MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Though Southern Californians may receive arguments from their Floridian cohorts on which location is the king of skateboarding in the United States, but there is little doubt when it comes to deciding who is the emperor of shred in Japan -- or Asia for that matter.
That's because Action Sports Park Okayama, located about 200 kilometers from the station in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, is the largest and most renowned skateboard park in all of Asia.
"Most people stationed in Iwakuni have no idea that the best skateboarding in Asia is just a couple hours up the road," said Randy Ellison, an Iwakuni Marine and former Pro-Am skateboarder from Jacksonville, Fla. "The Japanese brought in Americans to build it and it was completed in August of 2001. You can tell they definitely didn't spare any expenses. ASPO is state of the art all the way."
It's also, apparently, not just for skateboarders.
"It's great for both children and adults," said Charles Daily, an Iwakuni Marine who recently took his 12-year-old son Jake to ASPO along with six of Jake's friends for his son's birthday. "They've got rollerblading, a snowboard ramp, rock climbing, rappelling, basketball, in-line hockey and biking. It's just a great place to take the family and interact with the locals."
Those locals, however, might not be so local after all.
"I've met people from all over Japan at ASPO," said Ellison, who regularly takes Iwakuni Marines to the park. "They've got skateboard parks in Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe, but people from those cities still make the trek to ASPO because it's simply the best of it's kind over here."
Colin Cooper, an Iwakuni Marine and skateboard enthusiast, said he couldn't agree more.
"There's no doubt in my mind that ASPO has the best skateboarding facility in Japan," said Cooper. "It's a huge facility and it's impossible to get bored there because there is so much to do. Tired maybe, but bored never."
Patrons can either bring their own boards and bikes to ASPO, or can rent them at the facility. Admission is 800 yen for an all day ticket for those 14 years of age and under, and 1,400 yen for an all day adult ticket.
"It's a great feeling catching air on the half-pipes at ASPO," said Ellison. "Even though I'm not competing any more, I still get that same thrill when I hit a jump just right."
"Skate or die," added Cooper, repeating the legendary skateboarders creed. "Skate or die."