The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
On June 21, 2008 (Go Skateboarding Day), Funky Threadz welcomed local skateboarders from The Pas and Opaskwayak Cree Nation, as well as visiting athletes from Thompson to our annual skateboard competition. In previous years, weÕve stuck to the DC National framework, splitting the competition up into a youth and open category. However, since DC changed their format allowing anyone to compete in Regional events, we decided to go back to our original format, splitting the competition into three age categories Ð 13 and Under, 14-17, and 18 plus. Approximately 60 spectators cheered on, as the 16 competitors gave their all during two 90 second runs. The judges Ð Brent Purshega and Ian Mitchell closely watched scoring them on technical skills, the tricksÕ degree of difficulty, use of course and diversity, and consistency. Their best run was taken as their deciding score. We had a total of three competitors in the Junior Category Ð Brett Zetterstrom, Harold Linklater and Brett Hanson. In the Teen Category, we had six competing Ð Lorne Rushton, Bret Gray, Jory Coulter, Justice Genaille, Garrett Lavallee and Kevin Bryne. Finally, there were seven athletes in the Adult Category Ð Chris Merasty, Shane McNevin, Justin Goulding, Ronald Dale, Lachi MacLean, Curtis Head-Constant and William Slater. After the main event, all the skaters played a game of S.K.A.T.E., with Alan Cook winning $250 worth of clothing. The winners and crowd received Prize Packages of hats, t-shirts, hoodies, gift certificates for free shorts and assorted skateboard hardware. Funky Threadz and Wescana Inn also provided the top three finishers of the 14-17 and 18 plus categories, $200 each for their travels to the Regional Event in Winnipeg, July 26, The Forks Plaza. Results for the 2008 Northern Manitoba Skateboard Championship are as follows: 13 and Under Finalists Brett Hanson (3), Harold Linklater (1), Brett Zetterstrom (2) 14-17 Finalists: Jory Coulter (2), Garrett Lavallee (1), Justice Genaille (3) 18 + Finalists: Lachi MacLean (2), Chris Merasty (1), Justin Goulding (3)
