Daniel Gesmer in "Four Wheels Down" (2002)

In the summer of 2002, I dropped 15 pounds and put in serious gym time to get back in shape for an alternative flatland freestyle video, Four Wheels Down. In a freeform format, it showcases the expression-oriented, pure-gliding approach (glide-style) that I began developing in the 1980s. Camera and editing are by noted skateboard documentarian Robert Kittilä, who helped create the legendary 1980s series of documentaries by the Powell-Peralta Corporation.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• freestyle
• skateboarding
• Daniel
• Gesmer

[inthecan]

And to think that back in the day as stupid teenagers we used to sit around mock your part in Powell's BAN THIS! Holy shit do I ever feel stupid now, this is some of the most amazing skateboarding EVER! Awesome video, glad it's up here and I hope it get's a million + views!

[SpinninDan]

@inthecan Thanks very much for your kind remarks!

[01parrott]

Dan! You are crazy cool! And when I ordered a pair of trucks from you, I sure wasn't expecting a personal phone call to help me setup my board right! I'm telling our local board shop "The Beach" about you! Also, have you ever tried freeline skates? Because after seeing those moves, if you haven't tried them, you really REALLY need to! : D

[SpinninDan]

Yeah, I've tried FreeLines (briefly), and they're friggin' hard! Thanks for the kind words, and the plug to your local shop.

[01parrott]

You definitely need to get a pair of freelines! After a week or so of practice, you will be a pro at them. It's all about that pumping motion like you do on your normal boards. And with all of the crazy spinning you do, you are MADE for those skates! I'm friends with the employees and my mom knows the owner of The Beach. I'll talk to them when I bring in my trucks to show off! : ) I don't speak for the store, but unofficially, they said they would love to start taking orders from you!

[SpinninDan]

That would be super-cool to have a new shop customer.  I'd be really happy to speak to the folks at The Beach any time!

[OldSchoolHC78]

It doesn't matter how you skate.

It doesn't matter what you skate.

It only matter's that you skate!

It's all about SKATEBOARDING

[Radioactivnezz]

Ya know, i'd be lucky to handstand on flat ground for more than 2 seconds.

[MetalicB0x]

this is like some urban street ballet kinda shit haha

[riotribunal]

Wow ! That is a very different skateboarding ! A mix of freestyle, slalom and ballet . How about to add a kickflip ? Congratulations !

[skaterobban]

youve got insane balance

[mcglockenspiel]

I love this video so much. I know you probably gained a lot of flack for doing stuff like this, but who gives. It doesn't change how much skill it'd take to do something like this and it doesn't change that theres probably people who enjoy it. Ironically, it's probably just as risky and original than people who push the limits of vert and other disciplines. Keep challenging skating, Dan, otherwise all people will ever know is how to do kickflips of stairs.

[mcglockenspiel]

I love this video so much. I know you probably gained a lot of flack for doing stuff like this, but who gives. It doesn't change how much skill it'd take to do something like this and it doesn't change that theres probably people who enjoy it. Ironically, it's probably just as risky and original than people who push the limits of vert and other disciplines. Keep challenging skating, Dan, otherwise all people will ever know is how to do kickflips of stairs.

[linkchart04]

this is skating with ur soul man. its all love!!!!

alot of the new age is hatin on this..... but the fact is that this is 20x better than the unoriginal, VERY SKETCHY tricks some cats b puttin on here... just remember u can go to someones page and check their vids to see what the got

[codiatt]

@OldSchoolHC78 you're cute...

[ThisMotherFalcon]

I remember being a shitty little teenager making fun of your skating too, in person even at Rotation Station in Rockford. But dude, you're rad. Total respect for the technicality of it all as well as for having the courage to rock it your way. Hope you're still out there doing it.

[Timo4slash]

master of manuals but the things he does are gay