AND YOU THOUGHT YOU HAD IT BAD
Those of you who are shocked by the fact
that you can't set up a decent board these
days for under $100 should count your
blessings. Word from foreign counterparts in-
forms us that prices overseas are even more
sickening. Mr. Porter from Essex, England
reports that a standard deck set-up, including
shoes and pads, runs more than £230 ($380).
Anthony Turner from Sydney, Australia tells
stories of $100-125 decks, $40 trucks, $65 a
set of wheels, $80 a set of Rector Aggressors,
$30 skate t-shirts and $120 a pair for Vans.
That's a lot of lawns to mow.
MORE QUOTES
"The most interesting things being written
today could be found on the undersides of
California skateboards."
David Lee Roth
"You can buy fashion but you can't buy
style."
S. Stussy
IN THE NEWS
On the first day of school at Glen Rock
Jr. and Sr. Highs we were issued a folder
containing rules such as THOU SHALT NOT
smoke; possess, use or sell drugs or
alcohol; bring skateboards to school.
Although skateboards have their recrea-
tional uses they are also a means of
transportation, and a good one at that.
Because Glen Rock does not provide
transportation for students we must fend
for ourselves in the race to get to school on
time. Some of us live up to two miles away,
don't have bicycles and find skateboarding
a quick, safe and convenient way to get to
school. As you arrive on school property,
you pick up the board, walk into school and
place it in your locker. No looking for a space
at the bike rack, no fiddling with a lock and
wondering if your bike will be safe for one
more day. If you are running late you can
easily get a ride, unlike a bicycle. If it is
raining someone will offer you a ride if you
have a skateboard but bicyclists must pedal
on in the rain.
Upset by this ban, I wrote a petition which
was signed by 120 students. I forwarded a
copy to the superintendent and the prin-
cipals of both the Sr. and Jr. High Schools.
In the accompanying letter I offered to meet
with them with my committee and negotiate
some rules governing skateboard use.
Since their concern is liability, one rule we
suggest is that once the students cross onto
school property they will carry their boards.
My only response was from the super-
intendent who stated that the Police Depart-
ment recommended the ban. On Oct. 21
wrote to Chief Finn and asked him to meet
with me and my committee to discuss the
106
Last month's
Puzzler solution,
Primo Desiderio.
The following editorial is by Chris Brown
of Glen Rock, NJ. Reprinted with permis-
sion by New Jersey Ridgewood News.
safe use of skateboards. Having not re-
ceived a response I went before the
schoolboard on Oct. 19 to seek their help.
Not willing to overturn the school policy and
believing it was the police who wanted the
ban, they suggested I go to the Town Coun-
cil. On Oct 21, I reached Mr. Nordstrand, the
councilman in charge of safety. I gave him
a copy of the petition and letters and asked
his help. Finally I met someone who listened
and cared. He arranged a meeting with the
police chief, superintendent and jr. high
principal. He then met with me and the
police chief. I am thankful for his time and
effort.
I have made a complete circle and am
back to the school. There is no ban on the
use of skateboards in town and the school
ban just prevents us from storing them in
our lockers.
TO THE SCHOOL-Allow us to resume
using skateboards as a means of trans-
portation and show how responsible and
safe we can be with them.
TO THE TOWN-You provide play-
grounds for younger children, please
provide us with an area in the park where
we can safely use skateboards. I will gladly
help you design it. We don't want to use
drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, we just want
to enjoy skateboarding.
MYSELF-I will work with the town and
prepare a pamphlet and a video to en-
courage the safe and courteous use of
skateboards.
I feel my friends and I have approached
this problem with an adult attitude and wish
the adults would stop being childish and
stubborn.
ON BOARD
COMING EVENTS
SKATE FOR FUN SERIES
May 8 Austin, TX Seventh annual
Mother's Day amateur contest, held this
year at the Austin Opera House. Sponsored
by Let's Go Skate Shop.
June 11 Houston, TX Amateur Ramp
event to be held at and sponsored by
Houston Skate Park. For more information
call Brett: (512) 392-1492 or Paul: (512)
396-2891.
BEALE STREET "PITSTYLE"
May 28 Memphis, TN Second annual
amateur street event held along historic
Beale St, the "Home of the Blues." Pro
demo. For more info contact Ron at Cheap-
skates: (901) 744-1312.
THE STREET CONTEST
May 22 Joplin, MO On the parking lot at
4th and Rangeline. $10 entry fee includes
t-shirt. For information call Steven or Mort
at (417) 781-1664.
3RD ANNUAL SKATE-A-THON
May 12-15 East Lansing, MI Ramp
Marathon to benefit Michigan School for the
Blind. 50-hour skate-a-thon with continuous
ramp-skating, pro demo and sponsored am
contest on May 14. Sponsored by Explorer
post 169. For information call: (517) 351-3990
or (517) 351-7676.
CASL SERIES
California Am Skateboard League
May 14 Anaheim, CA Freestyle and
Cross-Country at Anaheim Family Fun
Center. 1041 N. Shepard.
June 4 TBA
Ramp
July 16 Irvine, CA Freestyle/Tight Slalom
at Northwoods Community Park, 4531
Bryan Avenue.
August 27 TBA Streetstyle / High Jump
Double point and all trophy contests. Skater must
compete in at least 4 of the 9 contests to be eligi
ble for an overall award
For further information: CASL PO. Box
30004, San Bernardino, Ca 92413. Or use
the NSA "Hot Line" at (714) 882-3406.
NSA-NATIONAL AM PROGRAM '88
May 21-22 San Diego, CA Southwest
District, Boys Club.
June 11-12 Indianapolis, IN North Cen-
tral, Pan Am Plaza / Union Square.
July 30-31 Austin, TX Central District,
Lone Star Skatepark.
August 17-19 Columbus, OH Central
Regionals at the Ohio State Fair.
September 17-18 Mt. Trashmore, VA Nor-
theast District, Mt Trashmore. Write to PO.
Box 3645, San Bernardino, CA 92404.
ER
NICKY GUERRERO MODEL
Gordon & Smith 7081 Consolidated Wy. San Diego, CA 92121-2604
(619) 549-2690