European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 4, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                He decks the trucks the wheels the rides a photos by Steve Morrison Travis Griffin is silhouetted top As he works the skateboard ramp at Rhein main a making a midair turn right and executing a handstand left. Above skateboards decorated with stickers and Graffiti. 12 stripes Magazine August 4, 1988 by Wendy Bourland staff writer the bruises Are necessary insists 15-year cd i Ravi Griffin. So Are the scars. They re Marks of ext Llime badges of Honor signs that the skateboarder v. H sports them is a go for it fool. It does t look right he says shaking his my head if you Don t have a couple  imagine what the youngster would look like without the knee and Elbow pads and the he my with the red Bandana threaded through it. It s a common sight american youngsters pushing their skateboards Down the streets and Sid Evv military bases in . Not All of them Are daredevils like Travis a i t does t matter just to be counted a member skateboard group is enough for some the Cinti. ,. The camaraderie and the attitude Are As import in \. As the deck the insiders word Tor the Board lil the trucks which attach the wheels to the , is wheels and the ride. At Rhein main a in West Germany a Small group of the fearless and not so fearless gall1. R afternoon at the skateboard ramp. Built from p. Plywood by base civil engineers the ramp is High 25 feet wide and 40 feet Long. It sits on Tennis court behind the youth activities Bui Idin a few Young teens who Don t skate gather oni benches to watch giggling and gossiping the l.�. In one group and the girls in another. Paul Keenan the Rhein main youth Active i director and a Monitor at the ramp has t seen my girls using the a Arne yet but adds they be  seen in the parking lot  there Are even a few adult skateboarders. Kef ruin says two air Force men from the base use the ramp and give lessons to the younger enthusiasts. The younger skaters favorite pastime is Riding across the Middle of the ramp the edges of their boards turning up As they hit the incline then rolling Back Down and pushing with one foot to gain momentum. Falls Are common. Serious skateboarders like Travis who began at the age of 6 and has been trick skating for two years and Shane Parvin 15, Wear Eye catching outfits knee length shorts bandanas brightly coloured to shirts multiple wrist bands and sport watches. Younger skaters sport a watch Here and a to shirt there. Many skaters at Rhein main cover their boards with military and non military Graffiti such As " i hink Ovsec and skate Tough or go Home and eat a bowl of Chili or stickers of various origins. Some War torn skateboards have chunks missing. Most americans order skateboard parts and clothing from the states. It s too expensive Here. You end up paying twice As much says Travis. Most youngsters pay at least some of the expenses and trading among skateboarders is common. Shaun Emerson 9, says his skateboard ensemble deck wheels and trucks is Worth $1 05. He got his Board in a Trade. Shaun s skill level is not a match for his skateboard. I m not that Good at it he says. I bought it piece by piece. It adds up in allowance says Russell Myers 11, of his equipment. His Mother also chipped in. Whether americans in the Frankfurt area want to skate seriously or not they often head South to tropical a Well known skateboarding Park in Emsbach. The Park also offers video games and Pool and Ping Pong tables. Though the Rhein mainers Are glad to have a skateboard ramp they go to tropical for More elaborate challenges bowls ramps and Waves. The Rhein main ramp opened in october and operates every Day unless it Rains. Keenan says the decision to build it was made by base officials who wanted to decrease the number of skateboarding accidents on the sidewalks and streets. Occasionally we be had kids come in who have Hurt themselves. Here there s no cars running through no bikes. It s a safer situation he says. Children under 18 must have their parents fill out an Assumption of risk form before using the ramp. Skateboarders Over 1 8 May sign for themselves. All must Wear Elbow and knee pads and helmets. Keenan said eight or nine skateboarders use the ramp on most weekdays with More turning up on the weekends. About 70 youngsters have filled out tin risk form and Are eligible to use the ramp. Some skateboarders come from Frankfurt and Darmstadt for a Chance to practice their skills since they Don t have their own ramp. Others come merely to watch their friends and hang out for a while. August 4, 1988 stripes Magazine 13