Blackhart
Ask the Doctor
Skating doesn't hurt a pool, as a general rule.
REAL TERM
I can't stand it when someone labels.
some one who skates by, saying "He's not
a real 'skater'
Because you are the doctor maybe your
thoughts to this term.
Warmly
Jase
The terms "Real Skater" was coined by
someone unknown to me. Used in rela-
tion to the difference between a skater
who skates constantly, without regard
for any other social way of life, and a
skater who skates occasionally just for
the mere excitement of it. The latter of
the two not to be confused with some-
one who doesn't enjoy skating at all.
That's just the way the phrase came
about. Anyone who skates is a real ska-
ter.
ONE FOR THE MASSES
WHAT'S THE DIFF
So tell me, what's the difference between
ramp skating and pool skating?
Rich Hill
Nazareth, PA
If you had a perfect pool and a good
ramp you wouldn't have to ask. The dif-
ference is very extreme. Skating a good
pool almost has an aura about it. Just
the way everything sounds is different.
Every grind has a strange resonating
howl. On a ramp everything is open. The
smell of lumber, a hollow thumping
upon impact in contrast with the
hereditary slap of a pool.
Pools are unmoveably solid whereas
a ramp might have an occasional shud-
der when gyration is in progress. In a
good round pool you can carve long
lines grinding cope. Not so on a ramp.
There are uncountable differences be-
tween the two. I would much rather ride
a pool. Even with a sudden surge in
ramp building today, pools seem to be
more available than ever. Of course
California does have a supreme selec-
tion of pools, state wide. As a matter of
fact I went pool searching today right
here in Jo. Four out of five known pools
checked were found to be empty. Three
of which were heavily skatable. Ramps
on the other hand are great. I ride mine
whenever there's no pool. But seri-
ously, go out and ride both, then you'll
know.
SAVE THE POOLS
I've never written to you before, but I fi-
nally decided that this question is reasona
bly worthwhile. I don't know how many
times my mom has said something like.
"Gee, wouldn't it be nice if we had a pool in
this hot weather. "I always then say "Yeah,
and I'd empty it and skate it. She then
says, "Oh no, that might hurt the pool." (Re-
member, this is imaginary). Okay Rick.
does skating in a pool hurt it or mess it up?
John Trieber
West Bath, Maine
Well in some cases this might be true.
But over all it would depend on what
stage the pool was in. For example an
old run down pool with scummy water
(which would have to be drained of
course) would probably not be too
heavily damaged by skating, and it
probably wouldn't matter if it was. If the
pool is in swimmable condition and was
just going to be resurfaced or
sandblasted, it would be best to do so
after skating. Some handy tips on pre-
paring a pool for hard driving skate at-
tacks are as follows: #1-Most pools
have light fixture holes in the deep end
and other areas. Before skating find a
pie pan, plywood or something similar
and duct tape it over the light. This will
prevent the light from breaking and,
what's worse, possible truck hang-up.
Do the same thing with the drain. #2-
Check to see if the pool has removable
hand rails over the steps. Remove them.
Also, check for ceramic type steps,
these things will definitely crack after
repeated bashing. The surface itself re-
ally doesn't incur any damage from
skating. The main damage area in any
rippable pool is the coping. Without
truck protection the cope tends to get
slightly ground. Use coping devices
and there's virtually no destruction.
Mark Gonzalez-World Open Champion, Sponsored Streetstyle
Venture Trucks
P.O. Box 883942
San
Francisco, CA 94188-3942
VENTURE
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