VOLCOM COMPETITIONS: May 2010

So we just held the Volcom Wild In The Parks Champs for 2010! With weather in shambles as we arrived, it was lucky the event went ahead at all. But with a lot of work from the Volcom team, with sweeping water off the park and drying it with shirts, the event went ahead by 11:30am.

With the sun finally out, so came the people. The crowd was huge by midday, so we got the games a going! This year we had the Volcom to Paradise theme. To go with the theme we had Pass The Pineapple, Pineapple Put Off and Coconut Bowling.

Pineapple mid flight

Pineapple pizza for lunch

Nathen trew. Style and flair!

This was by far the best year I have seen for woman’s skating. With many of the girls traveling from Perth and Adelaide, it really shows their commitment to skating. All girls threw down on Saturday, but it was the top 3 we were after, and that was Sarah Hewitt in 3rd. Sarah showed great consistency with backside flips on the bank and kickies down the 3.In 2^nd, we had Jennifer Oakes, who killed it all day with dope one footers and back 180’s down the 6 stairs. This left 1^st place to Kat Williams. Kat was consistent and stylish, she shows a lot of control on the board and that’s why she was 1^st for the 2^nd year running.

Well done to all the girls!

The 15 & under were insane. I swear these kids are getting better every year. The top 3 here could have gone in the opens, with such style and variety. In 3^rd we had Anthony Davie. Anthony is a 15 year old, with a mans style and a trick selection t boot. He nailed switch biggies every shot down the 6 all day! Along with a lot more tricks, he was definitely a threat from the get go. In 2^nd we had last years winner Nik Stipanovic. Nick had more switch trick than any other of that division, but just could keep up the consistency towards the end of the finals. This left it to Dani Campbell for the Win. Dani was one of the smallest competitors for the day, but his maturity on board shone through. He was what we call a skaters, skater. With a diverse bag of tricks, and the ability to take them to all the obstacles, he was great to watch, and fully deserved 1^st place.

Front Lip

Switch flip. Harry Clarck

Kicky Front Board. Jake Smyth

Harry Holding on, while Jake evacuates

Then it came to the big boys! This division is what always gets the blood pumping. This year was definitely tough for the judges. A big shout out is in order for Nathan Trew. Nath didn’t make the finals, but was a crowd favourite all day. He skates like a man having more fun in the sun than anyone Iv'e seen in a long time! Keep the passion Nath!

But what we all came to see was who could take the 1^st place prize, of the trip to America! With so many good skaters in the event, it was hard to even cut down into a final heat. But in the end it was Manly local Jake Smyth in 3^rd. Jake has the buttery smooth style that has had him in the finals for the past 3 years. He is a force to be reckoned with at these events, and a future hopeful for a win. In 2^nd place we had, Alex Powell. Alex is a Sydney local who skates with amazing style and a dope trick selection. At the start of the day he wasn’t sure if he was going to enter, due to an injury to his shoulder. But after a few mates got him hyped, he stepped out onto the course and demolished it. Can’t wait to see what he can do next year, if he can pull 2^nd with an injured shoulder. In 1^st place we had Perth ripper Harry Clark. Harry has placed top 3 for the past few years as well, and I couldn’t be happier to see him take it out. Harry skates that park like no other. With lines flowing from all over, and manuals to places no one else would dare.