Skateboarders wow Batavia crowd at annual contest

Many tried, but few were able to land the coveted hard-flip-down-the-half-pipe trick during the Third Annual Batavia Teen Center Skateboard Competition at Blackard Skate-n-Bike Park.

The trick combines two maneuvers — a kickflip where the board rotates 360 degrees through the air in a forward motion and a pop shove-it, which flicks the board around 180 degrees horizontally. This, all while leaping off the top of the half pipe.

Roshan Staudenbaur, 15, of Oswego, stayed upright on his skateboard and the move earned him a top spot in the intermediate division. The teen said he has competed in about a half-dozen contests.

“I like the fact that you have something to look forward to at the end,” said Roshan, who spends about two hours per day at his local skatepark on school days and another six hours on the weekends.

Kristin Bykowski, teen recreation supervisor for the Batavia Park District, said the district is always looking for ways to include local teens.

“The teen population is always really hard to program for,” Bykowski said. “But they spend a lot of time in the park and are very active down here. So it fit, We have to find fun things for this age group.”

Almost 30 competitors from across the area showed off their best tricks.

Roshan’s friend and fellow intermediate competitor, Justin Wehr, 15, of Batavia, said he liked the format of the day’s competition. Skateboarders in the intermediate and expert categories participated in a five minute jam session, while beginners showed off their skills for one minute.

“It’s a jam format, so everyone is skating it,” Wehr said. “It’s way more fun.”

In the advanced category, Erik Hultquist, 16, of Batavia, and Danny Beauchamp, 15, of North Aurora, entertained the crowd with big air flips, kicks, grinds and ollies. Erik pulled off a back flip, while Danny landed a hard flip.

“It’s an opportunity to win some things and get known,” said Erik, who has been skateboarding for about 10 years and has entered about 50 contests.