SPoT Course Construction 2016
Posted
on
on Sunday, September 25, 2016
by Chris
Yep, it's that time of year again when we rip up the old Pro Course layout and make it a little better than last year. This time around, we went into it with no plans, which is a first. With the help of Allen Russell, who has been a part of building everything you skate here at SPoT since the early days, we got some ideas into motion and some volunteers to help us build them. Here's some photos of the progress so far. Check back on September 28 when it will be finished. Until then, we're offering FREE SKATING in the courtyard, bowl and Mini-Course. Photos: Frank Branca
With the help of our partners at SLS, we're gearing up to bring you the best Tampa Am EVER this year. It all starts with ripping up the old Pro Course and giving it an upgrade.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
This part of the process is pretty standard: DESTROY EVERYTHING. Nah, we're just ripping out sections to make way for new terrain.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Wesley Box
Every year we get some volunteers to help out with the demo. Aaron is part of our maintenance crew and is used to this type of blue collar work. Joel Box is Wesley's dad...and if you don't know who Wes is...
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Wesley Box
...That's Wes. He's an all-terrain ripper, Boards For Bros ambassador, and all around great kid. That's why we couldn't get too mad at him for sneaking in a front pivot here and there.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Aaron Burkett
Looks like the speedbump is coming out.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Take a good look - it's the last time you'll see some of this stuff.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Allen Russell
Big Russ is all like "Shea...so um...we're gonna put a grass gap herrrre... and um...not sure about that area..." Eric knows he has NO IDEA what the plan is yet.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Allen Russell
That blank piece of paper is the super secret "plans" for the new course. Basically we're just winging it.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Construction 101: make sure you're piles are solid.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Josh Knight
FSEC (Former SPoT Employee Club) Member, Josh Knight is back at it - doing...whatever it is that he does.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
We find all kinds of weird shit when taking out some of this old tranny. Throwback DVS bench? Shelf?
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Early overview.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Brian Schaefer
This is where the plans actually start taking shape. Allen and Schaef map it out as they go.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Brian Schaefer
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Second rule of construction: Know how to use your tool.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Wonder where these are going?
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
GoPros are set up all around the course so we can get a nice time-lapse of the build after it's finished.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Allen Russell
Big Russ knows how to handle his wood.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Don't worry...this board will soon get the attention it deserves.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Glen lays the framework for something new here...
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Allen Russell
Dammmmnnnn....now that's what we like to see. Progress. Looks like the bank up to quarter is coming back. Maybe a hubba in there?
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
By the way, did I mention it's 1,000 degrees right now in Florida? Gotta stay cool somehow...
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Wesley Box
"Hey dad, have fun breaking your back, I'm going to skate!"
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
This section is starting to really come together.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
#SPoTLife
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Damn...I called it! Looks like a sick little hubba is going on that side.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Joel Box: A man. A tool belt. A mission.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
No clue what Jason Ranft is going to use that sledgehammer for, but considering he does this a LOT, I trust him.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Blank canvas for this area, but here's where the Independent Best Trick contest will most likely go down during Tampa Am.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
By the way, did I mention there's FREE SKATING going on from now until September 28? The Pro Course is unskateable, but the Concrete Course and Mini-Course are still open. Dustin Lehner takes advantage.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Paul Cote ain't letting no broke-ass course stop him from an afternoon session.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Liam Brocks
Neither is Liam Brocks - feeble down the Mini-Course rail.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
It's a thing of beauty. Pretty soon this will be filled with people for Tampa Am in November, but for now, come enjoy the quiet.
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
And the last photo for now - the dump photo. If anyone needs some free materials, come on by before this stuff is gone. We'll post some more photos on September 28 when the course is finished. Until then, enjoy some free skating!
Date:
September 23, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Allen Russell
Big Russ, aka Allen Russell putting in a new hubba on the Best Trick pyramid.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
It ain't finished until you put the Skatelite on it.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Allen Russell
The new escalator on the East side of the course is looking good.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
This new round rail extension on the pyramid is clean AF.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Here's an overview of how the Best Trick pyramid is coming along. Looks like a center rail is being installed. The dude with the massive red beard is Gene and he kills it.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
First look at the new hubbas over on the north side. These things will see many a wallie to grind / slide / manny / etc.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Out with the stairs to make way for a "grass" gap.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Weld done.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Looking forward to seeing some front blunts down this hubba.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Gene the machine letting some sparks fly.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
We had another week of free skating for you, since the Pro Course wasn't open.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Welder Jeff getting ready to mount a new rail here.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
The first few panels of Skatelite get laid down, which means this part's almost finished.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
If you look over to the far right, you can see the placeholder of a new wall rail being put in.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
You can sign up right here." width="386" height="265">
Looks like some Skate Campers tagged up this panel. Speaking of Skate Camp, there's a couple of single-day sessions coming up on October 10th and 12th. You can sign up right here.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Coming together.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Course building 101: Gene is pre-drilling all the holes where the screws will go.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
The Indy Best Trick at Tampa Am is going to be the best one yet based on how this obstacle is looking.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
View from the bowl corner.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Josh Knight
Josh Knight admires the view so far.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Joel Box is still crushing it on the assist. EOTM nominee?
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
The only thing that's hotter than the weather is that custom welding mask.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Tag us at #SPoTTampa with your Insta videos skating the new course. We might repost them @SPoTTampa.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Got wood?
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Aaron Morgan
It's torture waiting for this thing to be finished so we can skate it. Uncle Sam and Aaron Morgan can't do anything but lurk and take photos until then.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Flash forward to September 29th and...we're done! As you can see, no one wasted any time getting to it.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Robby Kirkland
Robby2packs doing what he does best.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Robby Kirkland
Robby2packs doing what he does best.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Chris Reitz
Chris Reitz going against the grain on this new hubba.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Jyrus Ferguson
These always look good. FSEC member Jyrus Ferguson - front blunt.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Wesley Box
No one told Wes Box that this escalator was meant for going down, not up. Oh well.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Jordi Zapata
Jordi Zapata introduces himself to the new wall rails with a BS Smith.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Robby Kirkland
Peewee Kirks at it again with a nosegrind.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Derick Glancy
Posed or not? You decide - We all know Glancy rips, so my vote is not.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Keenan Lewis
Solid looking Judo air by Keenan Lewis over the snow plow.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Cash Gaddes
If Cash had wings, he'd fly...but he doesn't, so we'll settle for this front 5-0 down another new hubba.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Cash Gaddes
The new course gets Cash / Shaqueefa's seal of approval.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Tyler Wolford
Textbook leveled-out back lip by Tyler Wolford while his homie Liam Brocks captures.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Chris Reitz
The face says it all. Chris Reitz approves.
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca
Jordan Bostick
Some kids like Jordan Bostick just prefer concrete. Fastplant.
And that's it for the new course photos. Stay tuned for the video edit of all this stuff coming soon...
Date:
October 03, 2016
Photographer: Frank Branca