Skatepark of Tampa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Skatepark of Tampa
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| Location | Tampa, Florida, United States |
| Opened | December 28, 1992 |
The Skatepark of Tampa is a famous place in Tampa, Florida, United States. People often call it SPoT. It's known as one of the best places for skateboarding on the East Coast of the U.S. SPoT is also famous for its big yearly contests, the Tampa Am and Tampa Pro.
Contents
The History of SPoT
SPoT first opened its doors on December 28, 1992, for employees. Just a few days later, on January 2, 1993, it officially welcomed the public. The very first professional skateboarding contest at SPoT happened in April 1995. A skater named Mike Vallely won that first big competition.
On April 1, 2012, SPoT played a fun April Fool's joke. They announced on their website that rapper Lil Wayne had bought the park. It was just a prank, but it got a lot of people talking!
Exploring the Skatepark Obstacles
The Skatepark of Tampa has different areas for skaters of all levels.
Pro Course Features
The "pro course" is like a special terrain park. It has a pyramid, rails, and ramps. These are perfect for advanced tricks.
Outdoor and Beginner Areas
Outside, there's a concrete course with ramps and a unique "pizza oven" obstacle. For those just starting, the "beginner's course" has smaller rails and ramps. This helps skaters learn and improve their skills. It also includes the park's famous bowl.
Redesigned Street Course
The street skateboarding course changes every year. It gets a new design for the big Tampa Pro and Tampa Am contests. This keeps things fresh and challenging for the skaters.
SPoT's Skateboarding Teams
The Skatepark of Tampa has different teams of talented skaters. These teams include both professional (Pro) and amateur (Am) skaters.
Pro Skaters
Some of the professional skaters on the SPoT team include Elissa Steamer, Jeff Lenoce, and Zion Wright. These skaters are well-known in the skateboarding world.
Amateur Skaters
The amateur team features rising stars like Abdias Rivera and Sam Bellipanni. These skaters are working hard to become pros.
BMX Riders
SPoT also has a team of BMX riders. They include Spencer Foresman and Mark Mulville.
Famous Contest Results
SPoT is famous for hosting the annual Tampa Pro contest. Many top skaters from around the world come to compete here.
Tampa Pro 1995 Winners
The first Tampa Pro contest in 1995 had two main events: Vert and Street.
- Vert Winners: Danny Way took first place in the Vert competition. Other top skaters included Tony Hawk and Omar Hassan.
- Street Winners: Mike Vallely won the Street competition. Danny Way also placed high in this event, showing his amazing skills.
SPoT as a Music Venue
Besides being a skatepark, SPoT is also a popular place for music shows.
Early Music Venues
In 2012, SPoT celebrated its 20th anniversary with concerts by groups like Souls of Mischief. The park also had a music venue called Transitions Art Gallery (TAG). TAG was a place for acoustic artists and other musicians to perform.
Epic Problem and King State
In 2013, TAG changed its name to Epic Problem. This venue hosted many post-hardcore bands. It also had an annual show by a high school comedy group called On The Brink. In 2016, Epic Problem closed, and the space was taken over by King State coffee.
Transitions Reopens
In March 2017, the SPoT Snack Bar was rebuilt and became a full music venue again. It was renamed "Transitions." This new venue has a stage, lights, a sound system, and a new bar. Transitions held its first show during the 23rd Annual Tampa Pro contest. It featured music from Ray Barbee and other bands.
