It's no secret that the swamp-like weather in Tampa can be Hell for skating. So, when the weather starts to cool down during the mild winter months, most of us take every opportunity to hit the streets.
Unlike our comrades on the other coast, the spots over here are far from dreamlike. Adult sized picnic benches, 50-year-old asphalt composed mainly from seashells (yes, you read that right), and a shortage of anything resembling a transition can make spot-hunting a challenge. Sometimes, looking for a decent spot can make you delusional. Countless fake outs by "Fools Gold," security guarded marble, and chunky BMX ledges can bring grown men to focus their boards, even if the weather is crisp and refreshing.
However, even though the city is gritty, there are still hundreds of needles hidden in the Tampa Bay haystack. The City has more than 170 square miles of urban sprawl, with potential skateboarding shindigs littered around the universities, warehouse districts and supermarkets. So, there is always a good chance when going out exploring that you'll score a new spot for your little black book.
"We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of a dream," says Willy Wonka in Mark Gonzales' Video Days part.
When you're looking for a new spot, especially if you are on your own, creativity is essential. Most towns have a Johnny Smithgrind who can do all the tricks on a flatbar, but putting the first marks on a ledge, curb or police cruiser is a hammer in itself. On a recent 70-degree afternoon, the skies were clear, and the body was willing, so anything and everything looked like a potential skate-zone.
Check out some terrain that was found after a quick cruise around the neighborhood below:
Good From Far, Far From Good: On average, I drive by this spot four times per day. Relatively speaking, it is perfect. It's located behind a defunct wig store, there is a McDonalds across the street and, it's positioned against the only hill to bomb in the city. Unfortunately, it's Fools Gold. Metal rebar, super chunked ground and, a strong hobo population make it worth skipping for wheels smaller than 58mm.
Nothing Easy About It: "What if..." These words are uttered daily by skateboarders, and for good reason. You have to imagine a trick before you can land it. This huge Tetanus covered rail used to be skateable, maybe. Probably not. There was a decent roll up and the ground was some-what smooth at the bottom. Then, construction started, a car dealership put some parking blocks at the top of it and zip ties seem to be holding parts of it together. But, it's still fun to stare at. A boy can dream.
Christ Air: Churches have always been Holy Ground for skateboarders. Big slabs of marble, promised cases of stairs and, unique architecture are almost always a guarantee. Of course, there is the possibility that "vandalizing" a divine sanctuary with your board will send you to Hell, but chances are you have bigger problems to worry about. Judging by the absence of wheel marks and lack of a run up, it looks like no one has stepped to the plate on this concrete wave. Although, it's likely abandoned (if the amount of litter is any indication), the spot has a high bust factor since it is located Hint Hint directly on Business 41...
I'll Come Back For It: "I forgot about this spot!" Well, not really. This stair set is positioned neatly at the end of a Spanish supermarket and, it looks great on paper. Five-flat-five with ample push room and, a nice painted runway. For the daring, there's also a gap to rail or double-kinker, depending on the size of your balls. However, this spot is intimidating. The steps are tall, and if you do roll away from the sidewalk, you are traveling into a busy intersection. Combine this with the fact that the landing is none-too-smooth, you are in for an elbow scrapping session. I had a friend who dreamed about doing the ollie into the street for years, but always said, "I'll come back for it." Last I heard, he joined the Marines and handles explosives. Honestly, it seems safer.
Raise The Roof: Dropping in is always cool. You don't need special talents or abilities; you just need to have guts. It's one of the few tricks that is nearly 100% mental. Plus, it's the best trick to watch someone do when they are nervous. Whether it's a padded up grom at a park or, a jock trying to impress chicks at a party, you are always promised a stoke or slam. Right along the Hillsborough River, there are a half dozen buildings that have cathedral, IHOP-style roofs which are begging for a plunge. Some of them run all the way to the ground and are totally do-able, but then there is this monster. With a grappling hook and some Mega Ramp experience, it should pose no serious problems and could be a hammer in your next part (it even has plenty of rollaway). For the rest of us, the living, it is certainly a widow-maker.
Old Trusty: Whether you are going out to eat or grabbing a beer at a bar, it's a comfortable feeling arriving at a place where you know everything will be decent, and you'll be treated right. Skateboarding is no different. Your driveway at home, a favorite curb, or a quiet stretch of smooth concrete can be the perfect session. Every time I've visited this old roller rink, I have: A.) Been disappointed with my flatground, and B.) Happily surprised it's always empty.
