Skaters flip for Southside's latest renovation

By Erik Ostos

Southside Skatepark, located at 510 Iowa in South Houston, opened its doors this month with an entirely new layout. Southside has been the breeding ground for up-and-coming skaters like: Darrell Stanton, Brad Hiser, Wil Taylor, Trace Saylor, Franky Machuca, Kelly Bird and Guru Khalsa, just to name a few.

The Houston skate scene is widely known. Amateurs and pros come from different parts of the world just to skate Houston. But street skating is illegal in downtown Houston and skaters need a facility at which to practice their stunts. Southside remodels its floor plan about every two years. Judging from the locals' reaction to the new layout, patrons will be pleased.

"I've been coming to Southside for the last five years and have seen it been rebuilt about three times now," said Ramiro Rubio, a senior at Lamar High School. "This is officially the best skatepark in Texas."

Word is spreading about the rebuild and skateboarders can't seem to stop flocking to it. It is the only skatepark in the southern part of Houston that is indoors. There are a handful of outdoor skateparks in the Houston area, but with the crazy Texas weather, skaters never know when it is going to be 100 plus degrees or when it is going to rain.

There is also a skateshop inside the skatepark, which is well stocked and convenient.

"I broke my board skating the park," said Sean Villars, a senior at Friendswood High School. "It's real convenient to have the skateshop because they had exactly what I needed."

Skating in a skatepark is very different than street skating. On the street, skaters never know what they are going to run into: rocks, cracks, security, cops, broken glass, a syringe filled with a virus that only German doctors can cure, or whatever. But in the park, they do not have to worry about any of those - there's nothing but smooth ground with rails and ledges that grind for days, maybe weeks even.

Nevertheless, Southside provides what a real skatepark should have: a bowl with a spine, step up, flat bar, a big four stair, manual pad, ledge to drop, ledge to bank, and a mini. When planning the reconstruction on the park, Southside owner Eric Visentin wanted to make a bold statement.

"Southside has been the center of the Houston skateboarding scene for the last 15 years," Visentin said.

The builders and Visentin sat down to figure out a way to bring creativity to his park. They decided to take real skate spots from around California and put them in their backyard. The remodeling took place just in time for this year's Make-A-Wish event.

Every year South Shore Distributing holds a benefit at Southside for the Make-A-Wish Foundation where more than 200 pros from around the world come to skate for the day. In the 11 years they have held this event, the Texas Skate Jam has raised more than $400,000. In memory of Johnny Romano, 10, who passed away from cancer recently, the 12th annual Skate Jam was renamed the first annual Johnny Romano Skate Jam and will be held Nov. 8.

This year is sure to make an impact with such pros as Paul Rodriguez, Ryan Sheckler and Jamie Thomas on the list. Tickets are available at participating skateshops in the Houston area including Southside. Throughout the day the foundation holds contests during the event and gives away free skate products for all to enjoy. Skaters can walk right up to their hero and get their autograph.

For more information on Southside and upcoming events, visit their Web site at southsideskatepark.com.