Hailey Skate Competition
BY YANNA LANTZ
Watch some of Idaho’s best skaters go head to head in the fifth annual Hailey Skateboard Competition. The event will take place on Saturday, June 25, at the Hailey Skatepark and will feature great prizes, music by Jens P, refreshments and more.
“Hailey has one of the top parks in the country; it’s rated up there with the best,” explained Lamar Waters, event coordinator. “Pros come in from all over to skate the park.”
The Hailey Skatepark, ridden by skateboard guru Tony Hawk himself, was significantly expanded in 2012. Designed by Dreamland Skateparks, this public city facility challenges even the most experienced and daring skaters, and features a full-radius concrete pipe and roll-in with handrails.
Waters wanted to create a local competition that would feature the skatepark, local talent, local sponsors, local music and a great atmosphere.
“I found all the things I liked and didn’t like about other competitions and I’m trying to implement all the best things into this competition,” he said.
The day will feature two major contests for multiple age groups: a street jam and a vert competition.
“In the street jam format, all the contestants in an age group are out in the park at once and they try to do as many tricks as they can in a certain time period,” Waters said. “It’s really fun to watch because there is a lot of action.”
In the vert competition, contestants get about a minute to “show their stuff” solo. Participants will get several shots at this portion.
Judges for the Hailey Skateboard Competition will be local adult skaters who know all the tricks and many of the skaters involved.
“We’re going to have really good prizes,” Waters said with a smile. “I want the kids to be rewarded and get something they are proud of. I want them to feel motivated and rewarded for their craft that they’ve been working on all year in the hopes that they’ll continue to pursue it.”
First-place winners will get a top-of-the-line skateboard, complete with deck, wheels, bearings, grip tape and more. But Waters wants everyone to feel like a winner, so just by entering the competition participants will get a T-shirt, wristband, energy bar, energy drink, sunscreen and other swag.
Additionally, the competitors receive a raffle ticket for entering the competition, which gives them the chance to win prizes throughout the day. A second raffle will be available to spectators, with prizes such as longboards, Sun Valley lift tickets and Blaine County Recreation District passes up for grabs.
For Waters, the day is all about bringing the community together.
“Watching everybody have a good time with big smiles on their faces is really rewarding,” he said. “And the excitement and energy from the kids really puts the event over the top.”
Entry into the competition is $15, but spectators can attend for free. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the competition will commence at 11 a.m. and run through 4 p.m. Hailey Skatepark is located next to the Hailey Chamber Welcome Center and Campion Ice House. Learn more about the park at haileyidaho.com/skateboarding and facebook.com/HaileySkate.