On a sunny afternoon earlier this month, young skaters performed tricks at Volcom Skate Park in Costa Mesa.
These skaters, from local intermediate and high schools, had always been doing their thing. But now they can be attached to a team.
Costa Mesa Councilwoman Katrina Foley, with the help of Mike Ogas and local skateboarding legend Jim Gray, came up with the idea of starting junior high and high school skate club teams.
The teams are focused on competing against each other and learning to skate well, Foley said. But the clubs also introduce the youth to career opportunities in the skateboarding industry. They can get into the business not just by trying to become professional skateboarders.
The skateboarding field also features opportunities to become certified public accountants, graphic designers, chief financial officers, filmmakers, web designers, promoters, event planners and business owners, Foley said.
“Having so many opportunities, it’s a way to motivate them to stay in school and get a job in an industry they love,” Foley said. “There’s no reason Costa Mesa can’t pump out some competitive athletes.”
Foley figures the city is an ideal place to start such a group dedicated to skateboarding. After all, Costa Mesa is the home of Volcom Industries, RVCA and Hurley among other skateboarding manufacturers.
Skateboarding is not a crime; it’s an art, a sport and a growing business industry, Foley said.
Earlier this month, Foley kept those thoughts in mind as she formed the O.C. Skateboarding League, a nonprofit. The league set out to start skate teams in the junior high and high schools in Orange County. The league’s first teams are at Estancia High, Tewinkle Intermediate, Costa Mesa High and Costa Mesa Intermediate.
Foley received some help along the way. Monet Quick, Gray and Ogas, the Costa Mesa High coach, have been helping, as well as Seth Elson, who is in charge of events, and Armando de la Libertad, who deals with fund development and events. Greg Barazza (events), Joey Lopez (TeWinkle coach), Caleb Louer (Estancia coach), James Rooney (Mesa Intermediate coach) and Matt Sheridan (basics of skateboarding leader) have also aided in the development of the league.
