Dayton Flavor
I got a chance this weekend to roll around with the guys behind the “Savor the Flavor” video that took the Dayton scene to another level. Ryan Benner, Aaron Pyle, and Andrew Thompson are all really nice guys and great skaters. Their style is original (flavorful?), and their humor unique. So get out your salt and pepper shakers, here’s what they had to say:
How long have you guys been skating together?
Ryan: Aaron Pyle and I have been skating together since we were about 15. We’ve been skating with Andrew for five or six years. He’s a little younger than us; I’m 24 and Aaron is 23.
What makes the Dayton scene special?
Ryan: Well I think it’s because we’re ridiculously dedicated here, ha. I mean, in rollerblading years we’re pretty old but we still manage to skate 3 to 4 times a week. I would not say our scene is strong as far as numbers, but we are not small at the same time. “Savor the Flavor” seemed to help a terrific amount in getting younger kids into the sport, which was one of the main focuses of the dvd. We have a nice little group of kids that come and go, and then there’s us older guys that are very close knit as many scenes are.
I realize Dayton’s not in Columbus…or is it?
Ryan: Ha, I kind of see Columbus and Cincinnati and us all as one scene I guess. We are keeping closer with Columbus now more than ever since Sam Baker opened his shop. Also Sam Baker has the best top soul I have ever freaking seen. And I have seen some dang good ones to. His is just a work of art.
Aaron Pyle / Andrew Thompson - 09 Section from 2 Much Flavor on Vimeo.
On to your new video, the sequel to “Savor the Flavor” entitled “2 Much Flavor” what have you guys learned from the first one and what are you doing different?
Ryan: I think our whole outlook has changed really. I know mine has. Mainly the way we actually skate and what tricks we are doing.
How so?
Ryan: Were really looking at how rollerblading appears in the public eye as it currently stands. Also, what strides people have made to present it in the “right” light and their attempts to make a true difference (We’re obviously very interested in this as our first video focused on it heavily). Looking at this we have made a huge change in how we skate (this is the biggest change by far). I feel the biggest untapped “WOW” factor to people outside of rollerblading is to incorporate more of our whole body into tricks. I don’t want to say combining parkour and rollerblading but that’s the only way I can describe it. We need to make rollerblading look so drastically different from other action sports that its instantly recognized as such because as of now, well…it’s not. We need to make some really big changes in the way we are skating and what we are skating and calling “spots.” I think in a way we have really underestimated the ignorance of people because for whatever reason doing 540 into grinds just isn’t doing it for people. We have a track record to show this as well because we have been skating very safe and conventional for years and it has not appealed to people enough to make a significant difference. We’re doing the same things over and expecting different results.
How will the format be in this video will it still have a story running through it? What do you think of current rollerblading media that tries to branch out and reach people?
Well, now were in 2009 and we have some pretty dang good rollerblading documentaries over the years that try to connect people to rollerblading. In fact, we probably have too many. To make an overly serious and dramatic rollerblading documentary has kind of become the new T-shirt company thing in rollerblading; everyone wants to do it. The bottom line is yah… there are some awesome ones but like the way we’re actually skating…its just not clicking with people for whatever reason. In my experience I have found comedy attracts and relates people to a subject matter rather than being serious, that’s just my take. So we are going to continue taking that path.
Who has sections?
Three very full fleshed out sections. We really want to focus on these riders. Chynna Weierstall, Aaron Pyle and Andrew Thompson.
Anything else?
Thanks for talking with me and taking your time to take pictures. I really appreciate it. I really enjoy your site and it looks great. Aaron would like to thank every rollerblader in the world and Bakerized Skate Shop as well as his mom. Andrew would like to thank Mix Theorem. I would like to thank my girlfriend Tessa for putting up with me blading all the time.
Bustown Throwdown 2009
The Bustown Throwdown was a huge success! Skaters from all over the country made the journey to our corner of the U.S. which made for a great turnout. Congrats to all the winners…here are the results:
Best Trick:
1st: Richie Velasquez
2nd: Thumper Nagasako
16 and up Advanced:
1st: Travis Rhodes
2nd: Matthew Hoodhood
3rd: Gabriel Talamantes
4th: Jimmy Spetz
5th: Daniel Powell
6th: Mark Walker
7th: Andrew Conners
8th: Aaron Pile
9th: Vince Zywczak
10th: Jon Nguyen
10-15 Intermediate:
1st: Howie Curd
2nd: Liam Campbell
3rd: Brandon Nguyen
10-15 Advanced:
1st: Reed Huston
2nd: Matt Lyon
3rd: Josh Russo
16 and up Intermediate:
1st: James Porter
2nd: Kenny Shevuz
3rd: James Stradford
