Pics will be on the
Ukskate Park Myspace site Shortly
To say we were nervously anticipating the competitions we’d organised at our indoor skatepark, which happen to fall on the hottest weekend of the year would be an understatement. We opened our doors at 12 noon on Saturday ready for the rollerblading jam. Finally, and predictably late, the place was taken over by an army of rollerbladers. We had rollerbladers from all over including some of the best in the country show up to battle. These included USD and Ukskate team riders Steve Swain and recovering from injury, Nick Lomax, who have both recently returned from touring in France. Everyone in all age groups skated hard and fast. In the under 13 competition we had young lads Jake Waigh and Harry Fernell showing us all what the future holds in this sport, both consistently landing tricks with smooth style beyond their years. The open competition featured some of the most impressive skating on the day from Sammy Brookfield and Rob Dalton. Skaters and spectators alike were more than impressed with the expert competition, which featured a final showdown on the rail between Steve Swain, Scott Hallows and Aaron Turner. The youngster’s jaws were dropping in awe as Swain landed what were previously thought impossible tricks one after another and deservedly took the win.
Sunday morning saw the start of the skateboarding competition where the competitive element was obviously present making for some hard skating from everyone. Ukskate-park local and Distance team rider Ben Rowles proved himself by walking away with the win in the open contest. In the expert category top Manchester skaters John Bell, Eddie Belvedere, Dave Monoghan and Stu Reynolds were showing the kids what is possible on a board. Eddie and Stu tore apart the park in style. Casual skateboards and Note rider John Bell impressed the judges early on with a huge gap, dropping into a questionably unstable barrier close to the roof into a ramp. He landed this on his third attempt and the crowd’s reaction could have been heard streets away.
Once the skateboarders had left the building we prepared for the BMX competition. After an early collision in the under 13 round for Lewis Hampton he was taken to hospital, and we can report that he has no broken bones and will be riding again soon. Once the chaos was resolved we got the contest under way. Jamie Johnson, Carnell Mitchel, Mike Upton and Barney Jones were without doubt the most impressive riders on the course. The contest was close between Jamie and Carnell throughout. Carnell made the crowd nervous as he dropped off the top of the huge wall ride in to a ramp 8 ft below, however it was Jamie that came through with the win after some huge airs, big flips and a ridiculously clean 720 spin over our spine ramp.
One ambulance, 300 people, countless incomprehensible tricks, and more sweat shed than in a crammed sauna, the weekend was a success and we owe it to everyone that skated hard and showed up to watch.
None of this would have been possible without our sponsors so we’d like to thank Slazenger S1 energy drink, Vimto, Freshfast, Valo, USD, Razors, Alchemy, Ucon clothing, Dirt Box clothing, Roces, Ground Control, 4x4, Vans, Harmony, Plan B, Karma, Element, Jart, Indy, Toy Machine, Death, Distance, Spitfire, Enuff, Fracture, Animal, Fit, United, Note and CAST skate shops, Kingdom Magazine, Sidewalk and Ride BMX Magazine. We hope to see you all at our next Christmas jam. For more information on the skatepark, skate shop or any sports covered please visit ukskate.com or myspace.com/ukskate_park_stockport or call us on 0161 248 5566.
Results:
Rollerblading Results:
Expert/ Over 18 comp: 1st - Steve Swain (Ukskate, USD, B-Unique, Kizer, Stygma, Shifty)
2nd - Aaron Turner
3rd - Scott Hallows (Ukskate)
Open/ U18 comp: 1st - Cheeseface (Rob Dalton)
2nd - Sammy Brookfield
3rd - Johnny Quale
Under 13: 1st - Jake Waigh
2nd - Harry Fernell
3rd - Ben Forbes
Skateboard Results:
Expert/ Over 18 comp: 1st - John Bell (Casual Skateboards, Oakley, Adio, Note)
2nd - Stu Reynolds
3rd - Eddie Belvedere (Jart skateboards)
Open/ U18 comp: 1st - Ben Rowles (Distance skateboards)
2nd - Simon Toft
3rd - Reece (Distance skateboards)
Under 13: 1st - Matthew Kelly
2nd - Jonny Draper
3rd - Josh Berzins
BMX Results: Best Trick: Jamie Johnson took the best trick with a huge 720 over the spine.
Expert/ Over 18 comp: 1st - Jamie Johnson
2nd - Carnell Mitchel
3rd - Barney Jones
Open/ U18 comp: 1st - Conor Johnson
2nd - Luke Watson
Under 13: 1st - Fred Keyte
2nd - Conor Wadsworth
3rd - Oliver Marky
