Yeah, blanks are the way to go for me. But the Element Townend Helium Deck is so mesmerizing. Also, I must try a fiber deck. Did anyone see the photos from CCS when Tosh was skating vert? He rode up the bowl landing a wallride and then landing a fakie disaster (Bane coup de grace style) stall on the lip before cruising beack in (so gnarley). He had so much momentum and the board bended so much. As of this moment, I'm applying grip tape. I hate this procedure.