Upcoming competition: sunshine coast skate-a-thon

Australian Skateboarding Community Initiative (ASCI) is hosting a fun day of skateboarding in Aura Skatepark in Baringa on Saturday 16. January 2021 - including 2021’s first official Etnies Regional competition. The Slabzoo team hit up ASCI to hear more and went to Aura to check out the park and had a chat to some of the young skaters you can see hit the park on Saturday.

The Sunshine Coast skate-a-thon starts the year with a skateboarding bang - and helps raise awareness for Kids Helpline and the incredible work they do to support children, teens and their families through difficult times.

It’s the second year the Sunshine Coast skate-a-thon skate event is on in Aura.

It was originally planned to be a three day event but due to COVID restrictions, rain and staff travel it is now held on Saturday the 16. January from 11am - 6pm.

There will be two competitions during the day, MC’in, judging and music so there’s something for both competitors and spectators. The skatepark is located among good coffee places (tried and tested for your convenience), there’s a bbq area (bring your own food), a tavern and some grass for the little kids to run around and play on.

The park is lit up at night so there will be plenty of opportunity to have a free skate after the competitions as well.

Kaedyn, Hudson and Brooklyn

Kaedyn, a 15-year-old sunshine coast local legend, reveals he already has a run planned for the competition. He’ll compete in the under 16s division and is always such a joy to watch.

Kaedyn usually has one easy run up his sleeve to start out with and then a harder one for his second or third run.

“It’s all about flow, consistency and then hard tricks. Rails are usually what scores best,” he says.

“But it’s really just about having fun with it.”

When we hit him up for a chat he was skating around with Hudson and Brooklyn, two 8- and 9-year-old Sunshine Coast brothers. Kaedyn likes to pass on the skate stoke to the younger skaters, just like he experienced the older and better skaters did when he was younger.

The Sunshine Coast brothers and Kaedyn are all ollieing over gaps, taking a few slams and going all-in on a wall ride.

“Mum, I did it!” Hudson calls out to his mum.

The stoke is real.

Hudson and Brooklyn are signed up for the under 12s competition and look forward to a fun day. Their mum loved the event last year and is excited for another successful family day out.

What’s on?

11am-1pm: Mixed doubles competition

This is a new type of competition where two skaters of different genders team up to compete in a team battle.

“Each year we make room for something new and fun”, ASCI’s CEO Donny Fraser tells us.

“It’s for skaters of all ages. You can come along with a skate buddy of the opposite sex or just rock up in the morning and we will try to team you up with someone.”

The team skaters have each their run and then their joint score counts. They don’t skate the park at the same time.

Open to all ages (e.g. daughter and dad, son and mum, two friends, young and older skater, you name it!)
Teams of two (different genders) compete against other teams
Each team member has two 1-minute runs (one skater in the park at a time)
Their joint score counts

2pm-6pm: Etnies Regionals

This is an official competition under ASCI so the format will follow their official competition guidelines for a street competition. And Aura is very street. You will not even find a quarter pipe there. Be prepared for some pushing around!

All participating skateboarders get three 1-minute runs in their respective divisions
There are no distinct finals but after the 3 runs the top 50% will continue on and do 3 best tricks each. The best trick counts
Each skater’s top 3 scores (incl. runs and best tricks) count for the winning places
If an uneven amount of competitors are in a heat the additional competitor will go on to the best trick section

There are 6 divisions

Skate for fun - Opens Socials
12 and Under Mixed
16 and Under Mixed
Womens
Opens (all ages)
Non-Competitive Juniors (12 and under)

Point scoring

Points will be given per tricks landed - the more technical the trick, the higher points possible. However, creativity and flow are also taken into account, so it’s good to utilise the skatepark and do different tricks instead of repeating the same one several times.

Points will not be deducted for fails.