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You can skateboard at Castle Island, and you can sail, but don't try to combine the two
By adamg on Sun, 08/08/2010 - 1:18pm
Scooterdude, who normally plies the air currents around the Hancock with his sail-equipped scooter, goes over to Castle Island with his new sail, only to run into immediate opposition from park rangers:
"THERE'S NONE OF THAT HERE. YOU CAN SKATEBOARD (dubious!) on the walk or sail out there on the water, but you can't do both. We just sent two to the hospital for doing this and another one we caught and sent him away." (dubious, even more so! These types of fabrications in the comments tend to reveal a total unfamiliarity of how unique my craft and skill is. They're usually speaking out of real ignorance of what I've been doing for over five years and much more out of their own fear.)
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Comments
Wow
So the Park Rangers tossed him from the area because he is so special? Or because of concerns that he might hurt himself or others. You most read to the very end of the post to see he does acknowledge the size of the sail might be an issue.
After all I never see people using skateboards and sails on Revere Beach. Nope never especially along the surf at low tide. Or during the kite festival when you can purchase the sails. Or on the big cement steps where the merry go round use to be. Where I never see any body trying to do tricks with or with out sails.
Nope just like Tigger he's the only one.
reflections....
Santa Monica, California...France and other spots in Europe.....they're doing it in lots of places (see all the videos).......but Boston, I guess, will forever remain 'special', it ain't gonna happen here. "You can't do that here..!!" Most comments like these are from ignorance, I repeat,....these comments......they've never seen it done, so, ipso facto.....it can't,...well, nay, it shouldn't be done....." i.e. it's all fear of what can happen...what might happen,...what shouldn't happen.... "Yes, the temptation is to stay in boxes of comfort and safety..."
I've appreciated all the feedback too. I respect the admonitions too, which is why I moved on and didn't have 'attitude'. Don't ya think it might have been more reasonable for the authorities to say, "interesting vehicle/invention...try going to that other place over there or when there's nobody here...and always remember safety and rules of the road....stay sensible." or better, "hey, Scooterman, they're doing it over at that park over there...it's a much better location and you'll be with the others who are developing their skills and evolving that sport, whaddya call it? "wind-scootering"?
I'm still very grateful for the welcome and encouragement I get in Copley Square. From this standpoint, Boston is still an exceptional city for innovation and experimentation. Thanks! fans!(Just don't be left in the dust as other places speed into the future.)
It's not a viable new
It's not a viable new transportation technology for typically narrow Boston pathways, nor a grand social movement. It's playing about. Which is fine. But don't pretend it's more than that.
And if someone's contraption is threatening injury to bystanders, I think it's great that the rangers or troopers said "Hey, don't do that here; people have been getting hurt doing things like that here." They are not travel agents to alternative recreational destinations.
is what they said about cars at first.
ah, the terror of 'horseless carriages'
Making It All Up is the Problem
If they had said "hey, we don't let people ride bikes, and it is crowded today" that is a statement of reality.
Pulling shit out of their arse and saying BECAUSE ME BE A COP/RANGER AND ME SAID SOOO? Not acceptable - and ridiculous too! Ridiculous and stupid != garnering any respect.
Visit the Cape
The Cape Cod Canal ALWAYS has a good breeze. Just ask anyone that bikes it. And oddly enough, it's always in your face. You would think turning around and heading in the opposite direction would put the wind at your back, but not along the Cape Cod Canal. It's like a freak of man-made nature.
If Scooterdude could master that breeze, then the rangers on Castle Island should give him some kind of license for his sail craft.
thanks for the suggestions...any and all are welcome
Actually, I don't own a car (just Zip car when I can) and rely on my bike for commuting and getting around the city. So, impractical to venture too far from urban spaces around Boston, especially carrying a nine ft. sail folded up. I haven't given up on some other locations either, but realistically, don't ya think the same sorts of people, all sorts of security personnel, etc. will be there waiting for me to direct me away from either private property or inappropriately using public space. And, the issue of a sort of license is a valid point, and one which I'd certainly encourage as my skill would be demonstrated to calm any fears.
What's with the third person?
What's with the third person?
George is very angry!
What's with that blog's design?
Did someone really think it'd be a good idea to cover up half the text? I tried reading it but my eyes exploded in an act of misconceived self-preservation.
Looks like the MySpace School
Looks like the MySpace School of Graphic Design.
Background
Point well-taken. Pictures work better. Although, I know that you soon discovered that better reading of the text is afforded by scrolling down.
Just a change of perspective
It gives a different angle, and is a tighter expression of what I experience in two different worlds, either on the scooter or off. I probably could write in First Person if I was texting while riding, but that is really unsafe. Since I try to render the experience of sheer joy and wonder while I'm riding, the only honest way seems in the Third Person, like a reporter covering the story. My blogging is simply derivative. I can't actually communicate what Scooterdude is thinking or feeling or experiencing while he's out there.
Wow
Really? Really?
I mean....really?
Is this an attempt at humor, or...but, come on...
Really??
really....
I mean, really....
ya right, no body is THAT serious anymore....! Give me a break...I mean, really, who takes things that seriously anymore....humor? I don't think so..., really.
Over there,
The walkways are relatively small and the wind is constant and most of the time pretty strong. Hell, even bikers keep away because of how crowded it is with walkers, runners and strollers.
I think the rangers are in the right here. It's not a larger plaza, or an open city road.
It be like trying to do his thing down a Newbury street sidewalk.
small space
Good point too. Although, again, I have handled much worse crowds during rush hour along Boylston St. during the holiday season, in snow and wind, and rain, and yet I remained remarkably adept at maneuvering around everyone. It's part of the point I've been making these years I've been doing it, that urban transportation is wide open for invention and innovation. You all should come down to Copley Sq. some time and actually see what I do. I think you might be impressed. (It seems to me that everyone making comments here actually hasn't seen me, and have, indeed, like the Rangers, made their comments and observations completely on assumptions, fears, prejudices, biases, resentments, maybe even envy.)
We live in time when it seems Fear rules, and it's one of my convictions that it is Fear which destroys creativity, adventure, and achievement. To live a life with only realistic fear is one of my goals. I don't mean a reckless or carefree life, destructive or selfish, but rather, as I see it in the faces of the children and the elderly and everyone in between who seem to enjoy what they witness and can share in the experience, a life of liberating joy and wonder, of freedom.
I have seen you, and really
I have seen you, and really have no problem.
But there is a big difference between using a makeshift sail, and the photo of the one below which is much larger and will get you to higher speeds quicker. Plus the size is much larger then what you used to use.
I've always been a proponent that "yes, there things you can do, but shouldn't." This seems like one taking into account how crowded castle island is even on weekdays, let alone the weekend.
good observation
I think Scooterdude would have to agree.... okay.
might I suggest trying again
might I suggest trying again in the winter when it's much less crowded.
And this is why:
That thing alone would take up 1/2 the walking path. I consistently have to weave and slow down / speed up running, while waiting for blockades of people to move. Using that thing at Castle Island is just a bad idea all around. The parking lot at south bay, or over around Umass is probably a better place.
Wo, Wo, Wo.........
....hold on there sunshine! You got a license for that thing?
Castle Island
I read this individuals blog. On the surface, he seems to be just another self-absorbed individual. Sunday on Castle Island (in the summer) is very crowded. The State Troopers and the Rangers out there have to deal with people like him and their attitudes. Look about for a less congested venue.
"Dubious" means the writer is
"Dubious" means the writer is skeptical of a statement. "Fabrication" means the writer knows a statement to be invented and fraudulent. Calling statements "dubious" and then calling them "fabrications" makes no sense; it appears to be nothing more than melodramatic rhetoric. And that seems to fit the psychological profile of this character, who apparently believes everyone automatically knows about his "unique craft and skill" and are liars if they say otherwise.
Unless this man's last name is "Obama," I think we can all safely ignore him and tip our hats to the rangers.
English 101
Dubious....doubtful.
Fabrications....."made up", manufactured,
The meaning is simple. Since no one skateboards around Castle Island, it is dubious that one is really permitted to do such....
Since no one has attempted to sail while skateboarding at Castle Island ( the manufacturer of WindSkate Sails is quoted as saying no sails had been purchased in the area or used) it is dubious that anyone was sent to the hospital for attempting the sport....therefore, it seems likely that the reports of sending "people to the hospital" was fabricated...i.e. lies.