We invite you to take part on a very unique survey for an upcoming issue of the Longboarder Buyer’s Guide… Skaters and authorities have always had a “complicated” relationship. We here at AXS Gear and Concrete Wave want to hear your thoughts on this issue. It only takes a moment of your valuable skate time and would really help shed some light on how your thoughts on Skateboarding and Authority. Just click Begin below to reach the survey and keep on skating! We look forward to seeing what you have to say.

So welcome to 2013. Isn’t it nice to know the world didn’t end and things are still turning? Sure, there were some pretty tense situations last year, and you really have to wonder if we’re going to be OK. But then again there are times when you take a step back and marvel at how well things come together. Thankfully, I’ve been fortunate to have a few of these experiences, and I’d like to share some of the most recent with you. As some of you might recall, we started Longboarding for Peace in Israel and the Palestinian Territories this past July. I had no idea what would happen. I just knew that getting kids skating and having fun would be a highly positive experience.

We received approximately 1,200 responses to our survey. It was completed back in May of this year. In sifting through the data, some rather interesting trends become apparent. Statistically speaking, having 1,200 respondents is 100% more than the number required to get solid information. Remember, they poll roughly 1,000 people for elections! But as Mark Twain famously said, there are “lies, damned lies and statistics.” We welcome your feedback as to whether these numbers correlate with your own.

Monster Clear Grip Spray gives skaters the chance to show off their top decks with sick graphics, colors, stickers, and anything on their top deck. Monster Clear Grip Spray provides strong grip that skaters need and still show off their top decks without obscuring the artwork. The Monster Grip Spray comes in a can that will grip 3 to 4 decks with 3 coats each. The Grip Spray also come with grit that can be applied between coats for added traction for your board. The application was simple and fairly easy to follow. Here at AXS Gear we tested the Monster Paint Grip spray on a beautiful Xylan 360 Graphic Wrap Deck.

This past summer, the Los Angeles city council voted to ban skaters who ride faster than 10 miles per hour. Also in California, city officials, longboarders and concerned citizens in the town of Laguna Beach have been trying to work out a compromise as streets get banned. Meanwhile, in North and West Vancouver, British Columbia city officials have enacted bans on skating on certain streets. And in Moncton, New Brunswick, longboarders are now facing fines of up to $125 for riding on the street or sidewalk. It might surprise some readers to know that the issue of banning skateboards has been with us for quite some time. In fact, you can go back to 1964, when The New York Times reported on the ban of skateboarding in New Jersey.

With the increasing focus on sustainable urban transport comes an increasing call for proper safety infrastructure and products. We’ve recently seen LED bicycle helmets, and now a company called Light Bohrd has developed LED helmets and skateboards for commuters that use their feet for pushing rather than pedaling.