st
(Continued from previous page) Scottsdale, AZ, who looks
much like a skater, doesn't necessarily skate. Definite-
ly no style. The people that look the most like surfers
don't surf.
Rule Number Eight: Wannabe's have no style.
Tap into the flow of what you're riding and combine
It with yourself to develop your own style. Skating
hasn't been the same since it was copied inland, but you can overcome that. Be yourself.
I'll leave you with two scenarios. One involves a known, wannabe pro (never won anything
but his name is everywhere) riding a ramp. This geek (we'll call him M) cries and throws his
board because, even though he is doing twice as many tricks as anyone there, he can't make
a particular one. A surfskater present commands more respect by going faster and rolling
into basic frontside airs and grinds with a little style: his own style.
The second scenario occurs in some 14-foot pipes in the bowels of a desert city. Rob Roskopp
is skying frontsides, aiming for a mental mark. On a particularly high one he falls from the
top of the pipe onto his back. The crew rushes over in horror-it even looked painful. "Wheel-
ed it."" was all he said as he got up.
That's style.
It's not what you do, it's how you do it
you could just be riding to the liquor store and Loh
yeah, 9 out of 10 snowboarders have no style at all! And another thing
Skate cool,
Don Redondo
BELOW: Backyard pools provide
a skater with definite possibilities.
Tommy Guerrero takes it to a shallow
end Rip in Walnut Creek, CA.
Photo: Bryce Kanights.
RIGHT Craig
Johnson rocks out in
fine form at the
Anaheim finals
Photo: M.Fo
DRI
OUSHI
JOHNS
RIGHT CENTER: Self
expression produces style.
Steve Olson dances
with himself at the
Dish. S.F, CA.
Photo: Kevin Thatcher.
RIGHT: Tony Hawk takes to
the sky with overhead
contortion during
the Australian tour.
Photo: Kevin Thatcher