Washington's gnarliest skateboard jump? The Canadian Embassy

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Last edited Tue Jan 5, 2016, 10:54 AM - Edit history (1)

Whenever I take the 16X Metrobus into DC in the morning, I cut across the grounds of the Canadian Embassy to get to work. Along the way, I climb the steps that are the subject of this article.

The embassy puts up a lovely tree in the Rotunda every December. You can see this year's tree in the first picture. When I walked through Canadian territory on the way to work this morning, the workers were taking the ornaments off the tree.

Washington's gnarliest skateboard jump? The Canadian Embassy

Only 1 skater has successfully jumped building's 21 steps

By Matt Kwong, CBC News Posted: Dec 23, 2015 5:00 AM ET| Last Updated: Dec 29, 2015 2:37 PM ET



Washington’s gnarliest skate jump? The Canadian Embassy 1:07

The Canadian Embassy is, to a subset of Washington's adrenaline-chasing elite, the Everest of diplomatic missions. ... Bones have cracked at its white marble staircase. Untold skateboards have thudded, then split at the bottom of those 21 steps. ... And you can bet that D.C.-area street skaters know the vertical limits well, tantalized by the thrill of testing their nerves there.

"They would always just call it 'Embassy,' " says John Francomacaro, one of at least a dozen skaters known to have tried — but failed — to sail from the elevated esplanade to the sidewalk below. ... "Some might call it 'Canadian.' You'd hear, 'So-and-so tried Canadian.' Everyone would know what that means."

http://i.cbc.ca/1.3374604.1450713457!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_300/brandon-bonner-steps.jpg

Skateboarder Brandon Bonner, 23, was the first and possibly the only skater to have successfully ollied the 21 steps leading up to the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., clearing the gap on film in February 2012. (Jason Burles/CBC)

But only Brandon Bonner has successfully performed an ollie on camera over the 21-stair gap at the embassy, pulling some big air without using his hands, and actually landing with both feet on his board. That was back in 2012, and he's not likely to try it again any time soon.

http://i.cbc.ca/1.3375026.1450723718!/fileImage/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/original_620/canadian-embassy-steps.png

This 21-set flight of marble stairs leads up to the main entrance of the Canadian Embassy. The site is popular among skateboarders, who have for years tried to jump the staircase with their boards. (Jason Burles/CBC)
....

[jonno99]

1. Wow - gnarly indeed. nt