𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗬𝗟𝗘 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗘: Venice Newbies Drop In for Skating Showdown at the U.S. Open

Rookies took center stage at the U.S. Open of Freestyle Skateboarding on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the Venice Beach Roller Dance Plaza. The event, part of a two-day competition presented by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks in collaboration with the Skate Park Association International, featured amateur freestyle skateboarders showcasing their skills in front of a panel of judges and a lively beachside crowd.

Each competitor in the Rookies division was given two 45-second runs on a smooth, open concrete surface located at 1800 Ocean Front Walk. The judging format followed a system adapted from the Japan Flatland Skateboard Association (JFSA), with three judges each focusing on a specific element of performance. Technicality measured the difficulty of the tricks performed; composition assessed the skaters’ use of space, preparedness, and fluidity; while aesthetics considered the originality, musicality, and overall style of each routine.

Prizes for the top-performing rookies included skateboard decks, wheels, trucks, bearings, stickers, and trophies—intended to support and reward rising talent within the freestyle skateboarding community. Organizers described the Rookies competition as a welcoming entry point for emerging freestyle talent, offering both a competitive experience and a community atmosphere under the California sun. The rookies’ competition concluded a weekend-long event that also featured a Pro-Am division the day prior, celebrating the art and athleticism of freestyle skateboarding at one of Southern California’s most iconic beachside venues.

#FreestyleSkateboarding #VeniceBeach #RookiesDivision #SkateComp2025 #skateboardingcommunity
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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘂𝘀𝗲. 𝗔𝗻𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗿𝗲-𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱.

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𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥
Fabian Lewkowicz is an award-winning photojournalist based in Santa Monica and the creator of 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. Known for his compelling imagery and neutral reporting, his work captures the pulse of the city—from civic affairs and emergency response to cultural moments and beach life. His photography has been showcased in galleries, museums, and public installations.
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𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 & 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗜𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦
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𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗦: Photojournalism, Visual Journalism, Street Reporting, Documentary, Observational Photography, Press Photography, Independent Media, Southern California News, SMCU, SM©U
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𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁—𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲.