d.i.y

Low Holly DIY – Nantes, France

Inspired by Pontus Alv’s concrete sculptures, the first part of this private mini-skatepark began in August 2010, based on night and rainy construction sessions on an rough unused slab of an old farm. It includes several walls, a tall bump, a grindable bank, 2 quarterpipes and a fun pool coping spine in the middle. A corner was just added in august 2012. Low Holy is a nice spot in the middle of nowhere in the northwest part of France, in the city of Nantes, which has already received a lot of visitors and some heavy sessions

Mechelen DIY – Belgium (Spring 2012)

I hadn’t visited Mechelen since last May and in this time, Bruno and his Concrete Dreams crew have been using Mechelen as a testing ground for new techniques, obstacles and features that they can then implement in a variety of skateparks they’re building around Belgium. Therefore, Mechelen has a little bit of everything: a bowl, a concrete miniramp, ledges, pyramids, speed bumps, tables, corners, a loveseat, a tombstone door for the daredevils to attempt, and a skateable perimeter speed line that goes around the outside of about half the park.

Pont Bellevue D.I.Y – Nantes, France (fundraising party)

This Saturday night (June 2nd) there will be a video premiere of “BREATHLESS”, a film by Arthur Bourdaud. The video features a lot of DIY spots so the locals at Pont Bellevue decided to organize a lottery and a fundraiser during the release of the DVD to get money to buy more concrete for their local “under the bellevue bridge” spot.

Chez Claude DIY – Toulouse, France

Our story is, I think, a great classic! Everything began two years ago, in lack of any curves in our city we decided to take our fate in our own hands and build our own spot! For that it was necessary for us to find a good place, a few kilometers later, an old caterpillar factory in the outskirts of the city would make for a good chill spot. We had the place we would start the “Chez Claude” adventure.

New Concrete: Eitorf, Germany

In progress: In the small town of Eitorf, outside of Siegburg, which is about 20 minutes from Köln, Germany is a fairly decent sized skatepark being built by Minus Pools.

GREAT DESERT POOL DUEL – Palmdale, California

Normally I hate skate contests. In California most skate contests are held in skate parks. While the terrain in California skate parks may be ok, skate parks seem to only exist to keep skateboarders concentrated in one area so to make it easier city officials to keep an eye on skateboarders. Add to the mix too many people, pad nannies, fences, and the like, I prefer to keep as far away from contests as possible.

Project 45 (DIY Montreal) – art show benefit

Every year, the Projet45 guys try to find fun ideas to raise money for their DIY project and it’s not really easy to keep people interested. Most of the skateboarders out there are often multi-talented; when they are not on wheels, they are playing music, drawing, painting etc. Then came the idea to use the talent of our great concrete soldiers’ by doing an Art Show in Montreal, which could be an excuse to raise money, and have fun with the bros in the meantime.

Betonhausen and Lankow Bowl – German Concrete

“This is a short clip that shows the little steep backyard ramp “Betonhausen” in Berlin and also the new Bowl in Schwerin Lankow.
The Minus crew did a great job in the renovation of the skate park and there is more space left to recreate the area. The Lankow Locals build their own speed bumps, quarters and other totally funky obstacles…” – Jubbi

Confusion Magazine – Issue #4

Confusion Magazine – Issue #4 – release date end of Janauary, 2012. Featuring Adam Benson, Matt Grabowski, Balder Lehmann, Ferit Batir, Phil Jackson and Sadam Yoshizawa.