricks off of little things or use a book wen I was in school was fun for me. fuck it
Napaghost good for you man, fuck what other people think, just enjoy whatever you enjoy
Yes I fingerboard to every day I’m sorta good at skate boarding I can only do an Ollie
I do both for about 16yrs off and on I’m 29 I bring a tech deck to work and skate when my kids are with my ex wife after or before I go to work.. I can skate faster and pop higher than rad rat but he has a massive flip game I can’t touch .. much respect !!! I look so stupid on a skate board but I just keep going off and on the weather is unpredictable in Colorado..
I think big skateboarding companies benefit from Braille, you could say that they are indirectly helping big companies sell products. For an example, some kid wants to get into skateboarding after watching a couple of braille videos. he goes out and buys an Element deck, Venture trucks and Ricta wheels.
Element shoes.
yup, they constantly show how shitty walmart decks are
Open the Light AUA no he goes to the braille or revive site and gets ripped off when shipped shitty products just a step above a Walmart setup in fact that will push more kids away which we never said we wanted a bigger audience skaters don’t care if a lot of people skate we care about what we got going on I couldn’t care less about do a lot of people skate do a lot of people like to watch skating to me i don’t want more people getting into it because then it get commercialized and turned into another fade that comes and goes
Lol yeah that was my case. Didn’t buy revive since my local shop didn’t carry it and I’ve had bad experience with online stores.
Saying Revive / Braille are ruining skateboarding because they're "opening skating up to the masses" is like saying Tony Hawk ruined skating by making video games
Aaron Kyro is a Scientologist...
Yeah but people knew who hawk was before the games and his name spoke for itself by his skating. Plus he never has to brag about being sponsored or living in the bay area
He kinda did ngl
I pretty much agree. I enjoy watching Andy and Braille. Andy worked and continues to work hard to build his company. He has earned his success.
I'm not personally a huge fan of either one of them, but I can't fault what they're doing
Rad Rat Video dude kyro has been sponsered by various companies since he was in highschool. he has been in the industry for a long time and I think Braille is doing wonders in getting more people into skating. I'm curious why you aren't a big fan, is it because of pre convinced notions? I suggest giving them another shot. I would argue that they and Andy are a good thing for the skate industry. I like the videos man!
I think he's just more of a scholar and hardcore history guy when it comes to skating. Braille is silly and for newer people typically (though Giger is dope).
I don't think they are ruining skateboarding, it just seems like OG skaters find a good portion of what they do lame. People from an era with zero and black label skate videos can't relate to Braille, Andy Schrock, or Josh Katz.
Bryan Barefoot totally unneccessary, dude
My personal opinion is social media is ruining skateboarding
Yeah, Instagram is too trendy, but sometimes there are clips that wouldn't have been seen if it weren't for insta.
Jaelen H. yeah, old clips surfacing is great, but with subpar dime a dozen bandwagon edits and glass egos it kinda ruins it
ryan molinary
the Internet ruins everything not just skateboarding
wrong
yet you are in here watching skate stuff...adapt it fall behind my friend, I know it can be lame, and trust me I roll my eyes a lot...but instead of looking at the stuff that is embarrassing, let's use this connection ability to help share good info
"They're not the best skaters" yeah Jonny Giger invents new tricks on a daily basis so no probably not that good
Even that isn’t so impressive. I like Giger, don’t get me wrong. But have you seen his full length video parts? They don’t compare with other pros imo
TheMicMurderer he practically never skates rails
Doesn't change the fact that Revive as a whole is not pro level skating. Giger is the best, John Hill (is he part of them?) is good, but it's honestly not yet pro level. Giger can do crazy technical flips, but that's it. And all other guys aren't close to that, so yeah.. "they're not the best skaters" is 100% true.
@@staxstix Jason Park is on Revive also and you would be lying to yourself to say he's not "Pro Level" and John Hill has amazing style and is super consistent, if you haven't seen the finals of the quarantine game of skate on braille, Hill Vs. Giger you're missing out, it was one of the craziest games of skate ever played.
@@adamcuthbert9498 Well, I'm not gonna argue on here. Look at pro skaters and then the average level of Revive and you'll notice the difference. Even if you count that as pro level, then it's very low tier pro level or whatever, who cares about the terminology. And there's nothing wrong with it, they make their money doing youtube, not being at the top of the game in skating.
If you want to see what decent pro level skating looks like today: ua-cam.com/video/vGLTbyMRCBA/v-deo.html and this is isn't even the top yet. different world, no?
I agree with you. I don't understand how Revive can ruin skateboarding. If anything, it has the potential to bring it to a larger audience. Anyways, businesses need to change their model to keep up with times. That's just... business.
Anthony Tran a larger audience isn’t a good thing especially when the large audience is a bunch of people with 15 pairs of perfect vans that match there cloths and there deck matches there eye color we don’t want people like that making what real skaters do a joke Andy sucks money out of people that don’t really skate making the world think this is what a real skater looks like... he’s the aggravating guy at the skatepark that is loud and obnoxious and wants all the attention on his rocket flip off the manny pad
Bryan Barefoot fucking gatekeeper. There is nothing wrong with making skateboarding more popular, as you'll always be able to tell a poser from a real skateboarder. Why would you care about what people think about you if you enjoy what you're doing?
Besides, skateboarding has never been super serious. The whole Animal Chin video from way back in the day was cheesy and light hearted, and it was hard to take the Bones Brigade seriously. And what would you say about someone like Ali Boulala? That dude looked like Sid Vicious had decided to go skateboarding, he definitely didn't fit the standard skater look (which you want everyone to fit), but he absolutely killed it before the accident. People like you is what's ruining the skateboarding scene.
Revive- calling am. skaters pro since 2013
Professional:
engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation rather than as an amateur.
Similarly: paid , salaried.
If they are earning money through skateboarding they are professional.
The discrepancy is on the level of talent a professional demonstrates, in comparison to his or hers competition in such field.
They're not shitty skaters by any means. The scientology aspect of Braille & Revive absolutely tarnished they're cred but that doesn't mean they're bad skaters. Aaron Kyro has a one of few casper slides on film, do you? Doug Des Autel can nollie double laser like there's no tomorrow. Jonny Giger is so talented he literally just started breaking down and landing Rodney Mullen tricks. Saying they're shitty skaters is such a close minded thing to say
In the Rodney Mullen biography fingerboarding is brought up. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it wasn't technically a fingerboard - I think it was a necklace or keychain or something. Still, Mullen played with it and it gave him ideas for tricks to learn on an actual skateboard. Also, Lance Mountain was into fingerboarding in the 80's or 90's. I believe there was an early-to-mid 2000's issue of Skateboarder Magazine that ran an article on "15 Things You Didn't Know About Fingerboarding".
Also, here's a question I have: What are your thoughts on DIY (do it yourself) in skateboarding - not just building skateable obstacles with cement and wood, but also things like creating your own videos, printing skate zines, pressing and shaping and painting decks, screening your own shirts, starting teams with friends, etc.?
The Jenkem article I mentioned talked about Lance Mountain too. I think it's a great way to get to know the physics of certain tricks and wrap your mind around how they work.
Haha, I have an idea about how you might feel about zines... I'm really into all of that stuff. I've never tried making my own decks, but I've definitely made my own videos before! This is a good topic. I'll make a note of it and maybe I'll be able to make a full video about it
That would be awesome. I love Jenkem (the online magazine, not the other stuff). I also love Rad Rat Video videos.
they were keychains. you had to break a little metal piece off before you could use them. i still have a couple of the first ones ever made. Santa Cruz: Skateboarding is Not a Crime
John hill and the crew got invited to batb and they declined. When it was their chance to skate with some legends
I started skateboarding about 3 weeks ago. Literally the first video I ever saw was the “what size board” video talked about here. I started watching some of his videos and I started skating 100% as a result of these halfway pros. I couldn’t care less if they aren’t “real” pros. They’ve taught me more than a real pro ever has
I've felt very deeply about this topic for a while now, and here are my thoughts. Andy, like a lot of people who achieve success, started out as a normal guy. He didnt set out to be famous, and he certainly didnt start making videos to get rich, but he wanted to have fun with his friends. UA-cam was an extremely fast growing way to reach out to people, and people wanted to see more from him. He didnt even want to make decks when he started, the idea of it came up long after he started making videos. His whole career has been based off of responding to the wants and needs of fans/customers. All the while he was able to do this and still have fun with his friends, which is important to him.
As far as his pro selection goes, you're right, he doesnt necessarily have a 'stacked' roster, but he doesnt care about that. He wants people who he can get along with and who also align with his values and personality.
Instead of going to demos and contests, which are kind of an dated way of promoting your team, he takes full advantage of the big ol' internets. He can have team members all over the world and they can all represent him through their very popular youtube channels. But thats not to say he doesnt do demos, he has done several meet and greets at Ollie's Skatepark and Im sure other places.
I think people get upset and say Revive isn't a 'Real' team and his riders arent 'actually pro' because he is doing things completely differently than any major skateboard company up to this point, and he is able to do it right out of his home. I think he is still representing skateboarding very well, especially to the youth, which I think he attracts more than other demographics. He's a very positive person, always happy, always supportive of people around him, and he is doing what he loves. He isnt forcing his business model on anyone, he is following the desires of his fans, giving them what they want. And hes lucky enough to collect a paycheck while hes at it.
Revive and Braille got me back on a deck after a 20 year break. I love Revive.
same
15 years for me
I got back into skateboarding and bought my first real skateboard after seeing a Braille ad on UA-cam.
and this is why I love RadRat. I am 29 still fingerboard lol I just bought my first real skateboard in over 7 years a couple months ago.. gotta relearn im super stoked keep the amazing videos coming!
Would like to see an updated version of this. Especially since skateboarding as a whole has been on a rise since then and is more popular now than it has been since the early 2000s
Braille/aaron got me to skate again after not being on a board in 7 or 8 years. Maybe they aren't the best but they are fun and reminded me of what it was like hanging out with buddies and skating.
Travis Gater Until you find out that Aaron Kyro is a scientologist.
Revive/Braille is good and bad for skating. Yes they are making it alot easier to get into skating and making it more accessible to more people. So they are great for the "business/sport" of skating. But for the overall culture/art of skateboarding it is not a good look. For me having skating in my life for 18 years its something that I have watched grown significantly in the past 2 decades. I feel like its cool that its something that people can just get inspired by watching a couple youtube videos, but also it takes from what makes it magical to begin with. For me when I was a kid you couldn't watch a video on where to get a board,step by step videos how to do every trick(except for tony hawk trick tips or 411 videos),go to the mall get a board,go to a park etc etc. You had to look for a skateshop or order from ccs,search for a skatepark (Thrasher would have a directory of every skatepark in the US/canada made it slightly easier without the internet),travel,link up with some friends or talk to some OGs,go through some trial and error of products,wait months just to see one team's video,run from police,build obstacles,wait til it gets warmer to street skate(I'm from Ohio) etc etc. Its almost like skateboarding has turned into an organized thing like basketball,or football. Skateboarding is a lifestyle, a love,a passion. Something that means more than just views or likes or status. I feel like thats my problem with the whole Braille like skate channels. Its like the rawness,hi-jinks,vulgarity,blood,sweat,tears,
happiness that skating comes with is being watered down. Which I understand comes with something being presented to a larger audience but skating isn't something that sound be contained. Its like trying to make UFC more kid friendly. It defeats the purpose. I don't want to just blame these youtube skate channels either. Its things like seeing all these mainstream artists now wearing Thrasher. Or people trying to school me on brands and riders that I have invested my time to for decades now. Brands like puma,new balance,addias taking from brands like es',emerica,DVS.I really don't want to come off as some bitter skater who doesn't want people to enjoy skateboarding. I'm super for that. I'm just trying to put it in perspective for people who haven't been familiar with skate history/culture for the past 30 years. Or who wonder why skaters feel some type of way. Its because its not just skateboarding to us its life. But great video none the less very well researched.
+Clarence Gordon Jr Thanks for the great comment! I've had a lot of the same experiences growing up in Michigan... but I can't say a lot of that stuff is good. I remember there being a ton of confusion about basic stuff back then, like frontside and backside, or what a hardflip is. Having more access to skateparks and shops and stuff is great
It really has nothing to do with Revive or Braille. What you mentioned happened due to internet, and it would've happened regardless whether it was them who did it or not.
i fucking love this comment
I got back into skateboarding at 43 after almost 30 years because of Braille and their videos. Gotta say Revive and Braille are growing skateboarding in a big way. I've never bought anything from them (except Skateboarding Made Simple), gotta support my local shop, but they got me putting money into the skateboarding community.
I actually think the Revive business model is the new-in. The huge brands with real pros will die out and although hardcore skaters will be disappointed and angry at Revive, what Revive actually does is pushing the new wave in skateboarding, kids will be buying decks and skating for pure fun and entertainment, rather than the kids who are just trying to get sponsors. The "trying to get sponsored" era of 2000s-2010s will die out soon, and the next generation of skating for fun will come about, it's just natural evolution of skateboarding with the advent of quick/easy video sharing, skate vlogs, and skater-owned brands all competing for the young skaters' wallets- you got Revive, Sometimes, Cakemuscle, Progress Daily will eventually sell decks. You see the shift away from real skate channels such as NKA towards skate vlogs Luis mora, Garrett Ginner, Lamont Holt, and recently Chris Chann made the switch to vlogs. Vlogs used to be once per year deals called ADIML or "day in the life" etc, now it's basically ADIML EVERYDAY (and in all caps), skateboarding is evolving.
chimyshark I fuck wit nka more than all the guys u named except Chris chain he's the only one who is real the rest are all bad at acting lol
Really interesting thoughts. I could see it going that way too. Not sure how I feel about it though
that might be true, but sponsored by whom though? Baker? or will it be Revive? Who'll be the biggest name in 4 yrs? If it's Revive, I don't think people will want to get sponsors anymore, and the olympic USA team is probably gonna contain today's already-pros, not any newly sponsored in 2018 skater or anything.
i think its crazy people believe you have to "prove yourself" or "put on" to be good at skating, as if having fun is completely thrown out the window. as long as you're staying pretty grounded and don't claim to be better than anyone else while being barely able to kickflip, who cares what you're doing? its like core skaters are so insecure they have to keep impressing everyone else and if some other kid enjoys his 180s down 3 stairs and isn't holding his standards to the same ones as the core skater, he's automatically trash.
I'd say Revive is actually making things less about fun and skating at its core and more about how far one can take monetization and perfecting a formulaic cornball UA-cam personality. If you really wanted it to be more purist you're much better off watching people's homemade montages and raw footage from filmers' channels, not the people who best exploit the UA-cam algorithm/popularity snowball. This is really the problem here- Revive is about ultra-commercialization. Every minute can be made into money. Not only that, but they exploit up and comers to a much greater degree than the traditional company model, especially w the live show stuff, and absolutely do not compensate the company outsiders they use fairly considering the amount of money one live stream can generate. I remember being bummed out when Nike steamrolled it's way into skateboarding a decade ago, but could never have foreseen this.
On one hand, you could view this as totally harmless- not everything about Revive/YT skaters is bad. It's just that the bad greatly outweighs the good. I'd be hard pressed to find a strong argument for clearly prioritizing a persona and viral promotion over skateboarding itself, and further turning the culture over to the whitewashed greed that characterizes social media driven business models.
Ruining is a stretch, but having a net negative impact? Sure.
I haven't skated in 16yrs because of coming across the Braille channel I started skateing a little again. Its fun to watch them
Dude, I hope your channel blows up soon. You deserve some serious numbers with the content you're putting out.
I need to be up for work in 7hrs and I can't stop watching. If I lose any clients tomorrow, it's your fault
Haha thanks and sorry!
I love these videos so much, your analysis on different people, events, etc. in skateboarding are so detailed and well done! And I watched like 15 of your videos before I realized that you're the same guy who made skate tutorials on youtube 10 years ago, the videos that got me into skateboarding! Back then there was no braille to learn how to ollie or kickflip, so I watched all of your videos to learn. Thanks so much for that, and keep up the good work!
if revive/braille existed when i was trying to learn to skate i probably would have never quit honestly
i noticed people say u deserve more veiws and subs, and i agree but... i believe you are reaching all your viewers which is important, as in u have 5000 subs and get an average of 5000 views a video. flat out i love your videos. {idea of my demo; im 23 been skating nonstop since i was 7-8 ish so 15 years} ive seen many fads, heard many opinions. you talk like a true fan of skateboarding, like a truly passionate individual and are not afraid to call out the sometimes questionable(..pun intendended) politics of skating and just bring up any topic no matter how "old" or "lame" and i respect and love that about your channel. its rare to find content about skating like yours, its so fresh and unique! keep it up please! remember 3000 happy listening ears is better than a million people watching on their phones, bored while taking a shit, just to pass the time. and im sure u already get and know that but yeah, happy skating, subbed, liked and will tell my friends about you
Alot of skateboarders start off fingerboarding, such as myself
you're nailing this series. always stoked to see a new one coming out
+Isaac Gold thanks dude!
I enjoy all your videos, especially the retro coverage on pros and stuff, been skating over 25 years and started fingerboarding 2 years ago and appreciate the positive comments on that. Keep the vids coming
Andy is a great dude he wants people to skate and have fun he doesn't say " go buy a revive board and skate or don't skate at all" he just wants people to fall in love with skateboarding and enjoy it with some good friends and he's a huge supporter of supporting local owned skate shops and he's definitely inspired people to start skating for the first time and also start skating again
Braille Skateboarding and Revive have done so much for skateboarding. Pro's don't inspire people to take up skating and stick with it. They are impressive to watch yes, but most people like to begin somewhere and get proper help in getting better, not how to Ollie 15 stairs. Starting with 2 is a big enough challenge for some people. Also showing how much practice it takes to learn a trick, makes beginners not lose hope.
I thoroughly enjoy your videos and agree with pretty much everything you have to say. I think younger kids and newer generation of skaters tend to follow the trends of what's cool and what's not and though the stuff that Andy and the dudes at Braille do might not be mainstream, they enjoy what the do and it has made them successful. I say, "bravo!". They're not trying to exploit the sport or lifestyle. They're just doing it their own way. I can also say that if I was ten years younger I'd probably talk shit and say stuff in regards to "revive ruining skating" because that's how the mind of a 19 year old skateboarder works most of the time in my experience at least. Have a great holiday my friend and I can't wait to see what videos you have in store for 2017!
Thanks for the comment! I think you're right, I probably would have had something a lot different to say 10 years ago when I was 18! But now that I've gotten out there in the world and gotten some experience, I realize there are much worse things than building a team the way they did.
Aaron Kyro is a low-key Scientologist. I saw a recruitment video (or an ad, because that's what religions do, right?) where he was talking about Scientology making him a better skater. Xenu be with you, Aaron...
One think I like about Andy is that even though he not be the best skater in terms of skill, he still has fun doing it. for the type of channel that he has, it ma be an advantage as some people may feel intimidated by someone who is appears too far out of reach in terms of skating. They have a mix of guys all varying in skill level and stye, and that seems to be working quite well for them.
I agree, I think their love of skating is why it's interesting. It's what skateboarding is all about!
I agree here alot. For me Rodney Mullen is a rockstar and it would take me months to learn the impossible. but I can identify with Aaron Kyro's videos on the learning process. His videos especially with Lance show how to progress, and that progression is what every skateboarder wants. I know I'll never be like Muska, but I can progress. Actually seeing Lance progress his skateboarding is really great to see. We know Lance won't get sponsored, but we can all have fun at the local park.
Anthony Colombo whats Braille have to do with revive?
it is indirectly related to ReVive. because ReVive sponsored Kyro, Kryo also bring his Braille Army into the Revive organization.
I've loved skateboarding since Tony Hawk 1. I've adored every game all the way to Proving Grounds and all of the Skate titles. I've had a dedicated interest in the sport's culture and world, but never picked up actually skateboarding until Revive and Andy came along. Because of them, I got inspired to learn and actually pick up a board. I don't know why, but that's my case.
It's so funny you mention aaron kyro cause we all know who was doing trick tips first ;) I love that you're doing videos again dude. You were a huge part of my growing up skating and you even showed me my favorite band!! (Minus the Bear) Can't to see if you"ll put out some skate footage at some point!!!
+cammykinzofdeath Haha yeah but he's infinitely more successful at it. Oh really? I loved that song!
great review on revive and braille. you were honest and straight to the point.
Thank you
I like how you touched on this subject. I subbed you instantly. Revive turns people pro who DO NOT DESERVE TO BE. they are PROFESSIONAL BLOGGERS.
I used to watch braille, I don't even skate, but I grew up with the Tony Hawk games and have always had friends that skate, so I've always been into the culture. I mostly just watched the skate everything series, because it was entertaining, but there's only so many times you can watch someone put trucks on shit before it gets predictable. A lot of my friends that skate hate braille, and I definitely understand the criticism of Aaron not working nearly as hard to become pro, but the dudes got talent and has definitely earned a following. Now that the video games aren't pushing skating to the mainstream anymore, I am happy that braille is still inspiring kids to skate and helping kids understand skating.
Andy is in it for the kids following his channel. He's genuinely for skaters. He's a cheaper, non mainstream brand that's high quality. Brands like creature and plan b could care less about us, they want the money. So Andy is doing more to make skating cool for all types of people.
Hey dude, good point about fingerboards. I was never a fan personally but I never really thought less of anyone who used them. In fact I was kind of impressed with people who could kickflip or even ollie consistently on one.
Jonny Giger is one of the innovative skaters of today imo. he pushes the limits of flatground almost weekly, landing some of the most insane tricks (or at least coming close to it)
revive and braille got me back into skateboarding. got one of those fancy new almost decks with the carbon fiber thingy in it. That thing kicks ass. Never thought I would ever have such a nice skateboard. Got 2 more ready for when I wear that one down.
Hope you have a Merry Christmas RadRat!
I have this discussion with my friend all the time. Do you think the big shoe companies (Nike, Adidas, Vans) will eliminate the other skate shoe companies out there?
Good question! I'll try to make a video about it soon. In general, I don't think they can because there will always be core support of the legit skater brands.
ryjustsz they already have in the most part for example fallen.
ONLY C1RCA
I'm 25 and I still fingerboard every now and then. It costs pretty much what an actual set up would. But all the parts are high quality and last ridiculously long. I've had my current set up for years. It's like skateboarding, if you're a beginner buy tech decks but if you want to get more serious buy from Yellowood or Flatface
Wow you're seriously good with the fingerboard! Also, I agree with you on the Revive question. Revive doesn't have the power that would be needed to "RUIN" skateboarding. I don't even think anybody could do that.
This is my "Ask Rad Rat" question:
What is your opinion on pushing mongo while switch?"
Do you find "mongo while switch" acceptable? I believe it can definitely cramp the style some really talented skaters, including pros. Look at Eric Koston in 'Yeah Right.' Just those HUGE mongo pushes between tricks in dope lines. It's sort of an eyesore to me. Like, Eric, you can nollie back-noseblunt handraills first try, but you have to push mongo? What are your thoughts?
Thank you.
Oh my gosh. I almost forgot Stevie Williams. Yes, I love him and truly respect everything about the guy I know his personal story and he is a branding genius with his success with DGK and that is all wonderful. But however, THE DUDE PUSHES MONGO ON SWITCH SO MUCH. ...All of those Love Park lines... Yup, mongo, mongo, mongo. And I'd say about 50% of his tricks in video parts are switch or fakie, which means TONS OF MONGO. ...I'm sorry y'all not hating, just observing skateboarding and what it all means.
:)
+staple boy thanks for the question! I'm planning on talking about it soon
I started really skating in 1990 at 12 years old. But before then I had a Nash board and really wanted a “good” skateboard. Around that time I’d be buying every skate magazine I could get my hands on for a few reasons. One, the Internet really didn’t exist yet and two there would be pics of skateboards, graphic side up in ads from companies. So what I would do is cut those out and tape them to cardboard bend the nose and tail and MAKE my own finger boards I was in middle school and I can’t tell you how many hours I spent playing with those.
I think of it like this, Mike V had a quote on Lance Mountain about how kids watching videos of pros would be like "man, skateboarding is hard." and Lance made it look fun and easy. It's almost like that, but for a new generation. It's more accessible and is friendlier to beginners.
i started skating thanks to andy, i was like 16 or something, kind of chubby kid who would get ashamed at the park. i had a skateboard because my friends recommended it, but i was always kind of shy to use it, until i saw this goofy guy with a red shirt, who had this weird fantasy of building his own skate company, and he would just goof around with his friends, skating, putting revenge stickers everywhere (yes, before the revive era), and it just made me wanna go out and have fun, and forget about sponsors, pros and people in general, and just have fun with my friends. Thanks to andy i still skate today (maybe i dont have much time as when i was younger since i go to college and shit, but i still ride my board), and i still enjoy it.
Andrew Schrock is the man, he deserves more respect, but you know, there always will be haters, even if you have the best intentions.
Just my opinion
I started skating because of Braille. They may not be the best but they have a fun and interesting way to get people into skating.
I remember watching Andy Schrock wear a cape and purposely fall off his skateboard in front of people for laughs. And that's the last I heard from him. I think it's pretty cool that he's still involved in the skate world a decade later.
I can't really disagree on anything you've said in this video. Very well put together.
+BlackSn0wz thanks!
Braille is like a gateway drug; I watched them, saw Andy Anderson, learnt of Powell Peralta, learnt of Thrasher, learnt of King of the road, learnt of Evan Smith, started watching skate parts and now I bought a board.
When i was a kid, finger boards were actually key chain things put out by like Vision, and Santa Cruz. . As little as things, like stickers are. . They were plastic boards, the wheels barely rolled. . But they were still fun to mess around with.
Todays finger boards that are like real skateboards, with 7 ply wood, and trucks that work are a whole other thing that I know little about.
Except they can cost as much or even more than a , "real" skateboard
I think people are just jealous that they came up with their business first. But you have spot on analysis on this video. I bought my first legit skateboard because of Braille / Revive because they made it fun.
Fingerboarding is whatever to me. Do what makes you happy. I personally probably never get into but who knows.
this is why i subscribed to you. you give us the info and what people are thinking on it and then you give us your opinion which isnt ridiculous. you use a lot of logic and dont let others opinions sway yours revive not my thing but its cool like it if you like it it doesnt hurt to have it in skateboarding so let it be fingerboarding same thing
All I see is a bunch of kids who couldn't hack it in the pro circuit, trying to cash in by any means possible. It's all good, don't get me wrong, but at the end of the day I'd rather watch a real skate video. The whole 'oh, I feel like I'm back at the spot with my old clique'-argument I simply don't get: If you miss skateboarding and hanging out with other kids, go to the park/spot already. Chances are what you left behind back when skating wasn't cool is still there.
Some people seriously do not have the time to go skate at a park anymore.
Love your outlook on things, great vid dude!
Thanks!
I don't usually comment on these kinds of things, but as someone who's been skating since the late 80's, I've seen lots of trends come and go. I don't think companies like Revive, and channels like Braille are bad for skateboarding. The fact that they are getting more people into skating, is actually a good thing, in my opinion. Back when I started, there were no public parks to be found. I grew up in a small western Massachusetts town of about 10,000 people. There were so few skaters that I could count them with my fingers, maybe even just one hand. Why would a town build a park for the maybe 5 kids who skated? They wouldn't. We had nowhere to go to do what we loved. We did it anyway. That's where a big part of the "punk or outlaw" part of the sport came from. Since around 2000 or so, I've watched tons of parks pop up all over the place, and it makes me think, "man, this is a great time to be a skateboarder!" I only dreamt of skating the things that are now ordinary, everyday staples of skateboarding and skateparks. Sure, more people getting into it might make it less of a rebel's sport, or whatever the fuck you want to call it, but people need to ask themselves this: "why did I start skateboarding?" Was it because it furthered your punk rock rebel kid image, or because you honestly LOVED the feeling of rolling on 4 wheels bolted to a piece of wood? I don't claim to be punk, or anything like that, but isn't punk about not giving a fuck? So what if you don't like UA-cam skaters, or how accessible skating is for other people? If you don't like it, don't buy the products, don't watch their videos. If skating isn't obscure enough for your hip image anymore, go do something else. Jump out of a plane and weave a basket during freefall. I bet you'd be the first person to do that, imagine all the cool points that would get you.
Part of what I always loved about skating was that I didn't need a team to play, or a field or court. I didn't need to wait for my mom to come home from work, and take me somewhere to play. I could walk out my front door, and skate up to the curb, and pretend it was a big vert ramp, and I was whoever my favorite skater was at that time. It was very accessible, and I loved that about it. The more people who skate, the more accepted, and more accessable it becomes to other people. If you truly love skating, and the feeling it gives you, why would you not want other people to feel that same joy? That's just idiotic. Skating isn't going to die because of a small portion of companies like Revive. And if skating isn't going anywhere, and you're really so into it, just fucking shut up and go skate, and ignore the people who you perceive as kooks.
As for fingerboards, again, who cares? I personally think it's kinda lame, but if someone has fun doing it, who fucking cares?!? I bet a lot of people think it's lame that I'm 38 years old, and I still go out and skate, side by side with people who are 20-30 years younger than me. I roll around a concrete playground with a bunch of little kids. I don't give two shits if people think it's lame, because I FUCKING LOVE IT.
When it comes down to it, the one thing that I think is ruining skating, are all the kooks who actually give a fuck about stuff like this. If you love what you do, just ignore the bullshit and keep doing what you love, because it's not going anywhere, and the days of it being outlaw were over before most of you even set foot on a skateboard.
I used to love Braille skateboarding but I feel like I've outgrown it. I'll watch Andy's Revive stuff because it reminds me of just messing around with buddies.
I know some people including Ed Templeton that are upset because they cut out the middle man and sell directly to consumers.
That means they can sell decks at half the cost of their competitors.
It also could shutdown skate shops if more companies do what Revive does when it comes to selling decks.
Thanks for taking my question, Aron!
No problem, thanks for asking!
To be honest. People at revive get ME back to skateboarding. And I think that the reason why I get back, was finally seeing someone "not killing spots" and still had good time,be successful , popular, sponsored, etc. So for ME Revive saved skateboarding.
Braille got me back into skating after a hard fall 5 hears ago. And I chose Revive and I have love their products.
A lot more informed and well thought out than I thought it would be. Good job man.
they do have video parts and revive and braille are major influences for getting people into and enjoying skateboarding. in general just have fun.
i think they do motivate kids to skate i see it completely differently. sam tabor is a prime example he is obviouslt not that good but he has fun and he is surrounded by talent and still has fun. revive is for the introvert kid who always wanted to skate but thought they werent good enough and than they see revive and it gives them hope. i still love your channel and you deserve more subs and recognition
i think revive and how they have "youtube skaters"on their team is pretty cool. i see it as they give a chance for people who might not be good enuff or just dont wanna able get sponsored by big names like Zero, FLip and so on to do the tours, demos contests a chance at sponsorship while still skating & doing youtube at the same time while in return they get their brand out there. I think revive is cool. Plus my cousin grew up with John Hill (and is also a youtuber) who Skates for them. and knowing him, he wouldn't have gone from Birdhouse to Revive later down the line if they weren't good or the company wasn't ran well.
I love revive, I skate revive decks, as do I love Braille skateboarding. They’re both good skate related people. Revive in my opinion is one of the best and Braille is helping people skate and get into skating so people who skate should understand that revive are doing things right
Aaron and Lance gave me the motivation to skate again. So it's cool !
Braille is recruiting the most new skaters since tony hawk games
You answered this question really well, really made me think.
Thanks!
im 30 years old, and probably would not have gotten back on my board had it not been for Kyro and the Revive team. Of course my 15 year old Powell Angel Boy deck broke after 7 tries at a pop shuvit, i still credit them for resparking my love for skating.
same here... just got a Giger deck and now I'm trying some trick I didn't even know was possible. I'm trying to do the body varial first then flip the board.
I used to skate a lot as a teenager. In my opinion the skateboarding culture is very superficial. It is alot about "woaah this brand is cool because this skater i using it." They are also very "hipster" and call people "sellout". Since it is often kids that skateboard they are easy to affect by this kind of marketing. Because all kids want to be cool.
I don't think this Revive type of business is bad for skateboarding. People who says it is ruining skateboarding are just too set in their old ways.
On another note I love your videos how you combine both real life skateboarding and the skateboard games, also very high quality content.
I always liked revive especially when I was younger, just cause Andy was always such a positive guy. Maybe he only acts like that on camera, I doubt it but even so, him and his buds were good influences to a young skater.
Haha I kinda hate revive except Johnny giger
Kaleoliko Paalua the videos can be cringey but the decks are actually really good ive been skating them for 3 years now
I kinda hate revive especially for Johnny giger. If only he didn’t talk so much.
Cuz johnny is like one of there best pros
I love my revive and their team is really motivating
he's got a lot to say you could really learn a thing or several you know, youtubers are supposed to talk alot
Braille has done way more for skateboarding's future than 24 pros put together have done. I love watching video parts, watching a skater not only destroy a crazy complex line but do it with his (or her) own unique style is the most motivational thing ever for me. But I think it takes a while to get to the point where the impact of a skaters part is really absorbed. You need to get on a board and grind out your first tricks to have the context that what's going down in video parts is mind blowing. Without Braille, thousands, maybe a million young kids will start skating, and get to the level where Pros have a big impact on them.
I think Braille brings skateboarding to a more relatable level for most skaters. It could be a bit discouraging in my earlier years after watching pros on the old VHS tapes, then struggling to do even the basic tricks.
Great video dude , really like your calm/informative way to speak .
Andy Schrock understands where young skater's attention is and figured out how to use that to run a business. Why wouldn't he empower his team to make vlogs and video content to build their brand as well as revive?
It's a much better business model to have guys like Jonny Giger make daily videos than it is to send a team on the road to make a movie.
100% agree with the business analysis. And thankfully youre right that if one company decides to try to follow that model the other companies would pick up the dropped pros. Unless everyone tries to follow that model, which i doubt will happen, we should be fine. Revive and that group make skateboarding very friendly and interest poeple who dont skate to start. They got me to start skating at age 27
I would argue that Revive is helping to grow skateboarding. Big companies sell boards for $50-$60. Revive sells boards for like $30. So now the typical customer who can't afford a board made by a big company can afford a board from revive, not to mention get 2 revive boards for the price of 1 big company board. Also think about how expensive it is to constantly break your board and have to go buy a new $60 deck...if revive is selling boards for half that they are definitely helping grow skateboarding.
Can you talk about how kickflips seem to be a lot more popular than heelflips?
+TheAmazingAD Good question! I'll see if I can come up with something!
TheAmazingAD could be that everybody that doesnt skate know what a kickflip is
tuttifruttiskalle yeah, I was wondering why the kickflip took the spotlight instead of heelflips, many people who don't skate can't tell the difference
Its pretty simple. Skateboarding to most people is about style and doing what looks cool and feels stylish. Heelflips are cool looking don't get me wrong. But a clean kickflip has a lot more style than a clean heelflip. Unless you're Neen Williams. He's the only one that makes a godly heelflip.
because kickflips are easier for most people
I think revive is making skateboarding available to a wider audience, and making it way more down to earth than some of these big name guys.
make in fun, less than a sport or lifestyle. ... that's why I like them anyway
Start Your company, Rad Rat, in the future. Freestyle one. That would be awesome. No jokes. I'll buy some. Again - no joke.
I'd love to start up some kind of skateboarding business. But I don't want to compete with Mode. They're killing freestyle right now!
Waitin' for a video 'bout that :)
in argentina we have 2 kinds of wood, of course maple, and sometimes is fake here, and guatamba, most of us buy guatamba because is more cheap, and maple here is very very expensive, and i think that guatamba is ruining the argentina skateboarding, i just want to hear your opinion, keep doing videos you're amazing!
That's really interesting! I haven't heard anything about that, but I know there's a similar issue in Romania. Pro skateboards cost about a month's pay and everyone is forced to ride really cheap boards from China
Its because traditional Skate companies are still living in the 90's. You know film a video part over 3 years and have a release every 5 years. So are people telling me Jonny Gieger does not have talent? He is pretty much the Swiss Rodney Mullen. John Hill used to be on Birdhouse flow untill he realised the preasures of being consistsntly good. UA-camrs go at their own pace they sketboard as friends not to comepete to see who can do the biggest tricks down El Toro. Yes they do help skaters because they watch UA-cam videos then get people buying their decks etc to go learn to skate. You telling me a company like Baker, Almost etc is getting new people into skating. I am all for good narly skating however kids these days want easy accesible content. I feel their not going to ask parents to buy them video parts when they can watch UA-camrs skate and vlog about their lives. Heck even The Berrics does silly stuff and has UA-camrs on their BOTB series. Jonny Gieger nearly beat Paul Rodriguez using late flips but only lost because he knew P Rod couldn't do them and didn't wanna win that way.
ON POINT with your views on finger boards vs skate boards.
from my uninformed perspective, I think revive is what America needs. Andy's an entrepreneur and his crew is good but not robotic like nyjah Houston. More relatable and more realistic goals for me to set. Plus they have decent trick tutorials. With this said, I still just buy blanks from my local shop.
The thing is your average dude or chick can relate to a guy like Johnny Giger. Until running into his channel I hadn't thought about skating in almost 30 years. But because he shows you video.. of 8 minutes of messing up.. with 30 seconds of him landing a trick.. and then you see this personal satisfaction and joy!.. And now I'm looking to buy a new board! Lol
Watching 45 of epic perfect shots makes you impressed but doesn't inspire anyone because who sees themselves at that level. But all the big players would have to do is sponsor amateurs on UA-cam and they would draw even better attention than revive.. revive would become the new "Nash" brand quickly.
I think Revive is helping skateboarding. Them and Braille, imo, are bringing kids who might have been afraid of skating to see it as fun and start.