Rocking at the Ridges

Jaidos & The Chad hauling into the first corner

by Yatedawg

Was to be a picture perfect day up here on the Sunshine Coast. How can someone not get excited about skating a new hill in the middle of some of the best country-side that my eyes have had the pleasure of seeing? I'm sure there weren't too many of the 40 riders that made the journey north of Noosa that would disagree. 

A thirty-two-man bracket meant that half a dozen riders were to sit on the edges and let the racers do their thing only squeezing in behind the brackets to get their skids on. For me it was a chance to meet some new faces as well. It was great to see a solid turnout from the NGS and BFL as well as the crew from Early.

Early rider Jaxon about to charge off the startline

The hill that Mikey chose was to be a whole lot safer than that of his first event and how smooth the day ran is proof of that. Was smooth pavement, 300 mtrs long, first corner a tight 90 that dropped down into a massive left bend into a tight sorta off camber 90 to the finish. At first riders were getting a feel for the last right , throwin down slides but as the day progressed and the confidence of the crew grew, grip and rip was the way to attack the final turn.

A few of the top groms took a spill or two and didn't end up progressing through the rounds. Jaydos and JoshE were two of the lads that weren't moving further on the day. Looked like the last corner was getting the best of a few peeps. Saw a coupla big spills on the top righty too. With the push capped at a two push rule, the first turn was proving to be a whole lot tighter 3 wide!!

The Girls were out to prove a point. What the boys can do, they can do as well. Yeah chicks. Gemma and Aki went toe to toe with the dudes all day. Both tackled the lads with ferocity. Good to see girls keep it up. The two of them were to chick on chick for the final.YEW! The eventful run saw a few crashes and skids to have Gemma cross the line first . Well done Both of u.

Groms were next to shred and good to see some Byron talent take the win. Rafi rode well all day and was well deserving of the win. Luke from BFL was also shreddin for a 10 yr old and was in 2nd. Early sk8 Jaxon took the final place, also the youngest rider on hill. Yer Groms!

Gemma about to take out the ladies final

Now to the big boys. The top 8 saw some new faces which is always good and a mix of some of the usual punters. Consolation final had Jeza, Roy, Skittles, Elliot. Again the final turn was to be the decider. NGS's Roy was solid and stoked to even be up in the top 8 and took the win well. Following was a mixed bag of skids, grass and skateboards to see Skittles, Elliot and Jeza finishing consecutively.

Final Heat of the day and it's just after lunch. Jack from NGS, Matthys from Glyde, The Chad from Early sk8 and Yatedawg of Landyachtz were to face off for one last run. Twas gonna be a close one. Chad had progressed through the day only beaten once, Matthys hadn't been beaten at all and same for Yatedawg. The two kick rule saw a 3 wide battle into the first turn. The exit saw Matthys and the Dawg come out head to head with the Chad in our draft. Final turn, as was the way of the day was tight and to go in side by side was gonna be a close one. Matthys wasn't givin Yatedawg any room for the lead and was committed to his line. Inside was the call and in he went. Yatedawg gripped and ripped through the inside and over the line for the win. Crash was the result of the other 3 in the final with Matthys getting tied up crossin the line and gave Chad second on a platter, Matthys 3rd and Jack 4th.

Yatedawg sneakin' through the inside to take the win

What a great day with great peeps on a great hill. Big thanks to Extreme Skates, TSG and Rodney for comin out, Cult Wheels, Kebbek Boards, Wrighty's Speed Equipment and his photography skills and Mike English for getting er done.

Yeah bRa!