Words: Mark Amadio
I love the fact that Miller and I, can walk around any town or city, in summer or winter, and pick-out different street spots together. This usually ends in a healthy debate over if it would or wouldn’t work, or if we would actually ever do it. All part of our on-going narrative.
Things suddenly turned to reality when we stumbled upon a newly constructed walk bridge on the banks of the Truckee River, California. It ticked all the boxes for an eight-year old’s first street spot.
“This is actually happening” Miller kept repeating, as we shovelled snow for the take off and in-run. We built a makeshift drop-in with a couple of ladders we found at our Airbnb and a timber board we borrowed from the nearby train yard.
As we were setting up, Pro snowboarder and photographer Mike Burton wandered across the bridge, camera bag on his back, as if some magical signal to the universe that this was going to be worth capturing. Mike was salivating at the fact that we were setting this up, and mentioned, “no locals had the chance to hit this thing yet!” He then congratulated myself on “great parenting” which I found both humbling and surprising, as this felt like such a normal thing to do with my boy. Mike then suggested some tips on dialling in the speed which were highly welcomed, as we wanted to keep the take-off ‘proper’ for all obvious reasons, and knew Miller had the pop and determination to make it work.
Part of the job in keeping a spot open long enough is providing a sort of community service, this is trying not to piss-off too many people that the cops will be called. Most passers-by, in a certain age demographic, just shake their head in disapproval. Some even try to purposely stomp on the in-run, as to put a stop to our fun.
An old man with a walking frame approached, we knew he would struggle to cross the newly formed in-run that blocked the path. He accepted my help across, throwing an arm over my shoulder shuffling across like a wounded rugby player getting coming off the field. The stench of whisky was stifling though he showed mega interest about what was going on. “do you mind if I hang out and watch your boy?” he said. He stayed for pretty much the whole session, offering the much need vibe, cutting all nervous tension, a hype man with a walker!
Just as we finished setting it all up, as if right on cue, the local police showed up. We thought the session was over before it even got going. Typical! However much to our disbelief, the officer was just inquiring if we could remove the snow from the path after we were done. He then, most surprisingly, told us to “have fun” before he left as quickly as he arrived. “That never happens!” I instantly said to Miller. Game On.
Miller Amadio – frontside 50-50
