Skateboarding has always been pretty big in the Louisville/Southern
Indiana area, although just like everywhere else, it has had its down
times. I don't believe that it has had anything to do with police or lack
of skate spots, but has to do with it being a trend. Right now it seems
that it's "cool" to skate or look like you do, and hopefully most will stay
with it when it's not "cool" anymore. But you know how that goes.
As far as actual skate spots, there is stuff all over, from the suburban
strip malls to the Bardstown Road area, to the actual downtown streets.
Your typical stuff: curbs, stairs, rails, ledges (not much marble at all 'cuz
Louisville is an "old" city), and lately ramps-mostly mini-ramps four
to six feet tall, but one large ten-and-a-half foot vert ramp. Recently
we've had meetings with community officials about getting maybe
three public skateparks. Although nothing is final, at least it's a start.
Louisville has its share of good skaters, it's just that no one outside of
this area really knows about them. Although a few have made it: Thom
Horning, Chip Van Ham, Tony Cox and Nick Bell, there are many more
that have yet to get any coverage. I don't know if it's because we aren't
in California, or not on the East Coast, or the lack of photographers, but
until then, people like Dan Cottner, Floyd Freels, Derek Metten, Keith
Kombs, Jeremy Vessels, Eric Rogers, Suckerpunch (Jeremy Beavins) and
others will still be around, biding their time and having fun skating. So
stop by Louisville if you're in the area. Call or come by Home Skateshop
and we'll give you directions to places or hook you up with someone to
go skate with. A small warning: We are really loud, obnoxious and rude.
We like to get on each other's nerves and yours too. Just remember
that we're only kidding around. By the way, we do wear shoes, and
most of us don't speak with a country accent.
36 THANES
כה.
LOVISU
1718
VILLE
Taking a noseslide down a
portable ledge, Tony Cox (above) demon-
strates some Louisville home-style cooking. The one
known as Suckerpunch (bottom right) serves a backside
180' nollie over a suburban obstacle. Chip Van Ham (bottom left)
goes downtown with a frontside slider. Casting a large shadow,
Derek Metten (top) rides a frontside nosegrind on a ruby red curb.