Product Review: TSG Knee Gaskets

This is the first of a bunch of product reviews that we are planning on doing. Whether they are written by myself or by some other rad hombre the intention behind them is to answer you questions. Questions like, 'What board is best for me?' or 'Are those trucks really worth the money?' etc etc etc...Basically, what we want to answer all the gear related questions that you have running around in your head! So if you want a certain product reviewed please be sure to comment below!!!

So here we go, the first product review...

After I had two really bad stacks where I sprained the ligaments in my knees (one stack was longboarding & one skateboarding, im just generally a kook), it was recommended to me to get a set of TSG Knee Gaskets. 

Thanks to the team over at Supersports, I have been skating with TSG  Knee Gaskets for around 3 weeks now. If you didn't know already TSG Knee gasket pads go underneath you normal knee pads and give extra support and stability to the knee. The TSG's rock two flexible springs which run either side of your knee which give support to the ligaments. This comes in handy when you do things like squatting down to rail a heel side corner or when you fall all on your knees awkwardly. Another killer feature with the TSG Gaskets the extra impact protection they provide. When you stack they cushion and protect the knee. The gaskets  incorporate two velcro strips above and below the knee cap which ensure your kneepads aren't going to slip when you do take a fall (There is nothing worse than doing a knee slide with your knee pads down at your ankles!)

Here are a few hot tips to keep in mind when buying and using theTSG Knee Gaskets:

- Make sure you buy these a size smaller than you think feels comfortable. Just like when you buy normal kneepads, gaskets will also stretch over time! So go into your local store and ask the staff to help you out!

- Make sure you still run an external kneepad for abrasion protection. If you fall on the road with just gaskets on they will rip!

- When putting on or taking gaskets off I recommend you hold each side of the gasket (where the springs are) and pull them up over the top of your knee that way! If you try and pull them from just the front you will have issues!

If you have ever had any sort of knee injury and never quite feel like your normal kneepad gives you enough ligament support, or you know that you fall awkwardly and it's just a matter of time before you do some ligament damage, I would straight up recommend you getting your hands on a set of TSG Knee Gaskets! After all, you need knees!

Stay Safe 'n' Stay Stoked!

Here's a picture of me just before Im about to put the TSG Gasket/All Terrain combo to the test!

Rad action shot by J.D.N Photography!

TSG Knee Gaskets are available at:

www.sk8er.net.au

www.supersports.net.au

CHICK CLIP OF THE WEEK 3.0

Check out this radical clip of Californian shredder Yvonne Byers, showing us what it means to skate everything on her proto Bonzing Deck.

BoarderX Was Magical

How many times in your life do you get the opportunity to skate down a 14ft roll in ramp in the middle of your city. ASRA kicked some serious ass with the organisation of the first ever Australian BoarderX Series! Everything ran smoother than a baby's bottom, which allowed for one thing and one thing only... FUN!

BoarderX will go down in my memory as one of the most radical days of a skateboarding ever. I was wetting my pants with fear and excitement as I climbed up the ladder to the top of the drop in the ramp. I had witnessed a number of groms eat bitumen just a few minutes before hand and I was freaking. Some encouraging words 'just lean forward and you'll be right girl' came out of Yatedawg's mouth and it was time to 'yolo' this ramp.

Lean forward, lean forward, lean forward. Magic! I made it down in one piece with no time left to think about the rest of the course. Crossed the finish line and all i remember is hugging some little grommet because I was that excited (I don't think I had even met this kid before). What a spectacular feeling that first run was.

Skating back to the start of the course, my levels of stoke were about to reach sky rocketing levels as I watch my homie Aki Yaguchi launch down the ramp! Her facial expression was priceless, the perfect combination of fear and happiness.

As the day progressed the ASRA homedawgs thought it would be funny to put a 'little' gap in the ramp. To me this was the equivalent of being told to air the Grand Canyon. But the more I looked at it, the more I realised how possible it was. Advice was coming from left and right (the best part about the skate family) and I felt like I was ready to give this a go.

I GOT SO MUCH AIR!!!

The only catch is I got air without my skateboard, I flew for what seemed a lifetime, but I was abruptly woken by the rock hard road I had just slammed into. I still haven't worked out what was worse the pain I felt in my hip or the embarrassment I felt as the public starred me down.

There really is only one thing to do when you fall, and that is to get back up and try again. I found myself standing on top of the roll in ramp again with so much determination to land this little air. WHOOPA, NAILED IT! To anyone looking on all I had done was air a tiny little gap in the ramp, to me I had just taken on an army of 5000 strong and killed them all with my bare hands.

It didn't matter to me that I was knocked out in the first round of the competition, all that mattered was that I had done something I thought I would never be able to do. I skated something that was seriously radical, and I had so much fun doing it. I was stoked to see all the Brissy rippers having a go & even more stoked to see Aki rip up the course. BoarderX was magical, you must get yourself there next year!

Much love,

Phoebe.

Ps. Here is a photo to show you what the pros were up to, Tyler Howell showing off!

Pps. here is a super funny video of me on the news talking about BoarderX.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-10/world-champion-hopefuls-tear-up-the-streets/5081956

Thanks to J.D.N Photography for all the photos.

EVENT RECAP: SK8ERGURLZ

stoked.

1. to be excited about something, to the point where it's contagious; to be inspired by something so much that you can't help but share it with others; 

2. to be "stoked" is to be completely and intensely enthusiastic, exhilirated, or excited about something. Those who are stoked all of the time know this; being stoked is the epitome of all being. When one is stoked, there is no limit to what one can do. 

Example: I was stoked last Saturday, because it was the first time I had skated with more than 3 girls at one time!

On the 2nd of November  BirdsOnBoards partnered up with local Brisbane skate shop 'SK8ER' to hold the first ever girls only skate date! A total of 11 girls/women rocked up which was mind boggling for me, as I have never skated with more than 3 girls in my 2 years of skating. 

It was the best feeling in the world to see girls rolling around with the biggest smiles on their faces. Girls who have never even stepped a foot on a board before by the end of the session were going from the top of the hill. Girls were getting tips on how to tuck with Flock Member Aki Yaguchi! Huge props to Caitlin for having the best stack of the day, and also to Karen (Sk8er Owner) who was giving it a red hot go. Karen "thought it was a awesome day, she had heaps of fun and it was a rad group of girls. She cant wait until the next one".

While we are talking about the next one, make sure you keep the 7th of December @ 10AM free! 

Thanks to all the girls who came out and thanks to Sk8er for backing BirdsOnBoards, see you on a hill or in the skatepark!

Words by: Phoebe Cochrane

CHICK CLIP OF THE WEEK 2.0

Elissa Steamer is undoubtedly one of the greatest female skaters of all time. And her part in the 'Paradise' Brotherhood Skateshop Video is equally one of the best. This clip gets me so stoked every time I watch it, so sit back, relax & enjoy!