UK FRIDAY SKATE COMP!

The rumble of heavy metal filled the air and the sun blazed relentless down on us as we stood atop the beastly Snickers Bowl: 15 feet of pure hellride with hips, pockets and an extension platform for pleasure. Or pain…

The weekend kicked off early with UK Friday - 24 hours dedicated to homegrown UK vert and bowl  talent. A full line up of the best British skaters took turns to impress the judges, and win a place in the weekend’s pro comp.

The crowd were hyped to see little kids like Paul Luc or Sam Beckitt battle it out with heavy hitters like Lee Blackwell, Mark Munson, Trawler, Andy Scott and many more.

The veterans were there too, with Sean Goff leading the charge and a lone Scotsman, Div Adams risking life and limb as he sped around the corners with no pads at all! Div’s wreckless style won praise from the guest judges for the event, skate legends Tony Alva and Christian Hosoi. The red-haired devil was so stoked he managed to ollie up and off the immense extension first go!

However, as the day drew its course, the real test was going to be between the old-skool and the new-skool. With at least 10 more years experience under his helmet, Jim the Skin tested the youth with his flawless inverts, fastplants and his legendary lien to tails. Lee Blackwell also put on a good show, flying higher than anyone else all weekend.

But due to inconsistencies, the older generation had to step down and watch the brilliance of 13 year old Sam Beckitt as he spun huge 540s and frontside rodeos to victory. Sam is the future of ramp riding in Britain, and was a crowd favourite all the way through the weekend and he won UK Friday hands down!

Big thanks to all of the UK riders present and also the UK Skateboard Association for judging it, go to www.ukskate.org.uk for all info.