Hernando Teen Organizes Skate Event

Billy Long would rather be riding his skateboard.

He is the head organizer of Saturday's skateboard event at Stewy Skate Park, having had to sit through hourlong meetings acquiring all the necessary permits and insurance.

All the 16-year-old could think about was getting back on that board, which he does mostly every day.

When you hear his father talk about his son, he believes he has shown a strong entrepreneurial streak. He has done far more in the past six weeks than daydream about half pikes and 360-degree spins.

"I pretty much wanted to do this because I love skateboarding and I've been skateboarding all my life," Long said.

This Saturday, he will be overseeing the biggest event ever held at the skate park, he said. Teams from Pensacola to Miami will take part in the competition, which will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 8 p.m. or later.

Long's enthusiasm for the most mainstream of extreme sports led him to open his own skateboard shop -Sand Storm Industries.

He is the owner of the business, which sells all types of skateboards and accessories. It is located at 5476 Spring Hill Drive.

He also saw an opportunity for more business success with two other stores - a Boost Mobile retailer and a packing ship store. He combined all three of them.

"He saw how profitable they were so he brought them in as well," said his father, Bobby Martini, who helped with some of the financing for both the business and the upcoming competition. "He had a big play in all of this."

Long used the same diverse approach when he recruited teams to compete in Saturday's event. He sent e-mails and letters to more than 150 shops across Florida inviting them to attend.

Five have confirmed while a few more are waiting for weather reports before they decide whether to make the trip, he said.

The skaters will be broken down into four age groups - 8 and younger, 9 to 12, 13 to 16 and 17 and older.

A deejay will be there from 11 a.m. to closing time and personalities from WXTB 98 Rock will broadcast from the park for a couple hours.

"I've been saving up money for a long time now," Long said about his preparation for the event.

The Springstead High School junior decided six weeks ago to move forward with it. He expects hundreds of kids to be there.

The sponsors include Coca-Cola, Boost Mobile, Monster Energy Drink and, of course, Sand Storm Industries.

For more information, call 754-4031.