Skateboarding Legends Celebrate 50 Years of Dogtown Z-Boys on Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica Pier became a hub for skateboarding history on October 15th as it hosted 'Locals' Night' to commemorate 50 years of the legendary Dogtown Z-Boys. This event brought together pioneers of modern skateboarding to celebrate the culture that has become synonymous with California.

The Z-Boys, a group of young skaters from Santa Monica who formed in the mid-1970s at Jeff Ho’s Zephyr surf shop, are widely recognized for redefining the sport. The original team consisted of 12 members, including Tony Alva, who became a prominent figure in skateboarding culture.

The legacy of the Z-Boys was further cemented through the acclaimed 2002 documentary "Dogtown and Z-Boys" and the 2006 film "Legends of Dogtown," the latter of which was screened on the pier during the event.

The celebration kicked off in the afternoon with the Dogtown Car Club showcasing vintage vehicles, while skaters performed tricks on a nearby ramp. As the evening progressed, Tony Alva, an original Z-Boy, participated in a trivia session and a DJ set.

Alva credited Jeff Ho with providing him and other team members, such as Jay Adams, opportunities at a young age. "Jeff gave me an opportunity at a very young age. I couldn’t be on the surf team, but there was something about skateboarding that I was a natural at," Alva stated at the event. "He basically led a few guys on the team that were just street kids, and one of them was Jay Adams, and the other one was me."

The evening's program included the screening of "Legends of Dogtown" followed by a live performance by the punk band Cycotic Youth. Jim Harris, Executive Director and Historian of the Santa Monica Pier, remarked on the enduring impact of the Z-Boys.

"Fifty years later, the influence of Dogtown and the Z-Boys can still be seen in skateboarding and Southern California culture around the world," Harris said in a press release. "Bringing Tony Alva to the Pier, putting a skate ramp on the deck and screening ‘Dogtown and Z-Boys’ under the stars gives us a special opportunity to celebrate that legacy right here on the Westside. It’s exactly the kind of history, culture and community that Locals’ Night was created to bring together."

Jason Brown, a Santa Monica native and co-founder of Cycotic Youth and the Dogtown Car Club, reflected on the event's personal significance. "I grew up on this pier. Now I’m playing on this pier. So it means a lot to me," said Brown, who grew up in the era influenced by the Z-Boys.

Brown also commented on the changing landscape of Venice and Santa Monica, noting the displacement of long-term residents. Despite these changes, the area continues to attract individuals passionate about skateboarding culture. Jeff Ho expressed his continued dedication to surfing and skating, stating, "I surf, I skate, I love it, and I’ll be doing this until the day I die."

Jiggy Reed, who relocated to Los Angeles from Texas, cited Santa Monica's skateboarding scene as a key factor in his decision to stay. "It’s just crazy. You can walk out your door, and like all this culture, like all these things are just going on, and it’s a beautiful life," Reed said.