Loaded Sports in Prince Rupert will be putting on a competitive game of S.K.A.T.E on Sunday, September 9 at one p.m. at the Prince Rupert skate park, when children and teens can compete for a number of skateboarding-related prizes.
“We’ve got a variety of age categories that we may stick to depending on the amount of participation that we have. If we have low participation we will modify the age categories,” explained Loaded Sports owner, Marc Page.
Loaded Sports holds one or two competitions each year, with Page saying there are usually around 20 to 30 skateboarders partaking. As per usual, this competition will have no entry-cost.
“We always make it free to enter because we want as much participants as we can. I also feel that kids that can’t afford to enter into competitions should be allowed to take part,” said Page.
The competition will be a game of S.K.A.T.E, where after a participant successfully performs a trick the others must copy it. If they cannot perform the trick they are given a letter in the word “skate”. If a participant cannot copy any tricks and they are have been given all five letters, they are eliminated.
“We’re going to work within the skate rules, but instead of doing a flat ground competition we’re going to do it off of park features. Kids can pick a trick anywhere in the park off of any feature, and the other kids have to do that trick or else they get a letter scorn against them,” explained Page.
Judges will determine who is the best skater in each category, with winners being awarded a prize. Page says that there are “at least three boxes” of prizes to be given away, from brands such as Circa, DVS, Nikita, Quicksilver, Dakine, Matix, DC, and more.
Additionally, Page wants skateboarders in the community to know that every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday there are free skateboarding nights occurring in the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre arena from 8 to 10 p.m. These nights will continue to take place until August 31, when organizers will create a new schedule to fit better with students.
“It gives the kids something to do at night that’s healthy and active,” commented Page.
People wanting to register for the competition can do so by visiting Loaded Sports. Anyone under the age of 19 wishing to participate must have their parents sign a waiver.
Helmets are mandatory for the event. If weather is bad on September 9, the event will be postponed until weather is better.
