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Kona Skatepark: 40 Years of Gnar Celebration in Jacksonville, Florida

For the last 40 years, Kona Skatepark in Jacksonville, Florida, has remained a lighthouse for generations of skateboarders to test their mettle on its legendary concrete terrain. Kona stands alone in its status as the oldest, privately owned, skatepark in North America, making it a historical landmark for skateboarding and also an American treasure. The ironically titled tombstone that sits dead center in the park stands tall as a reminder of the enormous amounts of blood and sweat, poured over a timeline of progression over the last four decades of skateboarding.

Since 1977, skateboarding has constantly challenged all possibilities and Kona has remained a veritable proving ground for the most famous and infamous names in skateboarding to showcase their skills. The Ramos family has weathered many a storm over the years and their unwavering passion and dedication to keeping skateboarding alive is inspirational and unequivocally appreciated by those who show up to ride on a daily basis.

The 40 year celebration of this magical concrete wonderland was nothing short of astonishing. A major tip of the hat to the Ramos family for keeping skateboarding alive and well on the Right Coast for the last four decades and a raise of the glass to many more decades of ripping to come. Thank you to the City of Jacksonville for all of the superb hospitality and much love to all of our skateboard family and friends for an unparalleled weekend of non-stop fun.

Words, photos and filming by Dan Levy
Editing by David Kelly

Live feed from the bowl comp…

Live feed from Guttermouth show…

Live feed from Tombstone contest…

For more info about Kona Skatepark, please visit: http://www.konaskatepark.com/

For more highlights from Jacksonville, Florida, please visit Facebook: www.facebook.com/visitjacksonville

Check Out the JAX IN THE NEWS Section for Travel Stories!  #onlyinjax

Stay tuned for an interview with Marty Ramos and more coverage of the Jacksonville, Florida, skateboarding scene at www.juicemagazine.com.

Kona rolled out the red carpet to commemorate its birthday with skate legends, bands, BBQ and skate contests June 22-26th! Congrats Kona! Visit Jax. Skate Jax. See for yourself…

Kona Skatepark 40 Years Deep. Photo by Dan Levy
Kona Skatepark since 1977. Photo by Dan Levy
Christian Hosoi. Photo by Dan Levy
Mike McGill. Photo by Dan Levy
Dan Sparagna. Photo by Dan Levy
Daniel Cuervo. Photo by Dan Levy
Mike McGill. Photo by Dan Levy
Tony Alva. Photo by Dan Levy
Jimmy “The Greek” Marcus. Photo by Dan Levy
Shannon Smith. Photo by Dan Levy
Firewater Tent Revival. Photo by Dan Levy
Mark “Otis” Smith, Jeff “Load” Stephenson and Shannon Smith. Photo by Dan Levy
Grace Marhoeffer. Photo by Dan Levy
Jordan Santana. Photo by Dan Levy
Grace Marhoffer. Photo Dan Levy
Autumn Tust. Photo Dan Levy
Jack Winburn. Photo by Dan Levy
Rodney Mead. Photo by Dan Levy
Donnie Griffin. Photo by Dan Levy
Jimmy “The Greek” Marcus. Photo by Dan Levy
Darren Navarrette. Photo by Dan Levy
Jimmy “The Greek” Marcus. Photo by Dan Levy
Mike McGill. Photo by Dan Levy
Tony Alva. Photo by Dan Levy
Christian Hosoi & Marty Ramos and his daughter, Cassidy Ramos, and Steve Van Doren of Vans. Photo by Dan Levy
Marty Ramos, Christian Hosoi, Cassidy Ramos and Steve Van Doren with Navs photo bomb. Photo by Dan Levy
Liam Pace. Photo by Dan Levy
Jake Wooten. Photo by Dan Levy
Jimmy “The Greek” Marcus. Photo by Dan Levy
Eli Reams. Photo by Dan Levy
Gabe Dale. Photo Dan Levy
Tony Alva, Steve Van Doren, Christian Hosoi. Photo by Dan Levy
Ronnie O’Neal. Photo by Dan Levy
Audrey Indigo Smith. Photo by Dan Levy
Autumn Tust. Photo Dan Levy
Jordan Santana. Photo by Dan Levy
Buck Smith. Photo Dan Levy
Todd Johnson. Photo by Dan Levy
Jimmy “The Greek” Marcus. Photo by Dan Levy
Rodney Mead. Photo by Dan Levy
Todd Johnson. Photo by Dan Levy
Tony Alva. Photo by Dan Levy
Todd Johnson. Photo by Dan Levy
Donnie Griffin. Photo by Dan Levy
Jimmy “The Greek” Marcus. Photo by Dan Levy
Darren Navarrette. Photo by Dan Levy
Tony Alva. Photo by Dan Levy
Cassidy Ramos and Ronnie Griffin. Photo by Dan Levy
Jake Wooten. Photo by Dan Levy
McRad. Photo by Dan Levy
Jake Wooten. Photo by Dan Levy
Snake run racers! Photo Dan Levy
Buck Smith. Photo by Dan Levy
Lenny Byrd. Photo by Dan Levy
David Hackett. Photo by Dan Levy
David Hackett, Lenny Byrd, Steve Olson. Photo Dan Levy
Buck Smith. Photo by Dan Levy
Paul Schmitt. Photo by Dan Levy
Buck Smith. Photo by Dan Levy
Buck Smith, Will Fogel, Ethan White, Dave Duncan, Spencer Steelman and David Hackett. Photo by Dan Levy
Buck Smith and Steve Olson. Photo by Dan Levy
Ethan White, Cassidy Ramos, David Hackett, Bill Danforth, Will Fogel, Spencer Steelman, Steve Olson and Dave Duncan. Photo by Dan Levy
Collin Graham. Photo by Dan Levy
Thanks to all the sponsors. Photo by Dan Levy
Shannon Smith, Alisha, Villyn Mae, and Venice. Photo Dan Levy
Ivan Rodriguez. Photo by Dan Levy
Kona Skatepark and Museum. Photo by Dan Levy
The Kona battlefield. Photo by Dan Levy
Juice Dan, Alisha, Villyn Mae, Venice, Jay Adams daughter.
Load and Shannon. Photo by Dan Levy
Collin Graham. Photo by Dan Levy
Jake Wooten. Mikee Zion O’Friel, Collin Graham. Photo by Dan Levy
Ronnie O’Neal. Photo by Dan Levy
Shannon Smith and Tim Mott. Photo by Dan Levy
Venice, Villyn Mae, Alisha, and Christian Hosoi. Photo by Dan Levy
Liam Pace. Photo by Dan Levy
Dave Duncan, Bill Danforth and Lenny Byrd. Photo by Dan Levy
Charlie Martin. Photo by Dan Levy
Mikee Zion O’Friel. Photo by Dan Levy
Charlie Martin. Photo by Dan Levy
Dalton Dern. Photo by Dan Levy
Collin Graham. Photo by Dan Levy
Dalton Dern. Photo by Dan Levy
Mikee Zion O’Friel, Darren Navarrette and Buck Smith. Photo by Dan Levy
Jack Winburn. Photo by Dan Levy
Jimmy “The Greek” Marcus. Photo by Dan Levy
Mikee Zion O’Friel. Photo by Dan Levy

 

Steve Olson, Jimmy Plumer, George Wilson, Ethan White, Alicia and Venice. Photo by Dan Levy
Ivan Rodriguez. Photo by Dan Levy
Tim Johnson and his son, Levi. Photo by Dan Levy
Charlie Martin. Photo by Dan Levy
Ronnie O’Neal. Photo by Dan Levy
Dalton Dern. Photo by Dan Levy
Ronnie Griffin, Paul Schmitt and Mike McGill and the crew. Photo by Dan Levy
Nick Wallace. Photo by Dan Levy
Jake Yanko. Photo by Dan Levy
Jake Yanko. Photo by Dan Levy
Nick Wallace. Photo by Dan Levy
Trevor Brice. Photo by Dan Levy
Eli Reams. Photo by Dan Levy
Eli Reams. Photo by Dan Levy
Jeremiah Bell. Photo by Dan Levy
Nick Wallace. Photo by Dan Levy
Schedule of Fun. Photo by Dan Levy
Skateboarding Heritage Foundation. Photo by Dan Levy
Tim Mott – Florida Skateboarding Hall of Fame 2017 Inductee. Photo by Dan Levy
George Wilson, Mitch Kaufman, Steve Olson and Jimmy Plumer. Photo by Dan Levy
Jake Wooten. Photo by Dan Levy
Dalton Dern. Photo by Dan Levy
Charlie Martin. Photo by Dan Levy
Jack Winburn. Photo by Dan Levy
Collin Graham. Photo by Dan Levy
Jack Winburn. Photo by Dan Levy
Winners Circle. Photo by Dan Levy
Winners Circle. Photo by Dan Levy
Winners Circle. Photo by Dan Levy
Liam Pace. Photo by Dan Levy
Dalton Dern. Photo by Dan Levy
Atlanta Pat. Photo by Dan Levy
Liam Pace. Photo by Dan Levy
Atlanta Pat. Photo by Dan Levy
Jake Wooten. Photo by Dan Levy
Liam Pace. Photo by Dan Levy
Collin Graham. Photo by Dan Levy
Mikee Zion O’Friel. Photo by Dan Levy
Dalton Dern. Photo by Dan Levy
Mikee Zion O’Friel. Photo by Dan Levy
Liam Pace. Photo by Dan Levy
Dalton Dern. Photo by Dan Levy
Ronnie O’Neal. Photo by Dan Levy
Jake Wooten. Photo by Dan Levy
Collin Graham. Photo by Dan Levy
Ronnie O’Neal. Photo Dan Levy
Collin Graham. Photo by Dan Levy
Jake Wooten. Photo by Dan Levy
Atlanta Pat. Photo by Dan Levy
Trevor Brice. Photo by Dan Levy
Rick Morgan. Photo by Dan Levy
Tyler Coffman. Photo by Dan Levy
Liam Pace. Photo by Dan Levy
Tyler Coffman. Photo by Dan Levy
Trevor Brice. Photo by Dan Levy
Rick Morgan. Photo by Dan Levy
Trevor Brice. Photo by Dan Levy
Guttermouth. Photo by Dan Levy
Guttermouth. Photo Dan Levy
Guttermouth. Photo Dan Levy
Guttermouth. Photo Dan Levy
Guttermouth. Photo Dan Levy
Guttermouth. Photo Dan Levy
Guttermouth. Photo Dan Levy
Guttermouth. Photo Dan Levy
Guttermouth. Photo Dan Levy
Guttermouth. Photo Dan Levy
Guttermouth. Photo Dan Levy
Thank you to Kona Skatepark and all the 40 year celebration sponsors! Photo by Dan Levy

Kona Skatepark, the oldest privately-owned skatepark in the world celebrates 40 Years with a week-long event, June 21-25, 2017 and Juice Magazine would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to the Ramos family for their perseverance and dedication to the core. Thanks to Marty Ramos, the entire Ramos family and the Jacksonville skateboarding community for keeping it going all these years, and cheers to 40 more!

To celebrate, Kona Skatepark and the city of Jacksonville threw a massive 40th Anniversary Festival. The Kona 40th Anniversary Festival was a celebration of the Jacksonville, Florida, skateboarding culture, featuring a blend of music, art, culture, and a ton of skateboarding, along with some of the giants of skateboarding: Tony “TA” Alva, Christian Hosoi, David Hackett, Steve Olson and Dave Duncan, along with special guest Steve Van Doren of Vans Shoes.

The event hosted a Bowl Riders Cup Pool Contest, Banked Slalom Racing, Tombstone Jam, and best trick contests, and featured live music from bands such as Firewater Tent Revival, McRad and Guttermouth.

Kona’s owner, Martin Ramos III’s family purchased Kona Skatepark in 1979 and since then, the Ramos Family has been recognized in Florida’s Skateboard Hall of Fame in 2002, as pioneers of skateparks in the USA. Kona has also been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the Longest Surviving Skatepark in the world, having survived three economic recessions and all the ups and downs of the skate industry.

A few words of tribute....
"It's a classic, old dinosaur 
that's still not extinct."
– TONY ALVA
“East Coast Heritage… Kona…
 Don’t cha know ya…
 They just don’t last like that…
 When it was built, they came…
 40 years later, still standing...
 and being ripped…
 Kona Skatepark…
 East Coast Pride…
 And now…
 The Standing Ovation!”
 – STEVE OLSON
"I can't wait to rip, tear and slash
 at Kona Skatepark's 40th Anniversary
 along with Alva, Olson and Hosoi.
 It will be one of the sickest sessions
 to go down in skateboarding history!
 Bring It!!!
 – DAVID HACKETT

Kona Skate Park

40th Anniversary Festival

June 21-25, 2017


Check out footage from just a few of the Kona contests over the years.

Florida Bowl Riders Cup 2015

Tony Alva 1977

Kona’s 30th Birthday

Christian Hosoi 2008

Kona Skatepark 1984

2016 Florida Vert Series

Some early Kona footage from 1977.

Drone footage

Ride Channel Spots: Kona Skatepark

For more information about Kona Skatepark, please visit: http://www.konaskatepark.com/

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