Dallas leaps the pyramid in a single, backside, bound. All Photos: David Read
Now, it’s a very long drive to Gisborne from Wellington, but when Wellington’s weather is appalling (believe it or not it can be sometimes) it’s very easy to leave the capital. And Gisborne’s lush climate is definitely a large draw card, as is Kingpin’s annual KICK PUSH EAST COAST competition. Friends had raved about the good vibes at the contest, and judging but the amount of similar experiences it was sure to great event, and Gisborne at this time of year seems like the place to be.And that it was. Upon arriving we meet up with all the Tauranga/Mt crew and secured a tidy campsite a short walk from the skate park which was a perfect spot to take in the next few days.
So, down to business. Curtis ruled the vert ramp alongside Anthony, Garth, Brendon, Luke, Nico, Chris and Ben. It was great to be reassured that vert skating is alive, and kicking, at least in the Mt. I’ll post some vert pics soon.
Dallas backside flipping the pyramid during the best trick.
I’m not sure of the exact results but I can assure you that Dallas took out top honours, and coming closely in second and third were Simon Prakash and Reuben Baker, respectively. After that I have to commend Chris Wood, Mike Bancroft, Che Thorpe, Edwin Massold, Skinner and many other skateboard magicians for putting their blood and sweat into what was a heavy and memorable competition. The following is a small selection of manoeuvres that went down.
This 360 flip was one the many amazing tricks (tailslide bigflip out and 360 flip 50-50 on the pyramid ledge to name a few others) that Chris Wood nailed.
Edwin Massold, backside tailslide. Someone skated in front of my lens as he landed a kickflip backside tailslide on the same ledge rendering it unusable. Bugger.
A casual kickflip melon from Dallas Marshall.
More Edwin shreddery. Gap to Smith grind.
Mike Bancroft flaring through a bean plant.
No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks. Gap to backside nosegrind. Mike Bancroft never ceases to amaze.
Short and steep. Backside lipslide is far from easy on this type of rail. Pat Pollock rises to the occasion.
Gap to lipslide, a walk in the park for Reuben Baker.
Reuben Baker, kickflip to backside 50.
Special thanks to Kingpin for holding it down on the East Coast, and for putting on another epic event. And to all the sponsors for helping out with the generous cash prizes.
