8/11/10

Ripzu Skateboard Park Grand Opening

Last weekend I had a chance to photograph the grand opening party for the Ripzu Skateboard Park in Vancouver,WA. I've photographed a skateboarder or two but shooting a big indoor park full of kids and pros partying is a completely different experience. What a blast!

There were so many good shots that it was very hard to choose. Here are some of the highlights:

Ripzu owner Chris and son/business committee member Colby prepare for the Party. Seriously though, Colby really is on Chris's business committee, along with his other son Chance. Each son has a different role in supporting the business.


Benji Galloway frozen during a kick-flip to coping stall. Benji is a skateboard warrior and displayed the deepest bag of tricks, stepping up to every feature like it was an old friend. He rides for Bacon Skateboard.


Pro-skater and Ripzu employee Tyler George skies above the vert. Chris scooped up Tyler for his park because Tyler has taught skateboard lessons for a few years, has a great attitude and is a jack-of-all-trades. He rides for Bad Monkey.



All the groms bum-rush the park between the pro-demo sessions. It might look like chaos to the average observer but all the skaters showed amazing awareness of and courtesy for each other. I believe there were no injuries that day.

Pro skater Justin Lintner in the middle of a backside 180 off the deck and into the pipe. Justin's smooth style mirrored his laid back composure, even when he was wiping out. He rides for STPU.

Garrett (10) dropping into the ramp. He won skateboard in the raffle drawing and couldn't stop smiling. I thinks he's probably still grinning.

Zach L. G. (14) olies for a 50/50 grind. Zach rode so hard all day that, on his last drop into the pipe, he blew his trucks off. Literally, I have photos. (Notice the spiffy Still Not Sponsored shirt. Go SNS!)