Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Sept. 28, 2000, edition 1 / Page 19
Part of University of North Carolina Wilmington Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
THE SEAHAWK/SEPTEMBER 2B, ZOOO 19 Skateboarding on campus seeks home & acceptance Ryan Jessup Staff Writer Whenever a new idea or trend comes along, sometimes it is slow to be accepted or appreciated. No one probably expected this to be the case with skateboarding; es pecially since skateboarders started hitting the pavement, sidewalks and curbs well over a decade ago. In fact, it has become a significant factor in the way students and even non-students express themselves around campus and other places. Today, many students at UNC Wilmington ride a skateboard to go to class, to have fun, to look cool, or, sim ply, to get the “natural high” of hovering over the ground at certain speeds. Never theless, skateboarding on campus is not only a means of transportation, but also an expression of oneself, communing or interacting with the terrain. Sophomore Chris Waller said, “I enjoy skating and doing tricks around campus.” Thus, to ban or stop skaters, such as Chris, from prac ticing their art form is considered by some as merely harassment or censorship, or both. Some skaters have actually been stopped by campus police for simply do ing a trick on the sidewalk where skating is “allowed.” This happened last year to sophomore Kenne Mountford who did a trick on one of the campus’ sidewalks where skating was allowed. To his total dismay, he was warned by a campus of ficer not to do tricks on the sidewalks at all...no exceptions. Kenne said, “I was simply minding my own business while 1 was skating and was not interfering with any campus traffic. n 5? * J.irnes Flint- The Se.i.'i.atv/i Artistic in its own right, skateboarding is often viewed as an unortho dox style of sport and expression. Objects such as stairs and rail ings are perfect objects for skaters to perform their skilled tricks, as demonstrated by Charles Brown, above. regulations, or pedestrians.” In a recent interview, Lt. Dave Donaldson of the cam pus police said, “If it doesn’t interfere with traffic or pedestrians, then it shouldn’t be a problem for skaters to perform tricks on sidewalks or other areas where they can ride.” There are certain areas and things around campus that are not meant for skat ing because it would interfere with the public’s use as well as create safety con cerns. Some people, however, believe that skateboarders are very talented and just as deserving to be recognized, in a sport sense, as any basketball, baseball or soc cer player. One substantial difference is obvious... skateboarders do not have their own campus facility where they can prac tice or perform their sport. Donaldson provided a great insight into the way that skaters are or, perhaps, should be perceived, not only by the campus po lice but also by others of the campus com munity. Also, there may very well be hope for skaters getting to skate more than the sidewalks in the near future. “There could eventually be a facility for skaters to skate on campus if the popularity of the sport continues to increase,” said Donaldson. Although such a facility is currently be ing discussed by the campus police, the campus recreation department has not become involved with any discussion at this point. Perhaps, the university admin istration will, at least, give the idea some consideration. This is certainly an idea that Chancellor Leutze and the university administration could look into. Skate boarding has taken root and it is quite pos sible that it will grow to fruition in the near future. Pier surfing mixes sand and waves for a unique draw ... t 'T' rttVlAr* GOnHhn EVAN SWINK Staff Writer Beachgoers may have noticed a lot of surfers huddled around the pier and wondered, “Why don’t they just spread out?” Here’s why. The waves are generally better near the pier and surfers want to be where the best waves are, (if they do not mind crowds.) Weather and the ocean floor work hand in hand to make waves break the way they do. Therefore, the two components are important factors in surfing. For surfers, knowledge of the two variables is as important as carrying along your surf wax. Judging by the crowd, Wrightsville Beach’s Crystal Pier seems to be one of the best spots on the beach to surf. Martin Lee, an employee at Surf City Surf Shop ex plains, “The pilings of the pier catch sand and create a sand bar.” A sand bar is simply an area where sand tends to build up as a result of the waves and currents. In this case, the' pilings of the pier cause abnormal patterns in the currents and depos its sand at the base of the pier. Sandbars are created elsewhere along beaches as well. As the wa ter returns to the sea after being pounded on the shore, it takes with it large amounts of sand. The wa ter usually flows in the same pat terns to get back out to sea and like wise the sand is then deposited in the same areas. This creates sand bars along the beach in places other than piers. Wherever these sand bars are, you’ll find surfers. These shallow places offer bet ter waves for surfers by pushing waves up. As the bottom gets deeper, the wave gets smaller. Since the pier collects sand, it cre ates a sand bar. Therefore, the waves are larger and break more evenly and uniformly. There is no need to get hung up on sandbars and pilings, just know that the surf is usually better near the pier and where other sandbars form. According to Chris Batten, a UNC Wilmington sophomore and Surf City employee, “Yeah, it breaks better there; there and Holi day Inn.” Warves al the Pief Illustration showing how waves act near a pier, attracting surfers. how showing waves Illustration
University of North Carolina Wilmington Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Sept. 28, 2000, edition 1
19
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75