Rarely do skateboarders have an opportunity to showcase their skills and techniques and make memories like the 2023 Spring Skate Competition on April 29, presented by Risen Board Shop.
The event will be held at Vesco Park with registration beginning at 2:30 and the competition beginning at 3 p.m.
Risen Board Shop owner and dad to four, Nate Gusman, has been putting on multiple competitions for local skaters for the past three years and hopes to see a big turn out from the community.
“I think it’s just nice to have the community come out and watch these kids skate…It gives [the kids] a chance to show off their talent and what they work on,” said Gusman.
Female skaters and beginners will get two 30 second runs to show off their skills, and the intermediate, and advanced skaters will get two 45 second runs and three attempts at their best trick, according to Gusman.
“While everyone is eager to practice and get their tricks dialed, We are also open to conversations and explaining more about who we are as skateboarders and what our vision is. People should expect cheering and support no matter the skill level or performance. It’s not really as much of a competition as it is a time for lifting each other up,” explained Risen Board Shop skater Tim Rinehart.
There will also be multiple food trucks and drink vendors at the park during the competition so skaters and the audience can grab some food and drinks while watching the event thanks to Gusman’s wife, Yerania Gusman, who also helps him coordinate the event.
“We have been getting so much support from the community and parents now, it is cool to see people come together at the skatepark of all places… Skater kids don’t get as much encouragement for the sport because it isn’t like basketball or football, so for them to get that from someone they can relate to—like Nate—helps them to see that people care,” Yerania explained.
Skateboarding is as much a culture as it is a competition and events like these can help shine a positive light on the culture for young skaters.
“We put on skate comps because we want to bring our community together and bless it. Showing love to our youth and giving them attention by just showing up makes a difference. Sharing these types of events and moments together shows how people from many different backgrounds and cultures can unite,” said Rinehart.
Gusman and many of the shop skaters are Christians and use not only the event but all of their time spent at the park trying to be positive role models and share the gospel.
“People should expect to hear about Jesus [at the competition] and see how he has redeemed the skate park from being a place where most parents wouldn’t let their kids go in the past to a place that is marked by joy and has a great community,” said Risen Board Shop skater and dad to four, Joey Lester.
Skaters of all ages, young and old, are welcome to participate in the event, which will be giving away prizes donated by the community and Risen Board Shop at the end as well.
“[The competition] provides opportunities to create memories that [kids] can have for a lifetime. At the completion last year we had one of our youngest competitors—who I don’t think was more than five or six years old—land the most beautiful Ollie in a run, and the crowd cheered louder in that moment than the entire rest of the competition. He immediately looked to his parents who were close by with the biggest smile on his face. You could see how excited he was and I’m sure things like that stick with these kids for a long time,” said Lester.
