Santa Cruz’s Legendary Skate Contest In A Dead Mall (Capitola Classic)

The Santa Cruz Capitola Classic Skateboard Contest in an abandoned Sears at Capitola Mall brings skateboarding history to life in Santa Cruz, California. Jimmy Carnes documents this cinematic road trip from San Francisco to one of the most unique skate events ever — blending nostalgia, street skating, and raw culture. In this video, Jimmy Carnes explores the 2025 Capitola Classic Skateboard Contest, held inside a long-abandoned Sears store in Capitola Mall. Originally founded in 1973 as a downhill race, the contest evolved into one of the earliest street skating competitions — famously featured in Thrasher Magazine in 1985 with legends like Tommy Guerrero, Christian Hosoi, and Mark Gonzales. You’ll experience a full POV road trip from San Francisco to Santa Cruz, arriving at a surreal indoor skate venue packed with over 260 skaters, punk bands, food trucks, and tattoo booths. The contest features youth divisions (“Little Dogs”) and adult skaters (“Big Dogs”), with standout performances from JD Sanchez and Elijah Akerley. The video captures the energy, community, and creativity of skateboarding culture — all inside a forgotten retail space. Here’s what you need to know about the Capitola Classic: it’s more than a contest — it’s a celebration of skateboarding’s roots, its rebellious spirit, and its future. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the scene, this cinematic travel vlog offers a rare look at how skateboarding transforms spaces and brings people together. -- Contents of video -- 0:00 - Intro 0:11 - Welcome 0:40 - Contest History 1:24 - Sears Walkthrough 2:25 - Little Dogs Contest 4:06 - Food Trucks 4:38 - Big Dogs Contest 6:03 - Parting Thoughts 6:58 - Skatepark Pitstop Hashtags #CapitolaClassic #SantaCruzSkateboarding #AbandonedSears #SkateContest2025 #JimmyCarnes #StreetSkating #SkateboardingHistory #SantaCruzSkateboards #ThrasherMagazine #POVTravelVlog