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06/25/08 |
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BY OLE GILBERTSON 
I found a new role model. This role model is about twelve years old and has braces. Ive decided that I'm going to call him Mr. Braces. This is a true story, there really is a Mr. Braces. I was sitting on top of the vert ramp when Mr. Braces and his buddy walked up the stairs and sat down. Mr. Braces was all pumped on the session that was going down and actually dropped in and pumped around a little. His buddy was just watching. Evidently, Mr. Braces' buddy was seriously considering dropping in for the first time. Mr. Braces was just pumped. We watched Mr. Braces' friend stand up at the lip and threaten to take the plunge several times. Usually, I can tell when someone is actually going to make the attempt at dropping in. This kid looked like he was going to try. He put his board on the lip a few times and looked at the task in front of him. You could see how bad he wanted it. His front foot was resting on the platform, but his leg was flexing each time he seriously considered the next step. I can't describe how mentally draining this pose is. He was ready to do it and really wanted it. He just couldn't get himself to take the plunge. We convinced him to go and drop in on all the other ramps in the park to get in the zone. It was obvious how mentally drained he was getting from looking at the ramp for all that time. One of the worst things for me to watch is when someone is really drawing out that first drop in. From my experience, the longer someone sits there, the more likely they are to slam when they finally do it. I seriously think that these slams are from mental exhaustion.
When the kid came back he was ready. He placed his front foot on the board, but then brought it back onto the platform. I was pumped to see this kid make his first drop in, so I told him that I would give him a couple bucks if he tried. Peder jumped in and said that he would give him a couple bucks as well. The session went on, and this kid still would periodically stand at the lip pondering the big drop. Mike ended up making a deal with the kid. If Mike made a Frontside Nollie Heelflip, the kid had to drop in. If the kid tried dropping in, Mike had to go for the heelflip. Mike was getting pumped because he was coming close to the heelflip. He wanted to make the trick. He told the kid that their deal was still good, but he would sweeten his end by giving the kid his board if he tried dropping in. Wow, a skateboard to a twelve year old kid! He wanted this more than anything. Mr. Braces offered up $5 to his buddy if he tried dropping in. $5 to a twelve year old may as well be a thousand bucks to me. Mr. Braces was so pumped on his buddy's progression, that he was willing to throw down some money! I don't remember throwing down $$ for my homies back in the day. Mr. Braces was adding up to his friend what was going to get if he dropped in. A skateboard, $2 from me, $2 from Peder, $5 from himself. He was just stoked to be skating. When Mr. Braces' friend was off getting in his zone, he told me that it was weird that he hadn't tried it already. I guess he is usually the one who pushes their skating. He said that he didn't care, he just wanted to see him do it. It was obvious that all he wanted was for his buddy to do well. It is this attitude that sets skateboarding apart from other sports. Every non-skater that I have invited to the skatepark to watch has commented on this attitude. It's no wonder I hated the team sports in high school. When given the choice of hanging out with a bunch of friends who are happy to see you succeed in your own respective game, or a bunch of people who look at second place as the first loser, I know which one I pick. Mike didn't make the heelflip. Mr. Braces' buddy never did try dropping in that day. That session was still awesome. Thanks Mr. Braces. I saw some excellent skateboarding that day and you didn't even have to step on your board. If your teeth end up as perfect as your attitude, you'll be in commercials. O. Gilbertson
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