Got (East) Wood?
Eastwood Skate Park is ready for its close up...
- March 12, 2009
- 0 Comments
- By Story/Photos By mishaMAC
The much anticipated Eastwood Skate park burst onto the central Florida skate scene in November of 2008 with more of a whimper than a wham, perhaps it was saving itself for the real coming out party in January. On January 24th, 2009 Zorlac Skateboards (recently resuscitated from over a decade of sitting in the backseat of the industry) teamed up with Chris Chambers, owner and founder of Eastwood Skate Park in Rockledge, FL to put on the first contest the park had hosted since its birth just 2 months earlier.
Official results:
12 and Under
1st - Davin Wynkoop
2nd - Daniel Ratliff
3rd - Jordan Fuguet
13-17
1st - Steven O'Donnell
2nd - Shane Carter
3rd - Brad Horner
18 and Up
1st - C.J.
Dixon
2nd - Max Catasus
3rd - Matt Call
After the street contest came to a close around 5:00p.m., the air show (also known as the bowl jam) took flight. It was a feast for the eyes both inside Eastwoods’ shiny, new birch wood bowl, as well as along the sidelines. Breaking from the traditional timed and scored layout of typical skate contest runs, the bowl jam encouraged it’s participants to share the space, and push each other in an ongoing format. Awards were handed out for traditional bowl tricks like the best hand plant, foot plant, grind, grab, etc. Wade Ulrich and Chris Chambers worked alongside the guys who call Eastwood home to stir things up by also handing out awards for the gnarliest wipe, best arm candy on the sidelines, biggest beer gut and best cheerleader, amongst others.
After the dust settled and the crowd shuffled home, the lucky few that remained for the after party enjoyed plenty of ice cold beer and a front row seat for and up close and personal show from the guys in one of Brevards’ best local bands; The Ovni Sound System. The mark that Chambers has made on the skate industry both locally and nationally is no joke, though you’d never know it by talking to him. Chris is one of the most level-headed, knowledgeable and skate-passionate business guys out there; A true skater-turned-entrepreneur, with a side order of originality. The park reflects that eclectic skating background with a solid mix of street flow and classic old skool bowl jam.
If you haven’t given it a grind yet, there’s no time like the present. Eastwood is absolutely one of Brevard’s most unique parks, and is worth every mile of the drive to Rockledge. Tell Chris Michelle sent you, he'll roll his eyes and charge you double (joking, of course). There's a new mini section upstairs with a spine setup that will keep you occupied for hours, go and see this indoor anomole for yourself. Have a bang up time, and as always, report back.
-mishaMAC
surf.rat23@yahoo.com