Here's why:

For those of you who don't have to put up with my incessant ranting about longboarding on a daily basis, Silverfishlongboarding.com is a large website devoted to the sport of Longboard skateboarding around the world. It has an extensive gear review section, lots of useful articles and information, and most importantly, a forum of over 33,500 stoked longboarders.

As with many communities, arguments, infighting, and other "crime" has become more prevalent on the 'Fish since it's population has risen. For example, any mention of Sector 9 will invariably result in an "fight", and more recently, an endorsement of or affront to Loaded Longboards is likely to result in a fiery "confrontation".

So why is this site so amazing? Lots of people argue on internet forums. What make the 'Fish different is the sense of community it still retains, despite being composed of thousands of anonymous skaters from Chicago to Capetown, Oakland to Okinawa. As a proud member of this forum, I had always felt that like the sport of longboarding itself, it had something else all others lacked. However, I always found it difficult to describe how.

Now I a have a single inspiring story to demonstrate what a bunch of human beings from all over the world united by a common love of longboarding can do.

The story began when a 'Fisher in North Carolina, screenname RodRod, started a thread sounding the alarm. This individual had found out that the father of Silverfish's beloved resident artist, RodGon, had fallen ill. He was having heart trouble, and his heart rate had fallen below a third the normal rate. He needed a pacemaker soon or he would die. Rodgon is a longboarder, artist, and graphic designer in San Diego who has given to the longboarding community with his artistic talent, creativity, and of course steezy skate skills. The pacemaker would cost $8,000, a price RodGon's family was unable to meet before it would be too late. When the 'Fish got word that he needed help, they mobilized instantly.

'Fishers from around the globe began to send paypal donations to RodGon and his family.

Skaters in San Diego, Carolina, Philadelphia, and even the UK organized a series last minute "outlaws"- unofficially sanctioned and not-exactly-legal races to raise money for the pacemaker. Racers gathered in parks, suburban streets, and parking garages, where they each payed a fee to compete. The proceeds from the outlaws were then sent via PayPal to RodGon.

At the same time, a virtual flea market was set up on the forums to help raise money.
Skaters with extra gear sold it to other skaters, giving the profit to the cause. Several individuals with lots of extra gear came out of the woodwork to help, by selling off trucks, wheels, and complete skateboards to other members. A few longboard skate shops even stepped up to the plate to donate gear to sell for the cause.

RodGon himself had to sell all of his boards, and many other possessions to raise money. However, each board sale, donation, and race helped get closer to the amount needed for the pacemaker. Less than 24 hours after RodRod (whose screenname was inspired by RodGon) made the first plea for help, the Silverfish community had raised enough money to pay for the pacemaker. After surgery, RodGon's father stabalized in condition, his body accepting the new medical device. RodGon was, of course, thankful beyond description for the "rescue" orchestrated by an online skateboarding forum.

I don't have to waste time telling you the moral to this story. I was unable to help in the effort myself, having not found out about the ordeal until several hours after the fundraising ceased. The least I can do is make it known what happened, beyond the Silverfish community, as an example of people banding together to do the right thing. I was so taken by this story that I felt the need to record these events in any way possible, despite it being 12:23 am. I hope to see if I can interest the local newspapers in San Diego in running a story, or perhaps an online journal. I had this journal as my primary way to reach some sort of an audience, but will continue to tell the story as mentioned. If it is indeed covered, remember, you heard it here first.

So, next time you hear me yammering on about a longboarding forum online, there is a reason.

To see RodGon's blog/website, go here:[link]

to see find out what longboarding is all about head to the 'Fish: [link]