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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Submitted by Ken Hada on December 15, 2002 - 12:16am
Had to move the board. So if you posted before please feel free to post again. :cool:
Thanks for the killer site ›
#1Submitted by Anonymous on December 24, 2002 - 3:26am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

hello, thought id check out ur forum guestbook thing, looks like im first hear, enywho Im the creator of www.oldschoolbear.tk the site isnt at all finished yet, hardly started, but it would b great 2 get asmuch trafic 2 it as possible, it has a chat room up and running, I want it 2 b a well used room so all us old school skaters can b in the same place at the same time, so if enyone wants 2 exchange links or what not, I would b very greatfull. keep it old school brothers n sisters. :cool:
#2Submitted by Ken Hada on December 24, 2002 - 4:48pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Welcome oldschoolbear I will check out your site.
#3Submitted by Anonymous on January 14, 2003 - 5:49am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

i remember localizing skatopia with my cousin lester kasai. ibroke my arm in the halfpipe,knock my teeth out in the big snake run.Man i remember T.A. shredding. i met john lucero there we both had dogtown bigfoots that was cool.I remember the river that went through the park,i dont know how many times my board got wet.remember sun california skate shop? me and lester bought skatopia oak decks with apex trucks and skatopia wheels.ithink lester still has his in mint condition.if anyone want to get in touch with me or lester drop me an email....joys2boyz@yahoo.com...sk8er 4 ever...terence y.
#4Submitted by Ken Hada on January 14, 2003 - 5:15pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Cool, yeah I remember Sun California (Ichiro and Mike). I used to work for them before I worked for Skatopia. Next time you see lester ask him if he remembers Hada I was one of the few Asians at Skatopia. Lets see there was Yuki, Lester, You, Inouye I know I am forgettting somebody.
#5Submitted by Ken Hada on January 14, 2003 - 5:16pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Guest wrote:
i remember localizing skatopia with my cousin lester kasai. ibroke my arm in the halfpipe,knock my teeth out in the big snake run.Man i remember T.A. shredding. i met john lucero there we both had dogtown bigfoots that was cool.I remember the river that went through the park,i dont know how many times my board got wet.remember sun california skate shop? me and lester bought skatopia oak decks with apex trucks and skatopia wheels.ithink lester still has his in mint condition.if anyone want to get in touch with me or lester drop me an email....joys2boyz@yahoo.com...sk8er 4 ever...terence y.
Would love to see a picture of that deck!
#6Submitted by Ken Hada on January 14, 2003 - 5:19pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Would love to interview Lester right here!
#7Submitted by Anonymous on January 19, 2003 - 11:01pm.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Ken - I just got off the phone with Toby Woller and he told me about your site. Great, great, site! It's also very encouraging to see Toby's layback on the mainpage! This was such a magical place to have grown up (of sorts)... being in So.Cal at the birth of something so much a part of shaping so many people's lives. Sure there was Carlsbad, Anaheim, and Cherryhill, before Skatopia, but this was where everything started to gel; along of course with Dogtown and Badlands. I still proudly, at 40 years young, have a Skatopia sticker on my board and when I go riding with my 9 year old, it always floors kids when I flatwall carve! It was all those hours and slams in the half-pipe! I was also the very first injury at Skatopia on opening day... ambulance and all! Clark Staub :p
#8Submitted by Ken Hada on January 20, 2003 - 6:22pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Guest wrote:
Ken - I just got off the phone with Toby Woller and he told me about your site. Great, great, site! It's also very encouraging to see Toby's layback on the mainpage! This was such a magical place to have grown up (of sorts)... being in So.Cal at the birth of something so much a part of shaping so many people's lives. Sure there was Carlsbad, Anaheim, and Cherryhill, before Skatopia, but this was where everything started to gel; along of course with Dogtown and Badlands. I still proudly, at 40 years young, have a Skatopia sticker on my board and when I go riding with my 9 year old, it always floors kids when I flatwall carve! It was all those hours and slams in the half-pipe! I was also the very first injury at Skatopia on opening day... ambulance and all! Clark Staub :p
So glad you stopped by Clark. You always did have a wicked carve, no wonder the kids are amazed. And I agree Skatopia did have some sort of a magic too it. I remember spending some of the best times of my life in that park with you, Toby, Brian, Chuck, Dale etc. Not sure if you are in VA (with your new job and all) but maybe my wife, daughter and I will see you on the slopes someday. Oh yeah, know what you mean about the Skatopia sticker I have one on my Salomen snowboard. And check back for new pictures. Edited By Ken on 1043087041
#9Submitted by Ken Hada on January 21, 2003 - 4:58am.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Oh yeah and how could I forget Clark Staub's gray Vega(took us to Big O and Lakewood skatepark)!
#10Submitted by Anonymous on January 29, 2003 - 11:13pm.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

I can not tell you how happy I am to find this site! I've been searching on the web for "Skatopia" for a long time.... I have some great memories of that park. +The excitement of your mom dropping you off in the front "register" room. The rooms smell (smelled like Kryptonics :-) Looking out the window at the end of the half-pipe. +The speed you could get riding the downhill section (with your friends and family watching from the bridge above at the end of the ride) +The look on my grandma's face as I took a serious flip after getting the "speed wobbles" on the downhill. +Chasing my board all the way down the "big snake" after one of my numerious spills +Trying to do more than a 360 in the half pipe area +My Dogtown "Muir" board with the green Kryptonics (wish I still had that thing) +Riding at Sunset as the lights went on. +My brown gloves and big ass blue helmet +Being young! I was never a great skater, but I had some great times there. Everytime I drive by that freeway exit on the 91, I think about what used to be on the other side of that wall. If I remember correctly the main building was still there for some time after the park closed(maybe it still is). I remember it being very "70's". Thanks again for the site, but all the links seem to be broke? (2-29-03) I hope they get up and working again. LB
#11Submitted by Ken Hada on January 30, 2003 - 3:10am.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Wow you really reminded me of so many things in your post. The site (a labor of love)is under construction, i have to attend to the paying customers first. :;): I have lots of picture to put up so come back and check us out later. BTW what do your initals stand for? Everyone used to call me Hada. Thanks again for the trip down memory lane?
#12Submitted by Anonymous on February 8, 2003 - 5:16pm.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Hey great site lotta memories .I am 45 now and watched the Dogtown flick with my son and quickly built a half-pipe in the back yard. Can't skate it these days but I got my Kids and a bunch of locals shreddin it.Always tellin them stories of the great vert days and places like Skatopia.Tryin to teach um what it like to skate on pure adrenaline.It has been a blast! Man I remember packin up my Courier truck and rollin out to the parks! Get more pics up!
#13Submitted by Ken Hada on February 9, 2003 - 5:46am.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Thanks for stopping by Ugmo, I will put more pics up soon.
#14Submitted by Anonymous on March 9, 2003 - 6:29pm.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Skatopia! Man, I loved that park. Also a regular at Lakewood Skateboard World and Long Beach Shady Acres. At skatopia... Backsides across the channel in the keyhole pool, the halfpipe (with the vert extension?) big air, chinese food across the street --- Those were good days. I miss them and enjoyed skating with many of you. Take Care, G
#15Submitted by Ken Hada on March 10, 2003 - 3:52am.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Did everyone call you "gardener". I worked at Lakewood after they closed Skatopia.
#16Submitted by Anonymous on March 27, 2003 - 12:14am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

I was way into partyin back then and used to drop by that park whenever I had a break from the local clubs. Skatopia was a lot of fun ... but went down way to fast. I think it was actually opened in 75 or 76 not 77 ...... but who cares .... it was all good.:laughlong: I work at Select Distribution now .... Big Mike Muckenthaler .....
#17Submitted by Ken Hada on April 5, 2003 - 5:01pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

That's cool I remember back in 78 or so a lot of the visions blanks were made by Jerry Madrid? Used to skate with him at Skatopia once in awhile.
#18Submitted by Anonymous on April 22, 2003 - 4:54am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

:buttrock: yeah! You guys all rock. I wish I could have seen the skatopia. I'm 23 years old and have been skating since I was 10... off and on. Things got rough when I was 17 and had to sell my gear to pay for gas money. What would the world be like with out all the old schoolers ripping it up and making people get used to it. :blues: well, the curbs wouldn't be nearly as colorful. Come on out and show us kids what its all about sometime. Us kids need to get some of those old school tricks down. :cool:
#19Submitted by Ken Hada on April 22, 2003 - 4:49pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Glad to have you here Sk8r girl! I for one am impressed with this generations trick-vocabulary! Back in my day the pro's knew 30 or so tricks. these days any kid with a sk8 knows 30 on his or her first year. :buttrock:
#20Submitted by Toby Woller on June 9, 2003 - 2:22am.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Just signing the brick. I was at a local public skatepark a few days ago and a girl was skating and ripping it up. I was talking to a guy who said everyone is very cool about people's skating ability and no-one would drop-in or snake you. That was good because I was on a board for the first time in years and was able to get backside wheelers in about a 7' bowl but that was about it. It was fun though. Need to re-learn how to drop in to save my breath wasted from pumping up to the top of these little bowls Wonder what is up with Kim Adrian or Amy Pike?
#21Submitted by Ken Hada on July 5, 2003 - 9:40pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Saw Amy Pike back in my High School days. Was driving around with some friends and a car pulls up next to us, it was Amy and a bunch of her friends. That was the last time I saw her.
#22Submitted by Utahdave on September 27, 2003 - 9:57am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

I just posted some old photos of Lester and Terrance and myself skating Sadlands. I think most people who skated Skatopia skated there too. I wonder if anyone has a map of Skatopia, or maybe someone (Terrance?) could do a drawing or something.utahdave@aol.com
#23Submitted by Ken Hada on September 27, 2003 - 5:19pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Those are killer shots! Thanks!
#24Submitted by Jason La Fay on October 27, 2003 - 7:41am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Whut up, homies. I remember all you fuks. Clark...whut the fuk, bro. I still talk to Mark Putz. Hey, no mention of Richard Armijo--John Lucero's little bro? Ken, I always thought your name was Ken Wada, sorry, dude. Terence, how you doin'? What's your cuz up to? I remember the locals giving shit to Lance Mountain back in '78 when he was a no name. Yeah Chuck! was often heard in the background. I used to hang with John Lucero, Richard Armijo, Mark Putz, Lester Kasai at Skate City. Give me a Note. Here's the spec's: ......JLAFAY2000@YAHOO.COM.......
#25Submitted by Ken Hada on October 28, 2003 - 5:13pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Yes we used to give Lance a hard time but i think he knew it was in good fun. used to have a lot of fun sessions and rants in the little snake bowl. Of course Richard was a local(forgot him)! Thanks for the reminder! Edited By Ken on 1067361335
#26Submitted by Anonymous on November 6, 2003 - 3:06am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Guest wrote:
I can not tell you how happy I am to find this site! I've been searching on the web for "Skatopia" for a long time.... I have some great memories of that park. +The excitement of your mom dropping you off in the front "register" room. The rooms smell (smelled like Kryptonics :-) Looking out the window at the end of the half-pipe. +The speed you could get riding the downhill section (with your friends and family watching from the bridge above at the end of the ride) +The look on my grandma's face as I took a serious flip after getting the "speed wobbles" on the downhill. +Chasing my board all the way down the "big snake" after one of my numerious spills +Trying to do more than a 360 in the half pipe area +My Dogtown "Muir" board with the green Kryptonics (wish I still had that thing) +Riding at Sunset as the lights went on. +My brown gloves and big ass blue helmet +Being young! I was never a great skater, but I had some great times there. Everytime I drive by that freeway exit on the 91, I think about what used to be on the other side of that wall. If I remember correctly the main building was still there for some time after the park closed(maybe it still is). I remember it being very "70's". Thanks again for the site, but all the links seem to be broke? (2-29-03) I hope they get up and working again. LB
Got speared in the kneecap by a flying Magnum (bizarre Mattel brand of yesteryear) of some lame kook as I was cutting through the weak square bowl on my way back to the half-pipe entrance.
#27Submitted by Ken Hada on November 11, 2003 - 3:53pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Any pictures :p
#28Submitted by Ken Hada on November 11, 2003 - 3:53pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

k-Beam that reminds me of D-Beam trucks (the plastic ones)
#29Submitted by Anonymous on November 13, 2003 - 5:29am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Just read the Brian Martin interview..... I have just been turned on to this web site..via Steve Rath This is so cool!! To this day, I still remember,treasure and often talk about this time, a very special time..Skatopia. Mike Rath and I are still close friends,and I see Terry Tice from time to time. I hope to see more..and read some great stories. I remember turning out the lights...I'm sure I was the bad guy but no matter, you guys were GREAT!!! You tell your stories and I'll tell mine :cool:
#30Submitted by Anonymous on November 13, 2003 - 5:57am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Hey, I used to skate at skatopia, Those were some of the funest days of my life. Skate City in Whittier soon opened and it was much closer. I had a great time, and remember that guy Toby. I wasn't a great skater but I held my own. What ever happened to the likes of Niel Blender or Eddie Algera. I'm don't skate anymore accept the occational 360 demo for my kids. I am now a Profesional sleight of hand magician [URL=http://www.Dannymagic.com]. It's lots of fun, but skate boarding in the day was awsome. Are you still in the socal area? i know a few closeup artists here. Edited By Ken on 1068737249
#31Submitted by Charlene Brewer/Keys on November 13, 2003 - 7:04am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Jim just forwarded this web site to me, OH MY GOSH!! who would have Thought!! All i can do is smile when i read all the stuff everone has to talk about, It was such an important time in all our lives, times we all talk about to our kids I'm sure. Infact my 21 yr. old daughter was just wearing one of my long sleeved orange tees with the Famous "SKATOPIA" logo on the back. Yes i still have a few, and my staff shirt too!! I guess we all hold on to our youth in different ways dont we. All the photos are great too hope to see more, and i will be forwarding this site on to DeeDee and Suzzane too!
#32Submitted by Ken Hada on November 13, 2003 - 3:26pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Guest wrote:
Just read the Brian Martin interview..... I have just been turned on to this web site..via Steve Rath This is so cool!! To this day, I still remember,treasure and often talk about this time, a very special time..Skatopia. Mike Rath and I are still close friends,and I see Terry Tice from time to time. I hope to see more..and read some great stories. I remember turning out the lights...I'm sure I was the bad guy but no matter, you guys were GREAT!!! You tell your stories and I'll tell mine :cool:
It is great to hear from you Jim! I still remember working the pro shop and register with you and Charlene. You drove some kind of dark color Camero right? Mike Rath gave me my first job at Skatopia. Lets see...Brewer stories...I remember one day you had just left Skatopia to run a errand or something. Chuck Lantz jumped over the Gear Rental counter (that is where the PA and radio was) and got on the park P.A. He started singing something over the P.A....a few seconds later you came back in the front door :D Chuck froze in his tracks and he said "am i kicked out?" :D :D and you said "no, just get out of there".
#33Submitted by Ken Hada on November 13, 2003 - 3:30pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Guest wrote:
Jim just forwarded this web site to me, OH MY GOSH!! who would have Thought!! All i can do is smile when i read all the stuff everone has to talk about, It was such an important time in all our lives, times we all talk about to our kids I'm sure. Infact my 21 yr. old daughter was just wearing one of my long sleeved orange tees with the Famous "SKATOPIA" logo on the back. Yes i still have a few, and my staff shirt too!! I guess we all hold on to our youth in different ways dont we. All the photos are great too hope to see more, and i will be forwarding this site on to DeeDee and Suzzane too!
Great to hear from you Charlene, wish my Skatopia shirts were still intact. would love to here from the Whittingham's. What's Bob up too? I remember selling him my parrot. Edited By Ken on 1068737439
#34Submitted by Ken Hada on November 13, 2003 - 3:33pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Anybody have ANY Skatopia pictures or artifacts please upload them here ...if you dont know how to scan just send them to me and I will scan them and send them back. hada@skatopia.net Edited By Ken on 1068737618
#35Submitted by ahoyticer on November 13, 2003 - 4:36pm.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Hello Ken and to all. Great website. Had some great times there and some good sessions. We use to skate before the park would open and after it closed. Good times with good people. Some others who use to work there Joe Woods and his bud Scotty Benall ,hope i spelled that right and the Overmann bros Eric and Kirk. Eric use to rip. Still have some Staff shirts and a UASA shirt. Still surf and skate with my son. I m glad he gets to see the old school stuff Terry Tice
#36Submitted by Ken Hada on November 13, 2003 - 4:41pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

So cool that you stopped by Terry. And thanks for the reminder about Joe Eric and Kirk I will add them to the front page. Oh yeah and does Cuda still have the Skatopia sign? Hada Edited By Ken Hada on 1068748425
#37Submitted by ahoyticer on November 13, 2003 - 4:45pm.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Ahoy Mike Rath and Jim Brewer
#38Submitted by mr.rath on November 25, 2003 - 4:03am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

does anyone know where gerry hurtado is?
#39Submitted by mr.rath on November 25, 2003 - 4:10am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

ahoy t tice. you are right .....eric o. used to carve the snake run faster than anyone i ever saw.i remember we used to close at 9p.m. and skate the park by ourselves.......with the sound system full blast, we thought we were cool.. great job ken hada, mik rath
#40Submitted by Ken Hada on November 25, 2003 - 3:43pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

mr.rath wrote:
9p.m. and skate the park by ourselves.......with the sound system full blast, we thought we were cool.. great job ken hada, mik rath
Hey Mike, glad you could stop by.
#41Submitted by Anonymous on January 7, 2004 - 12:41am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

My sister Patty talked to Terry Tice (kuda's brother) and she turned me on to this site! It was so cool to look at all the pictures. Brought back lots of memories. I can't tell you how many times I skipped school to spend the day at Skatopia. Does anyone know what happened to Kim Adrian. I'd love to hear from Hada, Toby & Clark. How about Skip Disney & Niel Blender.
#42Submitted by Ken Hada on January 7, 2004 - 1:41am.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Hi Amy Ken "Hada" here. So cool of you to stop by. Toby was asking about you. I was at John Stamos's mom's house the other day and was wondering if your mom still lived there?
#43Submitted by Anonymous on January 24, 2004 - 8:04pm.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Wow. If you could only see my smile as I came across this site for the first time! Looking back..I never imagined how much of an impact this place and skating in general would have on my life. Still have great memories of Clark , Toby, Dale, the 'Rosecrans" twins, Terry Tice, Jim Brewer, Mike Rath, Hector ?, Amy (Pike), the 25 Lewellan brothers and the list goes on. Still have a classic yellow Skatopia shirt that's kept tucked away in a safe place.
#44Submitted by Ken Hada on January 25, 2004 - 6:04pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

That's right Brent Lewellan!
#45Submitted by Anonymous on February 24, 2004 - 11:57pm.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Just letting you topia fans , i scored the original SKATOPIA skateboard ,the Metalflake Helmet, the Employee Shirt,News letter ,etc, this is some way cool stuff, i'm one of the biggest vintage skateboard sellers on EBAY, look it up , CLASSICJUNK2 ,,HI KEN, i'm Susan Iacovetti's husband,also played in an early 80s band METALWORKS , with Dan Gonzales.Do you remember SKATEMASTER TATE ??? from skatopia.I remember Alva shoving a loose board down the halfpipe ,just to clear it out , Those days kicked, i also see PARRALL PETE, the skater now and then. he is still wacked !! asta lavista , L-8-R , ALAN,,, HEY THERE KEN DO YOU REMEMBER .. KEN HADA CHICKADENBATA FROM TAJAUNA?? I JUST REMEMBERED THAT AND HAD TO LAUGH, SUE
#46Submitted by Ken Hada on February 25, 2004 - 2:58am.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Hey Allan so cool thqat you found the site, you gotta scan that newsletter for me(i had one but left it in a box outside and it got rained on). Tell Sue I just spoke to Gabby's mom yesterday.
#47Submitted by RathMan17 on February 26, 2004 - 5:42am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

wow... just came across a Skatopia business card of Don Schultz on ebay...going for $10!!! :p CLASSIC!
#48Submitted by Anonymous on February 26, 2004 - 7:43am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Hey ken, i will get you some copies made of the news letter for you , i also made a copy of SADLANDS or moon park that what we called in the mid 70s, did you know LOTAS SKATEBOARDS was right by that park, i got some cool stuff from there, cheap ! I still have the add that i skated in ,for tracker trucks in skateboarder magazine, in the skatopia's pool,I have lots of old magazines and collectables, Scott Rath just bought a bag of wheels off me, He told me about your sight, i will pass it along to some of the old pro's ,, thanks for digging these photo's out, they are killer, Alan
#49Submitted by Ken Hada on February 26, 2004 - 4:11pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Would love to add any of your skate artifacts to the site so others can enjoy them as much as you and I do.
#50Submitted by Alan Peter on March 12, 2004 - 6:11am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

hey Ken , You seen ROB ,DENNIS, OR PHIL , of Devistation ???
#51Submitted by Ken Hada on March 12, 2004 - 4:29pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

RathMan17 wrote:
wow... just came across a Skatopia business card of Don Schultz on ebay...going for $10!!! :p CLASSIC!
Anybody got a line on Don?
#52Submitted by Ken Hada on March 12, 2004 - 4:31pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

RathMan17 wrote:
wow... just came across a Skatopia business card of Don Schultz on ebay...going for $10!!! :p CLASSIC!
Shit I had some Jim Brewer cards...now where are they?! :D
#53Submitted by Ken Hada on March 12, 2004 - 4:32pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Guest wrote:
hey Ken , You seen ROB ,DENNIS, OR PHIL , of Devistation ???
I host Phil's PhilMaturano.com he might have a bead on the rest of Devistation.
#54Submitted by RathMan17 on March 23, 2004 - 4:55am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

lets see if Don's card goes for $10 you would think Brewer's could get at least a buck! Now if you had a skatopia I.D. card w/picture of his SWEET FRO ! THAT I would gladly pay $10 for!!! sorry Brew.... the hair looks good nowadays too... :p
#55Submitted by Ken Hada on March 24, 2004 - 3:25am.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Oh! You mean Jim lost the Hasslehof Fro!
#56Submitted by RathMan17 on March 30, 2004 - 6:08am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

well I had my first skate session in over 15 yrs. last week with Terry Tice and Scott Rath at Sadlands skatepark in Anaheim... nobody out there but us three ... all on our old school boards mine complete with a Skatopia sticker proudly stuck on the bottom! I am happy to report that there are three more skaters back on the scene!! :cool:
#57Submitted by Ken Hada on March 31, 2004 - 3:31am.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

We have to get pics of the next session. Let me know when it goes down I will take them myself.
#58Submitted by ahoyticer on April 3, 2004 - 3:19am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Ahoy Steve and Scott that was alot of fun skating last week. You guys still rip it was good to see you both. Terry
#59Submitted by Anonymous on April 9, 2004 - 3:28am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Ahoy T.Tice. Great skating w/you and Stevie last week. Not surprised that you still carve those sleek lines. We've got to do this again...often. Let's hit some other local parks next time..you mentioned you've been to a few good ones lately. Will be working on frontside air again in the next few weeks..after 20 years!
#60Submitted by RathMan17 on April 16, 2004 - 4:22am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

let me tell you ...I forgot just how intimidating it is to drop in on a vertical pool.... geeeez.. nothing better than that first frontside grind after 15 some-odd yrs. though! T-Tice when is the next session? by the way, do a search "skatopia" on ebay...just ran across some authentic Skatopia Glass wheels up for sale...
#61Submitted by RathMan17 on April 30, 2004 - 4:59pm.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Anybody remember Gary Atchinson? He skated briefly for Sims and hung out at Skatopia... just ran into him at Vans skatepark in Orange and at 43 yrs old he is still ripping! Frontside airs and inverts like it's nothing! SICK :cool:
#62Submitted by Toby Woller on May 5, 2004 - 1:52am.
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Quote:
Anybody remember Gary Atchinson? He skated briefly for Sims and hung out at Skatopia... just ran into him at Vans skatepark in Orange and at 43 yrs old he is still ripping!
I remember the guy. I skated the Vans park in Orange a few months ago. I was happy to get backside wheelers in the combi and the big ramp. Couldn't even grind. My t-shirt was soaked after a couple of hours. I haven't skated much the past few months because American Flatbread has been been taking up 7 days a week for months now. And all of the skateparks up here on the Central Coast suck. Hi Amy and everyone else! New email address since the first one I posted awhile ago. toby.woller at verizon dot net Would love to here from everyone. Sounds like we have enough people for a skate reunion one of these days?
#63Submitted by Ken Hada on May 5, 2004 - 3:35pm.
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Guest wrote:
Quote:
Anybody remember Gary Atchinson? He skated briefly for Sims and hung out at Skatopia... just ran into him at Vans skatepark in Orange and at 43 yrs old he is still ripping!
I remember the guy. I skated the Vans park in Orange a few months ago. I was happy to get backside wheelers in the combi and the big ramp. Couldn't even grind. My t-shirt was soaked after a couple of hours. I haven't skated much the past few months because American Flatbread has been been taking up 7 days a week for months now. And all of the skateparks up here on the Central Coast suck. Hi Amy and everyone else! New email address since the first one I posted awhile ago. toby.woller at verizon dot net Would love to here from everyone. Sounds like we have enough people for a skate reunion one of these days?
Nice site Toby, you slave to XHTML standards :p Skatopia skate reunion sounds great! Been trying to get Dale Arden and family to drive up to your neck of the woods.
#64Submitted by Anonymous on May 22, 2004 - 10:01pm.

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This site is totally unbelievable to me. I thought Skatopia was gone forever. The other day I stumbled across my old Skatopia ID. I was about 8 or 9 years old and skated there until I was about 13 when my parents moved me out to N.M. So many memories came up the big snake, the clover(my fav) my younger brothers lives are filled with stories of my times at Skatopia. Then all of a sudden I come across z-boys.com which eventually linked me to this site. Awesome!!! A site dedicated to one of the best times of my youth. I wasn't the best skater but my heart was 100% in it. Wish I still had my Alva 10" with my Tracker mids and Kryp 70's (the goofy Huge green ones). I used to get such shit for my Alva board b/c everyone was mad at him for breaking one of his trophy's or something. But I was a loyal kid and he was my fav. Respect to all my Cerritos, Buena Park Locals from my youth. James
#65Submitted by Ken Hada on May 23, 2004 - 4:16pm.
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Thanks for stopping by James.
#66Submitted by RathMan17 on June 6, 2004 - 6:39am.

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James... just jump on Sk8supply.com or ebay and you will dig all the "old-school" stuff you will come across... I've been collecting some classic stuff over the last year or so and have started skating again because of it. There is an event that Sk8supply.com sponsors called "Skater-Trader" it's an old-school only swapmeet that gets bigger and better each time (I think there is another one coming up in July)... my brother even picked up some mint condition Skatopia Glass wheels...
#67Submitted by RathMan17 on June 6, 2004 - 6:44am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

forgot to mention another great website and company that is back up and running www.sk8IPS.com ... Inouye's Pool Service!
#68Submitted by Ken Hada on June 6, 2004 - 3:28pm.
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Thats killer, cant wait for them to launch it.
#69Submitted by Anonymous on June 22, 2004 - 5:42am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

SKATOPIA STILL RULES, I'M gonna advertize skatopia.net in my ebay adds that i run ,so watch for more comments....
#70Submitted by Ken Hada on June 24, 2004 - 5:14am.
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Cool, thanks Al!
#71Submitted by Anonymous on June 26, 2004 - 12:50am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Hey KEN, how do i send you some photo"s ??????? alan
#72Submitted by Ken Hada on June 26, 2004 - 3:52pm.
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Guest wrote:
Hey KEN, how do i send you some photo"s ??????? alan
Al, you can upload them here
#73Submitted by Anonymous on June 29, 2004 - 3:19pm.

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Al asked me to drop-in and throw out an AZ welcome to skatopia.net. I'm "Steve in AZ" on a number of other skate related sites, mostly slalom & downhill. But I've been skating since 1975, and we here in AZ lived vicariously through Skateboarder Magazine and what was happening in Cali. Now, I'm also back to riding ditches and pools/parks at PV Skatepark. Our two claims to fame were the Solar Bowl (which still exists, but is questionable whether it's skateable), and High Roller Skatepark in N.Phoenix (Sunnyslope), the only park in the world (at that time) with TWO full pipes. Please add it to your skatepark list. Thanks! -=S=-
#74Submitted by Ken Hada on June 30, 2004 - 3:21pm.
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Hey Steve, I added High Roller to list of old school parks. Thanks for joining us.
#75Submitted by RathMan17 on July 2, 2004 - 5:45pm.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

if you can find it...check out Concrete Wave skate magazine... it's dedicated to mostly old school/longboard/slalom/pool riding...
#76Submitted by Anonymous on July 17, 2004 - 1:09am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

hey KEN, i'm trying to get my ebay buyers to check out this site ,and leave a comment ! hopefully. al
#77Submitted by Anonymous on August 2, 2004 - 8:40pm.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

ancharkey.......any questins :angry:
#78Submitted by Jason La Fay on August 16, 2004 - 5:53am.

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Hey Ken, A few months ago I talked to John Lucero at the ASR show in San Diego. He was signing autographs with Duane Peters. We talked for a few but, I didn't want to take up his time while he was working the crowd. He did mention Skatopia.net and then asked if I had a few more body slams in me so we could skate. Check out his pic's at blacklabelskates.com. I don't know if you remember this guy, Mike Hirsch who rode for Variflex. He and his brother Steve were from Anahiem. I talked to him recently and he has a cool site: Socalskateparks.com. One last thing, I talked to Craig Snyder from Florida. He's friends with Mike Folmer, Mike McGill, Kelly Lynn and the rest of those guys that came out of Florida in the Early 80's. He said he will be shooting a video about them and wants me to do an interview giving a California perspective as they began hitting the contest scene out here. I would like to get a few old skaters involved to put this interview together if possible. He will be down to California near the end of this year or early next. Shoot me an e-mail At jlafay2000atyahoodotcom.
#79Submitted by dave case on September 19, 2004 - 12:23am.

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I will always love skatopia,I still have my old I.D.(#7046) and do treasure it dearly.I am interested in any available memorabilia that my be out there.please contact if you have any info!
#80Submitted by Anonymous on September 25, 2004 - 10:56pm.

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hey ken, sue has been hanging out with a girl that was on the HOBIE TEAM in the 70s ! Her name is JANET CHURCH , she still has her team gear sue said, i think she rode with waldo autry , skitch hitchcock, mike weed , she told sue she loved skatopia and concrete wave. I'm gonna see if sue can get here to jump on your site and throw out some info. Al
#81Submitted by Anonymous on October 4, 2004 - 4:07am.

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HEY KEN, WHAT KINDA DECKS DID YOU RIDE AND TRUCKS AND WHEELS.????
#82Submitted by the Gord on December 23, 2004 - 4:19pm.

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Hi folks! I was turned on to this site by Al Peters (ebay seller) classicjunk2. My name is Gordy Lienemann. I was on the Pepsi Team and the SIMS Team from 1976-1981. I skated a lot with Lonnie Toft, Stacey Peralta, Alan Scott, and the Pepsi and SIMS skaters. I have a lot of cool old photos from the day, and could probably dig up some Skatopia memorabilia. I think I have my Id card and misc. paperwork from Skatopia if you are interested. If you would like to email me directly that would be ok as I don't have that much time to go to all the skateboard websites. My email address is: the.gord@verizon.net
#83Submitted by Hada on December 25, 2004 - 8:26pm.

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the Gord wrote:
Hi folks! I was turned on to this site by Al Peters (ebay seller) classicjunk2. My name is Gordy Lienemann. I was on the Pepsi Team and the SIMS Team from 1976-1981. I skated a lot with Lonnie Toft, Stacey Peralta, Alan Scott, and the Pepsi and SIMS skaters. I have a lot of cool old photos from the day, and could probably dig up some Skatopia memorabilia. I think I have my Id card and misc. paperwork from Skatopia if you are interested. If you would like to email me directly that would be ok as I don't have that much time to go to all the skateboard websites. My email address is: the.gord@verizon.net
Hi Gord, I am the creator of this site. We all would appreciate any scans and or photos you might have to share with us! ken@shootthemoon.com
#84Submitted by Ken Hada on December 25, 2004 - 8:28pm.
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Guest wrote:
HEY KEN, WHAT KINDA DECKS DID YOU RIDE AND TRUCKS AND WHEELS.????
I had a Inouye with tracker trucks and bones wheels.
#85Submitted by Hada on December 25, 2004 - 8:29pm.

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Guest wrote:
hey ken, sue has been hanging out with a girl that was on the HOBIE TEAM in the 70s ! Her name is JANET CHURCH , she still has her team gear sue said, i think she rode with waldo autry , skitch hitchcock, mike weed , she told sue she loved skatopia and concrete wave. I'm gonna see if sue can get here to jump on your site and throw out some info. Al
Would love to see some photos she might have!
#86Submitted by Anonymous on December 27, 2004 - 10:53pm.

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Ken, I would be interested in help you with the Skatopia Reunion. Awsome idea. I have connections with Old School Skaters. George Orton is my boyfriend and We own a skateshop in Westminister, CA called Random X Boardshop. Send me an email you board is not new user friendly. cperkins@csulb.edu I would also like to hook up with you about some of your photo's for George's personal scrapbook. I'm willing to pay $$$
#87Submitted by Anonymous on January 2, 2005 - 10:51pm.

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hey KEN alan here, i sold GEORGE ORTONS girl fried some old wheels, she wants to try to locate some orton collectables etc. OH ! SUE says hi, DAN GONZO says hi.also, Alan
#88Submitted by Ken Hada on January 3, 2005 - 7:42pm.
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Guest wrote:
Ken, I would be interested in help you with the Skatopia Reunion. Awsome idea. I have connections with Old School Skaters. George Orton is my boyfriend and We own a skateshop in Westminister, CA called Random X Boardshop. Send me an email you board is not new user friendly. cperkins@csulb.edu I would also like to hook up with you about some of your photo's for George's personal scrapbook. I'm willing to pay $$$
Do you guys have a website?
#89Submitted by Toby Woller on January 12, 2005 - 12:16am.
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Hello again everyone. I'm good for a reunion one of these weekends. I sent away for a new deck recently and got it together. Need to take it somewhere to try it out. Steve Olsen model from Red Kross. Tossing a few dollars to Mr. Lucero. They are halfway through a new skatepark up here in Solvang. Dug the bowls but no rebar, concrete. There is about 4 feet of water in each of them :angry: A tight little park with a big clover with four bowls, deepest about 7-8' and smallest 4-5'. Then a small street area...which is fine by me. If we start getting some general dates I'm sure I could make it.
#90Submitted by Anonymous on April 25, 2005 - 1:35am.

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Hey gang, just found the site thru the Apple skatepark site. Man, finally, a site from a Cali park I skated as a kid. I have lived in Ohio all my life, and when I started to get into skating a lot, my parents took me to california for vacation. A very dear friend of the family's, Peter Bingley had a company, I THINK it was california specialty products, I think, but he had a wheel company, Boom-a-rang wheels, I think they were the first swirl red white and blue wheels. I think he poured for Alva maybe and I know he sent me some UFO Saucers, I still have them, they've been ridden I think 2 or 3 times. I still have my RWB swirls too!!! Anyways, Mr. Bingley said, hey, you have to go to this skatepark near us. So we went, and Skatopia was it!!! I might have my membership card around, I know I still have a flyer, and I still have decks with Skatopia stickers on them. The guy running the place at the time had red curly hair, kind of a rock star permed deal, I remember this as my dad took a picture of me standing with him. Oh yeah, it was easily like a hundred degrees the day we were there, and I remember thinking what a bad ass I was in my short volleyball shorts, and volleyball pads, yeah, LOTS of protection there!!!! I bought a set of Half track Tracker trucks there, and I remember seeing Tony Alva's autograph in the bathroom. Now I own the largest skate/snowboard shop in Ohio. Sunsports. If you're ever in columbus, drop in and skate our half pipe!!!! Thanks for the time and the site, nice trip down memory lane. kennyb357@aol.com
#91Submitted by Hada on May 3, 2005 - 5:03am.

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Great story! Red haried dude was probably Don Schultz. Scan that flyer if you some time and upload it to our site! Skatopia Uploads Area
#92Submitted by Anonymous on May 4, 2005 - 4:39pm.

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THERE IS A BIG REUNION AT SKATELAB ,SIMI VALLEY, ALL BIG NAMES ,ORTON,PETERS, CABALLERO,ALVA,ETC,MEET ALL THE PRO'S,MAY 7,,SAT.
#93Submitted by Anonymous on May 4, 2005 - 5:16pm.

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well i'm new at thios but i would like to make some friends
#94Submitted by Hada on May 8, 2005 - 6:28pm.

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Guest wrote:
well i'm new at thios but i would like to make some friends
Hello Bull where you a skater "back in the day"?
#95Submitted by Perry Peterson on May 23, 2005 - 6:32am.

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Ken, very cool site man! Hope all is well! This stuff is pretty complicated for me man, I'll try and keep up! Dug the prop from Arab. I still talk and groove with Joe Wood. My wife and I own a B&B here in Napa, CA. www.daughtersinn.com if anybody wants to drop an "E" they can talk to me! Take care Bro!
#96Submitted by Hada on May 23, 2005 - 4:01pm.

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Perry Peterson wrote:
Ken, very cool site man! Hope all is well! This stuff is pretty complicated for me man, I'll try and keep up! Dug the prop from Arab. I still talk and groove with Joe Wood. My wife and I own a B&B here in Napa, CA. www.daughtersinn.com if anybody wants to drop an "E" they can talk to me! Take care Bro!
Thanks for dropping in Perry! I still remember Joe, Scotty and yourself hanging out in the poll at Skatopia. Didnt you have a younger brother who use to skate as well? The B&B looks great!
#97Submitted by Perry Peterson on May 25, 2005 - 7:09am.

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Yeah Hada, my little brother is T-BONE. He's in Thailand for a while, he also hangs in VietNam,Laos and Cambodia. Claims he and some mates have been the only farangs some these people have ever seen, he likes to get off the beaten path. He has some Hellacious stories! All good! LATER SK8TER!
#98Submitted by Hada on May 26, 2005 - 6:32am.

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Perry Peterson wrote:
Yeah Hada, my little brother is T-BONE. He's in Thailand for a while, he also hangs in VietNam,Laos and Cambodia. Claims he and some mates have been the only farangs some these people have ever seen, he likes to get off the beaten path. He has some Hellacious stories! All good! LATER SK8TER!
What a trip, thats cool.
#99Submitted by Anonymous on May 30, 2005 - 9:59am.

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Great site Ken. I grew up in Fullerton and graduated HS. in 80. Got turned away the first time we went to the Concrete Wave because we weren`t wearing shoes ( didn`t know about grip tape yet) Used to skate the Rat Bowl in Yorba Linda, the Overflow in Brea and the V on Euclid. Had a few good sessions with the Z Boys at the Fruit Bowl and the Snake run at the Concrete Wave. Rode the #43 bus to Newport from age ten to about 17. Played football in grade school with Mike Palm from Agent Orange. Did you ever ride the water ride at the Big O ? that was some crazy shit. Anyway my first board had clay wheels purchased at Gemco. Great to read the posts here, very happy to see skatopia still excists in the minds of those fortunate enough to have been there . Keep up the good work. Eric Russell (may 2005)
#100Submitted by Anonymous on May 30, 2005 - 8:21pm.

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wow never thought I would here the word skatopia agin this site brought back lots of memories skated the place constently that and lakewood and skate city really miss thouse times was wondering ware it used to be located if any one rembers please post
#101Submitted by Ken Hada on June 2, 2005 - 8:06pm.
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Guest wrote:
wow never thought I would here the word skatopia agin this site brought back lots of memories skated the place constently that and lakewood and skate city really miss thouse times was wondering ware it used to be located if any one rembers please post
I worked at Lakewood after they closed Skatopia. I think Skatopia was located at Knott and Oragethorpe. There is a private school there now.
#102Submitted by Anonymous on June 3, 2005 - 5:54am.

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Hey.. this is a total trip just to see that flippn' logo again. I'm 35 and used to skate there when I was a kid.. I sucked and had this Makaha skateboard with these big long wheels.. I used to just go on this 'snake' thing the whole time and was way intimidated by everything else.. still a huge part of my childhood.. this site rules and thanks for the dudes who put it together.
#103Submitted by Ken Hada on June 4, 2005 - 5:47am.
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Guest wrote:
Hey.. this is a total trip just to see that flippn' logo again. I'm 35 and used to skate there when I was a kid.. I sucked and had this Makaha skateboard with these big long wheels.. I used to just go on this 'snake' thing the whole time and was way intimidated by everything else.. still a huge part of my childhood.. this site rules and thanks for the dudes who put it together.
Thanks for sharing your story. The big-snake-run taught me to carve.
#104Submitted by Anonymous on June 9, 2005 - 12:27am.

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I also skated at parmount skate park saw tony Alva at lakwood skate park. Then hooked up with eddie fiola and tinker W when lakewood closed and rode the crap out of that place with our bikes (grew up in Norwalk) would love to skate that snake run in either lakewood or sktopia God that was so much fun the lights on at night the big plexy glass half pipe at lakewood to much fun well I guess you just get older (I'm 39) and go back to ware it all began SURFING never stoped surfing still do that almost on a daily basis and take trips. But nothing will come close to the feeling of comming up to entrence of the half pipe at skatopia and saying DROPING IN!going into that little snake run and just start carving the crap out of the half pipe. Just for your info started to digging around my crap and found my OG 1977 alva skate with the tracker trucks & green kriptonix(60) still has the clouds(bushings) in the trucks I'm so afraid to ride it as my now fat ass (180) might brake it ,also the king pin is broke in the frunt truck. So this site has me so stoked that I think I will buy a pool board at start this crazy shit all over agin. Will check back for sure. Thanks Guys for keeping it alive don't lose the stoke (thanks for the reply on the first post did not think anyone would)
#105Submitted by Anonymous on June 9, 2005 - 12:28am.

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I also skated at parmount skate park saw tony Alva at lakwood skate park. Then hooked up with eddie fiola and tinker W when lakewood closed and rode the crap out of that place with our bikes (grew up in Norwalk) would love to skate that snake run in either lakewood or sktopia God that was so much fun the lights on at night the big plexy glass half pipe at lakewood to much fun well I guess you just get older (I'm 39) and go back to ware it all began SURFING never stoped surfing still do that almost on a daily basis and take trips. But nothing will come close to the feeling of comming up to entrence of the half pipe at skatopia and saying DROPING IN!going into that little snake run and just start carving the crap out of the half pipe. Just for your info started to digging around my crap and found my OG 1977 alva skate with the tracker trucks & green kriptonix(60) still has the clouds(bushings) in the trucks I'm so afraid to ride it as my now fat ass (180) might brake it ,also the king pin is broke in the frunt truck. So this site has me so stoked that I think I will buy a pool board at start this crazy shit all over agin. Will check back for sure. Thanks Guys for keeping it alive don't lose the stoke (thanks for the reply on the first post did not think anyone would)
#106Submitted by Ken Hada on June 9, 2005 - 8:08pm.
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I have been skating every morning for about 2 weeks now. Got my first grinder today (first in 20 years.) When i started skating again I could barley do a few kick turns.
#107Submitted by Anonymous on June 9, 2005 - 11:55pm.

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ware is this park
#108Submitted by Toby Woller on June 10, 2005 - 2:26am.
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Quote:
I have been skating every morning for about 2 weeks now. Got my first grinder today (first in 20 years.) When i started skating again I could barley do a few kick turns.
Awesome Ken. My complete repertoire of tricks, now, consists of: Taildrop Axelstall 50-50 frontside and backside grinds, carving and kick-turns. Trying to start to feel comfortable enough to go for some more things we used to be able to do...next is a rock-n-roll.
#109Submitted by Jason La Fay on June 10, 2005 - 6:27pm.

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Sounds about where I'm at, Toby. Ken, Bad ass! Same old stoke. I need to get back to riding skateparks, I haven't skated much lately--too busy. I'll be good to go for the reunion. Looks like a Skatopia sticker on the bottom of your board, Ken.
#110Submitted by Ken Hada on June 10, 2005 - 10:48pm.
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Guest wrote:
ware is this park
Westminster Skatepark
#111Submitted by Ken Hada on June 10, 2005 - 10:52pm.
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Toby Woller wrote:
Quote:
I have been skating every morning for about 2 weeks now. Got my first grinder today (first in 20 years.) When i started skating again I could barley do a few kick turns.
Awesome Ken. My complete repertoire of tricks, now, consists of: Taildrop Axelstall 50-50 frontside and backside grinds, carving and kick-turns. Trying to start to feel comfortable enough to go for some more things we used to be able to do...next is a rock-n-roll.
Thats great Toby! Except for the R&R you have already nailed my entire repertoire-of-tricks :D
#112Submitted by Ken Hada on June 10, 2005 - 10:53pm.
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Jason La Fay wrote:
Sounds about where I'm at, Toby. Ken, Bad ass! Same old stoke. I need to get back to riding skateparks, I haven't skated much lately--too busy. I'll be good to go for the reunion. Looks like a Skatopia sticker on the bottom of your board, Ken.
Yeah that is a "Action Sport" Brian Martin Model (without graphics) and a Skatopia Picture. Edited By Ken Hada on 1118444062
#113Submitted by Ken Hada on June 10, 2005 - 10:55pm.
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What park are we having the reunion at?
#114Submitted by darden on June 12, 2005 - 4:05pm.
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Hey Ken, Call me when you are going to skate, always looking for someone to go with. We hit Chino every Saturday & Sunday morning. Toby I hear Solvang has a killer park that just opened. Anyone seen the Rebirth DVD MIke Hirsch just did (lots of memories). Dale Arden
#115Submitted by Ken Hada on June 13, 2005 - 8:32pm.
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That looks like a great park Dale. If your free on weekday mornings let me know.
#116Submitted by RathMan17 on June 14, 2005 - 5:27pm.

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Ken ...you should try and make it down to the Etnies (free) park in Lake Forest, I try and hit the place up on Monday-Tues mornings, the pool is unreal, excellent grip and smooth concrete with great tile and coping. Carves all day long in that thing, also the clover-type bowl is great, mellow with lots of lines to take. Definitely worth a drive to south OC. Usually not too crowded early and usually one or two "old schoolers" skating the pool, I've met some good people. Check out sk8supply.com, the guy has re-issue skatepark decks (Skatopia, Big-O, etc for sale).
#117Submitted by Jason La Fay on June 15, 2005 - 10:13am.

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Ken, The Skatopia Reunion will be at Etnies Skatepark in Lake Forest, August 6th & 7th. Mike Hirsch is also working on a Big '0' reunion as well.
#118Submitted by Toby Woller on June 17, 2005 - 12:33am.
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Hi Dale!
Quote:
Toby I hear Solvang has a killer park that just opened. Anyone seen the Rebirth DVD MIke Hirsch just did (lots of memories).
It has been open for a few weeks now. I put some pics of it up on my flickr page. I posted a topic on socalskateparks.com the day before the official grand opening and MH replied that he was going to be showing the rebirth movie in Ojai this Saturday and would be hitting up Solvang park on Sunday. I usually go after work for about an hour and when it opens on the weekend. Lots of "old schoolers" up here too. I didn't know that Etnies park in Lake Forest was free. My brother lives a few miles from there so I want to skate it before the reunion...
#119Submitted by darden on June 22, 2005 - 4:40am.
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Ken, Thanks for all the great pictures. Glad we got to get together again ,been way to long, Chino was so much fun. Hey!!! Toby I seen Mike came up to Solvang said that park was killer, I'm going to Oxnard for business next week maybe I can hit the skatepark in Solvang that afternoon around 11:00 / 12:00 on a weekday if possible. Will you be able to get off work. How far is Solvang from Oxnard? Ken maybe you can ride up with me. I'll call you tomorrow.
#120Submitted by Ken Hada on June 22, 2005 - 4:50am.
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cool, let me know the date and I will check my schedule.
#121Submitted by Toby Woller on June 22, 2005 - 11:32am.
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Quote:
I'm going to Oxnard for business next week maybe I can hit the skatepark in Solvang that afternoon around 11:00 / 12:00 on a weekday if possible. Will you be able to get off work. How far is Solvang from Oxnard?
My schedule is pretty flexible, I basically write it myself. I could get off for a couple hours. Solvang is probably about 1-1/2 hours North of Oxnard though. It is an hour North of Santa Barbara. Basically in the Santa Ynez Valley where Sideways was filmed. If you wanted to drive up I'd definitely like to see you guys. Just tell me the date.
#122Submitted by Oxnard Sk8r on June 22, 2005 - 8:58pm.

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Wow! What a memory-fest!! I found this place because my two nephews didn't believe that there really was a place called Skatopia and it didn't just exist in Tony Hawk's Underground 2. Which begs the question, "Why has Tony made a game featuring all of the Old School Parks??" I was never fortunate enuf to skate at Skatopia, I was too young to drive back then. But I did localize The Endless Wave from the time it opened until it was shut down. (Damn those sue-happy parents!!!) This is a great site Ken! I still have my 1983 Z-Woody with Indy's and Red Bones. My wife wants me to sell it, but.....you know... Anyway, if anybody out there happens to have pics of The Endless Wave please feel free to e-mail them to me at scottrae1263@earthlink.net. Thanks in advance.
#123Submitted by Ken Hada on June 22, 2005 - 10:14pm.
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So glad you stopped by this site. I skated Oxnard way-back-when (had a few buddies with cars) and I remember having fun there.
#124Submitted by Anonymous on July 11, 2005 - 4:39pm.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Ken: Great site! I don't know that I would call myself a "local" at Skatopia, but I skated there frequently, sometimes with the locals, like Ken McGuire (misspelled "Ken Mguire" in the "locals" section). I still see Ken McGuire and will turn him on to your website. Back in the day, I skated Concrete Wave, Skatopia, Lakewood, Paramount, Carson (across the street from the Goodyear blimp - after it closed), Whittier Skate City, Marina Del Rey, and Pipeline (as far as parks). I also skated the Fruit Bowl, the Euclid Vee, Los Coyotes ditch (behind my house), Moon Park, the ditch near the La Mirada Drive-in, Western Wheel, and numerous other ditches and pools. I'll let Ken McGuire know about the upcoming reunion at Etnies. I'm still skating. I ride a Bulldog longboard. I hit the Grover Beach skatepark on Sunday mornings (I now live in Santa Maria). We've made road trips to Greenfield, Templeton and Skate Street. I'm just back from an Oregon trip, where I skated Newberg and checked out Burnside and Newport. I'll soon be hitting Solvang (I got my waiver via e-mail from Backdoor Board shop). I will also soon be hitting Etnies, as my brother lives a mile from there. I've also hit La Pipa Grande twice. Thanks again for the great website. Paul
#125Submitted by zenklee on July 12, 2005 - 1:20am.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

My most memorable Skatopia experience would be skating it after the park had closed. We pretty much just hit the capsule pool. There were 4 of us. After skating by moonlight, we got popped by a cop, just after we pulled away from Skatopia. He gave me a warning for not having lights on (I was trying to keep a "low profile") and let me go. He never wondered why four sweaty guys were pulling out of a closed skatepark, late at night.
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You know there ain't no devil. That's just God when he's drunk.
#126Submitted by Toby Woller on July 12, 2005 - 2:23am.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Quote:
I'll soon be hitting Solvang (I got my waiver via e-mail from Backdoor Board shop).
Solvang kills Grover Beach and is a lot closer to you. I'm there sometimes in the afternoon weekdays around 2:30 and when it opens on Sat, Sun at 10am for a couple hours...Stop by!
Quote:
the ditch near the La Mirada Drive-in...
I remember shooting the little pipe at the end and jumping into the big ditch down the way. :cool: Tell Ken Hi. If he's still skating would love to see you both at Etnies for the reunion. If he's not, get him back on a board...
#127Submitted by zenklee on July 12, 2005 - 2:24pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Toby: I'll relay your message to Ken. I sent him an e-mail last night, telling him about this site and about the reunion at Etnies. If I don't hear back from him soon, I'll give him a call. He definitely still skates. BTW, I made my first post (under my name) before registering with this site. Paul Halliburton = Zenklee
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You know there ain't no devil. That's just God when he's drunk.
#128Submitted by Ken Hada on July 12, 2005 - 11:29pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Guest wrote:
Ken: Great site! I don't know that I would call myself a "local" at Skatopia, but I skated there frequently, sometimes with the locals, like Ken McGuire (misspelled "Ken Mguire" in the "locals" section). I still see Ken McGuire and will turn him on to your website. Back in the day, I skated Concrete Wave, Skatopia, Lakewood, Paramount, Carson (across the street from the Goodyear blimp - after it closed), Whittier Skate City, Marina Del Rey, and Pipeline (as far as parks). I also skated the Fruit Bowl, the Euclid Vee, Los Coyotes ditch (behind my house), Moon Park, the ditch near the La Mirada Drive-in, Western Wheel, and numerous other ditches and pools. I'll let Ken McGuire know about the upcoming reunion at Etnies. I'm still skating. I ride a Bulldog longboard. I hit the Grover Beach skatepark on Sunday mornings (I now live in Santa Maria). We've made road trips to Greenfield, Templeton and Skate Street. I'm just back from an Oregon trip, where I skated Newberg and checked out Burnside and Newport. I'll soon be hitting Solvang (I got my waiver via e-mail from Backdoor Board shop). I will also soon be hitting Etnies, as my brother lives a mile from there. I've also hit La Pipa Grande twice. Thanks again for the great website. Paul
Great to have you with us Paul. Those were some great places to skate. So stoked that Ken will see the site. Say hi to him from 'Hada".
#129Submitted by Rollinagain on July 16, 2005 - 6:49pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

I just read all 7 pages (bored tired and sore from skating last night and surfing this morning) and I'm totaly stoked! I skated etnies last night and was talking to Lester Kasai (sorry if I jacked up that last name) and he turned me on to this site. I worked at Skatopia from 76 or77-78 (hired by Don) Lived in Arcadia (more pools per capita then any other city in the state at the time) then moved to newport. I skated all the ditches, banks, pools etc. I used to keep a sump pump in the trunk of my car at all times and drained more then a few pools with it. After Skatopia I moved to S.D. and worked at the Del Mar Skate Ranch since the day it opened (poured some of the concrete myself) and lived that scene for a few years. Anyway, I'm skating again and just totaly enjoyed this site (and will continue to). I have great memories of that place and some great photos too, which I will get to you Ken. My name is Bill Billing and thanks!
#130Submitted by Anonymous on July 23, 2005 - 11:17pm.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

I used to skate that place all the time. Those microwave burgers in the snack shop were nasty but i ate those bastards anyways. I remember this dude they called gazoo because he look liked that dude from the flintstones. I was in the contest scene back then--sure miss those days. Does anybody remember the contest they had at the cars of the stars building. LATER FOR NOW
#131Submitted by RathMan17 on July 24, 2005 - 4:05am.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

me and my brother Scott hit the new Upland skatepark...pretty fast and radical, definitely worth a trip to skate that full-pipe, we had the place to ourselves for well over an hour! We literally skated until I was huffin and puffin. Just hit the new Costa Mesa park today, good bowl with some vert and lots of lines to it, pretty crowded though, we'll try and get some pics posted of the full-pipe..... Steve Rath
#132Submitted by darden on July 26, 2005 - 12:11am.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Hey Steve, Say hello to your brother Scott, I went to high school with him. We were at Costa Mesa must have been before you guys got there, fun park! Hope to see you guys at the reunion. WHERES CLARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#133Submitted by Toby Woller on July 26, 2005 - 2:39am.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Quote:
WHERES CLARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Clark skates with his son some times at Solvang. Yesterday he said he thought he had a party on Sat the 6th to throw or go to or something like that. He knows about it. We'll see.
#134Submitted by darden on July 26, 2005 - 3:32am.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Come skate Costa Mesa Sunday morning looks like Toby is coming down from Solvang and we are going to have a session. I thought Clark lived in Wa. Hopfully he can make it. Aaron G, Ken's Hadas CONFIRMED. who else is in!!!!
#135Submitted by Anonymous on July 26, 2005 - 3:38pm.

Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

darden wrote:
Come skate Costa Mesa Sunday morning looks like Toby is coming down from Solvang and we are going to have a session. I thought Clark lived in Wa. Hopfully he can make it. Aaron G, Ken's Hadas CONFIRMED. who else is in!!!!
Dale hey this is Scott. Will do my best to get to Costa Mesa on Sun. am. Would love to see and skate with you guys again...still looking for my original 10x30 Woodflex.
#136Submitted by darden on July 27, 2005 - 4:39am.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Hey Scott wass up, The park opens at 9:00 Cant wait to skate with everyone.
#137Submitted by Anonymous on August 20, 2005 - 2:47am.

Skatopia Locals ruled!!!

I miss the good old days at Skatopia. Playing ADD_ON in the little bowl at the end of the run. Tag throughout the park and flying out of the big snake run up, out and over the dirt into the end of the slaom run. Entering the halfpipe from the end and carving up over all the little kids ooooohing and ahhhhhing.. lol Hearing about how Ken Upunka (sp?) broke his arm in the capsule pool right after making the comment... "If Brian can do it, so can I!!!' Not!!! lol I will always have great memories of Skatopia, the staff, and friends I skated with there, as it was my favorite park of all time! I can still hear Chuck Lantz cussing after the hundreth time of missing a front side air and slamming his almost broken and splintered board into the concrete... (*&^%*&^#&^%$(*&%)(*&#)(*&@$(&*^@$ Why can't I make one??? Yeah, those were the good old days, and I would trade them for anything! ope to see some of you in November at Skatelab when i am out in So Cal. Charleston, SC sucks big time for skateparks, but luckicky I am in Louisville, KY a few times a year to skate their great park. Hey Ken, ready for a game of add-on at Skatelab??? I hope Toby and the rest of the gang makes it there! See you in November!
#138Submitted by Ken Hada on August 20, 2005 - 4:42am.
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Re: Skatopia Locals ruled!!!

Old Man Main wrote:
Hey Ken, ready for a game of add-on at Skatelab??? !
I will be there, but I will be in the mood for a game of "Stay Alive".
#139Submitted by ALFREDO ZAVALA on September 18, 2005 - 5:13am.

DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN

WELL LIKE EVERYONE ELSE THE FIRST TIME YOU STUMBLE ON TO THIS WEBSITE IT IS A MINDBLOWER! FORGOTTEN, PRECIOUS MEMORIES OF A FORGOTTEN YOUTH. I'M ALFREDO ZAVALA. I WORKED @SKATOPIA TILL IT CLOSED DOWN. LIVED IN BUENA PARK. ETC. . . WHERE DOES ONE BEGIN? THERE IS EVEN A PHOTO OF ME (# 11) IN THE SKATOPIA PHOTOS! TOO BIZARRE! YET GREAT! I JUST WANT TO TOUCH BASE WITH SOME OLD PEOPLE. TALKING IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN TYPING! I REMEMBER THAT I WASN'T REALLY A VERT SKATER. I WAS TOTALLY INTO THE SURF-SKATE BANKS THING. I WAS ALL INTO DOING BERTS, GETTING REALLY LOW. LIP SLIDES IN THE CLOVER BOWL, CARVING THE HECK OUT OF THE SNAKE RUN AS FAST AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE,OCCASIONALLY CLEARING OUT THE HALF-PIPE TO CARVE IT FULL SPEED WITH PETE HENNINGER LEADING THE WAY ON A HOMEMADE LONGBOARD. . . I'M BACK. GOD BLESS FREDO Z
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FRYTOWN LOCAL CRAZY MEX
#140Submitted by ALFREDO ZAVALA on September 18, 2005 - 5:43am.

DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN PART 2

I HAVE MORE TO SAY! REMEMBER THAT RUN ALONGSIDE THE FENCE THAT WAS LIKE A DRAINAGE DITCH, FUNKY KINK AT THE BOTTOM AND ALL! I REMEMBER WHEN THE PARK FIRST OPENED UP I SAW RUSS HOWELL DO LIKE A HUNDRED 360'S DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THAT THING -AT THE TIME I THOUGHT THAT WAS COOL - THIS WAS B4 C.R. STECYCK RUINED US FOREVER!! WE CAN'T FORGET THE FIRST PUNKS AND THE INEVITABLE TURF WARS OVER THE MUSIC BEING PLAYED AT THE BEGINNING. . . "I WAS A PUNK B4 U WERE " . . . I REMEMBER SCOTTY BUNNELL SHOWING ME A 45 OF A BAND FROM ATHENS GA. NAMED THE B-52S. IT WAS THERE ORIGINAL INDEPENDENT 45.IT HAD ROCK LOBSTER ON ONE SIDE AND I BELIEVE PLANET CAIRE ON SIDE B. WITHOUT A DOUBT PERRY PETERSON WAS THE FIRST SKATE PUNK WHO WAS WAY B4 ANYONE ELSE.HE WAS THE FIRST ALONG WITH JOE WOOD AND SCOTTY TO WEAR CHECKERED BERMUDAS!! UNTIL THEN WE WERE WEARING OP HOT PANTS AND LOOKED LIKE SAMMY DAVIS JR. OR SOMETHING! THE FIRST PERSON I KNEW WHO WAS INTO PUNK B4 THESE GUYS WAS MY BROTHER. HE WAS GOING TO PUNK GIGS IN HOLLYWOOD RIGHT AFTER GLITTER DIED! HE WAS NOT A SKATE PUNK THOUGH!HE KNEW TOMATO DU PLENTY OF THE SCREAMERS MY FAVORITE L.A. BAND OF THE TIME! SCOTTY WAS DEFINATELY DIALED INTO THE MOST CURRENT MUSIC AND BACK THEN IN THE EARLY DAYS IT WAS ALOT OF UK STUFF: 999, XRAY SPEX, GENERATION X, PISTOLS, STRANGLERS,THE JAM, BUZZCOCKS ETC... I'LL STOP ON THE MUSIC AND JUST SAY THOSE WERE CLASSIC TIMES. THANKS KEN FOR DOING SUCH A GREAT THING . I'LL TRY TO REMEMBER OTHER MEMORIES AS THEY COME. I HAD A SUPER 8 MOVIE I SHOT FOR A CLASS PROJECT AT GOLDENWEST COLLEGE WITH CLARK STAUB AND DALE ARDEN RIPPING @ THE WHITTIER SKATEPARK. I THINK IT IS LOST! OK REALLY I'LL GO NOW. MAYBE I CAN MAKE THE NEXT REUNION, I REALLY DON'T SKATE PARKS BUT AM ALWAYS OPEN TO A NICE DITCH OR SURF BANKS ALA KENTNER SCHOOL IN DOGTOWN. CAN'T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS. SPEAKING OF OLD DOGS. . . I SAW STEVE OLSON SKATING IN A SLALOM COMP TODAY HERE IN MORRO BAY. ITS WHAT GOT ME ON THIS WHOLE EXPLORATION. . . LATER FREDO Z
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FRYTOWN LOCAL CRAZY MEX
#141Submitted by Ken Hada on September 18, 2005 - 5:03pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

So glad you came by Alfredo! I love the stories! Please dont be a stranger. And you dont have to skate to come to a reunion.
#142Submitted by Toby Woller on September 19, 2005 - 4:16am.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Hey Alfredo, it is so cool you found the site. I skated with Dale today at the new Santa Monica park. Cool stories. I always new Perry and the others were the first Skate Punks. You were a punk too remember? You guys got us into the whole punk thing. I'm living in Lompoc now, just down the road from you. :D I've been up to the new Los Osos skatepark a couple of times. They have a pretty cool, wide open area in the middle with a lot of banks. If you wouldn't mind putting on some pads I'd love to skate there with you. Or if you know of any ditches, banks 'n such on the Central Coast...Clark is actually up here too. He skates a little with his son Rainer at the park I skate the most up here in Solvang. tobywoller@gmail.com
#143Submitted by Anonymous on November 9, 2005 - 10:27am.

cool site!!

Was I suprised to come across this site! I spent many days at Skatopia and the other local parks. There was not a weekend that went by that I didn't make my dad take me. What good memories! Thanks to all the people that put and keep this site up, all of us old school skaters appreciate it. Andy Knobloch
#144Submitted by Ken Hada on November 9, 2005 - 10:10pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Glad you stopped by Andanish.
#145Submitted by Anonymous on November 16, 2005 - 3:13am.

old so cal skate parks

Looking through my drawer i found my old skatopia membership card along with steve's south bay super bowl 1, lakewood center,marina del rey,skateboardworld torrance and oasis skate park san diego. Is there a site for old photos of these parks.
#146Submitted by Ken Hada on November 16, 2005 - 6:07pm.
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Re: old so cal skate parks

erik apodaca wrote:
Looking through my drawer i found my old skatopia membership card along with steve's south bay super bowl 1, lakewood center,marina del rey,skateboardworld torrance and oasis skate park san diego. Is there a site for old photos of these parks.
We would love any Skatopia picture you would like to share right here. You own anything you put up and can bring it down if when you want to. http://www.fadingpicture.com/skatopia You can put other skate photos here http://www.fadingpicture.com/album17
#147Submitted by Brian Martin on November 17, 2005 - 12:50pm.
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Hey Erik....

By chance, is your Mom's name Pam, and did she used to (or even may still) work for McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing)? Just curious.
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Skate tough, skate hard, skate till you drop!
#148Submitted by Anonymous on January 12, 2006 - 7:46am.

Skatetopia

Skatetopia was pretty fun, though I feel like I was so young I can barely remember. The broken arms, watching Ray Rodriguez spear some kid in the head, and getting sponsored by Pro Am are among my most memorable Skatetopia memories. Seeing Everett Rosecrans with his two then about 5 year old kids kelly and beatle is also pretty memorable. That halfpipe was damn fun and where I learned to do airs for the first time. We had team practice once a week at Skatetopia and sometimes at Sadlands. It was an awesome time in skateboarding. I hope everybody else enjoys all the photos as much as I do. Thanks for taking the time to put this site together.
#149Submitted by Ken Hada on January 12, 2006 - 5:09pm.
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Guest Book - Sign the skatopia bricks

Thanks for sharing your "Skatopia Story" with us Jim.
#150Submitted by ScottB on January 22, 2006 - 10:11pm.

Re: DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN PART 2

ALFREDO ZAVALA wrote:
I HAVE MORE TO SAY! WE CAN'T FORGET THE FIRST PUNKS AND THE INEVITABLE TURF WARS OVER THE MUSIC BEING PLAYED AT THE BEGINNING. . . "I WAS A PUNK B4 U WERE " . . . I REMEMBER SCOTTY BUNNELL SHOWING ME A 45 OF A BAND FROM ATHENS GA. NAMED THE B-52S. IT WAS THERE ORIGINAL INDEPENDENT 45.IT HAD ROCK LOBSTER ON ONE SIDE AND I BELIEVE PLANET CAIRE ON SIDE B. WITHOUT A DOUBT PERRY PETERSON WAS THE FIRST SKATE PUNK WHO WAS WAY B4 ANYONE ELSE.HE WAS THE FIRST ALONG WITH JOE WOOD AND SCOTTY TO WEAR CHECKERED BERMUDAS!! UNTIL THEN WE WERE WEARING OP HOT PANTS AND LOOKED LIKE SAMMY DAVIS JR. OR SOMETHING! THE FIRST PERSON I KNEW WHO WAS INTO PUNK B4 THESE GUYS WAS MY BROTHER. HE WAS GOING TO PUNK GIGS IN HOLLYWOOD RIGHT AFTER GLITTER DIED! HE WAS NOT A SKATE PUNK THOUGH!HE KNEW TOMATO DU PLENTY OF THE SCREAMERS MY FAVORITE L.A. BAND OF THE TIME! SCOTTY WAS DEFINATELY DIALED INTO THE MOST CURRENT MUSIC AND BACK THEN IN THE EARLY DAYS IT WAS ALOT OF UK STUFF: 999, XRAY SPEX, GENERATION X, PISTOLS, STRANGLERS,THE JAM, BUZZCOCKS ETC... I'LL STOP ON THE MUSIC AND JUST SAY THOSE WERE CLASSIC TIMES. LATER FREDO Z
Hey Alfredo! I just found this site! I still have that B-52's 45. Remember that Talking Heads free show at UCLA. Your brother had their first album before anyone knew who they were. Perry, Joe and I were the first skatepunks no doubt! We were the first to wear the loose long shorts. Second hand golf shorts from Bellflower CHOC shop. We called them dodos after a guy named Tony Dodorro (misspelled I'm sure) now that's all anyone wears. At first we couldn't get Joe Wood to go with us but we got him to come around. I remember you grabbing the drum stick and jamming during breaks at the Dur Staub practices in you're friends garage. Later Joe joined TSOL and stayed with the punk seen long after I dropped out. Todd Barnes was the first drummer for TSOL. He live down the street from me in Lynwood Ca. when I was in 4th grade and he was in 1st (maybe younger). Small world!!!! I still remember his first day at Skatopia -- his grandfather brought him. REST IN PEACE TODD! Peds and I were the ONLY skatepunks until Devo played the Starwood. Everything change right after that. Todd and Pat (think that was his name) and the rest of that crew started to show up at the shows. Todd came to the Masque on a Friday dressed like a skateboarder and the next night he had full leather -- jacket, pants, and boots! That's how it happened over night a new creature was made -- the skatepunk! People that were not there don't believe Skatopia was start of the skatepunk movement. Not that it couldn't or wouldn't have happened some where else! When I drive past the old building off the 91 I always tell my girlfriend a story or two about all the fun that went on there. She calling me to come do some work outside for her. Sooooo! I've got to go! But I'll be back to fully check this site out. Thanks Ken for setting it up! Scott