Tag: venice skatepark

Shredtopia Fest and Contest Invades the Santa Monica Pier

Danny Baraz December 10, 2015

This past Saturday, The Shredtopia Music Festival and Skate Contest came to the Santa Monica Pier and low key, was one of the funnest skate contests I’ve been to in a long time. Was it because the contestants were 90% comprised of the skaters I see daily at the Venice Skatepark or was it because of the 10% of skaters that came to test them on their home field? With little promotion and the El Gato Competition happening concurrently in Palm Springs, the turn out for Shredtopia was light but the times were good and that made for an intimate but competitive event fought amongst friends. Bands were playing throughout the competition and in particular, Meet Me at The Pub set a high energy soundtrack to a number of the heats and Tony Alva’s band, “His Eyes Have Fangs” switched the vibe up nicely for the final round. I was a bit disappointed that TA’s other band, GFP wasn’t playing Shredtopia. Given the nature of the event, GFP might’ve been more apropos but His Eyes Have Fangs have a pretty cool sound too. There was no shortage of controversy, though. Between some of the names left off the finals roster

Z-Flex Jay Boy Classic at Venice Skate Park May 23rd

Danny Baraz May 21, 2015

The second annual, Z-Flex Jay Boy Classic is taking place this weekend, Saturday May 23rd at The Venice Skatepark. If you love skateboarding. nowhere on this planet captures the spirit of it’s birth quite like the Venice Skatepark. No one person captures the spirit of skateboarding quite like Jay Adams. No skate company captures the spirit of the OxGx Z-boys like Z-flex. In only the second year of the competition and the first since the untimely passing of it’s namesake in August of 2014, the Jay Boy classic features the best in amateur and professional talent. Last year’s inaugural event was witnessed by over 25,000 spectators and this year’s event should surpass that. This year’s Z-Flex Jay Boy Classic has a new format with an Unsponsored Bowl Jam, Legends Session and Invitational Cash Grab with over $5k in cash and prizes awarded to the participants of the events. Unsponsored Bowl Jam : Over $2000 in product Legends: $1000 cash Invitational : $2000 cash The schedule of the event is as follows: 9am – 10am : Competitor Registration 10am – 2pm : Unsponsored Bowl Jam 2:30 – 3pm : Legends Session 3:30 – 4:30pm: Invitational Cash Grab This event is brought

Makaha Bowl Jam and Food Drive 2014: Charging hard at Venice Skatepark

Danny Baraz January 4, 2015

Janky Smooth was proud to sponsor this year’s annual Makaha/Vans Bowl Jam and Food Drive at the Venice Skatepark. There is nothing like the community spirit that is displayed in Venice whenever surfing, skating and outreach are involved. The last time the neighborhood got together was for the Jay Adams Memorial which assembled all the the original, remaining Z-Boys and the next event on the schedule is National Go Skateboarding Day, scheduled for Jun 21st 2015. This years Makaha Bowl Jam was originally scheduled to take place before Xmas on December 13th to get hungry folks a helping hand before the holiday. The event had to be rescheduled for Sunday, Dec 28th due to wet concrete in the bowls which is common this time of year. Unfortunately, there are hungry people all year round so feeding them is just as important before and after the holidays. You can donate, year round at the Makaha Skateboards website. The day started at 9am with the 10 and under division. The groms charged right out of the gate and shit didn’t stop until sunset when the 16 and older heads broke off stylish, clean lines throughout the snake run and the minibowl. The

Janky Smooth Proud to be a Sponsor of Makaha Bowl Jam and Food Drive ’14

Danny Baraz December 18, 2014

In 1963, Skateboarding Hall of Famer and Innovator, Larry Stevenson, held the first ever Skateboarding Contest/Food Drive. Last year, in celebration of the 50th anniversary, Makaha Skateboards, along with other legends of skate from the 60’s and 70’s celebrated the 50 year anniversary with the Makaha Bowl Jam and Food Drive ’13. The 2nd annual Makaha Bowl Jam and Food Drive will take place On Sunday, December 28th 2014 at the world famous Venice Beach Skatepark. The event will be hosted by legendary skater, Dave Duncan, voice of World Cup Skateboarding. The day will also feature an all day snake run/mini bowl contest along with Food Trucks, Live Music, Food Collections and extreme Pro-Am Skaterboarders. This event is in association with the Westside Food Bank and 100% of profits go to feeding those in need this Holiday Season. All donations are much appreciated and valued and you can donate, check contest rules and sign up here. Skaters Sign-ups for Makaha Bowl Jam 2014: $10 Entry Fee + 2 Cans of Food – Registration Open Now – See full Contest Rules for details – Sign Up Now! There will be two categories- 15 and under and 16 and over.