Back in the seventies I was an avid skateboarder and had no time for rollerskates. What staggers me is how the youth of today are deprived of what a real skateboard was.

I started with a wooden "Flyer" skateboard with a wooden deck (the bit you stand on) and rubber or solid plastic wheels. It was the reliant robin of skateboards. Then I moved up to multicoloured green thing. (The best thing about it). Cost about twenty quid (back in 76/77). Cost me a front tooth and a bloody nose when I fell off once.

I then moved up to the lamborghini of skateboards. Fortunately I still have it. This is why I think the youth today are so missing out. It cost a fortune back then, but I'd like to know if anyone out there remembers what I'm on about when I tell you the spec:

A 29inch G&S (Gordon and Smith) laminate bowlrider deck. ACS 651 trucks (the axle assembly mounted to the deck to which the wheels were attached). And (the best bit!) 70mm (the diameter) lime green Kryptonic wheels. Boy was that skateboard fast! I could tic tac up a steep incline with it.

One day I will take the board out and introduce the kids to the delights of a truley fast skateboard. With a single gentle shove it would take you twenty yards on a flat surface.

Anyone out there remember that era of skateboarding?

I remember the start of the Red Hand Gang where one of the kids is laying down on his skateboard and going down the hill. The skateboard is made of red plastic and is about 2 inches wide ha ha!