Edits: Summer approaches

BJ Bales — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:43:51 +0000

Words by Bruce J. Bales

With summer just around the corner, Iowa rollerbladers have been busy, and after a month long break the Iowa Connection is back. I thank everyone for their patience and understanding during the short break, and I assure you all that the site has a lot of great stuff planned for the summer. The first of those things will be taking place in Iowa City on the 29th when we get together for the first of many summer sessions. There will be more information about the session coming next week. Until then, take a look at these edits from Logan Clark and Troy DeZeeuw.

Should Have Been There (Full-length)

BJ Bales — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:42:46 +0000

Words and edit by Bruce J. Bales

In one week a group of Iowans will again hit the road for the annual road trip. For this week, I decided to finally post the full length version of “Should Have Been There.” Although I am not completely satisfied with the final version, I knew it would be a good time to release this version. I hope everyone feels as good after watching this video as I do. See you on the road.

2013 Spring cleaning

BJ Bales — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:48:17 +0000

Chris Watts. Disaster backslide to fakie. Davenport. (Click to enlarge)

Words and photos by Bruce J. Bales

Every year around this time I take a few hours and clean up my hard drives. If I’m lucky I catch a large group of photographs I forgot about or just never got around to using. This year, I didn’t find as much as I thought I would, but I did find a few gems for your viewing pleasure.

Tohmmy Lash. Front torque. Peoria, Ill. (Click to enlarge)

Andrew Hall. Heel roll. Davenport. (Click to enlarge)

Phil Austin. Launch to fishbrain to fakie. Iowa City (Click to enlarge)

Edits: Spring skatepark sequences

BJ Bales — Thu, 02 May 2013 00:27:47 +0000

Words by Bruce J. Bales

For a moment, it was like spring was here. Who knows what the next few days will hold, but you have to get while the getting is good. That’s exactly what the mentality has been in Iowa lately. If the weather is good, the shredding is good. Luckily, a few of us have been documenting the process of shaking off the winter dust. Take a break from this beautiful day to watch three edits from three different Iowa bladers.

Recap: 2013 spring session

BJ Bales — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:11:07 +0000

Words by Bruce J. Bales
Edit by Logan Clark

The weekend of the 2013 spring session could be summed up in one word: chill. Not only was there a slight chill in the breeze, but the vibe from everyone was also relaxed. After what was a crazy week, I was completely content with just being around my friends who I don’t see enough and enjoying the sunshine of an erratic spring.

Once the session started at the Bettendorf skatepark, I realized how good of a group we had for the day. We were all graced by the presence of Dylan Huntbach and his parents, who made the session even more fulfilling just by being there. Aaron Schultz from Dubuque also made the trip down, providing his usual comedic relief and carefree attitude, and A.J. Keane drove all the way from the other side of the state by himself.

Though the plans for day changed a bit because of local flooding, the session left everyone feeling satisfied. It was another usual reminder of how good we have it in Iowa. We have one of the better rollerblading scenes in America where there is no pressure to do anything but have a good time. Last weekend, like all Iowa Connection sessions, reminded me to appreciate the times I have with an incredibly special group of friends.

The night before. Brats. Photo: Augustus. (Click to enlarge)

The night before. Good times. Photo: Augustus. (Click to enlarge)

Jepherson, Chris Watts and Mike Nardini. Photo: Bales. (Click to enlarge)

Andrew Hall. Alley-oop negative makio. Photo: Bales. (Click to enlarge)

Shawn Warndorf. Darkside true fish. Photo: Clark. (Click to enlarge)

Logan Clark. Alley-oop fish. Photo: Bales. (Click to enlarge)

Tohmmy Lash. Half cab fish to fakie. Photo: Bales. (Click to enlarge)

Winding down the session at the Leclaire skatepark. Photo: Augustus. (Click to enlarge)

A usual sight. Photo: Augustus. (Click to enlarge)

Shawn Warndorf. Photo: Augustus. (Click to enlarge)

A.J. Keane climbing. Photo: Augustus. (Click to enlarge)

Ending the weekend with some tacos. Photo: Augustus. (Click to enlarge)

Skatechurch: Common Shreds

BJ Bales — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:13:29 +0000

Words, edit and photos by Bruce J. Bales

Four nights a week, at the top of the Brady Street hill in Davenport, a group of people sharing similar interests gather to get out of the cold and to practice their passions. Whether it blades, boards, bikes or scooters, Skatechurch provides a welcoming atmosphere where passionate people share a common shred.

Andrew Hall. Darkside truespin fishbrain. (Click to enlarge)

I’m not sure what the Quad Cities shredders would do without Skatechurch. I’d like to think it keeps us all sane during the wicked Midwestern winters. This sanity is maintained through our weekly sessions, and this winter I began to see a distinct change in the skatepark environment. A community was being built without barriers or prejudices. I saw everyone, no matter the instruments at their feet, come together to enjoy common goals and support each other while doing so. For the most part, a mutual respect was built between everyone using the ramps.

Chris Watts. Wall tap to fakie. (Click to enlarge)

In order to document this I decided to take a different approach when making a new Skatechurch edit. Instead of focusing solely on rollerblading, I made it a point to try to film everyone (I apologize for the absence of biking clips). This was challenge in itself, but everyone was very responsive to being a part of the edit.

Justin Whatley. Stale to fakie. (Click to enlarge)

The Skatechurch community is one of the most welcoming and positive communities I have ever been a part of. There is no pressure to believe a certain way. People are allowed to manage their own thoughts and energies. I think that the freedom of sharing a common shred and the openness of personal creativity and belief is what makes Skatechurch such a positive place.

Andrew Hall. Backside fastslide. (Click to enlarge)

Edits: Des Moines area skateparks

BJ Bales — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 17:56:42 +0000

Edits by Logan Clark

All around Iowa the skateparks are again filling up. You can expect to see a lot of shredding going on in the next few weeks as everyone shakes off the Winter rust. For now, Logan Clark presents three edits and a few photos of three Des Moines area skateparks. Enjoy.
-Bruce J. Bales

Logan Clark. Japan hip transfer. Ankeny.

Cody Saffeels. 540 safety to flat. Ankeny.

Shawn Warndorf. 180 that grab transfer. Ankeny.

Edit: Oskaloosa bladepark

BJ Bales — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:40:33 +0000

Words and edit by Bruce J. Bales

A group of rollerbladers from Des Moines and the Quad Cities meet in Oskaloosa, Iowa on March 14th, 2013 to session the new bladepark. DEFT and Log Cabin Cuts captured the sights and sounds of what turned out to be a beautiful day in Central Iowa.

Featuring:
Andrew “Droid” Hall
Bruce J. Bales
Logan Clark
Troy DeZeeuw
Junior Terronez

Recap: Big Creek box session

BJ Bales — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:01:25 +0000

Ben Gross. Darkside true top acid. (Click to enlarge)

Words and photos by Bruce J. Bales
Edit by Logan Clark

Last Saturday’s box session at Big Creek State Park was a great start to another year of Iowa Connection festivities. Despite the chilly weather, we sessioned Ben Gross’ well built boxes and practice rail for over five hours. The session had the usual Iowa vibe, and I think everyone got plenty of skating in. Watch Logan Clark’s video recap and check out the rest of the photos to get a better idea of what went down, and I’ll see you in the Quad Cities on April 20th for the next Iowa Connection event.

Shawn Warndorf. Fishbrain. (Click to enlarge)

Zach Gutweiler. Topside torque soul. (Click to enlarge)

Jepherson, Methodize, and the group. (Click to enlarge)

Ty Gibson. True top soyale. (Click to enlarge)

Logan Clark. Soul to truespin soul. (Click to enlarge)

Tohmmy Lash. Truespin makio. (Click to enlarge)

Tyler Nelson. Double X. (Click to enlarge)

2013 Iowa Connection Events

BJ Bales — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 22:30:29 +0000

2013 Iowa Connection Events. (Click to enlarge)

Words by Bruce J. Bales

I took a more modest approach with the events this year. There will of course be more sessions that the ones listed, but I wanted to give everyone a heads up for the main events for the year. I encourage everyone to start using the messageboard again to get sessions together. I will do my best to keep everyone informed about sessions going on around Iowa. The good weather will be here soon, so lets make this summer one to remember.

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me.