If you ask skaters in Twentynine Palms and the Morongo Basin, they’ll tell you that Dann Rothwell and the Escapade Skate Crew have significantly boosted skateboarding in the area over the past few years.
I met Dann during Go Skate Day in 2025 at Lucky Park Skate Park. This event is all about skating and getting people on skateboards. It happens in June, and the weather can be anything from cool to scorching hot.
This year, to attract more skaters when the weather is nice, Dann and his crew teamed up with the city’s Parks & Recreation Department to launch the first Spring Skate Jam at Luckie Park this Sunday.
“We want to create seasonal events that feel like community gatherings,” Dann explained. “We’re bringing in Pastel Skateboards from Lake Elsinore, which has a team of 12 pros for skating demos—like the old-school skate demos.”
While it won’t be a competition, there will be giveaways and product tosses, celebrating skating without the usual competitive pressure.
The event will feature a vendor market with 15 local businesses, plus food trucks. There’ll be coffee and donuts from Mean Jeans Beans and Shube’s Donuts, Louisiana Fried Chicken, and traditional Jamaican barbecue from Alchemist Kitchen.
For the skate demo, Pastel Skate will collaborate with the Escapade Team at Lucky Skate Park. The Escapade Team released their first video at Go Skate Day last year, and they continue to grow.
“Despite a fluctuating population because of the nearby Marine base, our core team is about ten strong, joined by six or seven younger skaters representing us,” Dann said. “In total, we expect over 30 skaters.”
While the skate park will be reserved for demos from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, it’ll be open to all skaters before that. Dann encourages anyone interested in skating to join in any day. “You’ll see local skaters and kids helping each other out. We’re working hard to build community here.”
Dann, who has a new baby, adds, “Even with life changes, we’re committed to organizing events to grow our skate scene.”
The inaugural Spring Skate Jam is set for this Sunday at Luckie Park. The vendor market opens at 3:00 PM, and the skate demo begins at 5:00 PM. It’s a free event, so feel free to bring your skateboard and connect with local skaters.
For more information, you can visit Escapade’s website or check out their Instagram.
