Feature Article

Old School Skatejam II

Old School Skatejam II
The ripping old school barges again @ Simi Valley’s Skatelab

words by – Jeff Greenwood
photos by Ariel

Video Clip- 300k or 56k
(Clip includes very brief raw footage of mayhem, included is Eddie Elguerra, Mike Vallely, Salba, Paul Schmitt, Eddie Reattegui, Eric Grisham, Tony Alva, and others I couldn’t identify.)

Feb 9, 2002. The day I had to work my real job on a Saturday. The Old School Skate Jam 2002 was the coolest night some old skate dogs can remember. My wife and I rolled in as soon as we could get there after I got out from work. We walked in and the party was in full swing. The Skatelab was hopping! The crowd was milling around and sharing old war stories in the Museum and in the small street course area which was converted into a party room. In the next warehouse room over it was standing room only around the bowl. We headed straight over there and could barely squeeze into a spot to watch the ripping.

Eddie Reatigui

Eddie Reatigui

It only took about 5 minutes before I told my wife, “here, hold this camera and film anything good!” I’m gonna go get my pads. I wasn’t sure about getting in the session because it was every man for himself. Up to 4 people at a time were dropping in on each other. By the time I got back, and after a few beers of liquid courage, I stepped up to the bowl. The only problem was every time I looked across from me Mike Vallely, or Dave Ruel, or Ricky Stiles, or Eric Grisham, etc. were all ready to drop in across from me. It was a battle to get runs, especially when your such a fan of these types of rippers. I got a few runs in and enjoyed them, but I decided to hang out and put back a few.

Ricky Stiles

Ricky Stiles

To make a long story short, I could name drop in here for days, but that wasn’t the reason the whole thing went off. It went off to get a huge amount of old timers back together to celebrate something (skateboarding) which they all had a passion for in the past or still do to this day. I think and I hope this party did just that for everyone in attendance.

P.S. Sorry I didn’t get more footage for everyone, but I didn’t feel I should get any. This party was much more about skaters than media. What you see is the few minutes me and my wife filmed. She was blocked by some chick with a bad attitude and didn’t get to film much.

Check out these other links for more photos, stories, and information:
OldSchoolSkateJam.com