Board rollers to compete for cash
Maria Elena Baca, Star Tribune
Last update: April 20, 2006 – 5:24 PM
If you think it's great to roll -- and to ollie, nollie and grind -- you'll want to check out the fourth annual Top Shop Team Skateboard Competition at 3rd Lair Skatepark in Golden Valley.
About 40 five-member teams of some of the best amateur skateboarders in the United States will compete for cash prizes over two days of competition. On Sunday, boarders -- individuals and pros -- will compete in a best trick contest. The competitions are free and open to the public.
The contest started out much smaller.
"At first it was a way for all the skate shops in Minnesota to hang out and have a weekend with each other," said Mark Muller, 3rd Lair's owner/president. "We didn't realize how big it was going to get."
Skateboard competitions aren't unusual. What's fresh about this one is the team concept, because team members can take off some of the pressure and allow each other to take more chances. As far as Muller knows, there's been only one other team-oriented competition.
"People who skate aren't into team sports," Muller said. "They're more of an individual person. That's the nature of a skater. But with the team concept it's kind of like safety in numbers. ... They know the margin of error is greater when you're in this team format."
In addition to the competition, 3rd Lair is hosting a skateboarding trade show for shop owners and the public, and there will be an additional street course in the parking lot and two additional bowls that the public can use for a $13 all-day fee.
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Where: 3rd Lair Skate Park, 850 Florida Av. S., Golden Valley.
When: Today, noon to midnight, practice (for registered competitors only), open skating. 4 p.m.-dusk: trade show. Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., first round of competition; 10 p.m., party for 21 and older; 9 a.m.-9 p.m., trade show. Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.: Final round of competition; 5-ish, best-trick contest; 11 a.m.-5 p.m., trade show.
Admission: Free for contest spectators, $13 for all-day use of skateboarding facility.
Info: Call 763-79SKATE (763-797-5283) or go to www.3rdlair.com.
Maria Elena Baca • 612-673-4409
