FREE skateboards profile picture

FREE skateboards

Giving away the farm.

About Me

Free Skateboard’s Manifesto:Skateboarding is fun. Skating can be creative, a way to meet great people, and good exercise.Unfortunately, skateboarding has become a largely market driven activity. Marketing is killing many of the positive aspects of skating. FREE skateboards is trying to change this. We provide free skateboards to kids who can’t afford them. No money changes hands.-"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." - Karl Marx.. Home | Browse | Search | Invite | Film | Mail | Blog | Favorites | Forum | Groups | Events | Videos | Music | Comedy | Classifieds

My Interests

Skateboards and politics

I'd like to meet:



Check out these comrades:

Music:

Both kinds...punk and rock.

Movies:

The Corporation, The Fog of War, Why We Fight, HACKING DEMOCRACY.

Television:

We should be out skating.

Books:

Autobiography of Malcolm X,The Wretched of the Earth, To Purge This Land With Blood: A Biography of John Brown, Communist Manifesto, The Men Who Stare at Goats, Disposable - A History of Skateboard Art, THE MUTT: HOW TO SKATEBOARD WITHOUT KILLING YOURSELF

Heroes:

Marx, Malcolm X, John Brown, Ian MacKaye, George Lucas, Sarah Vowell, Mike V, Rodney Mullen, and Ed Templeton.
FAQs FAQs1. Q: What is this? A: FREE skateboards is a nonprofit that gives skateboards to kids that can't afford one.
FAQs 2. Q: How do you get the boards? A: It is all out of the founder’s pocket. Free is open to donations, but will not actively solicit them.
FAQs 3. Q: Why are you doing this? A: I love skateboarding. I was inspired by how excited my nephew got when I gave him a board when he couldn't afford one. After that, I couldn't help but notice every kid with a haggard board. I felt really bad knowing that few of them had a skater uncle to help them out.Unfortunately, skating has gotten more market driven, and therefore more expensive (cheap wood "pro models" that snap after a week, trucks with non replaceable kingpins, $15 for a private park fee). Hopefully the FREE philosophy can make kids think a little about how they are marketed to and what they buy.
FAQs 4. Q: How can I get a FREE hat, shirt, sweatshirt, or stickers? A: Why, their free of course. I've made all of the above to "market the company". Ask me when you see me and I'll I hook you up.
FAQs 5. Q: Are the decks actually any good? A: I've been skating for almost 20 years, so I know a good board. I personally tested many blanks to get the perfect one, and I'm skating one right now. The decks are 7.5, since they're going to kids.
FAQs 6. Q: Do the decks have graphics on them? A: The decks will have "FREE skateboards" screened on the top. Kids have 2 grip tape options. They can get black grip if they what to cover the logo, or clear if they what others to see it. The bottoms of the decks are totally blank. I have screened a few decks for myself that have a top and bottom art. These decks with the "commie" art will not get passed to any kids. If you're a "big" boy/girl and want one, let me know, and I might be able to hook you up.
FAQs 7. Q: I know a kid who needs a board. How can I get one? A: I wish I had the resources to answer all requests, but I can't. Send me an email to [email protected] (notice there is no "s" at the end of skateboard), if you're in the Dallas, TX area. I can also be caught skating at the usual spots in Plano and the park in Allen. Thanks for checking Free out. - James Garrett

My Blog

2nd coolest skate project ever - Uganda Skateboarding Union

Skate and Annoy had a link to this site the other day: http://www.ugandaskateboardunion.org/ This is what skating is really all about. This is a DIY park built by the local kids and their families. W...
Posted by FREE skateboards on Sat, 10 Mar 2007 11:48:00 PST

FREE does not recommend that you turn this image into a sticker

As the header recommends: 1. You should not print this file at about 7" x 8".  2. You should not use spray mount or other adhesives to attach it to your local no skating signs. 3. You should...
Posted by FREE skateboards on Sat, 10 Mar 2007 10:38:00 PST

Putting your own art on your decks

An easy DIY project is putting your own art on your board. Wouldn't you rather have our own art on a board instead of the product of some design firm's market research? Here are some links to help ge...
Posted by FREE skateboards on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 08:54:00 PST

One of the coolest things Ive seen - Eco-friendly skate park - Greenskate Laboratory

  Take a minute to check out the Greenskate Laboratory in D.C. This is a really great DIY public skate park that is environmentally friendly. It was built with recycled car tires and rammed ea...
Posted by FREE skateboards on Tue, 16 Jan 2007 11:30:00 PST

Blank skateboards are made by Al Qaeda -Industry Kook

Take a look at this interview from Bob's Trick Tips. Bob has a great site at, www.bobstricktips.com. The interview is with Michael Brooke of Concrete Wave Magazine (the only ligit magazine about skat...
Posted by FREE skateboards on Wed, 03 Jan 2007 08:40:00 PST

Go skate McDonald's parking lot

McDonald's loves skaters now... I recommend skating in their parking lot and see how much... "McD's just sent out their notice of 2006 Annual Shareholder's Meeting and Proxy Statement. Here is the cov...
Posted by FREE skateboards on Mon, 04 Dec 2006 09:30:00 PST

Ad Execs Combine Forces on New Skateboarding Champaign

By Dan Tyler, Paper Street Soap NewsTyler, Texas .. Wall Street advertising executives met this week to discuss a new joint advertising campaign. Campaign manger Tyler Durden outlined the new approac...
Posted by FREE skateboards on Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:44:00 PST

Adbusters - "How Nike Conquered Skateboard Culture"

Celtic pride 34 has a dilemma, "would i wear, DS them or sell? I don't sell but I need the money." Conflicting, emoticon-flecked advice flies thick and fast from other chat room users: "Decide for yo...
Posted by FREE skateboards on Sat, 25 Nov 2006 10:56:00 PST

Thanks to the Jen

¡Thank you Cream Cheese!  Jen gave a donation that will pay for 8 decks!  I'll post a pic of Jen's decks after they're screened.
Posted by FREE skateboards on Mon, 20 Nov 2006 07:48:00 PST

FAQs

1. Q: What is this? A: FREE skateboards is a nonprofit that gives skateboards to kids that can't afford one. 2. Q: How do you get the boards? A: I'm paying for them out of my pocket. I'm open to dona...
Posted by FREE skateboards on Sun, 19 Nov 2006 09:16:00 PST