SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER

The Ride Skateboard Association enjoyed its largest contest to date on Dec. 9 when 42 contestants and a huge crowd of spectators came out to see competition at Alabaster’s Veterans Skate Park.

The weather was perfect for skateboarding and the atmosphere was far more competitive than the previous three contests. Organizers says the skateboarders are growing far more serious about the competitions, which have resulted in the creation of &8220;local celebrity&8221; status.

The contest started with the GROM division and Kane Taylor with an impressive performance took home his fourth first Place trophy.

Next was the Open Boys Division and the competition was stiff. Ben Roper had two solid runs, but it was Rollie Kraus who came through with a big trick down the eight stair to clinch the victory.

Open J.R. Men&8217;s followed with the same intense runs. It was the biggest section of the contest consisting of 14- to 17-year-olds, alleager for the bragging rights at school!

Jeremiah Jones took the early lead with a great first run. Cameron Daniels, winner of the last contest, was very consistent with his airs and ollies – but it was park local Michael Smith who came away victor with stylish kickflips, big tricks on the stairs and deep-end grinds in the pool.

Open Men&8217;s Division was fast and furious and a fairly easy call with Justin Cruce pulling of a big nose grind down the round eight stair rail.

The Sponsored Divisions were a bit more intense, everyone wants to take home the big team trophy as well as their personal addition to their collection.

Sponsored Boys opened with great runs! Chris Coffman from Atlanta was flying out of the pool with frontside and backside airs. Alec Spinosi was hot on his trail with big grinds down the eight, ollies in the pool and a assortment of flip tricks in the freestyle area. Jason Salillas and Spencer Kelly both were very consistent in there runs as well. Spencer had great speed and style in the pool and on the street course, and 8-year-old Jason Salillas pulled off a big trick down the eight stair and one of the first inverts in the pool –

resulting in a tie for 3rd, the first ever in the

series.

J.R. Men&8217;s Sponsored first place spot went to Ride Skateboards newest addition to the team Jonathan Barnard – who had the crowd cheering with big switch ollies down the eight stairs and frontside 5-0&8217;s down the rail. Steven

LaBlanc, who came from Huntsville to capture another first place trophy, was consistent as previous contests and went home with a 2nd place trophy this time.

The Men&8217;s division was short with only two competitors, but both put on a great show of skill and technique. Bryan Park took home his fourth first place trophy and Andrew Black from Skate Trivia was close on his heels within a short spread of points.

Ride Skateboards Association

Contest #4

Veterans Skate Park

December 9, 2006

CONTEST RESULTS

GROM DIVISION – (Ages 9 and under)

1st Place – Kane Taylor

300 pts.

2nd Place – Cole Taylor 200 pts.

3rd Place – Stewart Kinkle 150 pts.

BOYS DIVISION – (Ages 10-13)

1st Place – Rollie Kraus 300 pts.

2nd Place – Ben Roper 200 pts.

3rd Place – Scott Lawley 150 pts.

J.R. MENS DIVISION – (Ages 14-17)

1st Place – Michael Smith 300 pts.

2nd Place – Jeremiah Jones 200 pts.

3rd Place – Cameron Daniels 150 pts.

MENS DIVISION – (Ages 18 and over)

1st Place – Justin Cruce 300 pts.

2nd Place – Blake Dimick 200 pts.

3rd Place – Dillon Badgwell 150 pts.

BOYS SPONSORED DIVISION (Ages 13 and under)

1st Place – Chris Coffman (Southside, Lake Skateboards, Etnies, Progressive, 187 Pads) – 300 pts.

2nd Place – Alec Spinosi (RIDE) – 200 pts.

3rd Place – Jason Salillas (RIDE) – 150 pts.

3rd Place – Spencer Kelly (RIDE) – 150 pts.

(66.6 tied for 3rd)

J.R. MENS SPONSORED DIVISION (Ages 14-17)

1st Place – Jonathan Barnard (RIDE) – 300 pts.

2nd Place – Steven LaBlanc (Skate Trivia on SkateAlabama.com) – 200 pts.

3rd Place – Billy Lutz (London Skate Shop) – 150 pts.

MENS SPONSORED DIVISION

1st Place – Bryan Park (RIDE) – 300 pts.

2nd Place – Andrew Black (Skate Trivia on SkateAlabama.com) – 200 pts.

BEST TEAM

Ride Skateboards – 950

Skate Trivia – 400

Southside – 300

London Skate Shop – 15