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Thrashin' For Jesus
Topics: 08sk8, Skateboard, skating, Martz, Kovenant, Culture, art, blog, youth, Bakersfield, Bakotopia, shop
Posted by matt Thu Jun 14, 2007 18:18:04 PDT
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0 responses 2 comments Location: 3201 F St. #139, Bakersfield, CA 93301

THRASHIN' FOR JESUS
Husband and wife spread the good word through love of the sport

By Matt Muñoz, Bakotopia.com Editor

WWJS - What Would Jesus Skate?

Bakersfield's Kovenant Skateboarding Team are Bakersfield's new “holy rollers.”

The brainchild of Bakersfield husband and wife, Matthew and Jenni Martz, the team was founded after the couple decided to start their own online skateboard company, 08SK8 - branded after the zip code of the city it was originally named for - Oildale.

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“I moved to Bakersfield from Huntington Beach in Orange County 3 years ago,” said Matthew 39, a former skateboarder who by day works as a local personal fitness instructor. “I used to be one of the “outlaw” type skateboarders in OC during the '70s.”

Along with his wife Jenni, 36 and a Bakersfield native, the two now hope to steer Bakersfield's impressionable youth toward a new outlet for honing their street skate skills with the team and, in the process, teach kids about the business of professional skateboarding through the lessons he's learned growing up in the culture.

(Jenni and Matt Martz of 08SK8)

“One of our goals is to bridge the gap between skaters, residents, and businesses with a positive message that attracts attention to the city,” explained Matthew. “Instead of just opening another shop, we decided to start our own company, 08SK8.”

Founded in the summer of 2006 as an online store selling skateboard accessories and company branded boards, the Martz' web-based business was run out of the couple's rental home in Oildale. Getting a fair amount of attention at first, the company eventually outgrew their computer and opened their first company store in January. It’s located inside the Golden State Mall in Bakersfield. Matthew remembers being asked about the company's name, 08SK8, when they first opened.

“People said I would never get riders or people to buy our products because of the ‘08’,” said Matthew laughing about the amusing reaction the number seems to get because of its reference to the Oildale zip code, 93308. “I came from OC, and I didn't know anything about Oildale.”

Despite his critics, Martz decided to stick with the name and has no regrets for his choice.

“The response from the kids has been great,” he said. “08SK8 is who we are.”

Entering the tiny shop is like walking into your younger brother's playroom, except cleaner. The company's skateboard decks neatly line each wall, some bearing the “08SK8” logo, others with “Kovenant,” the name of their official skate team. All boards are produced by an unnamed independent manufacturer specifically for 08SK8.

“We experimented with a lot of decks and tested them all before we came out with our model,” said Matthew. “The standard wood is 7-ply Canadian maple. It's flexible enough to ride with, and it gives a certain “pop,” that all skateboarders know about.”

Lone skate decks run from $19 to $24, while a complete set-up, sells anywhere from $49-$89, depending on size of the board, wheels, and trucks.

Visitors to the store can also check out another wall display - those of “dead” skate decks with familiar names: VANS, Element, etc...

“We offer a discount towards the purchase of one of our boards, if a rider comes in to retire their old deck,” said Martz.

And while Kovenant and 08SK8 are part of the same operation, Martz' prefers to describe them as separate entities.

“Kovenant is a division of the company that gets the kids directly involved,” he said. “They can become members of our skate team or start out with our street promo team to help get the word out.”

That “word” is the Kovenant / 08SK8 Christian-based message, which is written and attached to all of the company's products, complete with Bible scripture and an explanation for each of the brand's two logos - a skull and crossbones with a heart, another being a red crucifix — designs hip enough looking for the church and secular crowd alike.

“We're not affiliated with any church,” explained Martz. “This allows us to walk with any denomination: Christian, Buddhist, Catholic, Muslim…everyone's welcome. We're not into brow-beating the message. I want someone to see the board and ask about it.”

08SK8 team member Alec Holliday 20, who was approached by the Martz' after seeing Holliday at a benefit skate competition for an injured friend, has been a sponsored rider for over a year. Holliday accepted Martz' offer to skate with the team, viewing it as not just an opportunity to get a company hook-up, but to get some hands-on experience in the business of professional skating.

Holliday also plays a role in communicating with the Bakersfield skating scene as a link to the locals.

"This is my first time learning about how the company process works," said Holliday. "I think it's really awesome to see a local shop doing things outside of all the big name stores, and making it affordable for the skaters. Skateboarding is progressing in Bakersfield, and it's cool to be a part of it."

Another team skater, Chad Wohlgemuth 19, agrees but also believes the 08SK8 / Kovenant company credo is just as important as the business experience his involvement provides.

"Kids need to see more positive role models, and I hope we can help people see skaters in a good way" said Wohlgemuth who also claims to have become more recognized in the skating community since joining the team two months ago. "I want to advance myself, and see how long we can go together in the business."

To be a member of the Kovenant skate team there are a certain number of pre-requisites that must be met first, including skill level. Age also comes into play when becoming an officially sponsored rider.

“You have to be at least 20 years old to be sponsored by 08SK8,” said Martz. “For the younger riders between the ages of 12-19, fliers and promotion is where they start out. We use the street team as a way to cultivate younger kids into becoming company riders.”

Company riders also have an obligation to help get spread the word in other inventive ways, including a monthly contest at Bakersfield's Beach Park organized by the team, called the “08 Game of Skate.” During each game, a rider will show up and organize a friendly competition with the prize being a free deck. The next "08 Game of Skate," will take place at 4pm on Thursday, June 21st, at Beach Park.

“We have the local guys to go out and interact with the park kids, and that really has a positive impact on the scene,” said Martz.

In the future, Martz plans on expanding the company's positive message to neighboring cities like Delano and Taft, where the skate scene is equally thriving.

“Building community, that's what it's all about.”

WANNA WIN A FREE 08SK8 DECK?
GET YOUR SKILLS ON!
THE NEXT "08 Game of Skate," will take place:
Thursday, June 21st, at Beach Park, in Bakersfield at 4pm!

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Bakotopia Profile: O8SK8

SHOP
Located In the Golden State Mall
(Formerly the Montgomery World Plaza)
3201 F St #139 Bakersfield, Ca. 93301

Store Hours:
Mon-Sun
12pm-5pm
(661)-808-3642

*Story originally printed in Bakotopia Magazine Issue #4, 6/15/07

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Comment From: matt

Thanks for being a part of Bakotopia, 08SK8. Cheers to a good future with the youth of Bako! People need to get out to your shop and recognize... Comment From: matt

I was sent this to my e-mail address by a fan: "This is amazing. I truly admire Matthew and Jenni Martz for their effort. This is truly inspiring. Way to go team Kovenant!"