February 17th, 2010 by Nic
Long time Vans team rider Marc Churchill suffered a near fatal car crash, it was touch and go as to whether he would ever skate again. After nearly a year off Marc celebrated his 29th Birthday at a jam I organised which was attended by all his friends from the UK Skate scene.
February 17th, 2010 by Nic
I never thought I’d go to India let alone organise the first ever skate comp there! A life changing experience. I can’t find the flyer as it was at the beginning of 2007. Here’s some bits I found on the net:
February 17th, 2010 by Nic
In 2009 The Carnival relocated to my local park (which I helped design) which is one of the best in the country. Plans are afoot to run there again in 2010
February 17th, 2010 by Nic
The original venue for Concrete Carnival was Penzance skatepark in 2005 and the event ran over two days. When the nearby skatepark opened in Hayle the event was split over the two venues. In 2008 we ran and extra leg at the newly opened Bridlington Gasworx skatepark titled ‘Concrete Carnival Reloaded’. The Concrete Carnival ‘brand’ is not fixed to any specific skatepark enabling us to move it to the newest/best parks each year.
Some of the highlights of past Concrete Carnivals:
Highlights from the Storyboards TV show aired on Setanta sport:
February 17th, 2010 by Nic
2009 was another great UK Champs, changes to the course made it a lot more exciting for the competitors and spectators. It also played host to one of the funniest after parties I can remember!
February 17th, 2010 by Nic
As unbelievable as it seems there had been no UK skateboard championships since the 90’s. Whilst it seemed like companies constantly blew their marketing budget on trying to come up with some stupid gimmicky format for events no one had actually got their act together and just run a standard competition properly! The first year of the Championships played host to the top 150+ UK pro/sponsored skaters in the UK under one roof for the first time ever. Everyone who is anyone in UK skating was there and it was an amazing event proving that the time for an event of this level was long overdue.
Whilst the UK produces some of the top skaters in Europe we still lag behind most other countries in terms of high level events. For example Estonia hosts an international pro skate and BMX comp while we don’t! A large part of this is down to potential sponsors attitudes in this country – sorry to point the finger. In America, Australia and many other countries being a sponsored skateboarder is respected in the UK skateboarders still have the ASBO teen image wrongfuly portrayed by the media. I know thousands of skateboarders and not one has an ASBO. One of the many reasons I run events is that it is slowly helping to break this inaccurate stereotype.
Sidewalk Mag coverage, Mag ad/flyer, Vans ad, Mpora video edits:
February 17th, 2010 by Nic
National Competition conceived for Tech Deck and promoted through skate stores and skate parks:
Ever thought you’re local park was missing something? Or thought about what you would change if you could? Maybe you’ve even thought about sessioning that same park with some of the UK’s top skaters?
Well here’s the chance to pull it off with relative ease and pretty much no real work on your part. Tech Deck are giving you the chance to win a new obstacle for your local skatepark along with a private session for you and your mates with members of the Vans UK team.
The Tech Design and Build competition simply requires you to submit a design for a new obstacle or possible change to your existing park, these can be sketches, models or even mashed potato sculptures if you see fit. They will be judged on creative merit, practicality and skateability – so there’s no point in drawing a 30 metre high Mega Jump or something!
The top ten designs will then go onto the next stage: You will need be sent some Tech Deck goodies to start with. You will then need to build a model of your obstacle and film a little video section of you and your mates sessioning it. Points will be awarded on the basis of the quality of your obstacle, power of moves performed and any general tomfoolery involved.
Judges will include: Marc Churchill – Professional Skateboarder and Skatepark Designer, Ben Powell – Sidewalk Magazine Editor and Nic Powley – Vans UK Skate Team Manager.
Please send your initial images via e-mail too: nic@backroomoperations.com
Include with your entry:
Your name and age
The name and location of your chosen park
Contact phone number
Image of your design
Closing date for this stage is 30/01/2010
Finalists will be notified shortly after.
February 17th, 2010 by Nic
Deadend is a mellow gathering for the UK skateboard community featuring a tradeshow and mini ramp jam.
February 16th, 2010 by Nic
Dates for this years series will be as below. Further info and flyer to follow.
1 Mounte Hawke, Cornwall – Sunday 28th March – “Trawlers Jam”
2 Bay 66, London – Sunday 18th April – “Battle at the Bay”
3 Creation, Birmingham – Sunday 16th May – “Blockless Combat”
4 Adrenaline Alley, Corby – Sunday 6th June- “Ambush at the Alley”
5 Ramp City, Blackpool Saturday 11th Sept – “Seaside Sessions”