On Saturday, six of Salida’s top skaters traveled to Colorado Springs to compete in the first event ever held in the cities massive new public skatepark in Memorial Park. Jeremy, Derik and Josh Scott joined Shea Donavan, Michael DeBuno and Tony Marley in what was clearly a showing of the best skaters in Colorado. Representing expert and pro classes exclusively, the local crew competed at the highest levels, making it to the finals in each category of every event before being disqualified.
With music cranking, the announcer exclaimed more than once that Salida was a hot bed of regional talent. “There must be something in the water” was one refrain. Unlike other youth sports, competition is not a big part of street or park skating. As anyone who watches the X-games will attest, even at the highest levels, competitions are much like any other day at the bowl —there are just a lot of fans watching. Skaters support and push eachother, while practice and training are a pure labor of love.
“Showing up early and staying all day working on the same moves is the only way highly physical and technical moves of this level can be perfected” stated veteran skater, father and football coach Keven Guercio. “Team sport coaches could only dream of this level of dedication!”
With the exception of Derik, who also competed in street, all of the competitors traveled for the bowl, a significantly more harrowing aspect of the sport. With a depth of twelve feet, and skaters regularly airing out of the bowl several feet high, it was as exciting as any circus event (the Salida park has a smallish nine-foot bowl at it’s deepest point). One homeless gentleman who happened by suggested through minimal teeth “those kids are totally #$@*% nuts man!”
Many of these skaters will be representing Salida this weekend at the DVS Skatepark Showdown on Saturday afternoon. If you’ve never been to a skate competition, you will feel the energy, which much like freestyle kayaking, ramps up as athletes push eachother. The energy is palpable. Skate competition starts at 2pm. Squeeze in if you can to see some amazing athletes. Pros will go last, and run well into the late afternoon.
To see a slide show from the event, go to this Flickr page. If you want to see what these kids aspire to, look at this mind-numbing video clip of some top skaters.
If you want to support Salida’s skaters, please contact the Citizen. These kids get no support from the schools, buy all of their own equipment and travel with their own money. They are also some of the nicest kids in town. Stop down and watch the older kids helping the younger kids. It’s a very special part of Salida for many local athletes. -b
Congratulations to Shea and all the others. This is a fine example of ameteur athletics, something I personally wish was more embraced in our country.
Tom
Nice pictures of the Colorado Springs Competition-One of the best I have seen of Al Brunelle (thanks-they are great photos)!