On Saturday the 29th there were a record number of bladers in Rockford, but they all didn't make it to the contest. Most of them were celebrating Jon Adams' wedding... Love was in the air. What was surprising is that Jon Adams came out early and skated around a bit before the wedding, that's how much he loves to roll, he snuck it in on his wedding day :)
It was a perfect day to blade, the weather was 75, the sun was out, and we were at Flodin skatepark, one of the best of 4 parks in Rockford. Most of the skaters that came out were from Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin and the Chicagoland area and a couple out of towners like Tim Schmidt from Indiana and Joe Valesh from Georgia.
There were 3 kids skating the beginner division, Flodin local Jake Altenburg skated fast and landed every trick in his run, solid skating by all 3 youngsters!
The open class was a surprise, Chris McCormick came from behind the shadows and busted out: there were a few skaters looking like they were going to take it but Chris picked up the pace when everyone else tired themselves out...the turtle strategy. Chris used the whole course and connected some great lines. Other great skaters that day were Todd Trosper, Curtis Thornburg and Nick Schroder who all made the final. It was anybody's comp to win. Congrats to Chris McCormick for taking the win.
This was the first time that we had a 30+ division and we were excited to be able compete in our own contest. There were 6 guys in the "KINGPIN" division and it was a close one! Tall Antone took the gold with clean lines and switch ups. I realized I had to step my game up when he laced a perfect "soul to soul". Tracy took second place. He connected 5-6 trick lines, method air transfers and solid grinds with stamina like a 16 year old. We all had a blast!
Over all the event was similar to the first years of L.A. All Day, A few local skaters, plenty of free time to skate and some good music. After the comp we presented the skaters with their medals and prizes. Tall Antone and Chris McCormick also received posters that I created. It has always been a tradition of ours to give posters, medals and prizes at the end of any comp. Tracy also threw in a gift from the Blade Museum which was a giant Videogroove sticker for the Kingpin winner. Another tradition after the comp is eating some local Mexican food. We stuffed ourselves and headed over to Tracy White's Blade Museum. The Blade Museum was the cherry on the Saturday for an all day rollerblading adventure. We ended the night educating youngsters on Rollerblading history and we couldn't ask for anything more.
Big thanks to Derek Papich Director of the Flodin Boys & Girls Club, The Pull for provided $50 for first place Open division winner in both BladeHead comps. DJ Maclin (Music) & Mario Martinez (Hype man/camera), Ian Bumphrey (Kingpin MC) judges Adam Cox, GL. Joe Esguivel and Joe Tallman for Judging and making the custom BladeHead Series banner, the Rockford Park District's Laurie Anderson & John Peterson for supply the P.A., and all the skaters and parents who came out to support and of course all are great sponsors!
BEGINNER
Jake Altenburg
Sam Nolan
Daniel Mendoza
OPEN
Chris McCormick
Nick Schroder
Todd Trosper
Curtis Thornburg
KINGPIN
Tall Antone Anderson
Tracy White
Carlos Kessell
Daniel Kinney (29 +)
Tim Schmidt
Joe Valesh