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 Scooter Carry Bag NEW US $39.00

XOOTR CRUZ -- New Old Stock in box US $175.00

XOOTR STREET -- New Old Stock in box US $225.00

Once you get past the age of 30 and your knees start to creak, crack and splinter at every bend to pick up your kids toys you may start to realise that Skateboarding is no longer an option.  You will have to resign yourself to playing Skate 2 or teaching your kids how to ollie - unless you get yourself a Sector nine longboard!

Sector Nine, now owned by Billabong, have been making skateboards and longboards for over 15 years and are the foremost manufacturer of longboards and long board technology.

Designed for speed, cruising, commuting or just good old plain downhill action, Sector longboards have a model for you.  They also make standard skate decks too.  A longboard is a more stable design of skateboard which adds to the stability of the ride and allows the owner to travel faster and safer - without the risk of too much Speed Wobble (which is how I broke my hand!)

Made from maple veneers, quality trucks and wheels, the Sector 9 long board is an excellent choice for those skaters who are not too interested in pulling a 360 laser flip - or are too old and too fat to care.  If you are taller, get a board that is wider which will give you a better, more stable ride.  Some of the longboard decks also come with more layers of veneer which will give you more strength in the deck itself - which overall adds to the stability.  If you really wanted to splash out you could get a sector 9 longboard skateboard that uses carbon fiber to make the whole deck lighter and stronger.

US ARMY PATCH - 9TH COAST ARTILLERY - PACIFIC COASTAL FRONTIER DEFENSE SECTOR US $11.99

T620 Mortal Kombat 9 Cyrax Sector Fight Art POSTER US $9.29

Sector 9 Longborad US $175.00

SECTOR 9 BERT CARVIN 9'ER COMPLETE SKATEBOARD LONGBOARD 47.75 US $149.99

SECTOR 9 BAMBOO SNAPPER COMPLETE SKATEBOARD LONGBOARD 8.75" X 34" US $149.99

SECTOR 9 MIN SHAKA GREY LONGBOARD COMPLETE 9.75" X 40.5" US $179.99

SECTOR 9 MIN SHAKA GREEN LONGBOARD COMPLETE 9.75" X 40.5" US $179.99

SECTOR 9 SUBTRACTION MINI BLUE LONGBOARD COMPLETE 8.25" X 31.75" US $129.99

SECTOR 9 SUBTRACTION MINI BLACK LONGBOARD COMPLETE 8.25" X 31.75" US $129.99

SECTOR 9 MR. JOEL TUDOR BLUE LONGBOARD COMPLETE 8.75" X 38.3" US $154.99

SECTOR 9 MR JOEL TUDOR BROWN LONGBOARD COMPLETE 8.75" X 38.3" US $154.99

SECTOR 9 EL AZTECA 4-PLY MAPLE/FIBERGLASS LONGBOARD US $149.00

Gullwing Mission 1 Longboard Trucks with Sector 9 nine ball wheels US $45.00

SOUND TRIBE SECTOR 9 FILLMORE CONCERT POSTER F486 US $40.00

Sector 9 Longboard US $70.00

Sector 9 longboard US $71.00

SOUND TRIBE SECTOR 9 FILLMORE CONCERT POSTER F541 US $20.00

Sector 9 longboard US $99.00

SECTOR 9 MAMA SAY RASTA COMPLETE LONGBOARD SKATEBOARD US $144.99

Sector Nine 9 Longboard 38'' Pre-Owned US $39.99

SECTOR 9 FREEMASON YELLOW COMPLETE SKATEBOARD LONGBOARD US $164.99

Bad Sector - Transponder CD (Industrial, Dark ambient) NEW 2011 inade herbst9 US $19.31

SOUND TRIBE SECTOR 9 WARFIELD 2007 BGP35 CONCERT POSTER US $60.00

SOUND TRIBE SECTOR 9 COLORADO 2002 STS9 CONCERT POSTER US $35.00

Original Sound Tribe Sector 9 (STS9) Poster Fillmore San Francisco 2/26-3/1 2009 US $20.00

Pair of (2X) Sector 9 Skateboard Skate 4" Car Truck Decals Sticker US $3.99

Steering Rack/Sector SAAB 9-2X 699382 05 06 US $99.99

Steering Rack/Sector SAAB 9-3 521426 06 07 08 09 10 11 US $124.99

Phish Pin STS9 Sound Tribe Sector 9 Grateful Dead LSD US $25.00

SECTOR 9 Bob Marley Soul Rebel Complete Longboard US $179.99

Sector 9 Goddess of Speed wheels 83mm prototypes 78a US $5.00

Sector 9 / Skate House Media Skateboard Skate Surfboard Surf Stickers 3" x 2.5" US $.99

Sector 9 longboard US $41.00

sector 9 longboard,skateboard goddess US $32.00

SECTOR 9 LONGBOARD DECK BOARD JOE TUDOR SAN DIEGO SMOKEPIPE US $25.00

Sound Tribe Sector 9 - Autographed Copy - Artifact: Perspectives STS9 US $8.50

Sector 9 Looking Glass 33.75 x 8.25 Sidewinder Complete Longboard Skateboard US $153.99

Sector 9 Bamboo Green Bush Complete Longboard US $159.99

Sector 9 BAMBOO Raglan Complete Longboard US $110.00

SECTOR 9 - Longboard Wheels - used US $6.50

iSkateboard is an database application for the iPhone that is constantly updated with information and locations of skateparks and spots around the world.

The best part is that this application is updated by YOU and therefore you will be able to tag your local spot in the database and let everyone else around the world see where your favorite spots are.  You can also add your local skateshops too!

It currently has a total of over 30,000 spots included!

Features:

• GPS location of nearby skatespots and parks
• Directions to the spots you find from where you are
• RSS feeds from major skateboarding websites like Skateboard Magazine and Transworld.
• Covers USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, Central America, South America, Asia and New Zealand.

I know that some of you SkaterGeeks are also iPhone owners too - so will you be getting this app?

Buy iSkateboard from the iTunes store. (opens iTunes)

Cover w Piece Faux Leather Coated for iPhone 3G US $5.01

White USB Data Cable Charger For iPhone 4 4G 3G iPod US $.65

3pcs Back Cover Skin Case for Apple Iphone 3G S,QC3 US $.01

5x Original New Design USB Data Sync Charger Cable For iPhone 4G 4S 3G 3GS iPod US $19.99

LOT 10 Earphones Headphone + Mic For iPhone 4 4G 3Gs 3G US $.99

NEW Natural View Screen Protector - Apple iPhone 3G/s US $15.24

Red LED Indicator Light Car Charger for Apple iPhone 3G US $6.10

Purple Soft Plastic Case w Flower Design for iPhone 3G US $4.49

Apple iPhone 3G - 8GB - Black (AT&T) Smartphone US $275.00

4 x LCD Mirror Cover SCREEN PROTECTOR For Apple iPhone 3G 3GS - 5198 US $4.15

For Apple iPhone 3G Flower Plastic Back Case Protector US $4.54

3 PCS # Dock +Mini Charger +Cable For Iphone 3G 3GS AEZ US $.99

Zipper Closure Bag Pouch w Strap for Apple iPhone 3G US $4.29

8X Stylus Touch Metal Pen for Apple ipod touch IPhone 3G 3GS 4 4G Ipad 2 New US $.99

Zebra Print Soft Case Cover Pouch For iPhone 3G 3GS US $5.59

LOT 5 Earphones Headphone + Mic For iPhone 4S 4G 3Gs 3G US $.99

Piel Frama 950 Black Leather Slim Pouch Apple iPhone/3G/3GS New US $49.99

Hello Kitty 3D Bling Hard Case Skin Cover For Apple iPhone 3 3G S 3GS 3rd Gen US $19.99

10W USB Charger Adapter+CABLE FOR iPad 2 iPhone 4 3G S US $.99

13 ACCESSORY BUNDLE CASE CHARGER For Apple iPhone 3G S US $.99

Black USB Data Cable+Mini Car Charger Iphone 4G 3G Ipod US $4.58

Black/ White Stripe Leather Pouch Sleeve Case Cover For Apple iPhone 4 4G 3G 3GS US $4.72

3 in 1 Car Charger EU Plug Adapter for iPhone 3G 3GS US $7.75

Black belt clip pouch case for Apple iPhone 3G 3GS Phone Accessory US $3.75

Clear TPU Skin Case Cover Bumper for Apple iPhone 3G 3GS Phone Accessory US $3.99

USB Wall Charger + Cable For IPod Touch IPhone 3G 3GS US $.99

Lots 6 New Color USB Data Cable For i Phone 4 4G 3G newest tt US $2.50

New OEM Car Charger for Apple IPOD IPhone 4 4G 3GS 3G 2G US $.01

Lot 8 Metal Stylus Touch Pen for ipod Touch 4G IPhone 3G 3GS 4 4G Ipad 2 New US $.99

USB Sync Charger Cable for Apple iPhone 3G S 3GS US $.99

Black Faux Leather Case Pull Up Pouch Bag for iPhone 3G US $9.08

For Apple iPhone 3G Checked Coated Plastic Back Guard US $4.25

NEW Apple iPhone USB Charger UNIT for iphone 4 & 3g US $2.79

LOT 10 Earphones Headphone + Mic For iPhone 4 4G 3Gs 3G US $.99

Lots 2 Stylus Touch Screen Metal Pen for Apple ipod IPhone 3G 3GS 4 4G 4S ipad 2 US $.01

LOT 5 Earphones Headphone + Mic For iPhone 4 4G 3Gs 3G US $.99

8X Color Hard Back Case Cover For Apple iPhone 3G 3GS US $.95

Black Tire Tread Silicone Rubber Skin Soft Gel Case Cover For iPhone 3 G 3GS 3rd US $4.84

8 Color Hard Back Case Cover For Apple iPhone 3G 3GS US $.95

8 PCS Hard Back Skin Case Cover For iPhone 3G 3GS F98 US $.01

Those super spendid chaps over at MyCheats have a great list of all of the tricks that are possible in Skate 2.

I was wondering how to do those fingerflips, seatbelts and BS Shifty Tail Grabs!

Head over to the Skate 2 Trick List for more information and pages and pages of thumb murdering directions

I just came across this video showing a great little tutorial for adding a fish eye effect to your EA Skate Reel videos.  I would have thought that Skate 2 would have come with a few more video editing effects that allowed for a better fish eye lens filter to be applied.

Perhaps this will be some extra, extra downloadable content?

I have yet to download the Filmer Pack (as I am a tight git) so will not be able to test this feature/hack.  Let me know how it goes if you manage to get it working.

I would also be interested in seeing if anyone has been able to apply a fish eye style effect after they have download the video using Adobe After Effects or something.

In addition to the already mega popular Filmer Pack, EA are going to release 2 wedges of Downloadable Content (DLC) for the Xbox 360 version of Skate 2.

I hope this signals a move on EA's part to right the wrongs of Skate 1 and keep on releasing new updates on a regular basis (until Skate 3!).

DLC 1 consists of "Rob Drydek's Fantasy Plaza".
Rob has designed you an amazing skate plaza to play in.  It is nothing fantastic - very flat looking and not much to speak of.

DLC 2 is the "San Van Classic Pack".
This awesome downloadable pack gives you 3 of the best locations from Skate 1!

• The elementary school
• The Parkade
• The Community Centre

Both of the DLC's will be usable in ALL game modes of Skate 2 and will be released a week apart.  You will also be able to move all of the benches and items in the locations which will be very interesting.

Personally, I will be getting the "San Van Classic Pack" as the Drydek park looks a bit boring to bo honest.  Also, the school yard in Skate 2 is pretty pants.

Xbox360Fanboy reports that Neversoft and our favorite "ollie the bum" skater, Tony Hawk have parted ways and Neversoft will no longer be developing the Tony Hawk Pro Skater franchise of games!

Wow!  This is pretty big news.

After EA released Skate, they have pretty much dominated the skateboarding game market and have shown what a farce the THPS games have turned into.  Each new release seemed to get more and more silly and extra mini-games were thrown in.  The jumps and airs got bigger and bigger and the storyline got stupider.

This may be just what the Tony Hawk series needs to progress now that Skate 2 has been demoed and is due to be released later this month.

Sometimes a new developer will be able to see the game with a new set of eyes and bring it back to the glory that it once was.

Do you think the Tony Hawk series will be able to come back against Skate?

EA have not been wonderful and keeping franchises fresh and cool - just
look at the regularly churned out efforts of FIFA or Tiger Woods. They
never get that much better and generally just end up adding more little
tweaks and additions which never amount to much more than the previous
years version!

Here are my thoughts on why Skate 2 will be pants:

1. Walking
I know this was one of the main complaints from the original - but is the ability to get off the board really that important? I think a better version of the ability to set a point to go back to and to be able to do it quickly would be better.

2. Girls
Now - before you get all "you are sexist!" on me - I like girls But I think their place in a skating game is not something that we should be celebrating. If EA had spent more time adding more pro skaters and better decks and equipment we would be happier! Wouldn't we?

3. Moving Stuff About
This is a sure sign that the game is turning into a Tony Hawk clone. Sure, it's fun to move things around and make new jumps to ride on - but seriously - EA Skate was applauded for its originality and back to basics approach! Stick to the game plan EA. Whats next - "Ollie the bum" or collecting hovering letters and hidden tapes?

4. More Tricks
I know everyone wants to be Rodney Mullen and do flatland tricks and flippy finger flips to casper all the time - but come on... The Flick-it controls is the best control scheme available for any type of skateboarding game - ever! It is now going to be more complicated and you will have more buttons to mash until you can pull off the "no-comply finger flip airwalk to fakie" that you asked for. Again - more like Tony Hawk in my opinion. KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid!

5. Handplants
Footplants and no-comply's = yes. Handplants = No. They are so 1980's. Get rid of them.