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< Midwest/Central US ~ Please help - need skatepark advice |
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Posted:
Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:52 pm
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Joined: 09 Apr 2009
Posts: 18
Location: Arkansas
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I've been practicing heeling for a while, and, now, I need a good, safe place to practice that is bigger than my garage. I really enjoy heeling and want to work my way up to skating vert. I've seen several videos, and it looks like it's a blast.
However, I have been told that it is not safe for heelers at skateparks where I live because of the skateboarders - they go really fast and will run over heelers; if they don't do that, they'll make fun of them.
Where can I go? I don't know of anyone who does this in Arkansas. Any positive advice would be appreciated. Thanks. |
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Posted:
Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:33 pm
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Museum Curator
Joined: 29 Jul 2006
Posts: 1474
Location: Central North Dakota, aka The Middle of Nowhere
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Go to the skatepark early Saturday morning (assholes generally sleep in), and see how long it takes before the idiocy starts to creep in. |
_________________ Community: We want new Megas!
a finger on the monkey's paw curls: we get them, and they're hideous |
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Posted:
Fri Apr 10, 2009 3:27 am
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Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Posts: 1391
Location: UK
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Hi Bekah, I know exactly what you mean: A good practise area can make all the difference. Of course the best would be one you can use whenever you want, but that could mean getting your own skatepark like our good friend Merlyn did
So the search for perfection all depends on how bad you want it and how much you can afford to pay etc. You're right that vert is great fun, although yes, it requires the specialist ramps and rails. One day I'd like my own park maybe but for now I am still having a blast learning the flatland stuff - there is still so much for me to learn - and without RL teachers it takes me a while, and I figure since vert is faster and more dangerous (bigger drops possible than flatland) I'll get to be the best at flatland before I bust my head on vert LOL, but each to their own eh? Yes, vert does look the coolest, agreed. But all forms of heeling can be great fun and good for general fitness, so whether you find a skatepark or just heel in your garage or (as I do) at work (or school?), I hope you stick around.
Welcome to HC,
-Merrie |
_________________
"The best part of falling is getting back up again" |
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Posted:
Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:14 pm
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Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Posts: 1067
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
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Like Slice said, start in the early morning to avoid the real jerks. This also works on Sundays too... Also, try to avoid it all together on days off from schools (as they will most likely be there early to get a good day in skating).
Secondly, if you go and there are massive ammounts of people there, just take your turn. I get static when I go skating, but even if you just drop in, then wait for them to take their run, then drop in again, it will still get you comfortable, and they wouldn't mind as much.
If you are doing straight street skatepark stuff, try to keep on one piece of equipment at a time. If it is your first time at a skate park with Heelys, then there is no need for you to take up the whole park. Just watch what they are on, and then go from there.
Lastly, bring your parents. People will give you a lot less static when you skate if your mom or dad is around. Even if they do, your parent can stand up to them. You're in Arkansas so you don't have to worry about someone resulting to extreme violence.
Basically, the major rule of thumb is to just respect the other people. Even if it is not fair, just let them have their way, but don't be a push over. If you are there on the half pipe and you want to drop in, get ready when they are on the pipes. Then as soon as they mess up or go back on the flat surface, just drop in.
The one thing you have to remember about skateboarders is that they get tired really fast. So they will be on the halfpipe no longer then an hour, then they will go to something else. In between there you can drop in.
Once you go to the same parks a lot, people will start to know who you are. Once they know who you are, they will be more or less more tolerable (unless you become an asshole about it). |
_________________ Shoes - Atomic, Rail, Fury, Grind This, Evolution x2, and Evolution
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