Rooney Walker, 6, center, rides her board at the Ramps and Amps event on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Dana Point. The daylong event featured a skateboard park set up in the street, live music, half pipe and BMX exhibitions. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The crowds showed up to watch skaters and BMX riders showcase their skills at the annual Ramps & Amps in Dana Point on Saturday, Aug. 16, an event that continues to grow each year.
The event brought pro skaters to take on a 14-foot half pipe, launching their boards and bodies above the ramp’s lip into the air, while BMX riders showcased their talents on the bikes.
Beau Wilkinson, 11, of Capistrano Beach rides his board up on to a picnic table at the Ramps and Amps event on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Dana Point. The daylong event featured a skateboard park set up in the street, live music, half pipe and BMX exhibitions. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Spectators watch as a skateboarder gets some air on the half pipe at the Ramps and Amps event on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Dana Point. The daylong event featured a skateboard park set up in the street, live music, half pipe and BMX exhibitions. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Coco Phillips, 11, of Dana Point rides her board over a ramp at the Ramps and Amps event on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Dana Point. The daylong event featured a skateboard park set up in the street, live music, half pipe and BMX exhibitions. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Beau Wilkinson, 11, of Capistrano Beach turns his board on a ramp at the Ramps and Amps event on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Dana Point. The daylong event featured a skateboard park set up in the street, live music, half pipe and BMX exhibitions. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Riley Walker, 8, rides her board at the Ramps and Amps event on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Dana Point. The daylong event featured a skateboard park set up in the street, live music, half pipe and BMX exhibitions. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A skateboarder gets some air on the half pipe at the Ramps and Amps event on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Dana Point. The daylong event featured a skateboard park set up in the street, live music, half pipe and BMX exhibitions. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Skateboard enthusiasts pass by various vendors at the Ramps and Amps event on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Dana Point. The daylong event featured a skateboard park set up in the street, live music, half pipe and BMX exhibitions. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Rooney Walker, 6, center, rides her board at the Ramps and Amps event on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Dana Point. The daylong event featured a skateboard park set up in the street, live music, half pipe and BMX exhibitions. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Wes Phillips, 9, of Dana Point rides his board along a rail at the Ramps and Amps event on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Dana Point. The daylong event featured a skateboard park set up in the street, live music, half pipe and BMX exhibitions. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Skateboard enthusiasts stop by one of the various vendors at the Ramps and Amps event on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Dana Point. The daylong event featured a skateboard park set up in the street, live music, half pipe and BMX exhibitions. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
1 of 10
Beau Wilkinson, 11, of Capistrano Beach rides his board up on to a picnic table at the Ramps and Amps event on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Dana Point. The daylong event featured a skateboard park set up in the street, live music, half pipe and BMX exhibitions. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
But the event – held in the beach town’s Doheny Village – wasn’t just for the pros. A street course was set up for the public, with young kids getting a few hours to enjoy the course before the bigger kids took over.
The free community event brought out a live DJ and bands through the day, and this year teamed up with Redo Market organizer Randy Hild, who brought several booths in to add a mix of vintage retail to the event. Food trucks and drink vendors were also on hand.
The idea behind the event is to bring life into the Doheny Village area, an industrial part of town that has auto shops and manufacturing businesses.
The main draw, the half pipe shows, are mind blowing, Hild said.
“To see someone on a 14-foot halfpipe, no matter who you are, if you’ve never skated or are a pro skater, you’re in awe,” he said.
While the town is known for its surf history, it also has a rich skate culture.
“There’s a skate culture that’s tied in and around our culture,” he said.
