Going to Xtremes

Want to know what we learned from watching this film with our kids? Here are our buttery bits of wisdom:

• We found this film fascinating from a historical point of view, but kids loved watching other kids doing something they love. Sean Penn narrates, so the cool factor is impossible to ignore. We recommend it for kids older than eight, who can process the risky behavior of these boarders. Although drugs aren't explicity mentioned, the culture presented is very street oriented; kids break into yards with empty pools, and are often chased away by cops.
  
• The film includes interview sections, showing where the kids wound up as adults. Some are very successful like the filmmaker and a surfboard manufacturer. The best skaters seem to have had the most difficult time transitioning to adulthood; one is in jail, and struggles with drug abuse.
• The filmmaker, Stacy Peralta, was a skater with the Z-Boys so his perspective is bonafide. What's great about the film is that it captures a hip culture in its infancy. The drought was key to the mood: a reckless, now-or-never attitude infected the kids and pushed them to invention. They pushed the envelope of the law, which helped their image, but the film treats this objectively as criminal behavior. The Zephyr gang included a few girls, but was a boy dominated culture.

Want to know how to talk with your kids about the film? Here are some conversation starters: 

• Watch the film with your kids, because several questions will come up about these boys' lives. Our kids wanted to know why they seemed to be on their own, seemingly without parents. Why were they breaking into people's yards to use the empty pools? Was it illegal? You'll also want to deal with the fascinating topic of what became of these pioneers - why did some succeed in life, and others have sad stories?
  
• A studio film called Lords of Dogtown was made, based on the documentary. Interestingly, it is not as fun to watch. Ask the kids why that might be? What makes the documentary so cool to watch?
  

Want to know what we learned from doing this adventure with our kids? Here are our buttery bits of wisdom:

• If you have the stamina, your kids will think you are pretty great if you take them to an X Games event. It's hot and sweaty, full of eager teens, but if you want to see a burgeoning sport in action, this is the best place in the whole USA. What the rest of the country sees on TV, you can watch live.
• However, if you prefer television, set your Tivo and enjoy these crazy events with the benefit of a commentator who can fill you in on the world of Xtreme sports. At the venues, you'll just hear screaming masses, but often won't have a clue why the crowd is excited. On television, you'll know that a third rotation of a BMX bike has never before been attempted ... you get the idea. Click here for the schedule.
  
• The skateboarding events, shown at Staples, are difficult to see from certain seats. Be sure to consult with the ticket seller before you purchase a seat which may be obstructed.

Want to help your children know more about their city? Here are some tidbits:

• Skateboard parks around L.A. are surprisingly hard to find.  Here are a few where you can take the kids to watch the locals or to give it a go themselves.  Helmets, knee and elbow pads are required at most parks, so come prepared.  Encino: Pedlow Skate Park (17334 Victory Blvd, 818/266-6991);Malibu:  Papa Jacks (23145 Civic Center Drive, 310/317-1364); Santa Monica (Memorial Park at 14th and Olympic/310/458-8228). For a listing of all skateboarding parks available around Southern California, from San Diego to Santa Barbara, log on to:  www.socal.skateparks.com/parks/homepage.
• The LAUSD has a skateboard program where it rolls out ramps for after school programs across the city.  See if your kids' school has one!
• Calling all soccer moms:  did you know that lots of moms are getting into the skateboarding act with their kids?  Newspapers have reported that moms are strapping on helmets and knee pads and joining their kids. 
• Check out the August Vanity Fair for a story about the early surfers in Malibu, and where they are now. This culture parallels the skateboard pioneers of Venice.
• The Winter X Games, this year in Aspen, feature snowboarding, SnoCross and Moto X skiing.  Look for coverage on EXPN from January 25 - 28, 2007.
  

Want to surf the web with your kids about skateboarding?  Here are a few places to start:

• www.lacitybeat.com/article.php "Let Them Eat Asphalt," is a great inside look at the kids who are pushing the edges of skateboarding today at schools like Hollywood High.
• www.socalskateparks.com/parks/homepage For listings of all the skateparks in Southern California, along with contact information, photos, prices and ratings.
• http://www.tonyhawk.com/ Site filled with details of the Hawk industry, from where to see pro skateboaraders around the country to chat about the sport.