A few weekends ago we headed up to the Timaru Skatepark at Caroline Bay for a competition that Soul Surf & Skate were holding.

When we arrived just before ten, which is early for a skateboarding event, the place was busy, I hadn’t realized that skateboarding was that popular in this area last time I went through. As time went on I noticed all the usual keen skaters mostly in the 16 and Under category that had traveled like ourselves from quite a distance. Good to see our friends from Temuka, and Ashburton. I knew this was going to be quite a good competition and the standard was going to be high. As the morning progressed the tents were set up, the sound system arrived, and the visitors and locals practised. The older guys in the Open section started to arrive and finally all the ABC crew and entourage were there and the comp started. It was a Jam format onto two one and a half minute run final, best run wins. Quite a good format for a comp and one I am increasingly thinking is good for local comps, as it encourages skaters with little experience at competition skating to give it a go and get some experience at skating in front of a crowd.

The 16 and Under Section was probably the fullest. It had a large amount of competitors with the standard being high. I didn’t realize how good the skaters around Timaru, Temuka and Ashburton had become.

Timaru Mash Up Comp – 16 & Under

The Open had fewer contestants, with Temuka skater Andrew Chunks Norton having an amazing run.

Best Trick was next. I think most of the Contestants were hucked out, but Billy Mclachlan from Temuka and Nick Bright from Dunedin rose to the occasion.

Timaru Mash Up Comp – Open and Best Trick

The product toss was awesome, they threw out so much product. Lots of people went home with new kicks and Ts. It was very enjoyable afternoon thanks to the efforts of Soul Surf & Skate and ABC.

A final chat to our friends then back in the car for the journey home, with a stop for a skate at Oamaru. This was the best part of the trip; a game of S-K-A-T-E in Oamaru against Charlie’s car. Some very suspect tricks went down. I think there will have to be a multipage contract defining which tricks are acceptable before the rematch takes place.

Some photos on the ABC blog of the tour at other places.

Tags: ABC, Andrew Chunks Norton, Billy Mclachlan, competition, demo, Nick Bright, Soul Surf & Skate, Timaru