Reviving Skateboarding in the Rio Grande Valley: SPI Beach Bash Skate Jam
by Jeremy Bochniak |
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Pictured left to right: Niomi Game, Tom Gomez- MC, Danica Roger’s 2nd place. |
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For many years, skateboarding was a vibrant part of life in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). Neighborhoods and parks were filled with skaters perfecting their tricks or impressing friends with an ollie, a maneuver where the skater kicks the tail of the board down while jumping to make the board pop into the air. Recently, however, such scenes have become rare. The SPI Beach Bash Skate Jam aims to revive those memories and the excitement of skateboarding, appealing to enthusiasts of all ages.
Founded by Ruby Gamez along with her colleagues, Michael De La Fuente and Sergio Martinez, in 2022, the event has grown to become the premier skating event in the RGV. Hosted by TCA Media, owned by De La Fuente, the Skate Jam will take place on Friday, June 21, from 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. at John L. Thompkins Park. Skaters will gather to showcase their skills and compete for top honors. In a recent interview with Island Matters, Gamez and Martinez expressed their belief that 2024 will be their best year yet.
This year’s competition is expected to attract over 50 skaters, ranging in age from 5 to 60 years old. The event will feature accomplished local skaters as judges, and it has been condensed into a single day, allowing participants to fully demonstrate their talents and vie for major prizes. These prizes include merchandise from sponsors, custom jewelry, plaques, and cash awards. Additionally, Production House will be filming the event, giving skaters the opportunity to display their skills to a wider audience.
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Third- Mikey Whitehouse Second- Rene Casas (chowder) First - Jerry Herrera |
One of the main goals for this year was to secure additional sponsorships, both local and national, to enhance the event's credibility and attract higher levels of competition. Major companies like Zumiez, 100% Skateboarding, Steve-O, Topo Chico, and Liquid Death will be supporting the Skate Jam, alongside local businesses such as Hopper Haus, 77 Surf, Rodeo Dental, Vintage University, Prodigy Fishing, and Visit SPI. These sponsorships help elevate the event to one that no RGV skating fan should miss.
For those not deeply involved in skating but interested in attending, there will be plenty of activities to enjoy. The Skate Jam will feature food and drink vendors, a DJ, and mini-games for families, creating a unique experience on South Padre Island. The best part? Admission is free for everyone.
Looking ahead, Gamez and Martinez have aspirations to host future events at the South Padre Island Convention Center. This would allow them to extend the competition back to two days while ensuring a safer environment for participants. They hope to attract more and larger sponsors to commit to the event, providing a significant boost to the local community. For more details on the event, visit their website. |
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Jeremy Bochniak was born and raised in San Antonio and graduated from Texas State University with a degree in journalism and English. While in college, Jeremy wrote for The University Star, Texas State’s school newspaper, covering women’s Volleyball, Basketball, and Softball. After graduation, he wrote as a sports contributor for Chicitysports.com, focusing on all of the professional sports in Chicago. |
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