...so they're trying to make some news. let it go...

at no point have i ever said I was running this tour!

How can the post a copy of the video without the permission of the owner? Can someone look into this as it was taken from facebook but I am not sure how they are aloud to use this video and would like to find out if we can have the video removed from their site

I have asked for the vid to be removed by the owner as I do not feel we need young rider trying to copy these world class riders pulling some very risky lines!

Yesterday afternoon I was once again contacted by the NZ herald regarding a short video clip of a group of riders taking a FOOLISH run down Brooklyn hill.

I told the paper that this style of riding is only a tiny part of what longboarding is and to understand that by lumping all longboarders in with this footage, as they have done, paints us ALL in such a poor light. I warned the paper that if the tone of there article was that we are all a pack of 'idots' this could lead to readers acting threateningly with their cars towards riders of whom the majority are acting responsibly and safe. We have such a growing number of young riders who are only recently started to ride on the road and do not need the aggression that I have personal experienced from drivers who assume we have no right to be on the road. I waned that this sort of reporting further pushes the sport underground and stops any sort of education of the public as to the many styles of riding and what fun they could have if they got on board with the sport!

I personally BEGGED the writer and her head editor to not post the video as I don't want these young riders being encouraged by such riding ( by riders who are ranked very highly in the world standings). There are far more interesting videos for these kids to be inspired by. I explained that by posting this footage THEY are promoting unsafe skateboarding and going against the message we promote here at NNO and the huge amount of work you as users of this site do to stay safe, promote the stoke and tell other riders of the importance of wearing a helmet.

I explained how many different styles of riding there are, how whole families can find a activity that is nothing but FUN and with a little bit of training is very safe.

I at no point said I was running the tour, I actually made a point of saying that I was not the organiser and was not able to make it to the Wellington leg of the tour and found the footage to be rather scary and hoped for it to be removed before any riders tried to copy such a dangerous line.

I also said we are doing our best to hold a closed road event, that riders from our community are taking huge amounts of time out of there life, unpaid, to work on the planning, finding the huge amount of money needed to run such event and the many other tasks required to get us a street for a day. I explained that running such a negative article will make this task even harder should the general public lose respect for us as a whole.

Since they still need to fill space in the paper I even tryied to offere them the exclusive news about the meeting I am trying to set up with the police so we can come to a solid aggrement with the nz police force or offered to take them out for a one on one skate to show them how safe the sport really is but they had very little interest what so ever.

So after a 40 mins of begging, pleading and reasoning with them to run the story with a positive tone this is all we get:

"Everyone who sees this video or anyone choosing to ride with cars shows the same respect and follows all road rules and acts professionally, not irresponsibly," he said.

This to me does not even make sense.... What I said was:

"I ask everyone who sees this video or anyone choosing to ride with cars to please show respect and follow all road rules. Act professionally, not irresponsibly"

so they make me out to be some one who cant even form a proper sentence as to once again take credibility from our sport while giving all of the credibility to the police and then ending once again on some unknown persons negative comment.

Come on herald maybe time to stop trying to create news and start REPORTING with facts and at the very least getting the quotes and basic information RIGHT !

It is very unfortunate that the Herald has grabbed these videos for their headlines. Some of the people I have been talking to about funding for GSNZ have mentioned that due to the negative coverage in the papers that they wouldn't consider our application.

Unfortunately videos of Longboarders having lots of fun and safely won't sell news papers. Bad news, sex, scandal, celebrity, feel good stories etc sell. Safely having fun doesn't really fit with this criteria so how do we get a positive story in the paper!

Sponsored Skate for a Charity would be good to get in the paper
Anyone know a Celebrity who would like to give Longboarding a go, who is willing to speak out about the fun part of longboarding
Try and think of something we could do that would be interesting to the New Paper that is News Worthy that would show us all in a good light.

Nick
www.ultimateboards.co.nz

sounds fun
-larrynom

Flogging content

By Steven | April 26, 2010

RNZ’s Mediawatch this week looked at the ethics of the media’s practice of drawing content, including pictures, from social networking sites. Host Colin Peacock mentioned a Herald on Sunday article that pulled material from a car accident victim’s Facebook site, including a photo of him, adding:

Like many people using the social networking websites these days, the victim in this case had chosen not to restrict access to the material he posted on Facebook, so there was nothing to stop any journalist looking at it or putting it in their stories.

It’s true that journalists can draw information from such sites, and it’s often good reporting. But it’s not true that there’s nothing to stop them putting the photos in their stories. This will almost always be a breach of copyright, unless the copyright owner’s permission is obtained first. Open access settings on Facebook do not change that basic rule. (True, there’s an emerging public interest defence to breach of copyright - and that’s a welcome development, I think - but it’s rather tenuous at the moment, and at its best will still demand legitimate public concern in the photo itself, a standard which won’t often be satisfied).

Stuff’s social media editor Greer McDonald was interviewed. She said, at various points, that “where possible” they seek permission for the use of such material, and that “on all occasions we seek permission”. She also gave an example of a particular situation where they hadn’t: she didn’t imagine anyone sought permission from the family of murdered Scottish backpacker Karen Aim before using travel photos from her Bebo profile - this “added to the story in a way that wasn’t negative”. Well, maybe. The family, who owned the rights to those photos, may conceivably have taken a different view. (McDonald did note that families were often happy to provide permission in such circumstances, though).

I have heard of situations where media organisations, including Fairfax, have used people’s photos without seeking permission first. I suspect it’s fairly common. If someone objects, they’ll offer them something (maybe a couple of hundred dollars or so). If the copyright owner won’t deal, they’ll probably just take it down. The copyright owner could sue for the brief use of the photo without permission, but who’s going to bother?

I'm just a public relations student interested in this story but...
I'm pretty sure that this Georges fella that the herald gives credit to owns the copyright to the video?

Has anyone asked him to complain?

How does someone organise a charity skate? I've always been really interested to try it, but wouldn't have a clue where to start.

Hawkes Bay Longboard Society:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=273190795945

I think the charity skate is a very good idea to get started, showing that we care and trying to give ourselves a positive veiw in the media. The celebrity idea might be good too, Best bet for that would probably be one of the young influentual celebritys of NZ such as someone from the C4 crew, because not only would it speak out to many people in NZ it would also come as positive media if they reported it or something.. not sure how you would go about that sorta thing.. maybe a letter/ email to the people at C4 asking if they would want to be involved in a charity skate like this and offer lessons or something.
Just an idea

Barbie.

it would be good but only a select audience watches c4. If you really want to nail it somebody like John Campbell or somebody in the likes of his status. If we think this is a good idea i think we should run with it. Simply make a video diary of us teaching the person and the person skating, the upload to youtube, vimeo and facebook and get it big. The hardest thing would be getting a person though, even if the persons keen there boss or producer could think its a bad move and shut it down completly. I think it would be a great idea to get a celeb skating and then get them to compete at a charity auction. I think a push race is cool, but it doesnt show how our sport belongs on the roads and how we can stop in a few seconds. We could all push on the roads but if our main goal is to promote saftey of longboarding, i dont think we should promote that we push because normal street skaters push.. its not really showing LONGBOARDING. To me mostly all longboarders enjoy a good run down a hill insted of pushing around the waterfrount, so i think we should promote what we do and how we do it.
Just some ideas, but im keen to help with anything :)

If there's someone on here who's in that video, could they not just contact the Herald and say they do not give permission for their image/likeness to be published by the Herald? Would force them to remove the video, although it wouldn't do anything to remove the rest of their retarded article. I think Andrew should speak to the Herald too and make it very clear he will not allow them to use his copyrighted material without his permission, to stop them running more of these articles.

Yeah reason i said C4 was because they are probaby the more likely station to get into this as they have younger people who would probably be more keen to learn to skate, cambell would be perfect but convincing the likes of him to skate may prove impossible... ?

But we mars well try get the best option before falling for the second best. No harm in trying :)

I agree :D go for Cambell first off, he would be the best, but if we fail there no harm in trying for C4. :D

You know who would be awesome trying to teach how to skate?
JOHN KEYS.
He's always attempting to be hip. And I'd imagine he'd look amazing in a helmet.
He'd be impossible to get held of, but still, enjoy the image.

Getting C4 into the sport would be a good idea to appeal to the younger generation, but it would seem right now we are in the eyes of the older generation. They are the ones we have to convince that we aren't all "idiots".

Hawkes Bay Longboard Society:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=273190795945

count me in. If everyone does this "skate" on the same day in different cities the likelyhood of it being recognised would be greater. We could then promote it as nationally organised.

but why not ask the writer of the article to learn to skate?? Could that be the biggest goal. Making a convert of the skeptic could be the best achievement and then get the great JC or C4 to report on that.

BombingBetty - Myself and rich have done a wee charity skate (taihape-wellington), also a wealth of knowledge is Nat(wafflesole) he did the length of NZ with a few mates.
Hit up Laura Hatwell on faecebook as well. My advice is find a charity you are passionate about and first approach them to see if they want skaters to raise funds for them. What sort of skate do you want to do? Endurance-how far in XX hours. Long distance-north to south, east to west, city to city. Big Skate-large number of skaters in one place at one time skating together. Hope that helps and gets you started.

since the first artical i have offered 3-4 times to take the writer out skating for a one on one coaching session but she refuses to give it a go....

I have also noticed that they have even got the nno web address wrong.... mucking Dorons!

Invite all reporters for the herald to free longboarding lessons. nice family orientated skate along tamaki drive maybe, or something similar.

After reading over all of your reactions to these recent reports in the media I can honestly say that my worst fears have realized.

What are you guys up to!?

Your acting like you’ve all done something wrong, and that those tremendous human beings who bombed those hills are irresponsible idiots who should be removed from society. Your attitudes to put it bluntly are fucked.

The whole world has gone PC, good old fashion fun is now being classed as dangerous and irresponsible in the media and you guys are perpetuating the problem. As longboarders we all know that what these guys were doing was safe enough and that the media has grossly overacted. These guys, in my opinion are doing great things for the sport of longboarding and should be idolized not vilified.

I admire what you are trying to do by bringing some positive publicity to the sport and agree that a charity skate would be awesome. But your attempts at distancing yourselves and the sport from those videos is disgraceful, and in my opinion far more detrimental than it is helpful.

One of you mentioned that if parents see these videos they won’t buy longboards for their kids. This may be correct, but rather than fall into line and follow the politically correct direction of society you need to grow some balls and protect the integrity of the sport. Those videos are an accurate depiction of what longboarding is. This is not to say that every single person who owns a longboard is as daring and extreme as the guys who are tackling those hills. But those guys are driving force behind the sport and are the reason why me, and ALOT of other people, took up longboarding in the first place.

Rather than babyproof the sport you should instead try and portray all of the good c*nt hill bombers in a more favorable light. As longboarders we should band together and provide society with a voice that tells the truth about the sport and gives the extreme boarders the respect they deserve.

In short we need to SAVE THE SHENANIGANS!! Bellow is a link to our blog (it is not specific to longboarding). Our goal is to be the voice of the misunderstood
“muppets” by publicizing all of the worlds good c*nts and ensuring the continuation of the worlds shenanigans and tom-foolery.

I urge you all to grow a pair and get behind the cause. Follow the blog or become a fan on facebook.

Save the Shenanigans
softfuzzymittens.blogspot.com/

i didnt like it..

I have to agree with Max, you've taken it all wrong, mate.
You stated "as LONGBOARDERS we all know that what these guys were doing was safe enough", and you're correct, yet for those who don't understand our sport what they saw in the videos would seem dangerous. All we are trying to do is EDUCATE those who know nothing about our sport, and maybe then we can convince them that what was done is safe. Yes, these boys should be idolized and they are. But how come someone without any knowledge idolize someone who is going down a hill at the speed of a car, on a piece of wood without any brakes? -- This would be their perspective. What we are trying to attempt to do is voice OUR perspective

As for "distancing" ourselves, we are doing anything but. I think you really need to look into the hard work that is being put into expressing ourselves in the Media. If we wanted to distance ourselves, we'd be saying that we haven't a clue who these guys are, and that, yeah, they are just idiots. Instead they are being stuck up for, and furthermore it's being explained that they are professionals.

For those that need to "grow some balls" towards their parents' choices... Do you honestly have a clue what you're talking about? How can someone who is young, convince
the older generation to get them a board after seeing those videos? Parents are looking out for their childrens safety and they probably think in getting these boards their children will do what is seen in the videos. This is where the hard work of our community comes in to once again, to educate these people.

Nice way to sneak your blog in, by the way. Good luck in gaining the support from many people from this site, though.

Hawkes Bay Longboard Society:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=273190795945

BUT we are up against a beast that WILL not die. There is only one way to knock this beast down, and this would be a national, organisd, street run. eg. runs down queen st in auckland, with signs and talking to everyone showing how they are being safe, next weekend, wellington, the following week a new city. we tell the public which new city to look for in the news. the hearald will jump on it when they find out.

something along that idea is going to be more productive and faster then a charity run or organisd skate. It's weeks vs. months. An time is key, once it's faded out of the limelight, it would be impossible to get back in it. so we email the writer a few days b4 we do each run so it can be covered. i think that that will be the only way..

I really couldnt give a shit what anyone else thinks. If they havent got the time to stop and listen to what we've got to say or try to understand what we do and how we ride, then quite honestly f**k em.
Several times i've ripped on things before giving them a go, and im embarrassed to say they would be some of the greatest joys in my life.

Its interesting how you can have some of the most talented riders, bomb hills and be labelled idiots. Take a step back and look at the incredible statistics of "idiot" unskilled inexperinced drivers, underage drinkers and any combination thereof.
I think id much rather be on my board then on the road with them...
Thats my view, this whole thing is starting to piss me off

To organise a charity event in all 4 main cities: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin? it would be awesome to pull it of. There are heaps of people in the Uni of Otago that have longbaords and would be cool to promote the sport to everyone nation wide.

I'm going to wade in here i think.

My view of the media is not to fan the flames. Use them to achieve your own goals do not let them dictate the terms because they will change EVERYTHING.

Jestah did an amazing job on the telly (i'd have been a quivering mess) but I feel it might have been forced on him by, and rightfully so, wanting to paint longboarders in a good light.

If nobody had said anything, even on here, it would have gone away overnight. It was old news on a slow news day. A swift ' this happened 8 months ago and WE ARE ALLOWED on the road' would have shut it down.

I'm all for charity skating, a national event would be Amazing. Recently a friend ran a 24 hour skate event open to inliners/skaters/derby girls at the top gear track (http://www.skaiti.webs.com/) and raised 10,000 GBP for shelterbox. Just amazing. Getting a South island and North Island event like that would do very well i'm sure. Not just longboarders but inliners and girls from the ever blooming derby scene over here.

We could tie it in with an ultraskate in Seattle and maybe get a few more NZ names on ultraskater.com
The last ultra up in Auck went down well. Lets do it again and raise a bit of profile and money.

I'm more happy to try to sort out the south island, have kinda been working/thinking about wigram airport. Anywhere central up there that people can get to? Would be nice to have a big circuit with space to camp and that would be happy to let us use for 24 hours?

so as a collective do we think we can organise this? do we know enough people outside longboarding to go for this? inline skating groups, roller derby teams? people who know someone who knows someone who is security at a suitable venue?

As i said, i'd down for sorting out the south island.

Dates?

Garden City Sessions.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=296788251582&ref=ts