John P. Brackin - Freelance Writer - Articles - Pat Wachter Pro Bowl Contest

First Pro Skateboard Contest Soars

Alabaster Newsletter, June 2007

Dave Duncan signing autographs at the Pat Wachter Pro Bowl Contest The first annual Pat Wachter Pro Bowl Contest was held at Veterans Skate Park on April 28. The contest was an official World Cup Skateboarding event, which meant professional riders competed for both money and points.

World Cup Skateboarding is the preeminent skateboarding organization today, responsible for high-profile events like the X Games. Along with the prestige of being a World Cup event comes big name participants, and Alabaster wasn’t disappointed.

Dave Duncan, the “Voice of Skateboarding,” emceed the event and also participated in its Masters competition. Legendary skateboarder Christian Hosoi was on hand to serve as celebrity judge. Hosoi is a genuine skateboarding legend, having competed and even beaten Tony Hawk back in the 1980s. His hammerhead-shaped skateboard was one of the most popular, and unique, boards of his era.

Weather for the contest was perfect, and a big crowd turned out to watch the show. According to Parks & Recreation Director Larry Vann, over 300 kids had entered the park by noon.

“This is good for all the local kids,” Vann said. “They get to meet these guys they see on the videos and magazines. So there’s a whole lot of good locally, including economics. I think we’ve got four countries represented and a ton of states.”

Benji Galloway at Veterans Skate Park The competition was divided into three categories: Masters, Ladies, and Pros. Among the Masters was former Powell & Peralta skateboarders Lance Mountain and Steve Steadham. Leading the pros was No. 1-ranked Benji Galloway.

Galloway is one of the best bowl riders out there today. He has already won five contests this year. Other pros in the event included Donovan Rice, Sergi Ventura, Tim Johnson, Steven Reeves, and 13-year-old Morgan Burgess. One thing they all shared was their enthusiasm for the park.

“This is a world-class facility,” Duncan said.

According to Vann, the skateboard park should be a point of pride for residents.

“This puts skateboarding on the map in the country for Alabaster. It was Jacksonville last week, Alabaster this week, and Shanghai next week. To steal the old baseball adage, if you build it they will come. This is a prime example of that,” he said.

The competition throughout the day was friendly but fierce. Mountain won the Masters division, beating out former teammate Steadham. Cressey Rice won the Ladies division, and Galloway won the Pros.

The final heat of the Pros division ended around 8 p.m., under the park’s brand new lights. Duncan said, “That was one of the coolest pool sessions I’ve seen in my life.”