As vert skating started regaining popularity in the early noughties the elder statesmen of the discipline started holding comps on their local ramps to encourage the new generation. This over time naturally evolved into the Independent Vert Series and has events in Newquay, Corby, Blackpool, Birmingham and London.
Last years flyer and footage from the Blackpool leg:
The Vans Shop Riot is a very simple concept which is replicated all over Europe – teams battle for an all expenses paid trip to the European Final (in 2009 it was in Belgium). The UK leg was really well attended with other 30 crews making the journey to Central Skatepark in Manchester and most of the major skate shops representing: 50:50 from Bristol, Slam from London and Prime all the way from Plymouth.
This years event will be help at The Works in Leeds and Ramp City in Blackpool. There will be a little soiree on Saturday night at A Nation Of Shopkeepers in Leeds centre.
A few people have laid claim to the idea of WOTR, from what I can tell it was originally an idea from Silent Will (Sidewalk Photographer) and actioned by The Works Skatepark in Leeds and Bones skatepark in Bolton. My involvement in the first year was to just design the flyer, I think I helped out a bit on the day too.
The format (based on the War of the Roses obviously) was to run two comps at two parks over one weekend (one in Lancashire, one in Yorkshire) and play on the friendly rivalry between the skaters from the two counties. Another feature of the event was it’s relaxed structure, sessioning separate obstacles in a ‘best trick’ comp simulated how skaters would skate in the street. The format was an instant success and attracted skaters from London up to Aberdeen (blowing the original Yorks vs Lancs concept out of the water!)
Since then the Lancashire leg has changed venues due to park closure from Bones in Bolton to Interact in Burnley and now to Ramp City in Blackpool.
The Young Guns event was launched in 2009 and judging by it’s success it’s set to become an annual thing. With close to a hundred competitors over the two age groups.
The new Backroom Operations website/blog thing is now fully operational (after a lot of teething problems!). I’ll be working through it and adding content over the next few weeks.
SHITKNEES: My personal blog featuring all the things I like: Skateboarding, Bikes, Porsches and other randomness.
UKSA:The United Kingdom Skateboard Association of which I am currently Acting Chairman/Head Judge. Check the site regulalry for event and skatepark updates.
VANS SHOES: The best skate shoes around and the best skate team in the UK!
