History of the VSA

If there was ever a place in this world that should have had a skatepark it was the birthplace of skateboarding: Venice, California. However, thirty years after the emergence of Dogtown, Venice still had no skatepark to call its own.

In 1986, the Venice Surf and Skateboard Association (VSA) first formed with the sole purpose of righting that wrong. Originally just a few locally-grown skaters -- with no money, political connections or experience working within the City’s bureaucratic system -- the VSA envisioned a world-class community skatepark that not only honored Venice’s skateboarding roots but would also be a place to serve local youth by offering skating programs and encouraging them to be active members of their community by caring for the park as their own.

By the early 90’s, their dream of a skatepark was moving from idea to action. Before long, however, the VSA was being schooled in the realities of special interests, backroomdeals and the power of corporate dollars. Staying focused on their goal, they never waivered, they never gave up and they never backed down. For the past fifteen years, the VSA has hammered away doing the kind of work normally assigned to high-paid consulting firms staffed with MBAs. Beside the campaigning, lobbying and fund-raising, the VSA also helped design the skatepark in collaboration with California Skateparks, Inc. and RRM Design and worked with city officials, architects, builders and planners to insure the proper execution of its construction.

On October 3, 2009, thanks to the tireless efforts of those founding VSA members and their supporters, Venice got its long overdue skatepark. More impressively, the VSA managed to stay true to its original vision of a community park that was free from the control of outside corporate entities and one where the skate pit would not be covered in commercial endorsements.

The VSA has done more than simply bring a world-class skating facility to Venice. More correctly, it helped build a local monument that honors its famous and proud neighborhood. Built on the beach (of only three skateparks in the world in sand), before a background of palm trees and surf, it is a fitting tribute to, and symbol of, Venice’s unique culture and history.

THE VSA TODAY: Keeping the Skatepark safe, clean and family-friendly.

Today the VSA is a legally recognized 501(c) non-profit organization currently working on a Partnership with the City of Los Angeles that will allow for the continued care and maintenance of the skatepark. In a neighborhood where tagging is unstoppable, the VSA has managed to keep the park practically pristine.

The reasons for this remarkable feat are the countless hours and dedication of the VSA and its volunteers. VSA volunteers work around the clock, keeping a vigilant eye on the skatepark and alerting authorities to any suspicious activity or potential problems.

Volunteers also provide first-aid, water and sunblock and guidance for the younger skaters. Equally as important, the volunteers insure that the park is family-friendly and open to all skaters. Many of the volunteers are parents and it is not unusual to see mothers and fathers enjoying the park with their skater children.

THE FUTURE OF THE VSA: Skateboarding, mentoring and supporting the community.

A world-class skatepark should host world-class skating events and the VSA plans to organize three such demonstrations/competitions per year. These events will not only serve to promote the skatepark around the world and bring thousands of visitors to the area who will support local businesses, but they will also provide opportunities for young local skaters to be involved and thus receive value job training and work experience.

The VSA’s long-term goal is be more than just a place to skate. Plans have been laid to create a formal mentoring program for at-risk youth, tutoring programs to help keep kids on tract for high school graduation, scholarship programs that will serve them as young adults and first-aid CPR training.

WHAT THE VSA NEEDS RIGHT NOW

The most urgent of the VSA needs is a way to protect the park twenty-four hours a day. A likely solution is raising funds and contracting with a private security company that can keep the park safe and graffiti-free throughout the night.

Aside from professional security, the VSA needs to purchase the following items to properly care for the park: tools, pressure washers, power blowers, a storage container and trash and graffiti removal supplies. An Amazon “wish list” has been set-up to help acquire some of these items.  

In order to properly care for the skaters, visitors and tourists, the VSA needs funding to train volunteers in first-aid and to purchase first-aid supplies (bandages, ice packs, etc) as well as water, sun block and two-way radios.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jesse Martinez (President): Born and raised in Venice, Jesse is one of the founding members of the VSA and one of the key visionaries responsible for bringing the skatepark to Venice. He is the co-owner of Venice Originals and Veniceskates.com and is the co-founder of World Industries. He started skating in 1971, turned pro in 1986 and in 2011, is broken but still skating.

Lauren Seagrave (Secretary): Lauren moved to Venice in 1989 from New York City.  A certified drug and alcohol counselor and business owner, currently working as an accountant, she is the mother of a super rad eleven-year old and will never again live any place that is not close to the ocean.

Lance LeMond (Treasurer): Skating  since  1971,  Lance  co-owns  veniceskates.com and veniceskatepark.com and was the original owner of Venice Xtreme Skateshop and Pep Wheels. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he is married with a 17-year old skater son.