Scooter championship draws regional talent to Atown Skate Park
By Hayley Mattson · Mon Apr 27 2026
Annual event doubles as national qualifier, showcasing youth skill, discipline, and community spirit in Atascadero
ATASCADERO — Riders from across California and beyond gathered at Atown Skate Park on Saturday, April 18, for the park’s annual scooter championship, an event that continues to grow in both scale and significance.
Now in its 11th year, the competition — known as “Scoot Jam” and organized under the Scoot USA brand — brought together beginners, intermediate riders, and elite competitors for a full day of high-energy runs, technical tricks, and community connection. The event also served as a qualifying stop for a national scooter championship, elevating the level of competition and drawing participants from across the western United States.
“This is about more than just a contest,” said park founder Kevin Campion. “It’s about giving kids a place to learn discipline, perform in front of an audience, and push themselves to improve.”
Competitors were given 45-second timed runs to navigate the park’s features, linking together lines of tricks across ramps, rails, and bowls. Judges evaluated each run based on difficulty, execution, and overall use of the course, requiring riders to balance creativity, speed, and consistency under pressure.
Participants traveled from as far as Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and North Carolina, underscoring the event’s growing reputation and the limited number of similar competitions nationwide. According to Campion, only a handful of qualifying events are held each year, making Atascadero’s stop a key opportunity for riders seeking to advance.
“We partnered with a national organization to host a qualifier here,” Campion said. “There are only a couple of these events happening right now, so it gave West Coast riders a chance to compete without traveling across the country.”
While the competition showcased high-level talent, it also highlighted the developmental nature of the sport. Among the standout performers was local rider Eva Alhadeff, who claimed first place in her division after stepping outside her comfort zone and competing in a field dominated by boys.
For Alhadeff, the competition format was straightforward in concept but challenging in practice.
“It was a scooter competition where we would do runs and see who did their run the best,” she said. “I just put together tricks that were easiest for me, but also a little more advanced.”
Unlike some structured competitions, Alhadeff said she did not know exactly how individual tricks were scored. Instead, she relied on instinct, practice, and a routine she developed with guidance but ultimately made her own.
Her introduction to the sport was unexpected.
“I first scooted when I got invited to a birthday party,” she said. “And then I just kept going back.”
Now riding regularly at the park, Alhadeff has been scootering for about a year and a half — relatively new compared to many competitors. Still, she chose to challenge herself by entering a more competitive category.
“There weren’t that many girls,” she said. “So I went into the boys category because I wanted a bigger challenge.”
That decision paid off. Competing against a field that included friends and familiar faces, Alhadeff delivered a winning performance. One of her closest competitors finished just behind her in second place, adding a layer of camaraderie to the contest.
Beyond the win, Alhadeff said the experience reinforced a simple but meaningful lesson: “Believe in yourself.”
The championship also gave her an opportunity to watch more advanced riders and professional athletes, something she described as one of the most exciting aspects of the day.
“I liked watching the pros,” she said. “They do tricks I can’t even do yet.”
Despite the gap in skill level, Alhadeff expressed confidence in her progression and hopes to compete at a higher level in the coming years.
A student at Templeton Middle School, Alhadeff said it has been meaningful to grow alongside other local riders she has known for years.
“It’s cool to grow with them and always learn new things,” she said.
She also hopes her experience will encourage more girls to get involved in the sport, noting that female participation remains limited.
“They need more girls,” she said. “Just come and try it.”
Her message was simple: “Girl power!”
Throughout the day, that sense of encouragement extended beyond individual performances. Riders cheered each other on, celebrated successful runs and demonstrated sportsmanship both on and off the course — a reflection of the park’s broader culture.
“It’s not about what you ride, it’s about how you ride,” Campion said, emphasizing a long-standing philosophy that welcomes scooters, skateboards, and other disciplines equally. “We hold kids to a high standard here, and they rise to it.”
Many of the event’s judges are former riders who grew up at the park and have since moved on to professional scootering careers. Their return to Atown reflects a cycle of mentorship that continues to shape the next generation.
The event also serves as a fundraiser, with entry fees supporting ongoing programming and maintenance at the park. Campion noted that while the competition contributes to operational costs, the facility’s sustainability relies heavily on volunteer support and personal investment.
Despite broader challenges in the action sports industry — including the closure of skate parks and specialty shops — Atown Skate Park remains a vital hub for youth activity in North County.
“There’s been a real decline in resources for kids in this space,” Campion said. “That’s part of why events like this matter so much. They keep the culture alive and give kids something positive to be part of.”
In addition to the competition, organizers filmed the event as part of an ongoing documentary project focused on the park’s impact over the past two decades. The film aims to capture the stories of riders, families, and community members who have helped shape Atown’s identity.
For many participants, the championship represented more than a chance to win. It offered an opportunity to be part of a supportive environment built on resilience, creativity and connection.
“It feels like a family here,” Alhadeff said. “Everyone pushes each other, but they also look out for each other.”
As the final runs concluded and awards were handed out, the energy at the park remained high. Riders continued practicing, sharing tips, and celebrating long after the competition ended.
For Campion and the Atown community, the success of this year’s championship underscores what is possible when passion, structure, and support come together — on and off the ramps.