Arcata’s skateboarding community is mourning the loss of one of its most beloved OGs.
Derek Russell, the longtime owner of AMPT Skate Shop on H Street, passed away on July 31 while on a camping trip with friends.
Derek opened AMPT in 2002 and spent the next twenty-plus years turning it into far more than just a skate shop.
The small storefront became a second home for skaters of all ages, a place to swap stories, get advice on gear, and feel part of something bigger.
Friends say Derek had a way of making every person who walked in feel welcome, whether they were there to grab a fresh deck or just hang out.
Following his passing, the shop temporarily closed while those closest to him took time to grieve. AMPT will reopen on a limited schedule in the coming week, with doors open Wednesday August 7, Friday August 9, and Sunday August 11 from noon to five in the afternoon.
Plans are also in place to honor Derek’s life with a memorial skate jam at Arcata Skatepark on Saturday August 10. Skaters are invited to come together, skate, and remember a man who poured so much of himself into the scene.
AMPT Skate Shop Posted:
"These words are difficult to write. Derek Russell, proud owner of Ampt Skateshop, passed away suddenly on 7/31. He was on the first night of a camping trip surrounded by friends.
Derek poured his heart and soul into Ampt. The shop is more than a store, it’s a community, a family. And Derek was at the center of that, making everyone feel welcome and making sure they had what they needed to rip.
Thank you for understanding as the shop has been closed while we grieve. In the short term, the shop will be back open Wednesday 8/6, Friday 8/8, and Sunday 8/10 from 12-5.
All Derek would want is for the shop to keep going, and we are doing everything we can to make that happen. We will post any updates here in the weeks ahead.
There will also be a memorial skate jam at Arcata Skatepark on Saturday 8/9. Come out and have fun for Derek ❤️"