Socal Skatepark Blitz

“The Bowl Blitz was spawned from a Concrete Disciples poll of the best bowls in SoCal. The list included the bowls at the following parks: Fontana, Coronado, Upland, Laguna Niguel, Clairemont YMCA, and Vans in Orange. ”

OK, here’s a weak attempt at crafting some words to describe the Bowl Blitz of June 14, 2003. The Bowl Blitz was spawned from a Concrete Disciples poll of the best bowls in SoCal. The list included the bowls at the following parks: Fontana, Coronado, Upland, Laguna Niguel, Clairemont YMCA, and Vans in Orange. We organized a road trip so that we could hit most of these parks in one day.

The day was to begin at 9:00 AM at Coronado, but the park was closed for a Miller Lite photo shoot. It didn’t make any difference because Mark was the only one up that early. Always quick to react, Mark decided to hit the Ocean Beach park for a quick warm-up session before heading to Clairemont for the 11:00 AM session. It’s always nice to approach that park and hear skaters grinding away on the pool coping. Peter, Mark, Nate, Roger, George, Jim Tesnar, Lyn-Z Adams, Kevin Staab, Team Goon David, and others were spotted. Highlights of the session were Staab’s six foot high backside airs and ollies. The Bowl Blitz group left Clairemont and decided to hit the not-so-secret Pala Round pool on the way to Fontana. Nate and Mark had never skated Pala, so we couldn’t pass it by. Highlight of the session was Mark’s slideout slam into the drain. We had the pool to ourselves for a quick 40 minute session, then decided it was time for a Double-Double before hitting Fontana.

We got to Fontana a little before 5:00, and the bowl was virtually empty. Nice. We were joined by Joe from Sacrifice, and carved around the clover for awhile. There are endless lines to be had in that Fontana bowl. Due to the heat, smog, and tired legs, nobody landed the elusive 540 bodyjar hip transfer – but just wait until next time. Highlight of the session was the little grom spectator butt sliding down the bowl. Next stop: Upland. Gnarly defined. We were joined by J.ed himself, along with “Badlander,” and Ben (I think that’s his name). J.ed fought through some ankle pain to snap some sick pipe transfers, inverts, indy airs, and long grinds in the bowl – that boy’s got some skills. Roger got way up there in the pipe, then slashed around the bowl in all directions. We left J.ed, Roger, Badlander, and Ben at Upland, and headed out to the Vans park in Orange to skate the Combi bowl replica. The only photos from that day that have surfaced so far. J.ed invert @ Upland

We skated the 9:00 PM session at Vans, and were joined by Mark SDS, his sons, and an assortment of locals. SDS skates there often and it shows. Peter and Nate raced around the bowl using a variety of lines while the other Mark watched, filmed, and avoided the bowl as if it was infected by SARS – too gnarly after a twelve hour skate day. Highlight of the evening was Peter skating the vert ramp with Sandro Dias and female inliner Fabiola, then getting heckled by the spectators standing in the parking lot: “YOU SUCK!” I guess we all suck compared to Mr. Dias.

All in all, it was a great day. Mark wins a chicken dinner for hitting six spots in one day. Props to Nate and Peter for hanging in there for the entire scheduled trip. It was great skating with all of the Disciples and locals along the way. Until next time, may the skate gods heal J.ed’s ankle and Tesnar’s wrist ASAP.