First off, we can dispense with the introductions. I could ramble on about myself at great length if it were required, but if you've been following this thing for a year or so, there is absolutely no need. Beside that point, we are really here to talk about skateboarding. Specifically the skateboarding that will be taking place a mere week from today. The 2008 Vans / ProTec Pool Party. As you might well know, the VPPP is the premiere skateboarding event of the year. The event that separates the men from the boys, the haves from the don't haves, and the cold blooded killers from the petty thugs. There is real danger here, palpable hazards, chaos, mayhem, and out and out aggression. This is the singular point of impact, the big bang of skateboarding energy and while there might be a bit more money on the line somewhere else at another time, this is it. Authentic and raw to the bone. If you've been there, you know. Some interesting developments have been taking place in recent weeks, and these happenings may suggest a subtle paradigm shift in how this year's event will go down. Obviously, based on past results one can assume that certain riders will once again sit atop the final standings. For instance, in the pro bracket, it would be easy to assume that Rune Glifberg, Omar Hassan, and Bucky Lasek are going to have a 3-way dogfight for the top spots. You'd have to be a fool to bet against Chris Miller cementing his 4th Masters title, even with Steve Caballero in the game again this year, and a tough as nails Lance Mountain breathing down his neck. In the women's division, The veteran Carabeth Burnside will be looking to hold off Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins, Mimi Knoop, and Julie Kindstrand to take it home again. Of course you have to remember that these are assumptions based only on history, and we all know history is prone to re-writing itself every so often. This brings us to the variables. First off, the usual "training" atmosphere at the Combi in the weeks leading up to the VPPP has been curiously absent. Those regularly scheduled "hot nights" haven't been as regular nor as jam packed. According to an inside source/un-named competitor, many of the pros have been preparing in secret, during off-peak hours at the Block, or even going so far as to secretly train in a more private setting, away from the prying eyes of both the public and their rivals. It has even been rumored that certain pros have been outside of the country, working out in total secrecy. In addition to the absence of huge practice sessions, one or more riders have altered their strategies in preparation for the battle. Jeff Grosso, who missed last year's melee with a severe knee injury ,has been skating hard and has reportedly traded in his cigarettes for small squares of nicotine gum as a performance enhancing move. Grosso may just have the stuff to make a solid run at Miller, so he's a wild card in this one. Ben Schroeder, one of last year's biggest crowd favorites is also devastatingly unpredictable, and I mean that in the best possible sense. Big Ben might just wrestle his way to or near the top. In the pro bracket, there is one particular dark horse candidate this year who may surprise everyone. Naming names, its the ever-ballistic Alex Perelson. This young kid is about to arrive like an F-5 tornado in a mobile home park. Huge air game and technically heavy, Alex may have something to say about how the top 3 spots are recorded if he is in there when the finals go off. Also, it would be unwise to count out Bob Burnquist as a prominent contender. His 4th place finish last year is only a mild indication of what he is capable of. Beyond this, who knows what may come out of the woodwork. Aside from the pre-seeded riders, A qualifier will again be held on Thursday to draft a group of challengers to the throne. So things are about to start getting real hot around here, we've got the live webcast coming up the day of the event for those of you tethered to the web, and we'll be posting a ton of photos up right here at vans.com, some of which are about to drop right away, a visual prelude to the main event. You can also click over to this blog for regular updates on all of the developments before, during, and after the contest. Just remember, if you think you've seen it all, think again. And we're just getting started... -BLKPRJKT