Tricks a treat for spectators

KEATON KAPA

It was a fantastic day in the sun for the Surely Shred Skate Competition at Alfred Cox Skate Park on Saturday.

With 45 skateboarders entered, a bumper crowd of spectators witnessed a wide variety of gnarly and unique tricks.

With the youngest competitor just four years old and the adults “throwing down” tricks some locals had only ever imagined were possible, the crowd went wild for every personal accomplishment.

A high level of skateboarding was also evident in the age-grade divisions from several of the competitors.

The day was organised by Surely Skate, a local women’s skate collective, and was attended by several other chapters of women skate group members from around the country.

“I got to watch this year so my main highlight would be seeing it all come together and seeing how the skate community has grown over the past two years,” organiser Sophee Hills said.

“Momo (Vera Steffen) and Tim (Oppolzer) both going down the stairs — I’ve never seen that done before at the park.

“I’ve made friends for life just through skating.”

Auckland-based Georgina Matthews took out the women’s division and $1000, landing a massive frontside 50-50 grind and backside boardslide before following it up in her next run by adding a 180-degree spin out of the 50-50.

In the men’s division, local skateboarder Kimo Ngata took home the epic first-place trophy, handmade from broken skateboards by the Surely Skate group, and $1000.

The men had a different format, with a four-minute jam session with all the skaters.

Ngata was the most consistent, landing several difficult tricks, including a gigantic gap to 50-50 grind over the pyramid feature.

Results —

Under-13 girls: Aaliyah Heenan 1, Yeva Butler 2, Aaliyah Iwikau 3.

U13 boys: Dante Temara 1, Gabriel Temara 2, Momo Vera Steffen 3.

14-17 girls: Jeslyn Clyde 1, Jess Wilson 2, Asia Braithwaite 3.

14-17 boys: Jonte Greening 1, Taiaha Nicholls 2, Thomas Cottrell 3.