21st February 24, 2015 at the Shangilia Skate Park, Mukabi Street close to the Mexican Embassy Kangemi, Nairobi, Kenya. I arrived at the skate park at around 10 a.m. with the scorching sun setting. At the gate, I wasn’t greeted with a Hello! But an inquiry, “where’s is your I.D?” ….
…. after going to greet Daniel Gluche, Kiaro Hinz, J-b Charente’stone and Danny. J-b did an awesome job following the always mobile skateboarders in the skate park recording everything he could. The school children from Shangilia Mtoto wa Africa primary school at this time had been sweeping the skate park when set anchor. Without splitting hairs, I proceeded with my friend James Mbuba-the M.C, who was with me at that time with no Skateboarding Society of Kenya Identification card. Imagine how red the guards’ face was after pointing this out to her.
Ok, back to the story arranging where the judges would sit took about 10 minutes, however, the skate park did not provide that 360 field of view required. Plus, who was going to sit in the sun the whole day? Then the tent which was close to a container was moved to the basketball court to provide shade to the registrant and participant’s registration booth as well as the food. You had to give your details and well that’s it. On the other hand, I met Alexandria Marian from Saarbrucken-Germany; she was to a good supporter of the event and friend to Daniel. Furthermore, she helped cook mandazi (Swahili buns) for the school kids which were absolutely awesome! I ate one but don’t tell ok.
In the meantime, I never knew disassembling and reassembly of a tent would be that complex. Luckily, we had the able hands of J-b, school children, Ben, James, Daniel, the school children and others to solve the conundrum. Once it was set, next on our checklist was the music system. The extension cords had some scary exposed wires which I was sure as eggs are eggs would give you a jot to make you the flash; from Dc comics. Fortunately, a good shielded extension cord was found.
When the clock struck mid-day people came pouring in from the gate even the registrant-Sylvia Ndonye aided by Stella Mbuchi was settled and ready to write my name and of other participants. Among the participants was Christian Ho, who probably made his way to the skate park for the first time. I could be wrong with 2 plus ones. Also, our friends from Kampala, Uganda Gose Gerald Nsubuga and Mountain Kizza as well as the youngest skater Moses came. I talked to Gerald he seemed so excited to be there and liked the solidarity, we skateboarders from Kenya show.
I was called later to be in the first group of contestants using the power of vocal chords t in the first heat of five. I was shocked even by those who followed. Why? I couldn’t figure out which method they used to pick the contestants of each heat, it was a bit random but not good enough if asked me. In short, they could have been biased. The Skate park jam was divided into categories for Kids skate park street, advanced skate park street and best pool. If you won in the first heat you could proceed to the semi –finals and if you won again then you would proceed to the finals. Not to mention that your run would be assessed by judges who were at strategy points. The judges were Kiaro, Leo, Victor and Daniel. I was in the first heat, unfortunately, a good number of people were pretty good at flat ground and not so good in rails and banks or other obstacles. But two were chosen in my heat and the numbers in the heats would reduce as the competition continued.
In another heat, Sam Karugu was in the zone enjoying himself with his solid run; he really utilized the park. Otherwise, the big rail was gate to the semi’s and the finals since anyone who did a trick there went to the finals or was in the semis. I remember Dennis doing a kickflip over the four stairs adjacent to the rail; Bjorn Hallberg did a frontside (fs) boardslide which was the best trick of the day. What about Antoni Zeyer grind down to the bowl Judges? did that ace the Fs boardslide of Bjorn? Other tricks which deserve a mention were David Mwangi’ s Backside boardslide and 50-50 down the “London gap”, Deecy’s Ollie to 50-50 on the manual pad to no comply out. Gose and Mountain also showed us their gnar at the bowl and Christian Ho’s from California was really good at 50-50’s, he barely missed any did you see his attempt to land a hardflip down the bowl?
I guess the crowd favorite was Kelvin Maina and Antoni. Since where I was sitting everyone seemed to be transfixed on them. I remember someone saying, “That’s my boyfriend!” as Kelvin was skating.
From my run, I came to a conclusion that I need to up my game and try various obstacles. In fact, even George Gachagua concurred. Anyway, how people managed to skate in that heat was commendable.
When the contest drew closer to ending, the judges retreated to later give their verdict on the winners of the competition. Here was a summary by Leo Kilel and other Judges. To add on this, they were rewarded a variety of prizes, thanks to the organizers and supporters.
KIDS SKATEPARK STREET
1.Benjamin Mutunga
2.Kihara John
3.Levis
ADVANCED SKATEPARK STREET;
1.Antoni Zeyer
2.David Mwangi
3.Kelvin Mwangi
4.Sydney Yongo
5.Chris Ho
BEST POOL RIDER
1.Mountain Kizza (From Uganda) – Uganda Skateboarding Federation
2.Gose Gerald (From Uganda)-Uganda Skateboarding Federation
BEST TRICK;
1.Bjorn Hallberg (FS boardslide big rail)
YOUNGEST SKATER AWARD;
1.Moses (From Uganda)
The event was organized by skate-aid and supported by:
Anitz Skateboards
Whaleshit Skateboards
Telefon Skateboards
PROSK8 Scandinavia
Written by: Shuyin Ben | Twitter @Shuyin_ben |Facebook Shuyin ben
