Competitions are more than cash grabs and glory for some, they’re a reason to bring our sprawling community together. With the exception of Mackay’s Rumble On The Reef, opportunities for skateboarders become exponentially sparse heading North in our Sunshine State.
Harry and I had been looking for an excuse to work on a project together and with the 4th ROTR on the calendar, we decided to fill a van and tap into some of the rarely documented spots on the way. Former cash grabber Jesse Brodbeck & Mackay ex-local Ronan Thomas are my housemates, so naturally they jumped in. Curty (Curtis Hay) was up for it and rounded out the media crew. We figured bringing everyones favourite/worst grom Reef Condon would help keep the mood light and be a good chance for a comp pun (the joke was mostly on us). My old homie Brad Wilson took the final seat in the van as we passed through Rockhampton. Tommy Fynn and Dennis Durrant were already on route and linked up on the way, then Nixen Osborne and Jorge Tichbone met us in Mackay.
Units: ready for launch.
Nixen Osbourne - Frontside 50-50
Tommy Fynn - Switch Flip
Brad Wilson - Miller Flip
Jorge Tichbon - Heel block
Clinten Davison - Backside boneless
Jesse Brodbeck - Frontside smith to fakie
On the cusp of Qld summer, it’s hotter and more humid by the Km heading up the Bruce Highway. But skating to the point of heatstroke is better than the 20 odd hours, next to sweaty mates with empty tins just looking at fresh spots through a window… The promise of a box of cold beers “next try” certainly helped too. I think Tommy likes a bet more than he likes a beer, he managed to clear a couple of close calls but I’m pretty sure there’s a box still outstanding (willing to collect on next session my G).
Outlaw hero up-skirt!
Ronan Thomas - Frontside 50-50
That'll leave mark
Battles with humidity...
...blood
Front feeble - Jesse Brodbeck
“…skating to the point of heatstroke is better than the 20 odd hours, next to sweaty mates with empty tins just looking at fresh spots through a window…
Ronan Thomas - Back tail
Reef Condon - Front tail, heelflip out
Peanuts
Tommy Fynn - Backside noseblunt
Jorge Tichbon - Back crail
Brenton Hawkins - Pivot to fakie
Richie Norton - Losi grind
North Queensland - get up here!
The comp went well, someone won and between some of Brisbane’s best, Harry’s spot technician skills and some returning Northerner’s out for blood, I’m proud to say; we contributed a piece of skateboard culture beyond timed/judged runs to the city of Mackay.
