NEWS photo Mike Wakefletd SKATEBOARD wizard John Krieger makes his board do things the hard way. The Canadian freestyle champion has a tiger by the tail with an immensely popular series of skateboarding classes currently offered at the North Vancouver Recreation Centre in North Vancouver City. Rick says: ~ Sunday, Community. wide sports coverage PAG August 9, 1987 ~ North Shore News Tay Beynon te E 28 Skateboarding champ keeps rolling in NV WHIZZING WHEELS AND flying feet fill the curling arena of the North Vancouver Recreation Centre. Kids roll off the strategically-placed ramps scattered about the area. The air crackles with youthful energy translating into tricky moves and twisting boards. The inspiration and coordinator of it all is 2{-year-old John Krieger, currently ranked the top amateur freestyle skateboarder in the country. He has worn through at least 120 boards during his 12-year love affair with the sport. The spark was ignited when he saw a couple of Americans doing strange and wonderful things with skateboards at the Dairy Queen in Kitsilano. The timing was perfect. The in- troduction of flexible urethane wheels to the sport in 1975 meant more things could be done with the boards than when clay or steel wheels ruled the road. “T yot into it weeks after the new wheels were developed,” Krieger said. Running with the pack and devouring the finer goints of skateboarding trivia gleaned from skateboard magazines, Krieger came into his own after nine years of continual practise. “Everybody can do it well. Some people will be better due to natural ability. But practise is key. A lot of kids learn a few tricks and then stop. Others decide to take “Keep the spark in your car with ignition parts from Blue Streak. It’s the first choice of your Neighbourhood Professional” RICK NEX STANDARD] IGNITION & CARBURATOR PRODUCTS Blue Streak parts — The Best Made Auto Parts ... better than your car’s origina) equipment... make your tune- -up last. 1425 Main Street & North Vancouver 17% Blocks west of 2nd Narrows Bridge : DAVE PRENTICE Hey Rick, now that Bill's gone who’s in. charge? “Our Business is Auto Parts” By MICHAEL BECKER News Reporter their lumps and move up to the next skill level,’ he said. At Krieger's international com- petitive level, he’s scraping the skill level stratosphere, toying with gravity through moves like Olli Impossible, Triple Rail Flips and T.V. Stand. Krieger sees the sport as more than a passing fad. “It’s a sport that has been weaned and is now ready to come into its own. The main manufacturers around in 1975 are now sponsoring national and international competitions. The sport is becoming more orga- nized, especially in Europe,’ he said. Exploring all venues of the sport, from hardware design to wholesaling, Krieger’s latest suc- cess has been the popular skateboarding classes he offers through community centres throughout the Lower Mainland. He was the first to offer instruc- tional classes in the province three years ago at the community centre in Kitsilano and is currently teaching at the North Vancouver Recreation Centre. “The response has been fan- tastic, We're offering four times as much as we expected here. What that means is that there will be more kids skating better and safer,"’ Krieger said. With many municipalities crack- ing down on the unfettered use of public streets, Krieger sees local community centres playing an in- creasing role in providing a place for the sport. Gn a personal level he sees a board with little wheels in his life for quite some time. ‘‘It’s a great creative outlet and a form of per- sonal expression. It has been a real metaphor of success in terms of practise and sticking to it.” At close to 40 years of age, Russ Howell, the man who influenced Krieger 10 years ago, is still riding. “It would be kind of silly to be competing at 40,’’ Krieger says. ‘‘] see myself now looking for good sponsorship from California and in five years when the next wave of popularity hits, I'd like to have my own company.”" Book ds ye : Pre-Grand Opening of our: RHI ROR KR * CASH PRICE NEW ADULT PATFONS ONLY HURRY! PX aK KK KKAKR AA KEK EK 1445 MARINE 980-5635 New Richmond Spa! OFFER COULD eR NOTICE! : * x 4 K 4c a e x ¢ # * x * x * x a4 & * * « * * * x RR FACILITIES & SERVICES EXCLUSIVELY FOR WOMEN * Aerobic & No-Bounce Aerobics daily * Whirlpool & Sauna * Lifecycles & Fan Bikes * Cushioned Wood Floor * Individual Lockers * Private Showers * Supervised Programs * Nutritional Guidance * and much, much more! REGISTRATION CENTRE | 7740 ALDERBRIDGE WAY * 276-2242 : Pree aeons Pee ere rarer ss