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  Element's Drop Spot at Crossroads. Photos by Shelby Stanger.

Not long ago, skaters used to make their own skate obstacles and mini ramps from good old fashion plywood and a set of nails. Over the last few years, some companies have created premade ramps, saving parents a lot of time and sawdust.

Element Skateboards is taking that concept to a new level, designing premade ramps and skateable obstacles from fun boxes and rainbow rails to launch ramps and pole jams. All designs are weatherproof, foldable, interlocking and portable. The project, called Drop Spot, is a partnership between Element and the portable skate ramp company, Freshpark.

At the Crossroads trade show in San Diego, there was a lot of buzz surrounding the Drop Spot Skate Obstacles. In fact, the area where the obstacles were placed was constantly flooded with young kids testing them out.

Active.com buyer Tyson Boretz said the new Drop Spot obstacles are selling extremely well on the company’s website.

“Kids are so stoked to have a piece of park in their driveways. We’ve already sold a lot of products so far,” he said.

Besides kids, there were also some older professionals pretty excited about some of the obstacles, specifically the pole jam. “In my whole career of being a pro skater, I maybe came across seven pole jams in my career,” said Element former pro skater and inside sales rep, Colt Cannon. “They are normally made when you take a rental car and back it into a pole…so we are saving kids on increased insurance,” he added with a laugh.

After Crossroads, I had the chance to talk to Element Founder and President Johnny Schillereff in more depth about the new products.

See Page 2 for our interview with Johnny

 

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What’s the idea behind Drop Spot?

Johnny: We just started the program and the idea is that you can go anywhere and just drop a skate spot. They are portable and foldable and kids can just put them in their trunks and take them to a skate park to make it better or create their own skate spot.

Is anyone else making skate obstacles right now? I’ve seen mini ramps at sporting goods stores, but nothing like what you guys are making.

Johnny: There are a few other products out there but as far as I know there is nothing currently available that compares to the overall quality of our obstacles.

Drop Spot is inspired and endorsed by our entire team I’m not aware of any other obstacles in the market that have kind of support.

How much do the obstacles cost:

Johnny: The cost is about $130 to $350 for a fun box.

How many do you plan to sell?

Johnny: Drop Spot is a new category for Element that was developed out of the necessity to have usable, durable obstacles designed by and for skaters. Our first expectation was to have fun on them. If that is a success, then sales will follow. So far so good.

(Right: Johnny Schillereff at Crossroads.)

What’s the most popular obstacle people are buying? Do they buy one at a time or multiple?

Johnny: As truly a unique obstacle, with so many uses, the pole jam seems to be a standout. With diverse obstacles, come diverse sales, especially amongst the varied skill levels. The beginners and their parents love the launch ramp and the high ollie curb, whereas the more experienced skaters are hyped on the bench and pole jam.

On the box it says the obstacles are a partnership with Freshpark. What is the arrangement you have with them and why did you choose them to partner with?

Johnny: The partnership was an obvious one, especially considering one another’s expertise in our respective fields. At Element, we are skateboarders, and it’s our job to come up with ideas of new skate obstacles that are fun and unique.

Freshpark then comes to the table with the experience and expertise on ways to build these obstacles with the highest quality. Freshpark has been building on their repertoire of design, innovation, and manufacturing for years, and Element has helped pave the way for skateboarding, so the partnership was natural.

What’s the response been like so far?

Johnny: We’ve had open sessions at ASR and Crossroads trade shows, along with The Maloof Money Cup and the X Games series, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

From professional to spectator, everyone has two questions: When can I skate them? And, where can I buy them? It’s incredible to see every level of skater be so intrigued.

Do you plan to sell these at skateparks or just to shops that support skateboarding?

Johnny: Drop Spot is available anyplace you can buy Element Skateboards, which includes skate parks, skate shops, and online. The beauty of the Drop Spot Skate Obstacles is their diversity and portability. With imagination, you can transform a skate park into a completely new landscape. But you can also turn a parking lot into a skate park. The possibilities are endless.

Are they available globally or just domestically in the USA?

Johnny: It’s definitely a global initiative.