Back To Cali Skate Jam Recap

File May 22, 1 12 14 PM
Skate Love!

Back to Cali was nice from the stand point for a newbie. I’ve never been to this event nor the rink. The host rink was at Fountain Valley right outside of Long Beach, CA. Fountain Valley floor was surprisingly nice considering that the wood floor is painted blue. The rink was very well maintained and clean.

Thursday night was packed – it was nice to see others from all over, especially the Midwest (they really came out to support). The greeting at the door was blah and the overall direction upon entering the rink was also blah (once I paid no one said anything to me, I feel that they recognized only the people that they knew personally, which is kinda discouraging to a newbie like me…).  You really never notice the important roll of door greeting until it’s missing. There was a man selling tickets but, he looked scary, Lol. We’ll just call him “Hustle Man.” Every jam has to have a Hustle Man. Any way I got my tickets the next day from DJ “Big Bert.” Bert was very visible and friendly! The music was on point. The DJs catered to ALL – from East to West. Again, it was on point! I heard no complaints of the music; the vibe was right!

File May 22, 1 19 33 PM
My Skate Fam. from East to West Showed Out!
What’s BTC without the  “All White Party?” Very well put together I must say.  Everyone was freshly dressed in their white hook ups! The venue was at the Marina which had two stories, with two DJs. “Ballin’!” The crowd danced all night. It was Great! Truly a staple of this event.
Saturday was the picnic…  although I didn’t make it I heard nothing but good things about it.  Can’t go wrong with a cocktail of great weather, free food, and music to vibe to.
Forward to  Saturday Night – even though the rink was completely PACKED(!!!) – the sweat was visible and yet the roll was still very enjoyable! No styles were called… No states were called… just Cali rolling and some serious circle work. I was in ear shot of someone from out-of-town expressing how they truly enjoyed the way Cali rolled!! They were pleased that they did not have to do their signature “bark” to get people out of there way! Other honorable mentions includes slow walkers, Gsliders and striders!

There was a fight in the rink barely worth mentioning… a rarity. But, fortunately I brought my fresh mint tea to sip, so that was none of my business, LOL.

The focus was that the music “Rocked” the rink and everyone appeared to be having a Wonderful time. All Smiles!!

Although, the sideline vibe was a bit different and lacked the hospitality or welcome-ness that I was used to from other skate parties. But hey! This is Cali where the Gangstas Roll!!!
Leaving the rink Saturday Night myself and most other skaters had  a difficult question to answer,  “Where to Skate on Sunday!?” Apparently there’s a popular local session in Chino and competing by default with the Back 2 Cali session. Many people were trying to decide where to go skate? Some people decided that they were going to attend both rinks (the ambitious ones). Some people decided to attend one rink over the other for many reasons; clearly there was a divided. Hopefully, by next year the out-of-towners do not have to decide on which rink to roll at because it really made a difference. Not Good.
So in all here are my Pros:
The Music was Great
Great Rink
White Party was Hype!
The Weather was perfect
And, of course, it’s CALI!!!
Cons:
Hospitality could be improved
The Split Rinks on Sunday
There was not an itinerary for suggestions on sightseeing places for people that like to venture…
The Hotel charged $17 a night for parking (Valet $20) Not a BTC issue. But  sheez.
Overall this newbies thought is… I’ve came and I experienced Back to Cali! “I’m Going Going Back Back to CALI!!!”
–  Angela (Midwest IMSN Correspondent)

Thowback Back to Cali Video:

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