20
Ask the
Doctor
Blackhart
with Rick Blackhart
BULLIED AND BUMMED
My friend and I were skateboarding in
an O.K. area. There weren't many people
around but there was a market, movie the-
aters and a lot of homes. We were going
to his house about a block away. I was trailing
him about 25-30 feet when all of the sudden
a tall long-blond haired heavy metaller
approaches and another jumped out and
pushed him off his board. They took his
board and chased me, I got away. My
friends and I are 14 years old and we're
about 5' 2. Those guys must have been
about 6 and 18-19 years old. This whole
thing happened in about 15 or 20 seconds,
how can I cope with this and protect my-
self? I haven't gone skateboarding since
this happened.
R.R.
Sherman Oaks, CA
This seems to be turning into a very
common and widespread problem.
skates being ripped at threat of bodily
damage. In other words, "Gimme your
board or I kick your ass." Several letters
and numerous tales have come to my
attention. Just what to advise is another
story. Maybe if you learn to skate better
you can get away quicker when a skate
attack becomes apparent. Or, try to
avoid those areas of town where known
scum tend to hang out. Of course,
there's the old Boy Scout promoted ren-
dition of the buddy system. Skate with
friends and in a group. Bottom line is
there's only about three ways to deal
with this. You can run. You can eliminate
the possible theft interest by being with
several friends or you can fight back.
Unfortunately the best way to take on
the third part of these options is to be
big, tough, smart or any combo of the
three. Maybe these suggestions will
help, maybe they won't. At any rate it's
still going to be you and your skate
against the world, so just do you best
and keep skating.
THAT SINKING FEELING
I've got a big problem and maybe you
could help me out. You see, me and my
friends all built an unreal half-pipe (10 x
8' x 32') and now we don't have any place
to put it. My parents gave me an adequate
amount of space in my backyard, except
the ground is a bit uneven and a little on
the soft side (it's grass). Our halfpipe weighs
about 1,500 lbs. and I'm pretty sure it's
going to just sink into the ground after a
month or two (with some help from the rain).
I'm in need of some fast info on how I can
stabilize this ground as my parents are
getting very angry at having the four large
pieces of the ramp sitting in the center of
their yard, (we built the ramp so it can be
moved around more easily by coming apart
into four pieces). If you have any knowledge
or ideas they would be greatly appreciated.
Mark Fenton
LA, CA
Well, ideally you want to start with as
solid a surface as possible, but without
that securing the ramp is your next best
bet. Try setting cement pier blocks un-
iformly under the ramp according to the
soft areas. If those continue to sink,
keep blocking with wood on top of the
cement blocks and under the ramp. Sev-
eral cement and wood blocks will be
needed depending on how soft the
ground is.
Assuming you've written off the grass,
start fresh by dumping a few barrel loads
of gravel on the spot. Then level the
whole area. Start from the ground up or
you'll probably be constantly shimming
and shoring up your ramp. Good luck.
Dr. Rick posing with a smaller relative of an old
friend. Ameron pipe.
WHAT ARE MOMS FOR ANYWAY?
I was skating the other day and my mom
promised to take me to this skatepark. So
I came up to her wanting to go. Guess what
she said? No! I got pissed off and finally
she took me. When we get there I skate
on the halfpipe for a few minutes and she
comes up to me wanting to go home. She
dragged me home and said I never get to
go there anymore. What's the catch?
Mad "Cockroach
Dallas, TX
Did you ever stop to think that your
mom didn't find it too interesting to hang
out at the skatepark waiting for you to
either beef or get tired? I'll bet not. Try
to find some other way to get to the
park and maybe your mom will lay off.
DELUGE OF THE MONTH
O.K., obviously this knee pad re-cap
issue has gotten way out of hand. I'm
really stoked on how much attention it's
received, but enough is enough. Actu-
ally what I had in mind was more letters
about different aspects of skating, not
ten thousand variations on the same
theme. So keep the letters flowing but
no more re-cap reverb. I'm starting to
have nightmares about epoxy and sex-
bolts. Winners of the month will be
selected only when one is far and away
worthy of the title. Thanx Dudecicles.
Lame wardrobe? Fill the prescription
with a T-shirt ala Dr. Rick. Now available
over the counter for only $9.65 (postage
and handling included). Send check or
money order payable to THRASHER
MAGAZINE, Ask the Doc T., P.O. Box
884570, San Francisco, CA 94188-4570.
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