2014 Z-Flex Jay Boy Classic

z-Flex riders Oscar Navarro and Malakai Monte

On Saturday, April 12th, Venice Skatepark hosted the first annual Z-Flex Jay Boy Classic, a contest for 21 & under unsponsored skaters. Taking place in the skatepark's pool, 40 skaters competed for the first place prize of a 1 year flow sponsorship from Z-Flex. Not only were there several skaters from states like Hawaii, Texas and New Mexico competing, there was also a little grom named Indiana from the United Kingdom.   Jay Adams was on hand all day skating, signing autographs, and tossing out free stuff. Along with Jay, a who's who of Venice skate legends were present, skating the pool, judging the contest, and having a good time. Christian Hosoi, Eddie Reategui, Aaron "Fingers" Murray, Tim Jackson, Aaron Scott, Pat Ngoho, George Wilson and Eric “Tuma” Britton who also was the contest announcer.

Here's a preview of the full contest edit that will be up soon:

After a morning practice session, the jam format contest started. Each skater got an intro run at the start of their heat. Z-Flez even brought in some bleachers for spectators to watch from, a first for Venice skatepark. From 40 skaters, 8 were chosen to compete in the finals. Highlights included Venice skatepark regular Hezekiah Seales unique stylish pool carves, which sent one of his shoes flying off a few times, Andrew Miller with a bunch of different blunt combos, and "Spacoli", who with his long hair, bandana, and flannel, resembled a young Jay Adams.

Christian Hosoi

"Spacoli"

Jay Adams

Hezekiah Seales

Eddie Reategui

Royalle Bernstine

Andrew Wallace

Andrew Miller

Results: 1. Andrew Wallace 2. "Spacoli" 3. Andrew Miller 4. Royalle Bernstine 5. Hezekiah Seales 6. Alex Vasques 7. Andley Lerma 8. Robert Baltazar

Jay Adams & the 8 Finalists

Aaron Scott

Dogtown's Hadden Mckenna

Malaki Montes

Andrew Wallace

Jay Adams & the 8 Finalists

With Nearly 150 photos taken, they all can't fit on this blog, so check out all the photos from the contest (146 photos total) in the Z-Flex Jay Boy Classic Photo Gallery. A video of the contest is coming up soon.

Bro fisting Hosoi

Ian Imes

On Saturday, April 5, Ian was skating with a buddy down the hill when he crossed into the intersection at 17th & Marine in Santa Monica and a car struck him. It was a 4-way stop, but it's unknown if the car stopped at all, since the driver took off after running over and paralyzing Ian. From the fundraiser page: "Ian Imes has been a huge part of the skateboarding community in Santa Monica, Venice, and Boston. He is an extremely respectful and friendly young man and it is very sad and unfortunate that such a tragic event took place in our neighborhood. He has eight siblings and incredibly loving parents. The family unfortunately does not have insurance and the hospital bills are going to be an astronomical burden on them. Let's work together to help pay for his hospital bills and pray for his speedy and full recovery." There is a Facebook page for updates: Ian Imes Support Group

Victor Blue at the Jay Boy Classic accepting donations from the crowd.

Jeff Ho Surfing Venice

Video: Venice Surfing - The Big Storm Swell

Filmed the first weekend of March 2014, when that huge swell hit the Los Angeles area beaches, bring waves hitting 30'. Many calling it the biggest waves to hit our area in decades.

 Previous blog post on this: Surfing the biggest waves to hit Venice Beach in years 

Saturday's Photo Gallery:  Venice Surfing 3-1-2014
Sunday's Photo Gallery:  Venice Surfing 3-2-2014

Music used in this video:

US SUP Tour HB Surf Contest

US SUP Tour Stand Up Paddle Surf Contest held on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier on Saturday, March 22, 2014.  The wind and small surf did hurt the contest a bit, but everyone still managed to get some solid runs in. With Pro and Open divisions in both Men and Women categories, it was a full day of surfing, and for some like Izzy Gomez, who entered both divisions, had to compete in continuous heats without a break.

Pro Surf Men Final:

1st Zane Schweiter

2nd Colin McPhillips

3rd Ryan Helm

4th Sean Poynter

Pro Surf Women Final:

1st Emmy Merrill

2nd Izzy Gomez

3rd Candice Appleby

4th Sophia Bartlow

Open Surf Men Final:

1st Kieran Grant

2nd Fisher Grant

3rd Nick Ventresca

4th Chris Gutzeit

Open Surf Women Final:

1st Izzy Gomz

2nd Sarah Messina

3rd Karen Jacobson

4th Avalon Gall

200+ more photos in the US SUP Tour Photo Gallery

 

70' Boat Beached At Playa Del Rey

This 70-foot cabin cruiser went aground back on February 27. According to reports, the captain awoke in the middle of the night to find that he was dragging anchor. He was unable to get the engine started and the rough seas that night sent the boat onto the beach. Luckily missing the rocks. Everyone was able to get off the boat, unfortunately, not much was able to be done for the boat since. It has been sitting here in sand getting destroyed more and more everyday by the waves and by vandals.

The owner is need of help to remove his boat from the beach, this is from a donation site he has set up: "My name is Cosmo, I am 49 years old, and for the past five years have been battling congestive heart failure.I am disabled on a fixed income.The "Angelique" was our pension , our retirement, and our life savings all in one basket. She was our past our present and our future. Not to mention our pride and joy.Due to the response of my insurance company. I have no choice but to reach out to the public for assistance.Your contributions will help me remove the "Angelique" to her final resting place and restore the beach to its original state. Please I need your help to complete this task, Beaches and Harbors will invoice me triple the cost and it will take the rest of my life to pay thier amount.We lost everything, and durring the nights of our recovery what personal belongings which were salvageable went to the looters. I.hope it helped their families.I have three boys, thier rooms were ransacked,everything a young boy values was taken.My only goal is to return our Beach in the way I found it. Thank You"

Venice Skatepark Sunsets

Just a few shots of the sunsets at the Venice Skatepark.

 Check out tons more Venice Skatepark photos:  Venice Skatepark Galleries