SBNZ and ISU continued the New Zealand National Skateboarding Park / Bowl competition series. It all culminated on the weekend with BOWLZILLA Wellington. Wellington once again was the greatest stage for skateboarders in the nation.
Shaun - Smith
Wellington always surprises – ALWAYS Terrible weather all week. The day started overcast and freezing. It felt like there was something changing as the day moved forward though. You could see it in the skating and hear it in the crowd. The weather changed for the better and the whole event just went crazy. Then during all of that, completely out of the blue in the middle of the comp, Lydia and Daroll Clark from Yeah Gnar came up and gave cash to equalise the prize purse with the Women's division to the Open division. They contributed $5350 and asked for nothing in return. They just want to support women and see them equitably treated. What was already an amazing day in New Zealand skate history just became the best. Not only the first but a very large Equality in Skateboarding moment in New Zealand. It would be safe to say today was the proudest day in New Zealand skateboarding history.
George with one of this front blunts
The National Champions crowned were; Women - Krysta Ashwell, 16 & Under - Soul Kropelnicki, Masters – Ramon Thackwell, Open – Shaun Boucher. With Competition title going to Australian RJ Barbaro, for the third year straight. R.J and Shaun were both successful in maintaining their titles from 2016 and 2017, what an amazing feat that is. With New Zealand having the representative competitor for all of Oceania at last year’s World Championships; Bowman Hansen, there is a lot of interest and excitement building in the local talent. BOWLZILLA Wellington as the National Titles is the greatest platform for local riders and their stepping stone onto the world stage. The skating at this year’s event shows there is a bright future ahead for New Zealand skateboarding.
OPEN
1 R.J Barbaro
2 Shaun Boucher
3 Bowman Hansen
4 George Richards
5 Josh Wilson
6 Mike Bancroft
7 Chris Wood
8 Aaron Kingi
9 Sockz
10 Orson Reynolds
11 Brodie Lee Jarrett
12 Diego Casal
13 Dereck DeSouza
14 Chris Curren
15 Felix Macilfe
16 Rob Ayton
17 James Huntley
18 Levi Jardine
19 Dallas Marshall
20 Patrick Maessen
21 Jordan Roderique
22 Scott Wilkinson
23 Ken Maka Pakoariki
24 Luke Hayward
25 Tyler Holdsworth
MASTERS
1 Lester Kasai
2 Ramon Thackwell – New Zealand National Park skating Champion
3 Sean Ritchie
4 Shaka Wereth
5 Nolan Ewart
6 Dave Crabb
7 Adam Wheelden
8 Robin Oneleg
WOMEN
1 Krysta Ashwell – New Zealand National Park skating Champion
2 Tanja Swanepoel
3 Rhya Henare
4 Oksana Lines
5 Gala Baumfield
6 Poppy-Joe Garratt
7 Kiri Binnersley
8 Chrystal Doller
9 Sharee Dowdall
16 & UNDER
1 Soul Kropelnicki – New Zealand National Park skating Champion
2 Louis Newman
3 Rimus Henare
4 Rico Henare
5 Niwa Shewry
6 Riley Jackson
7 Mitch Jordan
8 Jude Albiston
9 Alex Moreu
10 Jackson Wilcox
There was NZ$8,000 in prize money and that ended up growing to NZ$13,350 distributed amongst the Women, Open and Masters divisions. There was also $2000 worth of prizes, donated by; Fusion Surf / Skate, Vans, Manual Magazine and Dickies, for the 16 & Under and Women’s divisions, which were distributed amongst all the competitors.