License To Skate!

This inexpensive series of videotapes focuses on one of the hottest activities of young adults today: skateboarding. Though a bit long on stunt skateboarding, accompanied by rather bland rock, and a bit short on actual instruction, these videos will certainly appeal to the teenage set. We examined the first two titles in the series, The Basics and Freestyle. The Basics takes a while to get started, but once it does, safety is emphasized as the first priority for beginning skaters. Safety equipment, safe areas in which to skate, and the best ways to fall, turn, and stop are all covered in fine detail. In Freestyle, skateboarders learn a variety of techniques for adding style to their riding, including "walking the dog," "space walking," and 180/360 degree turns, among others. Both programs feature tons of actual skateboarding footage by pro skaters Bill Robertson, Chuck Dinkins, Reggie Barnes, Jim McCall, and others. Sure to be popular with YA's, this value-priced series is recommended. (Available from: Pantheon Industries, Inc., 6325 N. Invergordon Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85253.)