All aboard for thrills, spills

Skateboarders roll out for opening of Gonzales park

GONZALES -- Tony Turner, 15, spent Saturday doing what he loves most -- skateboarding.

Turner and other skateboarders can skate freely these days thanks to a new park dedicated Saturday by parish officials and representatives of the nonprofit foundation that pushed for its opening.

Turner, an East Ascension High School student, was one of more than 50 skateboard enthusiasts who took part in the Ascension Skate Park's first competition.

Turner left the park with a new skateboard and a first place win in the 15-and-under contest.

“I’m here every day after school,” Tuner said, adding that the park has been packed with skateboarders since construction ended in December.

As Turner and the other skaters maneuvered the half-pipe, rails and other obstacles on the course, Branden Bennett, founder of the YOURS Foundation, took to the microphone to explain the tricks and moves spectators were witnessing.

“They’re shredding it out here,” Bennett said as the younger skaters competed during a five-minute session.

“He’s coming in hot,” Bennett said of one skater’s moves. “Look, he’s slapping the concrete and losing a shoe.”

Bennett, 25, used terms like “a fat 180” and “a nice grind.”

And, for those who ask, yes it does hurt when you fall on the concrete,” he said.

More than six years ago, Bennett and a group of other then-teens started approaching parish officials about the need for a skateboard park in the area, said Garney Gautreau, parish recreation director. That’s when Your Own Unique Riding Style was created, Bennett said.

The foundation hosted park competitions “anywhere we could” to show parish officials of the need for a “place we could go without being stopped by the cops,” Bennett said.

The park, on Irma Boulevard next to the Gonzales Senior Center, cost $175,000; and plans call for a second phase to start soon, Gautreau said.

Jordan Perkins, 25, another founder of YOURS, said that before he was driving, he was skating.

Perkins said YOURS used the money from its various fundraisers to buy prizes and food for the events.

He said they had to persuade officials of the popularity of the sport. Perkins said skate parks, unlike many other sports fields, can be used year-around and are relatively inexpensive to maintain. In addition, he said, skateboarding is a fun fitness sport for residents of all ages.

One of those convinced early on was Cheryl Kinchen, the parish’s former recreation director and current human resources director.

“If you don’t build a skate park, then your city becomes a skate park,” Kinchen said during Saturday’s grand-opening ceremony.

Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux said he’s already seen the popularity of the park.

Councilman Dempsy Lambert said he used to get calls from constituents asking for the park. “This is great,” Lambert said. “I’m glad it’s finally open.”

Bennett’s mother, Carrie Bourgeois, agreed with Lambert.

Bourgeois sat in a chair near the park on Saturday cheering on the skaters.

“They’ve finally got somewhere to go,” she said, adding that she spent years watching her son skateboard.

Bennett said she has been her son grow from “adventure sport to a safety job.” Bennett works as a safety coordinator for a Gramercy business.

Before the competition started, more than two-dozen skaters stood atop the half-pipe waiting for their turn.

One of the oldest skaters was Zac Caramonta, 29, of Ponchatoula. As treasurer of YOURS, Zac has pushed to find a place for skaters of all ages to “do what we love.”

Caramonta, who often skates at the Hammond skate park, said he’s seen many young troubled boys “grow into mature adults thanks to skateboarding.”

Caramonta said the skateboarding community watches out for “the young ones” and the older skaters provide guidance and “we help them learn how to skate.”

Cari Caramonta, Zac’s wife, stood at the top of the half-pipe, wrapped in a blanket.

While not a skateboarder,

Cari said she enjoys watching her husband skate.

The duo spent hours roller blading while attending college.

“He even built a ramp in our garage,” she said.

“It’s a great thing to see them being built in a few cities,” she said.

Parish President Tommy Martinez said he is looking into the possibility of building other skate parks on parish-owned property.

“Hopefully, this is just the beginning,” Martinez said.