The Hokianga Skate Competition, held on Saturday April 27, at Opononi Area School's skate park, attracted an estimated 200 spectators which has inspired organisers to continue their efforts to grow the event.
Local standouts included 17-year-old Levi Simmeon, and his younger cousin, 13-year-old Rangi, who skated with a broken wrist.The pair won first and second prize respectively with each receiving a new skateboard, while Ricki Young won the BMX section taking home $250 worth of prizes.
Other highlights on the day included a performance by world champion uni-cyclist, Christian Huriwai, a hip-hop dance-off with Portuguese dance instructor Rui Rodriquez, while Jessie Peters, manager of a North Shore skate shop, was MC for the day, and also bought his Ultimate Skate Shop Team along to film and be guest judges.
The event was organised by proactive local couple Jeremy and Louise Mitt. Jeremy said the pair were rapt to see the event growing year by year, noting they had established the competition four years ago with a vision to offer a positive focus for young people. He said he saw the event as a positive way to enrich the local community.
"I believe that as the word gets out about people caring for people it inspires and encourages others to also use their own gifts and talents to encourage and brighten their communities."
Extremely grateful for the increasing number of businesses supporting their initiative, and allowing them to offer up to $2,000 worth of prizes this year, the Mitts are now planning to raise the total prize pool by another $500. The primary sponsor of the Hokianga Skate Competition was the Christian organisation, Kingsfire Youth Group, and help from a variety of other sponsors.
