ASK THE DOCTOR
Steve-o
Brockaway
draws tracks
across a
snow bank
during the
Spring Shred
freeze-style
at Boreal.
SEASON'S SKATINGS
As my senior year in high school winds
down, I am starting to think about what
college will be like in northern Arizona.
The problem is, I've lived and skated in a
desert climate all my life, and I'm worried
that my skating will suffer when I go up
north, where it snows every other day. I
know I can handle the winter, but I'm not
so sure about my skating in these
conditions. Of course, I can always wait
until spring or summer, but I need to
skate constantly. What should I do?
Shane Siefert
Apache Junction, AZ
Wintery, wet, cold skating-it sucks.
But unfortunately, it's that time again.
Waterproofing is the key here. Try
spraying silicone on your shoes, the
bottom of your board and a good
dose in your bearings. Why silicone?
Because it disperses water. Also keep
in mind the drier and warmer you are,
the more flexible you are, the less
injuries you have, and the more you
can skate. How? Exercise. I know,
sounds like some kind of Jane Fonda
22 THRASHER MAGADN
aerobic lameness, but just a few leg
stretches, deep knee bends, jumping
jacks or some other fun-filled body
flexers, and you're warm and stiffless,
making it more comfortable and less
damaging to the body while you
skate. If you warm up first, you won't
snap that knee on the first bail or
cramp up as easily. Stay warm, stay
dry, stay flexible and keep skating.
EMISSIONS CONTROL
Every time my boyfriend goes to this
indoor skatepark, he gets a bloody nose
(and it's not from falling or fighting). Is it
from the Masonite dust the ramps let off
and he breathes in?
Blondie
Somewhere near Boston
Masonite dust; a major problem.
Whether this relates to the case of the
bloody-nosed skater directly can only
be speculation. Many pro skaters
complain of Masonite burns that take
a long time to heal and become
infected. Masonite contains gnarly
glues and even minute flecks of metal
that become airborne when stirred by
skating. Lack of ventilation is a big
problem with indoor ramps. It's likely
that dust from Masonite can cause
health problems and should be a
subject of further scrutiny.
GET A LIFER
You influenced me to start skating
"hardcore" instead of "no core." Before, I
would get pissed off because I couldn't
do a trick just right, and I was so worried
about impressing spectators. Now I
realize that skating is something that has
to come from your soul, from within you.
I skate for myself, not for anyone or
anything else. I get up, eat, and go.
skating. If someone doesn't like the way
I look, act, skate, etc., that's their
problem, not mine. I'd also like to add
that it's people like you that keep skating
going through the thick and thin, not the
guys and girls out there who are in it just
because everyone else is.
Nathan Dorthy
Burlington, NC
Sounds like you've got a good head
on your shoulders, so listen up. It's
great that you realize what skating
means to you. But the part you
haven't figured out yet is that it's not
people like me who keep skating
going, it's the skaters and kids who
skate because they like the freedom
of expression skating gives them. If
someone doesn't like what you do or
how you look, it is their problem. But
remember, anyone who skates is
what keeps it going, whether they're a
kook or not. Those who rip and skate
religiously just happen to get more
out of skating because they put more
into it. Kooks come and go. Skaters
do it for life.
OLLIE HOP TILL YOU DROP
When I ollie, I 180°. I try and ollie
straight but I can't. Can you help me?
Mike Marino
Akron, OH
A common problem when learning
to ollie. I did the exact same thing.
Here's the cure: Make sure your front
foot is completely sideways on the
board. The reason your body wants to
go 180° is because your foot is going
that way. Point your toe in and back,
almost pigeon-toed, and try to lead a
little with the heel of your front foot.
Make sure the front foot is placed well
behind the front truck, and as you
pop the tail, lift and slide the front
foot sideways across the board
toward the nose. Try to lean forward
as you pop it up, then you should
have that one wired. Remember, if
you can't do something, it's because
you haven't practiced long enough or
don't want it bad enough. Keep it up.
At least you can pop one, now just
work on it. -Dr. Rick Blackhart
NATAS
KAUPAS
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1223 Whilshire Blvd. # 673 Santa Monica, Ca. 90403