Sidewalk surfing in Antioch
Lou Perez and the skateboarders of Antioch are ready to roll.
After passing out thousands of leaflets, practicing their kick flips, pop shivot tricks and grinding the rails of Williams Park Skate Park numerous times, these sidewalk surfers are ready to get their adrenaline pumping at Antioch's Second Annual Skate Boarding Competition this Saturday.
"It all started about seven years ago when my generation of friends went to a village hall meeting and persuaded the members of the board to build the skate park," said Perez, organizer of the Second Annual Skate Boarding Competition. "After a couple years, I noticed the people who used to attend the skate park were not going as much anymore. That's when I realized we not only had to create an effort to bring back the skaters, but create something to engage the community." Perez said he's looking forward to this years' competition after last year's success.
That's when attendance reached approximately 1,200 spectators, making it one of the largest skateboarding competitions in Lake County. Perez predicts more than 1,500 people will attend this year's event after all the advertising they have done.
"The competition gives skateboarders in the area something to look forward to," Perez said. "It's a great opportunity for those who have signed up to practice their skills and show off some new tricks and their talents."
Antioch's skate park has provided recreational environment where skateboarders from across the county and surrounding areas can ride and develop their skills without using public property.
The event will kick off around 1 p.m. starting with the beginners, followed by the intermediate and expert skateboarders. Skateboarders will have one minute to show off their technical abilities, speed and agility to a bleacher-filled crowd.
"Every skateboarder has their own style of doing tricks," Perez said. "We will be judging on style, quantity of tricks, and technique."
Perez said there may be a round dedicated to skating tricks. Winners will be awarded with cash prizes.
"All ages are invited to participate," he said. "We are going to treat everyone equal; that means we are going to root for the beginners just as much as the experts."
Skaters will be able to use any of the skate park's features except the half pipe. The park consists of two quarter pipes back to back, launch ramp, two level quarter pipe with a double kink, two start ramps, power box, one straight rail and one double kinked rail.
After each division competes, five competitors will be selected to enter a second heat. During the second heat, the judges will determine the winners to be announced during the final awards ceremony.
"We will have first, second and third prizes for skateboarders per each division of beginners, intermediates and experts," Perez said. "If a skateboarder's second run is not as good as their first run, we will judge the better score."
This year, Perez estimates there will be approximately 70 skateboarding entries between all three levels.
"We want people to realize that skateboarding is a sport, and it takes a lot of hard work and practice for competitions, like the one we are hosting," he said. "We hope to change a few perspectives and bring a more skate-orientated environment into Antioch."