Considering rolling out new tricks? Check out Skate Jam, coming to this Lenexa park

Modern skateboarding began in the 1950s when California surfers were looking for something to do when the Pacific Ocean waves were flat.

Skateboarding still has the ability to roll out the new: Consider an upcoming Skate Jam in Lenexa.

The event will be held from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Sept. 21 at Rolling Magic Skate Park, located in Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, 87th Street Parkway and Greenway Lane.

Technically, it is not the first jam there.

“When our first skate park was built in the early 2000s, there was a Skate Jam,” said Ashley Nguyen, recreation supervisor for Lenexa Parks & Recreation.

But this is the first year the event is back at the new skate park, which opened in 2023.

“We hope it becomes a tradition and something that the whole community can enjoy,” Nguyen said.

She said the idea of holding a skate jam goes reflects how much the community enjoyed the grand opening of the park. About 300 people attended.

“We received a lot of positive feedback about the grand opening event,” Nguyen said. “This event will have a similar vibe to the grand opening. It’s a good community event and a safe environment for people to come together to share their skills no matter their ability level.”

The just-for-fun Skateboard Best Trick competition (sorry, no prizes) will be limited to 35 contestants. Participants must register the day of the event.

The contest, free to enter and for skateboarders only, will make use of specific sections for each skill level, so people can still use the bowl during the competition, Nguyen said.

“This is our first time doing a competition like this and we wanted to try to keep it as simple as possible. So including all wheels would have made it very difficult. If it goes well this year, we could add other categories in the future. “

The competition will have three separate skill level divisions: beginner (0 to 2 years of experience), intermediate (3 to 4 years of experience) and advanced (five years or more of experience).

The “best trick” for each division varies.

Each participant will have three attempts at their trick and will be judged on number of tricks landed, level of difficulty, and style (aesthetics, aggression and fluidity).

“All participants are welcome regardless of skill level,” Nguyen said. “The event is for fun and there are no requirements for tricks.”

The event also will include activities.

“Having contacts in the skating community helps us come up with the activities,” Nguyen said. “People come to us with their ideas.”

One community group, Helmets in Hands, educates the public about the importance of wearing helmets.

The city of Lenexa’s original skate park opened in Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in 2001 after a group of kids came to a City Council meeting to ask for a public skate park.

Nguyen said the popularity of Rolling Magic cannot be precisely calculated as it doesn’t have a counter, like some trails do. But those driving by will notice it’s consistently busy, Nguyen says.