RBPD holds King of The Harbor Skateboard Championships

Clare Beezhold

Staff Writer

The Redondo Beach Police Department hosted the second annual King of the Harbor Skateboard Championships on Saturday, September 29, on Pad 10 of  the Redondo Beach Pier, the Octagon space near the Fun Factory.

The competition was initiated to promote a positive connection between the local youth skateboarding community and the Redondo Beach Police Department according to the Redondo Beach City Council.

“There’s always been a lot of tension between the skate community and the cops, (but) they see the police as approachable,” Redondo Beach Chief of Police Keith Kauffman said. “They don’t have to think we’re always there to bust somebody.”

The Championships had approximately 80 South Bay skaters ages 8-18 all with the hopes of winning first place. Along with the competition there was a “skate jam”-a free skate session-for all of  the contestants and other skaters wishing to join in.

“The chief was very pleased with the turnout as we seemed to hit the exact demographic we wanted and got the participation we were hoping for,” said Dinah Lary.

Sponsors awarded the participants T-shirt, trophies and prizes. The winner’s name was inscribed on the trophy hanging in the police station. According to Dinah Lary, one of the coordinators, there were many helpful partnerships and sponsors due to fact that the event had zero pre existing funds.

“The ice crew came out and gave away all kinds of Kings gear, and the Beach Cities Health District brought water and healthy snacks,” said Lary. “So it was a really great success.”

This year’s competition was special because the money raised was used to raise awareness and funds for a local skatepark in Redondo Beach. For years, Redondo Beach has been without a skatepark, forcing local skaters to go to other cities or skate illegally. The Dominguez Park has been suggested as a possible location by David Bernier, an advocate for a Redondo Beach skatepark according to The Beach Reporter.

“We are trying to do fun and different things to build the partnership (between police and the youth) to make (the youth) feel safe in our community,” said Lary.

The overall winner of this years King of the Harbor Skate Championship was Logan Kirshak also the 14 and under champion. Dante Victorino came in first in the 14 and over age division.