Jon Hirozawa, News 13 Sports Reporter
ORLANDO -- It's one of the most popular sports in the world, but finding a legal place to skateboard hasn't been easy, until now.
There is a new place for Central Floridians to shoot the half-pipe. Skateboarding is prohibited on streets, sidewalks and public parking lots in Orlando, but there is a place for skaters to do their thing in The City Beautiful -- the Orlando Skate Park.
"It's a pretty fun park. You get a lot of speed in the bowls. Skate the ledges if you're more street, and they got the street course, so it's pretty fun," said Connor Askew.
"Basically, it's just something I loved to do and got out of it for many years, and now that I have a son it's something he's gotten into and I've gotten back into it with him and it's keeping me younger and having fun. I love it," said Marc Luke.
Now, as far as protective equipment goes, if you're 18 and over, they only require a helmet.
News 13's Jon Hirozawa was asked to give it a try. He asked for every piece of equipment they had in the shop, and he got it. So, how hard could it be, right?
News 13's Jon Hirozawa wipes out at Orlando Skate Park.
As soon as he started down the ramp, Hiro wiped out -- big time. Maybe he should leave it to the young people.
"I used to do dance, but now I skateboard. I quit dance for skateboarding. I like it a lot better because you get to feel free, wind in your face. It's just great," said Hannah Brooks, 9.
Speaking of free, girls skate free all the time. Every Tuesday, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. it is free to everybody.
Sessions are broken up into three-hour increments and cost $6.50 each, or $15 for the whole day. Skating in the streets is free, but you run the risk of getting in trouble with the law, which can be much more expensive.
Orlando Skate Park is located about two miles east of downtown Orlando in Festival Park.
Give it a try, but if you're a beginner, wear those pads.
If you would like to see Jon's wipeout, but don't want to watch the video, click on our slideshow in the upper right of this story.
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