Fresh 2022 ASCI Skate Contest Formats
Australian Skateboarding Community Initiative (ASCI) has shaken things up a bit in preparation for their 2022 year of skateboarding contests. They have provided a helpful guide on the 2022 divisions where the Juniors are very focused on enjoyment of the young people, with less focus on high performance, allowing the Opens and Womens divisions to cater for those who are serious competitors.
We’ve hit ASCI’s Donny Fraser up to get some further insights about the motivation behind the new formats and you can find all the information about the new divisions below.
12U podium at Rumble on the Reef 2021. From the left: Jake Thatcher, Bohdi Smith, Tristan Moffat
Fun, friends and steady progression for the juniors
Skateboarding is booming and especially the younger skaters are showing up in numbers at the skateparks with their new setups and passion. These kids are often super keen to compete and have fun with their friends at contests, while they progress their skateboarding and learn how the game works.
With the new Under 9 division ASCI will be able to accommodate for these young, unexperienced skaters.
“So having more junior divisions is because participation is there now. So having a small under 9s is opening it up to more new skaters without the pressure to just come, learn and get experience and make friends,” Donny Fraser says.
For the 2022 skate contests the junior skaters will be encouraged to focus less on results and podium spots and more on the experience and their own personal progression.
Donny believes the new formats will benefit the young skaters in the long run: “From now it’s a positive double edged sword for young people. People have been so focused on results and podium. But most people learn best enjoying themselves with friends. Also focusing on your own progression will help people improve individually and progress instead of worrying about a quick win on the day.”
Back to basics and off to the future of Australian skateboarding
As much as skateboarding is about having a jolly good time with your mates, there’s nothing like a bit of healthy competition between skaters to ignite their passion and push their progression.
“From the future side, there’s been a ton of amazing pros from Australia and around the world. They all learnt skating with peers, and got there without half the resources people have today, it’s making sure we don’t throw out what’s worked in skateboarding before, as we move forward,” Donny explains.
Yet, while skateboard contests should be available for all ages and abilities, the serious top skaters should still be able to compete at a high level and having better junior divisions will ensure this, Donny argues:
“It also gives people more time to progress in junior divisions and develop and fine tune their skills before they go in open men and womens, which should be for higher level skaters.”
“Those top women and men also need to be pushed, so its important we respect their goals and make sure when people go up they are giving them worthy competition.”
Thanks for your time, Donny.
We are excited to see how the new formats will unfold in 2022.
See the 2022 contest divisions below photo.
Women’s podium at Rumble on the Reef 2021 . From the left: Tora Waldren, Hailey Powell, Chloe Covel, Blayze Harmer, Taniah Meyers
2022 ASCI contest divisions
9 & Under Mixed (new)
This is a new division (nationally ranked) which is rolling out in the new season.
A younger division to support those starting out before moving up. Most of the 9 & under events will consist of 2 x 45 second runs each as a straight final. No prizes for this category, but ranking points are still allocated.12 & Under Mixed
Existing ranked division, now catering to a more unique group of experienced skateboarders with the introduction of the 9 & under moving these beginners out of the 12 & Under.15 & Under Mixed
Existing ranked division, the last age bracket before going into Open Men & Women.
Parent & Coach Tips:
Enjoyment comes first over all.
Don't segregate people. (by Sex, Gender or other etc)
Focus on getting all your tricks, not your result, and improving each event.
Remember they are children and skateboarding is about fun and social interaction.
If they want to be serious competitors, put them in Open Men or Women.
Open Men & Women
The Open Mens and Womens Divisions are the highest level and ranked nationally by the ASF. Both have equal prize money and are a division for adults and high level competitors. This is the division which is filmed at all events, and has the highest scrutiny of judges. This is the best opportunity for a pathway when you are ready.
Parent / Coach tips
Don't rush a child into Open categories. Let them build friendships with peers and use their junior years for fun and development. If you are unsure if you should enter Opens yet, send an email to ASCI or ask the organiser.
Masters
We are running masters again,this will be at the major events only, like Rockingham Rumble and Rumble on the Reef, as new ones roll out, we will be connecting it to the Masters series.
