Skateboarding — a hobby to some and a problem for others. It’s be-coming one of the age-old breaches that separates generations. Just as hot-rods and James Dean separated parents and teens in the ‘50s and bell-bottoms, rock and roll and drugs defined the generation of the ‘60s and ‘70s, skateboarding is an unrecognizable art and hobby to many adults as they observe the upcoming generation. “I think of the baggy trousers,” said FHS English teacher Ted Keller of skateboarders. “Mostly negative things come to mind, but I’m sure if I were that age, I would be a skater.” But just as greasers and hippies found passion in the revolutions of their generation, skateboarders have found their own passion and pattern of expression, even if the older generations may see it only as a fad. “I think that adults view us (skateboarders) as criminals,” said sophomore Mark Delorme. “And kids see us as regular people.” “It’s kind of like an art form,” said junior Justin Martin. “Some paint pictures. I mix style into it.” Every sport has its idol, and skateboarding is not different. Delorme looks to professional skaters and the chance to win competitions as his motivation. “When I think of skateboarders, I think of their individuality,” said junior Jordan Halland. “Skating isn’t a team sport, you just do what you want.” Students at FHS who skateboard seem to have found something much more than just a hobby. Skateboarding is their reason for existence. “When you go out, you never know what’s going to happen,” said Reeves. “It’s like an adventure.” For Martin, the average time skating, perfecting and trying new moves can add up to 20 to 25 hours per week — as much time as is involved in a part time job. “I put more than half the time outside of school into skateboarding,” said Delorme. As with any avid hobby, there is always equipment to buy. Shoes range from $35 to $75. A complete deck, which includes board, wheels, bearings and trucks, which hold the wheels, is about $130. Pads and protective gear ranges from $60 to $70. In addition to initial costs, the equipment must be replaced periodically. The board is usually replaced every month at a cost of $50, said senior Conor Christofferson. The wheels and trucks are replaced after six months. For Christofferson, equipment costs adds up to nearly $1,000 per year. “The money is worth it,” said Christofferson. “It’s where I meet all my friends and it is good clean fun.” In addition to the passion that skateboard-ing creates in its followers, it is also a cause for controversy around Kalispell’s streets and businesses. Many businesses don’t want skateboarders in their parking lots because of legal and safety reasons. “It’s a place of business, we want to have parking available,” said the office manager at Kalispell’s Whitefish Credit Union, Connie Trinastich. Although skateboarding can be a great past-time, it tends to tear up sidewalks, creating problems with customer and employee parking around the bank, said Trinastich. Another complaint at Whitefish Credit Union deals with the waxing of sidewalks by skaters, and customers complaints that it is slippery. The total surface of the sidewalks are not waxed, according to Christofferson, “only a couple of places,” like curbs and ledges. “It makes it buttery for smoothness,” said senior Tobin Hird. Blockbuster Video store manager Lya Hardwicke said a sign prohibiting skateboarding at Blockbuster was posted because of constant traffic flow in the parking lot. After posting the signs the skateboarders obeyed and “have not been back,” said Hardwicke. “They were very polite and realized it was very dangerous,” said Hardwicke. Not only is attitude important between businesses and skaters — it is also a crucial aspect in relations between law enforcement and skateboarders. “I do not have a problem with skateboarders,” said Police Chief Ad Clark. “But we do have a problem with their behavior when they insist on skating or rollerblading in prohibited areas.” When skaters are violating posted signs, police will first warn the skater and then if the skater is stopped again in the in same area, a citation of at least $35 is administered, according to Officer Wade Rademacher. “A lot of them that we deal with are cooperative,” said Rademacher. “But you always have a couple with real attitudes.” “I’m not really bothered by it (prohibiting skating),” said Hird. “I know friends of mine that can’t accept the fact; they think they are doing nothing wrong.” Both positive and negative attitudes are found among skaters and non-skaters alike. “I always have a good attitude,” said Hird. “Some police don’t answer questions. I think we’re treated totally different than bicyclists or rollerbladers.” “We always get kicked out of places,” said Delorme. After an encounter with a local man at the post office Delorme was told, “Skateboarders shouldn’t be considered athletes, just troublemakers.” Said Delorme: “Skateboarding is the hardest thing I have ever tried to accomplish.” |
