Blackliga Ack The Doctor BRAND-X
VERTICAL RISK
Dr. Rick
Blackhart
I have a major problem, and I could use
your opinion. A little while ago me and
some other guys were skating my quarter
pipe. Well, I started my run and pulled off a
backside air. But my attention wasn't totally
focused on what I was doing, and I landed
in a real bizarre way and fell and broke my
arm. I was taken to the hospital where I
found out I really busted myself up good.
They took me into surgery and put my arm
back together with a bunch of metal plates
and screws.
I've been in a cast now for six weeks (by
the way, this arm hasn't stopped my skat-
ing, I've been skating harder than ever).
But anyway, the doctors told me that I
shouldn't skate for a year, 'cause if I fall on
my arm again I'll really be in trouble.
So here's my question, Should I play it
safe and wait a year, (and go insane from
lack of vertical) or should I just skate and
take the risk?!
Craig Mueller
Seattle, WA
Hey, I would definitely not suggest
your risk the use of your arm. If the
coach says you're out for the season
you're out! At least stay off the vertical
for a while.
There's nothing worse than watching
somebody reinjure themselves skating.
I've seen some of the worst beefs be-
fore, you wouldn't believe. At Winches-
ter a friend of mine, Brian Buck (one of
the Buck brothers) and I were skating
the pool. A few days earlier he had
thrown his shoulder out, anyway, all of a
sudden he comes running out of the
pool towards me screaming with his
shoulder hanging down to his knees,
then he shrieks "quick yank on my
arm." I'm going "yeah right." It was
really sick, so I ran into the pro shop and
called a couple medics (get it). Anyway
if you can't handle not skating and are
worried about breaking your arm, cut it
off. Seriously, just be cool, so when it
does heal properly you'll be able to get
out and try to break it again. Paying
more attention to what you're doing
would probably help.
STICK WITH IT
The first two things I scan when I get
Thrasher are 'Mail Drop' and 'Ask the Doc-
tor I'm writing for a couple of reasons: 1) I
was in April 84's Mail Drop under the head-
ing Yer Bluffin' and yes, I was bluffin'. Mar-
tin's quarter pipe did not 5'4" of vert like I
said...could you imagine skating such a
wall only 8' wide?! His Mom and Dad made
him take it down (sad). 2) This is the most
important question I have to bother you
with: what board would be the best as far as
control and stability for me in your opinion?
I'm 6'3" tall and I weight about 175
pounds. Right now I skate a SC R/SC with
169 II's and a street juice O.J.'s. There's no
good ramps around here so we mainly
skate street, but I'm going to Santa Barbara
to finish high school next year. I know
there's some thrashable hot spots there
and most likely I'll be skating ramps. 3)
When I skate ramps should I just stick with
my O.J.'s or get some ramp wheels, and
what kind should I get? Please print this,
because I know there's some more skaters.
around who would like the same things
answered. Thanks for the diagnosis, Doc,
and keep slammin' or start jammin'.
James D. Fennel
a.k.a. "The Mod Marauder
Red Bluff, CA
Too bad about the ramp, oh well. As
far as a stable board goes, I'd say the
board you have is just fine. The SC R/SC
is about as stable as any other. Your
trucks are where your main stability fac-
tor is found. Indy 169 MFW's or Tracker
Sixes, etc. are all fine choices. As far as
wheels go, I'd shop around. Here again
this is a case of an individual having to
choose for him or herself. I can't tell you
what to ride because I'm not you.
SNAKE TO SKATE
I'm 12 and I've been skating for about
five months now. So far I've had about five
minutes experience on a ramp. I can't skate
a ramp at all, but I'd like to learn. Every time
I'm at a ramp the guys that are good skat-
ers dominate it. How should I approach this
problem.
Jeff
San Francisco, CA
I know, I know. This has always been a
problem for underexperienced skaters.
It's just a fact that when there's a heavy
session going on, you've got to pull
your own weight or you might as well
just sit back and watch. Now this
doesn't mean you can't skate just hang
tough and wait until they get burnt out,
then snake a few runs, if you're not quite
quick enough for this I would suggest
you try to skate the ramp at different
times. Like dinner time is good, or
maybe four in the morning. I know this
probably seems like a lot of trouble, but,
if you want to skate no effort is too
much. I also don't like to have to com-
pete just to skate. Another almost sure
way of avoiding skate crowds is the old
Coleman lanterns at night technique.
When you want to skate, you do what
you can.
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