BoardFree Australia

10

2006-11-19T07:24:00.000Z

It's time. On an incredibly relaxing Sunday afternoon in Melbourne I've finally put a bit of time aside to offload a few thoughts on this whole Boardfree malarkey. I could drone on about the beautiful expanse of the Nullarbor or the majestic Great Ocean Road but the others have offered 7 different ways of saying what a pleasure it has been so far and, quite frankly, its far too late to be commenting on scenery which we passed through 2 months ago!

My motivation behind this blog is the arrival of 2 new team members
- Laura Hatwell and Pete Coventry - who have both been hugely influential on the Boardfree project already. Laura skated from Glasgow to Loch Lomond in Scotland for the Boardfree charities whilst Pete (along with Dim) has dedicated a large amount of time and effort to documenting Dave's journeys.

They are joining a team of equally dedicated people that I have grown to love since Dave finished compiling his BFOZ team in June. Although I recently referred to them as a bunch of baboons, there are things I admire about each of them:

Dim and Dan have joined forces and recognised one of Australia's greatest produce. Namely, beef jerky. They are currently compiling an analytical account of what the country has to offer in the way of dried cow and will no doubt be looking to publish the soon-to-be-little-known 'Jerking Around Australia'.

Kate has happened upon an unusual kinship with a plastic urinating device known as a Shewee. You know you've seen everything when you are faced with the utterly bizarre image of a female 'squeezing the lemon' in the teeing-off position. Admittedly, I have grown jealous of the pleasure she gets out of such a trivial activity. Its when she waves the bloody thing in my face that the problems start. No need Brako. No need.

Holly is completely barmy and deserves a special mention for teaching me a crucial lesson in personal hygiene and helping me pick out some new underwear. When you come on a 6 month endurance-style trip, 3 pairs of pants is never enough.

Becki has amazed me with her ability to concoct a variety of exciting meals centered around SPAM. And a recent suggestion of grating SPAM has opened up a world of possibilities. A wonderful wonderful form of meat which has fuelled the BoardFree team through its toughest moments.

Bev is the jewel in the BoardFree crown and has provided the team with bags of entertainment; not only through her talents as a musician but also by being the only member of the team (so far) who can put 18 pegs on their face and say "I am the Peg Master" without any falling off. Miss Blackburn, I salute you.

I could spend a whole blog complementing Dave on what he's doing, but, in truth, I have no idea what he goes through each day. I cycled 13km from Port Campbell to the 12 Apostles and I was a quivering wreck. My arse is still tender from the saddle. He has pushed almost 4000km, managed 7 other people, dealt with newspapers, radio stations and television crews from this country and beyond, maintained a smashing website and put more passion and commitment into a project than can ever be comprehended.

If Dave has taught me anything, it's that with a bit of determination, even ginger people have the ability to inspire.

Special Dedication: If Boardfree was a cheesecake Kate would be the biscuit base. Without her hard work and ability to be pleasant to people even after a night of Daves flatulence, Boardfree would not be what it is today.

BoardFree - The World Cup Of Skating Achievements

2006-08-10T21:06:00.000+01:00

I know, I know. Its been almost 3 months since I last blogged and I'm not proud of it. Ok? What I am proud of is realising that it was Rae's (of Rae and Phil fame) birthday when I wrote that blog in May. But I've only just realised this so now I'm not proud again.

Taking bloggers aloofity to dizzying new levels has resulted in an accumulation of blogging material of gargantuan proportions. So I'm gonna dive right in and bring you up to speed. Since we last spoke:

An epic night of jollities was had at the BoardFree BBQ
Dave finished fannying about with foot problems and became the first person to skate the UK. Well done that man.
Kate and Bev joined The Team
Rae and Phil got hitched
2 Unlimited brought out a 'Best Of'
I turned 22, then got very drunk
I graduated, then got very drunk
Watched England crash out of the World Cup. Then cried for the first time in ages.
Watched Italy lift the world cup
Italians watched me lift their world cup

Which is probably a good place to stop because I literally came in my pants as I held this piece of coveted gold in my paws. They made me take off my jewelry and wash my hands before holding it. Never, in all my born days, would I have imagined a moment like this. A Top 5 moment which is up there with the night I found out I was going to Australia with BoardFree.

A lot has happened to the project over the last few months. A new route, new sponsors, new followers and new team members. I like Kate because she runs everywhere and puts up with Dave licking his foot scabs for charity. I like Bev because she's small enough to be a beer holder or an arm rest and she's got Narnia Top Trumps.

A couple of weeks ago we tried our hand at first aid and got a certificate. We quickly learnt that Dim must not attempt any first aid on anyone. Ever. But what was even more worrying was the database of gory photos our first aid teacher Chris has. I'm sure there must be laws against some of the pictures he had!

Many thanks to Dim's folks Pete and Sandy who provided us with ample food, bevies and entertainment over the weekend. I really took a shine to these guys, they gave us a lot of encouragement and support with the trip and really appreciate what we're all doing.

There's 3 days to go. He says grinning with widening eyes.......

The BoardFree Checklist

2006-05-19T09:49:00.000+01:00

I came across an old BoardFree leaflet the other day and read through the 'What You Can Do To Help' section.

Donate online @ www.justgiving.com/boardfree
Buy a BoardFree tshirt and wristband
Organise a party, a gig or a BBQ
Take a longboard lesson
Tell your friends
Join the BoardFree team in Australia from August 2006

I realised I had done all of these things bar one. So I've organised a party, gig AND BBQ which hopefully Dave (if his legs haven't dropped off) will make.

Special thanks to Quiksilver, Big Wednesday, Faltown Skateboards, Level, Freeriders Surfshop, Flavour Skateshop, Three Makerel, Banterrific, minusequalsplus, and the Falmouth and Exeter Student Union who will all be providing prizes for the raffle on the night. I would also like to thank my housemate Andy for coming up with the leaflet and poster design.

On another note, did you see Blue Peter on Wednesday? The tomato soup cake they made on the show was a recipe provided by my old dear! Amazing! I never thought Blue Peter would play 'Guess The Secret Ingredient' with my Mums infamous tomato soup cake!

Right, I'd better go. There's 5000 flyers to hand out before next week...

And so it begins....

2006-05-09T20:21:00.000+01:00

I've just rushed up from the recording studio where sound engineer Jimbo is putting the finishing touches to what promises to be the most captivating record of our lifetime. No, 2 Unlimited still haven't reformed, I'm talking about Swansea sensation Dog Days.

Since they laid down their tracks of orchestrated madness (6 of which were recorded while the sound engineer was on his lunch break!) much has happened. Nothing more significant, however, than the launch of Boardfree UK at John o'Groats. I stepped off a plane in Inverness and was met, for the first time, by a complete team.

Added to this I was introduced to a spanking and, as we later found out, problematic VW van, and Dimitri, a Greek dude and, as we also later found out, a tad clumsy. Dimitri is filming BFUK and his production company Bagderboy Productions will be helping out in Australia. I spent less than a day with him and was already learning new things so it is hugely beneficial for me and BoardFree having a production company (that knows what they are doing!) onboard.

Big thanks to Neil and Mary for putting us up and feeding us (sorry for walking in on you in the middle of the night! I was sure it was the living room!).

p.s. I meant to post this ages ago. I'm so crap.

Apres Ski

2006-04-04T15:59:00.000+01:00

Its been a week since I returned from France and, quite frankly, its been the most depressing week of the year so far. Despite broiling my face on the last day it was simply the most enjoyable holiday I've ever had. As well as bringing back a slab of the finest blue cheese the French Alps can offer, I also brought back a stomach bug, much to the displeasure of my housemate.

Its not all a downer though. The weather has been marvellous the last few days and, as I sit here writing this, Dog Days are in the studio next door laying down any number of summer-lovin' tunes. I should also point out there are a couple of members missing - something about forgetting to get on a train......

Rock stars, I dunno!

Hyde and Seek

2006-03-14T19:19:00.000Z

Good Heavens. Its been over a month since I last blogged, or bolgged as some other members of the team would have it. What the devil have I been doing?

Whilst Madame Palm was making a hasty recovery from the nasty fall in February I handed in the last essay of my academic career - a dissertation on Top Gear no less, did a spot of BoardFree promotion in Hyde Park, and been contacted by an array of binties looking for a part in a drama I'm working on (including the boob poppingly wonderful Alicia Douvall and Miss Japan 2003).

Today, I sent off my version of the Hyde Park video to BoardFree HQ so I thought it might be fitting to break my bloggers silence and mention the brilliance of that weekend. I particularly enjoyed meeting rolls rolls chief Pete, Kate (who put us up for the weekend) and the wondrous Holly, the latest addition to the world of BoardFree. The weekend was such a success that we're going back on April 1st to hook up with our old pal Skippy for more adventures.

Do you like what I've done with the title? Very clever isn't it?. 'Seek' refers to the funding I'm asking/begging for to take me around Australia. It refers to the people I'm trying to find to film Dave's trip from John O'groats. And it refers to the event I need to organise to make his night in Falmouth on May 27th worthwhile.

In fact, I've got so much to do that I'm taking a holiday! This time next week I'll be carving up the slopes of the French Alps pulling off all sorts of hainus tricks (cough, cough) and spreading some BoardFree love to Jacques and his buddies. J'aime le fromage!

On the skating front, I've been neglecting my flowery patterned pink longboard of late, partly due to the awful weather, partly due to laziness. And now Holly is giving it a go and I'm certain my inability will only be further illustrated when we meet for a skate-off in April.

The one piece of bad news I heard this month was the decision by Rae and Phil to stay grounded in the UK whilst we head over to OZ. I'm kind of cheesed off about it but perhaps it's for the best what with the wedding to organise.

Anyway, I must leave now to pick up a £350 snowboard. Why they decided to let me hire it I'll never know!

VIVE LA FRANCE!

Day of (un)Rest

2006-02-07T11:55:00.000Z

I used to love Sundays. Cups of tea in bed, getting up for Grandstand, and gravy. Those were my Sundays.

Now, I don't usually get to sleep on Sunday nights. Not because i'm out galavanting with friends or urinating my student loan up against a pub wall, but because of the incredible amount of pain I've been inflicting on myself.

I fractured my wrist on Sunday.

The most important piece of writing in my academic career is due in on Friday and I go and bugger my wrist up. I should point out that I was actually trying out a friend's skateboard which happened to have a few screws missing (thanks Andy). I think I'll stick to the longboard.

I've picked up more injuries in the space of a couple hours of skating than I have since the days of secondary school rugby and playground football.

It's all for a good cause though............

Bloody Sunday

2006-01-30T19:31:00.000Z

Just a quick update. Went out for my weekly Sunday afternoon longboarding session with Billy 'The Kid' Clucas and experienced my first 'stack'. For those of you not down with the skater lingo I basically fell off my board. Quite spectacularly in fact. Speed got the better of me whilst negotiating a rather steep hill and I ended up 'eating concrete'.

It could've been worse. I came away with bloodied gashes to my hip and elbow but it was nothing a tube of Savlon couldn't fix.

Told the bloke that cuts my hair about BoardFree today. He seemed interested although he's probably developed an eroded opinion as a result of the decades of mundane conversation he's had to endure whilst tending to cornish barnets.

What I'm talking about, I really don't know.

G'Day

2006-01-26T18:23:00.000Z

Dairy entry
26th January 2003:

AUSTRALIA DAY

Mum called - which was nice. Said she recieved the package but Sairsy broke into it thinking it was a pressie for her. Nickyboy off to Barbados with Plum. Went to Hyde Park with Eddie, Connie and Trisha to listen to funk and chill. Got excessively drunk. Had a $5 salad and drew on Trisha's face when she fell asleep. Had BBQ chicken wings for dinner. And soup.

Bless

It seems like a long time ago I was sitting in a sun-drenched park in the middle of Sydney, with some Irish persons, listening to a funk band and drinking wine. And it seems like a long time until I'm there again. But its not.

Today is Australia Day. So I thought i'd break my 'post-a-month' habit and give the world an update less than week since my last (aren't I good?).

I went out for my first proper longboarding session on Sunday with one of my hommies Billy. I borrowed my housemates longboard. My housemate is a female and her longboard has a flowering pink pattern on it. I left the house knowing I looked like a tart trying to longboard. Had a good run though (apart from a nasty encounter with an oncoming car at the first corner!). Got some muscle ache afterwards. Echoes of the BoardFree kickabout last week come flooding back. Brilliant session though.

I've spent the last three days in Essex gathering some much needed funds. Chatted to a Romford lad and an American session guitarist (who lives in Sweden) about BoardFree. Anybody is interested in this project. I'm sending them some leaflets.

I was listening to the radio on my way back to Falmouth and they were talking about Australia Day. What a country. I had a great day three years ago. I particularly enjoyed my entries either side of this day; the day before I was at the Big Day Out, met up with a long lost friend, and had a particularly unfortunate pooing problem. And the day after the entry simply reads: 'Lazy day - did f**k all'.

Gotta love it!

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

First Rule of Filmaking is..........Press Record.

2006-01-20T10:52:00.000Z

Last Friday I drove up to Worcester to see my Grandad. I didn't see him over Christmas and I thought it was about time to tell him about this BoardFree malarkey (I also needed to thank him for bunging me £50). I rocked up quite late but he greeted me with a bag of Walkers and a bottle of Cava. We had typical generational banter: He reminisced about his wine-making era and the antics of my Dad while I described the standard of totty at university and demonstrated the wonders of his recently purchased DVD player.

I then dropped BoardFree into the conversation. Baffled. The bottle of Cava had emptied and I moved onto the Hock. Whilst explaining the story of how it all happened and what BoardFree was all about he says "Presumable you can do this skateboarding business?"

Well, no actually.

Amidst the fits of laughter I realised that I MUST be able to longboard before I go to Australia. Not only that, I must also be confident enough to skate whilst filming.

The next day I went to Swansea and met up with the team for the first time since Dave gave me the good news. We went out filming and, much to my embarrassment, my thumb seemed to shy away from the record button at a couple of crucial moments. I blame the camera.

That evening we had the pleasure of welcoming Dan Loo to the van. What a legend. Dan is a lovely bloke (despite being a Liverpool supporter) with a phenomenal right boot. He'll be helping me out with some camerawork and editing which will be great for the documentary (he'll also remind me to press record!).

On Sunday the BoardFree boys had a kickabout with some ex-geography teachers. Its depressing how unfit I am. Its now Friday - 5 days later - and I'm still having problems walking without looking like a spastic. Go on the BoardFree website to watch the video Becki made of us playing football. Step aside Motty, Becks is the new voice of football!

It was good to see the team again. I managed to spend a bit more time with Rae and Phil than last time. They're the type of people who bring a smile to your face. Genuinely a lovely couple.

After the weekend, I have two set myself two goals to reach before August: get fit, learn to longboard.

Anyway, I'm meant to be writing a dissertation at the moment so I suppose I'd better get back to it. Then i'll get fit. Promise.

The Best Christmas Present Ever..............

2005-12-23T21:12:00.000Z

2005 was great. I 'sessioned' the slopes of the French Alps on a snowboard, spent my 21st birthday in Amsterdam and saw Liverpool lift the European Cup after possibly the greatest football match I have ever seen (on TV).

The year was also the bringer of the most marvellous news I had heard since 2 Unlimited announced they were thinking of reforming; a chap called Dave asked me film a world record attempt. But not just any attempt. This lad will be travelling 5000 miles across Australia, on a longboard, for charity. Nutter.

I'm currently in my last year at uni and, along with every student, in the world, have absolutely no idea where my life is going after I graduate. I want to travel - I took a gap year before uni proving to be the best year of my life. But I also want to carry on filming and editing - something I have come to love whilst being at uni.

Picture the scene: I'm standing at the back of a surf/skate film festival (I do neither, i'm there for the films) and two lasses approach me and start gassing about this bloke Dave who's going to skateboard across Australia. Fair doos.

I buy the wristband and look at the leaflet. They mention he needs a crew to go with him, and in particular a cameraman. My ears perk up and I suddenly feel these ladies were meant to come and talk to me.

Since then I haven't stopped thinking about BoardFree. The day after the festival I went on the website, read up about Dave and his project, and filled out an application form. Wind the clock forward to today. I've met Dave and the roadies Becki, Rae and Phil, my ugly mug is on the website along with a video I made and a drunken interview.

I honestly can't believe that i'm part of this project. Its going to be amazing (and challenging) to film it. Dave will never know how much it means to me making me part of the team. I can't begin to imagine what its going to be like on the road with a camera for four months.

There's work to be done.

Can't wait............