Skaters Go On Rampage In Guildford

After the rain of last year, the sunshine was out again for the ever popular Rampage event which is held at stoke park in Guildford. Skateboarders and BMXers of all ages were ready to bust out their best moves in front of a big crowd, many of whom had come to support their friends and family on the day. Once I'd put up a variety of banners to represent the various sponsors who had donated prizes for the event, I got straight on the mini ramp that had just been resurfaced for a quick roll before things started to get kicked off. The Matrix trust had also organised an additional halfpipe for the day from Fearless Ramps which enabled everyone to keep going throughout the day in between the comp runs.

As per last year a dirt jump was set up away from the skatepark which provided another obstacle for people to use throughout the day, and although I witnessed two serious slams, there was some amazing stunts being pulled off during the competition which took place before the skate/bmx finals.

Click here to continue reading.


The skateboarders were split up into Under 16 and Over 16 groups, and skated in a jam format to decide who would be chosen for a place in the final round. The Under 16 final saw Guildford local Kieron charging at the large quarter while Farnham locals Josh and Joe did some decent flip tricks on the on the drive way, flat bank and hip to guarantee them a chance to win some well earned prizes.


As always, it is difficult to decide who comes where in the over 16 skateboarding finals, as the standard of skating is so good. This year saw local Guildford skaters Pete Adams, Ben Coughlan, John Balchin and Andy Bateup wow the crowd with some amazing tricks. Dean Robertson and Sam Ridges skated hard all day and impressed everyone with now consistent they are on a skateboard considering they've only just turned sixteen.

Standout tricks were: Nollie backside tail on quarter, backside heelflip driveway, nosegrind across and down gridbox, frontside smith down gridbox , switch 360 flip off driveway, frontside indy transfer and gap to noseslide over driveway.
After the over 16 finals it was time for best trick and for a change this year it was to be held on the mini ramp. James Thornton eventually came through with a gap transfer melon from the mini ramp into the flat bank on the street course, which brought an end to a perfect day.


RESULTS;
Under 16 Skateboard
1. Josh Playle
2. Kieron Mills
3. Joe Connor

Over 16 Skateboard
1. Pete Adams
2. Ben Coughlan
3. Dean Robertson


Thanks to the flowing they provided prizes:
Karl at T.K.C., Joe at FAZE7, Chris @ Blackbox, Jerome at Shiner, Steve at DUFFS, Leigh @ Dwindle and Simon Clark for photography throughout the day.

Words By Route One Guildford Store Manager, Greg Foster