People have been wondering why rollerblading was removed from Nitro World Games and I recently learned why. It had nothing to do with the fact that Nitro Circus looked down on blading. In fact, Travis Pastrana was the loudest person in the judges booth while we were competing.

The reason WHY we were taken out of the event was due of the outpouring of negativity that came from INSIDE OUR COMMUNITY via social media comments, etc. Social media analytics play a huge part in marketing today and the Nitro Circus team saw exactly the way rollerblading responded to itself. The numbers showed that participants in our sport had the lowest numbers in attendance at the shows and the highest response of negativity in the comments section.

Not skateboarding, not BMX, not freestyle motor cross; the blading community. And by the analytics, the obvious choice would be to remove rollerblading from the equation to improve their product. From a business standpoint, that all makes sense. We have literally ruined every opportunity that has been presented to us; both past and present. When are we just going to get on with it? - Dave Lang (Thread on Facebook).

With Chris Haffey, Roman Abrate, Dave Lang, Wake Schepman & Cj Wellsmore.

Nitro World Games 2016 in Salt Lake City (Utah).

Results

1. Chris Haffey (USA)
2. Roman Abrate (FRA)
3. Dave Lang (USA)

“Just my luck, on the dawn of (what would have been) my first pro skate, I find out that Shima Skate Manufaturing has gone out of business. Oh well, here is what it would have looked like…” - Dave Lang (Photo).

USD Aeon Allstar Limited Edition Collection - USD Skates 2017 is the 20th anniversary of USD Skates and we are celebrating it big time with a limited-edition collection of USD AEON skates.

Resembling some of our most iconic designs as a tribute to the most iconic & influential skaters from the past two decades: Billy O’Neill, Carlos Pianowski, Albert Hooi & Rachard Johnson. The Aeon 60 Allstar skates are out now worldwide!

Chris Haffey is one of the very best to ever put on a pair of Inline Skates. He travels the world with Nitro circus and I had the chance to have this little chat with him. - Ricardo Lino.