The Quiksilver All 80’s Vert Challenge was the perfect event to kickoff 2011. In this day and age when today’s skateboarding has evolved to become socially huge, beyond complex with its many styles and its participation in the millions; this event presented the crowd and participants with a chance to see a historical experience of a lifetime! All this took place in Orlando, Florida on January 7, 2011 and was hosted by Quiksilver. The contest was announced by Spotlight Productions (Skatepark of Tampa), so naturally they kept things interesting and raw as they tend to do. The January SURF Expo trade show was also happening, so there were tons of industry people present. Team Pain Skate Parks, the very same people that designed and built the ever classic, Animal Chin ramp back in the mid 80’s; built this event’s Vert Ramp to specifications consistent with the ramps of the 1980’s. Team Pain should know they were there then and are still going strong today.
The entire event was modeled after an 80’s Vert Contest. To be able to skate, you had to be in full 1980’s attire, including the skateboard! These boards were directional in shape and are so different from today’s skateboard that riding one was a challenge in itself. Even the prize purse was consistent with the 80’s with $1,980 for first place, which are pennies to the dollar when compared to the hundreds of thousands of dollars currently awarded at current skate events. This event also included a best trick event that for sure provided for some cool crowd pleasers. At the end of the show, Tony Hawk donated his board, an original; to the Smithsonian Institute which is beginning a historical collection of skateboarding culture.
The results are straight out of the 80’s!
1. Tony Hawk
2. Andy MacDonald
3. Mike Frazier
4. Christian Hosoi
5. Mike McGill
6. Henry Guiterez
7. Jeff Hedges
8. Kevin Staab
9. Todd Johnson
10. Mark Lake
11. Buck Smith
12. Bob Umble
13. Cara Beth Burnside
14. Steve Steadham
Thanks Quicksilver, Team Pain, Spotlight Productions, Surf Expo and all of the skaters for a great time!
