I’m sitting at my old work, a joint where I spent 50 hours a week in a high pressure high stress environment. Sure I had some fun and met some great people, but sure as hell I saw the ugly, at times unfair dog eat dog side of big business. I’m not bagging my old employer at all, they helped me buy a house and were very supportive during hard times. I learnt a great deal and gained some great mentors I will seek advice from for a lifetime. It is a reflection on the industry in general and this place was paradise compared to most joints in the field.

It is just one of those days of reflection. A mid life crisis. I tried to work in youth work and have a meaningful impact, I was great with some kids but found I got frustrated with kids lacking motivation. Not good at all. Plus it sucked working so hard and not being able top meet your financial responsibilities. Do I go back to school and study? Do I move to the mountains? How do I find meaningful ways to have a positive impact on the world? How can I make a living and get by using my creativity?

None of this matters when you have your mates following you in convoy ready to battle some concrete. I can immerse myself in a bubble of people that I can relate to. People I understand and respect. I can see them push their limits, struggle with determination versus self preservation. As they release the burden of self restraint and wind up to full speed. The session builds. Heats up. Internal battles are fought. People get broke off and look like throwing in the towel. They pick themselves up due to the heckles and more often than not get away with landing what they were trying, to the wolf pack noises from their mates. It is a simple, childish and somewhat foolish pursuit. To me, it makes everything make sense. I am so grateful to be a part of it, even if my passion to skills balance is way off.

The weather has not been kind. The crew took advantage of a clear day and hit the road Geelong way.

The Pit didn’t get sessioned that much this time. I think after one of the MOSS boys was laying motionless in the bottom for a bit people lost their motivation. 35 year old ‘crete hurts

The session gathered. It was Bobby from Italy’s birthday and he had tee’d up his mates. The Paint Tray had not seen this many heads hit it up for a very long time.

I had not seen Cunnaz skate here. He is a very powerful skater and I was keen to see what he had for the old hag. He destroyed, as always.

Boardslides

Susky’s every shot

Gougin’

Back D’s

Bobby is a ripping skater. Fast, loose as hell with a big bag of manoeuvres.

Corner skids

Sliding these back tails mid run

The Mayor on home turf. A 40 year old schralping a 35 year old corner

DNL. I’m inserting this to taunt him to land it.

Shoota has been battling cancer. After the brutality that is chemo he stepped up to the plate and went hard at it. Straight to flat at full tilt.

Tail through the chunk. I shot a photo here that will go into Slam Magazine, keep an eye out. Epic battle.

We stayed a little longer than planned and then booted out to Ocean Grove. Good lines, never busy and nice chunky coping.

I really do aim to get a photo of everyone on the session every time. I blew it this mission.

There used to be a vert ramp in the same paddock when Matt was at school. He returned to his old stomping grounds and slayed some coping

Shoota smith.

You know it’s fast with them angles

Cunnaz blasting. He shut the joint down with his last runs

I didn’t take enough photos of Brighty. He smashed it all day

Stumps. Thanks again gents.