SKATEBOARDERS, BMX and scooter-riders from across the South East were given the chance to showcase their freestyle skills when a skate park competition ripped it up in Millicent on the weekend.
YMCA, Skate Australia and the Wattle Range Council hosted the Skate Park League (SPL) interconnected skate park competition series, which was open to people of all abilities and ages.
Almost 500 people flocked to the skate park to watch the 45 skaters, BMX and scooter-riders compete in the event from Millicent and Mount Gambier, as well as Adelaide, Murray Bridge and Victoria.
YMCA National Youth Programs and Events Manager Nick Buskens said overall it was a fantastic event and there was an amazing quality of skateboarders, BMX and scooter riders participating.
“It was obvious many people were looking forward to it as they travelled for the event from as far as Adelaide, Murray Bridge and Victoria,” he said.
“50pc of the people who were there had come from out of town to celebrate skating, scootering and BMXing.
“The sun was shining, we could not complain.”
Buskens said he was impressed with the tricks produced by those competing, as well as the support from the South East community.
“There were some really good tricks going down and some really good manoeuvres,” he said.
“A highlight from the day was the great turnout from the community, who came to check it out and be a part of the day.
“It was great to see Wattle Range Council support the youth, it was obvious they are ambassadors and they really showed off the quality of the facility.
“The quality of the Millicent Skate Park, in comparison to others, is a lot better.”
As part of the competition participants were given two 45 second runs and had the entire vicinity of the skate park to showcase their skills.
They were judged on the difficulty of the tricks they performed, as well as the number of tricks they performed and if they successfully landed them.
A number of locals, who attended a training and briefing day on Friday before the event, were among those on the judging panels.
Millicent competitors who finished with first place prizes included Blake Werchon in the Under 14s scooter event and Danny Golding in the BMX.
Meanwhile, Murray Bridge and Adelaide dominated the skateboard and BMX categories, in particular young Bodhi Smith, an Under 12 skateboarder who has been following the series and is currently sitting on top of the statewide SPL leader board with 120 points.
Buskens extended his appreciation to the Wattle Range Council, Millicent Rotary and Lions clubs and the local community for supporting and getting involved in the event.
Those who competed were invited to compete in the upcoming skate park series events in Adelaide and Murray Bridge.
“I encourage young people to continue to follow the competition and stay involved,” Buskens said.
“Big thanks to the Wattle Range Council and the kids who attended the training/briefing day and helped out with judging.”
As a result of the town’s involvement Millicent was added to the SPL series of events, which travels across Australia and makes up the national series of skateboarding, scooter riding and BMX.
The event gives riders from Millicent and the South East community the opportunity to be a part of a series, which could enable them to advance further to the state and national finals held later in the year and early next year.
First, second and first place getters received a medal and all competitors were entered into a prize draw for taking part in the event.
The SPL is an interconnected skate park competition series that offers local youths who skateboard, BMX and scooter ride, a chance to showcase their skills while promoting positive use of council skate parks and skate park culture.
