And now for something completely different, and uplifting, the Skateboard Park just off the Venice boardwalk. I always spend time here watching and photographing everyone do amazing things . These hollowed out shapes are called "bowls" I believe, and the skaters stand around the edges of a bowl, and then when it is clear, they drop in, go screaming down the sides of these bowls which are not that far from being vertical, and then at the bottom they are liable to turn, and zoom up to the edge, turn again, and race around the inner edge of the bowl. There are young men and women, and some kids, beginners and experts, who are all treated respectfully by the other skaters. I have stood and watched for an hour to see some of the amazing things they do. One way of getting out of the bowl is to zoom down to the bottom and then race up the other side, right up in the air out of the bowl, and then they land standing up on the far edge. Their skills are astonishing and their movements are like dancers.
I discovered during this visit that on the far side of this complex there are gentle slopes and flat areas for people new to the sport to use to begin learning the basics. It is really something to see!
Thank you for the uplifting and fun post. I love that these skateboarders and enjoying the sport and respectful of all the others at the park. Outdoor exercise and fun but I won't try it. Will you? :-)
ReplyDeleteJoan
I love the feeling of movement of the skateboarders. It is nice to read that the skaters are respectful of their fellow skaters and that there are different areas for beginners. betsey
ReplyDeleteI love photographing skateboarders. Challenging, bu,t oh, so rewarding when you get a good shot. Nice job on these images.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the positive post! Wonderful that they are respectful of other skaters. The movements are amazing! Glad they have separate areas for beginners.
ReplyDeleteKaren