Skateboarding paradise

With the scorching heat of the summer melting us down more everyday, it’s pretty hard for skateboarders to ride around without dying. Gabe and Erin Weed came up with a great idea last year and their dream has finally come true.

The grand opening of the Opening Ground indoor skate park proved a huge success and a helpful way to skate without the stress of the sun. A year ago they planned this and it finally came true on Saturday. Their giant ramps, skate store, welcoming enviorment and awesome graffiti art brought in dozens of Reno youths to the opening on 2450 Valley Road.

Sadly the opening was supposed to have Reno/Sacramento Hip Hop group Who Cares perform but the show was cancelled at the last minute. Ernie Upton, rapper from Who Cares, was pretty bummed about it but it didn’t stop him from coming in and checking it out. He plans to return on Tuesday to add his own unique graffiti style to the walls of the skate park.

Although the show was anticipated, the crowds stayed to watch skate group City Team Riders and the Open Ground riders try out the ramps. Terell Robinson, Jeremy Reeves, and Jeff Hubbard were a few of a bunch of buys trying out the ramps. Seven year old Joshua Douglas was the youngest to ride the ramps on Saturday.
Douglas may be young but don’t let his youth fool you. He’s been skating for four years, riding almost better than the other skaters who are more than ten years older than him, and he doesn’t plan on quitting anytime soon.

“We’re really happy and impressed by the turnout.” said Erin Weed. “It took over a year to build but once we found a place it went along quickly.”

What sucked was my camera was freaking out so it was hard to take a lot of great pictures (if you couldn't tell already) but you should check out the place yourself. It’s a great scene with some great skaters and beautiful works of art that are nicely done legally.

Don’t be sad because of the cancellation of Who Cares, they always put on a show so go to their myspace page. All the art doen for their posters and their little sad bear is art done by Ernie.

You gotta check them out!