I’m still feeling rough a week later. Yes I spent 6 complete days at Rampworx and not just because I got nailed under the new sub-box. It was the combination of 4 (that’s right 4) separate events all at the same place over 1 week.
First up was the USD and Deshi supported Pro Clinic. In short, a select few of the UK’s skaters (those that paid up first) got to skate Rampworx almost completely alone. The exception was the 3 pro “tutors” in the shapes of Al Hooi, Dom Sagona, and Jenna Downing. Now that’s shape… Most of the pupils were there for the week (myself included) but others just dropped in for odd days.
On the Friday, it was the turn of the Salomon and Xsjado Pro tour to hit the park. That night Vinny and Chaz were killing the ledges and the main kinked rail while Stockwell destroyed the transitions with new lines at amazing speeds. Farmer was mostly filming, but also had a good session on his skates.
After an “unofficial” night at Krazyhouse, and a few hours sleep in our hotel, it was time to return for another mad day. This time it was the Empire Battle Royale. A new idea that changes the way a comp goes down. No more runs, no more jams, just one on one pushing each other on one obstacle. Winner goes through, loser goes out. This is more representitive of a street battle and it showed with a huge result for the Manc lads and UKskate. Carl Lockyear and Fraser Watson lost out in the semi to leave Scott Hallows and Nick Lomax to tear the Sub Box to pieces. Nick eventually won.
The afterparty was held at the Krazyhouse due to problems with the original location (Magnet) losing its license or something. Anyway many people ended up worse for wear, not least of which was N.Lo as everyone was buying him drinks using their 2-4-1 offers. We were all feeling rough the next day for the ASA qualifiers, but it still went off. Can’t remember the positions, but there was some impressive skating going down. Best of 2 runs each lasting 2 minutes. 48 entrants and I believe 4 top went on to qualify for the full ASA.
As you can imagine, after that lot I took a week off work to rest, and only now a full week later am I ready to revisit the world. Plenty more events left in the calendar though so keep an eye on the gallery.