26 Jun Sk8THeD8Again!
Youth celebrate ‘Go Skateboarding Day’ at Dededo Skate park
“Cheesebread” performs a trick Sunday, June 21, 2009 during the “Game of Fokai” competition portion of the Skate the Date: A Go Skateboarding Day Event at Santa Barbara Skate Park in Dededo. Photos by Matt Weiss
ededo Skate Park.
According to SK8 Guam president Jon Jose, despite being on Fathers Day, nearly 50 competitors showed up to battle in two events for bragging rights and prizes. “Everyone enjoyed themselves and everyone who participated walked away with some sort of prize,” Jose told the Variety. “It stayed true to the spirit of ‘Go Skateboarding Day.’ The love of skateboarding made the event a success.”
To start the competition, youth skaters tested their luck in the Poker Run, which was a free-for-all event where skaters had to hit five spots around the skatepark area. After skating for 10 minutes at each spot, each skater was awarded a playing card from a full deck. After the fifth spot the skaters gathered their cards and turned them in to see who had the best poker hand.
Mario Espinosa had the best luck and took the win with a three of a kind aces.
“The event was intended to even out the playing field, due to the fact that this event required no skill. It also gave those who never won a skateboarding event, a chance to actually win,” said Jose.
Later in the night, skaters jumped back into ‘the grind’ to battle in the Game of Fokai, to the satisfaction of the nearly one-hundred spectators watching anxiously on from the surrounding fence. Unlike the first event, skill was a necessary prerequisite for competitors.
Proceeding a heated battle between the youth tricksters, Josh Mills was crowned ‘king of the park’ after using a variety of heel-flip variations to earn the win.
Jon Sumbang used a combination of of shuvit and pressure flip-tricks to take the second spot.
Jon Sumbang pulls off an Aerial-flip Sunday, June 21, 2009 during the “Game of Fokai” competition portion of the Skate the Date Go Skateboarding Event at Santa Barbara Skate Park in Dededo. Sumbang captured 2nd place.
Third place went to Julio Canovas.
Along with SK8 Guam, the following companies joined forces to make the event possible: DV8 Boardshop, DNA Evolution, Fokai Industries, Monster Energy Drink, In4mation, Vans, Darkstar, Enjoi, Almost, Globe, Toy Machine, Foundation, The Department of Parks and Recreation and the Dededo Mayor’s Office.
“This was our sixth event of 2009, and there are more to come,” emphasized Jose. “We are looking at doing more events that are aimed at educating the public about skateboarding, and the positive things that can come out of it.”
SK8 Guam’s main mission is to positively promote skateboarding on Guam, as well as increase the skill level of the skateboarders on island.
“We plan to do this by continuing to throw contests and clinics.” explained Jose. “We are also working on bringing professional skateboarders to do demos and workshops. Another goal is to send our local skateboarders off-island to compete.”
To join SK8 Guam, visit DV8 Boardshop in Tumon. Membership includes a T-shirt, a 10% discount at DNA Evolution and its affiliated stores, and discount for all competition fees. Members will also receive email reminders about all upcoming events.