Tuesday, April 1, 1986
Campus/Area
University Daily Kansan
7
Easy riders Campus skateboarders roll
Up the walls, over the steps and through the grass they jump and coll.
Wescoe Beach is a place for students to enjoy the spring temperatures and at the same time get some homework done. But for skateboarders, Wescoe Hall's wide sidewalks and terraces are practice grounds.
Some Lawrence skaters said recently that because of the crowds, Wescoe was not exactly a skateboarder's heaven. But it will suffice until something better comes along.
"About four years ago the only other people skating were punk rockers," he said. "Now a lot of people have taken up skating again."
When he came to KU more than two years ago, McCrary said, he thought he was the only skater around. Now, he and some other people have formed a group called the Heartland Skaters. There are about 30 members in the group.
Skateboarding is becoming popular among University of Kansas and Lawrence High School students. The popularity began several years ago, when Mike Skateboarded back to life, said Doug McCrary, Old Park senior.
McCrary said some punk rockers in Kansas City had gotten him interested in skateboarding a few years ago.
Bryan Stubbs, Shawnee sophomore and member of the Heartland Skaters, said the group was trying to build a ramp for skating. Part of the money for the $800 ramp has been raised through donations, selling tickets at events, and a benefit concert by local bands in February that raised $500.
Stubbs said the ramp would look like a large pipe that had been cut in half. It would be about 16 feet wide, 20 to 24 feet long and 10 feet high.
Stubbs said that the group wasn't sure where the ramp would be built but that it probably would be ready in a month.
When the ramp is built the group will try to keep it locked, Stubbs said, and users will be required to sign a form. The group from 'liability in case of injury'.
Heartland Skaters is a loosely
organized, community for
skateboarding.
"We don't require a membership
we don't have any hard-core
sites."
Although there are quite a few people skating in Lawrence, McCrary
said, he likes skating alone.
"I like the fast rhythm you get when you skate," he said. "I prefer skating by myself and then I like going through all kinds of neighborhoods, especially in Kansas City."
McCrary said Lawrence streets weren't worth skating on and the best places to skate were on campus or in empty swimming pools.
"Pool skating is the most fun, but you have to do it secretly because it's illegal." MrCremay said.
There are a few restrictions for skaters on campus. Sgt. John Brothers of KU police said areas for vehicular use, streets and parking are restricted to skateboarders. However, sidewalks may be used by the skaters, he said.
Brothers said he couldn't remember any accidents involving skateboarders with the last two months. The company complain about skaters on campus.
Todd Risley, Lawrence High School student and member of the Heartland Skaters, said he and some friends liked skating around Wescow.
"We like skating but we try to avoid making anyone angry." Risley said. "We usually wait until there aren't any classes and not too many students around before we come up here."
Denise Selbee, Topeka freshman and member of the group, said skateboarding could be obnoxious for other people. No one likes hearing skaters clank and jump, she said.
Skateboarding is not a sport for people who are squeamish about getting scratches and scrapes. Selbee said she had to stop skating for a while because she had hurt her knee in a fall. She said most skaters got hurt now and then.
Skateboarding also can be a costly sport. Boards, Stubbs said, range from $100 to $150. Other equipment also is needed, especially for ramp skating. It is vital to have wrist guards, knee pads and gloves for ramp skating.
"But once you skate it's really adicting," she said. "When you pick up speed on the skateboard it really gets your adrenaline going."
"It can be a dangerous sport, though. You have to know what you're doing, especially when you ramp skate or try to do the difficult tricks." Selbee said.
left, Hugh Lester, 1341 Ohio St., executes a leap off the wall and over a friend. The two members of Heartland Skaters were practicing recently at Wescos Hall Above, Todd Tidd Lawrence, Lawrence High School student, does a headstand on his skateboard.
Drew Lichtenberg, 2103 Barker Ave., a senior at Lawrence High School, balances on the back edge of his skateboard while performing a stunt.
Story by Monique O'Donnell
Photos by Craig Sands
CONGRATULAT JAYHAWKS!! Thanks for a Great Season!
Come and Join the Parade Today April 1 at 12 Noon.The Parade route will begin 7th and Massachusetts, going South to 11th, turning West on 11th to Campus, then across Campus to Allen Fieldhouse, where a Ceremony will be held.
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