Skating to the future
Somewhere in the past few months, my son became me 33 years ago.
Sure he looks like me and has many of my mannerisms. But still, how could the past become the future so quickly.
Point-in-fact, we spent part of Saturday at the Mat Hoffman Action Sports Park in downtown Oklahoma City.
He’s discovered skateboards, bicycles and did I mention ramps.
I spent a great deal of time between the ages of 8 and 14 propelling my body through the air much like my then-hero Evel Knievel.
Ramps were made of hay bales, concrete blocks or any other solid material that would hold up to plywood.
Skateboarding meant using the 45-degree angled hill in front of my house. Never mind that it was one of the more heavily traveled roads in
Sulphur. Not to mention it was chip and seal, which means that chunks of gravel seemed to come out of nowhere.
I have the scars to show for it, too.
I was, as my mother liked to say, a daredevil.
Fast-forward to now. My son, 9, discovered Tony Hawk and Mat Hoffman several months ago. Then he asked for a skateboard for his birthday.
Last week, a teacher, on the first day of school, mentioned the downtown park. Needless to say, he had to try it out.
Saturday, we went.
It’s huge. It’s also pretty nasty. Not in a bad way. As in I wished I’d had something like that when I was younger.
It’s concrete, so if you plan to fall, and you will, be prepared to have a little pain.
Lot’s of fun dips and dives await you, though.
It’s set up for bikes and skateboards.
If you go, please note there are rules. No skating or biking without the proper gear, which includes helmets and shoes.
The park, for which there is no admission fee, is open every day from dusk until 11 p.m. There are security guards and police who frequent the area, so it is safe.
It is at SW 17 and Lincoln Boulevard.
Saturday’s visit was short, thanks to Mother Nature. I fully expect to be returning soon. If you go, have fun and skate safe.Terry Groover, Staff Writer
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