Volcom Stone’s 2011 North American Wild in the Parks got its wheels rolling in style at American Fork, Utah’s Greenwood Skatepark on Saturday, May 7th!
We're always excited to get the tour started in Utah! As registration got underway we were immediately stormed by competitors jockeying for position to get their names in the mix. With the swarm of nearly 200 competitors, it’s not hard to understand why there are so many amazing concrete parks in the Salt Lake area.
Kickflip f/s boardslide in zone 1
Lipslide, zone 3
What’s incredible is that the level of skating only seems to get better year after year. In a state that sees all four seasons, American Fork consistently produces talent that’s comparable to that we see in warmer weather regions.
With registration formalities behind us, the 14 & Under division started the afternoon off without a hitch. Luigi Arellano came out putting down tricks in all three zones like he was smashing goombas on his favorite gaming system. With a memorable kickflip over the 8-stair handrail in Zone1, Luigi claimed 1st place for the day.
B/s feeble grind, zone 1
Lina Moeung mixed it up with the boys and showed that SHE can definitely hang, stomping a giant kickflip in Zone 1. Working hard all day landed her in 2nd place! Kyle Eggen didn’t hold anything back with huge amounts of style and power nailing down a good lookin’ b/s smith grind and flip tricks to place 3rd.
F/s noseblunt, zone 3
Seth Huot, of Volcom’s snowboard team, stopped by for the 3rd year in a row to lend a hand in grilling up some danger dogs for the hungry competitors. With our bellies full of assorted meats, chips, and plenty of Gatorade, it was time to get back to the task at hand.
Volcom snow team rider Seth Huot grilling up some free food for the competitors
F/s bluntslide, kickflip out in zone 2
Right off the bat it was clear to see that the 15 & Over division had no intention of holding back. With calculated abandonment, the competitors took to Zones 2 and 3 before heading over to the gallery of spectators hungry for more action on the formidable stair set in Zone 1.
Huge kickflip down the 8-set in zone 1
Christian Bourne locked in 1st place getting technical with solid flip trick variations in all three zones. Gabe Spotts was not to be outdone capping his finials off with a buttery smooth kickflip f/s boardslide in zone 1 capturing 2nd whilst Parker Garrett rounded the day off with style and fineness placing 3rd.
Another WITP-induced drinking problem
The Open class was up next and something told us we were in for a magical ride of magnificence. Without delay, these guys made it clear why they’d signed up in the Open Division. I’m not sure if anyone really realized what was about to take place in front of his or her ocular cavities.
Blizzard flip, zone 1
If I didn’t know any better we may have to start looking for magnets or “corked skate decks” because each skater in this division seemed to have an unfair advantage landing anything and everything they tried. We were witness to a backside 270 on 270 out on the flat hubba ledge, f/s blunt kickflip out in Zone 2’s extended ledge, and switch big kickflip down the 8-stair in Zone 1 to cap it off.
Here's a keen f/s bluntslide in zone 1
After the dust settled and the smoke cleared, Tyson Bowerbank brought about a changing of the guard with 1st, Brodie Penrod solidified himself with a solid 2nd place finish, and Sergio Rivera took 3rd for his efforts!
A gigantic thanks to American Fork’s Derric Rykert, Berklee Daley and Kaitlin Lawson for their help from A to Z! Thanks also to Moses Sanchez, Austin Namba , and Josh for judging. Thanks to Volcom’s own Seth Huot for coming out and handling the lunchtime madness. Of course, thanks to all our WITP sponsors below for pitching in a ton of prizes for the winners!
