Whenever my friends visit from out of state and are going through their itinerary, they always do the obligatory tour of Los Angeles. The Walk of Fame, Mann's Chinese Theater, Downtown LA, the Walt Disney Music Center are all some of the many tourist attractions that Los Angeles has to offer. Of course the most popular destinations are Santa Monica and Venice Beach. Venice is known for it's scenery and the eccentric cast of characters you'll find as you're strolling down the boardwalk. Whether it be an up and coming rap artist trying to sell his cd or a couple of beach hippies selling their hand-crafted trinkets, youi'll always be sure to find skateboarders cruising up and down the beach.
(Mural and unoffical entranceway to the skatepark commemorating Dogtown)
And I'm not talking about longboards either, I'm talking raw street skating. Unfortunately, with the large presence of skateboarding in Venice, there has never been a legitimate beachside skate facility at Venice Beach.
After so many years of skateboarders and supporters petitioning for a legitmate skatepark on the beach, it finally came to fruition with its official opening on October 2, 2009. City council members as well as legends like Jesse Martinez came out to speak about the struggle and unheralded efforts of so many who've waited so long for this day:
video source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30palseoYSA
The park features a variety of obstacles including one medium sized bowl as well as a bohemeth pool with tile coping. It also has a smooth winding snake run with fun little hips and corners to air and carve through ending up at a mellow bowl at the end. Street skateboarders will find that theres slim pickins at this skatepark with a "street area" that includes a couple metal edged blocks and some curved ledges. Most of the tricks that go down in the street area will have you ending up in more transitions.
(The Pool)
(Snake Run)
("Street Course")
The lack of street terrain does not deter from the grandness of Venice Skatepark because it is dedicated to the origins of skateboarding which is essentually cruising, carving, and just going fast and forever. It can get a little crowded because of tourists and the hundred of skaters trying to get their run in on the snake run and bowl but don't let that deter you from stopping by to partake in the shredfest.
(Sorry for cutting off your hand during your frontside ollie across the roll-in Ian.)
From the days of Dogtown in the 70's and 80's to the shady technical skateboarding scene a la Graffiti Pits of the 90's, Venice Skatepark is a great testament to the will and determination of all the generations of skateboarders who have rolled easy across the sand covered concrete and played four hour long games of S-K-A-T-E. Be sure to add this to your itinerary when you're hanging out in Los Angeles.
Oscar Loreto is a pretty unique individual and is one of the greatest examples of working with what you have. He was born with a congenital birth defect in which he ended up with no fingers and a missing left foot. For most people, that's enough to stop them in their tracks but for Oscar, that's just a minor bump in the road.
Oscar discovered love in the shape of a 7-ply maple deck, two aluminum trucks, and four urethane wheels. Since then, he's been on a tear. He was a skateboarding coach at Downey Skatepark one summer so we met up to discuss how he plays it forward.
(Photo: Chris Sanchez)
So, first things first, how long have you been skateboarding?
I've been riding a skateboard for over seven years now.
Well I'm obviously going to have to ask about your physical challenges especially since you skate, was it hard to get used to and was your mom down with the idea of you skating?
Yeah, she was pretty protective of me, I don't have fingers so it could be kind of harsh when I fall, but I just figured out how to do it you know. Like, I never skated before so when I started, I just adapted to it. Thats how it is with anyone who first starts skating, there really isn't a set way to do it, you figure it out and adapt it to your body, so with me, I had no problems cruising on a board and after a while, I had that natural balance and feel that comes with doing it for a while. My mom saw that I was really into it and eventually loosened up on her protectiveness.
What were some of the challenges you had initially with skateboarding?
Well obviously since I have a prosthetic leg, it was kind of hard to do flip tricks at first. I learned how to just push and ride around comfortably at first and the tricks were all trial and error. I'd mess around with different foot positions and stuff but I figured out how to do it and the rest just came with time. Its all muscle memory you know, I figured out the way I can get the board to flip or move the way I wanted. Just natural progression.
Did you play any other sports as a kid?
I was involved in organized soccer. Played in AYSO(American Youth Soccer Organization) until I was 10 and then eventually, I just started skating and that was it.
I've known you for a while now and I keep learning about some of the things that you're involved with, can you talk about the organization you just went on tour with?
Yeah, its called AAS(Adaptive Action Sports) and its a Non-Profit organization that was founded by Daniel Gale and Amy Purdy, a below the knee amputee. It helps to get people with disabilities to be able to skate, or snowboard, or bmx, or whatever non-traditional sports they were into. They asked me to get involved a couple years ago and I've gone on a few tours with them already, just doing demos and being part of major action sports events. They've been great to be a part of, I was able to be a filmer at the X-Games this year because of them.
What were the responses like at those events?
It was super positive, people really responded well to what we were doing. We weren't doing a sympathy tour you know. We want to show people that you can still participate in action sports even with limitations. One guy who was an amputee from the Army told me that he was inspired to start surfing again because of our program. That's the kind of thing that makes it all worth while. Its easy to be down on yourself and to feel like you can't do what you want because of a disability or whatever, but our goal is to show people that they can live beyond it.
That is awesome. Yeah, I've noticed that you don't use those limitations as a crutch either. I wanted to ask you about being a skate coach, something that obviously isn't very common. How did it all come about and how did it work?
In the summer of 2008, I was hired by the city of Downey to become a skating instructor at Downey skatepark. The program lasted for about six weeks and most of the kids were pretty much beginners in skateboarding. I would meet with them and just get them to roll around the park, get everyone comfortable on their boards. I spent a lot of time just trying to get them to go with the flow you know.
Would you guys do like drills or something?
Nah, not exactly. The thing with skateboarding obviously is there's no plays or x's and o's to it so its really about yourself individually. You decide what you want to learn and you decide what you want to do. As a coach, I didn't necessarily show them how to do tricks but I provided guidance when it came to foot placement, or little technical details like that, but most of the time, I would just try to encourage them, give them positive reinforcement, let them know that it takes time, but the things you want to do on the board will come. I think they responded well and it was a success as far as a six week program goes.
Did you see any progression?
Oh yeah, you see it everyday. When I first met them, some of them looked like they wouldn't be able to stay but by week six, the progression was apparent. The great part about it was that when you skate with people your comfortable with on terrain that you get used to, the progression just pours out. If you skate a lot, you will be sure to progress every time you're out skating because that's just the natural occurrence in skateboarding.
Why didn't you coach this summer?
Aw man, budget cuts. Last year was really all chance, they needed someone last minute and I guess I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. It worked out though because I gained a lot from coaching the kids last summer and I still see them around the park from time to time, whether it's just for a casual session or when Downey throws a contest at the park. Some of the kids from my program have entered and placed so it's cool.
Thats a shame that the city didn't bring it back this year. Well, before I let you get back to your sesh, I want to ask you what keeps you pushing. Why do you still skate?
Ah that's easy man. Just the feeling you get from doing it, cruising around, little things like ollieing up a curb or carving on transition, that feeling is the best feeling in the world. The intricacies of skateboarding, I just love every little thing about it and I think anyone who gets into it knows exactly what I'm talking about. Mostly, just the fact that I'm able to do it! I keep pushing because I can and I don't intend to stop anytime soon.
Thanks Oscar!
...Two weeks after our interview, Oscar suffered a broken fibula and will have to get surgery. Everyone over at YouthNoise Play City hopes that you get well soon and get back on your board ASAP.
Hey Guys! So, its been over a month since Michael Jackson died.. I wonder how many of you are fans of his, or hate him? Let me know... But what I really want to know is what do you think about his drug abuse? I know quite a few people who have struggled with drug abuse and I have myself some and I have heard SO many people talking about Michael Jackson and how stupid he was for doing what he did... But, I can understand. I get it, I understand why he took the drugs and how he must have felt... Nothing justifies his drug use and no, he shouldnt have done it and he should have gotten help, someone should have done more... but, NONE of that is going to bring him back.
So, instead of people going around talking negatively about it, I think he should use this opportunity to talk about drug use and why people do it and the effects it can have. Its terrible that his abuse lasted so long and ended in his death, but perhaps this will highlight the real dangers of drug abuse and allow people to become more educated.
I am the type of person who feels that education is the only way to better things or to allow people to understand... From personal experience, my parents walk around talking about how horrible it is that he would do something like that. And I feel so incredibly low because I have done the same thing and they simply dont understand it. This other guy I work with said that its MJs own fault he died and deserved it if he was stupid enough to drug himself to death. I dont agree with that... Im sorry, but I know what its like to feel so low and feel the only thing that will help is drugs.. Not to harm oneself, but to alter ones mood and perception.. Thats why I did it. And I think alot of people do it to just get out of there heads. And its not just that, most people have mental issues anyways... depression, anxiety, etc. I cant imagine living a famous life such as his and having people always following me, expecting perfection from me. I cant imagine the amount of pressure that was always on him and so I get it... What I dont understand is how people are going about this...
We need more education for sure. People are acting quite ignorant and really dont understand. But, from a personal view, I really wish people understood more and those with the same problems as MJ could get help, rather than be looked down upon and thought of as being stupid for your actions. I think its ignorance...
So, let me know... what do you think of Michael Jackson? What do you think of his drug abuse? Was he stupid for it, or do you think he just needed the right help? Leave me your comments and thoughts, they are much appreciated. And lets talk about this... drug abuse is VERY common and continues to grow day by day... maybe it has affected you. Maybe you struggle with it, or maybe your clean, or maybe you think you would never do that.... whatever it is, let me know!! Peace out!
Theresa, our Regional Coordinator in NYC, passed along some footage of
our Step It Up dancers jamming out to Michael Jackson recently. I
thought I'd share these unique clips with the YN community since this
week has kinda sucked. Lots of folks have passed away, including the
legendary Michael Jackson
(check out Debbie's post, which includes the two MJs facing off!).
I've done a lot of reflecting this week as a result of MJs untimely
death. Not sure if there's some sort of Universal quota that needs to
be filled, but it sure seems crazy that folks are dying left and right
this week (Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays, and Walter Cronkite is reportedly in critical condition).
Anywho,
I thought it was pretty awesome that our Step It Up dancers - a
generation of young people who are the last to experience MJ while he
was a live - bust a move to the greatest bust a mover of our time.
Rest in peace Michael Jackson from all of us here at YouthNoise/Playcity.
And don't forget the June 30th performances are right around the corner! Here's the info:
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
1:00pm-8:00pm
The Battle of the Boroughs
Columbia University
Miller Theater
2960 Broadway (@116th Street)
New York, NY 10026
1:00pm to 4:00pm Finalist Tech Rehearsals
5:30pm Doors open for Competition
6:00pm – 8:00pm The Battle of the Boroughs Competition
Who would have thought that today the musical world would be saying good bye to a legend? The King of Pop himself died today from a heart attack and was said to be not breathing when paramedics arrived at his LA home around 2:50 PM. He slipped into a coma in the ambulance and was pronounced dead at about 5:30 PM.
Despite whether you thought Michael Jackson was a "weirdo" or a "pervert" you have to admit that he made an impact on the world. He will be missed by many.
May God be on the side of the king of pop.
(times displayed here were done on central US time)
P.S.
Farrah Fawcet passed away this morning after a long term battle with rectal cancer. Her beloved family was at her side at the time of her passing. May all remember the feather-haired angel in a good light.
