Skogging - Chris Yandall's Skateboard Style of Switch Stance




	Skogging definition: SWITCH STANCE SKATEBOARDING, PUSH, PUMP AND CARVE - Asymmetrically speaking, this new site may dispel notions that Chris Yandall invented switch stance. Chris is encouraging the skateboarding industry to take a long hard strong look at switching it up for push, pump and carving. He aggressively promotes and demonstrates the movement daily. He walks the talk. He skates over the hates. He laughs at those that think they are the last word on skateboarding especially when many have a skateboading history less than the lifespan of a yippy yappy poodle. Chris Yandall was pre-dogtown era and skated with the infamous Dogtowners Tony Alva and Jay Adams at a San Diego City run skateboard contest(1974-75) at Kate Sessions in Pacific Beach where he dominated the competition. And in the movie where Dogtowner's claimed they dominated Del Mar, Chris Yandall(Pacific Beach) placed first with his buddy, a very close second, Danny Trailer(El Cajon) and went on to win the World Contest at the San Diego "Jack Murphy" stadium later on that year. Chris has given more to the sport than the average casual rider. Being a skateboard journeyman into his mid-50's is a notable feat. He would like everyone to just chill and enjoy the ride. The skateboard is a device for self-expression and in it's evolutionary process, definitions of unique new styles are a normal process usually ridiculed by noteworthy people. But to date, only one trick ponies seem to think it's beyond the scope of the sport. And to that, Chris says, "some kids just think they are too cool for reality". Chris says, "been there done that"! "I'm still skatin'! and without PRUNES"

Chris Yandall's Basic 101 Skogging Step

Step 1

Either foot can be lead foot but since I'm right handed, and game to kick start this instruction, left foot near nose of board. Push with right foot. Some like to push with ball-of-foot and toes and I prefer the full foot on the ground end with toe push off.

Step 2

During this basic example skog, it is normal to rest both legs on the board in push transition, with a forward foot position keeping the weight and motion leaning forward. It is also a beginning position to 180 foot movement for dance patterns.

Step 3

Front foot becomes push foot and this step reeks of the dreaded "mongo" syndrome. But help is on the way! Mongo is just part of the skog movement! This is where mongo and skog haters lack intelligence and rightly so since they choose to ridicule that which they cannot perform.

Step 7

This step helps bridge Steps 3 and 6. It occurs while the pushing foot is on the ground, the foot on the board shifts back or forward depending where you are in the skogging process. It is by far the most difficult to master and as speed increases, it creates the best environment for severe wipeouts.

Step 4

This appears a mystery to many people how the back foot ends up in the front. But it's "slight-of-foot magic". During the strides, the back foot slides towards the front and back to rotate the legs as the unweighting and weighting occurs. Bottom line is that the switch of the lead foot occurred and now the opposite rotation takes place.

Step 5

This is the reverse of Step 2. Keep in mind if you had problems in Step 2, you can bet this step will be much harder. The key in this step is to think that your feet are back in HOME position. In this HOME position, you can feel the balance required for switch stance i.e. regular and goofy positions.

Step 6

So here we are, the opposite of Step 3 and one step from skogging nirvana. Which is something that many have not found and which is why I am going into great demonstration lengths. Many want to learn since the concept is easy but the application varying in degree of difficulty for the average skateboarder.

Chris' main objective for encouraging the masses to use both legs to push is so that equal muscle development is gained and from this one can become more healthy, robust and happier all from an aerobic skateboard outing! Truly it can be a full bodied workout yielding an exercise of the ages. Helping introduce another type of skateboarding style is in the process of being evolutionized and it is not an easy task when "traditionalists" feel threatened that their manhood is being challenged. Simply put, skogging is a word HE devised to give someone the general idea of what HIS style of flatland skateboarding is. e.g. "Thinking about going for a jog with your skateboard" - is the premise of the movement. He jogs and runs with his skateboard and cranks turns as if he's on a one foot carve transitioning weight from one side of the body to the next. It is indeed possible to position one's body in an unconventional style and get armchair critics lambasting the style simply because it is different. Back in the mid-70's Chris Yandall surfed crazed Law St.(Pacific Beach, CA) with a tri-fin Bonzer from Mike Eaton. He was then pegged as "amp out" because he slashed and trashed every wave. It is a thrill to see today that this style is the norm!

Chris is a surfer, skiier, snowboarder, sky diver, crotch rocket biker and best of all, a blackbelt culinary specialist from grill to frying pan with delightful recipes of goodies from baked goods to smoked dishes. Chris has raised 3 kids Mari(in Denver) getting her PhD, Shannon(in Portland) 1st year of college and Justin(finger flipper skater in San Diego) are now out of the house and he feels it's time return to skateboarding in an upstep fashion. He races downhill slalom(tight, g/s and hybrid) in the masters/open divisions and holds a respectable record. His favorite skatepark in Poway satisfies his transition needs for grinding and catching respectable air.

Thanks to the full support of his U.K. lady, Lesley, his life is a full-time schedule of enjoying the San Diego arts. She is proud to have an inspired man that spends very little time in front of the TV(except for sports) and loves to floor dance with her into the wee hours of the night. Currently, Chris and Lesley are remodeling their place in Pacific Beach. She's a world class dancer and a programmer like Chris for over 30 years. Together they plan on travelling the world to spread the gospel according to skog. If you are interested in a personal visit and counseling over this very important and exciting step for skateboarding, contact chris and request his services. His schedule is now open for 2009! email cYask8

SPECIAL THANKS to Richie and Maria Carrasco for introducing the skogging designed deck by(John Galac)to the market place! Of course without a monkey on the board doing the dirty deed, the deck isn't very appealing until the circus act is performed. Chris Yandall exploits the flat foot movement of the area of the board for fun and folly. SK8KINGS is releasing the production version of the deck. John Galac has the recipe for the Custom version model and available on his SITE

NO GIMMICS. JUST THE FLAT TRUTH. THE DEVICE NOISE TO SIGNAL RATIO FLATLINES.

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