One week into being officially open and the Brodie Avenue Skatepark/Walking park was put to full use on Saturday as B3 Extreme and the Yorkton Skateboard Club hosted its annual Freedom Tour and skate competition. After three years operating in the Gallagher Centre curling rink for the competition bringing in ramps and rails from the old Broadway temporary skatepark, the Yorkton Skatepark Club got its first shot of hosting an event with the new cement skatepark. The event was a success as it drew its highest amount of competitors since its inaugural competition and saw over fifty skateboarders come out as well as many more watching the event.
Organizer Nathan Grayston mentioned how having the outdoor park was a major bonus for the event noting, "It was way less stress than in years before, as we didn't have to haul ramps into the curling rink and worry about extra organizing stuff." Grayston also thanked the sponsors of the event including; Dairy Queen, B3 Extreme, Unlegit, and Yorkton Skateboard Club. As for plans for the event in the coming years Grayston says they plan to add live bands, music as well as other things in the works to continue to build on the event and take advantage of the new park.
Results for the day are as follows:
BEGINNER: Y booter/Banks - Dakota P, Rudy Duchek took second place while the two stair event went to Zen-den Austin with DJ Pelly taking runner up honours.
INTERMEDIATE: Y booter/Banks event went to Kolten Austin the two stair trophy went to Carter Washenfelde and Malik LaFontaine won the four stair event. Overall honours went to Zack Renton.
ADVANCED: The upgap/y booter event went to Dallas McGillivray and Justin Ryczak took the bowl/transition event with Tucker Chornomud placing second. The four stair and six stair events went to Colin Shewchuk and Nathan Grayston, Austin Lungal placed second in the six stair event. Colin Shewchuk added to his four stair win with the Lord of the Lines title.
Prizes and product tosses were donated by Dairy Queen, Yorkton Skateboard Club and B3 Extreme. Event winners were given various prize packages consisting of skateboard decks, t-shirts, and skate videos. Coupons for Dairy Queen were also given out to various skateboarders throughout the day as part of their sponsorship of the event. The Freedom Tour will likely wrap up the event schedule for the fall at the Brodie Avenue Skatepark as there are no future events in the works at the moment.
