Tampa to Texas: Road Trip to the Johnny Romano Skate Jam Article at Skatepark of Tampa

Tampa to Texas: Road Trip to the Johnny Romano Skate Jam

Posted on Monday, November 22, 2010 by Stalker

Video by Joe Pelham



Story, Photos, and Captions By Stalker Steve

We packed up the posse into Clements' truck and headed to Houston, Texas for the Johnny Romano Skate Jam. I broke up the trip into a Contest article and this trip article, so if you're looking for Contest coverage, check out the other article. We got an early start and left the Park at 8am Wednesday morning. We barreled up I-75 to Possum Creek Skate Park in Gainesville. We skated the park for a couple hours and Piro asked, "Y'all wanna see come 'circus-solay' s**t?" and then did a sick bluntslide pop-in on the banked ledge.

From there we hit Tallahassee Park, where we encountered rain right away, so we headed for Biloxi, Mississippi. I kept an eye out for oil in the Gulf, as the room overlooked the water, and everything looked pretty fair. BP, thanks for taking care of your mess.

The next day we headed to Louisiana. We skated around New Orleans' French Quarter, enjoying the Cajun food and atmosphere. Ironically, lots of the streets are named after Saints, but they're packed with bars and strip clubs. I'm not here to judge, live how you live. We found a handrail and Piro and Dylan killed it. Porpe took his turn as security came out and when the guard tried to grab Jorge's arm he lost it. "Don't touch me! Get your hands off me!" Then screamed, "Your name is Carl, Carl!" Carl bore a resemblance to Carl Winslow from Family Matters so that might explain it. After that we hit Baton Rouge's new street plaza.

We got to Houston Thursday night and ran into friends right away. We hit downtown Houston Friday and skated around. That night some of the crew hit a sketchy strip club while Frosty and I hung out with Billy Rohan, discussing mad Wu-Tang mathematics as well as telling funny stories.

The next day was the Jam. It was a great time for a great cause. After the Contest, Billy invited Frosty, Rob, Colin Clark, and I to a party at a local ESPN station. "They're broadcasting for ESPN radio, so you guys might have to hop on the mic real quick," Billy explained. Sounds good. What happened was us on ESPN radio giving a summary of the Contest. From there we hit some bar in Downtown Houston where Chanel from the Fantasy Factory performed. Frosty jumped on stage, grabbed the mic, and yelled "Skatepark of Tampa!” And added a second later, “Dot com!"

The next morning we started making our way back to Tampa and stopped over in Biloxi again to gamble some more. The second day we hit the road hard, hit Tampa that night, and returned to normal life. Thanks to everyone who traveled with us, all our friends at South Shore Distributing and Southside Skatepark, and SPoT for funding another fun trip.

This is my favorite obstacle in the Gainesville Park. Piro loved it, too, and did this bluntslide.
Skater Profile: Piro Sierra
This spot in downtown Houston was fun for everyone. Knibbs blasted this kickflip with ease.
Skater Profile: Jereme Knibbs
Everyone loved this banked ledge in Gainesville. Knibbs, fakie nosegrind.
Skater Profile: Jereme Knibbs
The ledges at Baton Rouge's new park are perfect. Knibbs busted out a fakie flip switch crooks to show his approval.
Skater Profile: Jereme Knibbs
Dylan was feeling the step-up in Gainesville. Front 360.
Skater Profile: Dylan Perry
We loved Houston; we just don't love former presidents from there.
We ended our skate day in downtown Houston by bombing this steep hill.
Skater Profile: Jorge Angel aka Porpe
We talked the mellow security guard into giving Knibbs one try on this wallride and he put it down.
Skater Profile: Jereme Knibbs
Dylan got his piece of the long rail in Tranquility Park and swerved the trash can.
Skater Profile: Dylan Perry
Joe Pelham wildin' out in the back of the Clem 350.
The pad rules at the downtown Houston skate park are stupid. We barged it and Jata laid down this switch front rock and we peeled out.
Skater Profile: Chris Jata
Piro Sierra 50-50'd this rail before Porpe freaked out on the security guard.
Skater Profile: Piro Sierra
Jata - nollie 180 down the Baton Rouge park’s big three.
Skater Profile: Chris Jata
Porpe enjoying a New Orleans Po' Boy.
Skater Profile: Jorge Angel aka Porpe
We skated up and down Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
Piro Sierra went Leo on this rail in Gainesville.
Skater Profile: Piro Sierra
The hubba in Possum Creek was sick. Dylan Perry - frontside noseslide.
Skater Profile: Dylan Perry
Jata didn't even take off his chill shoes or shades for this lipslide in Gainesville.
Skater Profile: Chris Jata
Frosty told me all week leading up to the trip he was trying to shred and get photos. He did. Feeble in Gainesville.
Skater Profile: Jason Fintel aka Frosty
Dylan Perry's 180 nosegrind on the banked ledge was done in three tries and clean as a whistle.
Skater Profile: Dylan Perry
Frosty was feeling this guy’s bumper stickers. Go Gators, go America, take back America!
Skater Profile: Jason Fintel aka Frosty
Jata stocked up for the long drive.
Skater Profile: Chris Jata
Frosty battled this ollie over the rail in Baton Rouge for 20 minutes or so before landing it, truly proving you can't ban the Snowman.
Skater Profile: Jason Fintel aka Frosty
Piro Sierra's back 180 over this rail the hard way in Baton Rouge was first try.
Skater Profile: Piro Sierra

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