Portage High School - Legend Yearbook (Portage, IN)

Page 30 text:

ome say it ' s the ultimate high Fifties music, jean jackets, cruising and mini skirts were all fads and fash¬ ions of the past that have made a come¬ back. One of the most talked about fads was skateboarding. Although popular during the early 1970 ' s, skateboarding improved in style, and its comeback was even bigger than its debut. Launching off a 10-foot high ramp, one can either do a Boneless or an A- method. An Ollie, Acid Drop, McTwist, and a Russian Boneless with a Saranw- rap may be done after hours of practice. I skateboard with almost all the kids most people consider punks, but they ' re just kids who want to be different and unique, ' ' commented John Skolak, sen- Skating was considered a sport due to the skater ' s desire for competition, and, as in all other sports, skateboarders must practice to do well. I think it takes more talent to skate than to play football. Everybody can catch or throw a foot¬ ball, ' ' said Chris Cazel, junior. There weren ' t any local competitions for skateboarders, but Chris and senior Mike Dyll had competed in Chicago at skateboard competitions during the summer. Personally, I ' m not that fond of contests because it takes away all of the fun of skating, ' ' said Chris. Empty store parking lots were the most popular place to find skaters after 10 p.m. any day of the week. We skate¬ board just about every time there is good weather. Even if it ' s a warm rainy night, we ' ll go, said John. Skating takes not only skill and bal¬ ance, but also money. You can spend around $125 for a good board, and that doesn ' t include $70 elbow and knee pads, or ramps, which are needed if you want to compete, said John. You are constantly buying new parts, but like they say; ' you pay to play ' , ad¬ ded Chris. Some students found skaters to be weird and obnoxious people. I say if your hair isn ' t normal, than neither are you. Some hairdos are okay, but when you start shaving or striping it, that ' s getting a little ridiculous, said Robert Briese, senior. Chris disagreed, I wish people wouldn ' t put down skating because it ' s something we like, and we don ' t put down other people ' s hobbies. John also disagreed, if we can ' t use a skateboard as a form of transportation, than why don ' t they outlaw bikes, mopeds and cars; they cause injuries, too! Mike had several minor accidents on his skateboard. One time about two and a half years ago I had a real bad wrist injury, but the worst was when I broke my thumb in half doing ' Street plants ' . I ' ve also almost shattered my knee fall¬ ing 11 feet, but I was okay. Over the years, skateboarding has changed from a leisure activity to a com¬ petitive sport. Many skaters agreed that competing all the time takes away some of the fun. Skateboarding isn ' t what it used to be. It used to be just having fun and skating with your friends. These days, everybody is too hung up on being the best. Skaters should look back at the old days when you just skated because it was fun. Even if you can ' t pull off the trick you wanted to that day, it shouldn ' t have to matter, commented Mike. Student Life

Page 29 text:

What Students Will Tell Their Children

Page 31 text:

Skateboarding