Since giving up skating (quite) a few years ago I have been using the Xootr Scooter to get around the local town when ever I need to get that rush of curving, speed and sidewalk surfing.

The Xootr is a quality made scooter designed for the commuter and serious scooter user in mind. Made from quality components like birch wood, aluminum and magnesium, the Xootr is strong, light, agile and not embarrassing at all!

The Xootr is a common design - the same as any other kids kick scooter as it folds to allow for better storage and also comes with a strap to allow carrying whilst commuting on the bus or the train. The only difference with the Xootr is that you are riding a quality piece of equipment!

• All-magnesium deck for light weight.
  Lowest deck of all of our kick scooters for efficient kicking.
• Ultra-low-resistance polyurethane tires for a super-efficient glide.
• Award-winning industrial design by Lunar Design.
• Patented steering and folding system.

It is hard to describe what using a Xootr feels like compared to a normal Razor scooter or similar kids scooter. All I can say is that it is like comparing skating on gravel and skating on smooth polished marble. The ride of the Xootr is top class and once you have had it you won't want to go back!

It's pretty hard to find the Xootr anywhere else apart from online. I had to order mine from Spain in the end as there were no stockists here in the UK. You can always get one on eBay though:

Xootr street push kick scooter US $152.50

Xootr Scooter Carry Bag NEW US $39.00

XOOTR KICK SCOOTER US $145.00

Today, being the 23rd of Jan 2009 is the official launch day of Skate 2 by Electronic Arts and Black Box.

Despite there being some bad press, sore user reviews of the demo and overall apathy at the inclusion of some Tony Hawk style features, Skate 2 still guarantees to be the best skateboarding console game out there!

Bring it on!

Check out the Gamespy Skate 2 Review.
Another greate review by EDGE magazine.

There is also news around the web that for 400 microsoft points, you can unlock the entire Skate 2 game - giving you all of the areas, decks and extras that would normally take you 30 hours to complete!

I bet you don't get the achievements though!

See you online!  Add me on Xbox Live.  My gamertag is Taoski.

One of the most popular up and coming sports among teenagers is skateboarding – yes I said sport. ESPN has immortalized skaters and other extreme sports athletes with the X-Games and many people are getting into the sport because of this. One thing many beginners are looking for is a somewhere to get cheap skateboards. The apparent obvious choice is to go to Walmart and get a $49 special, but I would encourage you to think twice before blowing fifty bucks on cheap skateboards at Walmart because it will be exactly that – a CHEAP SKATEBOARD and you don’t want that!

You can find good skateboards for affordable prices at a lot of places. For roughly twice the price of a fifty dollar blue light special, you can get a good board that will last you much longer than the Walmart skateboard and be a lot better to use. There are a couple places on the internet that have been in business for quite a while and offer great deals so you can get high quality, yet still cheap skateboards. If all else fails you can also give it a try on eBay or at Amazon, but I recommend trying to stay with a place that specializes in affordable or cheap skateboards and accessories.

The House Boardshop is one of the best places on the internet to find great deals and get cheap skateboards and other extreme sports accessories. Prices are often 50 percent or more less than manufacturer’s listed price on complete skateboard packages. There are also great deals snowboards, skis, shoes, and other apparel. You will save so much money on your new cheap skateboard that you will be able to pick up a couple accessories. For more information on Extreme Sports Gear check out my Squidoo Lens.

Be Wild is another website that has cheap skateboards and a bunch of other things that aren’t necessarily related to skateboards. You can find shirts, sunglasses, body jewelry and other things. For more information on Cheap Skateboards check out my HubPage article.

Now that you have a plan on where to shop for high quality, cheap skateboards, you may be asking so how do I learn all the tricks. If you are interested in learning skating tricks, check out the Secrets of Skateboarding program and learn how to skate like the pros. For more information on Cheap Skateboards check out my WordPress blog.

What can I do with my new found skills and gear you may be asking. Here a few ideas for you. It is great exercise. It may not seem like riding on a board with wheels burns many calories, but go outside and try it for a few minutes and you will soon be covered in sweat. It is also entertainment both for yourself and others. Get a video camera and start recording. You will have You Tube ready videos in no time. If you really have a passion for skateboarding, you can turn it into a career. Some of the top pros today are making millions from endorsements and starting their own businesses around skateboarding. This sport is still new in the eyes of the world, but it will continue to grow and someday may be as big as the NFL or NBA. Dream big and your first, high quality yet cheap skateboard could lead to financial riches! Good luck!

Your best skating buddy has been kidnapped by Virus, your arch-nemesis, and only you can save him! Become a skateboard master as you zip between hover cars, grind on rails, and pull sick trick combos throughout a futuristic metropolis. Hidden bonuses and items will help you impress the evil captor in order to free your friend. Your grappling laser and trusty skateboard are all you need to smack down your nemesis and restore peace to the city!

Holy crap.  You couldn't invent this rubbish!

Zoo Games are planning to roll out a new skating game for the Nintendo Wii at the end of October called Skate City Heroes.  The game, to be used with the Wii Balance Board will feature futuristic skating action, unique missions and mini games too.  You can even battle against others in a few different multiplayer modes.

Please... pass me the valium..

Head over to IGN for some great images of this game.
Check eBay for good prices on Skate City Heroes.