Shoulder Will Be Fine, Ego's a Little Bruised
Friday, July 31, 2009Posted by
Reflindo
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In my short time here at Rec and Park, I have been proud of saying that I would participate in any activity or program that (legally) takes place at one of our parks or facilities.
And, that included skateboarding.
I do vaguely remember my wife and daughters suggesting I might be too old to participate in this particular activity, but I stubbornly ignored their words of caution. After all, the San Francisco Skateboarding Association is comprised of more than 400 skateboard lovers of all ages, including Bryan Hornbeck, who didn't start riding until he turned 40. So, off I went to Portero Del Sol Park with Bryan, a guy named Toad and several other riders of all ages with cool nicknames.
Potrero del Sol Park was constructed in 1982 on the site of “the Farm” in the Mission District, directly across the street from Rolph Park. In 2008, as part of a larger renovation project that improved both Rolph and Potrero del Sol, the department opened the city’s second and largest skateboard park to rave reviews. The skate park, which includes a bowl and several ramps and edges, was designed with the input of local skaters.Truth be told, my mom wouldn't let me ride a skateboard growing up so I can't really say I knew how to do it. But, with a full set of safety gear, some urban-chic looking skateboard-type sneakers and a few good lessons from Bryan, I certainly made up for what I lacked in talent and experience with enthusiasm and a bit of stupidity. After a couple of easy trips around the bowl, I ventured in. I learned how to do some relatively easy turns off the wall at a very small incline and even less speed. Hmm, maybe I'm pretty good at this after all, I thought. Tony Hawk makes a lot of money, doesn't he? If Jesse Blout was once featured in Thrasher Magazine, why not me?
Then, thud. I fell. Hard. On the concrete. On my shoulder. I got up smiling (I think), but I kinda knew I had done something to it I would regret. Bryan told me I'd be fine and that I had earned some “street cred” by wiping out. I wiped out alright...to the tune of a trip to Kaiser, an x-ray and a separated shoulder. I should be able to dress myself comfortably in about a month. Oy.
I will no doubt heal and although I may be slow to resume my late blossoming career as a professional skateboarder, I do actually feel pretty accomplished for my effort (in a lunatic sort of way) and even from the sideline, I will remain a big fan and honorary member of the San Francisco Skateboarding Association and our great facility at Portero Del Sol.To see some really “sick” skateboarding, check out the SF Chili Bowl and Cook-Off at Potrero del Sol on August 30, beginning at 9 a.m.
Did you know? Skateboarding is one of the fastest-growing global sports; there are millions of skateboarders world-wide, the vast majority of whom are under the age of 18.
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