Skaters carve it up in Ballina

AROUND 100 skateboarders from across the country are set to descend on Ballina for the Fair Go Skate Comp on November 2.

Held at Missingham Park, the event is one of the largest of its kind in the country, with competitors ranging in age from five to 85-years-old.

Registration is free, with 10 and under boys’ and girls’ events, 16 and under boys and girls, open men’s and women’s, and a masters division (over 40).

“This year we decided to do things a little differently to the standard competition format and return to the fun aspect of skateboarding,” event organiser Freddie Turmel from Ballina skateboarding shop Truckstop Sk8 said. “As the event is just two days after Halloween, we thought it would be fun to dress up. We haven’t done this before so it’s a little bit of a gamble but who doesn’t love a good dress up?”

Local skateboarders founded the competition in 2000 as a way to show Ballina Shire Council that there was a need for a skate park in Ballina.

“We wanted a ‘fair go’ for skateboarders in the area,” Turmel said. “The event kind of took on a life of its own after that as there were no similar events anywhere. We continue to come together each year to celebrate our love of skateboarding.

“We always attract some of the highest participation numbers for any event in the country due to the relaxed coastal vibe we have plus the huge prize pool on offer, which is in the thousands of dollars.”

Turmel said skateboarding is more popular than ever. “The Olympics helped make skateboarding an actual sport and has ushered in worldwide acceptance,” she said. “Ballina and the Northern Rivers has a long history of producing some of the best skateboarders to do to step on a board. There must be something in the water.”