Ocean City High School student Kai DeMarco founded the Ocean City Skate Club.
By Tim Kelly
Spring has finally sprung, and with warmer temperatures come a pair of interesting events at the Ocean City Skatepark.
On Sunday, May 5, the park, located at 550 Asbury Avenue, next to the Ocean City Fire Department headquarters, will play host to “Chica de Mayo,” a girls-only skating event from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
Then, on Friday, May 10, a joint event called “Night Skate 2 and Bowl Jam” is expected to attract a large crowd for a twilight skate and “Jam” in the park’s large bowl, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
“It really is impressive to see how far people will travel to come skateboarding at our facility,” said Willie Fannon, a local skater, surfer and event planner.
The Skatepark, managed by the Ocean City Department of Recreation, is open year-round. If there isn’t snow or rain on the ground, regular users of the facility will show up.
And now that warmer temperatures are here, Fannon said families from New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and even Georgia have been skating at the park, which is free to use and open to all.
“The park really fits in with Ocean City’s motto as ‘America’s Favorite Family Resort,’” Fannon said.
“Chica de Mayo” is the brainchild of 12-year-old girl skating whiz Zoe Herishen, who wanted an event to bring girl skaters of all abilities together to enjoy the skatepark and friendship.
Zoe Herishen, founder of “Chica De Mayo,” shows off some of the moves that make her an accomplished skateboarder at the age of 12. (Photo courtesy of Tracey Herishen)
“I started Chica De Mayo because I wanted an event that included both longboards and skateboard park boards,” Zoe said.
Now in its fourth year after two years at a skatepark in Brooklyn, N.Y., and a year at Asbury Park, the event has grown from a small handful of girls to more than 50 last year.
“I hope this year we get even more girls of all ages and experience,” said Zoe, a Wildwood Crest resident whose mom takes her to the Ocean City Skatepark on a regular basis.
Girls entering the park for the free event will enjoy a glitter bar, healthy snacks donated by Bungalow Bowls, and art supplies donated by Peace of Wood that will allow the girls to create personalized skateboard decks.
However, Zoe said the main draw for the event is the chance for skater girls to hang out together.
The “Night Skate 2 and Bowl Jam” event comes on the heels of an earlier “Night Skate” event that proved to be very popular. Lights, loaned and installed by the Fire Department will illuminate the park, which normally closes at dusk.
Admission to the event is $5 and an additional $5 for those wishing to take part in the “Bowl Jam.”
Ocean City High School student Kai DeMarco founded the Ocean City Skate Club.
Attendees will enjoy snacks and drinks and music by DJ Bill of Shore Entertainment. The event is co-sponsored by Shore Entertainment, Ocean City Firefighters Local 4032 and Making Waves of St. Peter’s of Ocean City United Methodist Church.
The Bowl Jam, a chance for the skaters to show their moves to their peers in a creative and non-competitive format, is a new element for skating events at the park, Fannon said.
Reflecting the passion for skateboarding in town, there is an Ocean City Skate Club, which was formed by Ocean City High School student Kai DeMarco. He started the club to help promote the sport to skaters of all ages and to help bring the skating community together.
“Kai is a great kid who truly believes in giving back,” said Fannon.
