MAKE
Words and photos
by Nik Freitas
FT
Opposite, top to bottom:
Jamie Gilley applies a backside
launcher to an appliance.
Dale Blackmon does the superbowl
shuffle on the refrigerator.
100 THRASHER
OPENED A DICTIONARY THE OTHER DAY AND
looked up the words "make" and "shift." Thanks to
Mr. Webster I was given the proper definition for the
word "make": To produce or create; to bring into
being; build; put together. When I skipped to the "s"
section, there wasn't a definition for the word "shift,"
so I made one of my own, saying the word shift
means to move, side to side, down or up. Makes
sense. Then I looked at the two words together and
figured that the phrase "makeshift" simply means to make up
something, sketchy or not.
It is retarded to think that doing the same things on the same
stuff all the time is fun. Whatever it may be, a job, a barstool, or
a mini-ramp, you have to switch it up. You have to add some-
thing new, whether it is going to work drunk, ordering a differ-
ent beer besides the cheapest one on tap, or adding an extension
to the ramp you always skate.
Case in point: your local ramp. You can only do so many tail-
blocks and crailslides. So open your eyes and look around. Most
flat surfaces are skateable and at your fingertips in parking lots
(parking blocks), dumpsters (refrigerators), or construction sites
(wood, duh).
You've seen what Daewon can do with picnic tables. Now go
to work. You're sick of doing kickflips on your local bank? Put a
parking block on top of it. You're sick of attempting benihanas
down your favorite set of stairs? You've seen it in the videos: put
a bench down them.
Makeshift is the word. Build an extension on your ramp or
throw the Ramp Tech rail down your driveway. It is all the same.
Then take it anywhere. Make then shift.