‘Bird’s eye view’ at Kerikeri skate comp made possible

A local skate competition expected to draw national Olympic hopefuls and international skaters will provide grandstand-style seating for spectators seeking a ‘bird’s eye view’ of the skate ramp competition at Kerikeri Domain on Friday 10 February from 4.30pm.

The Kerikeri Vert Jam will run for three days from Wednesday 8 February and will include events like the Bowl Jam ‘Pool Party’ freestyle competition and a free learn-to-skate community class. But the crowd-pulling ‘Vert Jam’ is when skaters will really take to the skies.  

Funding from the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board has enabled event organisers to provide elevated seating for the ‘Vert Jam’ acrobatics. During an extraordinary meeting held on Tuesday (24 January), the board granted event organisers $4,800 for scaffolding, volunteer expenses, tutor accommodation and a sound system.

Last year, the Kerikeri Vert Jam was held in March but organisers moved the date to co-ordinate with the Mangawhai Bowl Bash. The Kerikeri event is free to enter and free for spectators, it offers cash prizes for competition winners and this year will run days after the Mangawhai competition, increasing its pull for top-draw competitors, as well as spectators. Co-ordinating both events has obvious benefits for the Northland economy.

‘Vert Jam’ competition categories include Open Women’s; Under 16’s; Open Men’s; and Masters (over 40s).

The new skating facilities, built as part of the Kerikeri Domain Revitalisation Project, are more aligned with what overseas skaters practise and compete on. The skate park was designed by ex-pro skater Dave Crabb and built by Circle D construction. Dave is also the organiser of Kerikeri Vert Jam event. You can read more about the revitalisation project here.

 

Event schedule:

• Wednesday 8 February – a free learn-to-skate community class
• Thursday 9 February  – a Bowl Jam ‘Pool Party’ freestyle competition starts at 5pm
• Friday 10 February – Vert Jam competiton from 4.30pm.