Woodward, the global leader in action sports experiences, and Street League Skateboarding (SLS), the world’s premier professional skateboarding organization, announced today that they are partnering to co-design the SLS Plaza – a new 12,000 square foot SLS-inspired skate plaza featuring signature SLS competition-style elements that will be totally unique to Woodward Pennsylvania. Designed to mirror environments found in official Street League-sanctioned events, SLS Plaza will allow Woodward campers to progress in a skate plaza typically reserved for competition and only ridden by the best skateboarders on earth.
“As the global leader in action sports experiences, Woodward prides itself on providing totally unique, unforgettable camp experiences that kids can’t find anywhere else,” said Woodward President Chris “Gunny” Gunnarson. “With SLS Plaza, campers at Woodward PA have access to a one-of-a-kind environment to grow their talents as a skater and maybe even become a Street League pro themselves one day.”
A collaboration between Woodward and SLS, SLS Plaza is being designed and built by California Skateparks, known worldwide for projects including Street League courses, Vans Park Series venues, Nike’s Skatehalle, and Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory. Geared toward intermediate to advanced skateboarders, the nearly 12,000 square feet of rideable area offers an abundance of features including multiple double sets with hubbas and round rails; two different sized step-up gaps; a double kink round rail; a big triple set section with a round rail; two different sized gaps to hubbas; an offset bump to bump kicker gap; a tech ledge and manual pad combination; and a center feature with a bump to hubba ledge.
“At every SLS tour stop, we work with California Skateparks to create a new course that will inspire SLS pros to push the progression of street skateboarding and fuel their creativity,” said Joe Carr, CEO of Thrill One Sports & Entertainment, SLS’ parent company. “While accessible to young skaters, the new SLS Plaza is built with those same goals in mind.”
In addition, Woodward will host weekly SLS-themed skate competitions in the new plaza during weeks 1 – 10 at Woodward Pa summer camp. Weekly winners will be invited back for a SLS-themed amateur finals event during week 12 to get judged by SLS-sanctioned judges for a “real” professional competition experience. The winner will receive a trip for two people to a SLS U.S. tour stop in 2024 that will include a VIP experience and the opportunity to skate the course outside of the competition.
“We are excited about this opportunity to partner with Woodward to kick off our SLS Futures initiative,” Carr added. “From the beginning, a pillar of Street League has been to provide the next generation of skateboarding talent a pathway to the professional ranks. While for over five decades, Woodward has shared that commitment across action sports. Now, by collaborating on this new facility, we are taking the next step toward fostering a new generation of SLS competitors and stars.”
SLS Plaza is just one of many renovations taking place at Woodward Pennsylvania that will be unveiled this summer. Other new facilities will include Sandlot East – a 8,800 square foot indoor skatepark designed by Ryan Sheckler as a next generation version of his personal training facility in California – as well as a multisport progression center and a reimagined snake run.
About Woodward
Established in 1970, Woodward is the global leader in action sports experiences. Woodward delivers innovative products, programs, partnerships and experiences to inspire and empower the next generation in action sports and offers innovative environments and dynamic programming at eight destinations across the U.S. including Woodward Mt. Bachelor, Woodward Tahoe, Woodward West, Woodward Park City, Woodward Copper, Woodward Eldora, Woodward Pennsylvania and Woodward Killington. Woodward Sydney is planned to open in 2024. Woodward is part of the POWDR portfolio. Learn more about Woodward’s one-of-a-kind facilities, programming and culture at www.worldofwoodward.com.
About Street League Skateboarding
Founded by pro skateboarder Rob Dyrdek in 2010, Street League Skateboarding (SLS) was created to foster growth, popularity, and acceptance of street skateboarding worldwide. Since then, SLS has propelled street skateboarding from a collection of independent standalone events to a renowned global series. As pioneers of street skateboarding’s premium qualification system and competition format, SLS offers an amateur-to-professional pathway and creates thrilling live events across the globe. The SLS Championship Tour is recognized as the world’s premier professional street skateboarding competition. Events take place on custom-built, one-of-a-kind, SLS-certified plazas in major cities around the world, with the best in the sport competing for the highest stakes. For more information visit https://www.streetleague.com/.
