Skateboard expo brings pros to San Fernando Valley

Added by thronn on August 13, 2013.
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photo BY: Antonio Thronn

When Danny Scott’s son Andrew started skateboarding, the entertainment-industry veteran saw an opportunity.

Scott and his partner, world-famous skateboarder Christian Hasoi formed a company last year to expand into skateboard parks and other events, including the 2013 Southern California Summer Skateboarding Expo, which runs through Sunday at Pedlow Field Skate Park in Encino.

“We decided to do it here because we owe a lot to Pedlow. This is where Andrew skates and he’s here every day,” said the Encino resident.

The three-day long event, the largest the park has hosted, has attracted more than a thousand people for skateboarding competitions, concerts and skateboarding star sightings.

Along with amateur competitions in street, bowl and mini skateboarding, several top skateboarders are taking part.

In addition to Hosoi, professional skateboarders Guy Mariano and Richard Sanchez will also be meeting attendees Sunday. Nyjah Huston, who won a gold medal at the X-Games in July, will also be making an appearance.

Those professionals are what attracted Redlands resident Veronica Powell, whose son Dylan, 8, is competing Sunday.

“A lot of what attracted him was the pro skateboarders,” Veronica said. “He was excited to meet some of the them. He’s really looking forward to meeting Ryan Sheckler and Nyjah Huston. He’s so happy to get to meet them and get autographs.”

Powell said her son frequently competes in skateboarding competitions throughout Southern California, but said Saturday was the first time they had visited Pedlow.

Similarly, Diana Jasso of Whittier said the event brought her to the San Fernando Valley.

The skateboard crowd showed up in force at the Pedlow Skate Park for Skate Expo, a 3 day festival that includes a variety of skating competitions. Encino, CA. 8/10/2013(John McCoy/LA Daily News) (null)to the San Fernando Valley.
Jasso and her husband Gabe own RampBed, a company that makes children’s beds that look like skate ramps, and through connections with Hosoi, one of the co-creators of the event, decided to be a vendor during the competitions.

“This is really a great way for us to all do something together. It helps us bond as a family,” said Diana Jasso. “My husband skated, then he brought me along when we met, and now it’s just trickling down to the boys.”

Local skateboarders said the regional attraction could be beneficial to the Valley skateboarding scene.

Zakary Mayall, 29, of Woodland Hills, said the event brought out a lot of people who otherwise wouldn’t have come to the outdoor park.

“It’s a positive for the area, for sure,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of people that I know from Venice and other places, but wouldn’t normally see here.”

The event is benefiting local charities, including the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and Los Angeles Unified School District.

Scott, the organizer, said he’s not sure if the expo will become an annual event.

“It’s going well so far this year,” he said. “We’ll just have to see how it goes.”

Competitions are open to children, beginners, amateurs and sponsored skateboarders. Skateboarders can sign up for competitions on-site. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. A full schedule is available online at skateexpo.com

kelly.goff@dailynews.com
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