No More Tube?

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The SLO Parks and Recs along with RRM and Wormhoudt have secretly decided to remove our skate community designed tube. See it here…

They said, “the small wave pipe structure had several safety issues that could not be resolved in a practical cost efficient way.” Specifically, “the primary safety issues included:
·         The low height of pipe and the potential for skaters to hit their head entering the structure.
·         The vertical change in elevation and potential for falling from the upper deck to the lower deck at then ends (openings) of the pipe structure.”

More Images and my Response 

This is my response:

My name is Scott Kam, I have been making skateboards (FUN) for more years of my life than I haven’t. I do it, not to get rich or even for an honest living. I did it for the good of my community and their well being.

We have been stoking people and celebrating skateboarding in SLO since 1993. Our goal since 1994 is to provide (ECO) Earth Concerned Options, like skateboarding and to promote a healthy and environmentally conscious lifestyle. We do this with our skateboard designs, products, and community activism. The skateboards we’ve offered here in SLO are designed to surf the earth. They provide enjoyment for all levels from the first timer to the veteran.

With this said I need to address “The tube is now a wave”. If you have surfed, the origin of skateboarding, you know how incredible and mind blowing getting tubed is. Mater of fact, you don’t even need to have surfed, see Tarp Surfing craze. I have personally experienced it with all ages and whole families: kids with both parents. They are loving it. This universal joy is the motivation for all our efforts.

We all know skateboarding is acknowledged as a dangerous activity. The unpredictability and riding challenges is what makes it fun and exciting. So, by definition these “Primary Safety Issues” are good for a potentially fulfilling skateboarding experience.

I believe I was at every public skatepark design meeting and it is my understanding we decided on specific design criteria (materials etc.) of which 30% would be street, 30% flow bowls and transitions, and 30+% would be unique features. And that it is the job of Wormhoudt and RRM to bring it to life, for our community. We even agreed to raise funds to pay for our collective design.

Original: 
A tube (full pipe) is not a new idea it has been done many times before (both intentionally and unintentially for drainage) but never designed like this fun feature. Getting tubed will never have been so accessible and safer. It doesn’t move! I appreciate the Parks and Recs Staff, but I am concerned they may lack understanding of how fun getting tube is.

To address all the negative feedback: First, consider the source and their motivation. Second, were they part of our Community workshops which were thorough, democratic, and very successful. Everyone got some of what they wanted.

Revision:

The whole point of the tube is to have a Novelty skateable fun feature for all levels. A peaking oververt wave wall is not accessible to very many riders..
At the risk of alienating myself as a hopeful do-gooder, I have composed this letter from my heart, for my surf/skate community.
Also, click to see awesome story from Local Clothes..

What do you think?
Let us know:
Christine Wallace
cwallace@slocity.org
or
Rootamental
rootamental@gmail.com

Roots of Change 4th of July

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Independence Day is right around the corner. This Fourth of July, you can make a deliberate effort to further propel the movement to eat fresh, local and healthy. Roots of Change (ROC) and Rootamental want to provide you with a few tips on what you can do to celebrate sustainably.
MORE…


  1. Support the Local Food Movement –- Check out these two great guides listing local farms, markets, restaurants and more. Please visit the Eat Well Guide, as well as, Buy Fresh, Buy Local.
  • Grill Seasonal Vegetables –- Learn more about which veggies are in season by visiting the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture’s (CUESA) seasonality chart. 
  • Support Meatless Monday – Independence Day falls on a Monday so join the cause to improve your health and the health of the planet, visit Meatless Monday.But for those of you that must eat meat this holiday, please make sure it’s sustainable. Check out Local Harvest’s meat database to find local, organic meat.
  • Keep Your Food Safe This Holiday – Find out what you can do to ensure no one in your family gets sick by visiting Food Safety. 
  • Reduce Your Food Waste – The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the average American wastes nearly 40% of the total food consumed. Find out what you can do by visiting the Daily Green helpful guide.
  • Support our work – ROC is working to ensure that every aspect of our food—from the time it’s grown to the time it’s eaten—can be healthy, safe, profitable and fair. Visit ROC.

We hope you find these tips helpful. Please share with us what statement you will make this Fourth of July? Share your comments or suggestions at Voke with Your Fork.

Roots of Change and Rootamental wishes you a wonderful Fourth of July. Join the movement for a healthier food environment.

www.rootsofchange.org