By Joe Seemayer –
There’s something timeless about watching great skateboarding up close — the speed, the style, the commitment, and those moments when a rider launches high above the coping and seems to hang weightless for a split second before dropping back in. That energy was everywhere along Ventura’s waterfront as Jackalope brought a towering full-size vert ramp built for professional-level riding, elite young talent, and a celebration of skate culture that felt right at home in Ventura.
Crowds packed in around the towering halfpipe throughout the weekend, drawn by riders performing maneuvers that blended amplitude, technical skill, and unmistakable style. Each athlete brought a different specialty, a different rhythm, and a different way of attacking the ramp. Some relied on height, others on technical precision, others on complete commitment, but together they delivered the kind of riding that stops even casual spectators in their tracks.
Some riders attacked the ramp with raw amplitude, launching high above the coping and floating weightless for a split second before dropping back in. Others leaned into technical precision, linking clean grabs, smooth transitions, and difficult combinations with effortless style. A few rode with complete commitment — pushing speed, trusting instinct, and charging each run with the kind of confidence that only comes from years of dedication to the craft. Together, they showcased not only elite talent, but the individuality and progression that make vert skating one of skateboarding’s purest forms of expression.
What made Jackalope work, though, went well beyond what happened above the coping.
The event celebrated skateboarding in its fullest form — from young groms finding their way in the sport to highly skilled athletes pushing skateboarding forward — creating an atmosphere that felt inclusive, authentic, and deeply rooted in skate culture.
Skateboarding has always been more than competition — it’s culture, lifestyle, creativity, individuality, and community — and Jackalope tapped into that spirit from the opening session through the final run. That connection is exactly what made Ventura such a natural fit.
“I think there were two commonalities that really stood out to make this partnership special: Ventura and Jackalope’s shared love for the outdoors and that authentic skateboarding culture,” said Julie Madsen of Visit Ventura. “It’s no secret that Ventura has had a long skateboarding community and, paired with its rich surfing heritage, Jackalope was just the perfect fit for us.”
Madsen said another key piece of the event’s success was accessibility and community connection.
“We loved that the Jackalope event also embraced the local community,” Madsen said. “Making sure that all the high energy was accessible to everyone was key. The fact that it was completely free to attend was a huge plus for us too in getting that community feel.”
Families, young athletes, longtime skate fans, and action sports enthusiasts from across the region came to experience a world-class skate event on Ventura’s waterfront. Free admission helped make the event accessible to everyone, giving Jackalope the broad community feel organizers had hoped for while creating an atmosphere that welcomed both core skaters and first-time spectators alike.
Beyond the ramp itself, Jackalope’s footprint could be felt throughout the community. Local businesses welcomed visitors, community leaders publicly embraced the event, and student-created skateboard deck art added a creative hometown touch that reflected Ventura’s deep connection to skateboarding’s artistic side as well as its athletic roots.
Visit Ventura also worked hard to bridge connections between the event and the local community, helping create a true hometown feel throughout the weekend.
“We are beyond thrilled about the turnout and all the love and excitement we received from fans, staff, athletes, and locals,” Madsen said. “Our team worked hard to bridge the connection between our local businesses and the event. From seeing all of the welcome Jackalope videos posted from local businesses and community leaders, to Powell’s street skate session packed every day of the weekend, to the stellar local student skateboard deck display in partnership with Vita Art Center — we’re so proud of the way our local community showed up and leaned in to this event.”
“Words truly cannot describe the hometown pride we’re feeling,” she added.
Jackalope also tipped its hat to skateboarding’s roots, with Powell Peralta street sessions and film presentations helping connect skateboarding’s rich history to the next generation of riders finding their way in the sport.
With strong crowds, broad community support, and a world-class vert showcase at its center, Jackalope’s Ventura debut felt less like a one-time event and more like the beginning of a tradition Ventura would gladly welcome back. Madsen hinted that conversation about the event’s future is already underway. “We’re excited to continue post-event conversations with the Jackalope team and see what comes next,” she said.
More than anything, Jackalope felt authentic — not manufactured or overproduced, but rooted in the same spirit that has defined skateboarding for generations: progression, individuality, creativity, and community. In Ventura, that spirit felt right at home.
