Don't Skate With Your Ego! Rookie Mistake #14

I learned the hard way, not to skate with my ego. Skaters are always romanticizing crappy spots. This is misguided, and most of the skaters with longevity, and who've made lasting contributions, have in common that they choose their spots wisely, and aren't swayed but the fetish some have with grime. Skate the best looking spots, that provide you with the most fun, and least resistance. Your body will thank you. Anyone who says otherwise is foolish, inexperienced, or both.
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[@user-hj8yf3hr4i]

Norman is calling out the ENTIRE creature team woth this one 😂

[@dutchmcfadyen5867]

That's blind courage from beer😅 🍻

[@scu-dub]

Soooo freakin true man EVERY WORD!!!! And peer pressure is definitely an issue lol one thing that I have known since I was a kid is that I'd rather be a scared chicken than a dead duck skate the way you know and not what others want✌🏽

[@NormanWoods]

Wise words! Playing tough doesn’t make it any more fun either. Speaking from experience.

[@scu-dub]

@NormanWoods preach on bro I love what you do man keep shining my brotha🙏🏽✌🏽

[@dtothej4044]

I would have to say there wouldnt be near the bangers that there are, if it werent for pier pressure or " homie hype" some call it, but none the less without it theres many a trick that may not have went down.

[@ledbol]

We just need more skaters who dgf about skateboarding subculture. That cares only about skateboarding as an art. Then it will become more honest. People will start to care about honestly express themselves, to enjoy individual journey, to experiment more than about to get socially praised attributes, like learning most hyped tricks. If you doing something not honestly - you don’t have dopamine boost during the process, that means that risk of failure and injury is significantly higher. Focus, reaction, control and creativity is significantly lower. People need to think less about to impress others, or match subcultural standards. And more about their personal journey. As an example: There is nothing that slows down the evolution of skateboarding as much as subcultural opinion that wearing helmets is not cool. When helmets will become more acceptable- we will see big jump of the tricks and lines insanity. Imagine slopestyle mtb rider without helmet - people will think that he is dumb rather than he is cool.

[@NormanWoods]

I think the helmet thing (at least) is being done away with. Seems like people are starting to be open to wearing them. A lot of the giant obstacles people skate today might be able to be pushed further with them. As for honesty, people are social. So, what someone chooses to prioritize is always gonna be influenced by who they admire. But, if you get the point where you can express yourself, you tend to start looking at things differently. So, the honesty is driven out at a certain point, no matter what.

[@stoofus]

Spot on 💯 I’ve been wearing a helmet and pads for a couple years now, as an adult skater, and it greatly lowers the risk of injury, while making me feel emboldened enough to take chances within my skate-range - being hurt absolutely sucks, and being more hurt than you have to be because of foolishness can lend itself to regret.

[@mfdoom479]

Spitting facts. I definitely needed to hear this shit. Sprained my shit like 10 months ago and I'm finally back to impact without pain. Could have easily avoided it if I didn't skate a totally fucked up set with no run up and listened to that inner voice. Such a good one dude.

[@jabbaughfc]

"What you are capable of doing and what life is going to allow you to do are two different and not even connected things in a lot of instances." That is some deep wisdom. This is good advice. Would have saved me some injuries as well.

[@donut5718]

skating is the best

[@NormanWoods]

Yes it is. Can’t stay away.

[@circlesplitter]

word!

[@GZAndrew]

Good shit Norman. This was a good video. at 43 years of age, the EGO is something which doesn't have as much sway as it used to. But as a man, it is hard! Peace

[@NormanWoods]

Thank you! I feel the same way. Learned to contend with that reckless voice, as I approach 40.

[@haroldcampos9661]

That was pretty gnarly, in chuck taylors too.

[@dutchmcfadyen5867]

Dang man... I needed to hear this 😅 and I'm glad I did BEFORE getting 🤕 hurt. I've been making good progress with transition lately, but I am also letting my ego drive me to try things I am not ready for. Hearing this from someone as professional as yourself I think I can listen.

[@MiguelArteagaSwag]

Very relatable and informative, I also wait tables/bartend similar to the skater in that story and I’ve had to limit my skateboarding to really low impact in order to maintain my leg strength/make sure I stay injury free for long shifts while trying to finish school. I’ve been rub bricking and prepping ledges/curbs now and it definitely feels a lot smoother than just pushing through crust for praise and pain lol

[@NormanWoods]

I’m limiting my impact as well ❤ out joints have suffered enough. We deserve to enjoy life 👊🏾

[@NormanWoods]

Giving spots that extra bit of love goes a loooooooong way.

[@kenneth86ist]

All 100% truth!

[@waitdontcry678]

subscribed immediately

[@NormanWoods]

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@jeffheyer7783]

Man you definitely deserve more subscribers… your content is all good, and is different from, “this is how you do this trick.”

[@jojormfs]

Respect

[@oliverg.a5129]

i js got injured like 2 days ago, n i really feel related to everything u said, its a nice lesson thanks for this kinda of videos

[@Flamingpaste]

I hear you, man. I would add that if ur being ridiculed for wearing gear, then screw those people as well. Helmets are a luxury that are there for a reason. If you're doubtful play it safe.... wear some gear.

[@Dankquidity]

I suffered a grade 2 ligament tear on my right ankle from doing a bs nose slide. The fall was similar to yours, except I ended up sitting my butt entirely onto the folded ankle. Immediately felt tingling throughout my whole leg and couldn’t walk properly . It sucked lol - was out for almost 5 months. I’m too sketched to try it again haha

[@NormanWoods]

Yikes! I feel your pain. Wouldn’t blame you for leaving that one alone. I never plan on going back to this flatbar either.

[@jeffheyer7783]

Just watching some of your vids.. you shred

[@Shannonkellysk81111]

Man I swear these videos always drop at the perfect time. This is exactly how I’ve been feeling. Been putting so much mental pressure on myself trying to work on either a part or single clips that I really want to do but Tucson Arizona- Nogales has no spots for the tricks I want to do and haven’t had the time and money to travel to other cities.

[@useyourbigboyvoice]

Tom Knox (80s-90s Santa Cruz and martial artist who really rips street) once said in an interview that if he can’t jump up it, he doesn’t jump down it. Guy’s got nothing to prove. Good rule.

[@taterstoolboxskates]

God that was a GNARLY snap Bro😳🙏🏻 love those new decks man,and the jam💯🔥in my 40’s I have way less fear than in my teens, but tonight had a bad feeling and just shut it down,progressing daily,thanks Norman🙏🏻🤙🏼

[@NormanWoods]

Thanks buddy! Graphics are looking good. I can’t wait to get out on these. We live and learn to preserve ourselves.

[@Jeremyxsalazar]

Good game 👏

[@jeffheyer7783]

Sweet band tee by the way.. don’t see bunny men references a lot :)

[@randybotha4887]

I rolled my ankle about a month ago and I just had to check, I can still do a pistol squat 💪🏻😅

[@NormanWoods]

Glad you’ve got your mobility. Mine was a pretty bad one. Plus, I’m getting old for an athlete.

[@sk8forlife-01]

Love this video! Thank you for saying this!

[@maupe8359]

Great Video! Absolute truth and a great message! ❤

[@weyloh3457]

This is such great advice! Loving your videos :)

[@NormanWoods]

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@RoryHolland111]

Wise words ! And damn bro that clip of your ankle getting folded gave me flashbacks to my major injury … ankle peeled back to a similar degree as yours 😅 I wish I was old enough at the time to take it seriously and rehab it but I was 19 and stupid. Also, huge upgrade on the quality of video and sound. It’s so cool to see this channel grow , you deserve it 🤙🏻

[@TayNayofficial]

Only skated a year and I preach this 🙌🏽 even tho I learned varial kick before kick flip it rushed me to wanna learn tre but thankfully my friends got me to learn kickflips and nailed in my brain to learn tricks in order, and not over due it, their 14+ year skaters and I only wanted to be able to catch up to their skill level, finally I’m in a state where starting from scratch isn’t so bad, try perfecting as I go up 🙏🏽 Great video‼️

[@DeSeanTurner]

Edits like that with people skateboarding would be cool as a intro

[@mstunameow]

Fix the links to the music if you can, I wanna hear Saxman Love doing his thing!

[@NormanWoods]

Let me get on that!

[@NormanWoods]

Just fixed them! Thanks for the heads up!

[@28kcskate]

And it’s crazy because you can sprain your ankle on the littlest thing too. In 2022 I sprained my ankle trying to nose manny on a manny pad, I stuck it and I tweaked my ankle. It was the size of a tennis 🎾.

[@jebgordon6608]

This reminds me of a spot I rolled up to once and refused to skate. It was a bank in a parking lot with a two bar fence at the top of the bank that you "could" grind or slide - the pavement sucked and the bank was at the top of the hill. People told me of the sick things that they did there, but the parking lot was on a maybe 15% grade and was rough pavement that felt no better than chip seal (the cheap way they do country roads by compacting fine gravel into the pavement). It took all my effort pushed up the hill and I only rolled half way up the bank. I went nope and never went back.

[@Caloevera]

I learned variel flips first. it works.

[@haroldcampos9661]

Some spots are so sketch that you just gotta show up already mad. And if you land it sketchy or they didn’t film your rollaway correctly and your concentrations gone, just walk away probably…. There’s really good advice here for everyone btw. I feel like for more difficult things you should prepare yourself mentally. Pros are expected to tackle spots and parks they’ve never skated before. I’m just getting back on a board after years of doing idk what, and sometimes I have to practice one trick like 100 times just to get it. Skating is not always easy. I used to love watching videos to get all pumped up and when my skills lacked it put me in a bad mood lol. But now I just say practice it out and if you hurt yourself too badly then you can’t skate. Use a little bit of judgement that’s all.

[@shalabazertheboltstruck8645]

Discipline is the word. And people wonder why there are so many amazing kids from japan killing it, discipline. I'm allways for skate free, do what you want with it but I stay off your board you stay off mine so I get hyped when someone throws himself down a 20 but he better get hyped on my fakie ollie hahah his 20 is my fakie ollie the risks get higher with the level, sure but the fear before and feeling after stays somewhat the same to a certain degree of course. Thats why I love the wooden toy so much, messin up a trick we all look a bit like fools hahah

[@NormanWoods]

You’re so on point. As soon as I finished filming, I was bummed that I’d forgotten to mention the latest crop of Japanese rippers and their approach/trick/spot selection. Glad someone brought it up.

[@jaysant6958]

Bookmarking 6:55

[@jamesjinxx]

I respect everything you said 100% but what if you grew up in a town and you don’t have any other way to showcase yourself besides crust and the one skatepark.If you love to skate like we do you have no choice sometimes. Unless I wait for the whole landscape of the town to change.All love great vid dude

[@NormanWoods]

If it’s all you have, work with it. However, as I mentioned, this is aimed at people who have a choice. Also, we all benefit from traveling to find better spots.

[@jamesjinxx]

I read my comment back and it was said like you don’t live,bleed or love skating the way I typed it but I meant how you and me love skating fam.I totally understand though it’s just crusty in Texas smaller towns dude.Bless

[@ministromusic]

Hello Norman, I like this content, I have a question: how can I increase my skateboarding level if I don't risk anything?

[@dOuPdMe]

FAQS

[@humbertovargas1211]

lets be honest those trashy canvas shoes f you up men , sometimes the ego comes in the way of using good shoes . imagine having that same sprain on a jordan 1 , telfords high fom lakai or a forum high 84. i bet you will be able to plant your feet down and save your ankle . but idk why skater insint on using trash shoes liks canvas vans and converse for a high impact high risk sport is just ludacris . i got 12 ankle sprains nothing that serious most grade 1-2 at most . but i come to find out a good shoe like the estrella or a telford or a swift 1.5 they have save me from various sprains now that im coming back as an adult . many time ive seen the sprain incoming but the shoe just let me plant and reverse that ankle back to safety . highly doubt it i can do that or even jumped with confidence on canvas converse

[@srdjankuz]

yo.... I think you are really skilled and I like your videos, but I don't agree with what you said there like "nobody is going to remember anything than how the trick looked" and so on.... of course some ppl will notice and remember, when someone has done something on a narrow or rough landing or whatever and most experienced skaters will be able to tell and appreciate the difference... I mean, if it was only for the skill, and execution, street skating wouldn't probably even be a thing anymore, since you can find perfectly replicated spots in skateparks and so on.... skaters should be aware of their skillset, but injuries will happen regardless of what you skate

[@NormanWoods]

Experienced skaters are a much smaller pool. So, relatively, no one will remember. Also, if you’re trying to have a career, you have to appeal to consumers. Skate consumers are a young group. They’re usually not even aware of the difference between a trick on a sketchy spot and on a smoother one. They want to see crazy tricks, and the more they know the spots the easier for them to understand. That’s why skate photographers want to shoot skaters on popular spots, and why Thrasher and other skate media host contests on known spots. These spots tend to be less janky, which is why so many tricks and a higher level of tricks, are filmed on them. I’m speaking from an entire career’s worth of experience.

[@charlesdontcare]

choose spots as if you were choosing a girl, have some standards lol