Small Time Skates and a big time skater

By Laura Swan

Published June 4, 2008

Eight years ago, Alex Vestal hit his foot on a television set, and the resulting broken toe changed his life. He was couch-bound and antsy, so Alex’s parents bought him Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video game for his PlayStation.

He said he told himself, “When I get out of this chair, I’m gonna skateboard.”

And skateboard he did.

At age 15, two years later, online skate shop blankdecks.com sponsored Vestal. The following year, Columbia’s own skate shop, Small Time Skates, decided to sponsor the teen.

It only took two years for Untitled Skateboards to acknowledge Vestal’s talent. Now, at 21, Vestal doesn’t know if he’s technically a professional skater, but one thing’s for sure.

“I get paid to skate,” he said.

Vestal said getting sponsored by Small Time Skates gave his career a big boost.

Small Time Skates officially opened in Columbia on Aug. 25, 2006, when Shane Stander decided he wanted to open a skate shop for all ages near Columbia Skate Park. Stander is the shop’s manager and co-owner along with Chris Daniels.

The shop is technically classified as a sporting goods store, but Stander has no idea why - their business philosophy is “Skateboarder Owned-Skateboarder Operated.” The shop has both active members and a skate team. They also sponsor skaters all over Missouri as well as Colorado and Louisiana.

The shop sells boards, equipment and skater attire from all major skate brands. But Stander said they also carry some “smaller brands from Chicago, L.A. and New Orleans that you don’t see in bigger chains.” They also sell junior and women’s attire.

Stander said he sees skaters from ages 5 to 50 in his store. Right now, Stander’s favorite merchandise is Vox Footwear.

“I like them because they’re more of an underdog shoe company. I like what they represent. They’re not blown up yet and I like the way they perform,” he said.

Stander has been skateboarding since before Vestal was born, and he invests a lot of time in his skaters.

As far as his local team goes, Stander said he looks to find skaters who are skating for the right reasons.

“I don’t sponsor kids who ask,” he said.

Those he sponsors get free products and discounts from the store and participate in a variety of events.

“They found me,” Vestal said of his sponsorship. “Just keep skateboarding. Don’t go looking for it,” Vestal said to young skaters looking to get sponsored. “If you deserve it, it’s gonna happen, you’re gonna get noticed.” The team also works hard to stay competitive and get exposure to the styles and skills of other skaters.

“We’ve taken lots of trips to new places and new locations to keep footage fresh and experience how other people skate,” Vestal said. But Vestal won’t tell what his best trick is.

“It’s hard to pinpoint one certain trick,” he said. “I like some tricks because they look cool, some because they’re fun or easy.”

With outlets like Columbia Skate Park and Small Time Skates, local skaters have found their niche in Columbia.

“There’s a fairly large skateboarding community in Columbia,” Stander said. “It’s healthy and it’s an outlet for kids to display what they’ve learned.”

One opportunity for Columbia residents to show their stuff is Go Skateboarding Day on June 21.

Go Skateboarding Day, also dubbed Shred Fest, is set to be held at Columbia Skate Park at the Columbia Cosmopolitan Recreation Center. Free food, music and giveaways are all planned for the event. There will also be raffles throughout the day for skateboard parts and merchandise such as decks, trucks, wheels, bearings and t-shirts. Attendees who want to show off their best trick, highest ollie and other skills can compete in contests for similar prizes.

“Skateboarding is good, clean fun and something for kids to look forward to,” Stander said.

But the event is also a chance to get the word out about the importance of keeping things safe. To emphasize this message, Tiger Pilot Club will be giving away free helmets.

The event is presented by Columbia Parks and Recreation, Columbia/Boone County

Health Department, Tiger Pilot Club, Youth Community Coalition and Small Time Skates.

The shop acts as host, activity-coordinator and promoter for Go Skateboarding Day. And Stander himself will pitch in for the entertainment. He’ll provide his iPod and sound system for the event.

And those who just can’t wait to “shred the nar” can head over to Cosmo Park on June 19. Pro skaters Kristian Svitak, Chad Knight, Ben Raybourn, Dan Nepscha and Greg Harbour of 1031 Skates will be skating and hosting a free barbeque and product toss as part of their Turn Up The Hell summer tour.

Stander has been skating for 22 years. Events like these that bring together the skateboarding community — both young and old — he said, are “a lot of fun and a way to give back.”