Stand Up For Skateparks in Vegas
Posted on Friday, November 12, 2010 by Ryan
Photos by Ryan Clements and Jesse Fritsch
Words and Captions by Ryan Clements
For the first time in nearly a decade, I skipped the Annual Johnny Romano Skate Jam this year. But when Birdman calls, I listen. A few days before we were all set on leaving for our road trip to Texas, I got a text from Tony Hawk asking if I could announce the vert demo for the Stand Up For Skateparks event in Las Vegas. Would you say, “No Tony, I’m busy?” I didn’t think so. My fourth trip to Vegas in the last two months was booked and a few days later I was headed west yet again.
Stand Up For Skateparks raises money for the Tony Hawk Foundation, where it’s allocated to cities to help them facilitate skate park construction in a park near you. I didn’t get the final total, but last year they raised nearly $1mil. It’s basically the high-end version of the Make-A-Wish Jam, with stars and affluent attendees in abundance. Who better to support skateboarding?
Thanks to Tony and the entire staff for an amazing event and experience. I finally feel normal after staying up all night on Saturday night and catching my 6am flight home on Sunday morning. It’s rare that I get caught up in that $h!tstorm of partying, but I couldn’t resist.
After checking into my room at Wynn, I went exploring, and ran into Elliot Sloan and Kevin Stabb. This is the first of too many pictures of me.
Skater Profile: Kevin Staab
Andy Mac was filming everything with this camera and Sandro Dias flew in from Brazil just to skate the demo.
Skater Profile: Andy MacDonald
When I got back to my room there was a bottle of wine with a photo of someone doing an invert on the label. What better place to take a photo of it than in front of the TV in the bathroom. What? Your house doesn’t have one?
The next morning, some executive from Best Buy tracked Shaun White down to give him this guitar. It was a signed gift from Joe Satriani and his super-group, Chickenfoot.
Skater Profile: Shaun White
This is the VIP Reception where you can pay extra $$$ to meet Birdman and posse.
Skater Profile: Tony Hawk
Eric Estrada was there with his family. I shot that photo and we was like, “Do you work for Six Flags?” because the label on the sucker said “Six Flags.” Ponch has no idea that he was my first influence on a motorcycle.
This customed-out Sportster-turned-Café Racer built by Roland Sands went for over $30,000.
Skater Profile: Ryan Clements
When he’s not shooting for The Skateboard Mag or skating better than you, Anthony Acosta spends his time at Stand Up For Skateparks.
Skater Profile: Anthony Acosta
Tony Hawk and some other really famous guy. Oh never mind, that’s just another photo of me.
Skater Profile: Tony Hawk
This is the extent of the work I did...talked on the mic for 45 minutes. It’s the least amount of work I’ve ever been flown in to do at any time ever. Not complaining, just saying.
Right after the demo, the band X played. They are one of Tony’s favorites and he was amped that they donated their time.
I ended up hanging with Shaun Gregoire quite a bit. He just finished college and was on a cross-country motorcycle trip.
Skater Profile: Shaun Gregoire
The beginning of the final evening. This was my opportunity to get the picture of myself and Shaun White that many of my friends and co-workers clowned me so much about.
Skater Profile: Shaun White
I know, I know…yet another photo of me, but at least Jesse Fritsch is in there, too. And some serious star power! The story is: Tony and Stabb went to high school with David Spade, who comped tickets for all of us and then invited us backstage. It was pretty rad to meet Joe Dirt.
Skater Profile: Jeffrey Marshall
Words and Captions by Ryan Clements
For the first time in nearly a decade, I skipped the Annual Johnny Romano Skate Jam this year. But when Birdman calls, I listen. A few days before we were all set on leaving for our road trip to Texas, I got a text from Tony Hawk asking if I could announce the vert demo for the Stand Up For Skateparks event in Las Vegas. Would you say, “No Tony, I’m busy?” I didn’t think so. My fourth trip to Vegas in the last two months was booked and a few days later I was headed west yet again.
Stand Up For Skateparks raises money for the Tony Hawk Foundation, where it’s allocated to cities to help them facilitate skate park construction in a park near you. I didn’t get the final total, but last year they raised nearly $1mil. It’s basically the high-end version of the Make-A-Wish Jam, with stars and affluent attendees in abundance. Who better to support skateboarding?
Thanks to Tony and the entire staff for an amazing event and experience. I finally feel normal after staying up all night on Saturday night and catching my 6am flight home on Sunday morning. It’s rare that I get caught up in that $h!tstorm of partying, but I couldn’t resist.
Skater Profile: Kevin Staab
Skater Profile: Andy MacDonald
Skater Profile: Shaun White
Skater Profile: Tony Hawk
Skater Profile: Ryan Clements
Skater Profile: Anthony Acosta
Skater Profile: Tony Hawk
Skater Profile: Shaun Gregoire
Skater Profile: Shaun White
Skater Profile: Jeffrey Marshall
Comments
Article Archive by Category
- All Ages Contests
- Anniversary Parties
- Art Shows
- Awards Ceremonies
- Boards for Bros
- Booze Cruise
- Celebrity Sightings
- Chill Cam Dumps
- Christmas
- Clash of the Crews
- Coastal Carnage
- Comedy
- Cons Triple C's
- Contest and Event Coverage
- Copenhagen Pro
- Course Construction
- Damn Am
- DC King of Series
- Demos at SPoT
- Digital Product Toss
- EOTM Parties
- Event Schedules and Details
- Franks for Nothing
- Go Skateboarding Day
- Heat Sheets and Skater Lists
- Industry Event Coverage
- Information About SPoT
- Make-A-Wish Contests
- Maloof Money Cup
- Nerdsday Thursday
- News and Press Releases
- Parties
- Product Watch
- Red Bull Events
- Road Trips
- Shoe Releases
- Shop Tours
- Skate Bid'niss
- Skate Missions
- SPoT Skate Shop Ybor
- Tampa Am
- Tampa Pro
- The Bricks
- Throwback Thursday
- Tourist Missions
- Toys for Tatas
- Trade Shows
- Vans Downtown Showdown
- Video Premieres
- Warped Tour
- Zaturdays
Shop
- Accessories
- Backpacks/ Bags
- Beanies
- Bearings
- Belts
- Complete Skateboards
- Decks and Boards
- DVD's
- Girls Gear
- Griptape
- Hardware
- Hats
- Headphones
- Jackets
- Jerseys
- Kids Shoes
- Long Sleeve Shirts
- Magazines/ Books
- Pads and Helmets
- Pants/ Jeans
- Sale/ Closeout
- Shoes
- Shorts
- Socks
- Stickers
- Sunglasses
- Sweaters/ Hoodies
- Tank Tops
- T Shirts
- Trucks
- Wallets
- Watches
- Wheels
- Woven/ Polo/ Knit Shirts