In the spotlight

Friday, Aug. 8, 2008

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by REID SILVERMAN The 2008 MASS Grand Finale will be held Aug. 9 at St. Mary’s County Skatepark. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

Curt Kimbel was one of the first professional skateboarders in the 1970s.

After moving from southern California to Mechanicsville in 1999, he started the MASS (Mid-Atlantic Skate Series) skateboarding series for his son, Willis Kimbel, who missed California’s big skateboarding scene.

Willis is now a professional skateboarder living in Oregon. As it happens, there have been other young skateboarders, like Ben Hatchell, who honed their skills in MASS competitions and have since gone pro.

The final MASS event of the year will be held Aug. 9 at St. Mary’s County Skatepark. Proceeds benefit the Mike Rogers Grind for Life organization.

The event is open to all ages and abilities. Judges pick the top four in each category; everyone else ties for fifth.

For his sixth season, Kimbell hosted competitions in Arlington, Va., Olney, White Plains and Lexington Park. He did this even though he moved to Colorado last year.

‘‘I never thought I would do it [after I moved away], but I got so many requests from families,” he said. ‘‘It’s not often you get to do something that brings so much joy to so many people. It’s a big deal in these kids’ lives.”

Registration is at 8 a.m. The Aplomb Pro Street class will be held from 3:30-4 p.m. Grenade Pro Bowl Class will be from 4:15-4:45 p.m. The skatepark is in Nicolet Park, 21777 Bunker Hill Drive, Lexington Park. Go towww.curtkimbel.com.

DICKSON MERCER