loading dock down the street." We looked at
each other, said "Later baters," then pushed
off in search of a "real" skate spot. Not five
minutes away from the clueless kids we
found an eight-story spiral parking structure
that was God's gift, an out-of-town oasis. We
spent three hours careening, grinding and
racing through that place.
Open your eyes. Wake up and smell the
concrete. Sniff out every possible skate spot
you can when you can. Don't be a lazy skater.
Get on it and join the hunt. In addition to tell-
tale signs like dams, ditches, pump houses,
pool fences, palm trees, pool slides, siphon
hoses and skate stickers, any downhill
pavement (bike trails, parking lots, etc.).
should be checked. Dry creek beds are
usually suspect. Look for other skaters. Stop.
and ask 'em if they know of a spot to skate
and, if they're any type of bro, they'll let you
in on the "known" terrain, if not their own.
secret bowls. Just because you wouldn't tell
them about your secret spots doesn't mean
they won't tell you about theirs.
Another way is to get a topographic map
of your area. These show the drainage.
patterns, contours, spillways, and sometimes
even old swimming pools and reservoirs. Ask
your librarian.
Check the public parks in your area. Many
parks have some skateable terrain. If you are
willing to put some time in you can find a
skate spot. Sadlands is a planter in the
middle of Moon Park, and it has been
skatable for years. Derby Park, the Dish and
Benecia are all skateable and open to the
public, free! Also, remember schoolyards. D.
Hilton, T. Alva, T. Johnson, S. Peralta, J.
Adams and James Muir all used to work out
at the schoolyards. Of course, West L.A.
happens to have some of the best banked
school asphalt in the world, but someone had
to find 'em and skate 'em. Has anybody even
bothered to look at the rest of the schoolyards
in the country?
When you're travelling into uncharted.
skate territory, you never know what's around
that next bend, under that bridge or up that
trail. Always keep an eye peeled.
One thing that might slow you down is
"lack of transpo." Check your local transit
system for times, schedules and prices.
Buses are slow, but you get a great view over
fences and into backyards while en route.
If you're lucky, you might even find your
own spot, be the first to skate it and then
name the spot. If this does happen, you are
responsible for the destiny of your place! By
telling only your tight skate bro's and by
leaving no graffiti on the walls you could
preserve your spot for years of thrashin'. The
only way to find out if a spot is dry, empty
and skateable is to get off your ass and start
looking for 'em.
Note 1: Certain restrictions and laws may prohibit you
from skating in some spots. Skating in these areas can
be punishable by fines and/or incarceration.
THRASHER Magazine does not promote the breaking
of these laws.
Note 2: The law is a little easier to talk out of a possible
ticket or into letting you skate a spot if you get your
parents' support. So, in closing, hang tight with your
parents, and they'll hang tight with you!
Opposite Page: Another
wall in Venice that's sessioned
more than many known spots and by
much heavier dudes. George Wilson. Photo: Katz.
This Page: Gone but not forgotten.
Top: Sludge Bowl's nice curves now rest in peace
under dirt fill. Photo: B.K. Bottom: Nor Cal legend
Bombora (round pipe on left) was heavily sessioned
by Blackhart, Waldo Autry, Rod Saunders, Kiwi,
Buck Bros, et al, until it was "landfilled" to its
present state as a run-off under a freeway. Photo: K.T.
ULTRYC
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