Radelaide skate future

So, many are aware that Adelaide is quickly becoming the place to stay away from as far as skating is concerned. We have crew in court facing criminal charges, the highest fines in the country and the rudest and most agressive police.

Laguna Beach has had a small success recently showing that skateboarders can put forward a solid and intelliegent argument. At the moment the SA crew along with Daily Grind are pushing for regular weekend road closures from councils to give ourselves and new comers to the sport somewhere to skate without upsetting our very sensitive system.

A petition has been written up and although it mainly focuses on a change in the laws we are realistic in the knowing this wont happen anytime soon. It will put a large number of names on a sheet supporting what we do though and show that regardless of what the law may or may not do, a change in attitude is needed. Hopefully they can begin to meet us half way.

Have a read and if you agree put you name on it. Show your folks and your mates at school too.

If you ever plan to ride a longboard in South Australia, you are our demographic.

http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43559.html

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Permalink Reply by LOBBY sullivan on March 6, 2011 at 13:51

(Your the genius at these things that's why I am asking)

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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Dani on March 7, 2011 at 14:05

I don't beleive he had any right to move you on if you were on a legal road and hadn't even stepped on the board yet. Maybe instead of saying ''I know that I can legally skate here and that the residents haven't complained because we only just got here'' which comes across as you saying ''your wrong, im right'' you could use that number I gave you. Say to him ''O! Im so sorry, I thought we could skate here legally, thats why we chose this spot. I must have heard the road rules wrong, but I have this information line in my phone so I will give them a call and ask again''. Leave the spot after that, go around the corner (call the line if you want but you know what you can and can't do) then go back 10 minutes later. If he comes back tell him that you called the number and they said it was ok.

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Permalink Reply by Mike River on March 10, 2011 at 12:33

Finally got a login! anyway. Im all for supporting downhill skating anywhere any time. But I have the feeling after reading the petition that its being approached in the wrong way.

I would suggest the petition asks the council or who ever, to help support downhill skateboarders, by allowing certain spots to be used by downhill skaters. This could be organised easily, and would take one small sign at the top and bottom of the hill alerting other road users to what is going on. Roads get closed and diversions are set up all the time.

To my knowledge, the IGSA has not stepped in to help in anyway (please correct me if I am wrong) So I would hope that the ASRA would be able to lend a voice of authority that the Counils would listen to (lets face it, they will never listen to us dirty stinking skaters) We have a world sanctioning body for our 'Sport' IGSA, and here in australia there is also a National sanctioning body- ASRA. We need to make advantage of these bodies. Speak to the council with language they understand.

A specific appeal to the local road councils is what is needed. Not a general apeal to the south Australian state laws.

In Europe that is exactly the method they use to get roads closed for events. they set up a national or regional association, that acts as chairman on behalf of the skaters. however, roads only get closed and permitted to skate by sympathetic Councils, mayors etc. Some mayors are happy to allow races, freerides etc. Some realise the potential of community events, increased trade , raise town profile etc Some dont. You get what you can.

I have been itching to skate a certain hill begining with W, ever since I got here. I found it once, without knowing what it was. I only had my slalom board so only had a tentative cruise down it. ONce I found out the situation there, I made a choice (uninfluenced by anything else) NOT to skate that spot untill the heat had died down. I dont think it has, hense I still have not been there.

Its the same anywhere in the world. I have travelled enough of it to have experienced it. If you want to keep your spots open and free from grief, just use your brains. Dont draw attention to yourselves. When you do get busted, go somewhere else, dont make a big deal out of it.

Theres a RAD spot in england we have been skating for years, we repeatedly get busted there by residents (its a private road) and they repeatedly call the police. We leave before the police show up, leave it a month or two and go back. it has been like that for years, it has never stopped us using it as a spot, and Ive never had a bad skate there.

Radelaide skate future

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