Volcom Trip 07/31/09
6:33 pm in Site News by Matt Scheafer
Quick get together at the Volcom skate park in Costa Mesa. Johnny joined us as well as Alex W.
Nice afternoon, got to see a few pros like Fabrizio Santos and Ruben Najera. Ruben is the owner of Struggle Skateboards and is a pretty cool cat.
Unfortunately the “Mank Skateboarding University” decided to show up and take the floor out by placing rails and ramps of his own completely blocking the area most of the little ones like to skate in so we took off.
Stinks when guys like that have to interfere with a great time, especially when he is violating rules… and yet the good ones like Mandy are getting garbage from the city by running a clean respectable business teaching kids to skate with respect.
Here are some pics from the trip:
Popularity: 44% [?]
FYI: “Mank University” is not PERMITTED by the City of Costa Mesa to organize/hold ANY events at Volcom Skate Park, as well as set up ANY objects on the grounds/premises. There’s only two skate programs authorized & permitted by the City to use the facility. They are the BasicsofSkateboarding.com SK8CAMP & the City’s Summer Skate Camp Program. If you would like the un-authorized camps removed from the park, please call CMPD Dispatch at (714) 754-5252.
Thanks buzzkill, good information for the future.
So – Mandy isn’t permitted either (360). Like buzzkill says, only Basicsofskateboarding and City program are permitted. Mandy may be respectable but she’s using a public facility to make money. The park is too small for a bunch of people to be teaching lessons in there – it was built for people to skate in – that’s why the city won’t let a bunch of people in there to teach and take over the place.
Yes, we discovered this by an email from someone at the Rec Dept.
We may be looking to speak to someone about getting a private program or two in the next guide. (Contact me if you get a chance EJ)
It is unfortunate in some instances, Mandy is an incredible teacher and very respectful of the park and its rules. The end result is that teachers like Mandy are in it for the love of the sport and to teach kids (and still pay the bills). She is not just trying to make a buck off the “city’s space.”
I understand the city’s standpoint of crowding, I am not arguing that. In fact I prefer coming just after the police dept has been there because it clears the park out and allows the “law abiding” citizens to skate more freely.
Matt – Mandy is a really great teacher and good person – and you are right – the folks like Mank are messing it up for a lot of folks.
I was there at Volcom that day and I saw about 20 people or more hit the rails and kicker. I even saw one older skater learn to do 50 50′s on one of the rails which he said he would never of tried without that rail being there. Everyone seemed to be having fun with something a little different in the skatepark. If skateboarding is all about having fun then why are you spending so much time on criticizing fun rather than having it. I have had the opportunity to meet both Mandy and Mank and both are very honest and hard working people trying to promote skateboarding through their own styles. I am sure if you skated with Mank or talked to some of his students from over the last 15 years of teaching in the OC you would already know that the dude rips at teaching and skating.
I am sure Mank is a good hard working guy but the fact is my little ones that are not up to the rails and ramps got bumped because he decided to take over. Not only that he was VERY rude to my son simply telling him to MOVE so he could bring his own equipment in. For someone who is wanting people to hire him to teach kids this was not a smart move.
I am certainly not criticizing having fun, but when my kids suffer because someone else is not following the rules where is the fun for them?
I have never used Mank so the only impression I got was from that day… and it was not good.
For some reason Mank’s comment was not posted, but, he is hurt because he did not get the opportunity to respond to Mr. Scheafer.
Mr. Scheafer was not their the first time his child was asked politely to move. The second time the child was still sitting in the middle of the walk way, he was asked to move again (for his safety) Mank Skateboard University has a perfect record and reputation dealing with students and takes comments like this very seriously and to heart. Mank would have loved for the child to have used the equipment that was there to add to the environment and is sorry that the child did not take part because he would have had have.
It should be noted that MankSkate University was not doing lesson or business in any way shape or form, but, rather just there to skate and share some fun rails with the skaters at the park.
My sincerest apologies if I negatively impacted yours or your child’s day.
Mank
Mank@mankskate.com
Mank’s comment never came across my system so I am not sure what happened. Every comment made on this topic has been approved for viewing. We try to be very fair when it comes to allowing people to speak their mind as long as it is respectful and claen. Not that his comment wasn’t but we truly did not receive any comments from him.
I will try to respond as respectfully as possible as well…
1. My son was asked to move once. I was standing next to him the entire time. I don’t know if he realized I was there or not but his only interaction with my son was a very firm, loud “MOVE.” I am not sure he even relized it was happening considering he immediately offered my son a lesson on the spot.
2. Once, twice or 3 times… it does not matter. The rules of the park prohibit the use of outside equipment inside the park. Whether it is in the sense of fun or not, if people break the rules the city will close the park. I have had several conversations with the city directly and this is the case.
3. The park was designed by professionals for a reason. If the need for additional “environment” is necessary the city or the developers should be contacted.
I know I will probably garner some negative feedback but I know the people who worked very hard to have a park built in the first place and would hate to see all of their work go to waste. I also would not like to see the hordes of kids who actively enjoy the park to lose the resource due to one person’s actions.
I do appreciate the apology. My email and my phone number are here on the site and am available if Mank would like to discuss this with me personally.
Thank you for the prompt response, I will make sure that Mank is aware of your email.
1. Mank expressed to me that he was offering to help many of the children there, Not as a lesson, but, as an offering to help. (not a charge) (not a business) He did know you were there (the 2nd time) and was aware that you were not there the first time and is not surprised that you did not recall the first time as you were not there.
2. Mank is aware of and respects the rules of the park and is not surprised that you would have had several conversations with the city directly as there are “several” people that bring in there own equipment.
3. I dont personally have knowledge of there credentials, but, trust that you are probably correct
as far as “gamering” negative feedback, possibly, because it seems like an opprobrious approach.
I will express that Manks, apology was/ is an sincerer is it gets and wants to stress that his main and overall concern is that the kids have an awesome time and find the true fun in skateboarding.
This will be the last message that is posted in reference to this topic on this site by an agent of Mank Skate, and again I will post Manks personal email if you care to discuss this in a manner in which we find to be tactful. Mank@mankskate.com
All the best