Words: Shane Azar
On Saturday we ran the last Australian qualifier for the Wild In the Parks Championship at Eaglehawke skate park just out of Bendigo.
With the sun out and temperatures reaching 35 degrees, it was a hot and skin burning day. The locals all came down and shared in the fun games and exciting skating.
The 15 & Under division was a great comp to watch. Some really good talent is coming up over the next couple of years. As always there can only be 3 to qualify for the champs and here we had Paddy Mcavoy in 3rd place. Paddy was skating really good all day and really made it hard for the 2 in front of him to stay there. 2nd place went to little Sam Atkins. Sam killed it all day with a clean style and solid tricks, but not to be out done, Dean Johnston stepped it up a notch and was landing tricks consistently on every obstacle in the park. he has a mean back smith and crooks!
The girls division was a different pace, but they put on a great show and looked like they had more fun than the boys, that’s for sure! 3rd place we had Grace Robertson who cruised around the park with a surf like nature and then 2nd place we had the precocious Rhianna Arnold who even used a female prop for one of her tricks. This got the crowd going and then 1st was Esther Godoy who had tricks on the flat bar and tranny. Well done girls!
Electrics Volt thrower move of the day went to one Max Couling for his Nollie Heel Nose-slide down the massive hubba.
Then the 16 & Overs! In the 16’s it was hard to break it down to a final heat. The competition was very tight in this group. 3rd place we had the smooth style of Alex Carroll, in 2nd place we had Josh Greene who really made it hard for Chris who came in 1st. both Chris Christopher and Josh we constantly landing tricks on all obstacles in the park. these guys all looked like mates and had a lot of fun with the final heat.
It was a great day had by all, thanks to everyone for coming down and stay tuned for the WITP Champs at Canberra’s Belconnen skate park on May 5th.
The last qualifier will be held at Aucklands Barry Curtis skate park on March 17th.
