Chris Wood (1st), Steve Crump (3rd) and Chris Curren (2nd).
Skate comps in Wellington are almost always delayed by bad weather. The inaugural Deep End bowl comp at Waitangi park was no exception.
Scheduled for Saturday the event got underway 24 hours later under blue skies, but it was worth the wait.
Despite being down number-wise, the under 16 and masters sections were scrapped due to lack of entrants, the comp was a torrid affair.
Fifteen riders battled it out in two heats, blood was shed as bodies and reputations were put on the line. Overall honours went to street king Chris Wood who proved himself to be right at home in the bowl showing off a full array of lip tricks and airs culminating in a backside kickflip in the deep end. Second placed Chris Curran worked the bowl well to show off a full battery of tricks and the broken sleeps of recent fatherhood have little effect on third placed Steve Crump who skated with determination speed and general gnar.
Mention must go to fourth placed Peter Groves who bailed hard going for a huge frontside stalefish and ended up with a tennis ball for an elbow and blood dripping from his chin. Also to upstart Brynn Durham who did his best to make use of the Wellington Free Ambulance, not once but twice, taking knocks to the head and ankle, and still putting in a fine effort. Props go to Deep End organisers Cameron Smith and Graeme Knott for putting on a by-skaters-for-skaters comp.
Plans are afoot to expand it into national bowl circuit next year. Bring it on.
The Deep End Bowl Comp was made possible by Absolutely Positively Wellington, Cheapskates Wellington, DVS Shoes, Creature Skateboards, Manual Magazine and Sector 9.
Text by Simon Vita, photographs by David Read.
Chris Wood, frontside 50-50.
Orson Reynolds with a lofty frontside air.
MCing is serious, and not so serious business. Joel Middlemiss and Cameron Smith kept the crowd entertained.
Steve Crump backside Smith grinding in the Deep End.
Chris Wood with a Krook3D Nick Bennett.
Nick Bennett with a stylish Smith grind.
Chris Wood's fluid lines secured him the top spot on the day. Here he goes frontside.
Peter Groves stalefish to...
chin.
Manky Max earning Airpoints.
Max, high (frontside) five-0, with a bit of crail for extra points.