Press release:
CYPRESS, Calif. (March 24, 2014) – The Vans Off the Wall Skatepark and Jack’s Garage skate shop grand opening celebration took place this past weekend in Huntington Beach, California. The day’s festivities included an official ribbon cutting, tons of skateboarding, autograph signings from Vans pro skateboarders and the inaugural “SoCal Sole of Fame” induction ceremony honoring local legends.
Over a thousand friends, family, skateboarders and fans gathered in the morning hours to be a part of the official ribbon cutting and park opening. Representatives from Vans, Jack’s, California Skateparks and the City of Huntington Beach’s own mayor Matthew Harper each said a few words before turning the park over to the community to skate.
“Vans is proud to finally share the Vans Off the Wall Skatepark with the community,” said Steve Van Doren, vice president of events and promotions. “It was a long time coming and we look forward to all of the great skating and events to come.”
Once the ribbon was cut, hundreds of skaters made their way into and throughout the highly anticipated new course. Pros and legends skated amongst the big crowds throughout the day. Professional and amateur skaters from the Vans skate team were joined by legendary pros Jay Adams, Steve Olson, Dave Hackett, Laura Thornhill, Eddie Elguera, Marty Jiminez and masses more from the local skate community to put the first grinds and slides on every imaginable edge, ledge and rail in the 42,500 sq foot skatepark. Tosh Townend, Ed Templeton and Geoff Rowley sessioned the salvaged flatbar from the demolished original Huntington Beach park, just like old times, while Vans legends Steve Caballero and Christian Hosoi entertained with doubles in the clover bowl.
The Vans Off the Wall Skatepark “SoCal Sole of Fame” ceremony took place in the afternoon as local Huntington Beach skate legends Christian Hosoi, Ed Templeton and Tosh Townend were the inaugural inductees. The three skaters each put their feet in cement and the impressions will remain there to be joined by others as a part of the skatepark to commemorate the significant contributions of local skateboarders in their community.
Designed in partnership with Vans and built by California Skateparks, the Vans Off the Wall Skatepark offers every terrain imaginable and is defined by an upper transition bowl area and a lower street plaza area tied together with Vans iconic checkerboard paving pattern weaved throughout the park.
“Vans is extremely stoked to be able to provide this world-class park for all skateboarders and the community to enjoy as a lasting symbol of our commitment to them and our heritage,” said Justin Regan, Vans senior marketing manager.
The park is now open and free to the public. For more information, www.vans.com
Vans Off the Wall Skatepark
7471 Center Avenue, Huntington Beach, California 92647
Free and Open to the Public
Park Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Daily
BMX All Day Wednesdays (Skateboarders Welcome)
Venue Tag: #offthewallskatepark
Park Rules
For the safety of our guests, all skaters must have a helmet and those under 18 are required to wear knee and elbow pads. Children under the age of 6 will not be permitted to skate. All participants must sign a waiver and those under the age of 18 must have their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) sign a liability waiver in the presence of a Vans employee or notary. There are no exceptions to this rule.
About Vans
Vans®, a VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC) brand, is the original action sports footwear and apparel brand. Vans collections include authentic footwear, apparel, accessories and snowboard boots that are sold globally in more than 170 countries through a network of subsidiaries, distributors and foreign offices. VF Outdoor, Inc. owns and operates more than 300 stores of the Vans brand in the United States and internationally, each offering a wide range of Vans footwear and apparel while communicating the brand and athletes’ rich stories. The Vans brand promotes action sports lifestyle and youth culture through support of athletes on boards and bikes all over the globe and through progressive events such as the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing®, the Vans Downtown Showdown, the Vans Pool Party, the Vans Warped Tour® and surfing’s most prestigious contest, the Vans US Open of Surfing. More information about the Vans brand can be found at www.vans.com, Twitter @vans_66 and www.facebook.com/vans.
