Looking for skater kids/parents for magazine article

Hi there,
I've registered on the forum in the hope that someone can help - I'm looking for some people to appear in an article in one of the national newspaper Saturday magazines. We're looking to photograph some skaters and their sons/daughters. There are a few criteria:

1. The parents and kids both have to skate
2. They don't need to be amazing standard - we're not looking for action shots but portraits of interesting-looking people who've got a cool, funny, quirky or just plain interesting story.
3. Ideally I'd like some people who used to skate when they were younger, fell out of it through their early adult years, and got back into skating through their kids (but those who've kept skating all the way through are all good too!)
4. They don't mind being photographed and quickly interviewed by our team. We can arrange to come to your skatepark/concrete bowl/car park (whereever, the more authentic the better).
5. If there is a mum/daughter or mum/son combo, then that would absolutely AMAZING (you know, to balance the piece).

If you think you fit the bill, or you know of anyone who might be up for this, can you please give me a shout on my email address, which is chris, at acmwriting dot com. (hopefully that'll put off any phishing software...) or reply to this post on teh forum with some round about details of how I might get in touch, and when/where they skate etc...
A million million thanks,
Chris

Who wants to pretend to be my Daddy then?

Excellent!!!! Another article to patronise us oldie skaters

What paper is this for?

What is the "tone" of the piece going to be? Is it a genuine interest article or a "come and look at the wierdos" type of thing.
I am really not trying to be negative, I really hope you get the people and there are enough of them on here that fit the bill, but for the majority of people this is a serious thing and whilst it is fun it isn't a point of ridicule.

Hope that makes sense.

Also why not feature the skaters who have never given up, the ones who kept on skating when it wasn't the done thing anymore. Trawler on here fits the bill as he has a son that really rips as well.

Good luck and please keep us informed of dates of publications etc.

Yeah you are definitely in the right place to find people willing to do this but as Snakey says they are probably going to want to know a bit more about the tome of the article. Some have been burned before and more or less ridiculed. It sounds like an interesting lifestyle bit but then so did some others until publication (or broadcast).

I would be up for it but I don't have any kids. Can I borrow one? Jase?

Papa?

Could anyone be ridiculed for getting out and skating with their kid? Surely not.

I guess it's interesting whenever any parent is encouraged by their kid to get back into something they did themselves when they were young, wouldn't have to be skateboarding.

Is it possible that skateboarding's at a particularly good time now in terms of two-generations skating together? - as the first wavers of UK skating from the 70s are parents now with kids in their teens. ??

I'm guessing.

[Carl Arnfield]

Papa?

do you really want a ginger dad?

[Carl Arnfield]

as they say ... there is no such thing as bad press

other than radio 3 eveything has been "a piss take" .. or if the reporter didnt take the piss the editor of the footage DID

BUT ... it's all great promotion for the "older skater" ....

so dont over think this and have fun like big wavey dave did

Papa?

do you really want a ginger dad?

I AM NOT SAM!

Get ready to float that boat boys.

Wotcha all,
Totally understand some of the posts about the authenticity of the piece, and whether we'd be trying to take the piss. Just as a bit of background - I'm 37, I was lucky enough have skated through the whole Powell era mid-late 80s, even went to Embarcadero Square on a pilgrimage back in 1989. I still skate - rode Angmering bowl last week, went to Cuckfield bowl yesterday, often go with a group of mates to Unit 1 in Rochester. I spent most of the 90s and 00s working for core mags at Permanent Publishing (Sidewalk, Whitelines). Look up the pieces I've done for the Guardian, Telegraph etc - search under Chris Moran.
I guess I'm saying I've got no intention of stitching anyone up or making anyone look like freaks. I pitched this piece to a very cool editor on the idea that Rad Dads/Middle Aged Shred thing is pretty new, and fully, fully welcome. Imagine if we'd had parents as into skating back in the 80s and 90s when all those original concrete parks were getting bulldozed?
From an interest point of view, the piece is totally photo led - portraits of the families involved with a quick Q&A on what it's like skating as a family, if they watch films together, who can do the best trick, that sort of thing. Inoffensive, cute, hopefully funny. To be honest I'm aiming for it to be a piece that skaters and non-skaters will appreciate, with cool pictures (we'll use a core photographer whose got links to the fashion world - this is going in a fashion-led mag supplement), and family-friendly, fun interviews. The aim is to show that this skater dad thing is going on, as a lot of non-skaters might not realise.
Hope that answers all the questions, and thanks a million for all those who've sent me suggestions already. So many of them are perfect,

Chris

previous post now taken back

I was going to put forward DaveH but he is a grandad, does he still qualify?

I think I may know someone who may be interested

i could pretend to be someones eldest son because of my youthful looks .

Geoff and Emmett from Shoreham could be up for this?
I have forward this thread on to them.

I tried to get all three of my kids into skating but they all gave up.
Which is fantastic cause I can now skate all day without one of my sprogs saying 'Can we go now?'

[Carl Arnfield]

I think I may know someone who may be interested

mmmmm and who could that be wavey dave ?

I can't wait to see this article.

We should really have a media section on this site you know.

[Carl Arnfield]

there is a shed load of media stuff ...... tim walker and me were proper media whores to get this site off the ground ...

but the local paper stuff is BAD!!!!

i can set up a thread if people want a laugh

[BOOMERDOG]

suppose i qualify for this?...except the bit about giving up & restarting... i just carried on ,both my son & daughter grew up with skating,girls now 19 & the boy is 21, both started from the time they could stand ,both still rollin' as is i.

I'm deffo a born again and my two lads and las go to the skatepark with me I introduced them all to the virtues of the skateboard but.......

My eldest lad is a big foot..........
My daughter is also a big foot.........

and...... and....... and.......

My youngest lad BMXs and wants a scooter

I'm sorry, where did I go wrong, I've failed - I'm feel I will have to deregister from mas

On your bike Lovin every minute.

Getting back into skating with your kids isn't that easy; older body, fear of disability, dislike of pain and the cost of a decent board, travel, entrance fees etc., (and the cost of the burgers, energy drinks. etc that you have to buy for your son and his mates)! I don't know how you are going to pitch the article. It's obviouse that ridicule could be made of a poor skating dad, trying to 'get down with the kids', but there is a lot of potential to make your article very positive. Skating is very physical and keeps you fit physically, mentally and psycologically. I don't need to explain why! As a sport proper training should be encouraged, and local facilities should be available for the general health of society. Should these issues be recocognised funding would be more available. I take it that your survey and article will have my thoughts as well as many others' considered. I would be willing to take part in your survey. I am 45 with a 12 year old son. I was an enthusiastic skater as a child. I have returned to skating recently with my son, though I am going to travel to skate parks on my days off during the day for exercise and hobby. I am a musician also, having played bass for many years, and recently making a good inroad to Bachs Chaconne on the violin (not quite from memory at this present time!). Post me a reply with your thought on what I've said. Martin (old but bold- and balding a bit!)

(old but bold- and balding a bit!)


New motto?

Hi there,
I've registered on the forum in the hope that someone can help - I'm looking for some people to appear in an article in one of the national newspaper Saturday magazines. We're looking to photograph some skaters and their sons/daughters. There are a few criteria:

1. The parents and kids both have to skate
2. They don't need to be amazing standard - we're not looking for action shots but portraits of interesting-looking people who've got a cool, funny, quirky or just plain interesting story.
3. Ideally I'd like some people who used to skate when they were younger, fell out of it through their early adult years, and got back into skating through their kids (but those who've kept skating all the way through are all good too!)
4. They don't mind being photographed and quickly interviewed by our team. We can arrange to come to your skatepark/concrete bowl/car park (whereever, the more authentic the better).
5. If there is a mum/daughter or mum/son combo, then that would absolutely AMAZING (you know, to balance the piece).

If you think you fit the bill, or you know of anyone who might be up for this, can you please give me a shout on my email address, which is chris, at acmwriting dot com. (hopefully that'll put off any phishing software...) or reply to this post on teh forum with some round about details of how I might get in touch, and when/where they skate etc...
A million million thanks,
Chris

Did anyone hear any more about this?

I was watching the victim err I mean the participant having the photos taken yesterday
( I'm pretty sure it's to do with this post )

lucky you-no matter where i stood i just kept being told to move out of the way
i've a feeling i know or have seen that bloke taking the pics somewhere before

I'm still gutted Dean wouldn't pretend to be my dad so I could've taken part

Me and Daisy took part in this. The photographer used to skate back in the day. Had a bit of roll on the longboard . Be interesting to see the finished article.

That would explain why he was quite happy rolling around Saffy then
If you get notice of when it's being published could you please advise ? (cheers mate)

If it is published it will be in the Saturday Telegraph magazine. Hopefully sometime this month.

If it is published it will be in the Saturday Telegraph magazine. Hopefully sometime this month.

*hums Horst-Wessel-lied/makes 'hitler' tache from comb*

Telegraph?
I don't think I'd even be allowed to buy that, too tworking class

Hey everyone, cheers for all the help. The piece is out on the 6th August in the Telegraph Style magazine. It's one of the inserts in the Saturday paper.
Be great to hear what you think. And thanks again for the heads up on prospective dads and mums that skate,
Chris

Thanks for letting us know.

Well I bought it and I'll be buggered if I can find it.
No "Style Magazine" in there!

Same here !!

^^^ wot they said ^^^ wasted £1.90 on more paper than your average forest and all its good for is lining cat litter trays (& we aint got a cat)

But now at least you all know how to cook a Cherry Clafouti with Fennel sauce, and how to redecorate your dining room in a neo Georgian style.

Hey everyone, cheers for all the help. The piece is out on the 6th August in the Telegraph Style magazine. It's one of the inserts in the Saturday paper.
Be great to hear what you think. And thanks again for the heads up on prospective dads and mums that skate,
Chris

Double commission on extra weeks worth sold ?

can you please give me a shout on my email address, which is chris, at acmwriting dot com. (hopefully that'll put off any phishing software...)

Lets just spam the fucker

Is there a Sunday Telegraph? Perhaps printed on the 6th but on sale on the 7th?

First newspaper I`ve bought for about 20 years, couldn`t find the article. I did plough through the newspaper though, and I now wonder why I`ve been slogging my guts out as a mechanic for the last 30 years when I could`ve wrote a load of shit instead and got paid a lot more than a mechanics wages. Cat likes it though as she`s getting on in years and sometimes can`t get into her litter tray, the broadsheet covers more of the floor.

Edit: just had a google for telegraph 'style' magazine and it comes under Sunday Telegraph, typical bloody journo can`t even get the date right.

So it's in today's Telegraph? OK may try to pick it up then.

Nope, no sign of it in there at a quick look ....

Well I picked up a copy this morning and I cant see it anywhere, nor can my bro. Even listening to the proms cd didnt help.

I pitched this piece to a very cool editor
Chris

Maybe the editor wasn`t that 'cool' after all. From the last couple of posts it doesn`t look like I`ll gamble another couple of quid on toilet paper.
Is this the OP ? http://www.acmwriting.com/profiles/8/Chris_Moran

Its the 13th I think

I sent him a pm on Saturday to ask what had happened. No reply as yet.

He sent me an e-mail last week saying it should be published on the 13th. I forgot to post that up on here

Like a lot of media stuff these type articles don't always get published when originally planned if something else crops up.

Dave are you on a commission? Seems like your omission made them another few sales.

remember to remind us again next weekend ya plonker.

Shall I start a "Can we blame Dave?" poll?

The article is in the Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/active/8691799/Half-pipe-and-slippers-middle-aged-skateboarders-relive-their-youth.html

Well, that's certainly not bad press.

And we didn't have to buy another copy of the Telegraph... nice one Stu

Is that it?
Is there a magazine article as well?

Well written but not quite the exposure I was expecting.

I think it's great.. very little opinion offered, let the skaters words speak for themselves. Cool.

More pictures would have been nice though....

If it's going in the "style" supplement is it going to be combined with a "how to dress like a skater" article?
Just wondering as they seemed to ask what brands the featured parents/kids like to wear.

I was asked what style jeans I wear, obviously £4 from Asda was not the right answer

Not a bad article though.

If it's going in the "style" supplement is it going to be combined with a "how to dress like a skater" article?
Just wondering as they seemed to ask what brands the featured parents/kids like to wear.

Yeah notice how they obviously asked the kids and they assumed they meant skating style: "I think my dad’s got great style, but I’ve got more tricks." "Dad’s more stylish than me, but I’d say I’m better now."