By Matthew Becerra, January 27, 2026
Pro skater Ish Cepeda celebrated the launch of his new skateboard brand Gas Giants Jan. 16 with a skate jam hosted by Pawnshop Skate Co. at Covina Skatepark.
The event brought together local skaters, students, CPP Skate Club members and pros for a night of skating around the park, conversation, free food and a product toss from Cepeda’s sponsors.
The jam continued Pawnshop’s Flatbar Friday tradition, a weekly event that began the early 2010’s as a response to the lack of reliable skate spots in Pomona and Covina. It has since become a consistent space for the community to skate together.
Cepeda has been hosting skate jams for Gas Giants throughout the LA area since the start of 2026, including one at Neighbors Skate Shop in Leimert Park. These events mark a step forward for him and Gas Giants now being a board company means raising his costs, which he admitted was more than he thought and being stocked in more skate shops like Pawnshop, Neighbors, Marriage.
Gas Giants, which previously existed solely as a clothing line, officially entered the skate deck market following Cepeda’s departure from April Skateboards in 2025.
Cepeda said partnering with Pawnshop Skate Co. felt natural for Cepeda, as he has long felt welcomed by the shop and its surrounding skate community. He credited Pawnshop employee Nate Alton as one of the reasons he continues to show up for events in the area.
“Every time I pull up, there’s always love over here,” Cepeda said.
As skaters cycled through the park’s obstacles, the atmosphere remained relaxed and inclusive with pros and locals interacting with one another.
Ryan Carrell, a friend of Cepeda and Pawnshop team rider said his favorite part of the event was being able to skate with and see a mix of friends like Cepeda and other pro’s who drove from Los Angeles, as well as get to meet members of the community he hasn’t met before
“He’s a really cool dude, I lowkey flopped my trick but it was really funny” Johnson said referring to Henry who’s skating has influenced his own style on the board.
The bowl became a focal point later in the night during the free product toss that included Gas Giants apparel, pieces from a Guess collaboration and skateboards.
Images: Cepeda and Pawnshop employees tossing product into the bowl after Cepeda set a board aside for a kid he promised one to. Attendees in the bowl jumped on top of one another,diving on the floor for loose products.
“Everybody in the bowl just going crazy,” Cepeda said. “It was lit.”
For many attendees, the highlight of the night was being able to skate alongside friends and familiar faces. Ryan Paja, founder of the Cal Poly Pomona Skate Club, said the event reflected the bond within the Pomona and Covina skate community.
For other CPP students, the jam served as extra motivation. Nolen Johnson, a marketing student, said the supportive environment pushed him to try new tricks.
“My favorite part was finally committing to the 50-50 down the hubba,” Johnson said. “Someone hit it right before me, and it gave me the courage to go for it.”
The event also drew newcomers like Joseph Mulqueen, who recently moved to the area from Ohio. Mulqueen said the Pomona and Covina skate scene stood out immediately in comparison to his hometown.
“The community is super cool,” Mulqueen said. “Everybody’s chill and encouraging.”
Pawnshop Skate Co., which has locations in Covina and Pomona, continues to play a central role in fostering that environment according to Paja. The Inland Empire-based shops support the CPP skate club and sponsor individual skaters who attend campus.
Carrell said watching the brand take shape was well deserved, and seeing Gas Giants through community-focused events felt fitting.
“He represents the people and gives back,” Carrell said. “I’m happy he’s starting all this for himself.”
As the night came to a close, skaters continued rolling through the park, talking and filming even after the event officially ended.
