Press Release:
Paraplegics, Quadriplegics and Amputees Skate Past Disability at Life Rolls On’s They Will Skate Again SHOE CITY Open
LOS ANGELES, CA – (June 29, 2011) – Life Rolls On Foundation hosted its second annual They Will Skate Again at the Venice Skate Park on June 25. Participants as young as 6-years-old and from as far away as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, came out for this inspiring event which empowered paraplegics, quadriplegics and amputees to enjoy the thrill and mobility of skateboarding.
Legendary skater Christian Hosoi, Eric “Tuma” Britton, Scott Oster, Derek Fukuhara, Bennett Harada, and members of the Ezekiel skate team treated spectators – including Hawaii Five-O star Scott Caan and X Games Host Sal Masekela – to an exciting skate demonstration, while adaptive skater Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham, stole the show during the They Will Skate Again SHOE CITY Open, the event’s newly-created skate contest, which featured a $10,000 prize purse.
Nineteen-year-old Fotheringham, who uses a wheelchair due to spina bifida, had the crowd on their feet and pro skaters whipping out their camera phones to get footage of his gravity-defying tricks in the skate bowl, where he went on to win the inaugural competition.
“What an awesome day,” said Jesse Billauer, Founder and Director of National Outreach for Life Rolls On.
“With a vendor village, music by KROQ, pro skaters, competition, and huge crowds, this wasn’t just a community service program – this was an unbelievable event. Plus, seeing adaptive athletes do their thing in the skate park demonstrates there are no limits for people living with disabilities.”
Though the skate competition was reserved for experienced adaptive skaters, beginners who participated in the adaptive skate clinic were also acknowledged for their courage with awards given in categories such as “Most Improved” and “Best Female Thrasher.”
The event was made possible by sponsors SHOE CITY, Vans, and Ezekiel, while Life Rolls On partnered with legendary Dogtown skater Jim “Red Dog” Muir, Aaron Fotheringham, Christiaan “Otter” Bailey, and the Venice Skate Association to provide coaching and volunteer support. Generous donations were also provided by KROQ, Function Drinks, Sweet Treats, Red Bull, Rob Dyrkek, Tony Hawk, Arbor, Dogtown Skateboards, Etnies, Maui & Sons, Pink’s, Rider Shack, Rogue Status, TK Burgers, Val Surf, WMG, X Games, and Xtreme Boardshop.
About Life Rolls On Foundation
Founded in 1999, Life Rolls On (LRO), a subsidiary of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for young people affected by spinal cord injury and utilizes action sports as a platform to inspire infinite possibilities despite paralysis. With a worldwide network of supporters, LRO is one of the fastest growing, contemporary charitable organizations in the country and has been featured in national print, television and radio. For more information, visit www.liferollson.org.
