Pics by Silent Will and NP.
Despite the weather being a bit grim (not exactly unusual for British Summer Time) the turnout for the Vans and Indy Go Skateboarding Day celebrations in Manchester was pretty powerful. As well as notable locals including Mark Kendrick and Nick Stansfield people had travelled from all kinds of random locations to join in the fun.
Vans Team riders in attendance included Grove, Tyreman and Nev who didn’t have too far to travel along with Manhead, Tom Knox, Ben Nordberg and Marc Churchill who came from a little further afield.
The day started down at the Projekts skatepark (aka The Pumpcage) where Marc held a little best trick jam on the rail. Highlights of this included Jim aka The New Sensations frontside boneless to lipslide and winner Chris Barrett’s hardflip to Backlip. Unfortunately Marcs abuse of the megaphone caused a malfunction in the early stages of a kids mini ramps jam and I missed everything else that was going on while trying to sort it out. The kids were stoked on the freebie throw out as usual though.
Our plan had been to head up to Note for about 3 to hang out, get some food and dish out some product before heading off for a little street skate. As the weather was against us we lingered at the park way too long meaning the kids at the shop were extra product hungry. Marc took care of product toss duties and narrowly escaped with his shirt still on his back. We sloped off for burgers and drinks with plans of a rest before heading up to Central for the evenings activities. Hovever, once the kids were fed they couldn’t wait to skate and they headed up there leaving the elders to sit in peace!
When I got to the park in the evening it was packed out with just under 200 people. The screening of Savoir Faire went without a hitch and of course everyone was stoked on it and ready to skate again. Grove kept everyone entertained with his drunken antics including a kickflip nut sack grab over the driveway and a gap kickflip to backlip first go! The drunken mob were feeling it! Music for the evening was provided by SSS, Bow and Arrow and Gentlemens Pistols – dancefloor/mosh pit entertainment provided by Daz, Joxa and Rob Smith. I know nothing about music so I’m not going to even try and critique these guys, however I will say that Gentlemans Pistols rule (think Zep or Sabbath) and never fail to put on a good show. (and i’m sure SSS were on fire as usual too pictured below – Z)
Thanks to everyone who came out to play and support the bizarre concept that is International Go Skateboarding Day!
Powely
The Flip team cruised into London and ran riot at Bay Sixty 6 skatepark.
Todd Bratrud’s latest art for Volcom can be bought online this week.
The summer seems to be taking some of the UK’s best skaters out this year.