!5th Annual Venice Surf-A-Thon

Once again the Surf-A-Thon was on.
> Rising at 4:30 I prepared for the contest loading up the car
> and hoping for decent surf(As the surf report had been
> dismal).At sunrise two rainbows and flat surf greeted Tall D
> and I.Slowly the usual and new comers filtered in and by
> 8:00am the groms were out in the water jostling for waves.
> The lack of surf did not stop the surfers from coming out to
> enjoy friendly spirited competition and the Men's
> longboard division was hotly contested. The numbers are as
> follows:Total Surfers-46 Men-3o, Women-10, Others-6.Results
> are as follows:Men's Longboard- 1st Brock Landlocke 2nd
> Tonan Ruiz 3rd John John Ramirez.
Girls S.B 1st Samantha, 2nd
> Stephanie 3rd Dolly Parton (Pearlas'sister). Girls L.B
> 1st Brooke Wavey,2nd Paloma Perez, 3rd Baily.Groms
> (14&Under) 1st D.Juiner 2nd Danny Coty 3rd Cameron
> Packhem. Masters 1st Jimmy V 2nd Tonan Ruiz 3rd D.Lion
> Men's.1st (Japan) Haiya-kun 2nd (Germany)Meister Brau
> Willheim Toten Frauunfigger 3rd(USA) Sgt. Slaughter

If any> one has seen mystery girl Samantha,(Beach enrty surfed won
> and dissapeared) I have her trophy as well as Dolly's
> and Haiya-kun's). The after party was successfull as
> well as about 175-200 folks showed up to exhalt this years
> victors claim their trophy and reign in glory. From my
> perspective O.G Venice Beowulf set was the highlight of the
> entertainment. Shout out-Rumble's guest apperance as he
> joined me on stage for a number.P.F.L ripped out cover punk
> rock.Thnx to DJ JoQ. Special Thnx to Frontside Grind, Venice
> Paparazi,C.Bonner for his hard work on the killer t-shirt
> art, Stage Manager Amy,BMFS,Mayorga Familia,Pat and John
> John for setting the Yuppies straight, the
> Judges,tabulator,runners and helpers,the surfers,the
> bands,the sponsors. I would like to welcome Maui and Sons
> and Roaring Lion to the VSA/Surf-A-Thon as well as thank
> longtime
> sponsors 15 years! SMA,Lost, Sector9, Dogtown.10 years
> Abbots Habit,Interiors Made Eezzy, BDS,Windward Farms
> (5yearsSkater Made, Cove.Next VSA sk8 contest is at Gilbert
> Lindsay sk8park Eastside L.A on Nov 29th. In service Ger-I
> VSA

VSA "Debris by the Sea Contest.

It's on!

Gilbert Lindsay skatepark Office Vandalized

Gilbert Lindsay Sk8Park Office Vandalized. It sure
> did not take
> >> long. As soon as my staff and programming were
> eliminated as well
> >> as my hours cut, the bad seeds smashed in, stole
> all of the
> >> equipment and skateboards etc. Some of the posters
> and other stuff
> >> I have had for more than 30 years......
> >>

Documents

A few of the thousands of documents pretaining to the construction and development of the Venice sk8park project.

VSA Members

A few VSA members.Steven Stoval, Joshua, Dan Levy, J.Martinez ,Jaimie Quaintence, Eric "Tuma" Britton. Stoval , Joshua, Martinez and Quaintence photos -Lewis

The images are from 2000, when our beloved Venice Pavilion was destroyed. Photo-Lewis

SHAME on City of L.A

Serving the surfer and sk8r Nation! Help us help kids. If you don't know the City of L.A has eliminated the budget for all L.A city sk8parks for the remainder of of 2008 and the fiscal year of 2009. I find it very disturbing that the priorities of L.A city don't include the youth of the city. As sk8park director for Gilbert Lindsay sk8park, I know first hand the positive impact the sk8park had on the community.Gilbert Lindsay Sk8park located in one of the most crime ridden areas of L.A, (42 ave and Avalon Blvd) the Gilbert Lindsay sk8park was a source of inspiration and a safe haven from the thugs and criminals that roam the area. Not only did the program teach kids how to sk8, more importantly the program helped breakdown the walls of racism. Being the only White man in an area with all Black and Latino kids I was constantly bombarded with the bigotry and racism that has been instilled in the kids. However through sk8boarding these kids have been shown that compassion love and togetherness is not an alien concept, that we all have more in common than we are different.Now that our budget has been eliminated, and my one staff member layed off, the sk8park has began to deteriorate.The kids are being siphoned off by bad influences and I fear for their safety. VSA members had helped lobby and build this sk8 program. I have 30-50 kids ages 5-25 arrive daily to participate in sk8board related activities. The fiscal budget was only $30,000.00 for two staff as well as programing. The Mayor earns over$250,000.00 per year.City council members earn over $125,000.00 per year. Why is it the most disadvantaged, the poorest, the least educated are made to bare the burden of incompetent fiscal planning? Why are the highest paid not taking a pay cut along with the rest of L.A city employees? If All City council members took a 10% pay cut ( I have received a %25 paycut) along with the mayor, all L.A City sk8board programs can continue to operate.

I WON

A few of our members after a VSA contest. Photo Dan @ Juice Magazine.

Venice skatepark Plans

These are the plans for the Venice skateboard park. That VSA members have worked so very hard for. Ground breaking will be in Sept of 2008. See you there.

Surf lessons and Lifeguarding.

Surfing Lessons by appointment or group. Group Lessons $30.00 per hour Private lessons $60.00 per hour. When researching lessons ask these questions of your instructor, Experience, qualifications, teaching ability. My qualifications include: L.A County lifeguard (15 years), Water safety instuctor, First aid instructor,L.A county competition swim team coach, Field Manager L.A County Underwater Unit( South Aquatics),Founder and Executive Director of the Venice Surf-A-Thon Surf contest( 15 years annual).All life saving and first aid certifications are current and available for public inspection upon request I have been teaching surfing, scuba and swimming to children and adults for the past 25 years. Wet suit and board( hard or soft) included in your lesson.In addition VSa offers privite lifeguarding events at pools and privite homes) and swimming lessons.

July sk8 Contest

Sk8board Contest

It's on again ya'll. If you want to submit a film or short or contribute just holla!