August 2014 – UrbanLines.net

RJT Trophy – 10 year anniversary

Again I packed up my camera gear to head down to Barry for the weekend; remembering a legend, an inspiration and above a remarkably decent human being. It’s ten years since we lost Rich Taylor and yet again we get together to celebrate the legacy of one who touched so many lives by attending the Richard Taylor Trophy event.

This year the competition was held indoor at the Spit and Sawdust park in Cardiff, South Wales. The second day was intended to be a more chilled session at the Knapp skatepark in Rich’s home town of Barry. However due to the park being temporarily closed for repairs and with the weather unpredictable, it was swapped for a Slip’n’Slide session down the hills overlooking the beach.

The Results:

Under 16
1st Jordan Ward
2nd Tom Bellamy
3rd Joe Hughes

Open
1st Tesharn Febz
2nd Andrew Speed
3rd “Barney”

Them wot can
1st Blake Bird
2nd Jake Ricketts
3rd Sam Davis

For those who couldn’t make it, Mark Worner put together an edit from the comp:

I did manage to get some photos from the comp too:

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I want to say a huge thanks to Rob and Gaynor for the hospitality. To Riddick for getting us back from Cardiff after someone got far too drunk. To everyone who arranged or helped out with the comp, who turned up, who came out partying. You all helped make this one of the best events, and weekend in general I’ve ever attended.

Can I suggest to all those based in the UK to consider your own legacy and get yourself on the national organ donor register.

And while we’re at it, here’s a quick edit that Jon Peters made of the fun had throwing ourselves down a Welsh hill on the Sunday.

Unit 23 Open 2014

So, there were a few names down for this little known event in an obscure park somewhere in Scotland. Thought I’d head up to see what it’s about. I knew it was going to be a long weekend so rather than brave the dubious Unit 23 sofas I went for the safer option of camper in the carpark (which came with the added bonus of late night toast). Turned out alright in the end.

Well, with names like Montre Livingston, Josh Glowicki, Fredrik Andersson, Alex Burston and many more in the building, it’s no surprise that the level of skating was high. With these guys though it also meant the vibe was competitive but friendly. This perspective ran throughout the day, including all the competitions. I think the youngest category received the biggest cheers (partially bolstered by the mums and dads no doubt, but still). A great day as always put on by Scott Quinn and the Unit 23 staff.

So the story goes that after a good night’s Honey fueled sleep, and sweet breakfast, I took a few photos…

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Oh yeah, and some random traveler called Anthony Medina knocked together an edit

Rush Blade Jam 2014

It was a hot day. A long hot day. Great park though and many skills were exhibited. When it came down to it though, top spot went to a rather ill Alex Burston. I managed to get a few shots down even though my batteries had decided it was a good day to take a holiday. Cheers to the organisers and sponsors of the event, to Rush Skatepark for having us over, and of course to everyone who turned up. Hope those that made it to the lake in the evening managed to cool down adequately.