Oasis Job Shadowing

For the past 5 weeks we have had the pleasure of hosting two great students from the Oasis Skateboard Factory here at the RockitLabs HQ, as part of their Job Shadowing program. We put these kids to work on everything from taking out the garbage, to helping pack orders. We also let them fix up a few old broken boards we had sitting around the shop, and give new life to them with some killer custom artwork.

Before they left, I asked them to write a short paragraph about their experience here at the Roarockit Skateboard Company.

Student #1

"So far working at Roarockit has been great. I haven’t had much experience in a workplace, so co-op is definitely a good start. I didn’t understand much about how to run a business, but I had in my mind this is where I want to be one day. Everyone here is super friendly and that's my favourite part. I can crack a joke anytime, where other places I didn't find anyone to be as open and relaxed. 

I learned from being here how much work is put into running a business and keeping it afloat. Whether it be simple things or intense detailed labour. There is work involved, no beating around the bush - you want a business? Prepared to get dirty! 

Roarockit is doing a great job expanding their business. They are getting colours veneers, giving people more choice on boards they want to make, and there shop moved to a larger location so they can have more stock. Working in the skate industry has been awesome, I'm glad I got into it instead of horrible office work. I'd like to be a graphic designer for skateboards one day, or something that I can really sink my artistic teeth into. I just hope I can make it there. (I will!!! ) Being at Roarockit has been a great experience, and I hope I can manage as well as they have."

Student #2 

"Roarockit has been a great learning experience. I have learned a lot of the inner workings of a skateboard building business including shipping and setting things up to be shipped. This experience has been very meaningful to me as a skater and as an artist, being given the opportunity to learn about this awesome business and designing a board for them has been amazing.

Working in the skate industry has been an underlying thought in my mind for some time and Roarockit has been inspiring me to pursue it. If I were to work in the skateboard industry, my ideal job would be a board designer and artist but creating shapes for boards would be great too.

My favourite part of being here has been designing the board for the office, I say this because I think it is the best board I have done yet and this great business deserves no less."

It's All About the Kids

The Roarockit Skateboard Company is no stranger to working with kids in the community, and it gives us a great amount of pride to see our programs implemented in classrooms around the world.  Helping kids have fun while learning how to make skateboards, and in some cases realize their potential, is what Roarockit is all about.

Recently there have been a few great events and features, based on the success of programs using our Thin Air Press Technology.  

First off is our friends at the Oasis Skateboard Factory.  Almost everyday we hear about another great success coming from this unique Toronto District School Board program.  Run by one of the most resourceful and engaging teachers of all time, Craig Morrison, this program operates out of a community center in the heart of downtown Toronto.  

Chris from Roarockit with Craig from the Oasis Skateboard Factory... Ken Spencer in the back!

Recently, the program was recognized and presented with the Ken Spencer Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning.  Shortly after, they were featured in a great video by the Toronto District School Board.

We are also very excited to have worked with a group of kids from the Northmount Catholic School, who pressed and painted over 20 original pintail longboards for an Art Gala Fundraiser.  The all-boys school came into our teaching facility as a group, and were introduced to Roarockit's vacuum bag process for making their own boards.

We sent them home with the materials, tools and technology to make their own boards... and they did just that!! When we caught up with the school, they had pressed, shaped and sanded each board and were in the process of painting and customizing their creations.  After a visit from Ryan @ Longboard Living, each board was setup with hardware and a custom grip job.  The boards turned out great!

Here are a few examples of their artwork, and a great video featuring their finished decks.

We love hearing about (and seeing!) all the great projects and programs that people are doing with our Thin Air Press technology.  If you would like to be featured in one of our Rockit Talk posts, send any information, pictures or video links to chris@roarockit.com

SUMMER BOARD BUILDING CAMPS 2012

Our popular Summer Camp build weeks are going to happen again this year! 

This year, we will have the option to build one of 3 different styles of board, a classic Street Deck; a Pintail Cruiser; OR a 1" Drop deck that you press then it is cut to the shape you design.

All boards are built by hand: you prepare your Canadian maple veneer, glue each sheet, then press over a mold in the Thin Air Press, which bends the veneer into a 3-dimensional shaped board. After it comes out of the press, you finish the edges, sand it smooth then paint your own graphic design on your hand-made board.

The use of hand tools is taught and the board you build is of the highest quality materials and standards.

There will be an option to make a group purchase of the wheels, trucks, hardware, helmets and grip tape at great prices through a local board shop, as these are not included in the class sessions.

Session dates: July 9th to 13th, OR Aug 13th to 17th

Number of Sessions: 5 (5 x 2.5 hours) Mon - Fri 9 am to 11:30

Cost: Street Deck or pintail Long board: $275 + hst
OR Drop Deck: $295 + hst

Includes: materials

Age: 10 years and up

Location: 880 Millwood Road, Toronto ON M4G 1X1

No experience is necessary. Please Email to request a printable application form.

Unikorn Longboards

Recently we had two gentlemen from Montreal visit the RockitLab here in Toronto. They brought along a few of their handmade longboards, with some incredible laser engraved artwork. We would like to welcome Francis and Vincent from Unikorn Longboards to the Roarockit family!

Unikorn Longboards are generally made with a bamboo core. When the guys came to visit the shop, we introduced them to our new 1/16” Birch veneers, a locally grown bamboo alternative. They took a few boards worth of material home, and ended up pressing that same night!

Here's what they said about their visit, and working with the Birch:

 “As soon as we got back home (9:30 pm) we pressed a board with the birch right away. It came out really well, it's a little stiffer than our bamboo ones and a little heavier but it might be for the best. The bamboo boards would actually twist a bit length wise but the birch doesn't. It might be only due to the fact that we have more layers then before and so more layers of glue. The extra layers of glue should help it keep its shape longer though... I actually believe that the board is more responsive then with the thick bamboo, probably do to the fact that it doesn't twist.”

 

You can get more information about Unikorn Longboards @ www.unikorn.ca ... and make sure to 'Like' their new Facebook page.

We look forward to more great work from these talented builders. Keep up the good work guys!

Manitoba Marquetry

Recently, we had a fellow named Jeff purchase one of our 26" x 28" woodworking TAP bags.  We helped him with a few questions he had about the product, and proceeded to send him the kit and some extra sealing tape. Within a few short weeks, the Manitoba native sent us an email with some very kind words and a few great pictures of the marquetry project he created with the kit.  

"I just want you to know how great the TAP is... I'm so happy I stumbled on a hand alternative to expensive and complicated vacuum press systems... Thanks again for a wonderfully simple way to vacuum press!"

"..my brother and I  collaborated on building a wine cabinet for my daughter's upcoming wedding and I did 4 marquetry panels, two each for the two doors. Very personalized: My daughter is a professional ballerina and fiance was college football player and attended U. of South Carolina (hence the fightin' gamecock)."

 

Very nice work Jeff.  We appreciate the compliments and are blown away by your handy work.  

Keep on pressin!!