The Red Bull Skate team describes their Red Bull Origin event as a celebration of the rich history and vibrant culture of skateboarding that originated in Venice, California. The three day event that began May 31st and concluded June 2nd, 2024 consisted of skateboarding competitions with a prize pool of $50,000, the Artful Dodgers art show at Rose Room, and a community skate day.

I began the weekend learning about skateboarding in Venice from Dan Levy, editor of Juice Magazine. I followed his suggestion watching skater and director Stacy Peralta’s documentary Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001) and James Martin Sweigert’s N-Men: The Untold Story (2023) to learn of Venice’s skateboarders’ importance in the origins and globalization of the sport. I observed the individuality, bonds, perseverance, art, and rebellion Dan Levy and these documentaries described.

Bonds were shared because Red Bull Origin brought out skateboarders of all ages and abilities. I saw professional skateboarders Zion Wright and Chris Russel cheer young children after they completed tricks in the bowl at Venice Skate Park. I saw teenage girls persevere to repeatedly attempt the same trick until they were able to complete it. I overheard a young man excitedly cheer and encourage professional skater Christina Means to participate in the Natas Truck Grind Surprise and Delight competition. Throughout the weekend fans young and old talked skateboarding with professionals Alex Midler, Alex Sorgente, Andy Anderson, Christian Hosoi, Dashawn Jordan, David Loy, Gary Rogers, Lucas Rabelo, Ryan Decenzo, Ryan Sheckler, and TJ Rogers.

The skateboarding, the skate park, the course, the concrete, the graffiti, the noise, the sand and waves, and the smiles at Red Bull Origin contributed to a sense of community that gives Venice its gritty identity. That identity was personified by a teenage skateboarder that was repeatedly asked to leave by security only to return and each time sneak back into the fenced off area to skate the course.

The Artful Dodgers show at Rose Room was a mixed-media art show with work from skaters Jim Ganzer, Craig Stecyk, Stacy Peralta, Steve Olson, and Lance Mountain. I spoke with Jim Ganzer about his travels through Latin American and his black and white photographs on display. I spoke with Steve Olson about his artistic process for the work he displayed. Our discussions made me more appreciative of the skateboarding culture Red Bull Skate was celebrating.

https://www.redbull.com/us-en/hubs/skateboarding

https://juicemagazine.com/home/

https://www.roseroom.space/