Kona

Not sure when I learned about the Kona skatepark. It certainly wasn’t on my radar when I was younger. I guess it must’ve been when I was researching skateparks around Jacksonville.

We’re visiting family again in Jacksonville, and today I be ventured out to spend some time at Kona. It’s an interesting place. Lots of old concrete, crusty concrete that is. I’m now riding my 95A wheels, but I wish I had softer ones on them. I actually wished I had my cruiser board with me, that would’ve been ideal. Even though my current setup is not so far off a cruiser setup anymore: 8.6 board, carvy Ace trucks, 54mm 95A wheels.

The problem was that many parts of the park were wet and slippery when I got there. Just stepping down into the snakerun I slit out and hurt my wrist, not off to a good start so to say.

The crusty concrete also made me nervous riding down the snakerun full speed. And I didn’t really know what to do in the “big ditch” next to the snake run. It was too big and rough to pump and maintain speed, at least for me.

I spent some time in the street section on a curb, a small steep quarter and some DIY wallride jersey barrier.

I think next time I bring pads and helmet and also try the wooden bowl and other concrete pool. It should also help with building up confidence in the snakerun.

It’s kind of amazing how far skateparks, and the science of pouring concrete in particular, have come. Kona reminded me of sledding hill that somebody poured concrete over.