WORDS John Kreutter PHOTOS Albert Artemov & Spencer Flaherty
One thing I recently noticed about downhill skateboarding is that most of the time that I skate a good hill, it’s located in the woods. The best hills I skate in Maryland are in some sort of wooded area, out in the middle of no where. Then again, cities have a higher population than the mountains, so I guess it makes sense!
Dippin’. Tuckin’. Rippin’. Photo: Artemov
Squattt! Photo: Flaherty.
Of course, there are also plenty of awesome runs in suburban areas, but the point I’m looking to deliver is that I have found myself skating in so many places that most people would have no good reason to go to, and it’s been awesome! I love having “a reason” to go out to some random ass town with a small population, large hills, and get rowdy on my board. I enjoy the reactions of locals who have hardly ever seen a kid skateboarding, let alone fly down a highway.
Railin’. Photo: Artemov.
Luckily, (and thanks to) downhill skateboarding has encouraged me to be more adventurous with the great outdoors and stoked to see new things found within it. I plan to continue my quest to see the un-seen and have a rad time all the while. In between such adventures, my friends and I have our local go to spots which are not so deep in the woods, but generally, we tend to enjoy whipping through the trees. After being away from Maryland for a while, my local skate spots give me that good to be home feeling. That said, I believe it’s quality practice to let your board lead you on unique and exploratory adventures every now and again. My home spots will always hold a place in my heart, but adventure is knowledge, and I enjoy it too. Basically, go get some in the woods and have a blast.
Signed with love,
John Kreutter