https://cinemabmx.com/

The Secret Of Spot Preservation - etnies get legal at the L.A. Courthouse

An Interview with John Povah

5 Mar 2021

Etnies La Courthouse Sm 3

Chapters Photos by Sam McGuire; Images courtesy of Official DIG Partner: etnies

Years ago while staying in L.A. for a few days, I was randomly cruising around downtown and stumbled upon the courthouse. Viewing such an iconic spot in person for the first time with your own eyes was such an awe-inspiring moment. They were absolutely stunning, and both larger and steeper than I had envisioned. I got a few hits on them before I was hastily told to move on by the building security, but it was a moment I'll never forget. It's one of those objects you wish you could have free reign on, even if it was just for ten minutes.

Thanks to etnies securing a permit to ride there over two days, Chase Hawk, Tom Dugan, Ryan Sheckler, and friends got to shred the iconic L.A. Courthouse for a few hours with no chance of getting the boot a few years ago. They got to live the dream I and countless others have had. We asked John Povah, who helped coordinate the sessions, and has some history there himself riding there around three decades ago, a few questions about how it came to be.

This Scott Towne quote from Least Most probably sums it up best:

"Is it the longest running secret spot? Always been a bust. Maybe that’s the secret to preservation."

- RD

Etnies La Courthouse Sm 2

How did the L.A. Courthouse session come about?

I remember, around the time, we had heard somewhere that the Courthouse was getting torn down at some point and figured they might be a little more open than usual to let something like this happen. So, what the heck, let’s give it a try and get in there to do the shoot ….. And it happened!!

Initially, it was a one-day shoot for Sheckler for a Marana shoe promo, he wanted to kickflip this gap from the Courthouse upper level, over the sidewalk into the street, and there was also some allotted time to shoot the rest if the skate team, and also get some clips for a Chase Hawk Marana colorway shoe promo he was working on. The day was awesome, and we got everything we needed. But, Manzoori re-read the contract and saw that there was a clause that stated, if we didn’t get all the shots the brand needed on the one-day shoot, that we could come back at another time, within the next month or so, for a few hours to do some pick-up / final shots. So, we just lied and said that we needed to get some final shots that we didn’t get from the previous shoot. It all worked out and scheduled for when a good chunk of the team dudes were in town for the US Open in Huntington Beach so they could get to ride it also. It was pretty wild being there, legally. We even had traffic cops holding traffic at one point while Sheckler was gapping into the street, it was nuts, and also kind of empowering.

What was the process of getting a permit like?

To shoot ANYTHING in LA you first have to go through a company called “Shoot LA”. They can then find out if shooting at a specific location is even feasible. From there, once the “yay” (or nay), they then help with the paperwork, permitting, insurance etc., and the money end of things … Yeah, if you have money, you can pretty much shoot anywhere. It wasn’t as difficult as we thought it would be. It was a few grand to shoot there, if I remember correctly.

Etnies La Courthouse Sm 1

How long was the window to ride there?

A full 8 hours the first time, I think. And 3 or 4 for the (so called) pick up shots. Ha ha ha.

Did building security have any good comments about people trying to ride and skate there?

From what I remember, from the days shooting this stuff, they would just say how many times that they would have to chase skaters/bikers out over the years, but honestly started caring a little less knowing that the building was coming down at some point.

With having free reign to ride it, what were the reactions from everyone being able ride there without getting the boot quickly?

Somewhat surreal I think, we’re all so used to getting kicked out of places, but because of the limited window of time, it seemed a little rushed honestly. Maybe the guys felt that way, but no one took it for granted or just sat around and chilled, everyone took advantage of it and were grateful for the opportunity to ride it.

Blyther Wilkerson La Couthouse

Brian Blyther and Ron Wilkerson, mid-80s over-under. Photo by Spike Jonze via the Wizard Pubs wastebasket.

It’s quite a historical spot, with photos of Bob Haro riding the spot back in the early 80s. How did everyone feel probably being the first ones to ever ride there legally?

No one took it for granted, let’s just say that!! I know one or two of the dudes had possibly been there in person, or even rebel-runned it before, but the majority hadn’t, and obviously seeing it in mags, in videos etc. over the decades, especially for guys who don’t live locally, or are from overseas like Ruben, Roey or Sergio, they were really fricking stoked !! Only the front of the building was accessible these shoot days, the rear was fenced off years ago. Myself, Keith Treanor and the P.O.W.s used to head up to L.A. pretty regularly to street ride, and the Courthouse was always on the list to hit. The whole building has trannies around it, and we would sneak around the back, where security couldn’t see you, and we used to ride there without too much hassle. But over the years, because only the front is accessible now, right in front of the main entrance where security sits, it became much more of a bust, and even heightened its legendary status, I think. It’s more of a one-hit and run these days. And, in all honesty, it’s not as easy or perfect to ride as you might imagine, it’s hard to get lines, and / or speed. It’s especially rough for skating, it's like skating on cobblestones.

Bob Haro, Action Now Magazine, April 1981. Photos by James Cassimus. Image via snakebitebmx.com

Jess Dyrenforth, from the pages of Go The Riders Manual, July 1991. Photos by Spike Jonze - Gif via snakebitebmx.com

Related Video

"ISN'T THIS SPOT A BUST?!" - CHASE HAWK - ETNIES CHAPTERS L.A. COURTHOUSE SESSION

With Tom Dugan, Joe Rich, Ruben Alcantara and Matt Roe - More Info

Related Video

CHASE HAWK - ETNIES CHAPTERS RECALL - DIG BMX

Reminiscing about the roasting... - More Info

In conjunction with our Official DIG Partners etnies.com

Next

SETUPS: KEIRYO KUDO

And his Wethepeople Utopia

Related Content

Etnies Chapters Elino Kc  W9 A9485

Etnies Chapters - Escaping El Niño

Luckily as BMXers we are used to dealing with a variety of elements from cold long winters, capped rails, glass, and cops.

20 May 2016
Manzoori Bmx Interview Portugal 02 Rd

Split Personality: Mike Manzoori On Being A Skate Filmer In BMX

"I didn’t have to film random bike guys; I just cut to the chase and filmed some of the best in the world"

16 Nov 2016
Reynolds Bmx Etnies T1 Ramp Austin 2

Last Days Of The T-1 Ramp Part 5: Clint Reynolds

Clint reflects on his time riding the wooden paradise of Deah...

7 Sep 2016
Chase Hawk Los Angeles Ca 112014 Sm

Diary Of A Skate Photographer

Sam McGuire On Shooting Etnies Chapters

12 Sep 2017
Dig Bmx Etnies Kc Aw 10

Meat Sweats - etnies in Kansas City

Home from home in KC

26 Sep 2017
Dig Bmx Etnies Vancouver Aw 38

Freak Out: Devon Smillie in Vancouver

"...I really say a lot of shit I don't mean"

1 Dec 2016
Dig99 5 Aw Aaron Ross Aw 14

RE PRINT: LONG GAME - The Aaron Ross DIG interview

"I FEEL LIKE BMX WAS MY WAY OF SHOWING WHAT WAS IN MY HEAD."

29 Jun 2017
Nathan Williams Pushing

etnies Chapters - A New Generation

Anticipating The Third Era

18 Aug 2017
Dig Chapters In The Cut
Play Button

etnies 'Chapters' Berrics Premiere - IN THE CUT

Behind the scenes with Dehart, Dugan, Nathan and More....

22 Aug 2017
Benny L By Fooman 110

Ben Lewis - Life After LIfe

Dealing with Parenthood as a Pro Rider

4 Jun 2018
Dig Bmx Etnies Vancouver Aw 6
Play Button

NATHAN WILLIAMS - ETNIES CHAPTERS RECALL - DIG BMX

Flashbacks to all those non-stop hammers...

5 Feb 2021
http://www.divisionbrand.com/news/

Latest Content

S Zf M M Bvtqchqdefault
Play Button

SHUFFLE | Odyssey BMX

Filmed throughout California, Washington, Nevada, Texas, and South Africa

21 Feb 2025
V Hd Ay0w0m Uhqdefault
Play Button

ISAIAH JOHNSON - LR2: CHICAGO BLUES

Fully Roasted

21 Feb 2025
E3 Xvdd z TG8hqdefault
Play Button

Source BMX: Jason Watts Bike Check 2025

"A rear end like a limousine"

21 Feb 2025
Lj8 H47 RT Sc Mhqdefault
Play Button
Tailwhipping parallel thumbnail final
Play Button

TAILWHIPPING PARALLEL - KRISTS KANUKS

Behind That Huge Whip

19 Feb 2025
TIN LIZ Gyx Qhqdefault
Play Button

'Sonitum'

Turku, Finland

19 Feb 2025
8 PV4q GF6 UA0hqdefault
Play Button

THE QUEENZKIDZ DVD

Queens, NY

19 Feb 2025
Had Pue PU Yu Ihqdefault
Play Button

DAN BANKS - 'INNER CITY LIFE' | PROCEDURE

Mudhut Mashup

18 Feb 2025
Q Uc Kblh I2 V Uhqdefault
Play Button
U S8 Qyoj Ffg Uhqdefault
Play Button

SALUD BCN

Featuring Sergio Layos, Santiago Laverde, Ondra Leo & More

17 Feb 2025
Jg Myau Rhe V Ihqdefault
Play Button

2024 Batalla de Crews winning edits

Mexico represent

15 Feb 2025
A7 HQSFD Os6 Qhqdefault
Play Button

Julian Molina - MANO AMIGA

Unreal progression

14 Feb 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Snow Fight – Naoki Gaman2

20 Tips For Surviving Simple Session 2025

Check yourself before you wreck yourself!

20 Feb 2025
Simple screen 25

SIMPLE SESSION 25 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Highlight videos, schedules, results and more

19 Feb 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

18 Feb 2025
Stack

DIG BOOK #2024

AVAILABLE VIA THESE BIKE SHOPS AND DISTROS

30 Dec 2024
New dig apparel main image

NEW DIG BMX APPAREL

Available now

27 Dec 2024
30 YRS POSH BOOK MNTN V V 004

(Almost) 30 YEARS OF POSH WOODS

Now available for pre-order

24 Dec 2024
BSD Grime Safari Reed Stark Austin 6

Reed Stark - A Photo Safari

Safari Forever...

6 Dec 2024
Et FW24 Dig Magazine Collab Shoot 031

Introducing the DIG X ETNIES Collection

Celebrating a 25 year partnership

7 Nov 2024
24 photo comp web leader

THE 2024 DIG PHOTO COMP IS NOW LIVE!

OVER $1000 WORTH OF PRIZES UP FOR GRABS

15 Oct 2024
Greystoke issue 2

GREYSTOKE BMX MAGAZINE - ISSUE 2 OUT NOW

132 pages of tangible, hold-in-your-hands BMX print media.

11 Oct 2024
SUNDAY Silvawave Frame 3 Q web

PRODUCT DROP: Brett Silva's signature SUNDAY 'SILVAWAVE' frame

"It was only a matter of time before Brett got to call the shots."

26 Sep 2024
Osomatsu 4

SETUPS - Kazuei "Osomatsu" Oimatsu - ALIVE INDUSTRY

A Ben Lewis signature frame stacked with Animal parts

12 Sep 2024