ManExpo Skate Contest

What was expected to be a four-hour skate contest proved to be a grueling seven-hour skate marathon. The contest was supposed to kick off at noon but for reasons unknown it was delayed until 2 PM. Nearly 50 local Utah rippers showed up to battle it out for the $4000 in prize money—Little did they know what an unfair David vs Goliath battle it would turn into. The course had all the basic essentials (euro gab, quarter pipe, hand rail and fun box) but it was severely lacking in flow—Unless your are Zilla Gabriel Beh. Beh flowed his way to sixth place connecting the dots in a way nobody else could see. Despite all the complaining about the set up, everyone found a way to rip it to pieces. The only really wack thing about it was the massive foam pit that was installed. Why they decided to waste so much time and money installing a foam pit when they could have put their efforts towards a super sick course is beyond me.

As they day roared on, the bar was continually raised. Brodie Penrod blew minds with his first run. Stomping a flawless back 3 and backside flip off the tallest deck. Murdering the handrail with a back tail, back smith and front blunt and stomping a front blunt bs flip transfer off the funbox rail. Christian Sereika got gnar with a big gab to bs lip on the fun box and a noseblunt down the rail, but despite his ripping efforts fell short of making it to the final round. Local St. George skater Pablo Gonzalez powered himself to finals where it was him and six other skaters up against pros Adam Dyet and Greg Lutzka. This is where things get rather grey. I’m down with Dyet because he’s a homie who represents SLC and this was the SLC Pro Am skate contest, so naturally he should be there killing it. However I do think him and Lutzka should have at least skated semi finals like pro James Atkin did.

It seems a bit unfair to me when 50 local skaters killing themselves at the chance to win $2500 for first place are put up against fresh legs Lutzka after a five hour skate saga just to get the carpet pulled out from under their feet. I will say this: Lutzka did earn it. The dude is a phenomenal skater and capped off the day with a 270 front blunt down the handrail but by Berrics rules it wouldn’t have counted with those two hands down. Dyet was hot on his tail with a kickflip back tail on the rail and almost clenching a full cab backlip down the rail. If only that trick had come out clean I think he would have won it.

All in all it was skate madness and super fucking fun. I’ll be there again next year, but I hope they don’t pay another super pro for a PR appearance just to boost their ratings and actually give the locs a chance at some well-deserved cash.

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Comments on this article

Posted on April 15, 2010 by Cody Weber

Yes, I was there The WHOLE Two days of this contest! I was completely blown away with there Shitty judging and There thinking it would be ok to have the pros come in fresh to skate against the worn out Locals.... I Speak for my whole team when I say Technique Wont Be there next year!!!!. I feel Bad that we sponsored this contest and watched the money go to a pro instead of the locals... Cody Weber @Technique

Posted on April 15, 2010 by Sergio Rivera

haha next time don't have bros for judges! and a roller blader hosting a skateboarding contest.

Posted on April 15, 2010 by tim vasic

judging was retarted it was shitty they didnt know what the were talking about "nose 5-0" how dumb do you have to be

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