Vintage Times-Union: 1970s' skateboarding, from Jacksonville driveways to one of top skateparks in U.S.

Matt Soergel, Florida Times-Union
·2 min read
In 1977, Michelle Thibodeau, left, and Ellen Moomaw skateboard shoeless on the side of an Interstate 10 overpass near McDuff and Post streets, a section dubbed "The Wedge" after a dangerous surf spot in California. They were said to be the only two girls who could negotiate that portion of the concrete runway where broken glass and high weeds only added to the hazards.

A new city park planned for under Fuller Warren Bridge in Riverside will include a fancy, flowing skateboard attraction split into three sections depending on skill levels.

That would have seemed like science-fiction to the long-haired skateboarders of 1970s Jacksonville, who for much of the decade had to find fun where they could — riding downtown parking garages, bombing down short, steep driveways, plunging into empty swimming pools, going up and down homemade ramps.

History: Skateboarders tell of Jacksonville's old days on boards

SLS Championship Tour: Street League Skateboarding to return to Jacksonville in July for arena competition

Skateboarders Tom McConnell, left, and Mitch Kaufmann, right, skate at Kona Skatepark in Jacksonville shortly after the park's opening in June 1977. They are wearing hockey helmets and basketball kneepads, the equipment available at that time.
Skateboarders Tom McConnell, left, and Mitch Kaufmann, right, skate at Kona Skatepark in Jacksonville shortly after the park's opening in June 1977. They are wearing hockey helmets and basketball kneepads, the equipment available at that time.

Skateboarding was big in the mid-'70s. A 1975 Times-Union story featured the skateboarding craze sweeping the nation, and in 1976 the paper covered the city's first skateboard tournament at Henry F. Kite Elementary School off Lem Turner Road. Contestants wore football helmets and performed tricks on the flat ground.

Then in 1977, 45 years ago this June, came the gamechanger: Kona Skatepark opened near the Arlington Expressway. It included a big beginner's area, a deep bowl and two long, twisting speed runs, Snake and J-Run, each with banked curves perfect for surfing-style moves.

Kona co-owners: For skate park owner, breast cancer diagnosis was a wakeup call

2015: Hemming Park transformed into a skate park over the weekend

Jacksonville skateboarder Brad Santora is seconds from going airborne in this 1970s photo.
Jacksonville skateboarder Brad Santora is seconds from going airborne in this 1970s photo.

The kids who watched it go up couldn't believe it. All this smooth, perfect concrete? For us?

There were other skateparks in Florida, but there was nothing like Kona. "When Kona opened, it was bigger and gnarlier than any skatepark ever," Kona original Mitch Kaufmann said in a 2007 story on the park's 30th anniversary.

The legend: Forty-year tie binds Buck Smith to Kona Skatepark

In the 1970s, Jacksonville skateboarders such as John Tully often took a somewhat open-minded approach to safety equipment.
In the 1970s, Jacksonville skateboarders such as John Tully often took a somewhat open-minded approach to safety equipment.

Kona, which kept expanding, gave local skaters lots of legal room to perfect their art. It was featured in Tony Hawk's skateboarding video game and drew hotshot skaters from across the country, including the legendary Dogtown crew from California, depicted in both a documentary ("Dogtown and Z-Boys") and fictionalized film ("Lords of Dogtown").

Clyde Singleton: Outspoken skateboarder back in Jacksonville, still poking fun

In 1978, Jacksonville skateboarder Jimmy Plumer, who had a signature board made by Dogtown's Zephyr company, performs tricks in an empty swimming pool.
In 1978, Jacksonville skateboarder Jimmy Plumer, who had a signature board made by Dogtown's Zephyr company, performs tricks in an empty swimming pool.

Beginning in the late 1970s, Jacksonville skateboarders/surfers traveled to Santa Monica, skating with the Dogtown boys and their Zephyr skate team; a couple even captained the team. Dogtown skaters made the trip East, too, and the Beaches became a second home to many of the California skaters and the base of Zephyr's East Coast team.

Vintage Times-Union: Hurricane season can bring perfect waves along with massive destruction

Skateboarder Micah Allebach practices on a homemade vert ramp in 1978, one of many that sprang up across Northeast Florida back then.
Skateboarder Micah Allebach practices on a homemade vert ramp in 1978, one of many that sprang up across Northeast Florida back then.

In fact, one of the Californians, Bob Biniak, was visiting Jacksonville when he died after a heart attack in 2010.

As for Kona? It's still in business and preparing to celebrate its 45th anniversary June 4.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 1970s Jacksonville skateboarding boom led to opening of Kona Skatepark