Skaters drop in

Skateboarding NZ pathways development manager Ian Neely and TAT member Shane Kingsbeer at the Alfred Cox skate-park. Picture by Paul Rickard

The national skateboard championships return to Gisborne’s Alfred Cox Skate-park for the second year in a row tomorrow.

It will be the first time the national champs have been able to hold all three major section finals at the same venue.

The event is co-organised by Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust (TAT) and Skateboarding New Zealand.

TAT member Shane Kingsbeer said it was another stamp of approval for the $2.6 million Alfred Cox skate-park.

While the national champs for park and street sections were held at the venue last year, this year sees the vert (vertical) section also taking place.

“There’s not another park in New Zealand that can host all three sections at the

same event.

“It’s all go, there’s the best skaters from New Zealand and Australia here.”

Skateboarding NZ pathways development manager Ian Neely said the skate-park was a “fantastic” venue.

“There’s a huge amount of support from the Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust and between them and us, it’s just a nice combination to carry on from last year’s event and run something special again.”

About 120 skaters are entered including Australian-based Kiwi Jett de Haan and last year’s third place park skater Felix Griffin and street skater Sam Allen, who is expected to be a contender in the street section, along with national female defending champion Jessica Reedy.

The vert section happening here for the first time has attracted a good contingent of skaters.

The three-day event, starts tomorrow and ends on Saturday.