What happens when a passion for skateboarding meets a life of public service? Join us as we navigate the fascinating journey of John Bogaerts, a former professional skateboarder turned dedicated police officer. Along with his close-knit friends Mike Cossettini and Sean Mussett, known affectionately as Gravel Burns, John takes us back to the birth of the Newcastle skateboarding scene. From the early days at Bar Beach in 1979, where fiberglass quarter pipes first made their mark, to the vibrant community that blossomed from these beginnings, we reminisce about the friendships and experiences that defined this era.

We explore the impact of missions to the USA, and icons like Lee Ralph and Gregor Rankin on Newcastle's skating standards. John shares stories of regular road trips to Mona Vale vert ramp, the sheer excitement of competing at the infamous Ridge Street ramp in Mereweather, and then the iconic Bowl-a-rama events at Bondi many years later against the likes of Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero and Kevin Staab.

This episode is somewhat of a heartfelt exploration of the many facets of a skater's life, including John's transition to law enforcement and the eventual reconnection to his skateboarding roots. John discusses the thrill of premier skate facilities emerging from bold visions and the camaraderie of community-driven events like the Australian Bowl Riding Championships.

There's a full video production this week in which John shares never before seen archival pictures and footage. Worth a watch.

Enjoy,
Shan

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