California is the birthplace of skateboarding, and KASSO Fest arrived in order to give the sport a new face. The Long Beach event highlights the flexibility of skateboarding as a still-young sport by putting legends and upstarts on the same footing – and in the water.
In the tradition of reality competition series such as Ninja Warrior and Takeshi’s Castle, KASSO creates elaborate skate courses and challenges competitors to conquer them for prizes. It is fitting, then, that KASSO is also the brainchild of Tokyo Broadcasting Service, the same company behind those other game shows. This time around, though, Tokyo Broadcasting Service has loftier goals: early global expansion.
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These goals include the arrival of KASSO Fest in Long Beach. This was KASSO’s first event outside of Japan, combining multiple new courses with musical performances from acts like The Mainliners and La Russell. Skilled skaters from all backgrounds competed in courses throughout that tested their variety of skills. By surviving each move, the competitors moved closer to a $10,000 payday. On top of that, they had the opportunity for bonuses for mastery.
Skateboarding competitors felt the heat with major cash prizes looming.
The Long Beach Downhill challenged speed and quick thinking. One portion of the course, lovingly called Mount Fuji, forced sharp reflexes in order to navigate, or skaters risked losing their boards. After the downhill came the viral RailCoaster. This part of the course involved 85 feet of round rails with curves and turns designed to send slaters into a pool of water. Adding to the pressure was the tantalizing $5,000 for 100% completion; unfortunately, no one hit that goal.
Another dip in the pool awaited those who couldn’t conquer the Grasshopper. This course gave skaters the video game treatment by asking them to jump across eight platforms.
The top three skaters from both days then took on the final challenge in the Million Jump. With a half-pipe leading across the event stage itself as a lead-up, the skaters attempted to clear a massive, rising wall. Success would lead to that cool $10k, and New York’s Jiro Platt managed to do just that.
KASSO Fest is an event designed to bring the community together.
Platt’s triumphant win isn’t the only highlight. As hosts Selema Masekela and Boo Johnson put it multiple times throughout the event, KASSO is the “great equalizer.” The lineup of the skaters competing came from all corners of the community. The eclectic lineup included veterans who have decades of experience under their belts along with young Olympians performing at the same level. KASSO Fest was, no doubt, a feast for skate fans.
Long Beach’s diverse community definitely showed up in a big way for KASSO Fest. Enthusiasts for the sport of all ages crowded around each stage, cheering on their favorites as they tackled the impressive courses. These same fans also enjoyed seeing the competitors take a dunk. KASSO Fest arriving in California makes a lot of sense considering the energy and atmosphere. And, according to TBS representative Azusa Kawamura, this won’t be the last time. “We want to travel around,” Kawamura said about the festival. “Of course, the US and other cities…We want to spread KASSO into the world.”
Thanks to a reasonable price – KASSO Fest was only $99 a day – a growing social media footprint, and even a slick mobile game that, the future of KASSO is looking strong. So strong that Tokyo Broadcasting Service has already confirmed that KASSO Fest will return in the future, in fact. Expect to see a lot more RailCoaster clips online as KASSO continues its global growth.
