Does anyone have skateboarders out there!!!

[parentofmany]

My 15 year old ds is a fanatic boarder. When he was little he was so clumsy that we called him Forest Gump. Watching him run was hoot!! I cannot believe the stuff he can do on his board. The down side is that they can't just skate. There is a whole lifestyle that goes with it!! Has anyone heard of CCS, Zumiez or Pac Sun. He has been letting his hair grow longer. My dh is having a hard time with that. My ds was complaining about his heel hurting and I felt so bad until I went to get him at the indoor skate park. He drops off an 8ft. drop onto the cement. I guess he will not be getting as much of my sympathy as he did. Here is the real doozy. My husband is a carpenter and there is now an 12x18x6 ft. half pipe in my yard. My friends call and ask me if we are waiting for a flood cuz we have an arc in the yard.
Oh well hope I can commiserate with other Moms.

[MarineWife]

My 13yo ds was a skateboarder until the broke his arm at the skate park. I know all about the "lifestyle". It's pretty fun, huh? He and all his friends think they are going to get sponsored.

[Gentlegreen]

My boarder is only 11, but he has been into it since the age of 5 or so. When we go to skateparks, very often there has been an older and more experienced skater who takes the time to offer a couple helpful tips or encouragement of the "good job little dude" variety. I think on the whole that they're a pretty good bunch, and I am unceasingly amazed at what they can do on those boards. Ever tried it? (Don't unless you have a high embarrassment tolerance!)It takes a great deal of persistance and courage to do what they do!

I am going to build a half pipe in my yard this summer and have my son help. Power tools and half pipes--mother/son bonding at it's best! Should be fun!

[jeanieloz]

Hey it's not just my 13 yr old, but my 37 yr old dh who has been a skateboarder since he was 15. We had a 1/2 pipe, but left it at our old house, wouldn't fit in the truck. The "boys" will travel 50 miles just to go check out a skatepark. We have enough stakeboards and parts for the whole neighborhood! And for some reason they always need something else.
As for the lifestyle thing, my dh was a total skater punk when we met, and had the whole bad boy image, clothing, drugs, drinking, etc.. going on. Which we have instructed our 13 yr old that it isn't necessary to have -that-image, but to create his own, and he does. So he really doesn't look or dress like a skater, but he has the skills of one.
Donna

[MarineWife]

Hmmm...maybe I should talk to my ds about building his own halfpipe. He won't go to the one on base here anymore since he broke his arm there. He says it's not safe. Building his own would be a great project and learning experience. He says he also needs new bearings and maybe trucks.

Donna, can you send some of those parts here? :LOL

[parentofmany]

:Hey there!! My 15 year old has also found love. There is a 13 year old girl that has taken her heart. She tends to want to lead him around like a puppy. I don't like it . He is mad at us because he is not suppose to do any one on one dating until he is 16 just group stuff for now. i rather he love the skateboard.
Later

[applejuice]

Yes, I have a thirteen year old skater.

[Irishmommy]

No, thank goodness. I don't think I could handle the stress of watching!!

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by Irishmommy

No, thank goodness. I don't think I could handle the stress of watching!!

I never watched my ds at the skatepark. He showed me a few stunts in the street and on the curb in front of our house. That was enough for me. I think I'd faint or have a heart attack or something if I saw what he did at the skatepark. I had no idea how quickly I could get out of the house with a baby until I got a call that my older ds had broken his arm at the skatepark.

[Irishmommy]

Exactly!!!