A SURFER PUBLICATION
COC 00142
OCTOBER 1977 VOL. 4, NO. 3 $1.25
More Incredible High-Speed Action Sequences
Interview: Tom Inouye—“‘I usually just look at the pictures.”
Did he make it?... look inside.
On The Rampage: How To Build Your Own Ramp
“ROAD RIDER WHEELS.
~aie
ROAD RIDER NO. 2 ROAD RIDER NO. 4 ROAD RIDER NO. 6 HENRY HESTER WHEEL 1%” (40mm) wide 134” (45mm) wide 1-15/16” (50mm) wide 1-7/16” (38mm) wide 1%’ (48mm) high 2%” (60mm) high 2-11/16” (68mm) high 2-7/16” (63mm) high THE FIRST PRECISION BEAR- THE BEST OVERALL WHEEL THE WHEEL WITH THE WORLD CHAMPION HENRY ING SKATEBOARD WHEEL. KNOWN THROUGHOUT MOST TRACTION, HESTER IS THE NO. 1 THE WHEEL THAT REVOLU- THE WORLD AS THE NO. 1 CONTROL AND SPEED FOR SLALOM RACER ON THIS TIONIZED SKATEBOARDING. ALL AROUND STREET, DOWNHILL RACING. WHEEL. COMPETITION BOWL AND FREESTYLE WHEEL.
“RIDE THE WINNERS.
AKRON SLALOM RESULTS: 1st, BOB SKOLDBERG (HOBIE); 2nd, HENRY HESTER (SANTA CRUZ); 3rd, JOHN HUTSON (SANTA CRUZ).
ROAD RIDER WHEELS. First with precision bearings. First with unique sheel design (pat. pending)! First with special formula urethane! These features make Road Rider THE NO. 1 WHEEL IN THE WORLD TODAY!
pistrisureD By: NHS INC, 825—41st Ave MANUFACTURED AND, QUALITY PRODUCTS INC. 140 Uxbridge Santa Cruz, Ca. 95062 (408) 475-9434 Pe RONEN Cranston, R.1. 02920 (401) 942-2722 Serving the Western U.S. Serving the East and Gulf Coasts
SEE YOUR DEALER FOR WHEELS, T-SHIRTS, AND DECALS.
THINNER, STRONGER, SAFER Cee TTT Tams
How in the world does Gordon & Smith continue to offer unequalled excellence in skateboarding equipment? Part of the reason is the G & S Team. These aggressive, stylish, outstanding skaters pro- vide us with all the necessary testing, evaluation, feedback, and original ideas of their own to keep us on top with the latest advancements in safe equipment. (We also supply design expertise and full prod- uct service for skateparks. Call Dave McIntyre at (714) 483-3230 for information.)
Our most popular Fibrefles ts the Bowlnder model It is built stiffer tor pools and skateparks with a shock absorbing fles, This thin, lightweight board features rocker and a kicktail, You can't go wrong!
The Yo Yo is the most popular wheel with the G&S
Jim Akin, Mike Akin, Huck Andress, W. Beast, Bob : Ua Sage bpe eateries Boyden, Steve Cathey. Masami Countryman, Bob Fraas, ‘ , i : radial edge A sureire improvement tor
Eric Gordon, Neil Graham, Kadir Guirey, Dave Hackett. : ™ SUA
Paul Hoffman, Mike Johnson, Mike Lieras. Danny Martin, Dennis Martinez, Ellen Oneal, Jania Payne. Stacy Peralta, Doug Saladino, Marty Schaub, Mark Schmidt, Bob Shea, Steve Sherman, Greg Taie, Danny Trailer. Chuck Webb, Woody Woodstock, Chris Yandall, Paoli ren Who is Zorro? Zorro is one of the hottest skaters in the world, but his identity cannot be reve~'ed
Plamen cm diparey
Recommended oe : or Equipment eee allen ena ste ie mmm otis Kicktail, Fibreflex Cutaway Slalom. Steve tl ae i oreo MS CON ALC) Warptail. Warp Two, Rockit Trucks: Bennett, Tracker, Gull Wing. ACS
Wheels: Yo Yo, Kryptonic, Road Rider.
Yandall. Sims Protective Gear: Rector Palm Pads. KIP Gloves,
Farico Pads, Norcon Helmets All of these products are available from us to you through your local skateboard dealer or skatepark pro shop. Ask them to contact us; or, you can write direct for a free catalogue.
Steve Cathey — Fibreflex Bowlnder Yo Yo's
AO OL MAN eAV 5111 Santa Fe St.. Suite E
San Diego. CA 92109 (714) 483-3230 A Christ Centered Company
ON THE COVER: Tom Inouye, in the process of achiev- ing lots of air, media coverage, and— more importantly— grassroots respect; all of which is just a mere partial re- flection of his thoroughly brilliant technique and sub- aia a eo | completed sequen- tial replay—turn to page 76. Photo: Bolster.
CONTENTS: Gary Owens, an element of the eye. Photo: Steve Wilkings.
ae Wels 50 Interview: Tom Inouye e John Smythe 60 On The Rampage ¢ Mick Angiulo/ Tom Stewart/Gary Coccaro 70 Kiwis On Wheels ¢ Donald Balch 72 Skate Parks: Part XII ¢ Brian Gillogly 84 The Pepsi Team ° Brian Gillogly
PHOTOGRAPHY 107 Focus
Copyright 1977 by SURFER Publications, Inc
PPA eM Or eltale IS aU ase lalalime LLL re) monthly Subscriptions 12
and additional mailing offices. Postmaster sen should be sent to the above address
VOLUME 4, NUMBER 2 OCTOBER 1977
DEPARTMENTS 15 Skate Post 22 Skate Tip « Mick Angiulo/Stan Diego/Mel Cajon
28 Skate Safe * Curtis Hesselgrave 47 Association Reports ~ 94 Who’s Hot . 100 Equipment Update * Mary Horowitz 102 Advertiser Index 1 @) am arem Ae 141 Extra
Dana Point. California. a For Better Living, Inc Company Publication offices 34249 Camino Capistrano, Capistrano issues (1 year) for $12 00 (foreign $15 00) Second-class postage paid at San Clemente dForm 3579 to SKATEBOARDER Post Office Box 1028, Dana Point California 92629 All subscription correspondence
The Santa Cruz 5 Ply. This light weight board flexes just a little bit allowing for easy -weighting and unweighting over bump or mogul situations. The rocker is not so heavy that it is hard to kick turn, it’s actually easy! The rocker allows good foot placement and hold. Sliding maneuvers are easier because of the lower center of gravity and the extra hold.
SKATEBOARD TOPS
hPOZAY GLASS W HARDWOOD CORT Staridard 26" or 26", Cutaway 26)" Ki btail 26 Ae) Pa ee at
HARDWOOD 5 PLY
VA) A YAS)
O/T
ie)
tye Alot juice, $7 00)
be ad
W510. @) 5S earner a
rea en ral Amc N Ca ee ae
Tracker Halftrack, $9.95 ACS 500 Black & Silver
~ ACS Black & Gald, 36.20 ACS 651, $850 4ennet! Pro, $995
HPG Gullvang, $15.95
Ces Ys
ie) Sernett Mijacker, $7 95
Zennett Adtrak, $10 95
Calif, Slalom, $7.50 Calif Pro, 37 00 Rad Pads $4.50... \Rear Skid Plate, $1 75. MG San 4 52.00, Foreign, $5.00... Wheels/Trucks/ nm $1.50, Foreign, $3.00. Foreian
TAURI Kt a Coe
Cie emg a CR ae
racine sre aE (Or oer ee a
OT Cm SATO ate
NHS INC. 825 41st AVE.
SANTA CRUZ is introducing anew up-graded slalom line designed by
JOHN HUTSON and HENRY HESTER. These graphite loaded skateboards are proving to be, quite simply, THE FASTEST SLALOM BOARDS AVAILABLE IN THE WORLD TODAY! Serious racers should inquire direct to John and Henry at
Santa Cruz Skateboards for
more information.
, SANTA CRUZ, CA. 95062 (408) 475-9434
Like super-stron? eel At rr Ce aL ro s rit: base S$
g steel Fa Cd ads), and CB ke
Py tu st aircraft
(stronget than cut thre
aluminum ret hil ere Cu 1 Ce) T-6 rh Beta) rye aCe ngs, an °
acting specifications. All of Tracker i} wheel
ground and polished to ex nuts and tension PU eee lisa: 1 three of our trucks have precision tailored
ft locking type me ere eC MeL confidence
PC res Ct: Cee pivot bushings from the finest materials. Our suspension rubbers are compounded to allow maximum control adjustment to meet any challenge
All of our fine trucks include our new SPA
Vy 7-\e) eee] MD get OT ad Cora tt
Tracker Designs, LTD. A California corporation, guarantees all metal assemblies of Tracker Trucks to be free of defects In materials and workmanship.
Should your Tracker Truck fail In ordinary use, send the broken part, postage prepaid, to Tracker Designs, LTD. for replacement.
Please enclose a 3°x5” card with your name. address and zip code. A brief description of the circumstances eurrounding the part failure would be appreciated.
TRACKER DESIGNS Ltd. P.O. Box 237, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California 92007
r, Midtrack Trucks $22.00 per pair, Haftrack Trucks $21.00 per pair. Out of state add Foreign add $3.50 shipping. T-shirts (with pocket) $5.50, Slalom Cones (minimum 10)
(4) $1.00, Sticker 25¢, Free Brochure and Order Form, California residents add 6%, 217, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California 92007. Dealer
<S $22.00 per pai
8
SKATEPARK DISTRIBUTORS
A COMPLETE LINE of Skateboards Wheels Trucks and
Accessories for Skate Parks only.
SKATEPARK DISTRIBUTORS
825 41ST AVE., SANTA 'GRUZ, CA 95062 (408) 475-9434
SkateBoarder
m0) 5) Mt) alata! Dave Dash
EDITOR Warren Bolster
ART DIRECTOR
Paul Haven ASSOCIATE EDITORS Brian Gillogly
Mary Horowitz EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Coda mur b Aull
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS
veg tei
Guy Motil
Steve Wilkings
Jim Cassimus
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Rus Calisch
ADVERTISING ASSISTANT Jayne Worth
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Don Cofer
SPECIALTY SHOP DISTRIBUTION Cheryl Greason SUBSCRIPTION FULFILLMENT Debbie Bush
NATIONAL NEWSSTAND MANAGER Kyle Cunningham COMMUNICATIONS
Denise Bashem
PUBLISHING ADVISORY BOARD Steve Pezman
Don Thomas
CIRCULATION: Specialty Shops (714) 496-6424 Subscriptions (714) 493-7873
SKATEBOARDER COVERAGE AND DISTRIBUTION is worldwide. The magazine is published every month. Subscriptions may be obtained by sending $12.00 to Box 1028, Dana Point, California 92629. Subscription includes 12 editions. Please include your zip code. Foreign rate; $15.00 International Postal Money Orders, please! In West Germany for shop and dealer information contact: ASF Peter Eicker KG, Auf der Hohe 47, 4100 Duisburg 1, Telefon 0203/27071
For subscription information, please call (714) 493-7873,
CONTRIBUTIONS:
SKATEBOARDER welcomes story, art and photo contributions. Photo-story articles and fiction should be directed to EDITOR—SKATEBOARDER MAGAZINE. Miscellaneous photos should be addressed to PHOTO EDITOR. Mark envelopes PRESS PHOTO—DO NOT BEND, and carefully pack negatives and transparencies. All contributions must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. SKATEBOARDER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE O)aMel\ s10)a Ci DRO) Mia eNO] N ome ie Publications retain reprint rights. Contributor
retains all other rights for resale, republication, etc
. Send all contributions to SKATEBOARDER,
Box 1028, Dana Point, California 92629
MOVING? Six weeks are required to change your magazine address. A Post Office Regulation effective 1962 requires that you pay the extra postage if copies of SKATEBOARDER are forwarded to you at your new address. Copies will not be forwarded free, and we cannot replace lost copies To insure delivery at your new address, please notify us at least six weeks in advance of your moving. Send us your old and new address, and if possible, the address label from your last issue. Include your zip code. Send to SKATEBOARDER MAGAZINE, Box 1028, Dana Point, California 92629. ADVERTISING RATES available upon request. Contact Rus Calisch at SKATEBOARDER, Box 1028, Dana Point, California 92629, Phone 496-5922, Area Code 714
HOBIE STANDS FOR THE FINEST SKATEBOARDS, SURFBOARDS, CATAMARA
AND SPORTSWEAR.
Giant Slalom World Champions
MOBIE-FLEX HOBIE-FLEX HOBIE-FLEX
now goes to Europe and the message the same: Skate Safe and Have Fun. , " we
gian pectacular). BOD i
apl@eveneer sandw ( i 00% reflex meme
alom and Kicktal BOwWide World of
Pot eae OWES
THE ELITE TRIG
THE ELITE TRIO is offered to satisfy individual require- ments of demanding skateboarders. Featuring 356 aluminum magnesium alloy heat treated to the T-6 condition, durable urethane tips, natural red rubbers and aircraft locknuts. Quality and durability is further enhanced by the use of high tension alloy steel exclusively in both axles and hex head action bolts along with durable corrosion resistant nickel finishes on cup washers, adjusting nuts and action bolts.
MODEL 500
ACS 500BS (Black Silver)
THE PREMIER TRUCK FOR FREE-STYLE AND BOWL RIDING. BEST SELLING QUALITY TRUCK IN THE WORLD!
ACS 651BG (Black Goid)
EXTRA WIDE STANCE BUT LIGHT WEIGHT FOR QUICK RESPONSE IN SLALOM AND OTHER SPECIALTIES.
ACS 650 (Standard)
RUGGED HEAVY-DUTY TRUCK FOR DOWNHILL RACING. FEATURED BY TOP RIDERS IN SIGNAL HILL SPEED RUN.
THE ACS GUARANTEE:
All metal parts of ACS Trucks are 100% guaranteed. Send damaged parts to factory address below for free replacement.
T-SHIRTS, DECALS & BROCHURES NOW AVAILABLE. For T-Shirt (Specify size - S, M, L, XL), Brochure and 2 Decals send $5.00. For Brochure and 2 Decals only send $1.00 (California residents add 6% sales tax) to:
ACS T-SHIRTS P.O. BOX 306 West Covina, CA. 91793
AMERICAN CYCLE SYSTEMS 1449 industrial Park St. Covina, CA. 91722 (213) 331-0582
YOU WOULDN’T WANT ANYTHING LESS BENEATH YOUR FEET!
IF YOU WANT A BETTER RIDE...
YOU HAVE A CHOICE!
OUR URETHANE FORMULATIONS INVITE FINE TUNING FOR DIFFERENT SURFACE CONDITIONS AND STYLES OF RIDING
ASTRO STD—Hard and fast without vibration feedback. Best on smooth surfaces and skateparks.
ASTRO COMBI-—A smooth, fast ride, yet still there when rae punch own on it. Veea but really
ASTRO SOFT—Silky smooth, fast, great on an e rough or grainy.
handles t
Available in:
X—Freestyle 246” x 134” XX—Bowls & Banks 212” x 2%” XXX—Slalom & Pools 254” x 17”
XXXX—Downhill w/Ig. bearing 27” x 2”
... BUT DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT, TRY THEM FOR YOURSELF.
“THESE WHEELS ARE FA-A-AST!” Pan Va “WHERE CAN 1 BUY SOME?” if ASTR | i
« . SMOOTH AND QUIET YET (Ne REALLY FAST.” _— eat 2535 Mission St.
« _ THE BEST, JUST THE BEST...” io Santa Cruz, CA 95060 — 408 @ 425-8770
COMMENTS BY LOCAL Y 4 RADSTERS ’ Send 25¢ for decal & brochure
Fly The Solid Professionals
The original wood board you can trust. LOGAN EARTH SKI. We work hard to maintain our high standard of QUALITY AT LOGAN EARTH SKI. We use only the finest straight grained clear oak hardwood for our chassis. Our designs come from our team of super competitors who excel in every facet of skateboarding, That's why we're the LEADERS! We offer, the performance minded skateboarder optimum in our professional line of EARTH SKIS and equipment. When you're on a LOGAN EARTH SKI you can’t blame the equipment! Please send for our brochure and discover the latest and greatest LOGAN EARTH SKIS and equipment available! Parkrider Logan #5 and Parkrider #4 wheels, Tracker Trucks, Gullwing Trucks, Rector Palm Pad Gloves, Norcon Helmets and Safety Equipment, New LOGAN Board Bags, T shirts and So Cal Bearings. All of our popular LOGAN EARTH SKI models are now available in TEAK hardwood. Be watching for the new LOGAN laminated EARTH SKI, coming soon!
an Ve LOGAN pote 742 Genevieve, Suite Q, Solana Beach, California 92075 (714) 755-5452
LOGAN EARTH SKI DISTRIBUTORS,
OM Ue ee eae Oe eo CO ee CM EA ML CAG oO Pe COOL CAO Ao AL a A TE a 0 Potent Ollice and is published inthe litoat edition of the Gazette Hook Tanyone
CUPL Ree ee SKiis the original wood board you can trast!
LU ae ECO) te Ce Pe OINTIM MMT EMETTILLIT Sa ARTTITI PLLA LL COLLINS TL ULIMIT LOR LTT LTT LET LA ed Se ELI AL) Ge Sd Ln TOT TLE TTA TLL ee
t’s right ht, Y OU! You know BENNET TTS are the light test, smoothe ponsive! (What else counts?) YOU know you see iniore pros ee doing their best number on BENN JETTS pt wi
paid t to say S something else!)
YOu also know BENNETTS « are h hard to get. (Because everyone wen) s them.) ) And you really know BENNETTS are hot when you see so many imitators trying to t
you with p | phony | RED RUBBERS™ and "look alike” s Bennetts © or 2nd best!) YOU | i OH y Mr. Bennett inven he gave you ! first class gear f ee (ihe
And there 's SO something MR. BEN NET} wonders about some oO of the © other er verter ir deale er ¢ doesn’t ha ve the finest, or r tries, to sell you Si
Tee
ut the door a and o ord order direct Fea m Mr. Bennett.
LN
fee 1.00 sale 1 @ Add 91.51 Rubbers).
ee 66" pene Wp sts of four .... ¥ 4.00 lers: Write Attn: Dept. RSB
THE FORCE IS COMING
Kryptonics new line of Star*Trac thanes available for skateboard- wheels, soon to be unveiled, will ing, and has now reformulated put the Force of advanced the softer compounds to be technology at your com- tougher and faster. Soon mand. New Wheels that you will see those new will take you far beyond i la¥} Compounds and other the performance capa- (& in les A—4f major advancements bilities of your present — NN 2.) f come together in the larg- equipment, into the outer est, most sophisticated se- limits of urethane technology. “=~ lection of skateboard wheels
Kryptonics has consistently if ever offered. Coming soon, the Offered the most advanced ure- new Kryptonics Star*Trac Wheels.
’ Send $1.00 for brochure and 2 Decals KRYPTONICS INC., 5660 CENTRAL AVENUE, BOULDER, CO. 80301 (303) 442-9173
wa tere SKATEBOARD See
Hand cast 356 aluminum alloy, T-6 hardened and Pe MS ral
Chrome moly axle
eC ieen rast mace ta ne yale plate (eliminates stripped threads!)
Top quality rubbers and bushings
FAN MAIL You guys should have a lot more pictures of that totally radical skate god, Tony Alva. He’s my all-time fave. P.S. No more b.s. about tape recorders, man. This is SKATEBOARDER - Magazine, not READER’S DIGEST. T. A., Santa Monica, California.
In recent issues, you have been showing a lot of maneuvers in sequence. | want to express my approval of this practice. In older issues, one would see a hot skater ina radical position, and wonder, ‘‘and how does he get down?” These in-sequence shots show it all, and it's “hot.”
Avery, Bellflower, California
THUPER THUMB
i'd like to see more photos and maybe even an interview with the Rhino's. Recently I've been into catting, and it is the best. | enjoyed your | ic ea tS John O'Malley article, and your coverage of Professionally designed and tested to insure high-energy. es He eo crear in nega is high-performance skating for pros and amateurs.
e best around, easily. | thumbed through two other skateboard ngariiee at my local drug- LAZER TRUCKS — HOW HOT? LAZER HOT! store. Thumbs down! Keep up the great work. Caedmon Bear, Northern California
CREDIT WHERE IT’S DUE In your July issue, you had a skate tip on how to do fakie 360’s. You gave all the credit to Stacy Peralta for making this maneuver up, even though he didn't. | believe in giving credit where credit is due, and credit should be given ¥ to Nick Valaco (alias Flako), who invented this SLALOM TRU K ‘
maneuver, along with the fakie. You may think 614" Axle Width that all the energy is in Dogtown, but | must say 3.5/8'' Hanger Width that the South Bay and San Pedro areas are
i L PURPOSE TRUCK more original. Take for instance, Gregg Ayres an Raltwtate and Doug Schneider, along with many other 9.6/8" Henger Width
unknown and radical talents. Don Grey, A Radical Local (1st St. Pool)
CREATIVE COMPETITION There hasn't been much discussion about people's views on competition in aCe : ing lately. | am rather interested in this, thoug girs MA at thought I'd write a letter. Skateboarding is 177-F Riverside Avenue, Newport Beach, Cal. 92663 — becoming such a large sport that new ideas and actions of the skating population are over- whelming. It is an ultimate sport: it's thrilling for those daring ones (dangerous, too!), fun and
Dealer inquiries invited.
(714) 957-1066
j S Nt ‘
CBFA GRIP ON “THINGS
| ye Fang
SKATEBOARDS & ACCESSORIES
15588 GRAHAM STREET HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92649 SALES: KING R. LEE & ASSOCIATES SUITE 102 a AI RA OTWIio BIVn o A a070
ANITA ANIA
MAGNUM HI-ENERGY TRUCKS YOU
Macon Mm, haven't experienced real energy
9 you've tried them. They
turn sharper than any truck
available and fire out 4 full excursion back to exact
mn n center. The single axis damping wedge system
y gives you control in the bowl and thrills on the hill.
*$17.00 each. MAGNUM SHOOTING STAR 27” DECKS Intro
ducing the same handcrafted quality and wedge
© ee as the 30” model, but a lighter stick
to kick. Regular blank *$33.00.
Extra strong laminate *$39.00.
ADD THESE \ COMPONENTS TO YOUR GEAR AND DISCOVER HOW HOT YOU REALLY ARE
._
iy
MAGNUM
VeELOrPmMent “SUGGESTED RETAIL Se CORI ING ‘ADIVISION OF MATTEL, INC. Vat SuGSeS!
* ‘a 'P ie §, ge eo
| ey REGISTERED TRADEMARK, PATENT, AND PATENT PENDING
oT ~~ wy PG
7 -_ 3
Route 1, Box 290 BB Ocean City, Maryland 21842
SKATEBOARD PARK LIABILITY INSURANCE
Available East of the Mississippi River Contact:
W. F. ROEMER INS. 6241 N. Dixie Hwy. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334
Authorized Agents for the AMERICAN SKATEBOARD ASSOCIATION “We also have a program to insure the individual skaters at your park for
accident coverages! Ask us for details.” (305) 772-1784
easy for some newcomers, it’s a form of trans- portation, and it’s even a good way to express one’s self creatively. Because of its many vari- ations and the humungus number of people in- volved, though, there are bound to be conflicts arising because of opinion. | have noticed that your magazine has become a way for people to release their anxieties and to express their opinion, ideals and their radical self-con- fidence. Every person has their own style and preference of riding terrain, equipment, etc. They should skate in whatever form pleases them. Skateboarding is a free (in mind, not money) sport, and since it is still somewhat new, people’s minds are hopefully open to oth- ers’ ideas and preferences. So skaters should be able to compete, doing whatever they want. In order to have competition, if skateboarding keeps growing, it will be necessary to divide it into the different aspects of it, or ways of going about it. There could be numerous events just for people’s various abilities. Let’s get it together!
Ruselle Revenaugh, Anaheim, California
SKI & SKATE FREESTYLE COMP.
As a former freestyle skiing competitor, | have noticed tremendous similarities in the evolution of competitive skiing and skating. It is obvious that skateboard competitions are modeled in many ways after freestyle skiing contests. At present, freestyle skiing at the competitive level is at an all-time low, and | was unfortunate enough to witness its downfall. In boom towns, there is usually a bust. These busts are due to many factors, greed usually playing a major role. This is what happened to the freestyle tour during the ‘'75-76"' season. At that time, the prize money being distributed by each con- test's sponsor was at its peak, and there were two main circuits fighting for these sponsors’ money. The result was the total extinction of one of these circuits during the 76-77 tour. The sponsors for the remaining tour were embit- tered by the bickering and lawsuits filed, which lowered the purse greatly, leaving less prize money than in previous seasons. Another fac- tor in freestyle’s downfall was the occurrence of serious injuries to several of its competitors. As the competitions became politically more complex, so were the stunts being performed. As in skating, skiing’s outer limits have not yet been reached, and skiers were coming up with more difficult; and, consequently, more dan- gerous maneuvers. Ski areas were soon ban- ning most aerial stunts in fear of liabiliity suits. The Professional Freestyle Association, the only remaining competitive organization, in turn had to tone down the stunts being per- formed in contests, thus lowering the excite- ment level. This summer, | moved froma skier’s environment to a skater’s environment, and feel almost as comfortable with the latter al- ready. This, and your article, ‘‘The Cleaning Up of a Skate Guerilla,” is why | was compelled to write this letter. | am afraid that if the people in- volved in the promotion of skateboarding in general, as well as the competitive level, don’t take a closer look at what they are doing, or can do to the sport, we may have another dead sport on our hands. History does have a tend- ency to repeat itself. I'd hate to see a sport with such high potential go right down the bowl. Jim Brickwell, Port St. Lucie, Florida
THE GREAT SKATE PLANET EARTH As you can imagine, being a resident in Great Britain doesn’t give a guy much opportunity to find out a great deal about skateboarding, so it was a great pleasure for me when your maga-
“bé Pet fila ik. ii
os 4 Thi ate "i mee ne eq ;
& Uy 2
Whe). Mera a
ie). oS
CROC ee
a Oa TON ye
etl ea ela ee) |
“Drops In’’on the music scene wa his debut single “Skateboard Bill” on HEAVY RECORDS
Available at all Fine Record Shops and wherever
bee fame
= SS cei alae ee
© JET MUSIC, INC.
zine finally hit the newsstands. Skateboarding is really beginning to find an audience over here, and we are pressing hard for local gov- ernment to help us by. providing the proper fa- cilities for safe skateboarding. As your magazine welcomes contributions, | shall en- deavor to illustrate the problems we face at the moment, and make you all realize how lucky you are, and how unlucky we are, but until such time as we can enlighten you as to the problems skateboarders in Britain face, and Leeds in particular, here's wishing you safe skateboarding, and all the best for the future. Michael Riches, Leeds, England
The first skatepark in Germany (and | think, Eu- rope) is now being constructed in Munich. The first run will be open at the end of July '77. The finished park will include a pool (yes, without water) and several deep bowls (or so | hear). We are very stoked just thinking about it. It is being built in the Olympic Park, which already has some very nice ramps. This is the best news we've had since we left the states (Evans- ton, Ill.), and by God—we will be back. Califor- nia, watch out, the blitz is on the way. Deinhardt & Deinhardt Team
As with many Brazilians, |am now beginning to enjoy a new kind of sport. Skating is all we talk about, and all of us want to improve our skateboards with more accessories, designs, everything that can make our board faster, prettier and safer. Since this kind of sport has been developing only now in Brazil, | would be glad to exchange information to obtain more knowledge about the accessories we can use to improve our skateboards. And if you could, | would certainly be glad to receive stamps from you that 1 can stick on my board, something like a bumper sticker, or some accessories that are easy to handle by mail. That would enable you to make some commercial for your company overseas, while my friends and | would be proud to have the best, nice-looking skateboards in the area.
Rubens Magno Junior, Brazil
Anyone looking for a Brazilian pen pal?.. . Ed.
THE CHEAPEST GUY IN TOWN
It was just under two years ago that, while pas- sing through Morro Bay on vacation from the east, | saw your first issue of SKATEBOARDER with Gregg Weaver on the cover. Hi, Gregg. Since then, | am never dulled by the advances that the sport has made, thanks to the abilities of all skaters, all over. However, | do find the “spit-on-me, spit-on-you”’ rivalries that exist out west a little hard to stomach. You people do not have any idea how blessed you are with fa- cilities you have at hand to enhance your tech- nique. Recently, here in Baltimore, the county council outlawed riding in the streets. At first nobody really sweated because a local recrea- tion complex had already begun construction ona soon-to-be fantastic park. | might add that it will be. However, the cut-rate appliance cen- ter next to the park site, an original opposer to the park, discovered an infraction in the zon- ing. All construction efforts have since been wiped out, and no completion date has been mentioned. Itis here that | shall speak on behalf of all my skateboarding brothers and sisters here in Maryland: ‘'Hey, Big Jack, just because you cannot mount wheels and trucks on a 28- inch diagonal-screen Magnavox color TV set, or do Weaver turns with a combo washer-dryer from Kenmore, doesn’t give you any right to step on us like you are. Truly, Mr. L, you are so |
Was $7.50: Now only $5.50 each. ;
WEAR IT!
This solid pewter skate- board pendantis a per- fect replica of your favorite vehicle. Avail- able on 24” (inch)
neck chain or ’
quality key ring, ?
I a
TTT TT f Dealer Inquiries Invited
It’s a handsome piece of jewelry for guys and gals. A perfect gift to give or keep; you can even have it engraved by your local jeweler!
Satisfaction guar-
anteed, or your
Wei ase. tm ela
$5.50 each (in-
cludes all delivery
fees). California
residents add 6%
sales tax. Money order
or cashier’s check will
speed delivery.
Send cash, money order to:
BOARDWALK PRODUCTS
4500 Campus Drive, Suite +348 Newport Beach, CA 92660
check or
One of the 70's most profitable business opportunities
SKATEPARKS!
A skatepark can be an ex- tremely rewarding investment. But you have to know what you're doing! A comprehensive manual—‘'Skatepark Development’’—is now avail- able covering all phases of this exciting new profit opportunity— from site selection, economic feasibility (with projections), park design and layouts, engi- neering, construction, finance, insurance and zoning right through initial operation. Pre- pared in cooperation with Graham and O’Malley—the foremost skatepark designers in the country—‘Skatepark Devel-
opment” is a must reference for any serious investor or devel- oper interested in capitalizing early on the coming skatepark boom.
SKATEPARK PUBLICATIONS
P.O. Box 1858, Dept. SB La Jolla, CA 92038
[-] I don't want to waste time. Enclosed is my remittance for $200.00 (Ca. resi- dents add $12 Sales Tax). Send copy of manual immediately.
(1) I'm interested but want more infor- mation. Send me a copy of your free brochure which describes the manual.
21
Le
BUILDING YOUR OWN
SKATE RAMP by Mick Angiulo, Stan Diego, & Mel Cajon
Skateboarding, with the possible ex- ception of “‘dirt-boarding,’’ has always been confined to the asphalt and con- crete. Generally, grassy lawns and back- yards have been off limits. Polyturf and polyurethane just don’t mix well. That condition may be subject to a rapid change, however, and if you see the kid next door banging away at what looks like a cross between a gallows and a fishing boat—watch out! He’s buildin’ hisself a skate ramp.
Skate ramps are a natural extension of bowls and pools, with the added advan- tage of being cheap, and capable of being constructed in an area of limited space. A ramp, built out of two-by-fours and plywood, will give youa little slice of a pool. Back two ramps together and you have a half-pipe. Forget trips out into the god-forsaken desert—do it in your back- yard. The only limitations on a ramp are the builder's budget and imagination.
The bottom line is that anyone who can use a saw and a hammer can build him- self a personalized practice pit, stick it behind his house, and go out for a spin
Portable ramps, with entire plexiglass sur- faces or windows, offer a uniquely safe, in- timate perspective of one of the most unbelievable aspects of skateboarding, while opening up exciting potentials in terms of spectator appeal and participation. Tom Inouye, separated only by a %" thick sheet of plexiglass, illustrates this thought by bring- ing the three-dimensional intensity strikingly close to home.
r
22
whenever the feeling moves him. The possibilities raised by mass utilization of such a toy are exciting for the future of skating. To get everyone thinking, here’s a brief outline of a backyard ramp that could put some height in your flight, brought to you be Gary Coccaro and Tom Stewart, industrial-design mutants for Sparks, Inc.
“Functioning as ‘Rampage,’ we are currently developing many concepts and possibilities related to the development of ramps and skateboarding in general. We'd like to share a few basic ideas so you skaters out in magazineland can work on your own backyard skate environment.
“Location is one of the most important factors to consider before you even start to build. If you are building in a residential area, make sure you're not violating any building codes or zoning laws. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to invest time and money to build a ramp and then have a building inspector come around and tell you to take it down. Check it out first with your local county or city building depart- ment. Also, be aware of considerations which will affect your neighbors, like mid- night beer blasts. If your yard touches a street—a ramp could be built which would tip over the curb and into the street. Check the law here, too. Police are often better left undisturbed. If you do use the street—watch out! Don’t invite trouble; make sure someone is always spotting for Cars.
“A driveway is better than a public street, naturally, because it’s your own property. A graded driveway is better still—it means faster and more powerful takeoffs. If you set up in the driveway, put the ramp off to the side and enter from the paved portion of the driveway, hitting the ramp at an angle. The side of ahouse can provide extra strong support for a ramp, and you could even build one from your patio. The idea here is that there are plenty of safe places to set up a ramp without bringing any heat down on you. Oh yeah—better ask your parents.
“As for the materials and design, first stop will be the |lumberyard to pick up
your materials; mostly 2 x 4’s, 4 x 4’s, ©
some lag bolts, and a bag of 16-penny nails.
“O.K., say you want a 10-foot, quarter- pipe ramp. You need two identical, 90- degree angles to serve as a base for the whole thing. Take two 4 x 4’s, 10-feet in length, and join them with the lag bolts to
forma 90-degree angle. The angle has to be a right angle, so use a framer’s square and a level to make sure your angles are exactly alike on both sides. Do the same to another two 4 x 4’s, so that you have two angles. Cut three more 4 x 4 horizon- tal braces to measure 7'3%", and secure them between the angles using lag bolts six-inches long, with a diameter of either % or % inch. Set one between the top of the angles, one between the apex of each, and one between the other ends of the base. Countersink the lag bolts so the heads don't show. This span, from end of right angle to end of right angle, should measure 7'10%” to allow for the tem- plates which will come later, so you will have a total span of 8’. There’s the frame. Check it once again with the square anda carpenter’s level.
‘“‘Now comes the most important part of constructing your ramp. Once your frame is square and level, you want to at- tach your curved template. First, lay a %4”’ x 4’ x 8’ sheet of plywood on the ground. Draw a line down the center of its length. Next, lay two more identical sheets of ply- wood—long sides touching—next to it, forming a 12’ x 8’ rectangle. Then meas- ure 4’ in (on the 8’ side) to find the center mark. After you’ve done this, measure 10’ down, perpendicularly, from the cen- ter mark. This will make your measure- ment stop near the end of the third sheet of plywood. Find a good piece of string over 10’in length, and attach a nail to one end, and hammer it into the first center mark. Pulling the string tight, attach a pencil to the other end, adjusting it pre- cisely so it reaches the 10’ perpendicular mark. Next, hold the pencil perpendicular and move it from one end of the plywood to the other, being careful not to change its angle, because doing so could change the curve. Take the pencil off the string, and retie it eight to ten inches closer to the nail (the width you want your template to be), and continue to repeat the pre- vious step until you’ve made five curves. Using a good saw with a new carbide blade, cut the curves out. (If you're not experienced in using such a saw, have someone who /s help you, because you're not just cutting a simple straight line.)
“Now take one of the templates and nail it to the top of the ramp. Take a meas- urement where the other end of the tem- plate meets the frame, and repeat this step on the other side. Now you have two
templates hanging at the top of the ramp. Using one nail (so that you can adjust the hanging templates), take the other two templates and match them to the hanging template. What you are trying to do is continue the exact, continuous curve from the vertical top end of the frame, to the horizontal bottom end of the frame. Hold the hanging template out and match it to the bottom template, striking a clean line where the top and bottom templates meet. Then cut the bottom template so it fits flush, and fasten the two together with a small piece of 2 x 4, using nails or screws. Shave the overhang of the tem- plates from the frame (you'll probably have to shave the bottom so it lays flat). Repeat this step on the opposite side. Now you should have the curve on both sides of the frame exactly the same.
“Having done this, you need to place diagonal braces to the outside of the frame. The braces must be resting on the underside of your templates, which will give them good support, as well.
- “Your next step is to put your 2” x 4” studs between your templates. Place the first stud at the bottom part of the ramp. Nail first stud between templates just af- ter the 4’' x 4’’ cross-member of the frame. Take a tape measure, and secur- ing the end of the stud, measure up to the top of the ramp. Make sure your tape is running along the actual top of the tem- plate and not just in a straight line. Make a mark every 16 inches until you can’t go any further. Making sure the top of the stud is flush with the top of the templates, nail them together with 16-penny nails, also making sure they are even and square to the templates.
“Your plywood riding surface goes on top next. Start at the bottom of the ramp and work your way up. Your plywood’s width should end on every third stud, and should bend to fit. Have your friends as- sist by sitting on the plywood. Nail with six-penny or eight-penny common nails, making sure they’re even and square. On the last sheet, tip the ramp over so the top is onthe ground, and brace wherever you think there could be a stress point—you can never brace ittoo much! .
“There are many ways you can build a ramp; this is just one way, and each time we've improved our construction tech- nique. From here, it’s your ballgame. With a heavy amount of skating, the plywood should last at least nine months. If it starts cracking, pull the suckers off and put
down another layer. You can improvise additions, coat it for better traction, or do anything your mind can imagine.”’
*Rampage is the trademark for Sparks Ramps and Special Effects Division. For further information, write to Ramp- age, C/o Sparks, Inc., 245 Rancho Santa Fe Rd., San Marcos, CA 92069.
Estimated material needs for construction of the 10’ x 10’ quarter- circle ramp described above:
(4)—4” x 4", 10-feet long (construction grade). (3)—4" x 4", 8-feet long (construction grade). (1)—4! x 8' x %’’ ACX plywood. (3)—4' x 8’ x %"’ ACX plywood. (20)—2" x 4” x 8' long (good construction grade). 2 |bs.—16-penny sinkers. 3 lbs.—6- or 8-penny common nails. Approx. total cost = $150
FROM HAWAII
J&A Enterprises Introduces
SKY HOOKS™
Sky Hooks are the most
; radical and innovative in- vention of the decade. Sky Hooks gives you maximum control of your board and allows you to do new ma } neuvers never before pos- sible. Our unique patented
lOver the boards w/180° turn” system allows your feet to | Michael Martin—Town & Country. get in and out of the Sky f
Hooks quickly and easily without any straps or bindings. Sky Hooks have been tested and approved by the Town & Country Team. The tips of the Sky Hooks bend on impact. Wingnuts allow for quick installation and
| removal. Made of high impact polyethylene. Sky Hooks $5.95.
24
Koa Alii boards and T-shirts also available. 26” Kicktails $19.50 29” Kicktails $21.50 T-shirts $5.00
oe
Send orders to:
Ph. (808) 848-0898
Ls BS)
iene {Sky Hooks
for the amusement/recreation industry, specializing in insurance for skateboard tracks and parks and affiliated operations. We can provide coverage up to $1,000,000 combined single limit (CSL). We have facilities unequaled in the world. Your inquiries are invited. Call collect for Barbara Van Norman at ($12) 225-6101.
Morris H. Kaliff & Son
Division of Frank B. Hall &e Co.
Srd Floor, Petroleum Commerce Bldg. San Antonio, TX 78205
right when you call yourself, ‘the cheapest guy in town.’ ” David Fisher, Baltimore, Maryland
ISLAND RIPPA’S
Recently while | was back in the islands, | was really stoked to see so many rippas such as, The Town & Country Team, the Aala Boys, and the boys from Mouse Town. All these guys were really cool to me after | met them. They took me to all their spots like Wallos, Uluwatu, Pearl City pool, Tiles, and Fox Hole. This letter was to tell you how cool the people back in the islands are, if you're cool to them! Keep on skatin’, and hang loose.
Pineapple
EARTH LOCAL
| was just sitting reading this article in SKATE- BOARDER about these guys in Hawaii that want to beef it out with Tony Alva because they think he is a haole or something. | think broth- ers and sisters all over the world should learn to love one another no matter what the other per- son is like. Just because someone is from some other land across the ocean doesn’t mean he's not a local. | think the earth is everybody’s land to share and to help each other to be stronger and wiser. Why can’t everybody be a local ev- erywhere? | live out here in the country about 20 miles south of Tallahassee. | have this 12- foot ramp built here behind my house, com- pletely made of wood; there’s no cement out here. It’s too much of a ‘‘fer’’ piece to town to ride, but | go sometimes when there’s an empty pool, or something like that. Otherwise | just stay out here in our peaceful country and ride my ramp, turn up my music, really get high. Oh, by the way, | think music is good to skate by, and that you can relate music to skating very easily. You just have to unplug your ears and let your mind, body, and soul flow. Anyway, Jimi Hendrix might have skateboarded often. You never know.
Jimi Odom
HE SAYS HE DON’T,
BUT WE KNOW HE DO Concerning the present rivalry between Dog- town and Down South, first of all, the guys in S.M. have a surprise comin’ to em when they find out that my city’s been called Dogtown for at least as long as I've lived here (15 years). And besides, who are you guys to claim Dog- town as your patented name? It wasn't even us surfers who created the name; it was the Vato locos who created it. If you guys don’t believe it, cruise down south and visit with S.A.’s United Browns, and look at our graffiti walls. Now that doesn't say anything about S.A.’s skaters, ‘cause we’re not as hot as S.M. guys, nor San Diego, either. That's a fact, and I’m not afraid to say it. Alva, you said you skate and don’t talk bull. Well, why don’t you? If you’re one of the hottest, people will give you credit. After all, in the pool issue, a// skaters said you were one of the hottest, and they weren't all from D.T., so people do know who's hot. I've grown up in S.A., and know it’s at least as rowdy as S.M. The trip down here is aggressiveness, and | be- lieve aggressive skatin’ is the only way to go, ‘cause that’s how you get better. But also, in my town, if you talk smack, you get smacked! So, Alva, Muir, and all the other guys that have to be put-downs, cool it and just skate rad. | dig your trip, except for the heavy put-downs. You guys are the originals, and everybody knows it. So mellow out and skate heavy. P.S. When's the pool duel?
Clay S., Santa Ana, California Ss
Power Pivot, probably the most significant piece of skateboard- ing equipment yet to surface. Designed by David Hill and dis- tributed by Control Products, this nylon based, oval shaped skid plate allows for increased control and maneuverability.
Rector Gloves have a double layer of pigskin on the finger- tips and thumbs, long wearing Pigskin palms with a thick, high density foam pad to protect fingers and palms from injury. Rector Skatewear Short fea- ture removable hip and tail pads. Styled for protection, freedom of movement and good looks.
For over eight years CONTROL PRODUCTS has been dedicated to serving the retailer, providing quality merchandise and dependable service. We carry a wide variety of skateboards and skateboarding and surfing equipment, only the top of the line. A retailer has to make only one call to order everything he needs to complete his inventory of skateboards and accessories. One call, one invoice, one freight bill. Call
Go All The Way With Control*
Power Paw Wheels and Power Paw 50/50's. Cadillac Wheels, DK-51 and DK-38. Urethane wheels designed to give opti- mum grip and best control during slalom and trick riding.
Skateboard Blanks. Poltruded Fibreglass Blanks from Bahne, Aluminum Blanks from Holly, Wood Blanks, (flat or kicktail) and standard poltruded fibreglass blanks.
Axle extender allows you to adapt loose or precision bearing wheels to 9/32” and 5/16” axles. Widens overall wheel base approximately 2%". We also carry a complete line of replacement axles.
Norcon Helmet made of high impact Lexan and shaped to the head for comfort and protec- tion. Patented ventilation design maintains strength while giving maximum cooling. Velcro adjustable Norcon Knee and Elbow Pads with high impact plastic shell for maximum protection.
us today and have your order shipped tomorrow.
Contact CONTROL if you have a product that you would like distributed world-wide.
Elephant Brand 4-Way Wrench. Available in 5/16" and 9/32". Fits cone and axle nut, action bolt and action nut. Other skateboard tools are also available.
Ys" and V2" Spacer Pads, avail- able in red urethane or black rubber. Control Wedges avail- able in red urethane or black rubber. Mounting holes are arranged to fit most trucks.
Control Products '®) in Florida: (305) 724-4226
NS} Designed and endorsed by Stacy Peralta
y
Grip Tape manufactured by 3-M Company. A non-skid, easy to apply covering. Great for glass, wood and aluminum skateboard decks. Available in 1", 3" and 4” rolls that are approximately 60’ long.
Finest trucks available, Track- ers, Mid-Tracks, Half-Tracks, X-Caliber Pro Truck, ACS #430, #50, #651 and Gull Wing.
DEALERS ONLY WRITE OR CALL FOR FREE CATALOGUE. Pee Cele ice) 21 <4» mene ae meer
Box 5685, Santa Monica, CA U.S.A., (213) 822-3335.
e@ Warptail I—A solid piece of Oak or
Ash (whichever is available) in lengths of 25, 27, or 29” Warptail II—New multiple layers of maple veneer (lighter, stronger, thin- ner, longer-lasting) in lengths of 27 or 29"
Trucks: ACS, Bennett, Tracker, Gull-
wing
Wheels: Kryptonics, Road Rider, Yan-
dalls, Yo Yo, Sims
All available through Gordon & Smith
Skateboards
PELL LDS LIT SKATEBOARDS
5111 Santa Fe Street, Suite E San Diego, CA 92109 (714) 483-3230 A Christ Centered Company
IT’S;..
..a Pool board
..a Pipe board
.a Park board
..a Freestyle board
.a Warptail that holds...not traps... your foot
..a good width (not too tippy)
.a full nose for comfortable foot re) ekekagtoiald
.a Winner!
Doug Saladino
The Lengths
Russ won't compromise quality or take a chance on less than the best. If you want to get good, stay good and excel in skateboarding you shouldn't either. GET ROCKIT AND GET RADICAL.
26" 28" 30” 32”
Russ Gosnell demands a product that functions right, holds up under heavy use and tremendous stress. Like the stress of a ten foot aerial jump up and off a vertical surface, turning mid-air and landing back at the bottom. Before ROCKIT, Russ had broken as many as three conventional solid wood boards in one day. “They just can’t take the abuse of high performance skateboarding.” Because of the need, Russ helped in testing and setting the strict standards of these tough, new, . NOON - lightweight, laminated boards called ROCKIT. at Me y
We've given ROCKITS clean functional shapes for eS ase ; 4 Fi s Rockit Man all around vesatility (one board does it all). i
ROCKIT is available in FLAT-KIK and ROCKER- KIK. Distributed by
GORDON & SMITH
Russ Gosnell
SKATEBOARDS
A Christ Centered Company. 5111 Santa Fe, San Diego, California 92109 1-714-483-3230
Confidence to go for it. One Reason Why
Skateshorts™ are made of highest quality 100% cotton denim. Prewashed. Interlock seam stitch- ing. Designed to fit right. With or without the pads, they're dynamite shorts.
Spandex pockets keep the Peale! pads in place. The right Removable 5/8" thick Bige density place. shock absorbing foam. Five pads
rT. |. | My o
\
VN
Mi LMU Mitt aN TRAY
MM
u i PL WAY if My
IWY Ww
Lonnie Toff pushing the limits in Skateshorts™ \\¥
a
Velcro closure fly and pocket flap. For quick ins and outs.
P.O. Box 40311
Deas inquiries wel- eon Barbara, Ca. an (805) 967-5983 am)
Manufacturers of the finest in skateboard safety equipment.
Welcome to Success
m Inouye and Chris Strople are successful for a reason. They skate hard and | i BA Ree cats y7 i UU ae Ce ot aol The Robinak Skatepack is the original and very best skatepack on the market. It’s 32” long with an extra y/ pocket to carry tools, gloves, pads, bearings, wheels, etc. A heavy duty bottom and cord locks keep your board igM Cys) Turse Ue ate keto py in your pack. : imeLa Ch Leura <9
Order direct by sending a check yor money order for correct amount to address. All shipping paid by Robinak. = All Robinak products are 100% guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship.
Ask for free brochure on all surfing and skating products. —P.O. Box
. o Ba ae a J r Ai
ARE YOU STILLUSING 2 Re PREHISTORIC Dimer eae
Le ale
Pes .- |, L: ee nn pyrene SS aes = esac
—- = Bare As
aye Si AYN 3
ao Ea\) cokes)
soe = = o-
oN NGA UN Me | Mensa tee aT sigs 28 MAE ;/ <4 Like the Prehistoric monsters, the old fashioned straight-axle trucks are dead. You can change the rub- Ty ri t i 6 3 i f the past. In'One Giant Leap for Ee NW G Wore bers, make it wider or lower, butin the end all youhaveisafossi!; arelico he past. nC i oo ‘!\ Skating the Stroker Steering System offers everyone the opportunity to ride with the STARS!
eee — 5 ea
— © Strokers 24.9) 49 95 per pair D Stroker T-Shirt §.45ea. OS OMOL
Send Cashier Check or = ERMICO Ent. Inc., 143: San Francisco, CA. 9412
ERMICO ENTERPRISES, INC. | 1434 Yosemite Ave., San Francisco, CA 94124 | Abaeee
(415) 822-6776 ~ East Coast Dealers Contact: BELAIR BOARDS Belair Shopping Center, Bowie, Md. 20715
WEIGHTING AND UNWEIGHTING
By Curtis Hesselgrave
Bowl and poo! skating is beginning to approach perpetual motion. What makes this possible is correct use of body weight. If a skater weights and unweights his/her board correctly, it’s possible to get to the top of any bowl, regardless of depth (Pipeline Skatepark in Upland, Cali- fornia has a 15’ deep, 48’ wide bowl that is consistently ridden top-to-top). The trick is to learn where to weight and un- weight. This is what we are going to ex- amine today.
Let’s begin by reviewing some of the basic principles of body motion (we talked about these principles in Vol. 3 #2 and Vol. 3 #3). First, the center of grav- ity. Your center of gravity is located ap- proximately 2’’ below your navel. This is the spot where all body motion should originate. Let yourself settle down to your center—feel as if you have a strong lower stomach. All your juice comes from this area. At first it is perplexing to use this idea, but as you work with it, it will be- come comfortable and natural. Second, you need to relax. You may think that you are relaxed when you skate, but it is necessary to consciously look at every part of your body and relax it. If anything is being held stiff, you won't be able to use the full potential of your weight.
With these basicsin mind, let's examine what is necessary to get height on verti- cal walls.
Your knees are ihe principal agent of weight control. Hips and ankles work in conjunction with the knees to control the main mass of your body. Knees must be relaxed and flexible enough to fold up completely, then extend to full length. Arms and shoulders should also be re- laxed and flexible. Your arms provide the secondary thrust that completes the picture.
Let’s begin our examination of tech- niques with a basic single kickturn on a pool wall. Push off and get your feet set onthe board—for pools and vertical bowls, you should use a fairly wide stance. Your
28
“When you reach the transition, unweight straight up, throwing your arms up as you thrust with your legs.’’ Tom Inouye, always an excellent illustration of precise tech- nique, at Torrance’s Skateboard World.
Curtis Hesselgrave, SKATEBOARDER's col- \4
umnist on the coping.
front foot should be immediately behind the front trucks; your back foot should be on the kick, with the big toe just on the flat in front of the kick. As you approach the transition, bend your knees about one-third, preparing to unweight as soon as you hit the transition. Your arms should be loose and held low—but out from your body. When you reach the transition, un- weight straight up, throwing your arms up as you thrust with your legs. This is extremely important. If your weight doesn't go straight up, the pressure of your weight against the wall will slow you down or pitch you out from the wall. Once you have unweighted straight up, your knees must bend completely—all the way to your chest. It’s as if you are sitting on your board. This keeps the pressure of your weight off the wall, and draws your board up higher. It also lowers your cen- ter so that you have more control. When you reach the peak of your upward ride— stall for a moment. This is the most dy- namic moment of your ride. As you approach stall, your front wheels should already be lifting off the wall in anticipa-
tion of the turn. This lifting of the front wheels serves a dual purpose. It sets up the stall, and turn, and it gets your front wheels off the wall so that you don't hit the coping. The turn has to be clean and positive, a very decisive commitment back down the wall. Your weight needs to throw down the wall. Arms should be in basic balance position, legs slowly un- bend during your travel down, thrusting against the wall. This is the basic profile for a single kickturn.
To take the basic single kickturn and turn it into continuous back and forth riding, you only need to sharpen your reflexes a bit. To get plenty of speed on a second wall, it’s necessary to thrust strongly out of the first kickturn. Your thrust down the wall and across the tran- sition adds enough velocity so that when you hit the second wall and unweight, your board will carry to the top.
Naturally it will take you a bit of prac- tice to perfect these moves, but eventually these moves will become second nature, and your mind will be free to seek out new lines. @
FACTO Mo yunl=xO rv) L=Y ANCL) VS PAIOJUBIG AELI CL
10} adojanue pedwe)s pesseippe-jjes e puss yeyo uoljisod 9 UO|}EWOJU!| 904) 104
oO NIN ale Shane.)
(Chea re eye) gle Capea eax ore alpen elon Me
Vo Mpa ee Wor wea yey Raves Pingo
ae None Up). P raya) WG) a} Rey abe Ne Niele ar Avenli-e2]]
Shalivoriday Roaster. Pel noo ar al yuip sis
1 AZ
Wa}sAS WO) ped suo puke Eg WajsKS Wo4) pediouo Huisp
ReF=LU Use TUCO FW f=) LUO ITS IMUL=YAc=7ACe ul X=] ON /NCoD Kolm OLU NUD Tay aTUT=)| =e),
uonisod Buluuibeq poobi— Bulyoew jseym jwoy Sniisod
i}oyp |
nok Aem au} il} 0} Pseog INOA aun} Pue SuO|}IsOd UMO InNOA Ail. “suomisod asow uened jah ued NOA swajsks Huixiw Ag
9 Uo}Isog
BOQ Xa|j1eq!-| 10} YJIWS 9 UOPIOS Aq pepuewwodey) Z Waishks Buisn spieogxel} YBiy 40} UOIIsod woje|sS G UO!ISOd
Hulwiny ayerapow yim Huisinud a\qe}s 104 i zekoyitisfoye] Ayjiqeis peads ybiy ayerepoy) “‘Buiyoen € UOlISOd
Ayjiqe Buiwuin} dueys seni6 uojoe yon) see) jeoIpeYy ¢ UOlisod ia
UOIISOd Wo|e|S JUa||jeoxe
| UoNIsog
ene
pey Je8|D) JO|OD aourlee|o jaoyuM YoU) On} Youll z%, Jadoid anaiyoe oO} :spyeoqg ||\V api penosdw) 10} sped! jane7 UTES CYC) [oysye I 1=t=) fo eeloN ove) spieog jje UO Syoni} EYoUINizk=) ONO aiyoud yBiu 10} :esn ajA\seor4 sped pajbue seibep 1) 9 8
MUO CIS)
yor|g u0joO aoueiealo ybiy — puey| euxy sped pajbue saibap g) om.
spieoq xj}! ybiy, uo asn JO} Inq | WajsAs se owes)
rae yoR|g JOjOD ae
hol) =i=X=) emu] o) | =|
sped pojbue seibep +) 9/8
sjeaum abse] 9 syond}
ajlyoud Mo} 10) :asn wo|e|S | waysks
uonesijddy uoldiusseg
y MAGNUM’S HI-VELOCITY WHEEL SYSTEM We have the only quick change wheel and tire system available. Eight heat dissipating fins and twin
Lae IKS metal mounted bearings give you full tire support and precision bearing alignment for smoother, faster performance
The spinoff hub lets you change from the bow! tire to the slalom tire in sec
Cea Onds. MAGNUM BANANA JAMMER AND BLUE STREAKER TIRE SYSTEM [he problem wilh
most fast tires is that, by the time you get them wired, they’re worn
out. We turned our chemist on to the
problem and gave him two instructions:
&® Make ’em fast and make ’em las!
Now Magnum offers you the quickest
toughest tires available. They’re compounded from reactive urethanes with abrasion resistant rebound properties that make them feel alive. MAGNUM MAKES’EM FAST AND MAKES’EM LAST
BANANA JAMMERS
BLUE STREAKERS
BOTH WHEEL SYSTEMS *$12.50 EACH. SET OF FOUR WITH TIRES *$50.00.
© MAGNUM DEVELOPMENT, 1977 SKATEBOARD PATENTS PENDING _
— IMMEDIATE |
FREE T-SHIR with mail order purchase of a complete skateboard — (indicate size on
F | We ziso Sims aX a Hobie! Magnuls | Rahne, G&S
ADULT “T"—Sizes: S(34—36), M(38-40), L(42-44), XL(46) Styles: Short Sleeve (A/S) $5.95, Long Sleeve (A/L) $7.50
CHILDREN “T"—Sizes: S(6—-8), M(10-12), L(14—16), XL(18) Styles: Short Sleeve only (C/S) $4.50
COMPETITION JERSEY, ali sizes $15.95 (Hobie & Magnum $19.95)
The styles of shirts that are available with a given design are indicated after design title and ONLY THOSE STYLES. If desired, list first three color preferences for shirts and sandals...color substitution may still be necessary. To insure immediate delivery, pay with money order and read the coupon carefully.
. VAL SURF) C/SOA/SOA/L . Cadillac Wheels (] C/S (J A/S . Bahne Skbds. 1) C/SCIA/S . |. 3 Wheels Out (J C/SOA/S DI A/L . Radical (1 C/S DAIS . Bennett Truks CI) C/SCUA/SOOUASL . . Park Rider C/SOA/S . . Alligator Wheels () C/S CJ A/ . Gull Wing C/SOA/S .. . Logan Earth Ski C/SOA/SCOAIL . Star Trac, Kryptonics )C/SCIA/S ...- . Road Rider (also ©) Park Rider) C] C/S C1 A/S . OJ Wheels (1 C/S A/S . Sims Pure Juice 1) C/S A/S D1 A/ . Pushing The Limit 0 C/SCA/S .. . Tracker 1) C/S A/S . Spinning Wheels 0 C/SOOA/S . . Downhill Racer I C/SOUA/S .. . California Skbd, 9 C/SOA/SO . Sun Skateboarder 1 C/SCIA/S .. . VAL SURF Sleeve (J A/L only . Competition Jersey (C] VAL SURF (2 Bahne, (G&S Fibreflex, (J Sims Pure Juice, (CJ Hobie, () Magnum) (1) C/LO A/L
ZBBZBBBZZBZVZZZ=Zz
oOooooo0oo0o0ooo0obo0ob000000
O0o000oub000000
= >< >< > > > OK OO ~< BEER RH RERREREEZ
ooo0ooo0ooopo000000000 ZERERE
. L-Fleek OO C/SOAIS ..
. Fluid Drive DC/SOA/S .
. VAL SURF Skbd. Capital OC/SDA/SOA/L . . G&S Fibreflex Skbds, 1) C/S 0 A/S
. Pipin’ Hot OC/SOA/S ..
. VAL SURF Surfing 0 0/SO
. Magnum (not shown) (1) C/S 1 A/S
oo000D00 ANNNNANN ooogD00 SEZ ZZEZz=Zz ooo0000
SANDALS: (J LIGHTNING BOLT (neoprene sole, nylon straps) $16.95; () BEACHCOMBER BILL (neoprene sole, nylon straps): CJ one color $9.95, C) two color $12.95, © three color $15.95; [) STYLED STEER (leather) $9.95; () Hawaiian Slaps (grass mat, velveteen straps) $5.50. Shoe Size. a
LICENSE PLATE FRAMES: [-] U.S.A. SKATEBOARDING, C] U.S.A. SURFING, C) California, I'd Rather Be Surfing, C) Set of 2 $5.50, C1 1 frame $2.95.
SURF LEASHES (VAL SURF brand): C) cinch up $2.50, C2 velcro $4.50, C1) power cord $7.95, (urethane cord $8.95; (1 Box Bolt attachment $1.50; (1) “Stick It” $3.95.
SWIM FINS, CHURCHILL SURFER: () soft blade $19.95, C2) stiff blade $23.25. Shoe Size________; (Fin Tethers $3.95.
BOOKS/MAGAZINES: [ The Skateboard Book $3.95, ) Skateboard Handbook $2.95, ( Anybody's Skateboard Book $3, () The Complete Book of Skateboarding $4.50, (Skateboard Repair Manual $2.50, () Surfer or () Surfing Photo Annual $2.50, Surf Guide to © Cal. or [) Hawaii $3.95, Magazines $1.50: C) Skateboarder, () Skateboard World, (© Wild World of Skateboarding.
BOOGIES: Morey: (Lg. $45, (1 Sm. $37, C1 Leash $6; Surf Flexie: () Lg. $60, 2) Sm. $50; Bolt Wave Jammer: (J Lg. $50, ) Sm. $40; C1 Fin Kits (adaptable to all) $11.95. STICKERS (small) 35% (includes postage); () Logan Earth Ski, (1 Dewey Weber, (7 Weber
Performer, (J Powerflex.
STICKERS (medium) 50° (includes postage): (-] VAL SURF, (1) VAL SURF Skate, (7 Pray For Surf, G Bing, 2 G&S, C1 O'Neill, F Katin, () Hobie, () Hobie Power, C) Alligator Wheels, () Bennett Truks, (1) Road Rider, () Park Rider, () 2-Flex, C) Lightning Bolt Hawaii, 2 Surfer, ( Surfing Mag., () Skateboarder Mag., C1 0), (1) Tracker, 1) G&S Fibreflex, (J Sims Pure Juice, () Logan Earth Ski, (1) Power Paw, 1) Bahne, () Cadillac, © Santa Cruz, 2 Rad Pad, (] Dewey Weber, 1) Weber Performer, (1) ACS, () Magnum, © Lemon Juice, (1) Kryptonics/Star Trac, () Powerflex.
STICKERS (large) $1 (includes postage): () I'd Rather Be Surfing, Od Rather Be Skateboarding, () Surfers Do It In The Tube, () Keep Surfing, 0 Surf Bare, © Skateboarder Mag., C) Logan Earth Ski, () Dewey Weber, () Weber Performer, Sims Pure Juice, 2 Gull Wing, C) Powerflex, () Z-Flex.
CLOTH PATCHES $1.50 (includes postage): (J VAL SURF C) Keep on Surfin’, (3 Hawaii, Pair foot prints, (Surf's Up, C) Surfer, 2 California, O Skateboarder, (1 Wheelie, (Nose Wheelie, (1) 360°, (1) Sidewalk Surfer, 2) Road Rider, () G&S.
VAL SURF has more to offer than anyone... Send $1 for) A Complete Brochure on T-Shirts, Skateboards, Trucks, Wheels, Accessories, Skateboard Care & Maintenance, Skateboard Safety, and Performance/Specific Charts (telling everything imaginable that you'd want to know).
Just off the Ventura, Hollywood or San Diego Freeway at 4807 Whitsett Avenue North Hollywood, CA 91607 (213) 769-3060/ 769-6977 (Ski Equipment Available) 23309 Mulholland De Woodland Hills, CA 91364 (213) 888-6488 PLEASE SEND MAIL ORDERS TO: VAL SURF, PO. BOX 4003, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA 91607 (213) 769-3060/769-6977
POSTAGE & HANDLING: Please add per item/shirt (each) —U.S.A; 50* surface, $1 air; Foreign: 75* surface, $2 air
Enclose check or money order (foreign payable with international postal money order) $ plus postage & handling (Cal. residents add 6% sales tax) $i ek se ae ae tals)
Name Address Ci) ee Soe Shia te emer aa pe EY eee DEALER INQUIRIES ACCEPTED (VAL SURF Products Only)
SOT EST SALES aks ee : SOW ANVOOHVW TWA 4
BA rime cleats) RUM TNT UMMA .
(8) NG) NG Meg Mog “sOdg Laq\e9-y,
SSWTDUAaIa GASSadd VA
Mey
BOUIN PARTUL Cy ay ic ‘(USe) TIVL INI TWA
CCT) ae STOUT PSOE PEDITTES:
ST PTS LVS TOE PC aps ‘(4Se)/ Y3018) 4004) TWA &
ie STIS P TTA SS AEP EL TED
Ve ea YENES ener AY) i
STIRS Very CREE TOL] NUE LEED: PCE ON EEL)
SSH XAl1AMOq “SYeAL! pW) (WW0}}0q)aNaq) EET EY) Pe) =
Ki L SS Sha a So We. 23s _ OEE)
a,
|
|
(UVES) STAI Se REN |
xd punosg Suynorg seu (eu) ay 4 AMNS WA® SHU BY} 0} ,JEP1Y JOOY,, 4YNS TVA
Ald 8829 eMMAg 5.1019 MAN, AOLEAIY ot) BUY
MdrdaMOd! 0,04
LUM eT ULC) s \
Ate a Boing JOY : i Ge oon wo}e|S ee UTeEL LIS BSS occ) ao; Gare eee Ly. . , ss me Pw, STOLE eT Te ace pe
ae
EOL meno UT eC CTS aT
| Ty ELENA SET EWE)
SCT ASIP WT M QL ))
= SE aS EN MICU SED ELaTE ee a7)
: ENN SI
(ATU yaSacep ze) FONT)
pueogayeys ajajdwoo e «GI1VONTdNG Y3AIN “031d09
Di tier sTee RD EET ER) CELE RCLORECECRIT | AU CIEI ETRE ETT SET) Sie] ee
TEE Ue ES WLS
(Aug syanpoid 4UNS TVA) 31d300V SIIMINONI Y3TvIO ' # ‘yoed 42 ‘sBuueag ‘(1G) Moll@k 71 (RB) PAY C) 0S'9$ aIAisaa14 KayyeD enays OA OA 'G'IyS .9€ CO '96'66S .£6 C09 Les .0E C) ‘S6'veS «£2 CD ‘WOIMUadvL ‘S6'62$ a7 ales {1e@ 9800] # ‘0S'T$ ueway C) ‘I$ Sy| CI) ‘ydea ‘sBuueag UoIsioalg ‘(su000 "ysse) 05'8S L# Ls ‘05 S# C) S698 €# Cl 'xaUUIMOd «st C)“S6'Sz$ .9€ CI “S6'eZS WCE CI 'SBIZS .0€ Cl 'S661S «12 CH GOOM ‘SWIS ing "G6'1$ 4/0} WANDVW C) ‘0S'p$ You Jadns,, (‘G6 'T$ yaH905 “pay ania © ‘S6°2$ wwio/ CL) 'S6'9$ wwi9g ‘Oval VIS ‘OINOLIAYY "G6'97$ .62 CI 'S6'92$ : wep, CIOS TS ut, 194905 C) “x05 ed CI + ayfys yons}) sayouaim “09°L$ e0Inf sadng [) 'G6°9$ B9!nf JOH C) ‘0S'9S Wo}eIS C) TO © 2 C1 VEY) JapIM AjYdys ‘ayeulwe) Ad g ‘padey dua "japoyy eye1ag ise I ddYM $29 ssauppy '09°€S .aiAisaay, C) ‘OS's ‘0S°LS ‘wojeig wel9 Seezs awen pey () yos () ,wojejs,, () (asempsey “ju! "as) Sad GVY C1 1$ 44 0 'sS2 ut 40 |] dwog C) °G2'2$ Japly [Mog [] 10 “dwog [) 'G6'9$ dwop iW C) “OI 3UNd SWIS 62 CD 'S6'12$ £2 C) 'S6'EIS .S2 C) ‘padey dud ‘japowy eyjevag foeys tiv) du¥M S29 :(s10}00 yuayedsued) aueyjain 'sSL 24 C) ‘x00 «%4 CI Yaqqny ‘yore ‘speg yous 10yeA91 ‘05°L$ S# ued07 C) ‘S6'9$ p# CO ‘URaIy Nuyd “g6.az$ ‘emeing ,.62 C) vaply MOB ,.62 3 $ let = $ (xe) WH G6'2$ Bunjeoo se9/9 pues/edys 'G6'9S 10\saH AluaH () 'S6'7$ 9% C1 'S6'9$ pH CI) ‘G6'bS 2# Cl 'UadIN GvOY —«‘S6'LZ$ YaIAIsaa1y AayyeD anays 92 C) ‘96'92$ YeplY iMod 2 CO ‘NeW 4.22 $9]28 %9 ppe sjuapisal ‘|e9) Buyjpuey y adeysod snjd $ ‘PIOH 20), [) 105'1$ 62 C20 £2 C) SLM POOM WA WY 0} 4nd aip ‘adey 4UNS TVA CI] 05°8$ nHOLVOITV LIGNNID «= ‘S628 ‘aiA\soay .92 C) “Aemeing 92 C) 'WeLN9IM .S2 C) ‘pader dus ‘y314aYaId 929 (1apso Aavow jeysod jeuonjeusajul yyM ajgexed udiai0}) Japso AauoW 40 yos49 asoj2Uz 02'1$ .9 CO 's08 ub C1 ‘s09 u CO) ‘90h 2 C902 ut C) 'SUIPIM ‘1005 sad ‘adey dug “(1204 40d OG'1$ Y9eAGNS—BujJe0q Aue ynoYYM ‘ooYm Jad 1$ ppe—sBujJe0q GUIS OE C 'Z11$ «£2 CD 0} B S18ayM ‘SONS WANOWW 2g ‘ade}INS 46 / Sajossande 10 SyIYs-l ‘He GS ‘ade}ins E¢ fluo syanu} 10 saossagoy - Wewsag ‘4odeds 9 sBujeoq sy} UO\s|oO1d Z sopnjou) oD14d) SjooyMm UO\s|aorg «YIM BjaIdWOD ‘Ses .0¢ CI ‘2eS .L2 CF) ‘pade) dud ‘Ip poom YeIg Buoys WANOWA) S|BQyM ‘Ue Zzg'adepNS GF SjaayM/M SyINd} 10/puespseoqajeys—NOIINOS we [$ ‘aoeysns (pie Ty S6'bIS .L2 CD ‘ave Cy ‘@pew ysaduoyjs 's1ojo9 pazipoue ‘yo! ajqnop “WANIWNTY 90G Sauossaove 40 sp}ys-] ‘we Eg ‘adeJNS Sy'T$ AluO sHand 40 sjaaym ‘Ne GE ‘adeyiNS *(aded yIys-] aas) shasiay uoradwon 'G6'21$ LZ ‘IM/AemeIND /saqueg C] ‘66'6$ 08 OO .2 Oe €$ S|aauM/M SyONs) J0/pue spreogayeys—'y'S'f) ‘PPE aSeld “ONITONVH @ IOVISOd G6.12$ Mol ‘05'6$ wolels 4249 C) ‘0S°L$ asoding ily 245 CO ‘Y3aZv1 eid C2 ‘yoap pasnyxay ‘(passaid 9 payeay) papnayind -sgyiouaals GaSSaud jsiem ‘yoeq BuLis a1) ‘(a|qenowss) sped auoq jeye diy ‘fosnps09 ‘INVd 31VHS HOLD3Y 08'€$ OOVOIHO C1 'S6'6S .05T. C1 'S6:U$ ET. C1 96°98 O11. “ANH 'g6'S1S (fluo G2) 1H aIanog C10 ‘IC "Yeld CI —poydaoay id (WS ( “(ydag algewene) S6'12$ ZI— Saz1S Uana ‘adYS PIEOaIEYS VHYV “e 30,98 428A BPM C) ‘05°98 Od CI WOTHIS VINUOSIIO ‘2 Cl 'uv2 © ‘paiojoo-njnw ‘yap pasnyxa} ‘payeuwe) puey -ssyipUzald 1169-69L/0908-694 (e1z) L0916 VO an “G6'SIS UaMOd CO ‘S6'RI$ 96'9$ Od C1 ‘s6'e$ Axele9 CF) ‘yzArvO-x ‘LIS WANOW C) S6:2$ .62 C) uL2 C) ‘aeulue| (eus9 ne Cir ge ; Aysn C)‘0S" £16 21189014 C2 ‘AI C‘05"21$ HOLORY ‘Sd Wd CCK‘ 'W's 'Sx) $3A0T9 05+ Plog/¥2e18) 'G6'28 .059. C1 ‘05°46 .1S9 C1 "S6'¥S .005. 0) SOV snosayauruyws/eaiw “yy Ajawaryra “xay afjgns/yos Aah We) eq “X314-VOIN OD 0S'21$ (I ‘W 'S) 3IGOH ‘SGYYND ISIUM CI ‘0S'S$ (| ‘W's ‘sx) OO!YWId CI ‘SO¥d 33NM $6 92 yayouLs CO) (os'zs tayoelg yoddng ) G6GIS NIM TNd ‘SdH o 'G6'2I$ .0F CO 'S6'TIS 96 Cl .2E OO '0E 989-988 (c12) "05'S6 (azis auo) OOIYWT CZ) $6'ZS (I ‘W'S 'sx) y34009 CI ‘syd MOBTA S601$ s9y00%1 nd CI 66-018 Yeu PIN C05 O18 MeL HC BaNOVEL gg 6$ LZ CO “uve C) ‘YsIUY Uealo “y98p duB pues eDyis "Yel) ANYOOHYW CI y9EI6 vO ‘SIM pueIpoo\ “g6'22$ (aigeisnipe) 009 WS C)'S6°L16 (|W 's ‘SX Hoe ee ee ee a raat cote, ‘g6'6ES 462 C1 'S6'¥€S u2 C USIUN aug pUE||OYINWY GOEEZ 00€ HS C)'S6'Z$ (algersnipe) OOT HS LJ :¥3d009 C1 'S6'2I$ (1 'S)NOOWON ‘S13W73H Cergiicn we $50/8 Bly ‘woyoq esiue) ‘uB\sap Je8uN}s Pom ajeuIWe] jMW <3\yyS-NS C) (ajgejeay uawdinb3 14s) dia AL33VS G6 LIS TE C62 CO ‘Ly poom ye CZ) VHYMYN “GEES .62 C “YSU UealD 'S|lam [aayM ‘AyAEIE 1169-691 /090€-692 (€12) * "G6'SI$ “4914 aIqnop ‘wnu;wnje ,.p2 © AVZNVA 40 49Ua9 Mo] — anund snonuNuod/say901 “ajeuswe) adaid om) :(yse) yIGIY JOON L) 20916 ¥O ‘POOMA||OH YLON 09 88 81.0 28 ‘ws Ci Md YaMOd “G6'6SS 2482 “IVINOIND C1 “S6'6ES «2482 ‘H3NTISMOIND CI “TaMOd : ‘S6'ves «GE C1 'S6'628 TE Di 'S6'92$ «82 OC ‘ustUy anuany HS)IYM O8P ‘0S'€$ IS Hd CF) ‘0S'2$ BE yO LD ‘Os TS “dey C2 ‘ovTlavo G6'92$ 2E CO ‘OE C1 S6'b2$ 82 C1 '.92 CO IM 424904 C40 1y CO LM90" Weald ‘s|jam jaaym ‘UBISap saBuNS ,sse3 nou. ayeujwey NjnwW (wel) TIVi IN3a “2$ NOUS BuIvey C) ‘OS TS Al WeW CO) WWOdS YaTION “6°92 2482 CI ‘s612$ WE C) '.620 = “(mou SIQOUM [12 8500] «2497 (> 4M Jenpeld ‘padey duiB ‘ajeuwey ssejBiaqy/poom "y3140Nd CI ‘S6'Sz$ ‘96618 £2 C) ‘ysiuy weala ‘sijam faaym ‘ayeuiwel oad om) (use) TIvd 1N3B CI 0} JUEM P,NOK Jey) ajqeuIBew! Buypuara Busia) speyD dpl9ads /aouewoy sag pue ‘AES (o1u0jGAy Janeay/S3D ‘Wojels gy WwWGg dUo}dKIy"*~UoOS Bu;woD, 62 CJ 'S6'EZ$ LZ Cl ‘padey dud ‘1e} Juaq ‘poom payeuiwe| ‘A1d/S C) ‘74D VINYS G6SIS .26 0.62 0 ‘.L2 2 ‘yswuy ueajo '2de) pieOqayeYS ‘BUEUa|UIEW % Be) pseogayeys ‘sauossaddy ‘sjaayM ‘SHINU| 'spizoqayexs “0S'p$ aikisaary ( ‘0S'E$ YoUlS WIN CI :Y3WYOIUId YIGIM ‘S6-ze$ dud 4UNS TWA ‘2ouexea|9 304 sijam aaym [40 wor}oq paster/Pajanaq «AM HOC) “SUlUS-1 uo asnyaosg ayajdwior y (-] 40) 1$ puas’* auofue vey) 19}/0 0) aioW sey JYNS TA "G6'L$ Pads NOLLOWS () °S6°8$ (2uUeaq 1X) 30INT NOW) ‘adey du8/m 1y8y| ex CI ‘56°22 “PIS CA) 1W/42490y C] 40 JaH90y C) 4/2 ‘S6'8ES ‘S628 "G6'9$ ISUNENNS CI ‘0S'9$ (‘dwog) 420y TIANNNL ‘s}jam |aaym ‘qu quwostauoy /weoy ‘sse[diaqy ‘wel/papjow *,9g ‘sWepy Kel C] -x314-Z awey, ayeid asu90)| ,ONIGUYOBIIVNS W'S. CI SETS aed aseq . auuag,, wnuIWiniy '0S'L$ 1ezueg CL) ‘05'9$ dwiog e1q09 () 'G6'G$ e1G00 () “30A0¥ STIOU S691 06 CI ‘2 CO ‘uve CI 's30}09 pujos “yoap “@$ ‘p40 yas ‘suaqqns pai yauuag # yoea 'GZ1$ Sau woje\s C) °G2'9$ auvaduey (] 10 aniq C15 YO L1'S2'p$ BE MOC) ‘OvTHIGYD —pasnyay ‘SgyTOUIALd G3SSIUd C1) ‘S612$ .0E Cu? CZ ‘padey dud ‘ty GOOM L ‘3NHVE 'S61S .2l2ld PIXS 1end., “G6'S$ (Ino pue apisui aBpa jeipes ‘,,%41%,,242) JUNS WA (OI$-+ as0) 'G$+ puowye) GE'ET$ ‘osuYoY 10810) ,,2€ [-] anis ‘pq S6'SI$ .2eWO., C) ‘S6'SI$ .neulgoy,, C) 'S6°G$ wivag “05°21$ 1e1pey [40 (umoys) woye|s () *(10} B GNy ‘@N) WANDWA «10 ue} peug ..240€ C)'S6'8I$ .62 1) 22 C)".G2 CLM POO 4e0 C) ‘IWS HINW3 NVOOT ‘sBeg sed Gg I$ ‘| ‘W's ‘uawYde)e preog/aoys ol9]aA ,ssapuadsns,, C) 'S6'b1$ “OS'S (UMOYs) [Joy |Mog () ‘0S°9$ WoeIS ) “TIVONVA 0S°42$ 62 CO ‘ap pasnyxay ‘iy “ssejdiaqy “1300W 033M 3MIW CI ‘S6'€zS .0€ C) ‘puemio} yoo) YB () 40 ya) (] ,axe4g preoqayeys elusojiied,, C) ed GETS ‘Nea “0S°Z$ (UMOYS) 1X) '05'9$ 81) ‘0S'pS ‘WS CMY YIMOd =» “S6'TZ$ ..82 C1 ‘S6'6I$ 92 C) ‘pade) dud ‘sjjam jaye Yay90) ‘pom "YIQIY Wuvd CI 40 "281g [) ‘papeasyy Aljnj Sayxe ,,g/S Sd ,;sHapuay [aa4M,, ] G6'TS ,Jaduing ason,, 05'S (UMOYS) Eq a}EXS () 'S6'9$ Wo}eIS ) TIIMOd/SINOB = —'G6'6z$ 2 CI ‘LW IINj/Jenpesd ‘pade) dud ‘ayeuiwe| ssejziaqy/poom “314 C) °31G0H
CONCRETE WAVE
_ ‘AMERICA’S MOST SUCCESSFUL SKATEPARK”? |
fo ettsite ) The “Fruit Bowl” Pool LO) 8 Ce —1 1 @) | Now Open - C | 40 a.m.10 p.m. daily
8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., Sun. & Holidays
Disneyland
- Call or write
_C & K Skateparks, Inc. |
| 318 West Ball Road, Anaheim, California 92805 (714) 956-3104
Ath 1p 2 San} ee ae we ,
THE BEST
TEAM TESTED—SKATEPARK PROVEN
‘ Ah BY
+ ’ ‘ i y Ole * LUN eae an
ee Z
WOODY KICKTAIL , CAMBER FLEX WOODY CUTAWAY AND LIGHT STRATA FLEX
BOW FLEX
WOODY BOW RIDER
Woody Woods f Wepey rears PERFORMER SPEED WHEELS Vereen Photo: Guy Motil (See your local pro shop or mail order direct.) (Dealerships available.) Photo: Guy Motil (Calif. sales tax add 6%, money order or cashiers check will speed delivery.) ey j 28" Woody Kicktail $21.95 ea. 28” Camber Flex ee $21.95 | 28" Woody Cutaway ; ; $27.50 ea. 28" Strata Flex _ $27.50 30" Woody Bow Rider $27.50 ea. 30’' Bow Flex $27.50 Mini Slalom (1% x 2'')...$4.00 ea. Freestyle (2” x 2'4'')...$6.00 ea. Pool Rider (2'4' x 2¥"’)...$7.00 ea.
Bennett, Energy, and Tracker Trucks are available. Weber Performer Team Shirt: ss...$6.95 ea., Is...$8.95 ea. (s, m, Ig, x!)
Weber Surf & Skate Boards ° 860 Pacific Coast Hwy., Hermosa Beach, Ca. 90254 + Ph: (213) 379-7829
RHINO SKIN
RHINO/NORCON HELMET
Lightweight head armor.
Comfort and protection for a reasonable price.
BODY ARMOR
RHINO CUSTOM HELMET Top quality. Strongest fiberglass head gear. Comfort fit and lightweight.
RHINO HIP PADS Lightweight high density foam. Soft interior, heavy duty outer skin of strong easy slide plastic. Adjustable for comfort fit; one size fits all. No stitching.
RHINO WRISTBRACE Avoid sprains. Steel brace encased in elastic with a velcro closure.
RHINO ELBOW /
KNEE PADS Lightweight, high- density foam.
| RHINO GLOVE | The leather glove with the flexible
See your Rhino dealer
rubber palm and A or mail order direct. Soft interior, finger page. sa Rhino Hip pad...... Joo)... $9.95 ea. heavy-duty fer lortaer ed Rhino Knee/Elbow pad...... . . $9.95 set outer skin of | wear. Hip and Knee/Elbow pads: chengtesy, red, blue, gray. "ean aan Rhino Gloves (s, m, 1g) ...... . $13.50 set ae Helmets: red, blue, yellow adjustable Rhino Norcon helmet (s, m, Ig). . . . $10.95 straps for Rhino Custom helmet (s, m, Ig). . . . $24.95 Bogen ane
iZ@ a
Rhino Wrist brace (s, m, Ig)... ... . $12.50
Calif. add 6% sales tax; money order or cashiers check will speed delivery.
Weber Surf & Skate Boards, 860 Pacific Coast Hwy., Hermosa Beach, Ca, 90254, Ph: (213) 379-7829
the state of the art
distributed by:
Rodney Jesse exploding at the New ‘Sidewalk Surfpark,’ Fountain Valley, California. Innovators like Rodney continue to create the energy which is the true force behind this incredible sport.
Atlantic > AWH - Ampul : Belair - Bend - Competition - Control Products - Donel - 41st Avenue - Gordon and Smith - Dan Heritage - Logan - Ken Marle - N.H.S. - Newporter Continental - Northwest Skateboards, Canada ° Oak St. - Progressive - Peddler - Sea Breeze - Sims = Southeastern Sales Tiger - Torque - Mail Order: Kanoa - Sunset - Val Surf
| a \ ae . | Sgn
ie
ip) ae HH i j | UT ari
on
RECTOR PROTECTIVE SKATESHORTS® Your choice of styles and colors. Two-tones, solids and denim, all with exclusive ‘REMOVABLE’ hip and tail
pad system. Stylish on or off your skateboard, these shorts may well
be the most comfortable you’ve
ever put on.
STEPPING OUT IN STYLE Ellen Oneal and Steve Cathey show off their new RECTOR SKATEWEAR®?
making it look easy
RECTOR SKATEWEA
We laminated high and low density closed-cell foam to protect your hips and tailbone. The unique pad system moves with you as you skate. The pads are easily removable and totally washable.
Adjustable, ‘expansion’ waist. Elastic laces
up the back to expand
and contract as you move, keeping your skateshorts in place at all times.
Double thick- ness of ma- terial on the seat for added Protection and durability right where you Wide ‘FULL peed CUT legs. Non-restrictive. ‘| Big enough to fit an athlete’s legs.
AUTHENTIC. Our products are being copied, so make sure you are buying quality—the RECTOR® ‘R.’
ELBOW AND KNEE PADS Pictured at right are the NEW RECTOR ELBOW AND KNEE PADS (Pro-style models). Finally, pads that are designed for skating. The perfect combination: FIT, PROTECTION AND DURABILITY. With three styles to choose from in a choice of colors, RECTOR’S GOT
YOU COVERED. NEW IMPROVED DURABILITY. RECTOR PALM PADS GLOVS® the first and foremost skateglove, was designed to be PROTECTIVE, comfortable and durable. That's asking a lot of a glove that is going to be pounded and scraped , against concrete. But, PALM PADSS& worked, they saved a lot of hands and wrists and enabled skaters to do radical new maneuvers. Most skaters are still wearing their first pair, but some (after finding how protective they really were) went on to finish off their gloves with what could well be called the ‘PALM PADS POWER SLIDE.’ So we went to work to make PALM PADS® tougher and created four new gloves to fit the needs of all skaters.
Rodney knows that confidence in his abilities and equipment frees him to refine and direct his skating. Protected by RECTOR SKATEWEAR? creating the freedom to make it all look so easy.
R° RECTOR AND WOLFE INCORPORATED, P.O. Box 371, Graton, California 95444, Phone (707) 823-9267, (707) 546-0255. DEALERS CALL COLLECT
Imsurance
for SKATEBOARD CENTERS
PO Bex 27969 Se. Getsstiny, Hbitle 55762
Libplene (13) 576-2222
Announcing the first truly international word in skateboarding...
There is a new word for the world’s skateboarders and it is SKAbo™ It was invented by International SKAbo Enterprises, Inc. This company is doing things all over the world to make skateboarding grow and be more exciting fun for you.
The divisions of the company are:
1. International SKAbo Club™ designed to give its members valuable materials and news about what skateboarders are doing worldwide. You can form your own chapter by writing to us...use the coupon below.
2. international SKAbo Development™ will be building SKAbo Skateboard Centers™all over the world. You'll see International SKAbo Centers” in operation this year.
3. International SKAbo Management" is the division that will operate our International SKAbo Centers™ and will work with other skateboard park operators to help bring you better facilities.
4. International SKAbo League” will be running competitions and exhibits worldwide starting this year.
5. International SKAbo Talent™ has taken on the management of top skateboard stars.
6. International SKAbo Products™ will be working to bring you safer, better skateboard products by setting higher quality standards for its licensed line of equipment.
International SKAbo Enterprises, Inc. and its divisions already have representatives in the U.S., Canada, France, England, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland.
Look for the Eastern Skateboard Association™ 2nd annual eastern U.S. Pro Championship this Fall. Use the coupon below to get more information about becoming part of SKAbo.
Pio Man rrr noel
To: International SKAbo Enterprises, Inc.
20 White Road ee | eararsee) nr INTERNATIONAL SKATEBOARD DESIGN, INC. DEPT. P.0. BOX 921, MALIBU, CA 90265
Please rush ________ pair(s) of ‘‘Suspenders”’ at $14°° ea., plus $1°° for postage and handling to:
I'd like the following: (_) Information about starting my own chapter of the International SKAbo Club™
( ) Information about competitions
Name ( ) Membership in the International SKAbo Club™ (_ ) Information about International SKAbo Skateboard Centers™ Address ft! Name City Address State 5 aE OCe 4 My shoe size is: LIS (3-6) IM (7-9) LJL (10-up) ot git 22 California residents add 6% sales tax.
L
38
pacer
SET THE PACE
World Champion Record Holder Dave Dilberg, endorses the ‘‘New” Pacer 1. Made of an exclusive urethane formula, developed over 2 years of breaking speed records, Pacers are extremely fast with just enough traction. Pacer 1 also has the 28% larger longer lasting jet speed bearing used to break the speed record.
(OREM oN eae Acme Signal Hill Speedrun in Dave Dilberg with modified car, set the 1976, set the eA MOT ACL pace at Signal Hill Speedran 1977, aime la) on Pacers, with Jet Speed Bearings. amazing speed record of 57 M.P.H., on
Pacers again with Jet Speed Bearings.
Cea a Immediate delivery available from large oleae ah Ask your local dealer to get some soon!!! | 407 E, REDONDO BEACH BLVD. e GARDENA, CA 90248 e PHONE: (213) 532-3465
dealer inquiries welcome
ASA leads the nation in skatepark development.
For a reason.
Because we offer more. More
assistance in building and operating parks in the world’s newest and hottest sports attraction — skateboarding. Assistance like:
Engineering services
Lucrative membership package
Insurance
Construction supervision Area exclusivity
Centralized purchasing Complete turnkey operation
Even financial assistance to qualified investors. And much, much more.
That's why there’s over 50 ASA sanctioned parks in the country today. And 102 anticipated by Summer, 1977.
Get into the hottest and most profitable
sports attraction today. Write Jeff AMERICAN Spencer at the American Skateboard Association, SKATEBO ARD AS S O C | ATI ON
PO. Box 1429, West Palm Beach, Florida 33402.
INTERESTED IN SKATEPARK
Development... Promotion... Operation... Equipment?
ATT = IN Ti O IN Be sure to attend the oe DISTRIBUTORS/REPS x Skatepark 1978 . Conference
December 9-10, 1977 San Diego, California
\
THIRD ANNUAL
SURF & SKATE EXPO..’78 INDUSTRY EXPOSITION
(TRADE ONLY)
Late January 1978, Florida
An industry exposition for all surfboard/skate- board / accessories manufacturers and dealers
. a perfect opportunity for shops to see and compare a wide range of products under one roof at one time .. . the ideal chance for manufactu- rers, distributors, reps. to present their products to the Trade. For further details, contact im-
mediately:
A eee Pe at every facet of profitable skatepark design, construction and operation,
including exhibits of related equipment and serv- ices. If you're already involved in skateparks or thinking of entering this dynamic business, this first international conference is an absolute must.
ROSS HOUSTON, Exec. Producer P.O. Box 402003
Miami Beach, Florida 33140 Telephone (305) 758-7873
For agenda, other details and a registration form, contact
SKATEPARK PUBLICATIONS
P.O. Box 1858 SB-8 «La Jolla, Ca. 92038
POWEeEr GLOVES.
Take a close look...
then you’ll see why Power Gloves are the top skateboarding gloves made.
Power Gloves 1 (the original)
Extra rugged for long lasting protection. Features include reinforced suede leather on back and tips of fingers, double on palms, nylon stitching, 100% leather (no pigskin)
Power Gloves are used exclusively by Skateboard World, Torrance, Calif.
E.T. Ripstix & Power Gloves
Available at finer pro shops everywhere. Mail order send $16.95
plus $1.50 postage and handling.
Calif. Residents add 6% sales tax.
Send tracing of hand or XS, S, M, L.
We invite dealer inquiries
“The original skateboarding gloves” E.T. Company, 916E Aviation Blvd., Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 (213) 379-7660
Power Gloves 2
Provides the ultimate palm protection. Features include high density foam pad plus reinforced suede leather on palms and fingertips. (A lot more padding for the thumpers.)
Power Gloves 3 You'll see, it will blow yaall out!
“For concrete comfort”
PARK-FLITE
Space Age* Protection for your palms and wrists
Hi-Flite Gloves
Hi-Flite makes two lines of skateboarder gloves—The Free- Flite® and the Park-Flite®. Both are made of long wearing suede leather double layered on fingertips and palms. Both include contoured palm pads made of Ensolite“ex- tending downward across wrist.
The Pro-Style Free-Flite (pictured) features nylon mesh on back of all five fingers for maximum coolness and flexi- bility. The Master-Style (not shown) has mesh on three middle fingers and an all leather thumb and little finger for extra protection. The Park-Flite, made with tough suede on both sides, is ventilated on the back for coolness.
To order your Hi-Flites today, just clip coupon below and mail today with payment.
*Ensolite® is the new space- @
age shock absorption y ay, a Ae terial.
(DEALER INQUIRIES HI-FLITE, INC.
INVITED.)
Hi-Flite, Inc. 6782 La Jolla Blvd., Suite A - La Jolla, Ca. 92037 - (714) 459-3638
Please send me by return mail the following:
No. of
Free-Flite Sizes Pairs Prices Total
(Pro-style []XSm—7S—JM UL @$ 9.95 each$
(J Master-style [] X Sm [] S [JM [JL———_ @$ 9.95 each$___ []ParkFlite []XSm {JS [JM [JL ——_@ $11.95 each$___ California residents add 6% Sales Tax 5. Wises Handling & Shipping charge per order $1.00 CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IS ENCLOSED FOR THIS
MOTALCAMOUNITY sca hit ai) ree aurea ls os are. Se) GALE
NAME. f ADDRESS wal ll
Ge hos STATE ZIP.
high park capacity
e high park usage
e super places to skate for beginners and super hots
Hi-Flite had a super session recently in San Diego. Four of the country’s top skateboarders* met with our team of top architects. The result? An explosive outburst of creativity ...and the emergence of a totally new ap- proach to skatepark layout. Now, these exciting con- cepts are available in our Hi-Flite Skatepark Layout Kits. Each is geared toward typical land sizes and configura- tions and contains plot plans. ..3-dimension models... full-color aritst renderings and more.
*(Stacy Peralta, Waldo Autry, Paul Hoffman and Greg Ayres)
Gc wl tear Dae rr 2ENG: TO! VWESCIip¢t
3rochure If you are interested in developing a skatepark and are ready to go now with the best, Hi-Flite has something really unique for you... something that will save you end- less hours and substantial money. For free brochure, write us today or, better yet, give us a call.
_ fI-FLITE, INC.
6782 La Jolla Blvd., Suite A - La Jolla, Ca. 92037 (714) 459-3638
INTERNATIONAL SPORTS & RECREATION CORP., WORLD’S FIBERGLASS LEADER, ANNOUNCES:
RIDING THE GLASS
Two members of the Fox Skateboard Team coming off the wall during W. Palm Beach Skateboard Expo, W. Palm Beach, Florida.
WORLD’S FIRST FIBERGLASS SKATEBOARD PARK THE ONLY PARK THAT IS DESIGNED FOR INDOOR USE, PERMANENT OR PORTABLE
ATTENTION SKATERS — — — GET READY FOR A FABULOUS EXPERIENCE, LOOK FOR GRAND OPENINGS IN 15 MAJOR CITIES WITHIN THE NEXT 60 DAYS!
Be on the lookout in your city for ‘““SKATEBOARD ROADSHOW’’, the greatest skateboarding live total production show ever put together. ‘‘SKATEBOARD ROADSHOW” will feature some of the world’s hottest skateboarders performing on our fiberglass skateboard park in auditoriums and arenas throughout the country. See biast outs in the 22 FOOT GIANT PIPE — bowl riding — timed speed run — timed slalom run — freestyle — high jumping — and some totally new moves too exciting to describe. You’ll have to see it to believe it — so look for, and be ready for, — ‘‘SKATEBOARD ROADSHOW’”’ coming soon to your area.
ATTENTION MR. SKATEBOARD INVestoR WE GOTCHA WE OFFER:
NO ZONING PROBLEMS
NO CONSTRUCTION DELAYS
STANDARDIZED FOR COMPETITION
WORLD’S ONLY SKATEBOARD SCOREBOARD
WORLD’S ONLY FIBERGLASS GIANT PIPE
COMPLETE TURNKEY INDOOR PARK WITH OPTIONAL PREFAB BUILDING
ee ones
International Sports @ Recreation Corporation
Factory and Sales Headquarters: 5410 N. W. 12th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 © (305) 491-1811 California Office: San Diego Federal Building © Suite 1300 © 600 B Street, San Diego, California 92101 ® (714) 231-2414
INNERSPORT
LETS YOU CHOOSE!
WHEELS — When you buy a set of any wheels we offer, you can choose
which precision bearings you want . . . at no extra charge! (C] GERMAN (GMN) [1] HOOVER 1 Iks ROAD RIDER: (0 _#2 $4.50 OO #4 $6.50 (_] Hester $6.50 #6 $7.50 Park Rider #4 $6.50 (D Logan #5 $6.95 ROLLS ROYCE: Cobra 60mm $5.25 [) Cobra Comp. $6.50 SIMS: (_] Competition $6.95 (_] Bowl Rider $6.95 Comp Il $7.50 Giant Slalom $7.50 STAR TRAK: (J 60mm $6.50 70mm $7.50 Red 78A Blue 82A Yellow 75A (J Orange 85A Green 85A TRUCKS ACS 500 B/S $5.00 [] ACS 650 B/S $7.95 ACS 651 B/S $7.00
BENNETT: Hijacker $6.50
[_] CALIFORNIA SLALOM $6.50 STROKER $24.95
TRACKER: [_] Haf Trak $10.50 [] Mid Trak $10.50 (_] Full Trak $10.95
BOARDS OUTLAW: 28” Oak Kicktail $19.00 _] 28” Laminated Kickiaii $26.00 |] Meterboard $40.00
SIMS: 27”. Taper-kick $34.95 {] 30” Taper-kick $37.50 {_] Total MAGNUM System $110.00
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Pro $8.95 [_] Pro Ad+Trak $10.50 GULLWING H.P.G. IV $15.95
30” Oak Kicktail $19.00 30* Laminated Kicktail $26.00
COOPER: [_] SK-100 Helmet $7.50 [_] EK-3 Knee/Elbow Pad $8.50 [_] EK-4 Elbow Pad $7.50
Gloves RECTOR $16.00 EAGLE $15.00 (send outline of hand) RHINO: (J Hip Pads $9.95 (1) Knee/Elbow Pads $9.95 ACCESSORIES
_] BENNETT Red Rubbers (set of four) $2.00 _] BENNETT Base Piate $2.25 ACS Pro.Base Plate $2.25 Bearings: [_] GERMAN (GMN) $1.50 [_] HOOVER $1.00 IKS $1.00 3M Non-Skid Tape: 1” $.20 2” $.40 [] 4” $.80 (per foot) Indicate length RAD PADS: (1) System #1 $450 [] #2$440 [] #3 $400 SIMS Pure Juice Pads %” $1.25 each Ye" $1.50 each
28” Outlaw Laminate, ACS 651, Star Trak 60mm
Ordering Procedure: Send Money Order or Personal Check (Check re- quires two-week delay for bank clearance) to: innerSport, P.O. Box 5192, San Bernardino, California 92403. (Prices subject to change.)
InnerSport P.O. Box 5192
San Bernardino, California 92403
SHIPPING AND HANDLING USA International Surface Air Surface Air
Complete Board or Trucks & Wheels $3.00 $5.00 $13.00 $22.00 Wheels or Trucks $1.75 $3.00 $3.50 $ 7.50
Accessories or Salety Equipment $ 50 $1.00 $ 1.00 $ 2.00 ALL COMPLETE BOARDS ARE ASSEMBLED FREE AND ARE READY TO ROLL Price of equipment ordered: + $__ Shipping and Handling cost: $_ Calif. Residents add 6% Sh ae se. ates Total $._._.._=~—=-—=—————Ss«éEnclose Money Order or Check
NAME ____ NB Mss a WA ae fh Lg Lely ees bee 9 ADDIESS ==
ORT Ya aN oe Are a Ee | tle ha
STAY ie ee os CP COD a eS
44
OPENING SEPTEMBER 1st
Membership Required Applications being accepted now
3401 Wilson Road
The essential skateboard accessory.
The DUAL SKID PLATE is made of high-impact plastic with long-wearing durability, and it comes in red, white, blue, green or black. The DUAL SKID PLATE slides easy and prevents tail damage. It is made for straight or kick- tail boards, and is an aid to hotdogging and 360’s. Only $2.00 each (includes shipping and handling). Or ask for it at your local skatepark or skateboard dealer.
Dama eLer
. ais, Waele’ ri Slot) OF CALIFORNIA 2543 Harriet Lane, Anaheim, CA 92804 (714) 827-6676
You may send $1.00 and we'll send you two Sea Breeze of California decals. or order two dual skid-plates at once and we'll send you one decal aaiaod
(805) ¢ 834-5114
Kicktail
Skid Plate
Te
carving feeling that | enjoy in surfing and skiing.
Mike Doyle
Innovator of the single snow ski and the soft surf board.
For information on all Santana Skate Products contact: Dick Abrams or Phil Stubbs / Leisure Specialties 17895 Sky Park Circle / Suite J / Irvine, CA 92714 Phone: (714) 546-6290
The Santana Skateboard System gives me the deep ‘
ia Sizes, adjustable Velcro strapping. . High Impact Santana Pro Helmet. . Protective Skate Short with removable hip
and tail pads.
. Santana Skateboards are available in
mahogany or glass, both with nonskid surface.
. Santana boards feature pro-style wheels
and are equipped exclusively with “The NV) einen Wa aon e-Le LaLa ge lel a) lo met- lal lal-e
A complete pro system at a price vere at tn afford.
16914 Parthenia Avenue
KICK-TAIL Sepulveda, CA 91343
The PRO-FIRE™ is'the only totally handmade ONE piece kick-tail construction, which is warped and hand formed to that perfect angle, This process (unlike most two piece tails) offers a gradual elevation with literally no hang-up -NO' HANG-UP
The PRO-FIRE one plece hand The typical two’ piece tail
warped tail
ae pane Each wheel well on every
PRO-FIRE board is hand shaped on such an angle which allows maximum turning ability, yet maintains maximum strength at the stress points
PRO-FIRE | each weil deeply cut out for maximum turn- ing ability, The nose and rails left thicker for strength
(others)
Typical wells — Thin nose ...
Thin rails
Poo! and Park Rider » (Magnolia)
PRO-FIRE Is the only board| offered in Magnolia wood, which has that perfect weight and balance needed for maximum performance. It is also avall- able in Oak for those who prefer a slightly heavier board. PRO-FIRE is available in the following sizes 25", 27", 29" and 32”. All sizes are available in'two to- tally engineered and tested designs - a free-style board and a\pool and park board. Also the choice of color: natural wood or walnut colored wood. Both finished with high gloss lacquer, Your
eel any style and color starting at only; 25" ~ $19.95; 27” -29"- $20.95; ~ $21.95) (Note: | magnolia of oak’ are not available, similar selected hardwoods will be Used)
orice SEND MAIL ORDERS TO: PRO-FIRE 16914 Parthenia Avenue
Sepulveda, CA. 91343, Phone: (213) 893-8212
Money Orders, Cheoks, Master Charge BankAmericard, Phone Orders accepted Postage and Handling — Please’ add! UIS.A. - Skate- boards} $3 Surface; $8 Air — Forelgn; Skateboards: $5
Surface; $22 Air, Enclose cheok or money order, (Foreign payable with International Postal Money Order)
$——_ Plus omnes and Handling (Gallf; residents add
Or $a TONAL Ss es ADDRESS Jil sf) 2 2a ee oe ST PE BOY, ‘Walnut Color STATE = (Pee
7 BEALER INGU INQUIRIES | INVITED Resale '# L
SRA
The Pro/Am Skateboard Racing Association announces that Skate- park Montebello has been chosen as the site for the 1977 Third Annual World Professional Skateboard Championships scheduled for De- cember. This is an invitational event for professional men and women skat- ers. Skatepark Montebello is greatly expanding to accommodate the event by constructing a 260’ half-pipe downhill track, a 215’ (light-to-light) slalom ramp with a 370’ run-off, anda specially designed poo! 200’ long and 12’ deep. The SRA wishes to thank Mr. Gary Peacock of Recreation Park Developers for the tremendous sup- port he has given this event.
For those who can’t make it to Mon- tebello, or can’t wait until December for hot skateboarding action, be on the lookout for “Skateboard Expo”’ in your town this summer. This touring show will feature such hot Pros as Bobby Piercy, Bruce, Brad and Robin Logan, Conrad Miyoshi, Curtis Hes- selgrave, Ellen Berryman, and Robin Alaway. Another treat in store this summer is the movie, ‘‘Skateboard,”’ being released in August.
The SRA would like to extend spe- cial thanks to SKATEBOARDER Magazine for their support of all the skateboard associations with the space they provide for these monthly Association Reports.
For info on membership, com- petition, and other programs, write: SRA, P.O. Box 578, Dana Point, CA 92629, or call (714) 493-9851.
ISA
The International Skateboard Asso- ciation reports that its Pro riders will be doing quite a bit of globe trotting this summer to assist in several ama- teur events. Henry Hester, John Hut- son and Mike Williams will be running a skateboard contest in Jacksonville, Florida, at the Kona Skatepark, the proceeds of which will go to the Mus- cular Dystrophy Fund. Russ Howell will continue his work with safety clin-
ics and demonstrations in California and Oregon, and another group of ISA Pros will travel to El Paso, Texas, in early September.
There’s also good news for those amateurs who have been eager to try their skills in organized competition. The Oceanside.Parks and Recreation Department has announced that the Third Annual Oceanside Novice/ Amateur Freestyle Contest is sched- uled for August 27th and 28th. The event will take place in the open-air concert facility south of the Ocean- side Pier. Last year, this contest drew 75 competitors in two divisions, and over 3,000 spectators; and an even greater turnout is expected this year. The ISA, who supported the event in ’76, will again provide the contest for- mat, rules, and officials; and ISA Pros will give a show, as well. Applications for registration are available at most Southern California surf and skate shops, but if your local shop runs out, write or call the ISA.
New rule books are now being compiled at the ISA headquarters in Costa Mesa. Information on ISA rules and memberships can be obtained by calling (714) 646-0258; or write to ISA, 711 W. 17th St., Suite E-7, Costa Mesa, CA 92627. The ISA offers As- sociate, Skatepark, Business, Profes- sional and Amateur memberships.
PSSA
The PSAA reports that the Califor- nia FreeFormer World Championship giant slalom and speed run held in Ak- ron, Ohio, on July 2 and 3 was a great success, with 13,557 people viewing the event held on the 1,050’ Derby
Tom Padaca
Downs hill of Soapbox Derby fame. The PSAA now plans to hold the event here every year. Our congratulations to all the Pro skaters who competed with great enthusiasm and super performances.
Special congratulations to the win- ners of each division are in order. Bob Skoldberg of Hobie won the Giant Slalom World Championship; John Hutson of Santa Cruz Skateboards captured the World Champion Stand- ing Speed Run title; and D. L. Leonard of Power Flex is the new World Cham- pion of the Unlimited Skatecar Divi- sion. The winners and contestants divided over $10,000 in prize money for these events; a fine purse by any- one’s standards!
The event also included top free- style demonstrations by Ellen Oneal, Skitch Hitchcock, Laura Thornhill, Ty Page, Curt Lindgren, and Pat Flana- gan; and Flyin’ Brian Beardsley blew everyone's mind with high jumps of 4'11"’, and an amazing one-board jump over an M.G. CBS Sports taped the event to be aired later this summer.
Those who missed the Akron con- test will have another chance to catch super skating action on September 24 and 25 when the California Free- Former World Pro Skateboard Cham- pionships will be held at the Long Beach Arena. This contest will in- clude freestyle competition, the high jump, barrel jump, and consecutive 360's contests. For ticket info, call (213) 659-0507. The PSAA is located on the fourth floor of 292 S. La Cien- ega Bivd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211. @}
Featuring: Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Runs with TOTAL PERIMETER SPECTATOR AREA PRO SHOP e SNACK BAR e ARCADE e DISCOTEQUE e NIGHT LIGHTING
OTHER FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT INCLUDES: INDOOR ICE SKATING RINK — TENNIS COURTS — RACQUET BALL COURTS — ARCHERY — PLUS RESTAURANT AND OTHER PRO SHOPS — — ACRES OF LIGHTED FREE PARKING —
EASY ACCESS FROM Ventura Freeway AT VENTU PARK ROAD CUTOFF.
CAN BE SEEN FROM FREEWAY. Designed and Constructed By: - Field House Skateboard Park
INTERNATIONAL SKATE PARK CONSTRUCTORS 500 Ventu Park Road So. Laguna, Ca. 92677 Thousand Oaks, Ca. 91360
(805) 498-9118
a
The Sunset Pool Rider: A wood kicktail board built especially for vertical
} walls. Designed by pro pool and park specialist Murray Estes, the Sunset Pool Rider is a full 8’ wide for confidence, control and stability on steep, vertical bowls.
The Sunset Pool Rider features a soft kicktail and a beveled bottom for lighter weight and elimination of wheel contact. It gives the rider a substan- tial advantage over conventional wood boards and is a great freestyle board too!
“These boards will blow minds!” Gunnar Haugo “‘Imu!”’ (Go for it). Marty Smith
Availablein 27”, 29", 302’, and'33’’. Send money order for $19.95 plus $2.50 shipping (California residents add 6% sales tax).
Murray Estes
Sunset Skateboards, 940 First Street, Encinitas, CA 92024 (714) 753-1685
"
H I,J K,-L
a: cr.
CV CNH
FOOT-TRED material manufactured by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
FOOT-TRED FACTS: Increased performance, more speed, added safety, hotter riding. AN ae SCO S SeU U L eC Ls MAES OU eae CU ST SLCC rT Nr
PUM SM CDM LS
eae easy to apply, use barefoot or with shoes, works wet alae
FOOT-TRED = an instant skateboard supercharge.
FOOT-TRED is available on Bengel COMP, Bruce Walker, Flite, and Fox skateboards. Ask for FOOT-TRED at your local shop.
CO Ua ae ae
eats!
PACKAGE SIZE COLOR (includes shipping) PWM Meum AL a Se LC IETS $1.25 APR PAA Cel ac ae CL iF Te Mma $1.25 C.1 x 12 Strip Pack includes THREE 1” x 12” strips. Ee Melastt) $1.25 eM meet CU Mae ae Ce Black or Red $1.30 RTM Le Black or Red $1.35 ee WL eee Re ace La STE arma] $1.40 G. 1% x 12 Strip Pack includes THREE 1%” x 12” strips. Ete mem Ay Bt) MP AST CUM RL cee ea LCR PET ae matt) $1.60 ee SNC Mun ere LU) Black or Red $2.00 Te VAN MS MeL) Black or Red $2.20 Peay ma aa MU ONE 6” x 24” deck surface. Black or Red $2.60 a 2A meas ONE 6” x 27” deck surface. Black or Red $2.90
ORDER FORM
HOW MANY
PACKAGES COLOR (One or more) | AMOUNT
Cee eee eg Le
NAME ——$-_-__-£-— ADDRESS ——— CITY, STATE, ZIP —— SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO: ECG FOOT-TRED P.O. BOX 402003, MIAMI BEACH, FLA. 33140 TEL. (305)758-7873 (S-U-R-F)
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
After careful analysis, research, and testing, we have selected what we feel are the best values and best performing skateboard Pee equipment to offer to you in our PROTEC line. E.C.G. PROTEC for better skateboarding!
DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED
) PROTEC HELMET (M) by Norcon.
| Made of high impact Lexan, incorporates a patented ventilation design for maximum
strength and cooling. Energy absorbing Ensolite
padding and polyurethane foam provides
protection with a secure, comfortable fit.
Sizes available (Hat Size)
Small (6%—67%)
Medium (7—7'4)
Large (7#2—7%s)
Colors available: Red, White, Blue, Orange, Yellow. M. Price: $12.95 each (includes shipping)
)) ELBOW GUARD (N, 0) (protector) KNEE GUARD) (P, O)Koratectory Designed for rugged skateboarding. Tough vinyl coated nylon facing
has a solid molded high impact polyethylene cap >) attached to it to help absorb shock from impact and prevent scraping of the exterior of the pad. The inside is made of #8” Norlite shock absorbing + foam with a double pad at the joint to absorb ») shock. The back has a soft nylon tricot with lami- nated foam to prevent skin irritation. The protec- tor is easily attached and adjusted with heavy elastic straps and Velcro fasteners.
N. Youth Elbow Guard: $14.95 per pair (includes shipping) 0. Adult Elbow Guard: $15.95 per pair (includes shipping) P. Youth Knee Guard: $15.95 per pair (includes shipping) Q. Adult Knee Guard: | $16.95 per pair (includes shipping)
ELBOW PADS (R) and KNEE PADS (S) Specially designed for skateboarding.
A special rugged heat resistant nylon material covers 3” closed cell foam pad. Pads give good protection.
R. Regular Elbow Pad
R. Large Elbow Pad
S. Small Knee Pad (13”—15" at the joint)
S. Medium Knee Pad (15!4”—18” at the joint) S. Large Knee Pad (18'4" — 21” at the joint) Colors Available: Red, Gold, Green, Blue | R, S. Price: $5.95 per pair (includes shipping)
WRIST BRACE (T) Rugged Vinyl covered aluminum support helps protect and support wrist and hand area. Dual tension elastic gives support where most need- ed. Elastic straps and Velcro fasteners allow varying degrees of Support Aluminum support can also be removed. The comfortable cotton- control stretch elastic supports ligaments like another layer of muscle. Sizes available: Small (5%"—6's" wrist at smallest point) Medium (634"—7%2" = Large (7%4"—8'2")
X-Large (8%4"—92") T. Price: $12.95 per pair (includes shipping)
SKATEBOARDERS CAN ORDER BY MAIL
CG PROTEC pays shipping. We ship UP, How Many AMOUNT (one or more)
M.HELMET: Size —_— Color $12.95 each M each N. YOUTH ELBOW GUARD (protector) $14.95/pair N _______ pair 0. ADULT ELBOW GUARD (protector) $15.95/pair 0 _______ pair P. YOUTH KNEE GUARD (protector) _ $15.95/pair P _______ pair Q. ADULT KNEE GUARD (protector) _ $16.95 pair Q ——. pair R. ELBOW PAD: Size ___ Color ____ $ 5.95/pair R pair S. KNEE PAD: Size ___ Color $ 5.95/pairS ______ pair T. WRIST BRACE: Size ____ $12.95/pair T pair
If ordering more than one of any item above SUB TOTAL attach additional size /color information where needed. Florida residents add 4% state sales tax
TOTAL AMOUNT INCLUDED lk
NAME. 22s eee
ADDRESS a WEL ee Se
CITVASTATEN ZIP) ewes SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER 10
E.C.G. PROTEC P.O. BOX 402003, MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33140
TEL. (305)758-7873 (S-U-R-F)
SkateBoarder Interview:
ete b yy
by John Smythe.»
a
Tom Inouye . . . possessor of an
incredible balance and flexibility, and a standout in the most intense of situations, all of which belies his increasingly respected status as one of the most laid-back and modest human beings in skateboarding. Photo: Guy Motil.
Photography by Warren Bolster 50
Tom Inouye, a.k.a. Wally, at age 18 has firmly established himself as a leading propo- nent of the radical-moves-for- radical-terrains style of skat- ing. Possessing distinctly ex- plosive moves, and an outwardly calm demeanor, Wally is genuinely respected in all quaraters of the sport/art.
Regarded by some as a new face on the scene, in actuality, Inouye has been around for quite a while. He began his ca- reer six years ago by con- ducting clay-wheeled sessions on the banks, and in the drain-
age ditches, of his hometown,
Monterey Park, California. OW TESTS (ORC CAEL Kore with such frequency and fero- city, that word rapidly spread amongst skaters and law en- forcement officials alike. Cop hassles finally forced Wally and his friends to seek new ter- rains, and coincidentally, at iN gteLect-T OOM AL OCA Coors an early release of Hal Jep- sen’s ‘‘Super Session.” Being duly impressed with the action displayed in the skate seg- ments of the film, which fea- tured Adams, Alva, et al.; the Monterrey Park boys began to
‘frequent the Santa Monica
area’s more notable skate spots. Their activities at Bel- lagio, Revere and Kenter were CRON CO OICO LAIN e | NMLOLNO Cg the illumination of automotive headlights, in order to beat the heat in more ways than one. The Dogtown environs also of- fered Inouye, a surfer for five years, the opportunity of com- bining skating and surfing ad- ventures in rapid succession, which was not so easy inland.
The next stage in his devel-
opment came as the ubiqui- tous Dale Smith ‘‘got him semi into freestyle.’’ Wally then entered every contest for a year, and ‘‘found them bor- ing,’”’ so he went back to street skating. Along the way, the skater joined talents with his high-speed business manager, Mike McCoy, who is known far and wide for his motor racing exploits. As Inouye puts it, “Mike gets radical with cars the way we get radical on skateboards. (Having con- ducted a portion of this inter- view during one of McCoy’s speed runs down Sunset Boulevard amidst rush-hour traffic, this interviewer heartily concurs.)
During that same period, Wally turned Waldo Autry onto the Baldy Pipeline, and the for- mer, being a man of fair ex- change, turned the latter on to a photo excursion with the Beast. The resultant photo- graphs proved to the public what many already knew to be true. Like they say, the rest will be history. Leaving noth- ing to chance, on July 7, 1977, Inouye and his sponsor, Tom Sims, signed contracts for the long-awaited Wally model.
On his personal boards, In- ouye employs Tracker Mid- Track trucks, and Sims Pure Juice Comp II wheels with sealed bearings.
His approach to this inter- view was much like his skat- ing attack—straight ahead, with no nonsense. Wally has arrived, and he’s gonna stay. While some may have over- looked him before, few will yale Vo g Ww OCO\LA
51
Tom Inouye:
Furiously redirecting with minimum contact. Skateboard World, Torrance.
52
For the record, what kind of skating are you into?
Banks, pools and pipes exclusively.
How would you describe your basic technique; what are you trying to do; what are you going for?
I don’t have a set routine; | just do whatever feels good. | like to go out there and get radical. I try to find lines that flow. When you pick the right first move, it will set you up for the ones that follow.
Who influenced you in this approach?
The person who has influenced me
the most is Jay Adams. He’s the first person I saw who got pretty radical. From there, I just put my mind towards being the best in a pool.
When did your attitude towards radi- calism develop?
I guess I've always been radical. When I was two, | jumped out of my crib and fractured my skull. My parents called me accident prone.
What do your parents think about what you’re doing now?
They're digging it now. But before, when | wasn’t making any money, was always gone and was messing up badly in school, all ‘cause | was always out on my skateboard, they were getting down. Then they saw a picture in the maga- zine, and loosened up a little bit. After that, | got a business manager, and he talked with them and showed them that there was something good to skating,
that it wasn’t just wasting time, and now my parents are behind me.
Which are your favorite pools?
Some of them aren’t around any- more. Keyhole, Long Beach, and one near my house that | don’t want to pin- point are the best.
Where do you do most of your skat- ing now?
Skateparks . . . probably at Upland.
What are your evaluations of the different parks?
Most people who are putting up parks are trying to do a good job, but some are hurting things by making bad de- signs and using poor surfaces. Carlsbad was the first park, but it was small, so Anaheim came along and decided to
beat them by going bigger. The design at Anaheim was unfunctional . . . who wants to ride a square bowl? You need a perfectly round keyhole bow! where you can continuously carve the top and not have to carve and then drop, carve and drop like at Anaheim. Reseda was the first to offer a semi-vertical wall. It’s O.K., but it doesn’t have coping, and they should have put in more than one run. You take off and then somebody else takes off 10 feet behind you, and if you eat it there, 20 guys are going to run over you. Upland is my favorite park now. They have a 20’ pipe leading into a 12’ bowl and a long V-bow! going into a 15’ bowl. Those guys put the heavy stuff in, but they could have done better on the concrete work. In other words, it's always onshore at Upland, ‘cause you ve got the little ripples running in it. El Cajon has a poor transition in its
main bowl. We call it the kink bowl. You set up for it, and halfway through, you hit a kink that throws you off balance, and you go to the top, which is com- pletely round, and then fly out. At Mon- tebello, the transitions are all wrong. In their snake run, you see all kinds of people flying out because the turns and angles all throw you out of the next one. It’s no problem for a pro bowlrider to readjust and reset himself on a bad course, but a beginner can’t. A park should be really functional for the begin- ners; it’s no good if only the pros can ride there. Skatopia has a perfect sur- face with quality cement work, but the design isn’t real good. The pool there is more of a goldfish pond. It’s too small
to ride safely. You've got to be three moves ahead of yourself there. A begin-
ner is safer in a bigger pool than in a small one, since there is more room to set up and react in. You can get hurt in pools that are too small.
What is your least favorite park?
Home Avenue.
You mention surfaces, are you ex- tremely conscious of them?
Yeah, pretty conscious. A lot of people think that because a park’s sur- face is smooth, it will give unreal trac- tion, but if it’s too smooth, you can't find any wheels that will hold, since it’s too slippery. Then there are the parks where it’s too rough, and if you fall off, the surface grabs hold of your pads and slips them up your arms or legs, and you scar up your knees and elbows. In the parks that are bumpy, you Il be hauling ass and hit these bumps and fly
off. The surfaces are just as important as the overall design.
You state that some of the parks are poorly designed for skating. How do you think park design could be im- proved in the future?
First off, a lot of the people who build parks don’t really know much about skating. They design them on paper, but have no idea as to what's skatable. They want a workable park that is also a good-looking park. So they build them for looks. A snake run isn’t necessarily functional just because it looks like a snake. The curves, angles, heights, in- clines and transitions have all got to be correct and working together, not against each other. Some park owners
who realize that they don’t know about skating have hired slalom racers and freestylers to plan banks. Just because a guy’s good in one kind of skating doesn’t mean he knows anything about another kind. All slalom racers know how to do is go between cones. A free- styler knows about the flats. Hiring them is fine if you want a slalom course or a parking lot, but if you want to have banks, you should go to a bowtrider. A professional-level pool, bank and bowl- rider knows what's happening and what isn’t. We know what a beginner, an in- termediate, and an expert can ride.
Do you know any instances of a bowlrider being involved in park design?
Waldo is working on a park out in Par- amount now.
Do you feel that the bank, bowl and pool segment of the sport is getting the
Tom Inouye:
“*, «.a leading proponent of the radical-moves-for-radical-terrains style of skating.”’ Wally, exploding on target at Upland. Photos: Bolster.
54
treatment it deserves from the various organizations, etc.?
No, not even . . . they are still stuck on the flatland and the slalom. Skating today is about pools, pipes and parks; that’s where the energy’s at. You can't get hurt freestylin’, but you can get to- talledin a pool. They asked me to come to an ISA meeting, telling me that it was going to be ‘very important.” | went, thinking that they were gonna get their shit together and finally start a pool thing. All they went over was speed races, freestyle and slalom; they never even mentioned bowlriding once. There were only a couple of other bowlriders there, but some of the freestylers were
trying to get down. Ellen Oneal actually told us to our face to go out and ride pipes in the desert. They wanted us to split, just disappear, saying that the bowlriders were “‘giving the sport a bad name.”
Giving the sport a bad name? How so?
Supposedly skatepark owners have been calling up Sally Miller at the ISA, and complaining that professional bowlriders have been coming into the parks and totally being off the wall,
snaking, fighting, swearing, telling the kooks to leave, and all that shit.
How do you react to these allega- tions?
Some people may be getting a little too rowdy, but not everybody. | don't think bowlriders really act any worse than anyone else. It’s true that if you're going to be a bowirider, you've got to occasionally “‘break’’ the law ... at least once or twice. Unless you've got the connections, you're going to be tres- passing on someone's property to skate a pool or pipe (laughing). For freestyle, though, you can do that in your liv- ingroom. With the parks, there are now legal bowls to ride. As for being radical,
how can you be too radical? Being rad is what it’s all about; as long as you don’t hurt anyone or anything, who cares? A few of the organization people are claiming we've been ‘‘bad boys”’ all our lives, trespassing, screwing up private property, and breaking into houses. | don’t think it’s the skaters who are de- stroying things. The Superbowl got closed because there was a lot of van- dalism going on, but it wasn’t the skat- ers doing it. Usually it’s the people around the areas who don’t skate that
are Causing trouble. The skaters are into skating. When we goto a pool, we go to skate it, not to mess things up. When we are done skating, we split. Actually | think some of those organization people are bad-rapping us because they are afraid that bowlriders are going to take over the sport, and that the freestylers and slalomers will be left out of it.
Do you think that there is reason for them to worry?
Yes, lately I’ve been seeing a lot of spectators at the parks. They're getting off on seeing guys hitting vertical and making it, because they can’t relate. People who see pictures of guys going near upside down in pipes don’t believe
it; they think the photos are phony. But when they see it done in person, it blows their minds. The interest is there; it’s only a matter of time until someone puts it all together.
Are you a member of the ISA?
No.
Are you a member of any organiza- tions?
No.
Are you into organizations?
No, not really.
Are you into professionalism?
Sure, when it comes around, but it’s not here yet. To be a professional skater, you have to have a contract. Now they’re putting on professional contests that have non-professional people in them.
How did you get a manager?
| met my manager, Mike McCoy, at Montebello. He was an old friend of Cur- tis Hesselgrave’s. We'd gotten filmed for a Perrier Mineral Water commercial for French TV, and been ripped off. Mike came up to us and said we needed a manager. We agreed.
What is your opinion on contests?
I’m not into them until they get some pool and bowl contests going. With all
of the parks, it should happen soon.
How about the promoters, do you think they are doing a good job?
Many of them don’t even pay good prize money, let alone a guaranteed fee for showing up. Look at professional football, baseball or even swimming, and see how much they make; then look at a professional skater, and he’s lucky to win even $100 in some con- tests. The promoter, Don E. Branker, recently put on a so-called speed mun in Akron, Ohio. The ISA tried to give him
55
In furious pursuit of the vertical rush,
demands for specific amounts of prize money, and certain rules and regu- lations for the speed vehicles. He just blew out over that and said, “no way.” He had the contest anyway, and the top speed was only 47 m.p.h.; they didn't even come close to the world’s record. | just laugh at that. Promoters have got to start paying the skaters decent prize money.
Are you into speed racing?
We got into speed after we saw that advertisement about Bahne Skateboards being clocked at 40, with Shufeldt. We were making our own skateboards, and we figured that if Bahne can go 40, our skates would go faster. That very same day, we went out and I did 55 on this hill by my house. What people are doing now with those fairings, | don’t even consider skate- boarding. We call those things coffins; that’s what they look like. They aren't skateboards; they can’t stop them, and they can’t bail. At Signal Hill, this one guy went through the bales and got dusted by a car. I think those guys are stupid. It’s not speed racing unless you can feel the wind in your face. When! do speed runs, | like doing them in just shoes, shorts and pants.
What kind of job do you think the magazines do in covering skateboard- ing?
I don't read a lot of the stuff in them; I usually just look at the pictures.
Have you ever had any interesting dealings with the skate media?
One Sunday, when | was still working at Montebello, | heard about this pool in the Valley. | left my job and went out with my friend to ride it. There was this pair of photographers there who we didn't know. We were just pulling off no- wheelers, and these photographers couldn't even believe it. They said they wanted to take our pictures, but wouldn’t because of the stickers on the bottom of our boards. The photogra- phers were trying to have us peel the stickers off. It was pretty funny. I told them, ‘‘No, | don’t want to take them off: it’s too much of a hassle,”’ and they were going, “Pleeese, just pull them off for a couple of shots.’” We didn't, so when we'd skate, they’d just point the camera away. We found out later they were from that SKATEBOARD WORLD magazine.
How has your recent recognition by the skate media affected you?
The first picture I ever had in a maga- zine was a centerspread, and after that, people totally freaked out. I was stoked on the coverage, but I lost a lot of pri- vacy when | went skating. All kinds of
people would come up to me and talk like they'd known me for 18 or 20 years. |’d just freak on that. Whenever I go skating now, | either have to totally rip it up, or people get down on me. A lot of times | like to go skating and just have fun, cruise around and not throw no radical shit. But when you go out and do that, people jump on you . .. they tell you that you're not so hot, so-and- so’s better than you. | don’t really care, but it’s hard to be a star because so many people get down on your case. Also, people expect you to know every- thing about skating. I’m just into riding pools; I’m only into nding, nothing else. This one guy asked me to judge a bowl-
Considered by many to be the epitome of technique and control in even the most Talks oMy LAPT Lao) go
riding contest. | really don't know what maneuvers are the most difficult to pull off and which one’s are easier. To me, it all seems easy. You just have to put your mind in it, and you can do it. | can't handle that business-type bullshit, ei- ther. | let my business manager hassle it. | just handle the skating. | think it’s bitchen to have a manager; everyone
Tom Inouye:
57
58
Tom Inouye:
ought to have one.
As a neutral on-the-scene observer, what do you think of the recent regional bickering?
Do you mean the up North, down South thing?
Yes.
All right. I’ve seen all the letters in the magazine, and just gassed at how crazy some people were getting. There were even letters from other parts of the country. | was asked to skate for Dog- town if there was ever a contest, and I said sure. I was totally stoked, since | am from the North, and have skated a lot with those guys. But I’ve been hear- ing some bullshit from the South that |
Getting down at Upland. ‘‘Wally”’ is just the tip of an iceberg of talent in that area.
can't skate for D.T. because I’m not from there. So what if | don't live exactly there; | am from the North. I think some people are hiding down there.
Do you see any stylistic differences between the two areas?
I've skated up North with all the guys, and I’ve skated down South with all those guys. | get along with everyone pretty much, and I know how everyone skates. The styles are as different as the places. It's a totally different atmos- phere between up there and down there. To live around Santa Monica, you al- most have to be radical, to be out for your own life. Down there, it’s a total kickback because you have got a little bit of country, and everything's not so overly developed. Up there, you've got to look out; it’s trippy.
You were a Pro at Montebello; what was it like?
It was a trip. The only reason | quit was that they never built an advanced area like they were supposed to. | met a lot of people there, had a lot of fun.
What do you remember most about working there?
Chnis and | teaching Bobby Piercy to do kickturns. Piercy rides bowls now; we showed him how. Now Bobby and Conrad tell people that they taught us how, but everyone knows they’re only joking.
What’s the most radical thing you’ve ever done?
Either throwing airbomes at Reseda, or flying out of the pipe at Upland.
What’s the most radical thing you’ve ever seen?
Ah! The most rad thing I’ve ever seen was in the downhill section of the desert pipes. Bob Biniak went so high back- side that | swear he was on 11 o'clock, and he then freefell all the way down to the bottom (a good eight inches out from the wall), and made it.
What is the high point of your career?
Going out to the desert with the movie people to film part of “Skateboard.’’ We went there in a private plane, partied out and flew some lines. When we arrived, we rented cars. Tony Alva, Bob Biniak and | went for a little ride in this one car, and were doing spinners and donuts out in the desert. We drove through the sand moguls using the cactus for slalom gates. At the end, we rode the car inside the 22’ pipe . .. it was spacey.
What was the low point of your career?
Getting busted at the Keyhole. It seemed like we were set up. After my fourth ride, | looked up and the cops were there. We sat in jail for four hours, and | had to post $250 bail. | got off later because they dropped the case since no complaint was filed.
Which established riders do you respect?
Bob Biniak, Waldo Autry and Tony Alva.
Who do you think are up and coming talents?
Chris Strople; you'll be hearing from him. Danny Smith (a.k.a. Minishred), and Paul Cullen.
What future plans do you have?
Waldo Autry and | have talked over making our own private park for profes- sionals only. It would have extremely radical skating terrains, a clubhouse with showers and lockers, a hotel and a party room. The plan is for a country club-type scene . . . members only. No ordinary person could probably afford it; you'd need to be a professional, with your sponsor forking up the bucks.
In closing, do you have any general advice?
Just get vertical and keep high. @&
a
era iG . tants
. wt ys
ON THE RAMPAGE
by Mick Angiulo (with assistance from Gary Coccaro and Tom Stewart)
*«,.and you don’t know what it is—do you, Mr. Jones?’’ Mr. Stewart setting new neigh- borhood precedents, 70’s-style, where
“keeping up with the Jones’” is an out-
dated style of thought.
Photography by Warren Bolster 60
Necessity, it’s been said, is the mother of invention, while aware- ness produces innovation as its off- spring. Remember that distinction, because it’s an important one. In- vention is created by the inventor calling on his mind and expe- riences to bring forth something new and different; and an inven- tion often lives, or dies, on the whims of what is in fashion. Innova- tion, on the other hand, is the spreading of an idea or attitude through a society; a powerful force that changes and shapes cultures.
Up until now, the Tony Alva’s and Gregg Weaver's have come from the ranks of those skaters with the skill to handle and the ability to gain access to the challenging ter- rains. As the performance level of skateboarding has advanced, and the potential of the skateboard has been expanded, the targets of the hot skaters are shifting; from the slalom and freestyle to the banked surface. The most kinetic and stylish skating in the years ahead will be done in the bowls and pipes and pools known only to the select few.
Improvisation in the 70’s—finding imagin- ative, soulful, altemative solutions to the modern-day material dilemmas. Tom Stew- art and his best friend, Imo, beating oil shortages, car costs, noise pollution, and lease laws.
Those locations are top secret. You won't find them listed in the Yellow Pages. It’s all strictly classified infor- mation—unless, of course, you know someone who knows some- one who... up until now.
PEOPLE GET READY...
. because there’s some changes coming up on us all pretty fast. Innovation is about to do a li- vely number on the skateboarding world. An idea that began as a point-scoring prop in freestyle con- tests, is going to produce the next
generation of superstars and whammer-jammers. They'll be coming from Nebraska and Texas and Ohio—straight out of the back- yards of America. This army of new, hot skaters will soon be making their presence felt in skateboard- ing ... and things may never be the same.
Providing the juice for the com- ing revolution will be the New- Age’s backyard swing: your basic skate ramp. Easy and cheap to build, the skate ramp provides the best practice area since asphalt.
61
ON THE RAMPAGE
Toys in the attic—Rampage-style. A sheet of plexiglass attached to the lip of the ramp offers a unique, close-up skater perspective, of sorts, in this high-speed sequence of Gregg Weaver’s glide path.
62
5 ef
“Just the pure, clean feel of wheels on wood.” Jim Sigurdson wood carving.
ON THE RAMPAGE
Sheets of plywood and two-by- fours are inexpensive and plentiful. Grab a handful of nails and a ham- mer, scrounge up G power saw— and you're set.
Building a ramp isn’t very differ- ent from building a doghouse, al- though it may fake more time and imagination. Ramps can be built to match the hottest wave, or park, yet poured ... and with conside- rable savings. Theoretically, the only limitations on constructing a ramp are brain power and budget. A ramp which will soon become a
64
Why WY
standard item—a half-pipe affair, 8-feet wide, 14-feet high and 15- feet between the edges—can be constructed for around $350. An- other $200 investment opens up many more exciting possibilities: several runways snaking into a ver- tical pipe section, flared edges with wrap-around lips, or a full bowl in which to try out your Wheaties af- ter breakfast. No mysterious for- mulas, it’s all in the eye and angles.
The impact of the backyard ramp on skateboarding is just around the corner. Skaters for
—s ie Shek aee oe
Mig her
4 “nnn ot
ee ein
whom empty swimming pools are pleasant dreams—and little more— can now have a pool, or at least a hefty section of one, outside their bedroom window. All the talent and radical skating going to waste because there aren't outlets to tap that energy will now be channeled into technical fluency and high- energy art for thousands of skaters. No longer will a working knowl- edge of the “secret spots” be a
aa
prerequisite for advancement into -
the top ranks of skatedom. Ra- ther than spending wasted time
searching for a secret pool or pipe (usually to discover that the spot has a larger circulation than the L.A. Times), skaters will be able to find the same challenge and ex- citement out behind their garage. No hassles, and no crowds—except for those with invitations. No one to tell you that the session is over. Just the pure, clean feel of wheels on wood.
As a tool for personal devel- opment, the ramp will set you free. For the ones who seek it, gravity is the final frontier. Imagine how rap-
“What we're talking aboutis a full-on extrav- aganza.” The Kingfish (a.k.a. Mel Cajon) actively taking skateboarding to the people.
Tom Inouye.
ON THE RAMPAGE
Bug’s eye view. Imagine your- self one-inch tall, and scrambling for your life. Pure juice! Inouye-style. Photos: Bolster.
Wally one-wheeler.
idly your skating will progress with a radical ramp for your personal play area. Maneuvers, which would take a month fo lear at a skate- park or pool, can be programmed in one day, refined in two, and im- proved upon in four. Ramps will become geometric accelerators, enabling everyone—from skate rats in Dogtown to a kid in Biloxi, Mis- sissippi, who’s never even seen the ocean—to take their minds and imagination, and push their skat- ing to the limits of physical re- straints. Just as the influence of the short surfboard changed surfing through the general acceptance and refinement of already known principles, so, too, will the skate ramp provide a similar effect on skating.
WHERE THE ROAD AND THE SKY COLLIDE
But enough of this idle specula- tion on future occurrences. Ramps are happening right now. As you
66
sleep safely in your bed, sinister plans are being laid for Phase | of the Great Skate Conspiracy. Em- ploying the latest in space-age gadgets, Rampage Enterprises, a division of Sparks, Inc., is gearing up for an all-out assault on those backward, underprivileged areas where people still think polyure- thane is a food additive. Objective: turn America on to skateboarding.
Gary Coccaro and Tom Stewart, a pair of ‘good ol’ boys’’ from Enci-
-nitas, are the chief mechanics,
while a loose collection of com- puter experts, archifects and an- alytical geniuses provide the re- mainder of the Rampage pack- age. They have been recruited by Coccaro and Stewart to present skateboarding to America in a very American way. Using the finest in early 21st Century fechnology—la- ser lights, pressure sensors, giant video-tape monitors, soace-age plastics, and a touring team of red- hots skating to choreographed
routines, Rampage intends to hit America from every conceivable angle—including national tele- vision. They will be pushing skate- boarding as the new American pastime, to parents and kids who spend their summers in municipal swimming pools, and playing Little League baseball. A crusade to the Middle Kingdom spreading a doc- trine founded on the force of grav- ity and inspired by freefall.
GRAVITY’S RAINBOW
The Kingfish: “It’s well accepted that the best high in the world comes from riding a wave. Now skateboarding isn‘t quite the same feeling, but it’s real close. When you skate, the wave is very subtle— you’re actually riding a wave of gravity—but when you eat it—you pay—so there’s an extra factor that’s missing from surfing that compensates for any deficiencies. You learn from either one—things about your body, your mind, your
Luh SAN
willpower. You fine tune your thought processes whenever you hit the lip, and a pool can be as good a teacher as a tube if you're open to the feeling . . . ramps are going to happen! It’s a sure thing. I'd rather it didn’t happen in a booming, big-business way, but that’s the way it’s going anyway. What’s more important is that be- hind the business aspect of it there will be a sport. Not just a localized, Southern California sport like vol- leyball, but a national, grassroots kind of thing. My time will be well spent if | can turn on some little kid in a nowhere rathole, and he gets stoked. There has to be something in the background, something real that enlightens a kid or a parent, and opens up new thoughts and new channels that weren't there before.”’
Stewart: “Ramps are healthy for kids, Building a ramp is an educa- tion in itself. It fakes a good eye and a well-thought out plan of at-
tack, but the construction tech- niques and materials are available to anyone. It’s a relatively simple process once the radii and angles have been worked out. . . riding a ramp is a full workout. You’re PumMp- ing back and forth, using your body and gravity to build speed and height, and exerting every muscle you hdve; the back muscles, arms and especially the legs. After ten minutes you feel like you’ve been doing Marine-style calisthentics. As a body-builder, you can’t beat the ramp... but it also teaches you to flow. You can’t ride a ramp if your body isn’t under control. You can’t force it or make it happen. It’s an ability that must be developed over a period of time. The more time you spend practicing, the sooner you reach that level where you are skating on an intuitive, un- conscious plane.”
Kingfish: “What we're talking about is a full-on extravaganza. Tubular frame construction using
the most sophisticated surfacing and interchangeable modular construction. Banks of laser lights activated by pressure-sensors set into the framework. Computer di- rected music and light shows, and huge monitor screens for big sta- diums. We want to bring skate- boarding to the people, and to do that you have to put on a real show to grab their attention. America re- sponds to the spectacular, and we're gonna give it to them.”
At this time, SKATEBOARDER would like to express a special thanks to Sparks, Inc./Rampage for provid- ing the creative atmosphere, ma- terials and hard work that have made this creation a reality.
67
o) a = S Li ae f= = oO
—
On the Rampage, Gary Coccaro-style.
Tom Stewart, ‘by the ramparts red glare...”
Oe nis aati
ers off
the
“Ramps are healthy for kids”’"—Tom Stewart A
(big kid).
70
KIWIS ON WHEELS
Skateboarding in New Zealand
by Don Balch
me ry e 72) De ny: Mie
ie |
ns pn Iam (e) dep rh are making the Kiwi people sit up and take notice... .’’ Peter Een New Zealand's uid rider, at one of the new, free-of-charge skating bowls—Malborough Park, eae?
ew Zealand... land of many contrasts, kissed with a bounty of nature’s most awe-inspiring and unusual natural phenomena. A place where the 10 million sheep outnumber the human popu- lation 3 to 1. But amidst the snowy peaks, primeval forests, thermal areas, and rolling green hills; man, not to be out- done, built many fine cities, roads, dams, and other con- crete creations. The younger generation, especially in the last few years, have put these structural achievements to more use than was originally anticipated, by means of the modern skateboard! Being a small and far-distant
preys repent Ete er Pern 5 re Pie prea bowl, Photos: Donald Balch.
“land of many contrasts."’ Jamie Blackwood at the Huia Pipe. Photo
country, the equipment break- throughs (precision bearings, etc.) have been a little slow in coming on; but the kids are stoked, and are making the Kiwi people sit up and take no- tice of the resurgence of the sport—to the point where in the country's largest city, Auckland, the city council is putting out 1.2 million dollars to build four complete skate- parks throughout the city Pld tee alae amen a ico now, and with the immediately successsful response to the newly completed, free-of- charge skating bowls in Mal- borough Park, Takapuna, and in the old gold-mining town of Waihi, the future looks bright,
and other cities are following lia
The new bowls unleashed the obvious talent of local stars, with Elroy Ainsley, Jamie Blackwood, and young speedster-stylist, Peter Bo- ronsky, displaying profes- sional prowess with every run.
The first man to climb Mt. Everest, and the current world mile record holder are from New Zealand; and, with pro skating contests developing, one day we can truly visualize some worldly international competitors coming from the little nation down under.
The kids are very inquisitive about American equipment and spots, and are just now
: Donald Balch.
exploring their own beautiful country. The Huia Dam, out- side Auckland, was a recent discovery, and is treated as a “secret spot.’’ Arriving on the scene after a winding hour's drive through lush green punga tree forests, we had to lower a rope down 40 feet of vertical concrete walls, and climb down with boards, to get into the entrance of the huge pipe. Quite intense, but worth it! Long, side-swooping rides, with a circular view strikingly unique to Z-land vegetation ouside. The Rangers don’t ap- preciate the aesthetic jollies, however, and are quick to boot you out if found inside. The pipe, it turns out, is the
dam overflow outlet, and can be completely flooded with a turn of a valve wheel! Talk about total involvement!
More possibilities abound here now, however, thanks to the general acceptance of the populace that skateboarding is a truly recognizable recrea- tional sport and not a fad, as it seemed to have turned out in its sister country, Australia, once again. So listen up— skaters of the world may well be hearing more of the Kiwi rippers of faraway New Zea-
land. @&
SKATE PARKS: PART XII
Contrasting jet-age modes of transit. Doug Francis, the Flow Motion Park—Reno, Nevada. Photo: Jim Cassimus.
WHERE EAST MEETS WEST
by Brian Gillogly
If the Great State of Texas truly exists at a sort of cultural crossroads between East and West Coasts, nowhere is this more apparent than in its current surge in skate park development. It is probably the only state in the Union, in fact, where you can find an almost prototypical Florida- type park just down the road from a Southern Californian- inspired facility. The best such example lies just outside Dallas in the Irving-Grand Prairie area, where, within two miles of each other, there is a ‘‘Paved Wave’’ design
Mike King drops into the Ground Swell Park's snake run—Fort Pierce, Florida. Photo:
called ‘'U.S.A. Skateboard,” and a seemingly expanded version of the Carlsbad beginner's area, named “‘Midcity Skateboard Park.’ The reasons for these divergent and, in other cases, intersecting influences, are not difficult to understand.
A relatively rich, sports-minded state, Texas has been long overdue for skate parks, especially in and around the large population centers of Dallas and Houston, where skateboarding is firmly established. With influences like Stewart Singer, Bobby Morrow, and Vicki Vickers, a skate consciousness has developed among frustrated surfers and inlanders alike, naturally accompanied by demands for better places to hone their skills.
As was the experience in both California and Florida, one or two successful parks quickly led to others (the Corpus Christi park, built over a year ago, is generally not
Darrell Jones.
73
“URLUPBLZ UID -O}OUd Yledg BJe4S Agjjen UOUsEA MoU S ABSIEP man 7e jee0/ Jowuns eBuikolua ‘AlJse1g AGagog
considered ‘‘successful,’’ due to poor location and de- sign), each seeking to be unique, and, yet, be operational within a short time. Thus, developers visited Californian and/or Floridian parks, as well as contacting the design- ers and constructors of those projects, and quickly began weighing one bid against the other.
At least one such developer, R. F. Dillingham of Texas Skateparks, Inc., chose to go with a respected California- oriented group, Campo Construction (formally associ- ated with Skatepark Constructors), for his “Free Flight Skatepark #1,’’ Carrollton. Another, Tom McCurry (U.S.A. Skateboard) went to Florida’s George Henderson for a somewhat updated version of his original Paved Wave. And a third party contracted the growing Wizard Skateboard Park group of North Carolina for a large facil- ity presently being finished beside the North Dallas Driv- ing Range.
SKATE PARKS:
Tom Inouye, unaided by any board-fastening device, performing airborne reentries on the vertical at Upland’s Pipeline Park. Note cover shot (#2). Photos: Bolster.
Therefore, among seven new parks, most of which will be open by this printing, there are long, high-velocity courses of a Floridian variety (U.S.A. Skateboard, Irving; and Wizard, Dallas), and shorter, more curvilinear runs of a Californian type (Skateboard U.S.A., Houston; and Mid- city Skateboard Park, Grand Prairie). Also apparent off- shoots of West Coast designs are the large reservoir-type freestyle area of the Free Flight park, and the planned 20 x 40-foot pipe at the upcoming ‘‘Texas Pipeline” in Hous- ton (‘Our contractors and engineers have seen all the parks in California up to the opening of Baldy...” says spokesperson Karen Mackay).
While some of these new parks are already having trouble with their surfaces, in some cases corrective measures are under way. (Parts of gunited Skateboard U.S.A., for example, are being coated with a mixture of
76
concrete, glue, and water, called ‘‘Omni-bond”’; while, by comparison, Stan Hoffman is attacking a similar problem at his Upland Pipeline with a custom concrete-plaster fin- ish, an inch thick.) The newer parks, on the other hand, are expected to avoid such problems by going with pumped concrete and shotcrete exclusively, and by pay- ing more careful attention to troweling procedures.
The following rundown provides a more complete pic- ture of some of these parks, as well as other new facilities nationwide:
ALAMEDA SKATEBOARD PARK. Developed by Pa- cific Skatewaves, Inc. and billed as the ‘‘first skateboard park in the San Francisco Bay Area,” this facility will be open by this printing, on 2% acres located within the Ala- meda Marina. With 40,000 square feet of skating surface, the layout offers a freestyle area and three snake runs—a beginner's, an intermediate, and a ‘‘professional’’—each
with its own end bowl. According to Alameda’s Cristine Rettie, supervision will be sufficiently tight, with skaters “required to demonstrate their ability prior to skating,” and “monitors’’ constantly on hand. Full safety equip- ment will be required, as well as a $3 membership. BOOGIE BOWL. Presently opening in the city of Glen- dale, California, this design was originated by part owner Paul Bushnell, and ‘‘refined and expanded upon’ by Campo. The three runs, which vary in length and shape, will each empty into bowls of between 20-30-feet in diam- eter and 5-8-feet in depth. The 25 x 58-foot freestyle sec- tion has approximately six feet of bank on two sides. According to another partner, Mrs. Loreen Whitney, the safety aspect of the park has been well considered, with full safety gear mandatory, and ‘“‘safety and behavior codes’’ enforced. ‘‘They are designed,’’ says Mrs.
77
SIKATE PARKS:
Whitney, ‘‘for the protection of the skater, and for the con- sideration of fellow skateboarders.’’ As with the Alameda park, a $3 membership will be required.
THE CONCRETE CURL SKATEBOARD PARK. Planned by Hedlund & Co., this Denver park is scheduled for completion by this printing, making it the first custom skate environment to be erected in the state of Colorado. According to Walter Frank, general manager, the two- acre design will feature freestyle areas, moguls, serpen- tine runs, mazes, a half-pipe, and a 120-foot slalom and 18-foot bowl for ‘‘advanced skaters” and ‘‘feature events.” Says Frank: ‘The Curl will offer skateboarders maximum safety and an atmosphere comparable to the competitive leagues and playing fields of other sports.” Of course, in keeping with that theme, complete safety equipment will be required here as well.
I
—_—
Wenizle Rumi, Bi ceReshily pegetetne an laces edge commitment at Skateboard World—Torrance, California. Fa the pre- carious unweighted feet in shot #3. Photos: Bolster.
78
EASTERN SKATEBOARD PARK. Located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, this asphalt park covers 1,200 square yards, with contours to accommodate all levels of ability. Reportedly, wrist braces, as well as standard protective gear, must be worn on the course. Said Gary Mullen, the 26-year-old Owner-operator of the park, in mid-June: “We've had more than 2,000 hours of riding here with only two minor injuries ... You can reach some pretty good speeds here, so you have to have them (safety equipment) on.’’ Mullen, a skateboarder himself, has re- ceived considerable good will since the park opened, not only from the approximately 1,000 local skaters, but from the city’s police, who now spend less time chasing those same skaters off streets and playgrounds. ‘‘Some of the Carlisle Police have come up to me and shook my hand since we opened,’’ he explains. What’s more, Mullen may, in fact, have set a trend for the state, for, as various reports have done it, there are new parks now planned for both York and Downington.
FREE FLIGHT SKATEPARK #1. Another Campo Construction effort, this Carrollton, Texas, project will be the first for Texas Skateparks, Inc. of Dallas. Besides the aforementioned large, banked freestyle area, within the over 50,000 square feet of concrete will be: a 340-foot snake run with two bowls; a 220-foot slalom ending in a “tear drop bowl’; a 12-foot-deep “drop bowl,’’ reportedly
“ , a 1
an outgrowth of the late Fruit Bowl; and a ‘‘22-foot-wide ‘half-pipe line’ that is 11-foot deep.’’ A $3 membership will be required, and skaters will pay an hourly admission rate, rather than according to sessions.
GLENDORA PIPELINE SKATEPARK. In the East San Gabriel Valley of Southern California, will be a new park designed by Woody Dike, whose background includes Skatepark Montebello. Skater Mark McIntosh consulted on the runs, which range from a beginner's course of 120 feet, to an expert’s run of well over 200 feet. Also among the six runs and 28,000 square feet of skateable terrain will be an over-400-foot slalom, and a 170-foot ‘‘ditch run” with 13-foot walls and five feet of vertical. Owners Larry Stanfield, Dennis Stockhousen and Jose Echevarria have chosen to surface the entire skating area in shot- crete, ‘‘and balance it perfectly with a great amount of
landscaping.”’ Full safety gear will be required, as well as a “‘lifetime membership”’ of $4.
MIDCITY SKATEBOARD PARK. This Grand Prairie, Texas, facility was developed by Texas Amusement Parks, Inc., from a design which local skater Bob Moore produced after visiting California parks. Despite the chipped and cracked gunite surface, already revealing many patches, the layout offers a good cross between the Concrete Wave and Carlsbad, with a freestyle area, four runs, and four bowls of 4-7-foot in depth. Interestingly, the back run ends in a mound and 70-degree wall, great for kickturn practice. Although only half of the 2-acre site is surfaced for skating, there is another five acres behind the park, reportedly earmarked for expansion. Once more, protective gear must be worn in the park.
SKATEPARK SOQUEL. Santa Cruz local Chris Corey reports of a new 3.2-acre park scheduled for a late sum- mer Opening in nearby Soquel. Owned by Ed Da Rosa, of Backyard Park fame, and Stephen Houts, the facility will consist of two asphalt-covered runs in an aesthetically landscaped setting. Along with the use of conventional safety measures, the owners are planning to secure spe- cial metal rings over the runs at night to prevent illegal, and otherwise unsafe, riding.
SUPER SURF. Vineland, New Jersey, is the home of this new $140,000 park (excluding property) developed
79
SKATE PARKS:
The Paved Wave—Ocean City, New Jersey. Photo: Jim Hyers
Rodney Jesse, skateboarding at Skatopia. Photo: Tom Sims.
The superbly precise Stacy Peralta, freewheeling in the Pipeline’s awesome 15-foot bowl. ;
Smooth contours are conducive to smooth Moves. Local Tom Graham, off the lip at Fountain Valley Skateboard Park. Photo: Motil. ;
by Skateboard Associates, Inc., also of that city. Con- structed by Miles Construction Co., and engineered by Meridian Associates, this 2%-acre facility contains a banked freestyle area and a good combination of runs and bowls. The ‘‘main run,’’ for instance, in one section drops a considerable ‘‘20 feet within 200 feet.”” The two 100-foot ‘‘slalom runs’’ offer different degrees of diffi- culty, as do the two bowls. One such “‘pool’’ drops 12 feet and has a circumference of 50 feet, while the other has a circumference of 40 feet and is ‘‘open mouthed”’ at one end. According to Thomas K.J. Tuso, President of Skateboard Associates, the park was surfaced using an ‘$80,000 concrete truck which mixes the concrete right on the job. . . they can adjust the amount of water, sand
Ellen Oneal carving Skateboard World. Photo: Motil.
stone or cement to make the mix exactly what they want
. for the particular climate condition where the cement is
being poured.’’ Thus, Super Surf reportedly maintains an unusually smooth, uniform finish on all sections of the park.
SURF’S UP SKATEPARK. On June 25th, Ed Repphun opened Ohio's first skateboard park, on a small site in the city of Warren. The design provides a freestyle area and a 36 x 40-foot bowl with 4-foot walls.” Adds Ed, ‘'It’s a start for us.”’
TEXAS PIPELINE. This park is named for the pre- viously mentioned 20 x 40-foot pipe planned for the 3.3- acre site in Houston. A very substantial 2.5 acres is ac- tually devoted to skating, with three freestyle areas, nine runs, and nine bowls also included in the layout. Again, says Karen Mackay: ‘‘Our bowls range from a beginner's bowl at 6 feet, to intermediate bowls 8, 10, and 12 feet, advanced bowls at 14 and 16 feet, (and) a super pro-bowl at 20 feet with 10 feet of vertical.” Furthermore, all the “large bowls”’ will have coping to complement the par- tially vertical walls. A September 15th opening is in the works.
U.S.A. SKATEBOARD. This Irving, Texas park, already mentioned, bears the Paved Wave trademark—a main run down asmall hill (in this case, 18-19 foot high) into a large curve and, then, into smaller banks. Although the design includes a freestyle area, a beginner’s slalom, and a 7- foot-deep figure-'‘8” bowl, skate patroller Mike Hines
SKATE PARKS:
“Today’s skateparks are the testing grounds for tomorrow’s skating.’’ Shogo Kubo... extreme tail-tap at Skateboard World. Photo: Motil.
82
states that ‘‘90% of the skating is on the main run.”’ Be- cause of Texas’ hot summer weather, with average highs in the mid-90’s, the park doesn’t come alive until after dark, when the number of riders jumps from 10 to be- tween 30-40. ‘‘Everybody just kind of hibernates during the day,” says Mike. (Hint to park developers, especially in the South and Southeast: don’t open without night lights!)
GENERAL PARK INFO: The ‘‘SkaterCross skateboard championship-Summer Series,” having been held at Reseda every Wednesday since June 29, will culminate in a major contest sometime in mid-September. Trophies and prizes have been awarded in the amateur classes,
ce Lt — Opening day at mellow ‘‘Rock Park,” Colchester, Connecticut. Photo: Pete Pan.
while 50% of the Pro entry fees have been going directly back to the Pro winners. Says Reseda’s Lou Peralta, the competition ‘‘is sanctioned by ASCRA (American Skater- Cross Racing Association). Its sole purpose is to promote ‘the Sport of the Future’ and to make available to all skate- boarders of all ages and expertise, the opportunity to compete against others in their own class and according to their same skills.”” . . . Skatepark Systems International, Inc. is putting out a brochure called ‘‘The Waverider,” which they refer to as ‘‘a definitive guide to the estab- lishment of “‘maximum safety’ parks. . ..’” See upcoming ads for further information ... Skatepark Publications, out of San Diego, announces the following: ‘‘December 9 and 10, 1977 have been set as the dates for the 1978 Skatepark Conference’’ to be held at the Town and Coun- try Hotel in San Diego, California.’’ All interested parties should contact Skatepark Publications (P.O. Box 1858, La Jolla, CA. 92038.
HELP US KEEP ABREAST. In the past, SKATE- BOARDER has spent many long hours tracking down ru- mors of new parks. Now, with the phenomenal growth of the skatepark industry, it is all but impossible to stay ahead of the game. Therefore, if you have a new park or one nearing completion, we would appreciate the follow- ing information: (a) name of park, address and phone number; (b) the concept or goal (other than monetary); (c) a physical description (size, runs, surfacing, etc).; (d) operating procedures (hours, admission rates, etc.); (e) safety measures; and (f) any other unique or noteworthy facts about the park itself or the people involved. See page 8 for information on photographic contributions . . . and we’ll keep you hangin’ in there. @&
Nee one eR Ona : 4 y
Young ripster, Eric Dressen, Gerais
where he’s at. . . one-wheeling@ear tnerte of Skateboard World’s half-pipe. Photo: Motil.
“Stacy, eae all the skaters on the team; ac- ; tually, skate very well and have a very healthy attitude toward representing the “sport and
¥ ie! helping the kids around them. ae Hele
WV al ISdad:
© aS
ell, Photo courtesy of Pepsi.
by Brian Gillogly
“Any sport really needs big, out- side sponsors. The manufacturers in skateboarding already have their demand, and they can’t pump up their supply fast enough to meet it. They don’t have to promote. But ev- ery sport needs promotion from somewhere, and Pepsi's really done the best for skateboarding here in America.”
—Russ Howell
Not since the days of the original Hobie Team in the mid-sixties—if, in fact, then—has there been a more ambitious promotion program for skateboarding as that which was launched last April in the greater L.A. area under the sponsorship of the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Los Angeles. In the last few years, teams representing G&S, Hobie, Power Paw, Bahne and a few others, respectively, may have each covered more actual mileage pushing their products from West to East Coast and beyond. But with the Pepsi Team’s record of over 170 exhibitions at public schools (pre- dominately junior highs), ranging from 30 minutes to an hour in length, plus more than 20 major demos at car shows, shopping malls, fairs, etc., there’s really no comparison.
And yet—despite the fact that the favorable response to the team, and the resulting increased de- mand for its services, is presently causing its expansion from ten to forty members, and the formation soon of an East Coast counter- part—the real difference between this and any other team, past or present , lies somewhere else. It has to do with the conspicuous ab- sence of any direct product promo- tion, for nowhere in the Pepsi skating program are team riders re- quired to praise the soft drink , or even sample it (most of them sur- veyed, in fact, prefer “Mountain Dew” over the parent product). And neither are they encouraged to ride any particular board, wheel, or truck; although the company which organized and administers the team, Imperial Century (out of San Diego), is also responsible for Cali- fornia Rainbow Skateboards. For if the Pepsi Team could be said to be
“Not surprisingly, ramp riding is always the highlight of Pepsi's major demos.” Paul Hoff- man. Photo: Jim Cassimus.
THE PEPSI TEAM:
“These are the guys they see in the maga- zines, and they finally get to meet them and get to see some skills that they thought would never be possible before.’’ Russ, amazing spectators at the Orange County Fair. Photo: Jim Cassimus.
“I’ve learned a good 10-15 tricks just being
onthe team. . . it’s a good experience. ’’ Gor- r die Lienemann, bunnyhopping. Photo: Jim
Cassimus.
pit REC tne?
a - . ot rhe id i f tite _ vary ae v: mt pare i ES ROL Vat EST erent LK
Lpee es
s
86
i
“selling’’ anything, it would have to be identified simply as a healthy at- titude toward skating—which, at a time when federal, and, in some cases, local government, is threat- ening to crack down on our some- times reckless sport—must be considered the most valuable com- modity they could possibly offer. “‘We got interested in skate-
boarding upon seeing the potential of the sport. It’s moved out of the fad stage to where we are now, where the state of the art, and the business, has clearly made it part of growing up, rather than just a tem- porary phenomenon.”
—Jim Davie
(Director of Marketing,
Pepsi, LA)
In the Fall of 1976, Pepsi-Cola In- ternational (headquartered in New York) began showing on national television a 30-second commercial which was filmed entirely at Carls- bad Skatepark. That commercial
and asubsequent Pepsi, L.A.,cam- §
paign which offered a discounted skateboard as a premium item, generated such positive feedback in Southern California, that Jim Davie, in charge of promotion for the L.A. branch, decided that he wanted to somehow continue that identification with the sport. ‘From an age standpoint,” Jim recently explained, ‘‘these are the Pepsi Generation, and we want them to think favorably of us.”’
Last winter, Jim began meeting with John Baron of Imperial Cen- tury/Rainbow Skateboards—which had supplied Pepsi, L.A., with the premium board—to discuss al- ternatives for skateboard promo- tion. From within those meetings eventually came a proposal from John for a skateboard team which would put on assemblies at junior high schools, stressing safe skate- boarding above all else. As both parties agreed, such a program would not only bolster Pepsi’s good identification with youth sports lo- cally (soccer, flag football, and bas- ketball), but would perform a very useful educational service among the peak skateboarding age group. Thus, John and associates Dave Ohlson and Bill Andrews, set about developing a suitable program and
Lonnie Toft, helping to turn the audience's conception of the sport upside-down. Photo: Jim Cassimus.
‘eu apts ‘ “ ighakts ae wee Kyas,: a a ge ya
88
THE PEPSI TEAM:
Gordie, making ‘‘new friends.” (‘Whenever they go on campus, they're treated like rock —John Baron.) Photo cour-
and roll stars. ..’’ tesy of Pepsi.
.
wn PY, a5: CLE
Re ? KK
te
script, and fielding a team.
In March, at Center Jr. High in Torrance, a prototype demon- stration was held, and the Pepsi Skateboard Safety Team was born. Stacy Peralta and Russ Howell— both of whom had experience with similar exhibitions while on tour in Australia a year and a half before— made recommendations for team members. Paul Hoffman, Gregg Ayres, and a few other more ob- vious choices, also helped in the basic selection of the original 11- man team which emerged from that first demonstration. Curiously enough, as Paul explains, that was their ‘“‘best school demo”’ to date. ‘‘We got swamped by the kids afterward!”
That first assembly, in fact, con- firmed expectations and set a tone for what was to come. As John re- calls it: ‘‘The response from the principal and from the other inst- ructors there, was that they’ve never had an assembly before where they had total concentration of the student body for 40 min- utes.’’ Based on that initial suc- cess, all the junior highs in the Pepsi, L.A., marketing area (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties) were contacted for their own exhibitions, and the rest is history. ‘Out of 170 schools,” says John, ‘168 gave us nothing but praises and asked us to come again... because the safety message got across.”
“One of the skits we do is the ‘Crazy Skater vs. the Safe Skater.’ It starts out:
“lL et’s go Skating.’
‘““Naw, wait—let me get my safety equipment.’
““You're not going to wear safety equipment, are you?’
““Yeah, man. Safety equipment's happening!’
“ “But you'll look like anurd!.. .
—Gordie Lienemann (Pepsi Team member)
Gordie’s interpretation of the team’s favorite safety skit is charac- teristically personal. In all in- stances, however, the ‘‘unsafe skater’ is eventually run down by a car (in Paul Hoffman’s version, it’s a Turbo Carrera), represented by a third skater. Another team member “For if the Pepsi Team could be said to be ‘selling’ anything, it would have to be identi- fied simply as a healthy attitude toward skat-
ing..." Russ Howell treating spectators to a six-pack. Photo: Jim Cassimus.
”
THE PEPSI TEAM:
Lonnie Toft. ‘‘The general opinion of the prin- cipals is that it’s the best program they've ever had in their schools. The kids are defi- nitely turned on to it because the majority of them can relate to it.”—Jim Davie. Photo courtesy of Pepsi.
90
provides the ‘‘necessary audio ef- fects” over the microphone, and everybody has a good laugh.
Other such allegorical skits, likewise developed by Dave Oh- Ison, point out the hazard of riding in restricted pools, in the street, and too close to pedestrians. They’re all meant to convey a posi- tive attitude toward skateboarding; and, to varying degrees, they all work. The team members take turns acting out the different parts; they have fun with them, ad lib a lot, but always get the point across.
Jim Davie does not discount the simple effectiveness of the pro- gram’s approach, from the intro- duction and discussion of historical background, to the safety skits; and, lastly, to the ever-popular free- style routines set to music. How- ever, he is inclined to give ‘“‘particu- lar credit’ to the team members themselves:
“They've come a long way in be- coming spokesmen for Pepsi and safety,” says Jim. ‘‘They’ve gotten a lot of professionalism into their act. Interspersed with humor and commentary, the basic narration has been very good.”
John Baron also recognizes a sense of maturity which has devel- oped among the group in dealing with the ‘‘responsibility of repre- senting a very large, legitimate cor- poration.”’ Part of that change is the confidence which the team has found in speaking and performing before an audience. Even when there have been only two or three members putting on a full demo (as is the case with small assemblies), they have been known to almost fight over the microphone. ‘‘No- body could talk at the beginning,” explains Paul Hoffman. “But now everybody would almost rather talk than skate.”
John Baron sometimes wonders ifhe’s actually helped create a bunch of ‘‘stage monsters,”’ though successful ones. Most of the team agrees on that thought, pointing to Waldo Autry as the prime example.
“Waldo tells all his ‘war stories,’” says Paul. ‘‘We almost have to stop him sometimes, and grab the mike. He tells about his Signal Hill expe- riences, his handstand down a hill
“These are the Pepsi Generation, and we want them to think favorably of us.” Russ, capturing the attention of several gener- ations. Photo: Jim Cassimus.
92
THE PEPSI TEAM:
in Colorado, and his beer drinking stories. Then he gives his drug seminar: ‘You don’t have to take drugs—you can always go out and spin 360’s.’”
And yet, Paul would have to con- cede, as does Gregg Ayres: ‘‘Tex’ (Waldo) is sometimes the best guy on the microphone for the team. He always keeps their attention.”’
But perhaps the most remark- able aspect of the program is that at any one school demo, the young audience is able to wait the usual 15 minutes before they get to see any real skating. Not only are they in the presence of some of the most renowned skaters in the world (aside from the aforementioned members, they include Jerry Val- dez, Allen Scott, Marc Smith, and Ed Nadalin); but the word’s out that, as a direct consequence of being on the team, their skating has been getting even better.
Says Gregg Ayres: “‘It keeps you in really good practice to skate with a bunch of the best guys almost ev- ery day. A few times a day some- times.’’ Or as Gordie Lienemann explains it: ‘“We’re getting a lot bet- ter ... exchanging ideas, copying each other’s tricks.’’ What’s more, that improvement is not confined to freestyle.
“They have what is probably the best ramp I’ve ever seen. It’s a port- able ramp that folds up and is easily transported. And when you get it down, it’s like a 20’ half pipe. All the guys on the team get three wheels out... it’s just a casual thing.”
—Russ Howell
Starting late in April for major ex- hibitions, the Pepsi Team began us- ing one of the most unique portable ramps ever conceived. Designed by John Baron and Neil Graham, the wood base and plexiglass arms form a half pipe large enough to ac- commodate some amazing riding. In fact, with the notable exception of Bob Biniak and Doug Schneider, within its ranks, the team can boast of the best pipe skaters around. Gregg Ayres is unbelievably versa- tile. Waldo’s rollbacks are definitely in a class of their own. And Stacy Peralta is reputed to have wired a full 360 on the uppermost edge of the plexiglass. Not surprisingly, ramp riding is always the highlight of Pepsi’s major demos.
John Baron says he'd like to take fuller advantage of the team’s bank
riding abilities, especially when, and if, the demos become included in football and basketball half time shows, and baseball pre-game ac- tivities. Such a possibility is highly conceivable, considering the wide exposure the safety demos will be receiving in the coming year. Not only has the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Rhode Island (a 12- state conglomerate) signed with Imperial Century for a similar program, but a number of other branches are reportedly also inte- rested. Furthermore, in the near fu- ture, representatives of the team will be visiting Pepsi bottlers in Ger- many, France, and England, toward possibly internationalizing the scope of the program.
“There’s an admiration toward the skaters on the team (from their peers). Everybody wants to be on iia —Paul Hoffman
As of this writing—at skate parks in the L.A./Orange County area— John Baron and Dave Ohlson are holding tryouts for an expanded team (reportedly, young Paul Hack- ett has already been selected). In- asmuch as other Pepsi Teams will be formed throughout the U.S. be- fore the end of the year, John sug- gests that ‘‘any skater who is hot in freestyle and has a good public ap- pearance,’’ contact Imperial Cen- tury for the dates and locations of upcoming auditions (address: 9455 Cabot Drive, San Diego, CA 92126, phone: 714-566-4500).
Other non-skateboard com- panies interested in backing safety programs should also feel free to contact Imperial Century. ‘‘We’re trying to promote skating and the sponsor’s public image,’’ says John, ‘“‘and not any specific prod- ucts.”
Considering the enormous good will which has accrued to Pepsi, L.A., as a result of their sponsor- ship of the L.A. area program, this may only be a sign of many such safety/demonstration teams to come; and, as a result, brighter fu- ture ahead for the sport.
“They have what is probably the best ramp I’ve ever seen.” Pepsi was the first to in- troduce a portable half-pipe to safety dem- onstrations, especially significant in that it employed plexiglass to provide the audience with a clear view. Photo: Bob Remo.
=
; typ Juh ae FATTY
; ¥ a2 SEE on eter eS Stylish lip carve at Skatepark Montebello. Photo: Ray Allen.
“| just skate.”’ Lip glide at El Cajon. Photo: Ray Allen.
“1 think the most radical thing you can do is no-wheelers.’”’ Photos: Bolster.
PAUL HACKETT
14 years old, rides for Team Malibu
A visit or two to just about any skate- park these days will tell you that the sport is breeding a phenomenal number of wonder kids. Moves that were almost un- heard of even a year ago are now SO e€as- ily mastered by the under-sixteen elite, that it appears that, especially on the ver- ticals, these are the prime years.
And so it also seems that any one young skater in 1977, must possess ex- traordinary ability and style to merit close attention from the skate media. Without exaggeration, Malibu’s Paul Hackett more than fits that bill.
Paul is figuratively and literally follow- ing in the tracks of some of the greats of contemporary skating. His early forma- tive years spent riding hills and school yards in the Malibu-Pacific Palisades- Santa Monica area, he has long profited from direct exposure to the uninhibited Alva-Adams approach. In the “Cadillac days,”’ he and his older brother, by two years, David—very much an Alvaesque skater himself—spent many long ses- sions at local hot spots, Bellagio, Kenter and Revere, just riding with ‘‘the boys.”
And more recently, together with the rest of Team Malibu, Paul has been known to show up at Skatopia or Upland, and purposely take his runs following
directly behind a Biniak or an Alva, some- how studying that skater’s line, some- times matching it in his own smooth, surfy style. Although he is admittedly out there “to have fun,’’ he finds that to be entirely consistent with learning, a trait which his coach and manager, Ray Allen, regards as responsible for Paul’s quick progress. “He's definitely a thinker,’’ says Ray. Aside from Paul’s easy tail-tappers and one-wheelers, that maturity is reflected in his freestyle, where he does a little bit of everything—from 360’s, to wheelies, to slides—and does it well. Of course, being a frequent park rider, Paul prefers banks, bowls and pipes, but Ray—looking after Paul's best interests—continues to orient him more and more toward the freestyle discipline. ‘| know that if they're going to pick up a big sponsor,’’ Ray explains, “they'll have to be able to skate where there aren’t any banks or bowls.”’ Interestingly enough, a few days after Ray made that statement, Paul became one of the first new members of the ex-
fidence and discipline not to push it too far.""—Ray Allen. Paul, defining the possi- bilities at Reseda SkaterCross. Photo: Ray Allen.
panded Pepsi Team-Los Angeles. He'll be touring with the team, teaching safety and, undoubtedly, learning from such no- table fellow members as Stacy Peralta, Gregg Ayres and Waldo. Ray will con- tinue to direct his progress in all areas, including slalom (Paul has been cleaning up at local park competition recently) and riding with the revolutionary “Suspenders.”
“I've only been using them for a few months now,’’ says Paul. ‘‘Right now, it’s only a sideline. It takes a lot of training. But sometimes | like to put them on and go wild. Like flying off one ramp and land- ing on another. Or, in bank riding, instead of doing a kick turn, just going up and doing a 180 in the air and coming back down.”
As for the question of future goals, Paul has much less to say. ‘Goals? ... Not really. . . | just skate.”
At this point in his life, and considering the width and depth of his ability, that
seems quite enough. BRIAN GILLOGLY
Tunnel conforming in the Pipeline. Photo: Bolster.
DARREN HO
16 years old, rides for Town and Country/Z-Flex
A Hawaiian sizzler has just blitzed the mainland for his first time. As Jay says: “He's the hottest guy | have ever seen from Hawaii; he’s blown a lot of minds around here. On his first day out—he to- tally ripped!’ Darren is also a young in- dividual who goes to church every Sunday, and has accomplished the diffi- cult union of diverse metaphysical planes.
Jay, Shogo and Jim Muir greeted Dar- ren’s plane with a Dogtown-style howzit: shredding down the escalators, skating through the passengers, and causing general skate havoc throughout the bag- gage claim area. Darren's only com- ment: “This is really different, | know | am going to have to adjust.”
Two years ago, Roy Jamieson first in- itiated Darren to radical skating at an is- land pool. He was stoked, and started skating on a Z-Flex with Bennetts and Road Rider Two's. His quiver now in- cludes a 30’ Z-Flex equipped with Half Tracks and Tunnel Rocks; a setup re- served exclusively for bowls and pools. For freestyle he uses a newer, updated version of his original 27’ Z-Flex board.
Because of his adeptness in vertical terrain—and his Kung Fu experience— Darren's mainland friends have named him ‘‘Tilehopper.’’ Some of his new friends include Gregg Weaver and Wally Inouye; he was impressed with their mel- low attitudes and devastating capabili- ties.
‘| take Darren skating with me for two reasons; first, he rips! Second; he’s the only guy who keeps Jay under complete control.’’—Paul Constantineau.
At home, Darren skates Aala Park and Wallos. He was able to make a trip to the Arizona pipes with Tony, Shogo, David Hackett, and da boys: this was the high- light of his mainland skate expeditions. When asked about commercial areas, he said that his favorite spot is Buena Park: “the half pipe is perfect for ‘tail-tappers’ and ‘lip slides.’’’ He also enjoys warming up in the baby poo! with insane vertical reentries.
é
Wentzle Paul Ruml IV: “‘/’ve seen Darren getting better at skating in Hawaii, and after six weeks of Dog- town energy, there will be no stopping him now!”
When asked about the Dogtown in- fluence, he explains that “it’s so hard to describe; | guess it is all a matter of energy. For so long | held back in re- serve and tried to conserve my energy; now | see things differently. It is not a matter of conserving it—it is a matter of getting it loose. It's hard to hold back when those guys are urging me on; | am going to bring this attitude alive in the is- lands, and push my friends to the max; it is definitely an experience that | want to share. | don’t like to shine anybody on; after all, the experience is constant; it’s only limited by your anticipation.”
As for the lip regarding the Down Southers and the Dogtown crew, Darren says, ‘it is getting a little out of hand; there is no need for threats and no room for empty violence; after all, it is only skating; it is fun, and it is always a gas!”