Morrison, Alex

Cody, Samuel

Morrison, Alex

J 205/ J 206

19 February 2014

Turning Points Story

Skateboarding is something that Grant Smith loves to do and wants to do everyday. Ever since Grant was in 5th grade, he has been addicted to the feeling placing his feet on the grip-tape of his board and pushing himself downhill. He enjoys the thrill, speed, and adrenaline rush he gets from skateboarding. Grant grew up in Laguna Beach, California, which is a well-known “longboarding” hotspot because of its dangerously steep and windy hills. Grant is not the average skateboarder that you would first vision in your mind. He’s the type of skater who gears up with maximum protection. He wears an aerodynamic helmet, sliding gloves, and a leather suit depending on how dangerous the hill is that he is about to skate. In the hills of Laguna Beach, Grant and his friends start at the top and race each other down to the bottom. They hit speeds of up to 40-50 miles per hour while having to dodge traffic at the same time.

One of the most difficult adjustments Grant has had to make is getting used to the change in climate because of the considerable effect rain has on skateboarding. He is now a sophomore at The University of Oregon and has pretty much stopped skateboarding all together. “Skating in the rain is just hopeless because there’s really not to much you can do here. The skateparks are always wet and Eugene’s streets are not paved well enough to ride, so Idon’t really do it anymore.”

At the construction site of the Washington-Jefferson Park, Grant talked about the beauty that was contained in every slope, shape, and size of the cement ramps being laid out and measured by construction workers. He heard about the construction of the Washington-Jefferson skatepark last year and assumed it would be completedwell after graduates. However, over the summerhe stumbled across a social media account that uploadsdaily pictures of the Washington-Jefferson skateparkto show the progress of construction. He could not believe that the skatepark under the bridge would be open for public use in 2014 and it motivated him to start skateboarding again. “I can’t wait for this project to be completed. I’m probably going to be here all day and night. I don’t think I’ll ever leave,” he laughed.