I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the variety of digitized 1970s skateboarding books on the Internet Archive, including Skateboarding is For Me (1978 Lerner Publications) by Lowell A. Dickmeyer with photos by Daniel E. Gross. I had briefly flipped through the book in the hour before launching my book at Antisocial Skateshop, since it’s part of Michelle Pezel’s collection, and was just delighted by it so it was great to find the vintage book readily available online.
The simple story focuses on a girl named Kathy gearing up to learn how to safely skateboard with the support of her siblings Jay and Lisa, and best friend, Nicole. There’s lots of advice, some basic terms, accessible photos, and just an overall positive vibe.
The skaters are diverse and seem genuinely stoked to be taking up skateboarding. Kathy and Nicole even attended a demonstration at a skatepark called Aloha Skatetown in Agoura, California, which was on Canwood Street off the 101 highway.
I only recognize Aloha because there’s a photo of Brenda Devine ripping up the pool that I have in my collection! Brenda even represented Aloha at the Hang-Ten Skateboard Olympics at Magic Mountain in 1978. I almost wonder if the few photos in the book of a girl performing some freestyle moves was Brenda but the riders weren’t named.
There was also an article about Aloha Skatetown in the June 1978 issue of Wild World of Skateboarding (60-63). Apparently, the big feature was a design that was supposed to mimic the Grand Canyon, not to forget the $4000 sound system (big money in 1978) so that skaters could bring their own cassette tapes and blast their favorite tunes while skating.
Next to the skate shop / snack shop was the Sega Center Arcade “complete with air hockey, net pinball games, and the latest in the world of pong games.” So, pretty much a kid’s dream come true! Aloha Skatetown was designed by Doug Nelson and Bill Brulias.
Who knows if Kathy and Nicole progressed in their pursuit of skateboarding, but hopefully they had fun and a lasting friendship, which is what it’s all about!
Womxn Skateboard History 