College Park in Lompoc occupies the same land where the original Lompoc Airport once stood, which was also used as a Navy blimp base during World War II. Although planes no longer take off or land at the site, skateboarders get air time there on a daily basis.
The 4.6-acre park, which also houses the Lompoc Family YMCA facility and the Lompoc Aquatic Center, features a 10,000 square-foot skate park. Every year since the skate park opened in 2000, the Lompoc Recreation Division has hosted its skateboard competition, Lompoc Recreation Supervisor Chad Dawson told the Sun. The 18th annual event takes place Aug. 19 and is open to skaters ages 7 and older.
For Dawson, what makes the competition uniquely beneficial to the community is its niche appeal. Although Lompoc has 13 public parks, College is the only one with space dedicated to skating.
“I think this particular event serves a part of the Lompoc population that does not have a lot of other recreational options that interest them,” Dawson said.
Although Dawson retired from skating long ago, he would have entered the competition if it existed during his youth, he said.
“I skated a little bit when I was 10,” Dawson said. “I had a Rob Roskopp board.”
The competition consists of two events, Best Run and Best Trick, and is divided into six age groups: 7 through 9, 10 through 12, 13 through 15, 16 through 18, 19 through 21, and 22 and older (Masters).
“The teenage divisions are the biggest, but we get a few older competitors as well, some in their 30’s,” Dawson said. “The judges are usually made up of older ex-skaters.”
Surf Connection, the competition’s co-founder and sponsor, recruits three judges every year to choose three winners per age group. The store also supplies the prizes. First place winners receive skateboard decks while second and third place winners receive other skating accessories, Dawson said.
Participants may compete in both contests, Dawson said. Each event costs $5 to compete. The competition starts at 11 a.m. but check-in begins at 10 a.m. Pre-registration is encouraged—as it ensures that the competition is not canceled—but on-site registration will still be accepted, Dawson said.
“Signing up in advance is recommended, but almost everyone ends up just showing up on the day of the event,” he said. “I would say about 99 percent sign up on-site.”
Those who wish to pre-register can sign-up at the Lompoc Parks and Recreation Department office, Dawson added.
Recent Lompoc High School graduate Tessa Beck has skated since she was an eighth-grader, and will compete in her age group this year.
“I’ve been to the last two competitions, both were super fun. Everyone gives it everything they’ve got.” Beck said.
When Beck got her first skateboard, she intended to use it merely for transportation, she said.
“I started just as a way to get around Lompoc, but then my friends got me into doing tricks,” she said. “Now I love riding more than anything; it’s pure happiness to me.”
Like most participants in the competition, Beck skates at College Park often. Although there can be a competitive nature at times, Beck has had nothing but positive experiences with other skaters at the park, she said.
“We all have each other’s back; we’re like a family to be honest,” she said. “We all push each other to do better and land the tricks we want to land.”
In Beck’s opinion, being too young or inexperienced shouldn’t be a factor when it comes to deciding whether or not to enter the competition.
“Experience shouldn’t really matter for competitions like this, it should just be for fun,” she said. “I used to be super hard on myself about skating, but I’ve learned to just have fun with it. Because that’s really what it should be about, having fun doing what you love.”
Contributor Caleb Wiseblood can be reached through Managing Editor Joe Payne at [email protected].
