Every time I photograph Kristy Scott, she has a few new tricks. Im looking forward to seeing the mark she makes with her skateboarding
Ken Hada photography, skateboarder Kristy Scott, Chino Clover, skateboard park
Vic Peloquin the man who created Skatopia Skateboard Park
A handful of men have had a huge influence on my life. My father, John Stamos, Roy Burns, Murray Spivack, Joey Grijalva, Jeff Porcarro, and this Man Vic Peloquin.
I haven’t seen Vic in 40 years (he is the guy who created Skatopia). After sitting and chatting with Vic and his wonderful family I can now see why I recollected Skatopia as such a paradise. The man who created it is a visionary, and has a passion for experimentation and creation.
He told me about how the land for Skatopia was acquired. How the half pipe was made. Who designed the Skatopia logo. Why he closed Skatopia. We also talked about drones, and even flew a drone.
Imagine a Skatopia reunion with these three at the helm! Stay tuned!!!
Japanese American Turning Points
Japanese American Turning Points. After teaching in Minnesota for a few years, Dad received a job offer in California. Excited for the new opportunity, he and Mom packed up their Airstream and set off for the West Coast. Upon arriving in Cypress, California, they sought to settle in a mobile home park on Lincoln Avenue. However, they were turned away with the words, “We don’t take your kind here.” This was the 1950s, a time when Japanese Americans frequently faced discrimination and prejudice.
Undeterred, Mom and Dad drove further east to another mobile home park. The manager there, regretfully, informed them that he was full. However, when they mentioned their previous experience, he offered to help. “I know the guy who runs that place,” he said. “Let’s go talk to him together.”
With the manager’s assistance, Mom and Dad were eventually admitted to the mobile home park that had initially rejected them. Remarkably, over time they formed a deep friendship with the very man who had first turned them away.
Other things Japanese American
“Aloha” Hunter Long, a bail shot story
“Aloha” Hunter Long, a bail shot story. Hunter asked me if we could hit Pedlow skateboard park. And just a few hours after the session ended, Hunter was on plane bound for Hawaii.
The next day I edited the photos. And I felt she might like this “bail shot”. So I text her this photo along with some “makes”. And Hunter immediately text back that she thought this image was funny.
Amelia Brodka, am session at Vans Off The Wall Skateboard Park
Back in the day when change seemed like nothing but a fantasy, instead of giving into the way things were going she believed in women skateboarding and even built a refuge for it thrive in.
These images are from a skateboarding session Amelia Brodka invited me and my camera to on the morning of the Girls Global Qualifier Huntington Beach. Amelia has been a heroic figure for me ever since I heard about her movie and annual skateboarding event Exposure. You see when I throw a Skatopia reunion its me cooking chili dogs over a old coleman stove at Chino skatepark. When Amelia throws a event it is somewhat larger. So I am always honored to photograph her and always happy to pick her brain on things like Women’s skateboarding.
AM session with Mikayla
