Skating in LA: An Interview at Pedlow Skatepark

I'm really stoked about YN's skate week. The whole week I've had the chance to visit different skateparks and meet a variety of skaters. Young skaters, ex-skaters, big ones, crazy ones, parents of skaters, and older skaters. It's been a blast!

Andrews catching some air.

Take one dude I met recently, Andrew Andrews. He's this older cat from the valley whose been skating for over 15 years now. I've always pictured skaters as these young agile kids with long hair. So imagine my surprise when I meet Andrew -- older guy, agile then most people half his age, short hair, and just a regular looking dude, similar to Hal in my previous post on falling and skating safely.

"SKATE OR DIE!"
But Andrew is not your regular skater. He's been skating for years and will probably be skating long after this post is written 'cause the guy defies age as much as he does gravity. Just look at his pics. And don't forget to check out the video too.

Some pools are meant for flying.

Andrews' is the kinda guy you meet and find out he's skated with pro skaters, back when they weren't even pros. Imagine the wealth of skate experience this guy's got! Like a wikipedia page, he broke down some basic skate stuff for me on style, talked a bit of skate history, and added fuel to my burning anticipation for the opening of the new P-Rod Skatepark by demonstrating some awesome air time. Check out the video for more.

Now I've seen what's capable at Pedlow skatepark. And I can't wait to see some crazy moves and skills that rock the senses at the new P-Rod skatepark.

Come out! Get your Jam on! Let's see your style!

Skate on! But Do It Safely

Have you heard the news? It's happening.

It's all going down this Sunday, June 21st
at the
Ritchie Valens Recreation Center in Pacoima.

P-Rod, Nike SB, and other surprises await you!
Don't miss it!

IT'S A PART OF THE GAME
So I've been checking out the skating scene in big anticipation to the new skatepark opening this Sunday. My recent day Pedlow Skatepark got me thinking about one of the biggest parts of any sport: falling. And falling hard.

Falling is part of the game. My weakened knees, scarred skin, and twisted fingers can testify to that. Roller hockey checks, downhill handlebar flips from my bike, and the regular b-ball ankle twist from battling in the paint kept my youth rocking. Again, it's part of the game. And skating is no exception to the rule.

My visit to the park not only had me blown away by the skills these kids had -- their air time, the tricks, the long grinds -- but I was also floored by their persistence to perfect their art, going at it again and again, even after the occasional hard fall. It takes a lot of heart to keep at it when you're hurting. And it builds heart just the same.

Alex Carballo, 12, catching air at Pedlow.

A PARENT'S TAKE
Now we all know that practice makes perfect ... or at least better. And there's nothing like speeding down a ramp, a hill, or a half-pipe, catching some air, and landing that shiznit. All the falls, all the hard work, (and the fun) are well worth it.

Hal Long, one of the parents I met at Pedlow, knows just how fun skating can be. He grew up on the east coast with a half-pipe in his backyard, "probably the only half-pipe in a 20 mile radius," he says, and skated throughout his youth.

As with all sports, he's aware of the potential dangers of skating. He personally took a lot of hard knocks as a kid and is now a big proponent of wearing proper protection while skating. He added, "Some skateparks need to do a better job with enforcing helmet use."



Hal makes sure his 14 year old daughter, Hunter, wears protective gear while skating. "She doesn't like it so much, but all it takes is one wrong fall without protective gear to do some serious damage."

I asked Hal if he would ever take up skating again. He said that his daughter tries to get him out in the park sometimes and continued, "I almost get the nerve to do it, but then my sanity kicks in. I can't afford to get hurt. I have to work!" He's taken up mountain-biking instead.

Dude, I know the feeling. There's a lot of concrete out there -- in my daily life at work and in the skatepark. Both can get a little dangerous. It's much easier to get out of the city and catch some air.

Although I'm sure that kids like Alex, pictured below, prefer the concrete park instead, and enjoy catching a different kind of air. So to all you skaters out there perfecting your game, I say: Skate on! But do it safely.

Alex Carballo in the pool

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LA in '84 to P-Rod today: Ritchie Valens Skatepark Hits LA

The following post is from YouthNoise Play City—a community dedicated to changing the world through sports and play. PLAY ON!

THE FLAME CONTINUES
The year was 1984 and the City of Los Angeles was in an uproar. The Olympic Games had come to town and would change the face of our city forever. A quarter century later, the spirit of those Games still lingers and continues to put a smile on the face of Angelenos both young and old.

Remnants of the Games, murals like these still salt the city.

When all was said and done, the medals given, the athletes gone, the Los Angeles Olympic Games had become one of the most financially successful in history, earning a surplus of over $230 million. A portion of this money was used to seed the LA84 Foundation, which has been a major advocate and coordinator of youth sports programs in the City for over twenty years.

Most recently LA84 teamed with Nike SB and the City of LA Dept. of Recreation & Parks to push forward yet another endeavor fueled by the lasting spirit of the games:

THE RITCHIE VALENS
SKATEPARK

in
Pacoima California.

Still under construction, the park is set to open on June 21, 2009 (which also happens to be International Go Skateboarding Day and Father's Day). So bring your board, your dad, or both and come celebrate at the new skatepark!

A number of cool peeps will be present, including P-Rod, a home-grown talent of the valley, and the Nike Skateboarding Team. Now you should know that Nike Folks never come empty-handed to a party -- like a true pachanga in the valley, there's bound to be music, giveaways and food!

A SKATE PARK LIES AHEAD
The new Skatepark is located on the same grounds as the Ritchie Valens Community Center and is part of a huge green area that also houses basketball courts, a multi-use field, tennis courts, a pool, and a gymnasium.

One happy resident and local community activist, Tony Alcala, said that he's been working with Councilmember Richard Alarcon for a few years to have an area built for local skaters at the current site. He continued, "Up until recently they've been using the planters and steps near the front of the park [to practice]."

Above, left, is where the skaters used to chill and practice. On the right, their new home awaits completion.

Approximately 50-60 youth visit the current location daily and demand is growing. Tony added that the nearest skatepark, Pedlow, is a few miles away and that that's why a lot of the locals are stoked. "There's a need for places like this in the community, a place for youth to hang out after school, to stay out of trouble, and do what they love" says Alcala.

It's on its way, baby!

Find this post and many others at YouthNoise Play City:
http://www.youthnoise.com/playcity/blog