New York * -- In Tampa * Bay, Florida *, the nonprofit outreach program "Create A Skate" spent time with 100 wood shop and art students, teaching how to make skateboards, along with lessons on fractions and the properties of wood. Founded in 1982 by Tampa Bay Tech graduate Paul Schmitt, of the old school brand "Schmitt Stix" fame, the organization seeks to give back, hoping to get a total of 5 million skateboards into shop and art classes over the next five years. "I'm actually empowering kids to make something with their own hands," said Schmitt, "They think they're making a skateboard. They're actually learning something very valuable." One student in the class was using his board to paint a caricature of President Bush, sipping a teacup of oil while rainbows pour out of his ears.

Wired magazine reports about the new weSurf! core stability and coordination device. Apparently the board looks like a skateboard bounded on a matching pedestal, but acts more like a mechanical rodeo bull when stood on and engaged. "It's like a skateboard going down a mountain." said tester Eric Carson, "I didn't think it would be fun at all, but it's amazing."

Various media channels have reported about Sony *'s new patent application for a "Segway-style skateboard". Consisting of a board with two weeks on each side, the computer-controlled device is designed to be steered and controlled through the adjustment of the rider's weight upon the board. The design is said to look similar to the Segway, but with no handle to hold on to. Cowabunga!

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