Conflict Resolution Through Skateboarding?? Maybe one day...

"To me, skateboarding is like a brotherhood," -Hamid Shahram

Kabul: site of some of the most impoverished children in the Middle East is now home to a new flock of skateboarding fanatics. Skateistan started when a couple Australians brought over some boards to engage kids in non-violent and non-competitive sport. The kids and coaches began riding together in empty swimming pools that under the Taliban rule were used for public executions. If the proposed skate park gets built, it would pass into ownership within 12 months however, unlike some NGOs, this project would not collapse.
Percovich, founder of Skateistan, poignantly put it,
"The relationship between Afghans and foreigners is getting more distant," he said. "At least we're not pointing guns at them."

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Meet Kirk Harriot

What do England, Gymnastics, dodge ball, and Pink Floyd have in common? Well, nothing unless, of course, you’re Kirk Harriot.
An imperial ex pat, Harriot ditched the gymnastics and headed across the pond to Canada. When asked why he wanted to join FIGJAM, Harriot said, “the clothes and of course, they hook it up good.” Well, it seems Harriot knows a good thing when he sees it. After dabbling in other sports Harriot found his niche in skating. For the past 6 years he’s been hitting the skate scene hard and it all came together when he dominated the Ontario skate scene this year winning the Men's Open Division at this year’s DC National Qualifier.
Harriot’s desire to stay true to the skateboarding culture is apparent when he notes that his motivation comes from seeing younger skaters rip up the concrete. His leadership and incredible skills embody what FIGJAM is all about.
Welcome to the team KIRK!

Girls Girls Girls

ALL WE WANT IS GIRLS!

The first time I stepped on a skateboard I must admit, I nearly killed myself. My friends decided that I should be the first girl to test their 5ft half pipe built in a backyard barn. Me being the "I can do whatever the boys can do" kind of girl said "no problem". Little did I know the skill that is actually needed to fling oneself down a 5 ft. ramp. The guys strapped me up in hockey equipment and said, " just lean forward and go with the momentum of the board" ...uuh, ya right!
I think right then and there I decided I needed to perhaps stick to trying to master street style.
It seems more than ever, however, girls are starting to join the ranks of the males skate scene. Global Surf News reports that,
Of the 38 sports and activities surveyed by the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) in its Sports Participation – Series I and II reports, the female share of skateboarding showed the strongest increase. Females represented 26.6% (2.7 million) of total skateboard participation in 2007; in 2002, they represented on 19.5% (1.9 million) of the participants.

So what does this mean for the industry??
Well, for one we will have to start catering towards a younger female market in order to maintain a pool of up and coming female skaters. This will mean everything from competitions and sponsorships to clothing and and equipment. Will the industry follow suit? Well,  if it wants to cash in it will have to. Mark my words, look out for more and more female oriented skate gear in stores near you.

Back To School Skateboard Competition

On August 30th, FIGJAM co-sponsored a 'Back To School' Skateboarding Comp in Brampton, ON. We're glad to say our own Joey Bondi won the AM division-- Good job, way to represent!

Here are some pics of our product toss--- It was an amazing day, 30 degree weather, sun