Young Carlsbad middle-schooler loves local skateboarding history

CARLSBAD, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — It might not look like it, but Kelly Apanowicz is a historian.

“[It’s] awesome to know that Carlsbad was the starting point of skateboarding,” says Kelley Apanowicz.

California’s first public skate park opened in Carlsbad in 1976.

“The old Carlsbad skate park that’s under the 7/11 and, like, it’s like over that way,” says Apanowicz, gesturing toward the area where it was once located.

He hopes to keep that history alive by riding his throwback board.

“Bruce Logan World Champion model. This was made in the early 70’s and 80’s. It revolutionized skating,” says Apanowicz, describing his board.

The Calavera Hills middle schooler, uses his skateboard as a make-shift time machine, connecting the older generations to the new.

“There’s a new company called Penny Board, they essentially have the same shape and size. Everyone’s like, ‘Oh, is that a penny board?’ And it’s cool because I get to explain what this is,” Apanowicz says.

The 13-year-old started out skateboarding at the ripe old age of three.

“I completely knew I’m doing this for my life. This is my goal,” says Apanowicz.

So far, he’s achieving that goal. At five years old, he became one of the youngest contestants ever at the Southern California CASL competition, which stands for “competitive amateur skateboard league.”

“And then you just keep adding and adding to your arsenal of tricks. Way more stuff, like unlocking a new level in a video game,” says Apanowicz.

He says he is proud of how far Carlsbad skateboarding history has come.

“Now it’s used as mobility, sports, it’s now in the Olympics, it brings money to people who want to skate for fun, and make money by doing the thing they love,” says Apanowicz.

It doesn’t get much better than that.

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