Lori Rigsbee 7.11.02

When was the first time you went to Del Mar?
I think I was 10 or 11 so 1981-82.

Who did you go with?
My brother Kevin.

What was your first impression?
I thought it was fun. But for my first 2 years I only went a few times and rode a skinny board I got at Gemco.

Were you already skating or is the park what made you want to start?
I started skating at the age of 4, but didn’t really get into it until I went to DM. Then, when I was 13, I bought a Caballero board and started “skating seriously”.

Do you remember any of the locals from your first visit?
Yup. I remember the Scottish guys (Cheese and Stan), Dave, Dan, Tony, Adrian, O, Owen. I actually remember more faces than names.

Do you still know any of those guys?
Not really.

What did you love about Del Mar?
It was close to home. Lots of fun and friends.

What did you hate?
Paying. But then again, I don’t think I hardly ever paid after I started there. And Mike Not.

Did you ever get hassled for being a girl, or for being a better skater than some of the locals?
Probably, but many of the locals were my friends. Hassling usually came from non-locals. I didn’t pay attention or care anyways.

Did you ever spend the night at Del Mar?
Practically. But I was rather young then, so my mom would pick me up and home I’d go.

Did you ever skate the mini golf course?
Of course.

What was your favorite thing to skate?
The Square Pool and the Halfpipe

What is your most vivid memory of Del Mar?
Falling on my head, but I don’t really remember that part.

What was the most amazing or epic session you ever witnessed at Del Mar?
The 86 Pro-Am comes to mind, but I don’t know if that was really the most amazing. It was a good contest. I haven’t thought about these details of DM in a while.

Del Mar Interviews done via email 2002 by Mark Waters