Damn Downhillers!
Jacko posted,
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/04/13/68655
_gold-coast-lead-story.html
Racers 'asking to die young'
Katrina Jones
April 13th, 2009
THEY call it fun as they risk their life and others' by
illegally reaching speeds of up to 90km/h by riding
skateboards on suburban Gold Coast roads.
The group of downhill skateboarders dodge traffic, swerve
around blind corners and break the speed limit which
police say is against the law on public roads.
The skaters, some as young as 13, took to the streets of
Currumbin Waters and Reedy Creek at the weekend to
compete.
Councillor Chris Robbins labelled their antics as 'stupid'
and said they were 'asking to die young'.
About 30 skaters attempted to race the 1.5km stretch of
Tierney Drive on Saturday but rain and police interference
disrupted the illegal event dubbed the 'Outlaw Downhill
Race'.
More than 20 calls from residents were made to local
police who warned organiser Jeremy Rodgers that skating
on a marked road was against the law.
Mr Rodgers said they faced potential fines of $30 if they
were caught and he said they were told to relocate to an
area with unmarked roads.
Photo gallery: Street skating
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The fine was a cost the skaters were willing to risk if the
weather had cleared.
"We were going to do the heats and send them down if it
dried up and just chance it with the fines," said Mr
Rodgers.
"The fine for four skaters could have been paid for by
entry fees, but it was just too wet so we postponed the
race until Sunday.
"We didn't get any council permission because to do that
the red tape would not even allow us to start.
"The police were really supportive but they had to enforce
the law as such."
A smaller group of 12 met yesterday in Golden Grove
Drive at The Observatory and raced the 500m stretch of
road.
The event went ahead successfully and no one came off
their board.
Although several cars were stopped by the group during
the competition, on a number of occasions the
skateboarders had to dodge traffic as they raced down the
hill.
This is not the first time the skaters have competed in the
streets of Reedy Creek or Currumbin.
Mr Rodgers said there had been four races at Currumbin
but only two had been completed successfully.
"It's really a chance of luck because we've held two there
and got away with it," he said.
"We would have done it anyway and risked the fine but it
was too wet."
Mr Rodgers said the hill in Currumbin was very popular
among downhill skateboarders.
"The road is really good because it's long and there is one
corner where everyone is doing about 80km/h and that's
where we get a lot of crashes and the crowd love it," he
said.
"Most people wear their full leathers and full face helmets
but when you do come off you get some scratches and
bruises.
"The main thing is not hitting a tree or light pole but most
people just slide out and push on again."
During each race there is one man who acted as a
marshall at the start and finish line to stop traffic.
If a car came they would ask the driver to pull over and
wait until the race was finished.
Cr Robbins said the skateboarders actions would never be
acceptable.
"It's never going to be okay because you're risking your
own life and other people's lives in the process," she said.
"Anyone swerving and dodging cars is really asking to die
young.
"It's a stupid thing to do and it will end up killing
someone."
Regional Traffic Coordinator Greg Baade said the
skateboarders could be charged for dangerous operation
of a vehicle.
"If it's a public road and you act dangerously by
endangering yourself or any other members of the public
you could be charged," he said.
"They could also be charged with riding without due care
and attention to other road users.
"If they crash into someone else or hurt themselves that's
the big worry.
"And if a motorists takes evasion action and crashes when
they swerve out of the way of a skateboarder then that's
much worse than a fine."
Video
http://player.video.news.com.au/goldcoast/#d04DP8tWj0
gUuUbUfk_bk3aUSzXH_KgK
2009 April 14 6:25 PM
Chris S in NYC replied,
Yeah, screw longboarding if I am going to die. Let me join the military instead.