The Josh Hayes Experience

Josh Hayes is one of the best skaters to ever come out of The South. Growing up just outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Josh was one of the first members of the first crew of rollerbladers in the city. With the likes of Josh, Matt Helstrom, Tyler Pugh, Alan Parrot, Mark and Bobby, Chattanooga managed to grow two generations of rollerbladers out of the belt buckle of the Bible Belt. I was lucky enough to be a part of the second generation and Ray Kronenberg, Walker Fitzgerald, Will Enzenauer, and Zach Leavell were all mentored by Josh in the art of roll.

Josh hasn’t been able to skate for about a 6-8 months now. Two years ago doctors told him he would probably never skate again. After breaking his ankle about 7 years ago, one of Josh’s legs grew longer than the other. The unbalanced pressure caused from rollerblading and everyday labor caused his back to become out of line over a long period of time and he eventually slipped a disc in his back as a result. After consulting with doctors about the possibility of surgery, Josh decided to go with an experimental new treatment for slipped discs. About three months later he was back on his blades. Fast forward two years and Josh has slipped two discs in his back and he’s taking his recovery a day at a time. All of this footage was pieced together from random people on random cameras at random times over the past 4 years. A lot of amazing footage has been lost, is on random people’s computers that Josh couldn’t get access to, or Josh just threw down with no camera around for his own enjoyment (he’s raw like that). Unfortunately for all of you, Josh’s skating hasn’t reached the masses for your viewing pleasure. I wish you all were able to experience the level of ridiculousness I was lucky enough to see throughout my teenage years and beyond.

Always keeping busy, Josh started taking photos a few years ago. He does amazing post production/photoshop work and his photos are refreshingly original with a style all their own. He has had five photo journals on ONE magazine’s website (believeinone.com) featuring folks like Brandon Mateer and Cameron Talbott. I am proud to say I’ll join their ranks for his sixth. Check out his photography on his facebook account and at the ONE website.

Without further ado, I present, The Josh Hayes Experience.

CARSON STARNES & CHRIS SMITH: LFR ROADTRIP

Carson Starnes and Chris Smith recently traveled to Kentucky to the LFR Shop and stopped in Chattanooga and Nashville, Tennessee on the way. They managed to thrash some amazing spots on their journey and were kind enough to put together an edit for y’all.

Cameo by Ray Kronenberg.

Chattanooga, TN: Ain’t No Fortunate Ones.

People need to realize the prolificness (Yeah, I made that word up. So? Do somethin’.) of Chattanooga, TN. Chatty is off the hook, and if you think you can do better, I wish you luck. Ray Kronenberg, Walker Fitzgerald, Will Enzenauer, and Zach Leavell are the usual suspects.

Like a shotgun blast to the face.

Yet another banger from Chattanooga, TN.

Ray Kronenberg just posted this edit of the Chattanooga, TN crew killing a Tunnel Hill Skatepark, a new spot to roll outside of Chattanooga. Do yourself a favor and read the little excerpt at the bottom. Ray’s a funny guy like that.

Ray, Walker Fitzgerald, Zach Leavell, Will Enzenauer, and VJ Kanabar are keeping it going and stepping up The South’s game with constant coverage of their city. You should do the same.

If I were you, I’d keep en eye out for my home town. If you haven’t watched all their edits, scroll through Ray’s videos and watch all of ’em.

Walker Fitzgerald -> Check this out.

Chattanooga is in the midst of doing big things in a serious way. Check out their newest edit of fellow Southern shredder Walker Fitzgerald posted on their vimeo page.

Expect to see more of this man, Ray Kronenberg, and Will Enzenauer when I get up to Chattanooga for their Southern Connection spot check.

RAY KRONENBERG!

Ray Kronenberg has been skating as long as I have.

Ray resides in my hometown, Chattanooga, Tennessee. I grew up skating with him since he was about 7.

Ray’s always been a badass, and I’m proud to say that I know him.

Southern Connection introduces: Ray Kronenberg.

(Filmed by Will Enzenauer. Edited by Ray Kronenberg.)