Finally a Permanent Place To Skate in Laguna Beach
Next Saturday, October 23rd, and every Saturday afterwards, The Club will be transformed into a skate park for our second annual Couch Free Saturday. The Club recently acquired two quarter pipes which can be adjusted to make a half pipe, and a fun box equipped with a grind rail. The ramps were designed and built by pro-skater Chad Shetler, ensuring a fun ride because the ramps were made by skaters for skaters. The main event for our Couch Free Saturday is a skate competition, beginning at 1:00pm that will give an opportunity for local thrashers to show off their skills and win some prizes. Three judges will be on hand to judge the free-style skating, and prizes will be provided by Hobie. The first place winner will walk away with a signed Tony Hawk skateboard. Anyone who is a Club member can skate for free, and for those who are not already members can download registration forms from our website www.bgclagunabeach.org. There is no fee for those who just want to enter the skate competition; however registration forms must filled out! They will also be provided at the day of the event. The age brackets will include 10 and under, 11-13, and 14 and up. A very special thank you goes out to the Tony Hawk Foundation for generously donating skateboards and skate gear to our Club members!
Other exiting and events will take place to ensure that all of Laguna’s youth will get off the couch (and off of Facebook) and get active, or just express their creativity. The Collective Sound will provide an open mic for local talent to showcase their skills, whether it is poetry, singing or the spoken word. A fully equipped band set up will be provided to give local bands the opportunity to jam, as well as provide an audience, without the hassle of transporting and setting up your gear. Emily Murray, the Club’s Art Director will be providing a free tie-dye workshop where anyone who wants can make a tie-dye t-shirt for free. Youth are encouraged to bring their own white clothes if they wish to tie-dye them. The Ocean Institute will provide their traveling classroom to entertain and educate younger siblings while their older siblings tear it up, however skaters are sure to enjoy the Ocean Institutes’ marine life exhibit. A ping-pong tournament will also be organized for players of all ages (including the up and coming ping-pong stars who play at the senior center).
Mark Christy, the President of Hobie summed up last years event by saying, “I liked the fact that the event was so organic. If something is too organized, teens tend to shy away….but the eclectic mix of cool stuff including the skate contest for all ages, the band and their many walk on guests, Element’s outdoor display, art, and ping pong made it an event that teens enjoyed. The variety of activities was utterly random, and for that reason, it worked. We’re looking forward to next Saturday!”
The Club’s skate ramps have been a long time coming. We are excited to finally roll them out, especially in light of the recent backlash against skateboarding in Laguna Beach. Always on top of youth trends, and understanding the culture of our community, the Club is proud to provide a place for our youth to skate in Laguna Beach. The Club’s skate set up provides a smooth and super fun ride to challenge novice and experienced skaters alike. Although the set up is modest, it is a start, and we believe it will be a catalyst to start momentum to build a legitimate park in Laguna. But enough talk! Come check it out for yourself and see what it is all about!
The Club is also looking for experienced LBHS skaters to volunteer during our new Saturday skate hours. This is a fun and active way to get your required community service hours while doing the sport you love, as well as mentoring the next generation of Laguna thrashers.
To learn more about Couch Free Saturday and the new Saturday skate hours please call 949-494-2535 x106 or check out our website www.bgclagunabeach.org.
