Ryan Benner has just released his twelfth full-length video titled “BIGGER BUDGET” a follow-up to their 2023 smash hit “BIG BUDGET“. The video features full profiles on Logan Oleson, Ryan Benner, Nate Chase, Layne Weatherford, Eric Comeras, and Tri Tri-Rudolf. Ryan and his motley crew of Ohio bladers have built quite the legacy of unconventional skating over the years, and their newest video further explores the hidden potential that inline skating has to offer. And you can’t forget the side-splitting acting skills that are on full display by the legendary Savor The Flavor crew that break the monotony of the typical skate video formula.
The first skater featured in “BIGGER BUDGET” is Logan Oleson. Logan had a solid turn-out in the previously released “BIG BUDGET” and I was anxiously waiting to see a new profile from the young blader as I had been following his skating online and become quite the fan. Logan’s profile shows him lacing some sketchy ledge roll gaps, but also brought out some obscure and difficult maneuvers, including tabernacle cess-slides switch-ups and grabbed heel-rolls, for example.
Next up was the man himself, Ryan Benner, creator and man behind the Savor The Flavor series. Ryan’s profile starts with him being granted special-powers from the all-mighty Blade Gawd to stomp the biggest, scariest, and most gnarly hammers in the land! But Ryan decided that was played out, so he went the complete other route, and knocked out a generous helping of wild and wacky “never-been-done” tricks that left my jaw on the floor. It is evident that Ryan has drawn a lot of influence from the Mushroom Blading guys like Todd McInerney and Joey McGarry, but Ryan has been pushing the envelope with his rare blend of offbeat trick selection for just as long as the MB guys have. I see lots of similarities in the Canadian and Ohio skate scenes, as they both have embraced a eccentric style of skating and created their own paths in the skating world. Ryan’s profile in “Bigger Budget” is arguably his best yet and his wizardly ways have just gotten better and more refined over time. His section was definitely one of my favorite sections from the video
Next in line is the hilarious and underrated Nate Chase. Nate was previously highlighted in the first installment of “Big Budget”, and I remember his clean style stuck out and I was happy to see another new profile from him. Nate’s profile did not disappoint either, as he once again came through with the super stylish technical moves synced up to a classic Action Bronson track. I didn’t realize how deep Nate’s bag of tricks was but he definitely pulled out a few surprising switch-ups that caught me off guard.
Layne Weatherford had a very impressive profile as well, as he mixed in some rarely seen switch-ups, innovative cess-slides, and some superb negative tricks, which he laced both ways rather easily, to my amazement! What a jerk! Just kidding. Layne’s skating is super underrated, his style is refined, and his tricks always kept me guessing and were never expected. Overall, a seriously smooth showing from Mr. Weatherford.
Eric Comeras was next up, and “The Teach” never disappoints with his out-of-the-box maneuvers and keen eye for spots you might overlook. Eric whips out some quick lines blended with some wild tricks like double grabbed-unities, monkey plants, and an alley oop toe roll to fishbrain that was especially saucy. He also flexes his tech skills with some hurricane sweatys, rapid mid-spins, and an unbelievable zero fish to wall-stall that was immaculately done. Kudos, Teach! We will have Uber Eats deliver an apple to your desk come Monday!
The final skater featured in “Bigger Budget” is the legendary Tri Tri-Rudolf, the man with the bending abilities that would make Mr. Fantastic jealous. Tri has a talent to contort in ways that don’t look humanly possible, and he has unlocked a level of trick potential that people could only dream about. He has several tricks in his profile that caught me completely off-guard, including a slick alley-oop acid drift to grind, a few unorthodox cuff stalls, and a farf cess-slide to drop ledge stall on what looks to be the grittiest of hand ledges imaginable. This trick alone defies logic and doesn’t seem like something anyone else in skating would attempt to replicate. Tri is a rare specimen that also has the ability to roll just about any kind of setup in the world, from aggressive and rec skates to kids’ play skates, and conjure a trick out of them. Kudos, Tri! Thank you for once again widening our perspective and giving us another vintage profile to study!
“BIGGER BUDGET” wraps up with a heart-warming and hilarious montage of friend appearances from cool cats like Zachary Cummins, Chad Anthony, Nathan Bentley, Reed Huston, and many more. It is rare that sequels surpass the original, but in this case “BIGGER BUDGET” did just that. It is great to see all that cheddar the Savor the Flavor boys raked in on the first video went to good use!
Words: Editor-in-chief: Kevin Little, @kevinmlittle
Photos: Logan Oleson, @big.arugala
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