Skateboarding needs people like Debbi Bennett of Hollywood, CA! In 1978, at age 24, Debbi was behind a petition called “FreeSkate L.A.” when she learned that her city council was considering making skateboarding illegal – not even allowing skateboarding in one’s own driveway let alone a street or sidewalk.
Debbi wasn’t convinced that these laws were about protecting the safety of children, especially since she had been skateboarding for 14 years, starting out on a plywood board with steels wheels stolen from her sister’s roller skates, and never experienced an injury. In 1969, Debbi took first place at an amateur contest at Santa Monica Beach sponsored by Hobie and won a plastic board with clay wheels – “I thought that board was so hot… and of course, compared to the plywood one I was using, it was hot” (Berryman).
An article in the May 1978 issue of Wild World of Skateboarding reported on Debbi’s initiative. “When Debbie heard what the city council was planning to do, she got pretty upset. She talked to all the skaters she knew, then went to tournaments, contests, and demos with her voice and a petition.”
Strangely enough, Debbi was met with some resistance from skatepark owners thinking she was against their developments. But Debbi pointed out that, “Not everyone can afford to go to a skatepark [and pay entrance fees] and not everyone lives close enough to one. There just aren’t enough parks and they aren’t convenient. Kids like to travel on their boards…”
Editor, Di Dootson Rose also included a feature on Debbi, in the May 1978 issue of National Skateboard Review called “Skater’s Opinion,” which explored the contradiction with skatepark owners and their view of the law. She wrote, “The skateboarder who likes ‘stunts’ and ‘radical’ riding is a big hazard on the public sidewalk; for these riders, a skatepark is the perfect solution! But, for the average ‘sidewalk surfer’ who enjoys pushing along, with no stunts in mind, the sidewalk is perfect territory” (p. 16).
Debbi argued that what’s more hazardous was the cost of going to a skatepark, spending an average of $30 a week, plus gas to commute there. And this is where it gets fascinating, like Debbi is predicting the future! “I could never afford some $120 per month for skateboarding!!! I doubt if the average skater can either. Yet, if skateboarding were banned, the skateboarder would be forced to either come up with this kind of money, or to become an ‘outlaw’ on the sidewalk.” I’m thinking, sounds like the 1980s!
Debbi also didn’t find skateparks particularly inviting for beginners, especially when they were packed with skaters. She recommended that skatepark owners offer orientation lessons and build sections for beginners to gain confidence, but at a less extreme scale. What a vision! In fact, Debbi took action and started collaborating with Parent Teacher Associations throughout SoCal offering skateboard clinics to kids.
As a female skateboarder, Debbi really nailed it. “At two parks I was refused admittance on the basis that the current session was full. Yet, to my dismay, seconds later two males set down their money and walked on to the course during this same session. I would like to add that there was no advance reservation list for these sessions. I personally will never again frequent these skateparks.”
Debbi spoke to some other girls waiting in the stands, and apparently this inequity happened frequently. “Skatepark owners should be more aware that the female skateboard population is growing by leaps and bounds. And, we are here to stay.” Hell yes, Debbi! Punch it in.
Photos: Peter Du Pre
Debbi was mostly financing the action herself, but acknowledged the kids who were doing the leg work getting signatures for the petition. She even had skate manufacturers donate equipment, which Debbi would giveaway to the kids as incentive to fill in names and contact information. Debbi also had some celebrity support with Farrah Fawcett, Kristy McNichol, Cher, and Ellen Oneal signing their names.
Debbi vowed in her opinion piece that for all those skaters who can’t access parks, who don’t have the money, who aren’t “hot skaters,” and who happen to be born female, “I will do my best to keep the sidewalk free and legal…”
In the July 1978 issue of National Skateboard Review, pro skater Ellen Berryman wrote a follow-up article about Debbi’s progress. “It’s almost over, thank goodness. The council committee has been very receptive to my suggestions and ideas… the council members are now considering putting up trial skateboard ramps at several public parks in Los Angeles.”
Finally, in the August 1978 issue of NSR, a photo appears of Debbi celebrating her young volunteers with prizes and the announcement that “FreeSkate L.A. has won! The Los Angeles City Council’s special committee has announced that they do not feel a law banning skateboarding is necessary at this time.” And just to be safe, Debbi then turned FreeSkate into a non-profit club to distribute unbiased information about equipment, market research, and legal rights.
Even though it’s forty years later, I salute you, Debbi! And if ever you see this post, give me a shout.
Note: “Debbi” is sometimes misspelled as “Debbie.”
References:
- Bennett, Debbi. “Skater’s Opinion.” National Skateboard Review, May 1978: p. 16.
- Bennett, Debbi. “Update: FreeSkate L.A.” National Skateboard Review, August 1978: p. 14.
- Berryman, Ellen. “Mini Women’s Section: skate ladies & state of the art.” National Skateboard Review, July 1978: p. 18.
- Du Pre, Peter. “Freeskate L.A.” Wild World of Skateboarding, May 1978: p. 70.
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