Antioch hosts second skateboard competition

With hardcore music blasting in the background, skateboarders from beginners to experts competed in Antioch's second annual skate boarding competition on Saturday.

Approximately 2,000 people watched their favorite skateboarders launch themselves off quarter pipes and grind the rails at Williams Park Skate Park in downtown Antioch.

"It's a big event, skateboarders of all ages and levels come to compete," said Lou Perez, organizer of the event. "You wouldn't believe all of the types of tricks you can see at a competition like this one."

Throughout the day, community members brought out lawn chairs and picnicked on the park's lawn, watching the skateboarders warm up before their competitions. Concession and registration fees went toward helping Horizons for Homeless Kids and to the American Cancer Society.

"We created this competition to bring together members of the community while also doing it for a good cause," Perez said. "The money will go toward the charities and next year's competition."

Hosted by LoLo Skate Co. and the village of Antioch, the competition kicked off at 1 p.m. with a blessing from religious speaker, Reggie Johnson.

The competition started with the beginners and worked up to the expert skateboarders. Competitors had 1 minute to show off their technical abilities, speed and agility.

Eleven-year-old Jeremy Anderson competed in the beginners division. "I have practiced every day for the competition," he said. "Part of my routine included grinding the quarter pipe and doing a back 180."

For Anderson, a member of the LoLo Skate Team, it was his fourth skateboarding competition since he started skateboarding seven years ago.

On the other end of the spectrum, 20-year-old Jason Kinkelaar preformed a variety of skateboarding tricks in the expert level division like kick flips, blunt slides and a switch 360.

"I love skateboarding in front of big crowds of people," said Kinkelaar. "During competitions I just want to do the biggest and best tricks I'm able to do within the time period that's allowed."

After each division competed, five competitors were selected to enter a second heat. Winners from each heat were awarded trophies and skateboarding gear donated by Trend Seller skate shop in McHenry and BS the Board Shop in Lake Geneva.

The competition ended with a special trick round where each skateboarder battled it out for a cash prize.

"The competition was a great way for skateboarders to get out there and show off their tricks and abilities," Perez said. "We can't wait to see how many people show up for next year's event."

Perez said LoLo Skateboarding Co. will host an Octoberfest Skateboarding Competition on Oct. 5 and another at Paddock Lake, Wisc., on Sep. 7.