Monument on Kona Ave. Seen upon entering the skatepark’s property.
WORDS & PHOTOS Steve Kong
Once again, hundreds of skateboarders swarmed the hallowed acreage of earth that resides in the neighborhood of Arlington in Jacksonville, Florida for an event known as The King of Kona. This event
takes place in the legendary Kona Skatepark, which contains a sprawl of features and obstacles made to challenge skateboarders from all walks and all skill levels. Kona Skatepark is one of America’s oldest skateparks in the world and I had the pleasure of escaping our brutal northeast winter to take a trip down south with a couple of local northeast homies. . .
King of Kona, 2015 Official Video Recap:
Organizer, Cameron Frazier shotguns a beer on top of MY board in the campfire.
Or so I thought. . . When we arrived in Jacksonville, it was a brisk 46 degrees. That’s nothing to cry about in NY, but I was underdressed and only brought a few sweaters and tanktops expecting warmth and sunshine. That’s okay though, because we skateboarders like to set shit on fire!
Coffee Fiends.
Wake up and smell the concrete!
The first night we arrived was a mellow night as we were all tuckered out from our drive, so we set up our tents, passed out, and prepared for the first day of King of Kona. In the morning, a very confused and half asleep
me, woke up to a loudspeaker welcoming us all to Kona Skatepark. The voice was that of Martin Ramos (known fondly as “Marty”), owner of Kona Skatepark. He invited everyone to start the day in the Kona pro shop with some coffee and sugar, which was much appreciated.
Safety meeting.
Bill Rice getting some of the KOK challenges done.
Tom Weiss getting a bad haircut.
Before the event officially began, there was a riders meeting. Cameron went over safety, rules of the park, and of course, the rules on how to become the King of Kona. The rules were simple: complete
a list of challenges that you had to either perform in front of a judge, or provide video proof of completing that challenge. The hard part was actually doing them! Challenges ranged from doing a three trick line to getting a bad haircut from Katie Nielson. The energy was high and there was MUCH shredding to be had!
Andrew Schumaker styling out in the snake run. (Peep your boy in the shadows!)
Wild Bill boosting out of the pit.
Joog!!!! Joog!!! Joog!!!
Tom Weiss rocking out sideways on Tombstone.
Max Dubler handing out some stoke with a side of Venom goodies to skaters.
Adam “Yate Dogg” Yates throwing me a shaka before getting some shred on.
Texan, Michelle Kitchens, contused but enthused. Gotta pay to play!
Post fight, Jean Taeza.
When the sun went down at Kona, all hell seemed to break loose. From a Taco winning a boxing match to Kai Salam blowing fire with cheap booze, the nights at Kona were wild. That’s just what happens when you get a bunch of rowdy skateboarders in one place.
Jean Taeza getting pummeled.
Taco title fight.
Spray paint party with Evan from illdownhill.
Kai Salam spittin’ fire.
“That drone is right behind me, isn’t it?”
Kids shooting Roman Candles at Kai’s drone.
A crew awaits their turn to hit the snake run.
Stephen Vaughn, cruising during the snake-run race.
Big stalefish from a li’l shredder.
Pop Tart boosting a boneless in the bowl.
Sky high Method air.
lengthy frontside tail slide.
Brodium.
Grom podium.
On the third day I witnessed some of the most incredible skateboarding I’ve ever seen. The bowl was destroyed by some extremely skilled shredders. I was especially blown away by the grom contest… and maybe a little jealous of their talents. Immediately after that jam, everyone scrambled to the Kona’s legendary Tombstone for a best trick contest. It was ridiculous!
The reentry of really huge & gnar boneless.
Todd Johnson styling on the daunting Tombstone.
Dave Helmer assisting Tom Weiss with the King’s Challenge.
Marty Ramos, the gracious owner of Kona displaying the official KOK skate deck.
Tom Weiss, the new reining King of Kona!!!!
The event was nearing an end and it was soon time to crown the new King of Kona. One of the final challenges was to be issued by the previous king, Dave Helmer. It was shotgunnin’ 5 beers, in 5 minutes. No easy task, but Tom Weiss powered through and got it done.
So that’s a wrap! 72 hours of pure skateboarding over and gone and Tom Weiss seals the deal and ultimately crowned this years 2015 King of Kona!
I’d like to thank Cameron Frazier for organizing this amazing event and Martin Ramos for his bighearted hospitality! Also, a big shout out to all the event supporters and staff. See ya next year!
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