Wikipedia tells us that Menlo Park is an affluent ($$$$$) town on the eastern edge of the San Francisco Bay Area. According to these Wiki peoples, it’s one of the most educated areas in all of the United Stated with 70% of its populous having earned some sort of advanced degree. There were definitely some snooty soccer moms and wooly sweater wearing beardos walking around in khaki pants, but we weren’t in the Bay Area to chat politics, count beans, nor discuss the finer subtleties of red wine, so who knows?
Anyway, we’re from Ghetto Long Beach and we were up in Menlo in order ride our skateboards down hills, so let’s talk ’bout that.
A local kid, David Hildebrandt, has put on the event for the past three years now and it has become one of the largest permitted slide jams in all of California. Kudos.
As in the two preceding years, the main focus of the 2012 Menlo Park Skate Jam was the huge slide jam on Sunday. Hundreds of riders from all over North America—some as far off as Australia and South America—converged on this sleepy little town and commenced to shreddeth.
Some of the highlights from this year’s event were the various and diverse wooden ramps littering the length of the road, the hella spectators in attendance, as well as an obvious growth in the skill level of many of the younger riders.
This little dude from San Diego was ripping all day in his fresh Sunset Sliders ghetto-gown. Photo: Lifestyle Larry.
As you can imagine, when a group of skateboarders get together to celebrate what they love good times and serious ripping ensues. The Menlo Park Slide Jam was just that: a whole lot of style and smiles for days.
Rayne’s very own Levi Green with a grainy and gritty slip slider, with style. Photo: Lifestyle Larry.
By the end of the day on Sunday the road was covered with a thick layer of ‘thane, literally. Our mission accomplished. Around 5 or so the festivities began wrapping up and soon after a couple skaters were celebrated for their increased levels of rippage.
As you know, many times we at Wheelbase forget the names of the official winners. This year’s 2012 Menlo Jam is no exception. To us, it’s about getting together with the homies, vibing off of each other’s energy, and shredding accordingly. That’s exactly what happened this year, we had a great time, and we can’t wait till next year.
Thanks to all the shredders who worked hard to put this year’s event together. Hat tip.
5 Responses to Menlo Park Skate Jam, 2012