KTR Academy skater, Alana Smith, came blasting out the gates and held her own against the Pros in the 2013 VANS Girls Combi Pool Classic, on January 19. At only 13 years old, Alana competed in the 15-27 Pro Division and landed a 4th place! We can’t wait to see what she throws down next year! Keep up the good work Alana!
Here’s a few photos of Alana shredding at the contest.
Photos_Dug Ketterman
If you haven’t already met Rich “Zuke” Zuccarello through KTR camps or lessons, he is the new Program Director of Skateboarding at Kids That Rip! Zuke brings may years of experience on his skateboard, teaching others, and being embedded in the skate industry. We are stoked to have Zuke on board with us. Check out his profile to see what he’s all about, and be sure to say hi the next time you see him!
Profile:
Program(s) teach: Academy
Years skating: 33
Originally from: Long Island, NY
Favorite course at KTR: BOWL/OUTDOOR
Signature trick: LAYBACK INVERT
When I’m not at KTR, I’m: SKATING PARKS
Set-up: AZPX 8.5 ZUKE SIGNATURE MODEL, INDY 159′s with Bones bushings, Bones 60′s side cuts
Skate shoes now wearing: Vans 4 life
Sponsors: AZPX Skateboards
Favorite local restaurant and menu item: Pita Jungle (hummus chicken trio)
Favorite skate spot(s): Rio Vista skatepark
Past/present involvements in skate industry:
1. Owner/Operator “California School of Skateboarding”.
2. Program Director, “Skateboarders Against Drugs”
Sponsor History
1. JFA Skateboards (mid 80′s)
2. Gorden & Smith Skateboards (late 80′s)
3. AZP Skateboards (early 90′s)
4. LIB Teck Skateboards (2000-2005)
5. Grind King Truck Co. (2000-2005)
6. Pep Wheels (2000-2005)
7. AZPX Skateboards (2008- current)
As X Games 18 draws closer (June 28-Jul 1, 2012) , all eyes are on Jagger Eaton and Trey Wood; Jagger- the youngest competitor in X Games history and Trey Wood only a few months older, will be competing in the “Big Air” skateboard event at only 11 years old. AZ Family, Channel 3 came out to Kids That Rip!, Jagger and Trey’s local training grounds, to interview the two boys before the big Games. Click here if video does not load.
Kids That Rip! skateboard contest series is revving up for it’s third and final contest of the summer. Not only will there be chances to rack up some cool prizes but also win cash in the sponsored division! So far, KTR has given away 1800.00 in cash prizes and another $900 will be given away on August 19th. The contest is held on the Street course, so get to Open Skate and start practicing! Details below.
Divisions:
8 & Under
9-12
13-16
16 plus
Sponsored
Best Trick
Entry Fee: $25 each division
Dates: June 17th, July 22nd, August 19th
Registration/Open Practice: 9AM, first division (8 & under) starts at 9:30AM, practice and warm-ups will be in between divisions.
Start practicing now at Open Skates: Thursdays and Fridays 7-10pm, Saturdays 12-3, 3-6, 6-9 and Sundays 12-3p
Silvia Senour has been a frequent skater of Kids That Rip! and inspiring the likes of fellow skaters, coaches and the staff here at KTR.
Which is why we are even more proud to see her in a recent feature of “Nearby News”. Check the full article out here.
Photo: Nearby News
If you skate at KTR, you have most definitely met Kam Krigel. He is usually shredding the park with camera in hand. Over the past years, Kam has not only become a good skater but an awesome videographer/editor. Here’s a little video on him made by KTR’s coach- Aaron Goure. If you didn’t catch Kam’s trick tip on Tuesday, view below. Catch new featured skaters every Friday on KTR’s facebook.
Trick Tip Tuesdays-Tailslides
Kids That Rip! in Mesa, Arizona, is getting ready for Winter Break Skateboard Camp! This Holiday season, choose from 2 camp sessions: Dec. 21-23 or Dec 27-30. Winter Break Camp is a perfect Christmas gift for your skater age 5-15.
Click flyer for more information. To register call: 480.844.9600.
The Arizona Republic recently caught up with Dew Tour finalist and Kids That Rip! skater, Braden Stelma. At only 8 years older, he is blowing guys twice his size and age out of the water.
Read Full article on AZCentral.com
by Connor Radnovich – Sept. 14, 2011 09:57 AM
The Arizona Republic
On a skateboard, Braden Stelma doesn’t act his age.
But being 9 doesn’t change anything when he is flying down a megaramp about to launch 70 feet into the air.
“I just like it, going that fast,” the Mesa boy said.
Braden didn’t start off with the megaramp – possibly the youngest skater to ever skate it without falling.
He first asked for a board when he was 5 and after bugging, his mom, Katja Bakic, he got one.
Never playing any other sports, Braden wanted to go pro on the skateboard circuit by age 6.
Braden and his mom moved to Mesa from Seattle last year so he could attend Kids That Rip, a specialized skateboarding school near Gilbert and McKellips roads. Braden just started his second year at the school and trains five days a week for four hours a day with some of the Valley’s most gifted skaters ages 8 to 14.
“He (Braden) is a very talented skateboarder, a very hard worker,” said Geoff Eaton, owner of Kids That Rip. “The sky’s the limit for all these kids.”
Read rest of story on AZCentral.com
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Here’s a video of Braden doing 9 McTwists in a row on the KTR vert ramp!
A humble force on his skate, Armando Lerma is now one of the top Native American skateboarders in North America!! Representing his tribe all the way, AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHULLIA INDIANS, Armando Lerma placed first overall in the 6-12 age division last weekend in Albuquerque, NM, during the 5th annual All Nations Skate Jam. The All Nations Skate Jam (ANSJ) is the largest Native American skate competition in the world, attracting skaters from all around North America. How cool is that!!
Besides traveling the world on his skateboard with his brother Augie, Armando is enrolled in the full-time skateboard school at KTR. His next competition is in Denver, Colorado. Check back with us for results and coverage or check our Facebook.com/kidsthatripskateboardschool
