Kaitlyn, the only girl to compete gets some seriously rad air during her routine. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
ST. GEORGE – The last skateboarding competition of the season put on by the City of St. George Recreation Department and sponsored by Lip Trix was a huge success. Skateboard athletes from age 5 to age 29 competed for prizes and bragging rights Friday night at the St. George Sk8 Park.
The main sponsor of the Late Skate Competition, Lip Trix, distributed over $2,000 in prizes to both competitors and attending fans. Pizza, cookies and drinks kept everybody fueled for the event.
The competitors in the youth, beginner and intermediate classes each had two 45-second freestyle runs with combined points determining the winners. The open class ran two-minute runs with three competitors running at a time.
There were plenty of grinds, fakie 5-0, kickflips and high flying to keep the crowd of parents and spectators entertained. All the competitors were from St. George except for Sean Rigby who made this an international event by coming all the way from Canada.
“Only minor bumps and bruises dotted the evening when 5-year-old Milo slapped his face on the concrete and Joey got a bunk foot. Tyler Cottom was probably quite sore from hucking himself into the big bowl over and over,” Lip Trix owner Kris Ripplinger said. “All in all it was a great and safe event.”
“This is sure a lot better than sitting on the couch playing video games,” Ripplinger said. “Skateboarding is so rad. You are your own coach and you can be as good as you want to be.”
The St. George Sk8 Park offers youth a venue for both exercise and entertainment, evidenced by smiles on the faces of both kids and young adults using the park.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery. Competition results follow the gallery.
Alex Loperena ripping in the bowl. Late Skate Sk8board Competition, St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
James Laub completes a fakie 5-0. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Harris getting some flat ground tricks. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Milo, the youngest competitor at 5 years old, drops in to begin a routine. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Logan Marshall doing the 5050 grind that helped him win his class. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Competition sponsor Lip Trix owner Kris Ripplinger congratulating Logan Marshall for first place in 13-15 age group. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Jeff Lopez does a blunt. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Aaron Bennett boosting over the hip transfer. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Sean washing out. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Bryan Stewart shows an Indy over channel gap. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
James Laub includes a kickflip in his routine. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Kaitlyn, the only girl to compete gets some seriously rad air during her routine. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Tyler Cottom rides the edge. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Tyson Williams shown here winning his class. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Blake Landon gets some big-time air while warming up. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Blake Landon showed how to rip the bowl. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Logan Marshall concentrates on his landing. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Aaron Bennett shows good form. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Blayjan Romerell dropping in on his way to winning his class. St. George Sk8 Park, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Results
In the open class for ages over 16: Winner Stetson Jeppson, second place Bryan Stewart, third place Brady Holt.
In the age 13-15 class: Winner Logan Marshall, second place Kaden, third place Kaitlyn.
In the age 9-12 class: Winner Tysen Williams, second place Blake Landon, third place Sterling Jeppson.
In the novice class, ages 8 and under: Winner Blayjan Romerell, second place Milo.
Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2013, all rights reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Originally from Iowa, John Teas transplanted to Saint George in 2012 from New Mexico. John is a photojournalist and feature writer for several automotive publications, educational media and corporate public relations as as St. George News.
“I have a degree in life experiences and a love of all that is outdoors,” he said.