Skateboarding in the Greater
Auburn Area
by Stuart Rawlings
by Stuart Rawlings
As one of the many sports available to kids today, skateboarding has much to offer. It is fun, good exercise, and is considered "cool." It began in the the 1950's when California surfers tried to bring their sport to "the street." The first skateboarders put roller skate wheels on wooden boards and developed a freestyle technique similar to ice skating. Through the years, urethane wheels were developed and the boards became lighter and stronger. Skateparks were built, featuring deep bowls for speeding around curves and rails for doing tricks.
Skateboarders have often considered themselves to be rebels. Not unlike the country club athletes who play tennis or golf, or even the local jock basketball or football players, skateboarders tend to dress, act, and speak their own style and language. When Tony Hawk popularized the sport in the 1990's and introduced skateboarding to the
X-Games, there was some resentment about it becoming too
"mainstream." I have an 8-year-old boy who loves skateboarding. Whenever I take him to a local skate park, I sit down on a nearby bench, read a book, and make my parental presence known. I use skateboarding as a reward for doing his schoolwork. He studies spelling during our drive to and from the Auburn Skatepark; and when he passes his next big math test at school, we promised him that he would get to pick out a modest new skateboard from the local sporting goods store.
Skateboard laws are clear and posted at most parks. "Skateboarders must wear helmets, elbow pads and knee pads." However, like some other laws, they are honored more in the breach than in the observance. I insist that my son wear his helmet at all times, even though 90% of those around him who do not.
In my observational experience, the greatest skateboard risks come from novices and daredevils. One day a teenage girl was persuaded by her boyfriend to "give it a try." On her first move into a 5-foot bowl, she ended up fracturing her leg and being carried away to the hospital in great pain. On the other side of the spectrum, I have watched 20-something guys jumping 4 feet high over several barrels and crash-landing to unknown injuries on the hard cement surface. But these are exceptions -most skateboarders know what they can and can't do, and they soon become adept at "bailing out" when things go wrong.
In today's world, there are skateboard parks in almost every small town. Most of them are free, unsupervised, and open at all hours of the day. Auburn's park has a nice long bowl with lots of posts, ledges and curves to cater to its users' many skills. The main bowl at the Rocklin park is smaller, but scooters are allowed. Lincoln's park has no bowls, but several steep ledges which may be used by skateboarders, scooter-riders and bicyclists. Grass Valley has one of the nicer bowls, but also the legacy of a murder committed there earlier this year. The skateparks at Folsom and Roseville cost a minimal $1-2, require helmets and pads, and are supervised by park employees; however, due to these restrictions, most participants there are under ten years old. The immense size and 15-foot bowls of the skateparks in Placerville and South Sacramento make them world-class arenas.
Yes, skateboarding at parks can be fun and healthy for those with nimble knees and quick reflexes. Children should always wear helmets as well as pads, and be supervised by a nearby parent or other adult.
Partial List of Auburn-Area Skateparks (from www.caliskatz.com)
Auburn: 6-star rating. Take I-80 to Maple Street exit going south, right onto Auburn-Folsom Road, left on Pacific Ave to the "Auburn Dam Overlook" park.
Cameron Park: 5 star rating. Take #50 to the Cambridge exit, cross the freeway (going north) left on Merrychase and the park will on the left.
Folsom: 7-star rating, $2, supervised, 3 pm to 9 pm (lights). Take #50 east toward Placerville, take he Folsom Blvd. exit, turn left onto Folsom Blvd, follow to Blue Ravine Road, turn right on E. Bidwell, left on Creekside Drive to #1775.
Grass Valley: 9 star rating. Take #49 to McKnight Way exit, cross over the freeway, go right on Freeman Lane, right on Brighton Street, left on Minnie, follow Butler street up the hill to the Grass Valley Skatepark. Placerville: 9-star rating. Take #50 to the Formi Road exit, go north to Placerville Drive. It's inside the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.
Rocklin: 4 star rating. Take Rocklin Road north from I-80, left on Fifth Street -next to the tennis courts.
Roseville: 4-star rating, $1-2 cost, helmuts and pads required, supervised. Take I-80 to the Douglas exit, go south to Rocky Ridge, then left to 1550 Maidu Drive (the Maidu Community Center).
Central Sacramento: 3-star rating, $1 cost, supervised, changing hours. Take I-80 to the H Street exit, follow 28th Street to #20. East Sacramento: 8-star rating. Take I-80 to Truxel Road, go north to Natomas Crossing Drive, go left Innovator Drive, right on Tanzanita Way. The park is in a housing track there.
South Sacramento: 8-star rating. Take #50 to power Inn exit and go south for 3/.4 mile, turn left at Ramona.
Photos and article
© Stuart Rawlings 2007